IBM Simon: Difference between revisions
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==Operating system and applications== |
==Operating system and applications== |
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The Simon |
The Simon used a DOS file system from Datalight [[ROM-DOS]],<ref name=omalley/> and used file compression software to minimize memory cost. To avoid a C: prompt IBM wrote all of the user interface software, dubbed internally as the "Navigator". |
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The Simon could be upgraded to run third party applications either by inserting a [[PCMCIA]] card or by downloading an application to the phone's internal memory. Atlanta, Georgia-based PDA Dimensions developed "DispatchIt", the only [[Aftermarket (merchandise)|aftermarket]], third-party application developed for Simon. The DispatchIt application costs were US$2,999 for the host PC software and US$299 for each Simon software client.<ref name=wtn>{{cite journal |date=1995-05 |title=BellSouth Cellular Corp. Announces DispatchIt Software for Simon |journal=Wireless Telecommunications Newsletter |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=9-10 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |publisher=Information Gatekeepers, Inc. |issn=1083-7779 |editor1-first=Paul |editor1-last=Polishuk |accessdate=2010-06-30 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YHBEb4TVEsUC&pg=PA9 |quote=BellSouth Cellular Corp. (BSCC) and PDA Dimensions...announced the commercial availability of DispatchIt, a work order field service applications using Simon, BSCC's personal communicator.}}</ref> |
The Simon could be upgraded to run third party applications either by inserting a [[PCMCIA]] card or by downloading an application to the phone's internal memory. Atlanta, Georgia-based PDA Dimensions developed "DispatchIt", the only [[Aftermarket (merchandise)|aftermarket]], third-party application developed for Simon. The DispatchIt application costs were US$2,999 for the host PC software and US$299 for each Simon software client.<ref name=wtn>{{cite journal |date=1995-05 |title=BellSouth Cellular Corp. Announces DispatchIt Software for Simon |journal=Wireless Telecommunications Newsletter |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=9-10 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |publisher=Information Gatekeepers, Inc. |issn=1083-7779 |editor1-first=Paul |editor1-last=Polishuk |accessdate=2010-06-30 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YHBEb4TVEsUC&pg=PA9 |quote=BellSouth Cellular Corp. (BSCC) and PDA Dimensions...announced the commercial availability of DispatchIt, a work order field service applications using Simon, BSCC's personal communicator.}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 17:57, 3 July 2012
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| Brand | IBM |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Electric Corp. |
| Compatible networks | AMPS |
| First released | August 16, 1994 |
| Availability by region | United States August 16, 1994 (BellSouth Cellular) |
| Discontinued | February 1995 |
| Predecessor | Angler (code name) |
| Successor | Neon (code name) |
| Type | Smartphone |
| Form factor | Brick |
| Dimensions |
|
| Weight | 18 oz (510 g) |
| Operating system | Datalight ROM-DOS |
| CPU | Vadem 16 MHz, 16-bit, x86-compatible |
| Memory | 1 MB |
| Storage | 1 MB |
| Battery | 7.5V NiCad |
| Display | 4.5 in (110 mm) x 1.4 in (36 mm), 160px x 293px monochrome backlit LCD |
| Connectivity |
|
| Data inputs | |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
The IBM Simon Personal Communicator was a handheld, touchscreen cellular phone and PDA designed and engineered by International Business Machines Inc. (IBM) and distributed by BellSouth Cellular Corp. in the United States between August, 1994 and February, 1995. The Simon Personal Communicator was the first cellular phone to include telephone and PDA features in one device. Although the term "smartphone" had not been coined at the time of the Simon's release, because of its features and capabilities, the Simon can be referred to as the first smartphone.
