Watch Steve Jobs Introduce WiFi to the Masses [Video]

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Posted July 28, 2013 at 12:11am by iClarified Staff

Reddit brings to our attention an old video that some of you may not have seen -- Steve Jobs introducing Wi-Fi for the first time to the masses, becoming the first mainstream computer with wireless networking.

Jobs introduced the iBook G3 during a Keynote conference in 1999 and it became first consumer device to carry a Wi-Fi card. Wi-Fi was being introduced to the masses for the first time, and Jobs even demonstrated the wireless capabilities by using a Hula Hoop!

During this historic moment, Jobs claimed 'everyone' would jump on the 802.11 bandwagon in the next few months/years. "We're just going to be there first, and the best," Jobs said.

The video shows Jobs waking an iBook from sleep and browsing the web. The crowd was not aware that Jobs was wirelessly surfing the web until he picks up the iBook and walks around the stage while still opening webpages. He then swings a hula hoop around the iBook to show off wireless networking.

Lucent Technologies collaborated with Apple to create the wireless capability in the iBook G3 as well as the Airport Wireless Base Station that was released at the same time.

The iBook packed 11Mbps 802.11, a PowerPC Processor, 32/64MB of RAM and a $1599 price point.

via Reddit

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Jack Black - July 29, 2013 at 4:19am

Um "Barbie's toilet seat" was NOT the first 802.11b device available to the masses, but nice try.

Kronos - July 29, 2013 at 5:57am

Yes it was

Saminator99 - July 28, 2013 at 7:22pm

Thank you Steve for everything you did for us

El Compa - July 28, 2013 at 4:33pm

We all miss Steve. Apple hasn't been the same and the products are becoming more and more mundane at best. Apple is going to fall like it did before he came back the first time.

gamerscul9870 - July 29, 2013 at 2:46pm

Dude, where have you been all this time? Without Steve, iPhone has improved, so he's done his part to help Apple, he changed our lives since iPhone iPad and anything mentioned at that time. Have you ever seen the improvements of their technology, the new Mac Pro and their slim desktop, iPhone with retina, megapixel camera, and more improvements, did you also know iOS is still #1 today. Seriously where have you been?

Simon - July 28, 2013 at 3:04pm

Ahh. The good ole days.

Bigjoe - July 28, 2013 at 11:56am

Wish Steve was here!

Tom - July 28, 2013 at 7:59am

Lol taking something and making it better in other words copying and making it better what apple does with all its innovations but cries like a baby when anyone else does it

t11chb - July 28, 2013 at 8:19am

And they do it well, could you imagine the world we lived in if....."no we can't do that, someone else has already done that".

Troy - July 28, 2013 at 7:00am

I really miss him :(

Saul - July 28, 2013 at 5:38am

Apple forever!!!!

opik - July 28, 2013 at 4:56am

innovator, iluvapple

Kronos - July 28, 2013 at 12:35am

I miss Steve :(