scottsgear.com
@scottsgear.com
1,000+ gadgets. 30+ years writing about personal tech history.
The phones, PDAs, computers & wonderfully weird devices that got us here — preserved, powered up and put back to work.
The phones, PDAs, computers & wonderfully weird devices that got us here — preserved, powered up and put back to work.
September 17, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Throwback to my #VCFMW table in 2024: I used to collect laptops as well as my current assortment of smaller gadgets. Sadly, 140 laptops take up a lot more space than 140 phones or Pda's so I sold them all 😥
September 17, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Throwback to my #VCFMW table in 2024: I used to collect laptops as well as my current assortment of smaller gadgets. Sadly, 140 laptops take up a lot more space than 140 phones or Pda's so I sold them all 😥
One of the rarest phones in my collection: a US version of the original Motorola Startac with support for GSM on 1900MHz (the Startac 7000g).
Predates T-Mobile and Voicestream, and only briefly sold by Pacbell on the west coast. #startac #retrogadget #vintagephone
Predates T-Mobile and Voicestream, and only briefly sold by Pacbell on the west coast. #startac #retrogadget #vintagephone
September 17, 2026 at 3:13 AM
One of the rarest phones in my collection: a US version of the original Motorola Startac with support for GSM on 1900MHz (the Startac 7000g).
Predates T-Mobile and Voicestream, and only briefly sold by Pacbell on the west coast. #startac #retrogadget #vintagephone
Predates T-Mobile and Voicestream, and only briefly sold by Pacbell on the west coast. #startac #retrogadget #vintagephone
One of the most underappreciated innovations of the 2000s is IMHO the Handspring Springboard; an expansion port launched on their Visor #PDA.
Available modules included a phone, pager, camera, modem, barcode scanner, additional storage space and an mp3 player.
#vintagegadget #retrogear
Available modules included a phone, pager, camera, modem, barcode scanner, additional storage space and an mp3 player.
#vintagegadget #retrogear
September 17, 2026 at 2:58 AM
One of the most underappreciated innovations of the 2000s is IMHO the Handspring Springboard; an expansion port launched on their Visor #PDA.
Available modules included a phone, pager, camera, modem, barcode scanner, additional storage space and an mp3 player.
#vintagegadget #retrogear
Available modules included a phone, pager, camera, modem, barcode scanner, additional storage space and an mp3 player.
#vintagegadget #retrogear
Who invented the #smartphone? In my personal opinion, the credit goes to #Ericsson.
While several other devices beat them to the market (IBM Simon), the term wasn't used on the box until the R380World launched.
Full story on scottsgear.com soon.
While several other devices beat them to the market (IBM Simon), the term wasn't used on the box until the R380World launched.
Full story on scottsgear.com soon.
September 17, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Who invented the #smartphone? In my personal opinion, the credit goes to #Ericsson.
While several other devices beat them to the market (IBM Simon), the term wasn't used on the box until the R380World launched.
Full story on scottsgear.com soon.
While several other devices beat them to the market (IBM Simon), the term wasn't used on the box until the R380World launched.
Full story on scottsgear.com soon.
Coming soon in a video review: the rarest Android handset in the world (not clickbait!). #smartphone #android #mobiledevice
September 17, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Coming soon in a video review: the rarest Android handset in the world (not clickbait!). #smartphone #android #mobiledevice
Nothing special, just a basket of my absolute favorite gadgets of all time...
September 17, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Nothing special, just a basket of my absolute favorite gadgets of all time...
In 2008, someone walked into a jewelry store in Vegas (where else?) and dropped a cool $12,400 on this #Vertu phone. It is stunningly nice to hold, but the innards are essentially a $100 Nokia.
By far the dumbest thing about it is the $250 dongle you need in order to get the damn thing charged.
By far the dumbest thing about it is the $250 dongle you need in order to get the damn thing charged.
September 15, 2026 at 9:01 PM
In 2008, someone walked into a jewelry store in Vegas (where else?) and dropped a cool $12,400 on this #Vertu phone. It is stunningly nice to hold, but the innards are essentially a $100 Nokia.
