It's fair to say that Apple generated a certain amount of excitement with the iPhone announcement. Some sections of the press christened the smartphone the ''. But others were less impressed; columnist John C Dvorak pronounced: "Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone... [because it's just] going to be another phone in a crowded market." He's still to this day.

29 June 2007: First-gen iPhone is launched

The original version of Apple's smartphone hit shops later in 2007: five years ago to the day, on 29 June. The UK had to for its own iPhone launch, however.

It was a serious success, with lining up at the flagship Apple Stores and widespread critical acclaim greeting the launch.

The first iPhone lacked many of the aspects that made more recent iPhone models great, such as 3G connectivity. But, like other great Apple products, the iPhone took ideas and technologies available elsewhere and combined them in one desirable, reliable product. By creating a good-looking and intuitive gadget that anyone could use as a mobile phone, web browser and MP3 player, Apple re-invigorated and redefined the mobile market.