IBM Simon (1994): the original smartphone, explained in its own ad [video]
A nostalgic trip back to 1994, this video showcases the original advertisement for the IBM Simon, widely considered the world's first smartphone. It's a fascinating look at how groundbreaking features like email, fax, and touchscreens were marketed decades before they became ubiquitous. This historical artifact offers a unique perspective on the surprisingly deep roots of modern mobile technology.
The Lowdown
The story presents a vintage 1994 advertisement for the IBM Simon, a device frequently recognized as the world's first smartphone. This video offers an intriguing window into the nascent vision of mobile computing, demonstrating functionalities that were revolutionary three decades ago but are now standard.
- Pioneering Device: Launched in 1994, the IBM Simon significantly predates the advent of most modern smartphones, including the iPhone.
- Integrated Capabilities: The advertisement highlights its advanced ability to send and receive faxes, emails, and cellular pages, in addition to conventional phone calls.
- Touchscreen Innovation: It featured a monochrome LCD touchscreen, operable with either a stylus or a finger, which was an avant-garde concept at the time.
- PDA Functionality: Beyond communication, the device incorporated a calendar, address book, world clock, and notepad, embodying early Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) features.
- Early "App" Concept: The Simon also supported optional "feature" cards, foreshadowing today's expansive app ecosystems.
- Target Market: The commercial positions the IBM Simon as an indispensable tool for busy business professionals.
This historical piece serves as a potent reminder of the rapid evolution of mobile technology, while also illustrating how many core concepts were conceived remarkably early in its development.