References are numbered in [brackets], which can be found at the end of this document. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2001 January 24.

1993

January

• Apple Computer shows off test versions of its Newton Personal Digital Assistants at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show. [2]

March

• Amstrad begins shipping the Amstrad Pen Pad PDA600 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) in England. It is the first PDA to be shipped. The Pen Pad weighs under a pound, is 1 inch thick, and features a 240x320 resolution 3x4 inch screen. It uses a 20 MHz Zilog Z8S180 microprocessor, and can run for 40 hours on three AA batteries. It includes 128 KB RAM, with a PCMCIA expansion slot for memory expansion to 2 MB. [23.143]

(month unknown)

• Casio introduces the Zoomer personal digital assistant, developed jointly with Tandy. It features 7.4 MHz 8086-compatible processor, 4 MB ROM, 1 MB RAM, GeoWorks Geos operating system, PCMCIA flash memory cards. The system operates for about 100 hours on three AA batteries. Price is US$900. [59] [81]

August

• Apple Computer launches the Newton MessagePad 100 personal digital assistant at Macworld Expo, in Boston's Symphony Hall. It features 640 KB RAM, 3 MB of ROM storing applications and the operating system (Newton Intelligence), a low-voltage 20 MHz 32-bit ARM 610 microprocessor, 240x336 resolution (85 dpi) 2.8 x 4-inch LCD screen, one PCMCIA Type II expansion socket, data transfer of 9600bps, and runs on four AAA batteries. 50,000 units sell in the first 10 weeks, but only 80,000 are sold during the product's life. [2] [3] [9.N7] [16.187] [17.36] [23.148] [26.21] [27.61] [81] (4 MB of ROM [32.104]) (July [24.159])

September

• VLSI Technology and Intel announce the Polar processor chip set for handheld computers. The VI86C300 integrated processor controller incorporates a 386 processor core with 2 KB cache, memory controller, LCD controller, andgraphics accelerator. The VI86C100 multiple peripheral controller includes support for peripherals typically used in handheld systems. Speed is 33 MHz. Price is US$50 in quantities of 10,000. [68]

October

• At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced RISC Machines unveils the ARM7 processor family. Features are 0.8 micron technology, 3-5 volt operation, 20-33 MHz. [80]
• At the Microprocessor Forum, AT&T Microelectronics announces the Hobbit 92020S processor, compatible with the 92010 processor. The 92020S doubles the instruction cache to 6 KB, and operates at 20 MHz. Price is US$37 in 10,000 unit quantities. [69]
• At the Microprocessor Forum, Advanced Micro Devices announces the Am386SC processor for handheld computers. Operating speed is up to 33 MHz, operating at 3.3 Volts. Price is US$49 in 10,000 unit quantities. [69]

December 31

• Shipments of handheld PCs for the year: 244,000. [36.36]

1994

(month unknown)

• Shipments of Apple Computer Newton MessagePad 100 systems in the first five months: 80,000. [14]

March

• Apple Computer introduces the Newton MessagePad 110 handheld computer. It features 1 MB RAM, 20 MHz ARM610 processor, and runs on four AA batteries. Remote data transfer rate is 38.5 Kbps. Battery life is five times that of the Model 100. Price is US$599. [2] [9.N7] [17.36] [14]
• Apple Computer introduces an improved Newton MessagePad 100. It is physically identical to the previously released model, but contains improved software. Price is US$499. [2] [9.N7] [17.36] [14]

(month unknown)

• AT&T closes subsidiary Eo, ending life for the Hobbit processor, and the PenPoint operating system. [48]

December 31

• Shipments of handheld PCs for the year: 390,000. [36.36]

1995

January

• Apple Computer announces the Newton MessagePad 120. [2] [9.N7]

September

• Intel announces the 80486SXSF and GXSF 486 microprocessors, designed for handheld computer products. The GX has a 16-bit bus, the SX a 32-bit bus. Both are 33 MHz, operating on 2.0-3.3 volts. [13.3] [82]

December

• Apple Computer ships the Newton 2.0 operating system. [9.N7]

December 31

• Shipments of smart handheld devices in the US for the year: 1.5 million. World shipments: 2.4 million. [53.232] (1.1 million in US [41.28])

