Let’s rewind to a time before smartphones were the ever-present extension of our hands and lives. Imagine a world where phones were just that—phones. They made calls, sent the occasional text, and sat quietly in your pocket without bombarding you with notifications or updates. Now imagine someone coming along and saying, “Let’s make this phone smarter. Let’s give it a brain.”

Enter the first smartphone: IBM’s Simon Personal Communicator. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Released in 1994, Simon wasn’t flashy or sleek like today’s iPhones or Androids. It was bulky, had a black-and-white touchscreen, and came with a stylus. But this unassuming device was the ancestor of the powerful smartphones we now can’t imagine living without.

Let’s dive into the story of Simon and explore how it paved the way for the world we live in today.

What Was the IBM Simon?

To understand just how groundbreaking the IBM Simon was, let’s talk about what it could do. At first glance, it looked like a brick. Seriously. It was about 8 inches tall, weighed over a pound, and resembled a cordless phone on steroids. But this “brick” was a technological marvel for its time.

Simon wasn’t just a phone—it was a PDA (personal digital assistant) and a phone in one. This was a big deal. It had a touchscreen, which was unheard of in the early ’90s, and you could use a stylus to interact with it. The interface was rudimentary, sure, but you could write notes, send emails, and even access a calendar. It had apps—yes, apps! They were pre-installed, but they were there: a calculator, a world clock, and a sketchpad, among others.

Looking back now, it’s easy to laugh at how basic these features were. But in 1994, the idea of holding a device that combined communication, organization, and computing in one package was revolutionary. It was the first time people thought, “Maybe a phone can be more than just a phone.”

The Tech Landscape of the Early ’90s

To fully appreciate the Simon, we need to understand the tech landscape it was born into. The early ’90s were an interesting time. Computers were starting to make their way into homes, email was becoming a thing, and the internet was still a baby. Cell phones existed, but they were primarily used for business, and they were big, clunky, and limited to making calls.

In this world, IBM and BellSouth teamed up to create Simon. It wasn’t just a phone; it was a bold statement about where technology was heading. IBM, a company known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, wanted to prove that communication devices could do more. BellSouth, the carrier, wanted to give their customers a taste of the future. Together, they launched Simon at a price of $899 (which is over $1,500 in today’s money!).

This wasn’t a device for everyone. It was expensive, and it was aimed at business professionals who needed to stay organized and connected. But the fact that Simon existed at all was enough to spark a new wave of thinking in the tech industry.

Why Simon Wasn’t a Hit

For all its innovation, Simon wasn’t a commercial success. In fact, it only stayed on the market for about six months, and IBM sold just around 50,000 units. So, what went wrong?

First, let’s talk about the obvious: the price. At nearly $900, Simon was a luxury item, and most people couldn’t justify spending that kind of money on what was essentially a very fancy phone.

Second, there was the battery life—or lack thereof. Simon’s battery could barely last an hour of talk time, which meant you had to recharge it constantly. It’s funny to think about this now, considering we still complain about battery life on modern smartphones. But back then, the inconvenience was a dealbreaker.

Finally, the world just wasn’t ready. In 1994, the internet wasn’t widespread, mobile data didn’t exist, and the idea of apps was still in its infancy. People didn’t know what to do with a device like Simon’s because they hadn’t yet developed the habits and expectations we now associate with smartphones.

The Legacy of IBM Simon

Even though Simon didn’t succeed commercially, its impact on technology was huge. It planted the seed for what would eventually become the smartphone revolution. Simon showed us that a phone could be more than a phone—it could be a personal assistant, an entertainment device, and a productivity tool all in one.

The touchscreen interface was especially ahead of its time. While it was primitive compared to today’s standards, it laid the groundwork for the intuitive, tap-and-swipe interfaces we now take for granted. And the idea of combining a phone with PDA functionality was the precursor to everything from BlackBerries to iPhones.

When Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007, it was building on ideas that Simon had introduced more than a decade earlier. The difference was that by 2007, the world was ready. The internet had become a staple of daily life, mobile networks were faster, and the technology had advanced to the point where these ideas could be executed seamlessly.

Imagine Life Without Smartphones

It’s hard to imagine what life would look like today if Simon hadn’t paved the way. Our smartphones are more than just gadgets—they’re our cameras, our maps, our wallets, and our connection to the world. They’ve transformed how we work, how we communicate, and even how we think. And it all started with a bulky little device in the early ’90s.

Simon may not have been a commercial success, but it was a visionary product. It dared to ask, “What if a phone could do more?” And while it didn’t answer that question perfectly, it got the conversation started.

A Nostalgic Nod to Simon

As we look back on the IBM Simon, it’s easy to focus on its shortcomings: the limited battery life, the hefty price tag, and the lack of consumer interest. But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Simon was a pioneer. It was the first step in a journey that would lead to the sleek, powerful devices we carry in our pockets today.

So, the next time you pull out your smartphone to check your email, order food, or scroll through social media, take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come. And maybe, just maybe, give a little nod to Simon—the unassuming “brick” that started it all.

After all, every revolution starts somewhere. The smartphone revolution began in 1994 with a bold idea and a device that dared to dream big.