August 18, 2007: 23-year-old internet personality Justine Ezarik (aka iJustine) has gone viral after posting a video on YouTube showing the 300-page iPhone invoice that AT&T sent her in a box.
The invoice, which listed all of Ezarik’s data-hogging actions on his brand new iPhone, quickly attracted 3 million views and garnered media attention (you can watch it below).
iJustine’s 300-page iPhone bill shocks the internet
Initially, the iPhone, released the previous month, only worked on the AT&T Mobility network. When activating their new phone, iPhone users could choose their billing method. Those who chose not to select an option and skipped the setup were presented with a detailed statement of all charges by default.
iJustine wasn’t the only one to receive such a hefty bill, but she was one of the first (and definitely the most visible): The first iPhone was released on June 29th, and it took a month for people to receive their first bills.
The bill was $274.81, and AT&T reportedly charged about $7 to ship the package. The package arrived on Saturday, August 11, 2007, and it wasn’t until August 18 that AT&T released an official statement clarifying what had happened (and shifting the blame).
“Our customers have the option to receive non-itemized bills,” the company said, “and for many years we have encouraged customers to switch to online billing, which is convenient, secure and environmentally friendly.”
AT&T changes iPhone billing
Shortly after iJustin’s infamous 300-page iPhone bill became internet famous, AT&T sent out text messages to all iPhone users informing them that paper bills would no longer include itemized statements. The company claims that this move had nothing to do with media pressure and was planned all along.
iJustine’s iPhone invoice became one of the first iPhone-related viral videos, and many more followed. The video laid the foundation for later videos, such as the “Antennagate Song” used by Steve Jobs to open Apple’s press events, and the “Bendgate” video for the iPhone 6 Plus.
It also stands out as a funny moment in Apple’s history: iJustine’s ridiculous iPhone bill highlights the early struggles that occurred as the world began to embrace smartphones.
On this day in Apple’s history
Hewlett-Packard becomes a company
While researching this day in Apple history, I came across some cool Apple connections. August 18, 1947In the 1960s, Hewlett-Packard was incorporated, and as a child, Steve Jobs was a member of the Hewlett-Packard Explorers Club, which met every Tuesday night in the company cafeteria to hear from HP engineers.
Photo: Wang
At the age of 12, Jobs tracked down company co-founder Bill Hewlett in the phone book (!) and asked him for parts for a frequency counter project he was working on.
Wang Research Institute goes bankrupt
On August 18, 1992Wang Labs filed for bankruptcy in 2005. Wang, one of the companies that fell on hard times with the rise of the PC giants, is an interesting anecdote in Apple history: its advertising was in some ways a precursor to Apple’s.
First, Wang became the first computer company to air a Super Bowl ad in 1978. Apple famously aired its iconic Mac ad in 1984.
And like Apple, Wang has taken on IBM, positioning himself as a gutsy underdog taking on an incumbent giant. Still, I’m not sure a marketing campaign based on implying that users are dying to see Wang is a good idea.
Apple Ships Power Mac G5
On August 18, 2003In 2003, Apple began shipping the original Power Mac G5, affectionately nicknamed the “Cheese Grater.” I wrote about the computer on June 23, the day Steve Jobs announced the Power Mac G5. By the time it began shipping in August 2003, Apple had received more than 100,000 preorders for the powerful desktop machine.
“The Power Mac G5 is a huge hit with customers and developers,” Phil Schiller said in an August 18 press release.
Apple’s “Misunderstood” ad wins an Emmy
lastly, August 18, 2014Apple’s iPhone ad, “Misunderstood,” brought Cupertino an Emmy in 2010. The minute-and-a-half long video shows a teenager so obsessed with his iPhone that he appears to miss out on Christmas with his family.
But there’s an uplifting twist at the end of the ad, when he reveals that he wasn’t actually a misanthrope the whole time. In fact, he filmed and edited a heartwarming family montage using his iPhone and iMovie. Check out Apple’s award-winning ad below:
