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{{Short description|Software company in Canada}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2012}}
{{
{{
{{Infobox company
| name = Psion PLC
| logo = Psion historisch logo.svg
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = PON
| founded = {{Start date and age|1980}}
| fate = Acquired by Motorola Solutions in 15 June 2012
|
| hq_location_city = [[London]]
| hq_location_country = [[England]]
| num_locations = Over 14
| key_people = John Hawkins, ([[Chairman]])<br/>John Conoley ([[CEO]])<br/>David Potter
| industry = [[Computer]]s
| products = Workabout Pro 3, NEO, Ikôn, Omnii XT10,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blickenstorfer |first1=Conrad |title=Psion Teklogix Omnii XT10 |url=https://www.ruggedpcreview.com/3_handhelds_psion_omnii.html |website=ruggedpcreview.com |publisher=Rugged PC review |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Omnii XT10 Support |url=https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/mobile-computers/handheld/omnii-xt10.html |website=zebra.com |publisher=Zebra |access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Motorola Omnii XT15 Mobile Handheld Computer |url=https://www.barcodesinc.com/motorola/xt15.htm |website=barcodesinc.com |publisher=Barcodes, Inc.}}</ref> EP10,<ref>{{cite web |title=Psion EP10 Specifications Sheet [English] |url=http://www.pulster.de/info/psion/ep10/psion-ep10-specifications-sheet-english.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701034741/http://www.pulster.de/info/psion/ep10/psion-ep10-specifications-sheet-english.pdf |archive-date=2015-07-01 |url-status=live |website=Pulster.de |publisher=Psion |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Conrad |last1=Blickenstorfer |title=Psion Teklogix Omnii EP10 |url=https://www.ruggedpcreview.com/3_handhelds_psion_ep10.html |website=ruggedpcreview.com |publisher=Rugged PC review |access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> 8500 Series vehicle mount devices
| revenue = [[Pound sterling|£]]170 million (2009)
| num_employees = 900 (2010)
| parent =
| subsid =
| footnotes =
| website = {{URL|psion.com}} (defunct)
}}
'''Psion PLC''' was a designer and manufacturer of mobile handheld computers for commercial and industrial
Psion's operational business was formed in September 2000 from a merger of Psion and Canadian-based Teklogix Inc., and was a global provider of solutions for mobile computing and wireless data collection. The Group's products and services
Formed in 1980, Psion first achieved
==History==
=== Beginnings (1980–1984) {{anchor|Early development}} ===
Psion was established in 1980 as a software house with a close relationship with [[Sinclair Research]]. The company developed games and other software for the [[ZX81]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] [[home computer]]s, released under the Sinclair/Psion brand. Psion's games for the ZX Spectrum included ''Chess'', ''[[Chequered Flag (video game)|Chequered Flag]]'', ''[[Flight Simulation (Psion software)|Flight Simulation]]'' and the [[Horace series|''Horace'' series]]. Psion Chess was later ported to other platforms, including the early Macintosh in 1984.<ref name = "history">{{cite news
| first= Steve
| last= Litchfield
| title= The History of Psion
|
| publisher= UK Online
| url =http://stevelitchfield.com/historyofpsion.htm
| work = Palmtop Magazine
|
</ref>
Early software releases for the ZX Spectrum included titles such as VU-Calc, VU-File and [[VU-3D]], along with dozens of other titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekpub.cgi?regexp=^Psion+Software+Ltd$&loadpics=1|title = World of Spectrum - Psion Software Ltd}}</ref>
The company name is an acronym standing for "Potter Scientific Instruments", after the company's founder, [[David E. Potter|David Potter]]. The acronym [[PSI (disambiguation)#As an abbreviation|PSI]] was already in use elsewhere in the world so "ON" was added to make the name unique. Potter remained managing director until 1999 and was chairman of the company until late 2009.
