Where it began...

 

    Today we are so used to being able to use our phones for almost anything. To take pictures, videos, emails, notes, communicate with others over text, call, or even FaceTime. Have we ever stopped to think how all this came to be? Compared to other technology phones are still very new to the game but they have made tremendous improvements throughout the years. If you look back at the first phone with a camera compared to what we have available to us now, you would be shocked at how much has changed.

    The first camera phone was the Kyocera VP-210. It was created by Philippe Kahn 1997 with his motivation being able to capture the birth of his child to share pictures with friends and family. This was considered to be the first mobile phone with a camera. Originally it was released in Japan in 1999 and later on in 2002 released to the rest of the world. This idea was so shocking it made headlines and was covered by CNN in May of 1999. Sold for $400 this phone had a 0.11mp camera that could take up to 20 pictures. 

    There were many reasons why this phone was in high demand when it came out. It was easy to store, and it could function as both a phone and a camera. Although it may not seem like a big deal to use you were able to share these pictures online which was groundbreaking at the time. Another cool aspect was the integrated stand so Kyocera VP-210 users could take pictures of themselves as well. 

    With any technology as great as it seems there are always Cons and ways it can be improved. Even though you could take pictures the camera quality was very low. You were only able to store at most 20 photos and now videos could be taken. At the time it was released it was super expensive for a cell phone. http://wirelesswatch.jp/2014/07/09/world-first-camera-phone-the-kyocera-vp-210/

    Overall, for it being the first of its kind it gave a way for many ideas to steam from it. With this model they were able to improve and develop new ways so we could have access to what we have today. The advancements overtime show tremendous improvements and I can only image what technologies will develop in the future.