Prehistoric iPhone Also Lacked Copy, Paste

Pete Mortensen ()

Prehistoric iPhone Also Lacked Copy, PasteGoogle’s 2001 retro-search tool has provided endless amusement over the past few weeks. None so much as the image at right, which is the “iPhone 2,” released by InfoTech in mid-1999 and reviewed on StreetTech by Gareth Branwyn.

And yes, it was a comical Internet landline phone, featuring full QWERTY keyboard. Like today’s iPhone 3G, it featured a touchscreen, Internet access, e-mail, and location-based services. Also like today’s iPhone 3G, it improved on significant shortcomings in its predecessor, by adding a better keyboard, higher data speed, and better speaker-phone sound quality.

And, eeriest of all, it had notable areas that needed improving. There was no “Forward” browser button, no “Find” function, and, hilariously, no Cut, Copy, or Paste features. In many ways, it’s exactly like today’s iPhone. Just, you know, totally janky.

Some things never change, apparently.

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About the author

Petemortensen

Pete Mortensen is a design strategist for consulting firm Jump Associates and the co-author of Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper When They Create Widespread Empathy, a book and blog that are significantly more interesting than you might initially think. Pete's particular Apple avocations are both around design--interface and industrial. Follow him on Twitter!

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Posted in iPhone, Vintage Tech | Tagged: , , |

  • Fred

    The original Mac 128k had cut and paste.

    The Newton had cut and paste.

    The Palm Pilot had cut and paste!!!

  • ABanks

    It is probably more secure than the iPhone though.

  • http://therudebellman.blogspot.com The Rude Bellman

    I don’t know what the big deal is about cut and paste. I have that on my Mac and NEVER use it. I also use my iPhone for hours every day and NEVER need it. I would imagine MOST people don’t need it and it’s the less than .01% of would be users that keep whining about the iPhone not having it. Shut up, already! No one cares.