How the iPhone changed our lives
Apple's iPhone turned text messages into continuous chat conversations with no character limits. In the fall of 2008, Neilson reported that texting had a 450-percent increase from the same time period in 2006.
Created a new way for us to waste money
Apple introduced an entirely new consumer market with the App Store. A venue for buying everything from video games to the Kama Sutra, it created an opportunity for programming hobbyist to earn huge profits. By the winter of 2011, over a billion apps had been downloaded.
Oversharing helped fuel stalkers
The combination of apps for Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare made it easy for anyone with an iPhone to post every moment of their lives online - sometimes even with pictures. From drunken status updates to check-ins everywhere, we've shared our most private moments with countless people. Our stalkers couldn't be more thrilled.
Multi-touch gestures made pinching mainstream
The iPhone's touch screen created a new navigating habit. Pinching and finger swipes have become as familiar as clicking a mouse.
Finding a public toilet is less of a drag
The iPhone app boom fostered an era of specific, localized information. From finding public toilets in seconds to identifying leaves by taking a photo, the way we experience our world is much different.
Reading is suddenly really gross
The news and book apps for the iPhone made it a natural source for bathroom reading. There is even an app for observing your bathroom habits. This observation will, no doubt, wreak havoc on people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Settle bets on the spot
Making bets with friends has forever changed. Any fact or figure is now accessible within seconds. Calling a draw due to lack of information has been eliminated and so is any excuse to get out of losing a bet.
Video game addiction claims unsuspecting victims
Video games are a staple of the App Store. Even if you were never a gamer before, suddenly the urge to sling Angry Birds at smug green pigs has become overwhelming. Users are now able to have a video game device in the guise of a productivity tool.
Everyone turned into a professional photographer
Popular apps like the Hipstamatic and Instagram made it possible to get amazing vintage effects without expensive equipment, film and processing. The social nature of nostalgic-photo apps made it easy to penetrate the Facebook feeds of millions.
Shopping became more efficient and less fun
Apps like Red Laser, Groupon and Coupon Sherpa made comparison shopping and getting discounts easier. Of course, it did take some of the joy out of impulse buying.
Depositing checks with a phone? Witchcraft!
As the iPhone's camera improved, apps evolved with them. Banks made it possible to deposit checks from taking a photo, thus eliminating a dreadful trip to the bank.
Never get lost again
Google maps nearly made giving directions obsolete. The mapping app gave every person with an iPhone the tool to get home from anywhere on the planet.
