Experience immersive workshops on product development, team building and resilience in the approach to failure, told through the General Magic story.
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General Magic is available to watch on VOD platforms worldwide.
Learn MoreLearn MoreHost a private screening of General Magic for your organization paired with live panels and team-building workshops.
Learn MoreGet a custom quoteGeneral Magic is the story of the original creators of the smartphone, who after a great failure, changed the lives of billions.
In 1990, at a secretive Silicon Valley start-up, a small and passionate group of innovators and engineers formed to build a magical device that would enable anyone to connect everyone to everywhere and everything – a personal computer in your pocket.
General Magic, though relatively unknown, is considered by many to be one of the most influential innovation startups in the history of technology. This pioneering team—featuring visionaries like Tony Fadell (co-creator of the iPod and iPhone, founder of Nest, author of Build), Megan Smith (former White House CTO, founder of shift7), Marc Porat (original visionary of the smartphone), Andy Hertzfeld (software engineer, original Macintosh team), and Joanna Hoffman (marketing, original Macintosh team)—created the first smartphone and laid the foundation for many of the 21st century's most transformative communication and digital technologies.
While the business of General Magic ultimately did not succeed, the groundbreaking technologies developed by this trailblazing startup and the subsequent ventures led by its team have profoundly impacted the lives of billions.
Discover the General Magic story.
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Please contact us for more information about how to host a private screening, panel or team building event. Former General Magic employees are able to speak on request.
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“A rippling standing ovation followed the film. We Estonians are typically straight faced as people, resistant to emotion or expression in public, but the film resonated something deep within our audience.
“My hope and dream is that General Magic elevates the purpose of each Town employee.”

The compelling story of General Magic shows the powerful value that lies in failure, perseverance and teamwork amongst other empowering themes. Teams and groups will find inspiration in this legendary piece of history.
If you want to tailor this content for a specific audience, tell me:
: India is the birthplace of four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Daily life is deeply influenced by concepts like Karma (action and consequence) and Dharma (duty/righteousness).
However, Rukmini was also a modern Indian, with a degree in computer science and a job as a software engineer in a top IT company. She was tech-savvy, loved binge-watching Indian and international web series, and was an avid user of social media platforms. If you want to tailor this content for
This article is a deep dive into the layers of Indian culture and lifestyle, designed for creators, writers, and marketers who want to move beyond clichés and produce content that resonates with authenticity.
Indian culture is defined by its deep-rooted traditions, spiritual diversity, and an evolving lifestyle that blends ancient customs with modern global influences. Known for the philosophy of "Unity in Diversity," India’s lifestyle varies significantly across its 28 states, yet it remains anchored in shared values such as hospitality, respect for elders, and a strong sense of community. Core Pillars of Indian Culture Known for the philosophy of "Unity in Diversity,"
One day, Rukmini's company asked her to lead a project on promoting Indian culture and lifestyle through digital media. She was thrilled to take on the challenge and created a social media campaign that showcased India's rich cultural heritage, from classical music and dance to traditional crafts and cuisine.
Indian culture is deeply rooted in its traditions and values, which are often influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other religions. The concept of "Dharma" (duty) and "Ahimsa" (non-violence) plays a significant role in shaping Indian lifestyle. Many Indians follow a vegetarian diet, and the consumption of beef is prohibited in several states. and ginger aren't just for flavor
When creating lifestyle content about home décor or budgeting, avoid "solopreneur" or "minimalist single" angles. Indian audiences resonate with space management (how to keep privacy in a crowded home) or multi-generational travel (how to take grandma to Switzerland).
Indian lifestyle content has shifted from traditional television and print media to highly dynamic, digital-first formats. Historically confined to festive specials or Bollywood gossip columns, modern content blends ancestral heritage with contemporary global sensibilities.
Traditional Indian cooking is deeply rooted in Ayurveda. Spices like turmeric, cumin, and ginger aren't just for flavor; they are medicinal staples used to balance the body's energies.
Showcases the hundreds of regional ways to drape a single piece of unstitched cloth.

Michael Stern has practiced law in Silicon Valley for 35 years. He has worked with General Magic, Pixar, Adobe, NeXT, and eBay. His varied background as an English professor, journalist, and Dickens scholar led to the story development of the General Magic documentary.
“Working at General Magic was an all-consuming, life-changing experience for me. The company was full of the smartest and most creative people I had ever known. It was a story that cried out to be told.”
Matt is a multi award winning director, writer, cinematographer and producer. At the Tribeca Film Festival, he was nominated for the Best New Director Award.
“There was this amazing moment reviewing the archival film, seeing all these young people sitting on the floor of a tiny office … the people who made the iPod, Nest, Android, eBay, the emoticon, the touch screen, the modem, tools we can’t imagine living without today.”
Sarah, a Peabody Award winner and Emmy nominee, was part of the original documentary crew at General Magic. She has held a number of roles in the Tech industry, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer at Kheiron Medical, dedicated to the detection and treatment of breast cancer using AI.
“Our hope is that this film will inspire the next generation of technologists and makers to learn from those who have gone before them and apply the lessons of General Magic to solving the most important problems of our day.”
Host a private screening of General Magic for your organization paired with live panels and team-building workshops.
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