In early 1983, Sinclair approached Psion regarding the development of a suite of office applications for the forthcoming [[Sinclair QL]] [[personal computer]]. Psion were already working on a project in this area, and when the QL was launched in 1984 it was bundled with ''Quill'', ''Archive'', ''Abacus'' and ''Easel''; respectively a [[word processor]], [[database]], [[spreadsheet]], and business graphics application. These were later ported to [[DOS]] and made available for the IBM PC and ACT's [[ACT Sirius|Sirius]] and [[Apricot PC|Apricot]] computers, collectively called ''PC-Four'', or ''Xchange''<ref name="pcw198410">{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorld1984-10/page/180/mode/2up |title=Straight Xchange |work=Personal Computer World |date=October 1984 |access-date=4 November 2020 |last1=Bright |first1=Peter |pages=180–182}}</ref> in an enhanced version.<ref name= history /> ''Xchange'' was also available for ICL's [[One Per Desk]] computer, which was based on the QL.<ref name="personalcomputerworld198412_opd">{{cite magazine |last1=Tebbutt |first1=David |date=December 1984 |title=ICL OPD |url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorld1984-12/1984-12/page/120/mode/2up |access-date=3 July 2024 |magazine=Personal Computer World |pages=120–124}} Via Internet Archive.</ref>
=== Psion Organiser (1984) {{anchor|The Psion Organiser}} ===
{{Main|Psion Organiser}}
[[File:Psion Organiser 2.gif|thumb|right|Psion Organiser II]]
In 1984, Psion first entered the hardware market with the [[Psion Organiser]], an early handheld computer, in appearance resembling a pocket calculator with an alphanumeric [[computer keyboard]]. In 1986, the vastly improved Psion Organiser II was released, and was assembled by Speedboard Assembly Services.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.speedboard.co.uk/about/30-years-quality-electronic-manufacturing-services/ |title=Note UK |website=Speedboard Assembly Services}}</ref> Its success led the company into a decade long period of ''Psion'' Computer and operating system development. It included the simple-to-use [[Open Programming Language]] (OPL) for database programming, which sparked a large independent software market.
===EPOC (1987)===
{{Main|EPOC (operating system)}}
[[File:Psion 3 17o06.jpg|thumb|Psion Series 3]]
In 1987, Psion began developing its ''SIxteen Bit Organiser'' (SIBO) family of devices and its own new multitasking operating system named [[EPOC (operating system)|EPOC]], to run its third generation product, Laptops (MC), industrial handhelds (HC and Workabout) and PDA (Series 3) products.<ref name=history/>
It is often rumoured that EPOC stands for "Electronic Piece Of Cheese" however Colly Myers, who was Symbian's CEO from founding until 2002,<ref>{{cite news
| last= Frankal
|
| date= 2005-09-04
| title= Ask and it shall be texted to you
| url =https://www.theguardian.com/business/2005/sep/04/theobserver.observerbusiness8
| work = The Observer
| access-date = 2008-12-27
}}
</ref> said in an interview that it stood for 'epoch' and nothing more.
[[File:2005-04-16 Psion Serie 5mx PRO 24MB beschn unscharf scharf.JPG|thumb|Psion 5mx Pro]]
A second effort, dubbed Project Protea, produced the Psion [[Psion 5|Series 5]] for sale in 1997, a completely new product from the 32-bit hardware upwards through the OS, UI, and applications.<ref name=history/> It is still remembered for its high quality keyboard which, despite its size, allowed for touch-typing. However, the new feel of the product, and the removal of certain familiar quirks, alienated loyal Series 3 users, who tended to stick with their PDAs rather than upgrade.
In 1999, Psion released the [[Psion Series 7]], which was much like a larger version of the Series 5, but with a double-size VGA-resolution screen that featured 256 colours (the Series 5 had a half-VGA screen with 16 grey shades). It was followed by the very similar [[Psion netBook]].
Psion was being challenged by the arrival of cheaper PDAs such as the [[Palm Pilot]], and PocketPCs running Microsoft's [[Windows CE]], and in 2003, Psion released a Netbook Pro running Windows CE .NET 4.2 instead of EPOC.