History
IBM debuted a prototype device, code named "Angler", on November, 2, 1992 at the COMDEX computer and technology trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. "Angler" combined a cell phone and PDA into one device, allowing a user to make and receive telephone calls, facsimiles and e-mail and receive pages among other functions. The "Angler" device was well received by show attendees and the press. The "Angler" device was featured on the front page of USA Today's Money section the day after the device's debut.[5] Although the term "smartphone" had not been coined at the time of the "Angler" prototype's debut, because of the "Angler" prototype's features and capabilities, the "Angler" prototype and the Simon Personal Communicator that would result from the "Angler" prototype, can be referred to as the first smartphones.[1]
BellSouth executives gave the product its final name, "Simon Personal Communicator", for its public debut at the Wireless World Conference in November, 1993.[1] BellSouth Cellular had planned to begin selling Simon in May, 1994, but due to problems with the device's software, the Simon did not become available to consumers until August 16, 1994. BellSouth Cellular initially offered the Simon throughout its 15 state service area for US$899 with a two-year service contract or US$1099 without a contract. Later in the product's life, BellSouth Cellular reduced the price to US$599 with a two-year contract.[2][6]
BellSouth Cellular sold approximately 50,000 units during the product's six months on the market.[1]
Features
In addition to its ability to make and receive cellular phone calls, Simon was also able to send and receive facsimiles, e-mails and cellular pages. Simon included many applications including an address book, calendar, appointment scheduler, calculator, world time clock, electronic note pad, handwritten annotations and standard and predictive touchscreen keyboards.
Each Simon was shipped with a charging base station, two nickel-cadmium batteries and a protective leather cover.
Operating system and applications
The Simon used a DOS file system from Datalight ROM-DOS,[2] and used file compression software to minimize memory cost. To avoid a C: prompt IBM wrote all of the user interface software, dubbed internally as the "Navigator".
The Simon could be upgraded to run third party applications either by inserting a PCMCIA card or by downloading an application to the phone's internal memory. Atlanta, Georgia-based PDA Dimensions developed "DispatchIt", the only aftermarket, third-party application developed for Simon. The DispatchIt application costs were US$2,999 for the host PC software and US$299 for each Simon software client.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d Sager, Ira (2012-06-29). "Before IPhone and Android Came Simon, the First Smartphone". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P. ISSN 2162-657X. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
Simon was the first smartphone. Twenty years ago, it envisioned our app-happy mobile lives, squeezing the features of a cell phone, pager, fax machine, and computer into an 18-ounce black brick.
- ^ a b c O'Malley, Chris (1994-12). "Simonizing the PDA". Byte. 19 (12). McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Inc.: 145–148. ISSN 0360-5280. Archived from the original on 1999-02-21. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
The CPU is a 16-bit x86-compatible processor running at 16 MHz, a single-chip design manufactured by Vadem. Simon runs a version of DOS called ROM-DOS, from Datalight...
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bellsouth, IBM unveil personal communicator phone". Mobile Phone News. CBS Interactive. 1993-11-08. ISSN 0737-5077. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
The phone currently is based on an AMPS standard...
- ^ "BellSouth - IBM Simon PDA cellphone". RetroCom. RetroCom. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
Graphic display: 160 x 293
- ^ Schneidawind, John (1992-11-23). "Poindexter putting finger on PC bugs; Big Blue unveiling". USA Today. Gannett Co. p. 2B. ISSN 0734-7456.
- ^ "IBM's plans to ship Simon put on hold for time being". Mobile Phone News. CBS Interactive. 1994-04-04. ISSN 0737-5077. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
Technical issues, resulting from the integration of Simon's cellular faxing capability, were discovered early in the manufacturing and development cycle as IBM's quality assurance testing was being conducted. IBM will hold up shipments of the device until the bugs are worked out.
- ^ Polishuk, Paul, ed. (1995-05). "BellSouth Cellular Corp. Announces DispatchIt Software for Simon". Wireless Telecommunications Newsletter. 5 (5). Boston, Massachusetts: Information Gatekeepers, Inc.: 9–10. ISSN 1083-7779. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
BellSouth Cellular Corp. (BSCC) and PDA Dimensions...announced the commercial availability of DispatchIt, a work order field service applications using Simon, BSCC's personal communicator.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)