It’s been 15 years since the iPhone arrived on the scene, and Apple’s smartphone is still going strong. It’s the backbone of the company’s earnings, a key product in the Apple ecosystem and a boon companion to millions of people.
This week we’ve been looking to both the past and the future. CNET’s Connie Guglielmo recounts watching Steve Jobs on stage at the iPhone’s 2007 debut, and we’ve also resurfaced Kent German’s review of that original iPhone. Lisa Eadicicco, meanwhile, delves into the emerging tech that’s likely to continue the iPhone’s evolution, Patrick Holland looks at how the phone fits with Apple’s software and services, and Ian Sherr assesses the tech industry’s efforts to get a little of that mojo for themselves.
Those articles are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that also appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don’t want to miss.
The iPhone’s Future Could Depend on These Breakthrough Technologies
Apple’s smartphone is turning 15. Experts say technologies like lidar and AI will define its future.
![An illustration of a partially deconstructed iPhone showing its internal components](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/db20b2da23fd0aa85d4377e13dfbee1575d02401/hub/2022/06/27/d54290c3-0635-407e-b421-28214ffa78ef/breakthough-iphone-technologies-static.png?auto=webp&width=1200)
Zooey Liao/CNET
The World’s Biggest NFT Festival vs. the Crypto Crash of 2022
Major crypto coins are down nearly 70% from the beginning of the year — but you wouldn’t be able to tell that at NFT.NYC.
![Convention goers standing, sitting and walking in front of a wall-size NFT.NYC sign](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/683ee25ee636b2490555f454d1f618fabe0e8782/hub/2022/06/28/80236b65-5867-4315-8d55-079709c8c76e/gettyimages-1404339752.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Noam Galai/Getty Images
Period-Tracking Apps Are Just the Beginning of Post-Roe Data Concerns
Experts say it’s not just apps focused on reproductive health that could put people in danger.
![A woman's hands holding a smartphone displaying a period-tracking app.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/41766edbb228fef38193730e1a27c4b2f61615cd/hub/2022/06/28/b7dc3861-6801-4033-984f-bd533ef29612/gettyimages-1394663833.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Getty Images
Buying Groceries Online: Is It Cheaper Than Shopping In-Store?
We investigated whether it’s less expensive to buy groceries through Amazon Fresh, FreshDirect or a popular brick-and-mortar grocery store. The answer was surprising.
![A young woman looks at packaged food in a grocery store](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/160091ad92d5a355dbbdcffc4ba23ae1c9d10a79/hub/2022/05/13/ba7b72f7-4fbf-4624-a2f4-5a5fa79c9e10/gettyimages-1322902092-sm.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Getty Images
Debate Streamers Are Talking People Out of Dangerous Conspiracy Theories
The newest tool against misinformation online is people who love to argue.
![Illustration of a person wearing headphones and sitting at a microphone, next to a larger image of someone yelling](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/bef26677c42c0afd518d7df8a8b689228d86a3ed/hub/2022/06/23/6267572d-9827-4833-bc3b-30bac92970a1/sreamersvsmisinfodesktop.png?auto=webp&width=1200)
Naomi Antonino/CNET
Billions Behind a Lunar Dream: Why NASA’s Mega Moon Rocket May Prove ‘Unsustainable’
Commentary: Let’s talk about the fiscal footprint of NASA’s latest lunar endeavor, Artemis.
![A rocket made of $100 bills flying through the sky.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a2c2da6eead0da8e8e16b144be00626af7797245/hub/2022/06/27/aaaa8715-bc3c-46e7-bc3c-4a1298d4c09b/gettyimages-1141237320.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Getty Images
Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Shouldn’t Need an FE Model: Here’s Why
Commentary: Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE struggles to stand out in the company’s broad phone lineup.
![Samsung S22 Plus and S21 FE compared](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/f44e843f8c11caa5d65b1dd8cdf4075ff2a8cf99/hub/2022/02/22/58b0eece-c09f-4b07-bea1-f40520334726/samsung-galaxy-s22-and-s21-fe-compared-001.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Congress’ Bid to Rein In Big Tech Needs a Push Over the Finish Line
With a little more than a month left before Congress goes on summer break, it’s do or die for lawmakers looking to impose new regulations on tech giants.
![The dome of the US Capitol in Washington](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/554e8abb6f134d6e407bc3f4dcc3bc7407fa1b10/hub/2022/06/29/b855774d-52d3-41a1-ac73-535567a73ff0/img-4203.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Marguerite Reardon/CNET
State and Local Activism Needs You: Where to Start
Commentary: Grassroots lobbying and volunteer opportunities abound. Here’s how to step up and what to expect.
![Young people sitting on the ground making protest posters about human rights and equal rights](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/068d12dba734e910605b4c6f70ee799e8020064a/hub/2022/04/04/3da5b0e4-1ced-4ad7-b984-3abe9ce90fd8/gettyimages-1304982759.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Getty Images