By far the dumbest thing about it is the $250 dongle you need in order to get the damn thing charged.
By far the dumbest thing about it is the $250 dongle you need in order to get the damn thing charged.
One of the highlights of my time at #VCFMW was meeting Isaac. Isaac is blind, and blew me away with his knowledge of mobile devices. He was able to pick up any one of my devices and tell me exactly what it is.
I tried to challenge him with a Microsoft Kin, but he knew exactly what he was holding!
I tried to challenge him with a Microsoft Kin, but he knew exactly what he was holding!
September 15, 2026 at 5:13 PM
One of the highlights of my time at #VCFMW was meeting Isaac. Isaac is blind, and blew me away with his knowledge of mobile devices. He was able to pick up any one of my devices and tell me exactly what it is.
I tried to challenge him with a Microsoft Kin, but he knew exactly what he was holding!
I tried to challenge him with a Microsoft Kin, but he knew exactly what he was holding!
Free tip for any tradeshow exhibitor: bring lights for your table. Most venues are dark places, and good lights really make your table pop, and make your exhibit look so much better.
A decent set to cover 20 feet will cost less than $100. Be sure to get the clamp-on tripod style mounts.
A decent set to cover 20 feet will cost less than $100. Be sure to get the clamp-on tripod style mounts.
September 15, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Free tip for any tradeshow exhibitor: bring lights for your table. Most venues are dark places, and good lights really make your table pop, and make your exhibit look so much better.
A decent set to cover 20 feet will cost less than $100. Be sure to get the clamp-on tripod style mounts.
A decent set to cover 20 feet will cost less than $100. Be sure to get the clamp-on tripod style mounts.
This is the Ericsson HBH-10, the world's first Bluetooth headset (and first actual Bluetooth device). Launched at $800, it came in a lovely tin biscuit box. Includes a leather belt case, dock, charger and carrying box.
Because no phones existed with Bluetooth, it also came with a Bluetooth dongle.
Because no phones existed with Bluetooth, it also came with a Bluetooth dongle.
September 15, 2026 at 5:05 PM
This is the Ericsson HBH-10, the world's first Bluetooth headset (and first actual Bluetooth device). Launched at $800, it came in a lovely tin biscuit box. Includes a leather belt case, dock, charger and carrying box.
Because no phones existed with Bluetooth, it also came with a Bluetooth dongle.
Because no phones existed with Bluetooth, it also came with a Bluetooth dongle.
Here is my CMD55 - same thing, but for GSM. I'm still amazed they made thing almost 30 years ago.
September 15, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Here is my CMD55 - same thing, but for GSM. I'm still amazed they made thing almost 30 years ago.
This is the Transportable Orbitel 901 - the world's first GSM phone (and NOT the Nokia 1101 as AI usually reports).
It is also the first phone in the world to receive an SMS message.
This phone works just as well as it did back in 1992! The engineers at Orbitel created one damn good phone.
It is also the first phone in the world to receive an SMS message.
This phone works just as well as it did back in 1992! The engineers at Orbitel created one damn good phone.
September 14, 2026 at 3:21 AM
This is the Transportable Orbitel 901 - the world's first GSM phone (and NOT the Nokia 1101 as AI usually reports).
It is also the first phone in the world to receive an SMS message.
This phone works just as well as it did back in 1992! The engineers at Orbitel created one damn good phone.
It is also the first phone in the world to receive an SMS message.
This phone works just as well as it did back in 1992! The engineers at Orbitel created one damn good phone.
I've got all of those, plus almost every accessory. Sadly, I was never a big pre fan. My real love is with the Clie line. Pretty sure they are somewhere in this pic... 😁
September 14, 2026 at 2:54 AM
I've got all of those, plus almost every accessory. Sadly, I was never a big pre fan. My real love is with the Clie line. Pretty sure they are somewhere in this pic... 😁
Welcome. I'm Scott from Scottsgear. I collect gadgets from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
Nokia, Ericsson, Palm, Psion, and more.
