Simon Personal Communicator - IBM debuted a prototype device, called "Angler," on 23rd November,1992 at the COMDEX computer and technology trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. The Angler prototype blended a cellular phone and PDA into one device, admitting a user to attain and receive calls, faxes, e-mails and cellular pages, among different functions. COMDEX show attendees and the press showed notable interest in the device. The day after Angler's debut, USA Today featured a photo on the front page of the Money section showing Frank Canova, Angler's architect, holding the prototype.
- Bell South executives gave the finished product its final name, "Simon Personal Communicator", before its public debut at the Wireless World Conference in November, 1993. Bell South Cellular had planned to begin selling Simon in May, 1994, but due to problems with the device's software, the Simon did not become available to consumers until August 16, 1994.
- Bell South Cellular initially offered the Simon throughout its 15 state service area for US$899 with a two-year service contract or US$1099 without a contract. Later in the product's life, Bell South Cellular reduced the price to US$599 with a two-year contract. Bell South Cellular sold about 50,000 units during six months of the product's on the market. Although the term "Smartphone" was not coined until 1997, because of Simone's features and capabilities, it can be referred to as the first Smartphone.
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