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Long before widespread smartphones we have flip phones(which we still have today).
P.S.
The first smartphone was called SIMON by IBM made in the early 1990s
My dad had a relatively small phone back around 2000 or so. Flip phone, antenna that you pull out, and the display only showed numbers... similar to a digital clock. It didn't display picture, images, and the screen was black and white. Got us out of a jam when our vehicle stalled on the highway, but FWIW, it's a busy highway, and it likely would've been a matter of time before we got assistance from highway patrol, or a passerby.
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I've had numerous phones prior to my first smart phone... candy bar model (Siemans a56, 4-line B&W display, 4 to 5 weeks of battery life ), all the way to the Nokia 6133 that I've used for about 6 years. The "push to flip open" button was a bit gimmicky, but cool none of the less, and I used it all the time!
I think Nokia made the first smartphone. And I really feel Jobs stole their thunder or even their technology. When I was still living in my country before I migrate here in 2000. Nokia was our iphone like for real we were texting HARD with our prepaid phone cards. LOL.. My country was known as the texting capital of the world. Pain in the ass to text with alphanumeric keypads though. LOOOOOOL.
Nokia was actually the phone used in Matrix. The one that fell down on Neo's office building. That was what, 1998?
As a predecessor, ham radio guys and gals were making mobile phone calls in the early 1970's using VHF/UHF autopatches and walkie talkies. They actually worked quite well, but no privacy and business use was illegal. Saved more than a few lives on the roads.
I remember years ago when my company gave employees their first mobile phones. It was a Motorola bag phone. Stored in a zippered bag about the size of a women's purse. It had a standard telephone handset and coiled line. All black. You plugged it into your car's cigarette lighter receptacle. Neat.
My most memorable non smartphone was the Motorola Startac. Very small, compact and just overall worked well for me.
i still have my startec.. best phone ever.. from alltel days.. I was consider rich for having a flip phone while othes were still using the old nokia and Ericsson. Then the razor hit the market.. end of story.
I remember years ago when my company gave employees their first mobile phones. It was a Motorola bag phone. Stored in a zippered bag about the size of a women's purse. It had a standard telephone handset and coiled line. All black. You plugged it into your car's cigarette lighter receptacle. Neat.
I had the same phone! I recall how cool I thought I was especially with the little antenna sticking up on the top of the back window. I also remember my Dad telling me that my uncle picked up my conversations over a scanner! How times have changed. I hope..
Last edited by citydweller; 04-28-2017 at 06:11 PM..
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