Smartphones are mobile devices that combine telephony with digital systems, offering features like web browsing, email, and app downloads. They evolved from PDAs, which provided basic functions like calendars and note-taking. IBM's Simon, released in 1992, was the first to offer wireless connectivity for emails and faxes. The advent of touchscreen smartphones by LG and Apple in 2007, and HTC's Android phone in 2008, marked significant advancements. Key features include a processor, memory, storage, internet connectivity, a camera, GPS, and access to app stores for software downloads.