Invention of the Smartphone

Smartphones are mobile phones that also can perform many of the functions of a computer such as email, photographs, and internet access. Many modern smartphones have a touchscreen interface, an operating system, and the capability to run third party apps.

Inventions: What is a Smartphone?

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Smartphones are found all over the world and are used by billions of people every day. They have revolutionized the way we live our lives. Smartphones combine many computer features with a mobile phone. Most modern smartphones have a touch screen, access to internet, and an operating system which allows for additional software and apps to be downloaded.

Smartphones have changed society. People can now answer any question by searching the internet. With GPS systems, we no longer rely on maps to find out where we are going. We can use email, instant messaging, SMS, calls, and video chat to keep in touch with friends, family, and coworkers around the world.

The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, and he made his first telephone call in 1878. Cell phones (or mobile phones) were developed in the 1970s, with the first commercially available phone made in 1984. Cell phones allowed people to make calls without being tethered to a desk.

The IBM Simon was the world’s first commercially available smartphone in 1994. It combined cell phone features such as the ability to make calls with abilities such as email, fax, note taking, an address book, and a calculator. It had a stylus-based touch screen. The Simon was overtaken by trendier, smaller flip phones, even though they lacked some of the features.

Even though there were plenty of options available by the end of the 90s, consumers were slow to adopt the technology. Blackberry changed the trends with their launch with full QWERTY keyboards; it became popular with business people. In 2007, the first iPhone was released by Apple. This phone was aimed at the everyday user, not just business people. The iPhone had a touch screen that didn’t rely on a stylus, meaning users only had to use their fingers. These style of mobile devices dominated the market from 2010 onwards.

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