Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Cloud
    • Mobile

    Mobile Phone’s History in 10 Industry-Changing Devices

    By
    Michelle Maisto
    -
    January 24, 2014
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      PrevNext

      1Mobile Phone’s History in 10 Industry-Changing Devices

      1 - Mobile Phone's History in 10 Industry-Changing Devices

      by Michelle Maisto

      21983: Motorola DynaTAC 8000X

      2 - 1983: Motorola DynaTAC 8000X

      In 1974, a Motorola engineer made the first-ever mobile phone call. (He, of course, called the rival company racing to the accomplishment, to say he’d won.) Nine years later, Motorola introduced the DynaTAC 8000X, a phone that soon became synonymous with “Wall Street’s” Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) calling Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) to say, “This is your wake-up call, pal.”

      31994: Nokia 2100 Series

      3 - 1994: Nokia 2100 Series

      Far more pocketable was the Nokia 2100 series. Nokia hoped to sell 400,000 of them; instead, it sold 20 million. The 2100 series also transformed a clip of Spanish classical composer Francisco Tarrega’s 19th century guitar piece “Gran Vals” into what the world came to recognize as “the Nokia ring.” Nokia estimates that “Gran Vals” is now “one of the most frequently played pieces of music in the world.”

      41996: Motorola StarTAC 9800X

      4 - 1996: Motorola StarTAC 9800X

      Motorola slimmed down and updated the DynaTAC and introduced first a series of MicroTAC phones—the world’s first clamshell phones—and then StarTAC phones. These tiny clamshell devices, or flip phones, introduced vibration as a way to notify a user of a new call or message. It’s estimated that 60 million StarTAC phones were sold.

      51996: Nokia 9000 Communicator

      5 - 1996: Nokia 9000 Communicator

      Nokia wowed the world with the 9000 Communicator. Its exterior featured a small display and a traditional keypad, but then the phone could be split open to reveal a full QWERTY keypad and a display nearly as long as the phone. In 1996, the Communicator looked shockingly, wonderfully and awe inspiringly futuristic.

      61999: Research In Motion BlackBerry 850

      6 - 1999: Research In Motion BlackBerry 850

      BlackBerry excited executives with the 850, a pager with a small display, a QWERTY keyboard, a wireless data connection and the ability to securely synchronize with a corporate email system.

      72000: Nokia Communicator 9210

      7 - 2000: Nokia Communicator 9210

      In 2000, Nokia upgraded the Communicator. It gave its 9210 an ARM processor and the Symbian mobile operating system, making it Nokia’s first true smartphone. The 9210 could access the Web, desk applications and email, and included a calendar, a presentation viewer and the ability to download third-party software. MP3 music player software was optional.

      82003: Nokia 6600

      8 - 2003: Nokia 6600

      Nokia was able to surge ahead of Motorola by offering a dynamic portfolio. In 2003, for example, it introduced both the 1100, an inexpensive phone for developing markets (which it ultimately sold 200 million units of) and the Nokia 6600, a Symbian-running smartphone with a Web browser, a VGA camera, a multimedia card expansion slot, a RealOne music player, Bluetooth and more.

      92003: Research In Motion BlackBerry 6210

      9 - 2003: Research In Motion BlackBerry 6210

      The BlackBerry 6210 was Research In Motion’s 10th device but its first with a fully integrated phone. (Its predecessor had a phone but no speaker and had to be used with a headset.) An upgrade shortly afterward added a color display. “Before the iPhone … you were nobody if you didn’t have a BlackBerry,” said analyst Jack Gold, with J. Gold Associates.

      102004: Motorola Razr V3

      10 - 2004: Motorola Razr V3

      The tremendous success of the Razr—which was significantly skinnier and more attractive than anything on market—makes clear that in 2004, despite the technology being available, the great majority of Americans were not yet buying smartphones. Over four years, Motorola sold 130 million Razrs. While at its debut the Razr V3 cost $500, by 2007, after the iPhone was introduced, it was possible to buy a Razr for $30 with a two-year service contract.

      112007: Apple iPhone

      11 - 2007: Apple iPhone

      Apple introduced the iPhone by calling it a “widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, Web browsing, searching and maps.” Most importantly, the iPhone uniquely featured a large, multi-touch display. Apple didn’t invent the smartphone, but by making it easy and intuitive to use, it changed how smartphones were used, who used them and what people expect when they pick up a mobile phone.

      PrevNext

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×