{
  "id": 944333,
  "title": "Nokia 9000 Communicator: Finnish brick phone: This is how the smartphone era began",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/nokia-9000-communicator-handy-klotz-aus-finnland-so-begann-die",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-15T03:00:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/nokia-9000-communicator-handy-klotz-aus-finnland-so-begann-die-smartphone-aera/100247452.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The Nokia 9000 Communicator, launched on August 15, 1996, is considered a precursor to modern smartphones. The device weighed around 400 grams and featured a computer-like keyboard and black and white display. It allowed users to send and receive faxes and emails, and had an address book and calendar, but lacked features like a camera and GPS. The Communicator was marketed as a mobile office solution, primarily targeting managers and executives, and cost around 2,700 German Marks. Microsoft's Bill Gates took notice of the device at a Las Vegas trade show, and subsequently purchased several units for the company's IT department.",
  "summary": "Four centimeters thick and almost 400 grams heavy: The Nokia 9000 Communicator launched the smartphone revolution 30 years ago - as an office on the go. The price? Pretty steep.",
  "key_points": [
    "Nokia 9000 Communicator weighed 400 grams and was 4 cm thick",
    "Featured computer-like keyboard and monochrome display",
    "Introduced mobile office tasks on the go"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}