Sony Magic Link PIC-1000 Personal Intelligent Communicator

About the Organization

General Magic was a company cofounded by Bill Atkinson, Andy Hertzfeld[1] and Marc Porat that developed a new kind of handheld communications device they called a "personal intelligent communicator", which was a PDA precursor that stressed communications.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Vendor Information

Sony Corporation (ソニー株式会社 Sonī Kabushiki Kaisha, /ˈsoʊni/ SOH-nee, stylized as SONY) is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo. Its diversified business includes consumer and professional electronics, gaming, entertainment and financial services. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. Sony was ranked 105th on the 2017 list of Fortune Global 500.

(Source: Wikipedia)

People Associated with this Artifact

The Magic Link was brought to market by Jerry Fiala Sr at Sony. (Wikipedia)

David Hoffman – I made this launch video back in 1993 to launch the incredible vision and technology developed by General Magic and supported by 6 of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Oddly, although the company failed, as the vision video, it is still superb. (YouTube)

Associated Products

No products information available.

Editorial

The Magic Link was a personal communicator and PDA marketed by Sony from 1994, based on the General Magic’s Magic Cap operating system.

The “Link” part of the name refers to the device’s ability to send and receive data over a modem.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Oral History

No oral history available.

Media

1993 – The Smart Phone You Use Comes From Here

From the description on YouTube:

David Hoffman – I made this launch video back in 1993 to launch the incredible vision and technology developed by General Magic and supported by 6 of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Oddly, although the company failed, as the vision video, it is still superb.

Classic PC/TV – Sony Magic Link PIC-1000

Magic Cap Introduction Demo 1/6/94

Magic Cap was General Magic’s platform for personal intelligent communicators. This is the first time it was demoed publicly, by Bill Atkinson and myself, in front of 2,500 people at the keynote for the San Francisco Macworld on January 6, 1994, following a panel discussion celebrating the Mac’s tenth birthday. My favorite part is the parade at the end.

Andy Hertzfeld

Magic Cap Cellphone Demo August 1995

Magic Cap was General Magic’s platform for “personal intelligent communicators” that was created in the early 1990’s. Sony and Motorola shipped Magic Cap devices in 1994. In 1995, we adapted the platform to make it suitable for cellphones using a 240×160 screen, which this video demonstrates, twelve years before the iPhone.

Andy Hertzfeld

1993 – The Smart Phone You Use Comes From Here

I made this launch video back in 1993 to launch the incredible vision and technology developed by General Magic and supported by 6 of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Oddly, although the company failed, as the vision video, it is still superb.

David Hoffman

LGR Tech Tales – General Magic: Creating the Cloud

This episode covers the origin and demise of Apple spin-off company General Magic, and its impact on modern tech. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!