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IBM Simon

From Alfawiki
IBM Simon Personal Communicator
Company typeProduct
IndustryTelecommunications, Consumer electronics
Founded1994
FounderIBM
Headquarters
United States
ProductsSmartphone / Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
ParentIBM

The IBM Simon Personal Communicator (IBM Simon) represents a pioneering device combining a cellular phone with a personal digital assistant (PDA), developed by IBM and launched in 1994. Powered by an x86 processor, it boasts a 4.5-inch resistive touchscreen and operates on an MS-DOS-compatible system, enabling users to add software through its PCMCIA expansion slot. Equipped with a modem for sending faxes and emails, the Simon was the inaugural PDA to incorporate cellular telephony, establishing it as the first genuine smartphone due to its integrated capabilities.

Produced by Mitsubishi Electric, the IBM Simon was distributed in the United States by BellSouth Cellular between August 1994 and February 1995 via its analog AMPS network, with total sales reaching 50,000 units. The device's high cost—exceeding $2,100 when adjusted for inflation—and limited battery endurance of roughly one hour restricted its market success. IBM also designed a more compact follow-up model, internally known as Neon, which ultimately never reached commercial release.

History

Progress in MOSFET technology facilitated the creation of smaller integrated circuit components alongside advancements in wireless mobile network infrastructure,[1][2][3] inspiring IBM engineer Frank Canova to conceive a handheld gadget that merged these innovations.[4] On November 16, 1992,[5][6] IBM unveiled the "Sweetspot" prototype at the COMDEX exhibition in Las Vegas. This device combined mobile phone functionality with PDA features, supporting calls, faxing, emailing, and paging alongside organizational tools such as calendars and address books, plus digital services including maps and stock information. The prototype garnered considerable media interest; USA Today prominently displayed Canova holding the device on its Money section cover.

After the prototype's success, IBM proceeded to develop a commercial version codenamed "Angler".[5] Manufacturing responsibilities were assigned to Mitsubishi Electric, which integrated their expertise in PDA and cellular radio technologies. Initially, IBM approached Motorola for production, but Motorola declined due to concerns over competition.[7]

The product was christened "Simon Personal Communicator" by BellSouth executives prior to its public introduction at the Wireless World Conference in November 1993.[8] Although BellSouth intended to launch the device in May 1994,[9] software complications delayed its release until August 16, 1994. The Simon debuted at US$899 with a two-year contract or US$1099 without (equivalent to approximately $1,945 and $2,378 in 2025 dollars), with BellSouth subsequently lowering the price to US$599 when bundled with a contract.[10] During its six months on the market, around 50,000 units were sold.[8]

Features

In addition to handling cellular voice calls, the Simon device was capable of sending and receiving faxes, emails, and cellular pages. It came equipped with a variety of built-in applications, including an address book, calendar, appointment manager, calculator, world clock, electronic notepad, support for handwritten notes, and both conventional and predictive stylus-based keyboards.

Simon utilized a liquid-crystal display (LCD) and was compatible with PC Cards. Its internal components featured the NEC-manufactured Vadem VG230 CMOS system-on-a-chip (SoC), MOS RAM modules from Sony and Hitachi, flash memory supplied by Intel and Hitachi, and modem chips produced by Cirrus Logic.

Accessories

The package for each Simon included a charging dock, a nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery, and a leather protective case. Optional add-ons consisted of a PCMCIA pager card designed by Motorola, an RS-232 adapter cable for accessing PC-Link files via a personal computer, and an RJ11 adapter cable that enabled voice and data communication through POTS landlines. This RJ11 adapter was instrumental in lowering cellular expenses and facilitated calls in areas lacking cellular coverage in 1994.

Operating system and applications

Simon operated on Datalight ROM-DOS with integrated file compression technology from Stacker. IBM created a distinctive touch-screen interface known as Navigator; notably, there was no traditional DOS command prompt available.

Users had the option to enhance Simon's functionality by installing third-party software through PCMCIA cards or by downloading applications directly into internal memory. PDA Dimensions developed "DispatchIt," which was the sole aftermarket third-party application for Simon. This pioneering work order and field service program served as an early forerunner to Remote Desktop technologies. The pricing for DispatchIt included US$2,999 for the host PC software plus US$299 per Simon client license.

See also

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Sahay
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  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mpn
  10. ↑ Template:Fact
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