1996

June

• Apple Computer introduces the Apple Newton MessagePad 130, with transreflective LCD with an electroluminescent backlight, battery life about 8 hours (4 with backlight on), 1.2 MB heap space, 20 MHz ARM 610 RISC processor, 320x240 pixel display, one Type II PC Card slot, 2.5 MB internal RAM, for US$799. [44.45]

(month unknown)

• NEC Electronics begins shipping its R4101 processor for personal digital assistants. The chip includes a 33 MHz 4100 processor core, 2 KB instruction cache, 1 KB data cache, real-time clock, DMA controller, audio driver, and interfaces for serial port, keyboard, infrared, and touch-screen interfaces. [83.5]
• U.S. Robotics debuts the Palm Pilot. [40.138]

September

• Microsoft unveils Windows CE operating system for handheld PCs. Code-name of the project was Pegasus. "CE" stands for Consumer Electronics. [25.32] [28.4]

(month unknown)

• LG Electronics introduces the LG HPC GP40M handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 processor, 480x240 LCD screen, one Type 2 PC Card slot, 4 MB RAM, 4 MB ROM with Windows CE, fax modem, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.5 x 3.8 x 1.1 inches; weight is 0.77 pounds; price is about US$650. The systems runs for about 15 hours on two A batteries. [70.135]
• Microsoft ships Windows CE 1.0 for handheld microcomputers. [54.151] [56.46]

November

• Apple Computer unveils the MessagePad 2000 computer. It features 1 MB DRAM, 5 MB Flash RAM, 2 Type II PC Card slots, backlit 480x320 100 dpi display, size 4.7 x 8.3 inches, Newton OS 2.1, 1.4 pound weight, and 161.9 MHz StrongARM 110 RISC processor. It runs on four AA batteries. [49.45] [61.44]
• Compaq Computer ships the Compaq PC Companion handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 processor, 480x240 pixel backlit LCD, one Type 2 PC Card slot, 2-6 MB RAM, 4 MB ROM with Windows CE, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.8 x 3.6 x 1 inches, weight is 0.89 pounds, price is about US$500-700. The system runs on 2 AA batteries for up to 20 hours, [29.139] [30.6] [70.135]
• NEC Computer Systems introduces the NEC MobilePro 400 handheld computer. It features NEC VR 4104 processor, 480x240 LCD screen, one 2 PC Card, 4 MB RAM, 70: 8 MB ROM with Windows CE, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.9 x 3.7 x 1 inches; weight is 0.85 pounds; price is about US$650. [30.6] [70.133]
• Hitachi Home Electronics ships the Hitachi Handheld PC, running Windows CE. [30.6]
• Casio Computer ships the Cassiopeia, a handheld computer running Windows CE. [30.6]

December 31

• Worldwide shipments of PalmPilot handheld computers for the year: about 350,000. [46.9]
• Shipments of handheld computers in the US for the year: 1.9 million. [53.232] (1.5 million [41.28])
• Worldwide handheld computer sales: about 2.4 million. [46.9] (2.6 million [53.232])

1997

(month unknown)

• Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP 300LX handheld computer. It features 640x240 screen, Windows CE, 2 MB RAM, Type II PC Card slot, stylus, and keyboard. It is 7.2 inches wide. Price is US$499. [72.47]
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP 320LX handheld computer. It features 640x240 screen, Windows CE, 4 MB RAM, Type II PC Card slot, stylus, and keyboard. It is 7.2 inches wide. Price is US$699. [72.47]

May

• Apple Computer announces it will spin off its Newton Systems Group into a subsidiary company. [34.40]

September

• Apple Computer announces it will not spin off its Newton Systems Group as it had announced in May. [34.40]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer introduces the Newton MessagePad 2000. It features a 162 MHz processor. [60.45]

December 31

• Shipments of handheld computers in the US for the year: 2.471 million. [37.28] [46.9] [47.28]
• Worldwide shipments of handheld computers for the year: 5.5 million. [53.232]
• Worldwide shipments of PalmPilot handheld computers for the year: about 350,000. [46.9]

1998

(month unknown)

