Personal Devices · Recorded milestone
Smartphone
Recorded year1994
A phone with a touchscreen and apps handles calls, email, maps, photos and the web, putting a pocket computer in nearly every hand.
Explore this milestone on the interactive mapBuilt on
- LaserRecorded · 1960requires
- Laminar-flow cleanroomRecorded · 1962requires
- Light-emitting diodeRecorded · 1962requires
- CMOS logicRecorded · 1963requires
- Computer-aided designRecorded · 1963requires
- TouchscreenRecorded · 1965requires
- Handheld mobile phoneRecorded · 1983enables
- Flash memoryRecorded · 1984requires
- 2G digital mobile & SMSRecorded · 1991enables
- Lithium-ion batteryRecorded · 1991enables
- World Wide WebRecorded · 1991enables
- CMOS image sensorRecorded · 1993enables
- MEMS sensorsRecorded · 1993requires
Led to
- Consumer VR headsetRecorded · 1995requires
- Electric kick scooterRecorded · 1996enables
- Touchscreen tabletRecorded · 2002enables
- Fingerprint-unlocked phoneRecorded · 2003enables
- Satellite SOS in your pocketRecorded · 2003enables
- Phone wallet paymentsRecorded · 2004enables
- SmartwatchRecorded · 2004enables
- Streaming TV stickRecorded · 2007enables
- App storesRecorded · 2008enables
- Free turn-by-turn on phonesRecorded · 2009enables
- Location-based dating appsRecorded · 2009enables
- Phone messaging appsRecorded · 2009enables
- Voice control on phonesRecorded · 2009enables
- Phone photo-sharing appRecorded · 2010enables
- Ride-hailing appsRecorded · 2010enables
- Disappearing messages and StoriesRecorded · 2011enables
- Two-factor loginRecorded · 2011enables
- 3D photo-mesh citiesRecorded · 2012enables
- App-controlled smart bulbsRecorded · 2012enables
- Minute-by-minute rain alertsRecorded · 2012enables
- App-based restaurant deliveryRecorded · 2013requires
- Pocket and wrist ECGRecorded · 2013enables
- Smart video doorbellRecorded · 2013enables
- Team chat appsRecorded · 2013enables
- Item-finder tagRecorded · 2014enables
- Over-the-counter glucose sensorRecorded · 2014enables
- Clothing as displaysRecorded · 2015enables
- Conductive smart textilesRecorded · 2015enables
- Immersive classroomsRecorded · 2015requires
- Mixed-reality spectatingRecorded · 2015requires
- True wireless earbudsRecorded · 2015requires
- Computational photographyRecorded · 2016requires
- Encrypted messaging for billionsRecorded · 2016enables
- Floor that lets you walk forever in VRRecorded · 2016requires
- Instant payment systemsRecorded · 2016enables
- Location-based AR gameRecorded · 2016enables
- Smart ringRecorded · 2016enables
- AI friend appsRecorded · 2017enables
- AI scene descriptionRecorded · 2017enables
- AI coaching from videoRecorded · 2018requires
- Foldable phoneRecorded · 2018enables
- Self-emptying robot vacuumRecorded · 2018enables
- Everyday AR glassesRecorded · 2019requires
- Lidar in phonesRecorded · 2020enables
- Phones as quake sensorsRecorded · 2020enables
- AI camera glassesRecorded · 2021enables
- App tracking opt-inRecorded · 2021enables
- Caption glassesRecorded · 2022enables
- Mixed-reality headsetRecorded · 2022requires
- Phone with on-device AIRecorded · 2023enables
- Eye-and-hand computingRecorded · 2024requires
- Live voice translationRecorded · 2024requires
- Satellite-to-phone serviceRecorded · 2025enables
- Digital identity walletsForecast · ~2027enables
- AI vet in your pocketForecast · ~2028enables
- Field trips to any place or eraForecast · ~2028requires
- Li-Fi in phones and laptopsForecast · ~2028enables
- MetalensesForecast · ~2028requires
- Second-by-second insuranceForecast · ~2028enables
- Most new photos signed at captureForecast · ~2029enables
- Hyperspectral phone camerasForecast · ~2030requires
- AR contact lensesForecast · ~2034requires
- Full-hand haptic glovesForecast · ~2035requires
- Daily print papers endForecast · ~2038enables
- A petabyte in your pocketForecast · ~2040requires
- VR sports leaguesForecast · ~2053requires
Sources & evidence
Dataset updated 2026-10-18. This individual record has not been separately re-reviewed.