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The first smartphone: 1994's IBM Simon
A DOS powered, touch-screen smartphone from 1994? Yes, please.
September 01, 2022

The iPhones and (multitude of) Android smartphones have absolutely dominated the smartphone world for the last decade.

They both have achieved enormous success through a combination of polishing existing technology and the leveraging of market dominance and positioning (and more than a little flashy marketing).

But neither of those were the first smartphones.

Years before either Android or iOS existed… we had multiple smartphone systems.

Blackberries. Danger Hiptop. Various attempts from Nokia.

And even smartphones that, functionality wise, closely mirror what we have today — being able to install applications, web browsers, games, the works — powered by PalmOS and Windows CE (sometimes known as PocketPC / Windows Mobile).

But, you know what? None of those were the first smartphones either.

In 1996 there was a DOS based “Palmtop” that combined with a Nokia 2110 cell phone to produce an early “smartphone” : the OmniGo 700LX. (Yes. A DOS-based smartphone. It was absolutely real and it was built on top of the HP 200 LX line.)

 
The OmniGo 700LX. Image courtesy the HP Computer Museum.

As cool as that HP OmniGo 700LX was — and as amazing as it was for 1996 — you want to know something?

It wasn’t the first smartphone either.

No sir.

The first smartphone to ship was the IBM Simon Personal Communicator (but we usually just call it the “IBM Simon”)… in 1994. And she was amazing.

 
File:IBM Simon Personal Communicator.png
 
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November 22, 2024
Firefox Has 9 Months of Income Left (Possibly Less)

The USA v Google lawsuit is going to result in a massive shakeup for Web Browsers and Search Engines. Also: Will Google be forced to sell off Android (when they sell off Chrome)? We'll know next August.

00:30:52
November 21, 2024
Linux Code of Conduct Board Blocks File System Changes

A code change for new bcachefs features is being blocked not for technical reasons... but a CoC dispute. Seriously.

Kent Overstreet's blog post:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/116412665

Sanctions Hit Linux Kernel, Russian Programmers Banned:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/6263331/sanctions-hit-linux-kernel-russian-programmers-banned

70% of companies on the Linux Foundation Board are GPL violators:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/5116049/70-of-companies-on-the-linux-foundation-board-are-gpl-violators

Python Bans Prominent Dev for Enjoying the Wrong Old SNL Sketch:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/5985667/python-bans-prominent-dev-for-enjoying-the-wrong-old-snl-sketch

NixOS commits "purge" of "Nazi" contributors, forces abdication of founder
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/5821513/nixos-commits-purge-of-nazi-contributors-forces-abdication-of-founder

00:33:28
November 19, 2024
The Pokemon Go Spying Conspiracy Theory? Yeah. It's Verified.

Pokemon Go using your phone camera to build a CIA-backed 3D Map AI system.

It sounds like an insane movie plot. But it's real.

In 2016, this was "Lunduke's crazy conspiracy theory about Pokemon Go being used to spy on everyone, backed by the CIA". Now, in 2024, Niantic Labs (the makers of Pokemon Go), proudly brags about using Pokemon Go to spy on you... and using that covertly obtained information to build a massive, 3D artificial intelligence mapping system of private spaces.

"We receive about 1 million fresh scans each week, each containing hundreds of discrete images."

In other words: Lunduke was right.

The CIA, NSA, and Pokémon Go:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/5756204/the-cia-nsa-and-pok-mon-go

Building a Large Geospatial Model to Achieve Spatial Intelligence:
https://nianticlabs.com/news/largegeospatialmodel

00:19:04
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

😆

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53 minutes ago

#Emacs #Vi I was just doing a test search on Google, typed in 'Emacs', and got this result. That's funny.

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If Windows 10 spontaneously reboots on a computer from 2017, the very first time it did so on that computer, is the problem Windows or ageing hardware? xD

(Clarification: while the reboot is real, this is a jokesy post. Don't take it too seriously. :) )

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Funny Programming Pictures Part LXIV
Free Roman Numeral Lesson Included With Every Purchase!

 

LXIV

L+X+IV

L+X+(V-I)

50+10+(5-1)

64

Now the next time you're at one of those math parties, with all those first graders from Ancient Rome, you won't feel so self conscious.  You're welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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November 20, 2024
Lunduke's Quest - November 20, 2024
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November 12, 2024
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Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Nov 3 - Nov 9, 2024)
Gimp 3.0! NOTEPAD.EXE AI! Mozilla Layoffs!

There was some interesting news this week in the world of computing.

But the only one I can think about is NOTEPAD.EXE getting Artificial Intelligence.

I mean.  What the fart?!

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