Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company had sold its 700 millionth iPhone in February, a huge milestone for the company as it nears that all important first billion.

It comes after a record quarter for iPhone sales with 74 million sold in Q1 2015. The sales pushed Apple ahead of Samsung in the global mobile market, overtaking them for first place. Apple also hit first place in China and other countries.

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The iPhone has become an integral part of normal life even though eight years ago it would be impossible to spot Apple's logo on a smartphone.

Although Samsung has been on top since 2012 and only recently lost possession of the top spot, it has never been noted as the most valuable or noteworthy smartphone brand. That distinction always went to Apple's iPhone.

There have been a few rough spots like the iPhone 4's antenna issue, the iPhone 3GS succumbing to hefty blows due to the plastic design and even the iPhone 5C failing to tickle anyone the right way with its colorful plastic design.

Those small issues are overshadowed by the huge gains Apple has made in the mobile industry in under a decade. Not only did Apple show the path for the future of the smartphone, it pushed the idea of an app store which has made over $15 billion since the first app download on iOS.

Now Apple is pushing security through Touch ID, mobile payments through Apple Pay, health and fitness through Insights, Workout, Health and the recently announced ResearchKit and much more.

It's now up to Apple to continue pushing new services to compete with Google's own library of services. Scratching the last remaining big issues from Apple Maps and the launch of Beats Music should secure a few more customers into the ecosystem, and the reported internet TV service could win over a few million more.

TagsiPhone, iPhone 6 Plus