The everyday smartphone: Apple iPhone

When? 2007

It wasn't the first smartphone, the first glass rectangle, or the first handset to deliver most of its hyped features, but the original iPhone packaged all of those points in a new way. Though rather dull and even ugly by today's standards, that first model did more than any other earlier phone to make the smartphone mainstream. And that was true even for the few months it existed in only one country (finally, the US got a phone first) and on only one carrier.

It wasn't what the iPhone did, but how it did them. Lines formed and new models steadily arrived in annual intervals. And while Apple continued to follow behind its rivals in introducing basic features like photo messaging and 3G, the iPhone family's ginormous appeal and innovation in other areas (like the App Store) were more than enough to make those rivals scramble.

The Android phone: T-Mobile G1

When? 2008

When you look back, it's hard to believe that the T-Mobile G1 (made by HTC) was the first Android phone. With that boxy design and limited feature set, it wasn't the most auspicious debut for Google's OS. But after some time, Android was charging ahead leaving the G1 as barely a blip. And so, the two-OS horse race that rules us today was born.

Scores of devices followed, giving Android as equal an important role as Apple in making the smartphone an affordable and everyday device. And considering that Android devices were available on more carriers in more countries, it probably did more. Much Android-inspired innovation came as well, much more than I have room for here.

The LTE phone: Samsung SCH-R900

When? 2010

You probably haven't heard of her, but the Samsung SCH-R900 holds the honor of being the first phone with LTE. Sure, other 4G-like technologies such as Sprint's WiMax existed at the time, but LTE is the high-speed standard now spreading around the world.

Sales of the SCH-R900 never took off, mostly because it was available only with the regional US carrier MetroPCS. It also wasn't a smartphone and the processor was achingly slow. That said, a first is a first.

The other everyday smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S3

When? 2012

Of the many Galaxy models that Samsung made, the Galaxy S3 ends this list for a few reasons. A powerful phone crammed with every feature available, it (and the later GS4 and GS5) became the iPhone's strongest foe and it remains a prime (though maybe not the best) example of Android's potential.

Also, its widespread availability, global launch, and Samsung's marketing muscle introduced even more people to their first smartphone.

But just as important, it sparked the long legal battle between Apple and Samsung that (hopefully) just came to an end.

Source: CNET.com

BDST: 1214 HRS MAY 23, 2014