iOS Devices
Models: iPhone (1st Gen, 3G, 3GS, 4), iPod Touch (Gen 1-4), iPad
Release Year: iPhone/iPod Touch (2007), iPad (2010)
Sales: (As Of September 2010) iPhone (67.6 m) iPod Touch (45.2m), iPad (7.2m)
2010
2010 was a phenomenal year for iOS devices. In the past 12 months Apple launched the hugely successful iPad as well as fourth generation versions of both the iPhone and iPod touch. All three devices have extraordinary screens which has proven to be beneficial and Apple’s new gamer-focused initiative looks promising. This year Apple also launched their Game Centre service which is essentially their version of Xbox Live. Unfortunately it’s a little pointless at the moment since not all new games have Game Centre support and the achievement system is busted but I’m confident that it will improve over time. On the App Store front Apple has managed to do what no other mobile device has managed to do, rival actual handheld! It’s amazing to think that just 2 years ago we were putting up with crap like Funky Punch but now we have frigging Street Fighter IV! Other games such as Angry Birds, Cut The Rope, Flight Control, Plants vs. Zombies, Infinity Blade, The Simpsons Arcade, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit and Words With Friends meant that most of us spent more time gaming on our iDevices than any other handheld in 2010.
2011
As great as 2010 was, 2011 is almost guaranteed to be a better year for Apple and their three iOS devices. Once again the electronic giant will launch new versions of the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch through-out the year, all of which are set to improve on the current models. For 2011 I’m hoping to see a cheaper iPad and more reasonably priced iPhone tariffs, I’m also going to go on record and predict that Apple will launch a standalone iBook device to rival the Amazon Kindle. Android and Blackberry owners may want to sit 2011 out.
