The Electronic Frontier takes viewers on a whirlwind tour of the tech landscape in the early 1990s, before the World Wide Web had truly taken hold. The focus is on Microsoft, Apple, and General Magic, and the documentary features interviews with influential figures from each of these companies.
We see footage of the headquarters and workspaces of these tech giants, including vintage ’90s tech like giant cell phones and early computer operating systems like Windows NT 3.1. We also get a glimpse of more obscure technologies like the Newton and General Magic’s Magic Cap, which were innovative but ultimately unsuccessful attempts at creating handheld computing devices.
One of the most interesting parts of the documentary is the focus on General Magic, a company that is now largely forgotten but was once seen as a major player in the tech industry. The film explores General Magic’s ambitious plans for creating a new kind of computing ecosystem, complete with software agents that could anticipate a user’s needs and preferences. We hear from key players at the company, who speak with enthusiasm about the potential of this new technology.
Of course, no documentary about the early days of the tech industry would be complete without a look at Microsoft and Apple. The film includes interviews with Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and other influential figures from these companies, as well as footage of their early offices and development teams. We see how these companies were already beginning to shape the future of computing, even before the rise of the internet.
Overall, The Electronic Frontier is a nostalgic and informative look back at the early days of the information economy. It offers a glimpse into the minds of the people who were shaping the future of technology, and provides a fascinating snapshot of a world that was on the brink of a digital revolution.
