Source 3: The History and Evolution of the Smartphone (1992-2018)
by Owen Andrew
IBM and The World’s First Smartphone
In 1992, IBM revealed a revolutionary device that had more capabilities than its
preceding cell phones. This prototype smartphone was known as the Simon Personal
Communicator, but it wouldn’t see its way to consumers until 1994.
The device had many of the modern elements we attribute to current smartphones and
mobile devices. Highlights included:
• Touch screen
• Email
• Fax
• Notes and Calendar
• Apps and other widgets that would become widespread decades later
While it was a bold entry into the market, it wasn’t exactly the smoothest starting point
for a mobile device. You could say it was ahead of its time, and most consumers didn't
jump on board.
The Simon was advanced for it's time, but has nothing on the smartphones of today. It
only had a small monochrome LCD screen and a one-hour battery life. However, the
Simon created a great launching pad for others to innovate.
Then Came Blackberry
The first BlackBerry mobile device was the BlackBerry 5810. It had most of what you
think of when you hear "Blackberry":
• Calendar
• Music
• A full keyboard
• Advanced security
• Internet access
But you had to make calls through a headset.
BlackBerry primarily targeted business professionals. They kept releasing more and
more advanced devices, and became the market leader in smartphones until the iPhone
gained steam.
They seemed to lose sight of their target customer, though, and bottomed out with 0%
market share in 2017.
Apple Enters The Smartphone Race
Apple had already begun transforming how people use portable technology with the
iPod, and the stage was set for them to unveil their latest device in 2007.
The iPhone was one of the most advanced consumer smartphones the market had ever
seen. Priced at $499 for the 4gb unit and $599 for the 8gb model, users flocked to the
device - and to the AT&T carrier it was exclusive to.
Apple sold 1.4 million iPhones its first year on the market, and the device exploded to
11.6 million sold in 2008.
iPhone Sales 2007-2018
Apple already had the iPod Video, but one large drawback was its small, 4:3 aspect
ratio screen. The iPhone came with a wide LCD screen that was perfect for video.
It’s extended battery life allowed for 8 hours of talk time and 250 hours on standby. This
battery was a huge improvement over IBM’s Simon! It also made the iPhone a much
more consumer-friendly device, particularly for daily use.
Related: How Much Time Do People Spend on Their Mobile Phones in 2018?
The hardware was impressive, but the software - in the form of 3rd party apps -
expanded the iPhone’s capabilities and created a revolution for the industry.
Millions of apps arrived on the iPhone, adding to the device’s feature set daily. Before
long, the smartphone market exploded, and in 2015, 84% of Americans said they
couldn't go a day without their phone.
The Modern Smartphone of 2018
There’s a large difference in hardware from 2007 to 2018. In short, everything is more
advanced:
• More memory
• Devices are far faster and more powerful
• You can use multiple applications at the same time
• Cameras are HD
• Music and video streaming are easy, as well as online gaming
• The battery lasts for days instead of minutes or a couple hours
[The following graph from the PEW Research Center, titled “% of U. S. adults who own
the following devices,” shows how this advancement has translated into more
widespread use. The top line illustrates the percentage of cellphone owners, whereas
the bottom line illustrates the percentage of smartphone owners.]
The Future of Smartphones
The early smartphones like IBM’s Simon showed us a glimpse of what mobile devices
could be. In 2007, their potential was fully realized by Apple and the iPhone. Now, in
2018, they continue to become a staple of our everyday lives.
From replacements for our digital cameras and music players, to personal assistants
like Siri and voice search, we’ve ceased using our smartphones merely to communicate
with each other.
So what's next?
The advances of smartphones continue to grow constantly. It's hard to predict what will
come next, but it seems like a throwback to the flip phone (with folding touch screens) is
likely. Voice commands are also expected to continue growing.
Gone are the days where we had to sacrifice many of the capabilities we enjoy on our
laptops or desktops while on the go. The improvement of mobile technology has
allowed us more options in how we approach both our work and leisure activities.