Graduated from:
- Florida Institute of Technology
Inventors with similar research interests:
Location History:
- Tokyo, JP (1992)
- Boynton Beach, FL (US) (1993 - 2001)
- Fremont, CA (US) (2000 - 2016)
Company Filing History:
29 out of 478 
11 out of 164,108 
7 out of 27,394 
Years Active: 1992-2016
Frank Canova is an American electronics designer best known for creating the IBM Simon, the world's first smartphone. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and grew up in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Canova graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a degree in electrical engineering in 1978.
While working at IBM, Canova realized that new chip-and-wireless technology could fit into a handheld device. This led to the development of the IBM Simon, which debuted at the COMDEX trade show in 1992 and was released in 1994. The IBM Simon could make phone calls, manage calendars, send emails, and even run apps, marking the birth of the smartphone.
In 1997, Canova joined Palm, where he was instrumental in engineering the PalmPilot and its successors, which were among the first widely-used personal digital assistants (PDAs). His work at Palm further cemented his reputation as a leading innovator in mobile technology.
Throughout his career, Canova has held senior positions at several tech companies, including Amazon Web Services, Coherent, and Cirrus Logic. He has amassed 65 patents for his groundbreaking work in electronics and mobile technology.
Frank Canova's contributions have had a lasting impact on how we use technology today, making him a pivotal figure in the history of modern computing.
Inventor’s Patent Attorneys refers to legal professionals with specialized expertise in representing inventors throughout the patent process. These attorneys assist inventors in navigating the complexities of patent law, including filing patent applications, conducting patent searches, and protecting intellectual property rights. They play a crucial role in helping inventors secure patents for their innovative creations.