The first smartphone is widely credited as the IBM Simon Personal Communicator, created by IBM engineer Frank Canova in the early 1990s. The Simon was demonstrated as a prototype in 1992 and released commercially in 1994. It combined the functions of a mobile phone with those of a personal digital assistant (PDA), featuring a touchscreen, email, fax capability, calendar, calculator, and other applications, making it the first device to integrate these features into one handheld unit

. Don Estridge, an IBM engineer, led the team that developed the IBM Simon, and is often recognized as a key figure behind the invention of the smartphone

. Although the Simon was not a commercial success due to factors like its high price, limited availability, and short battery life, it laid the foundation for future smartphones. Later innovators such as Apple co-founder Steve Jobs popularized the modern smartphone concept with the launch of the iPhone in 2007, which introduced multi-touch technology and a more user-friendly interface, greatly advancing the smartphone industry

. In summary:

• The first smartphone was the IBM Simon Personal Communicator, invented by IBM engineer Frank Canova and developed under Don Estridge's leadership.
• It was released in 1994 and was the first device to combine phone calls with PDA features.
• The modern smartphone era was popularized by Apple's iPhone in 2007, which built upon the groundwork laid by the Simon