Contrary to popular belief, the smartphone did not start with the launch of the iPhone in 2007. For the past 14 years, we have been able to access just about anything that we can think of with a few taps of our smartphone.
But what is the history of these devices? Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see where the origins and evolution of the smartphone lay.
The First Smartphone
The first smartphone was actually unveiled back in 1992. Simon Personal Communicator was unveiled by IBM and became available during 1994. After six months on the market, only 50,000 units (at a cost of $1,100) were sold.
The Simon, though bulkier than our traditional smartphones, had many of the same basic features. You could access an address book, handle faxes, and there was even predictive typing.
The Game Changer
Things developed slowly for the smartphone for the next two decades. Then, in 2007, the game changed. Apple launched the iPhone, the template for the modern smartphone.
The iPhone came with a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with internal storage capabilities of 4GB and 8GB. Users could access applications, share photos, text friends and family, and more. With eight hours of battery life, there simply was nothing like it before. The iPhone was a smash hit, launching Apple into the stratosphere as one of the biggest companies in the world while changing the smartphone game.
Today’s Smartphone
In the decade plus since the iPhone was unveiled, things have changed even further. With evolutions in technology, there are now competitors to the prior monopoly held by Apple. Android is the biggest competitor to the Steve Jobs empire.
Moreover, the improvements to smartphones have been substantial. A longer battery life, HD quality cameras that compete with some professional models, and a ridiculous amount of apps from games to banking and more.
The smartphone has made it possible for us to manage our entire lives through one device. All it takes is a few taps on something that was thought impossible even 25 years prior.