IBM Simon (1994): the original smartphone, explained in its own ad [video]

IBM Simon, as the world's first integrated personal cellular communicator, combined telephone, fax, email, pager, calendar, and other functions into one device, pioneering the smartphone era. ## Product Overview The video introduces IBM Simon in first-person narration, referring to it as a "fully integrated personal cellular communicator." The presenter, Christy, emphasizes that it differs from a regular mobile phone or personal computer, functioning instead as a mobile office with various business features. Its design inspiration partly came from the handheld devices in *Star Trek*. ## Core Functional Modules Simon is described as a multifunctional device, combining the following primary uses: - **Cellular Phone**: Basic voice calling capability. - **Fax Machine**: Portable sending and receiving of faxes. - **Email Device**: Wireless sending and receiving of emails. - **Pager**: Built-in digital paging functionality. - **Organizational Tool**: Includes an address book, calendar, calculator, world clock, to-do list, and file management. ## Phone Features in Detail - **Touch-Sensitive Graphical User Interface**: Operates via a touchscreen, supporting tap-to-dial. - **Speed Dial**: Can store 16 speed-dial numbers. - **Auto Redial**: Supports auto redialing for the last 10 dialed numbers. - **Emergency Calls**: Features a 911 emergency button for automatic connection to emergency services. - **Call Timer & Roaming Simplification**: Provides detailed call duration statistics, including roaming time. ## Fax Functionality Simon enabled wireless faxing without traditional phone lines or paper. - **Send/Receive Faxes**: Can create new faxes, add notes or scribbles to received faxes, and forward them. - **Viewing Options**: Supports zooming in and out on fax content. - **Auto Answer**: Can be set to automatically answer incoming faxes. - **Paper Copies**: Can forward faxes to a standard fax machine for printing. ## Email Access - **Compatibility**: Supports connection to Lotus CC:Mail mailboxes, with all settings pre-configurable. - **Predictive Key Input**: A revolutionary input method that displays the six most likely subsequent letters after typing the first, greatly enhancing input speed. - **Mail Management**: Can view the number of emails in the mailbox and the sender, and track sent messages. ## Paging Function - **Built-In Digital Paging**: Can store up to 9 digital messages. - **Simple Operation**: Upon receiving a page, pressing the corresponding button automatically returns the call. - **Cellular Network-Based**: The paging number is the cellular number; the device must be on and within coverage to receive pages. ## Organizational Tools - **Address Book**: Can store thousands of records, supports separate business and personal directories, and allows search in multiple ways. - **Calendar**: Supports month, day, and quarter views, with meeting reminders set up to 99 minutes in advance. - **Calculator & World Clock**: Provides basic calculation functions and displays local/world time. - **To-Do List**: Helps manage daily tasks. ## Setup & Hardware Guide - **Battery Calibration**: Requires a full 14-hour charge for the first use. - **Power Switch**: A sliding switch on the side controls on/off. - **Volume & Contrast Control**: Side buttons adjust volume and screen contrast. - **Ports & Expansion**: - **PCMCIA Slot**: For installing storage cards (for upgrades/expansion) or an alphanumeric paging card. - **RS-232 Port**: For connecting to a PC or transferring data via an RJ11 interface. - **Reset**: Use the stylus to insert into a small hole to restart the system; it's advisable to back up data beforehand. ## User Interface & Navigation - **Backlit LCD Screen**: All applications are displayed here. - **Bottom Icons**: Include online help (question mark), mobile office, phone, and back arrow. - **Mobile Office Mode**: Tapping the icon switches to an office interface containing 13 applications (e.g., calendar, address book). - **Phone Mode**: Tapping the phone icon switches back to the calling interface. ## Call Settings & Customization Various settings can be adjusted through the menu button: - **Ringtone & Volume**: Adjust ringtone type and volume. - **Answering Method**: Supports auto-answer, key answer (e.g., any key to answer). - **Auto Retry**: Can automatically redial every 5 seconds on a busy network. - **Paging Acceptance**: Set whether to accept cellular digital pages. - **Emergency Numbers**: Can change the local emergency number. - **Special Codes**: Store long-distance credit card or voicemail passwords for one-touch dialing. - **Roaming Preferences**: Configure network selection while roaming. ## Accessories & Additional Services - **Storage Card**: For upgrades and expansion. - **Car Power Adapter**: Convenient for charging in a vehicle. - **RJ11 Cable**: Allows using Simon as a regular landline phone. - **Alphanumeric Paging Card**: Provides access to services like sports news. ## Conclusion IBM Simon is summarized as the "world's first fully integrated handheld personal cellular communicator," a true mobile office. It integrated hundreds of functions—including telephone, fax machine, email, pager, address book, calendar, and more—marking the revolutionary beginning of personal communication devices. Source: IBM Simon (1994): the original smartphone, explained in its own ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoTFywZpPcc)