Initially in the hands of Job it looked like a slim black triangle lacking in animation. Then the touch of Jobs on its screen was like a magic wand. All on a sudden the stodgy lifeless black rectangle came to life - the surface began to throb with animation. The fingers of Job slid around the screen moving an arrow to unlock the phone. To many it is this that is most amazing feature of the marvel that is the iPhone - the connection between the finger and the image on the screen.



There are plenty of other features. The iPhone is more akin to a palmtop computer rather than the cellular phone. As with the typical smart phones the iPhone can be used to make as well as receive phones. One can view movies, hear music, browse through the web as well as operate e-mails. Messages too can be sent like the conventional SMS. Inside it there is a camera for taking photographs. Pictures can be transferred from the computer to the iPhone by the use of special software. The iPhone allows for viewing of maps and satellite information from Google.

A modified edition of Macintosh OS X operating system can also be used on Apple computers. iPhone allows interaction with these applications. Icons for each of these operations are displayed on the screen of the iPhone. It automatically controls battery power and the security devices. Similar to the computer it is amenable to multi tasks.

The iPhone dispenses with the use of a mouse or a typical keyboard. It uses buttons and controls. These appear on the screen. The touch screen of iPhone is distinct from others in many ways. Usually when the screen is touched a contact is made with a slim stylus with a point. But the iPhone makes use of the fingers. Multiple touch points are detected simultaneously. This many of the touch screen devices in the market cannot do. With each passing day touch screen technology is becoming more sophisticated and prevalent. Microsoft recently introduced Surface. It is the latest in touch-sensitive computer interfacing. This will lead to a mouse-free age of the computer.

The Apple iPhone is unique by itself as regards multi touch interfacing. Apple is incorporating the touch-screen at the reverse of the iPhone rather than on the front. For enforcing this magical touch device wherein the iPhone responds to the touch of the fingers the technology that is used makes use of multi layered capacitive layers.

Its circuit arrangement is such that it can respond to changes at each point right through the grid. Each point on the grid, therefore, generates own signals when touched. It then relays that to the processor inside the iPhone. Thus the phone responds to multiple touches. It is the fingers alone that bring to life the iPhone.

Thus the most important parts are the processor and the software of the iPhone. The processor makes use of the software to understand the data that comes through - that is find out the nature of each touch. The processor measures the difference between the point of start and end of the touch. The processor then relays the instruction to the programme.

With only one button on the front surface the Apple iPhone is weaving this magic. Pressing it one goes to the main screen where there are icons for using the four primary functions.