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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“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.
In Angdai , Sajini plays a character that leans heavily into the "femme fatale" archetype, albeit within the constraints of a B-grade narrative. The scene in question is designed to build atmospheric tension, utilizing low-key lighting and a slow-burning musical score to emphasize the actress's presence. Sajini’s performance is notable for its raw, uninhibited quality, which was a hallmark of the era's adult-oriented dramas.
Historically, the Indian woman’s identity was intertwined with the ghar (home). Even today, despite massive professional advancements, the cultural expectation of the woman as the Grih Lakshmi (Goddess of the home) persists. In Angdai , Sajini plays a character that
Social media has also democratized beauty standards. Historically, Indian beauty was "fair skin, long hair, thin waist." Today, influencers from small towns like Ranchi or Coimbatore are redefining beauty with dark skin, curly hair, and plus-size fashion. The #ShaveTheStubble and #PeriodPositivity movements have shattered bathroom taboos. Historically, Indian beauty was "fair skin, long hair,
What will the Indian woman’s lifestyle look like in 2035? After completing her household duties
To understand the present, one must glance at the past. The status and lifestyle of Indian women have undergone seismic shifts over millennia. In the Vedic period, women enjoyed a status nearly equal to men; they were educated (Rishikas like Gargi and Maitreyi), participated in religious rituals, and chose their own partners (Swayamvara).
After completing her household duties, Priya would spend some time on her personal grooming. She loved to adorn herself with traditional Indian jewelry, such as a beautiful necklace and earrings, and wear colorful sarees that reflected her vibrant personality. Her favorite saree was a stunning red and gold one, which she wore on special occasions like festivals and family gatherings.

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.”
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