Early Adopter Adventures: The Origins of Modern Smartphones

Have you ever been an early adopter to something? I was one of the first to explore the concept of what we now call a smartphone, back in 1990!

Discovering the Concept

Imagine being one of the very first to witness the concept of a smartphone that could do banking and receive faxes without paper. That’s exactly what I experienced. Back then, the term "smartphone" had yet to be coined, but the essence of the technology existed, hidden within the screens and programmable buttons of an early prototype.

The Tech VP Role

At the time, I was the Technology Vice President in a small company operating under a major corporation’s umbrella. Our team was developing innovative information service software products, such as banking from home and faxing without paper. But to make these services functional, we needed a phone with a screen and programmable buttons, different from the standard phone keys.

We reached out to another major corporation to help build a concept phone with these features. The buttons on this phone would be programmable and context-sensitive, allowing users to select the functions they needed, such as transferring money.

What we were developing was essentially a precursor to the modern smartphone. We were running trials and beta testing of this concept, long before the term "smartphone" became common in our lexicon.

Secrets and Silence

Due to business reasons, our umbrella corporation decided to shut down our project just after we began implementing the trials. As a result, this innovation was never made available to the public. But the experience was invaluable, as it provided an early glimpse into the world of technology innovation that we now take for granted.

Prototype of an iTunes-like Product

Interestingly, my involvement in technology innovation didn’t stop there. In 1991, I also designed and built a prototype for a product similar to iTunes, but it ran over phone lines using local classified ads. A friend was able to build a successful business around this idea that lasted for a long time.

While it wasn’t the most widely known or commercially successful at the time, this early prototype demonstrates the ingenuity and foresight of those who explored the potential of digital services over traditional communication channels.

The Early Adopter Spirit

The story of my early adopter experience is a testament to the spirit of innovation and risk-taking that often drives technological advancements. Being an early adopter means embracing new concepts and technologies before they are mainstream, often facing skepticism and uncertainty.

My journey with these early prototypes may not have led to commercial success, but it contributed to the ongoing evolution of technology. It reminds us of the importance of experimenting with new ideas and technologies, even if they don’t always reach the market.

Conclusion

The early days of the smartphone were filled with possibilities and challenges. As an early adopter, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology and the potential it holds for the future. My experiences with these prototypes and other innovations serve as a reminder of the importance of staying curious and pushing the boundaries of what seems possible.