=== Symbian and telephony (1998) {{anchor|Symbian and telephony}} ===
The 32-bit EPOC developed by Project Protea resulted in the eventual formation of [[Symbian Ltd.]] in June 1998 in conjunction with [[Nokia]], [[Ericsson]] and [[Motorola]].<ref name=history /> The OS was renamed the [[Symbian OS|Symbian Operating System]] and was envisioned as the base for a new range of [[smartphone]]s. Psion
Psion had previously sought to expand into mobile telephony itself, having engaged in talks to acquire [[Amstrad]] – mainly for its Dancall subsidiary – in 1996. Although Amstrad's owner and founder, Alan Sugar, had reportedly been seeking to sell the entire business, no agreement could apparently be made on a price or on "a plan for the disposal of the other parts of the Amstrad Group". This setback left Psion promising "to introduce GSM-based products during 1997". Meanwhile, Psion did license EPOC to [[Digital Equipment Corporation]] so that the system could be ported to Digital's [[StrongARM]] processor.<ref name="acornuser199610_amstrad">{{ cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/AcornUser173-Oct96/page/n8/mode/1up | title=Psion, StrongARM, GSM and the Amstrad factor | magazine=Acorn User | date=October 1996 | access-date=1 July 2022 | pages=9 }}</ref>
The development of new and updated products by Psion slowed after the Symbian spin-off. Other products failed or had limited success;
Psion had sold its sole manufacturing plant in 1999 and started to withdraw from its PDA markets in late 2001,<ref>
Line 80 ⟶ 89:
| first= Mark
| last= Needham
| title= We Remembered Psion and Wept
| date= February 19, 2004
| publisher= PC Pro
| url = https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B2I-pNO-pfhoMjk5MTkwZTgtMzFmNC00NWRhLTg3YTQtYzVlYjNmNWQ1YzM3&hl=en_GB
|
|format=PDF}}</ref> shedding 250 of 1,200 staff and writing-off £40 million. The PDA, which was once a niche market, had become a global horizontal marketplace where it was difficult for Psion to compete. The final blow for Psion's Organiser and PDA business came in January 2001 when Motorola pulled out of a joint project with Psion, Samsung, and Parthus, to create "Odin", an ARM-based PDA-phone.<ref name= history/>
In 2000, Psion acquired [[Teklogix]]
| title= Psion buys Teklogix
| date= 2000-07-12
| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/830005.stm
| work = BBC News
| access-date = 2008-12-27
}}
</ref>
In 2002, Psion
In 2004, Psion
===
In its last years, Psion made tailored and customized modular variants of its products through its online community, Ingenuity Working. Launched in March 2010, Ingenuity Working had more than 35,000 visitors per month within its first six months.<ref>{{cite news
|title=Psion Launches IngenuityLive! as IngenuityWorking.com Marks Six Month Anniversary with Huge Industry Participation Rates
|date=2010-10-19
|url=http://www.psion.com/uk/resource-centre/news_2010_psion-launches-ingenuitylive.htm
|access-date=2011-10-19
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201014310/http://www.psion.com/uk/resource-centre/news_2010_psion-launches-ingenuitylive.htm
|archive-date=2013-02-01
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=November 2022}}
In January 2011, the
|title=Psion Removes "Teklogix" Name and Refreshes Corporate Identity
|date=2011-01-31
|url=http://www.psion.com/resource-centre/news_2011_psion-removes-teklogix-name-and-refreshes-corporate-identity.htm
|
|
|
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
[[Motorola Solutions]] announced in June 2012 that it had agreed to acquire Psion for $200 million.<ref name=engadget />
== ''Netbook'' trademark litigation {{anchor|Psion and the term
Psion registered the trademark ''
[[Intel]] started using the term ''[[netbook]]'' in March 2008 as a generic term to describe "small laptops that are designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet", believing they were "not offering a branded line of computers here" and "see no naming conflict".<ref>
In response to the growing use of the term, on 23 December 2008 Psion Teklogix sent cease and desist letters<ref>[http://jkontherun.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/psion-letter.jpg Psion Cease and Desist Letter] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326131612/http://jkontherun.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/psion-letter.jpg |date=2009-03-26
In early 2009, [[Intel]] sued [[Psion Teklogix]] (US & Canada) and Psion (UK) in the Federal Court, seeking a cancellation of the trademark and an order enjoining Psion from asserting any trademark rights in the term "netbook", a declarative judgement regarding their use of the term, attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements and "such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper".<ref>
Similar marks were rejected by the [[USPTO]] citing a "likelihood of confusion" under section 2(d), including 'G NETBOOK' ({{US trademark|77527311}} rejected 31 October 2008), [[Micro-Star International
== Integration with Linux {{anchor|Psion and
Psion
{{cite news
| first= Marc Ambasna
| last= Jones
| title= Opinion: Mobile Linux for Bluetooth – spanner for Microsoft?