• To date, about 500,000 Windows CE devices have been shipped. [56.46]
• Apple Computer ceases development of its Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products. [35.6]
• 3Com begins shipping the Palm III handheld computer. The Palm III features 2 MB RAM, two AAA batteries allowing use for 6-8 weeks. Weight is about 6 ounces. Price is US$399. [52.76]
• Microsoft announces Windows CE Handheld PC Professional Edition hardware reference design, based on Windows CE 2.11. [46.41]

December

• Palm announces the Palm VII handheld computer. [51.137]

December 31

• Market share of US mobile computers for the year: 3Com Palm 40%. [43.29]
• Worldwide shipments of handheld computers for the year: 3.988 million. [47.28] [64.18] [78.7]
• Installed base (worldwide) of handheld computers: 8.2 million. [64.18]

1999

(month unknown)

• Palm Computing introduces the Palm VII Connected Organizer handheld computer. It features 2 MB RAM, and modem. Price is US$599; size is 5.25 x 3.25 x 0.75 inches; weight is 6.7 ounces. Two AAA batteries power the unit for 2-3 weeks. Connectivity via Palm for email and Internet access costs US$9.99 for 50 KB transferred per month, or US$24.99 for 150 KB. [67.52] [77.26,40]
• Sony Electronics introduces the Sony VAIO C1 PictureBook handheld computer. It features digital video camera, 266 MHz MMX Pentium, 4.3 GB hard drive, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98, Zoomed Video PC Card slot, USB port, V.90 modem, 8.9 inch TFT 1024x480 display, Microsoft Works, Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition, Intuit Quicken, Microsoft Money 98. Weight is 2.4 pounds; size is 1.5 x 9.5 x 5.5 inches; price is US$2299. Battery life is about 1.3 hours. Optional external 16x CD-ROM drive costs US$299. [77.58]
• NEC Computer Systems introduces the NEC MobilePro 770 handheld computer. It features 131 MHz NEC VR4121 processor, 32 MB RAM, 24 MB ROM, 8.1 inch 640x240 16,000 color LCD display, V.90 modem, VGA (800x600 to external monitor), PC Card and CompactFlash slots, Windows CE Handheld PC Professional v3.0. Weight is 1.7 pounds; size is 1.1 x 9.6 x 5.2 inches; price is US$799. Lithium-ion battery life is about 10 hours. [77.59]
• Hewlett-Packard introduces the HP Jornada 680 handheld computer. It features 13 MHz Hitachi SH-3 processor, 16 MB RAM, 16 MB ROM, 6.5 inch 640x240 256-color LCD display, V.90 modem, Windows CE Handheld PC Professional v3.0. Size is 1.3 x 7.4 x 3.7 inches; 1.1 pounds; price is US$899. Lithium ion battery life is about 8 hours. [77.59]
• Palm Computing releases the 3Com Palm IIIe handheld computer. It features 2 MB RAM, and reverse backlit LCD touchscreen. Size is 4.6 x 3.8 x 0.8 inches; weight is 5.8 ounces, and it uses two AAA batteries. Price is about US$230. [50.66] [62.44]
• Psion introduces the Psion Revo personal digital assistant. It features 8 MB RAM, 36 MHz ARM 710T RISC processor, 53-key keyboard, 1.5 x 4.5 inch monochrome 480x160 pixel touchscreen, 8 MB ROM, Symbian EPOC32 v5.0 operating system, 19.2 Kbps modem. The system operates for about 14 hours on nickel hydride batteries. Size is 0.8 x 6 x 3 inches; weight is 7.8 ounces. [79.49]

2000

(month unknown)

• Palm Canada introduces the Palm IIIc handheld computer in Canada. Features include color active matrix thin film transistor display, 8 MB memory, Palm OS 3.5, for about CDN$679. [63.31]
• In New York City's Grand Central Station, Microsoft launches the Pocket PC, a specification for handheld computers. The Pocket PC runs Microsoft Windows CE 3.0, and includes several applications: music player, word processor, Internet browser, and more. [65.12]
• Compaq Computer introduces the iPAQ Pocket PC handheld computer. It features 2.25 x 3 inch color screen, USB port, 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, 32 MB RAM, Windows CE 3.0. Expansion packs offer access to PC Cards, flash memory cards, email, music file playing, digital camera, modem, bar code scanner, etc. Basic unit price is $699. [76.34]

1972-1992

1993-2001

Check my list of references for details on specific events.
Also check my list of other timelines.