August 18, 2007: A video goes viral on YouTube when 23-year-old web character Justine Ezarik, aka iJustine, posts a 300-page iPhone invoice mailed to her in a field by AT&T.
The invoice — which lists each single motion that consumed mobile information on Ezarik’s brand-new iPhone — is shortly considered by 3 million folks and receives in depth media protection. (You may watch it under.)
iJustine’s 300-page iPhone invoice shocks the web
Initially, the iPhone — which launched the earlier month — labored solely on the AT&T Mobility community. When activating their new telephones, iPhone customers had the choice of selecting how they wished to be billed. Anybody who skipped shortly over the setup with out specifying an choice obtained the default — an itemized invoice detailing all expenses.
Whereas iJustine wasn’t alone in receiving an intensive invoice like this one, she was among the many first (and definitely turned essentially the most seen). The unique iPhone went on sale on June 29, after which a one-month interval wanted to move earlier than folks began receiving their first payments.
Her invoice got here to $274.81, whereas the bundle reportedly value AT&T round $7 to ship. It arrived on Saturday, August 11, 2007. And it took till August 18 earlier than AT&T issued an official assertion clarifying what occurred (and passing the buck).
“Our clients have the choice of receiving a invoice that’s detail-free,” the corporate mentioned. “Additionally, we now have for years inspired our clients to modify to on-line billing as a result of it’s handy, safe, and environmentally pleasant.”
AT&T switches up its iPhone billing
Shortly after iJustine’s notorious 300-page iPhone invoice turned web well-known, AT&T despatched textual content messages to all iPhone customers saying paper payments would not be itemized. The corporate claimed the transfer had nothing to do with media strain and had been deliberate all alongside.
iJustine’s iPhone invoice turned the topic of one of many first iPhone-related viral movies, however many extra would observe. It laid the groundwork for later movies just like the “Antennagate tune” that Steve Jobs used to open an Apple press occasion, the iPhone 6 Plus “Bendgate” movies and extra.
It additionally stands out as an amusing second in Apple historical past. iJustine’s ridiculous iPhone invoice underscores the teething pains that occurred because the world started to embrace smartphones.
Additionally on at the present time in Apple historical past
Hewlett-Packard turns into an organization
I discovered just a few neat Apple tie-ins whereas researching at the present time in Apple historical past. On August 18, 1947, Hewlett-Packard included as an organization. As a child, Steve Jobs was a member of the Hewlett-Packard Explorers Membership, which met within the firm’s cafeteria each Tuesday night time to obtain a chat from an HP engineer.
Photograph: Wang
At age 12, Jobs seemed up firm co-founder Invoice Hewlett within the cellphone guide (!) and requested him for elements for a frequency counter challenge he was engaged on.
Wang Laboratories goes bankrupt
On August 18, 1992, Wang Laboratories filed for chapter safety. One of many corporations that fared poorly following the arrival of the PC giants, Wang is an attention-grabbing tangent to the Apple story. The corporate’s promoting led the best way for Apple in a few methods.
For starters, Wang turned the primary pc firm to run a Tremendous Bowl advert in 1978. Apple famously adopted with its iconic Mac advert in 1984.
Additionally, like Apple, Wang additionally confronted off with IBM, positioning itself because the scrappy underdog preventing the established large. Nonetheless, I’m unsure {that a} advertising marketing campaign based mostly on the implication customers are hungry for Wang is a good suggestion!
Apple ships the Energy Mac G5
On August 18, 2003, Apple started transport the unique Energy Mac G5, affectionately often called the “cheese grater.” I wrote in regards to the pc on June 23, the date Steve Jobs launched the Energy Mac G5. By August 2003, when it began transport, Apple obtained greater than 100,000 preorders for the highly effective desktop machine.
“The Energy Mac G5 is an enormous hit with clients and builders,” mentioned Phil Schiller in an August 18 press launch.
Apple’s ‘Misunderstood’ advert wins an Emmy
Lastly, on August 18, 2014, Apple’s “Misunderstood” iPhone advert gained an Emmy Award for Cupertino. The minute-and-a-half-long video depicted a teen so obsessed along with his iPhone that he gave the impression to be lacking out on spending time along with his household at Christmas.
Nevertheless, the top of the advert introduced an uplifting plot twist. He revealed that he wasn’t really being a misanthrope the entire time. In actual fact, he used his iPhone and iMovie to shoot and edit a heartwarming household montage! Watch the award-winning Apple advert under.