| date=May 11, 1999
| publisher= ZDNet
| url = http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,2071868,00.htm
| work = News
|
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| first= Marc Ambasna
| last= Jones
| title= Mobile Linux for Psion pressures Win CE
| date=April 23, 1999
| publisher= ZDNet
| url = http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,2071685,00.htm
| work =News
|
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
|first=Werner
|last=Almesberger
|title=Linux in the pocket - The Linux-7k project
|year=1999
|publisher=Linux Symposium
|location=Ottawa, ON, CA
|url=http://www.linuxsymposium.org/1999/pocket.php
|
|url-status=dead
|
|
}}
</ref> The project was named after the Cirrus Logic PS-7110 chip of the Series 5. Although this project was one of the earliest attempts to port Linux to a handheld computer,<ref>{{cite news |last=Maddox |first=Paul |date=May 4, 2000 |title=Linux for handhelds: fact or fiction? |work=LinuxToday |publisher=eWeek |url=http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/channels/pda/features/linuxforhandhelds.html |access-date=2007-06-17}}</ref> it did not come to fruition for Psion. The project soon transitioned to an informal [[open-source software]] project at Calcaria.net that kept the name Linux7K. After the project transitioned again to sourceforge.net, the project's name was changed to a more general name ''PsiLinux'', and later to ''OpenPsion''. The project has developed Linux [[Kernel (operating system)|kernels]] and [[file system]]s for the [[Psion Revo|Revo]], [[Psion Series 5|Series 5 and 5MX]], and [[Psion Series 7|Series 7 and netBook]].
In 2003–4, Psion Teklogix and its founder David Potter expressed interest in Linux as the operating system for its devices as it divested from Symbian.<ref>
{{cite news
| last= Kewney
|
| date= February 9, 2004
| title= Psion looks past Windows to Linux as Nokia buys Symbian
| publisher= newswireless.net
| url = http://www.newswireless.net/index.cfm/article/423
| work = News Wireless
|
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| first=
| last= Partridge
| title= Psion prepares the way for the one true OS
| date= July 8, 2003
| publisher= VU Net
| url = http://www.vnunet.com/computing/comment/2071752/psion-prepares-way-true
| work = Computing
|
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| last= Kewney
| first= Guy
| date= February 2004
| title= What Will Become the Next Scion of Psion?
| publisher= Ziff Davis Media
| url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdewk/is_200402/ai_ziff118872
Line 227 ⟶ 214:
| archive-date = 2004-09-20
| work = eWeek
|
}}
</ref>
{{cite news
| last= Glover
|
| date= May 23, 2004
| title= NHS deal with Psion heralds move away from Windows
| publisher= The Business Online
| url = http://www.thebusinessonline.com/Search/EditStory.asp?ID=6995
| access-date = 2007-06-17
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040606043910/http://www.thebusinessonline.com/Search/EditStory.asp?ID=6995 |archive-date = 2004-06-06}}
</ref>
The [[Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset]] project has produced a small subset of Linux that runs on [[Psion Series 3]] PDAs.<ref>
</ref>
==PDAs==
*[[Psion Organiser|Psion Organiser and Psion Organiser II]]
*
*[[Psion 3|Psion Series 3, 3a, 3c & 3mx]]
*[[Psion Siena]]
Line 255 ⟶ 240:
*[[Psion Revo]]
*[[Psion netBook]]
*
*[[Psion Series 7]]
*[[Psion Teklogix Netbook Pro]] (Windows CE)
Line 279 ⟶ 264:
*[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/26/psion_special/ A detailed history of Psion around the time of the Series 5]
*[http://www.pscience5.net Abandoned Psion software collected]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110928125650/http://www.openpsion.org/ OpenPsion: A project to port
*[http://stevelitchfield.com/ Psion shareware library and tips/articles]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080511143949/http://www.psion.com./ Psion website]
Line 286 ⟶ 271:
*[http://www.filesaveas.com/psionfaq.html Unofficial Psion F.A.Q]
*[http://linux-7110.sourceforge.net/ OpenPsion]
{{Psion–Symbian}}
[[Category:Personal digital assistants]]
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