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I had a few people say they recall getting that blue dot on their original phone in the Maps app. They're not wrong, but that was a feature added (using wi-fi and cell tower triangulation) in an iPhone OS update in January 2008.. it wasn't there at launch.

I was still using my original 16GB 2G iPhone until about 6 months ago when I finally upgraded to the 4S with 32GB of RAM. That original iPhone was still working wonderfully with no problems whatsoever (and still could be, although retired now). My 4S with its GPS, Siri, incredible Retina screen and FAST processor are miles ahead of the original, but still obviously the same groundbreaking technology Apple invented--and everyone else copied. It's amazing how many things I use my iPhone for these days: alarm clock, contacts list, constant music companion, schedule assistant... Had Apple not come along we'd still be thinking flip phones like Motorola's Razr were the coolest thing.

When I upgraded to the 3GS, I sold my original 2G to my brother. I had seller's remorse then and, to this day, I still wish it was a product I had held on to. Bundled with a USB cable AND a wall wart... AND IT'S OWN DOCK... it was truly the all in one package. Comparing it in my brother's hand to whatever new version I had, I watched it age but I always lusted to have it back. Good tech. A piece of history.

Recently I am wondering what kind of concessions Apple is doing internally to achieve their business goals. The iPhone design is the best example of it. To me 3G/3Gs were state of the art design, elegant, practical to grabbing, well balanced in the hands, easily sliding into pockets. In terms of design and functionality they've done right the first time (2Gs) and perfect the second time (3G/3Gs). The 4th onwards is commodity shaped, clearly production focused more than customer oriented and definitely do not stand out from the crowd, speaking about design. This doesn't sound like Apple, does it? The new iPad is another case. We all heard from Jobs himself, he celebrated the weight reduction on iPad 2, highlighting the importance of every little bit weight reduction in such device. Than... well, we know what happend in the new iPhone.

I still use an original iPhone, it's getting long in the tooth but it's such a special version of the iPhone. I will never part with it but I do plan to upgrade. Apple is amazing!

CFO2, on 30 June 2012 - 06:29 AM, said:

Hmm…well I respect your comments but I don't entirely agree because cosmetic design and beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I absolutely fell in love with the 4S cosmetic design. To me it really was the most beautiful yet. Personally, I think Apple keeps refining it's curves as it goes along. I think they are doing a great job with industrial design, they really make timeless pieces.

Granted I do think the first original iPhone was absolutely beautiful, very elegant but it is a little slippery. I have to hide it's curves under a silicon case which is a shame. Once a year I put it in my jeans, ensuring no other metal objects rattle next to it

This post has been edited by alex_santos: 02 July 2012 - 05:14 AM

My first iPhone was the 3GS. It saved my then 92 year old dad from going to the nursing home. I flew into see him at his local hospital. I realized the doctors and nurses thought he was demented and that he would have to go to a nursing home. I got them to treat his pain better, but first I realized they thought he was demented because he couldn't hear them. I downloaded an amplifier program that night, put the earbuds in his ears, and within hours he was walking in the hall and wowing the nurses with his stories. He came home with me 2 days later. He died 2 years later but at home. I still rely on that iPhone.

alex_santos, on 02 July 2012 - 05:12 AM, said:

Most definitely, IPhone 4-4S industrial design is way more beautiful, elegant and many other things than the original design. Actually as a designer I dislike the way Apple Industrial design department are overusing the rounded corners. I like them but not to the degree that Apple is using them. Personally, I believe that the most aesthetically beautiful Mac was the original MacBook Pro. Less rounded corners, nicer overall shape. What I do like about the new Mac is the Unibody case. I wish I was given a chance by Apple to design either the IPhone, IPad or MacBook Pro.

This post has been edited by rayar8: 06 July 2012 - 11:28 AM

I still own the original iPhone. The only issue I had with an iPhone was the iPhone 4. The rest are exquisite!