Could the lack of constraints have killed the first smartphone?
In the early 1990s, a company called General Magic developed a portable device capable of email, gaming, and calling. This video explores the theory of why this early precursor to the smartphone failed to capture the market.
General Magic possessed an impressive foundation for success, including world-class talent, creative freedom, and generous investment. Despite these advantages, the device never achieved widespread adoption. The program investigates a provocative theory: perhaps the company's success depended not on unlimited resources, but on the presence of specific constraints.
Source: We almost had a smartphone in the 90s. Why did it fail? | Planet Money
