Such assessments seem to assume that Apple should wow us with each and every release. After all, the company is supposed to be the world's most abundant font of innovation. So whenever a new iPhone model is brought forth, it should sport not only a completely redesigned interface but also a wholly new case. In the land of shiny objects and gnat-like attention spans, we seem to expect companies like Apple to either change constantly or die.

Unless, of course, we take a couple of deep breaths and consider how these things really work. To do that, we need to take a brief stroll through the iPhone's history.

The ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ) offered a countenance navigable by people of normal intelligence, a keyboard-less touchscreen interface, a phone, visual voicemail, SMS, data connectivity, media playback, an email client, a calendar, an address book, and a real Web browser. Additionally, Apple and AT&T managed to create the simplest phone and data plans on the planet. By any measure, the first iPhone was a revolutionary machine.

But it was far from perfect. Where were the apps? Why was I stuck with slow EDGE networks when I'm out and about? How could anyone expect to store a reasonable amount of media on an 8GB device? Where was the GPS? My state requires hands-free operation while driving, but my iPhone had no voice control. Why was the camera so crummy? How was someone with visual disabilities supposed to use this thing? How to use the phone overseas without accumulating backbreaking charges? I want a video phone! Where's my high-def display?