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Nokia 9000 Communicator marks 30 years as smartphone precursor
The Nokia 9000 Communicator, widely regarded as a precursor to the modern smartphone, marks its 30th anniversary. Originally unveiled at the CeBIT technology fair in Hannover, Germany, in March 1996, the device officially went on sale on August 15, 1996.
Marketed with the slogan ‘the office in your back pocket,’ the device was designed primarily for executives and managers. It featured a clamshell design that revealed a full QWERTY keyboard and a 4.5-inch monochrome display. Despite lacking modern features like a camera, GPS, or a headphone jack, it allowed users to send faxes and emails, access the internet via an integrated modem, and use productivity applications such as word processors and spreadsheets.
The device was substantial in size and weight, measuring approximately four centimeters thick and weighing nearly 400 grams. Its high price point—roughly 10,000 Finnish marks (equivalent to approximately 2,200 euros or 2,550 USD today)—positioned it as a status symbol for professionals. The 9000 series later evolved to include color screens, improved processing power, and the Symbian operating system.
Entities
Apple · Arto Koskinen · CeBIT · Finland · Nokia · Nokia 9000 Communicator
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The device had an internal memory of 8 MB. courage-lounge.de · www.onetz.de
- [● 6 SOURCES] The device lacked a camera, headphone jack, and GPS. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The device weighed nearly 400 grams and was approximately four centimeters thick. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Nokia 9000 Communicator was released on August 15, 1996. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The device cost 2,700 Mark. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Nokia 9000 Communicator was a combination of a computer and a mobile phone. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The device could send and receive faxes and emails. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The device featured a black-and-white display and a computer-like keyboard. courage-lounge.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · +1 more