The world’s first smartphone: IBM Simon

Although it was the Apple who popularized the term “smartphone” with the launch of the iPhone in 2007, we cannot forget that the true pioneer of this technology segment was the IBM Simon.

This truly groundbreaking device hit the market way back in 1994, laying the foundations for what would become the modern smartphone. Now, we’re at a historic moment: this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Simon, which was launched on August 16, 1994.

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Let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember the launch of this device that wasn’t very successful at the time precisely because it was way ahead of its time.

IBM Simon: Way Ahead of Its Time

The IBM Simon hit stores on August 16, 1994, but had been on display at trade shows since 1992. At that time, PDAs (personal digital assistants) were gaining popularity in the United States, especially among business users. These devices offered functions such as a calculator, organizer, calendar, notes and contacts, all in one portable device.

I remember when I was a teenager, around 12 years old, my dream was to have a PDA. Some of my friends had one and I thought it was extremely chic. Over time, PDAs began to adopt touch screens — even capacitive ones — for use with stylus pens, reducing the number of physical buttons. The Simon was a pioneer in combining the functionalities of a PDA with the ability to make phone calls.

Simon had a 4.5-inch monochrome touchscreen, own operating system and features such as email, calendar, notepad and games. It also introduced the concept of installable applicationssomething that would become common on smartphones later.

Com 1 MB the RAM and one processor of 16 MHz Compatible with the x86 architecture, Simon was too advanced for its time. Today’s smartphones have up to 24 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, and 3,300 MHz processors using the energy-efficient ARM architecture.

Device didn’t catch on, but it changed the industry

The Simon even had a predictive keyboard, making typing easier. Despite all these real innovations, the Simon was discontinued after less than a year. However, it laid the foundation for the mobile revolution that would come.

Even though the term “smartphone” wasn’t coined until many years later, the Simon paved the way for today’s smart mobile devices. Its high price tag at the time, around $1,100, didn’t stop it from influencing the industry, combining communication, productivity, and technologies like apps and touchscreens that are essential today.

I have no doubt that the IBM Simon served as inspiration for Steve Jobs to create the iPhone, 13 years later.