The One Device

The Secret History of the iPhone

By: Brian Merchant

Narrated by: Tristan Morris

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

The secret history of the invention that changed everything - and became the most profitable product in the world.

Odds are that right now, an iPhone is within reach. But before Steve Jobs introduced us to "the one device", as he called it, a cell phone was merely what you used to make calls on the go.

How did the iPhone transform our world and turn Apple into the most valuable company ever? Veteran technology journalist Brian Merchant reveals the inside story you won't hear from Cupertino - based on his exclusive interviews with the engineers, inventors, and developers who guided every stage of the iPhone's creation.

This deep dive takes you from inside One Infinite Loop to 19th century France to WWII America, from the driest place on earth to a Kenyan pit of toxic e-waste, and even deep inside Shenzhen's notorious "suicide factories". It's a firsthand look at how the cutting-edge tech that makes the world work - touch screens, motion trackers, and even AI - made their way into our pockets.

The One Device is a road map for design and engineering genius, an anthropology of the modern age, and an unprecedented view into one of the most secretive companies in history. This is the untold account, 10 years in the making, of the device that changed everything.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Brian Merchant (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

" The One Device is a tour de force, with fast-paced edge and heaps of analytical insight." (Ashlee Vance, New York Times best-selling author of Elon Musk)

"A stunning book. You will never look at your iPhone the same way again." (Dan Lyons, New York Times best-selling author of Disrupted)

TECH PORN AT ITS BEST

Any additional comments?

This book was so much fun. I loved it. It teaches the history of every element of iPhone. a glimpse into how it all came together. The soap opera that is Steve Jobs.

Slow Start, But Good Read

Am a developer, specially in the iOS field, and really enjoyed learning about how the development of the first iPhone went and how it happened.

I didn't enjoy the starting bit when it was all about the material used to make the iPhone. The reason I bought is to know more about the birth of the iPhone.

If you are interested in knowing that, then go of it. It will be a bit slow thought at the start.

Interesting read

It left me wanting a little more info to be honest. I feel like there is a lot of the story that only Apple itself can tell but probably never will.

Great

You want to know where the iPhone comes from. This book gives you what you need to know of the man hours that make the device in your pocket happen.

Fascinating!

Great story. Very enjoyable and entertaining.
Would recommend this book to anyone who interested in iPhones.

Great book about the iPhone creation

Heard the writer on the TWiT network triangulation. Loved how he communicated and instantly bought the book. Listen to it in two days and I'm now on my second run through. Some of the stories you've heard before if you've read some of the Steve Jobs biography's, however he goes into much greater detail. This one definitely deserves five stars.

Gary
Victorville, California.

Thought provoking

gonna put my phone down now. After sobering revelations from listening to this book. Indepth look is a must listen for any die hard iphone fan.

Better than expected. Just like the iPhone

I’m in tech and thought a history of the iPhone would be interesting. I was wrong. It was absolutely amazing. I really liked how the author followed all the disparate innovations, separately and thoroughly, to this one singular moment. Reads like a thriller.

Awesome

Should be required reading for anyone who programs apps or really just uses a smartphone

Very, very good!

Excellent book, definitely not an Apple brownnoser, but still an admirer of all the iPhone is, and those who brought it about. And how much effort it took to make it. Great structure to the book, and amazing amount to detail. Solid writing, great narration. Hats off to author, narrator and production team.