Currently over 1100 gadgets in the collection, adding new devices every week.
Nokia, Ericsson, Palm, Psion, and more.
Currently over 1100 gadgets in the collection, adding new devices every week.
September 14, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Welcome. I'm Scott from Scottsgear. I collect gadgets from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
Nokia, Ericsson, Palm, Psion, and more.
Currently over 1100 gadgets in the collection, adding new devices every week.
Nokia, Ericsson, Palm, Psion, and more.
Currently over 1100 gadgets in the collection, adding new devices every week.
My very first gadget: a Sinclair Research Microvision. A gift from my dad after my mom passed away. Giving this to an 8 year old Scott started a lifelong passion for anything portable. #VCFMW #vintagegadget #retro
September 14, 2026 at 2:31 AM
My very first gadget: a Sinclair Research Microvision. A gift from my dad after my mom passed away. Giving this to an 8 year old Scott started a lifelong passion for anything portable. #VCFMW #vintagegadget #retro
This was a last minute addition to my table setup, but turned out to be a great decision. These two devices let me set up my own 2G and 3G networks to test old phones. Souch easier than my bladerf or usrp boards. Seeing "scottsgear" pop up as the network on a phone from 1994 is magical.
September 14, 2026 at 2:29 AM
This was a last minute addition to my table setup, but turned out to be a great decision. These two devices let me set up my own 2G and 3G networks to test old phones. Souch easier than my bladerf or usrp boards. Seeing "scottsgear" pop up as the network on a phone from 1994 is magical.
Got to play with the new #Commldore. Flip phone at #VCFMW. Excellent little device, i hope they sell a lot of them!
September 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Got to play with the new #Commldore. Flip phone at #VCFMW. Excellent little device, i hope they sell a lot of them!
Mind blown. Standing at my #VCFMW table, and up walks @airlineflyer.net . Great to see you again!
September 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Mind blown. Standing at my #VCFMW table, and up walks @airlineflyer.net . Great to see you again!
Today was day one of #VCFMW, and once again I'm reminded how warm, friendly and passionate my fellow vintage tech nerds are.
Seeing people light up while holding the phone, pda, camcorder or digital camera they once owned is all the encouragement I need to keep expanding the collection.
Seeing people light up while holding the phone, pda, camcorder or digital camera they once owned is all the encouragement I need to keep expanding the collection.
September 13, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Today was day one of #VCFMW, and once again I'm reminded how warm, friendly and passionate my fellow vintage tech nerds are.
Seeing people light up while holding the phone, pda, camcorder or digital camera they once owned is all the encouragement I need to keep expanding the collection.
Seeing people light up while holding the phone, pda, camcorder or digital camera they once owned is all the encouragement I need to keep expanding the collection.
2G phone network? Where I'm going I don't need a 2G phone network...
This setup includes an Agilent GSM/CDMA phone tester and an Anritsu 3G emulator. Both can set up their own cellular network allowing me to test my huge collection of phones. Originally, these testers cost over $250,000! #VCFMW
This setup includes an Agilent GSM/CDMA phone tester and an Anritsu 3G emulator. Both can set up their own cellular network allowing me to test my huge collection of phones. Originally, these testers cost over $250,000! #VCFMW
September 12, 2026 at 2:40 AM
2G phone network? Where I'm going I don't need a 2G phone network...
This setup includes an Agilent GSM/CDMA phone tester and an Anritsu 3G emulator. Both can set up their own cellular network allowing me to test my huge collection of phones. Originally, these testers cost over $250,000! #VCFMW
This setup includes an Agilent GSM/CDMA phone tester and an Anritsu 3G emulator. Both can set up their own cellular network allowing me to test my huge collection of phones. Originally, these testers cost over $250,000! #VCFMW
My collection of *very* early smart watches include a Swatch pager, Seiko MessageWatch, Fossil Palmnet, and a Timex Data Link.
September 12, 2026 at 2:37 AM
My collection of *very* early smart watches include a Swatch pager, Seiko MessageWatch, Fossil Palmnet, and a Timex Data Link.