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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Contact us about private screenings for your organization.
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.
You are not quitting TikTok. That is unrealistic. But "better" consumption requires hygiene.
Stories that highlight activism, environmentalism, and community building resonate deeply. 4. The Shift to User-Generated and Interactive Content
As of April 2026, media consumption for older teens (aged 18+) has shifted from passive scrolling to active participation and intentional "depth" seeking. This guide highlights the best ways to engage with entertainment and media content that balances enjoyment with personal growth. 1. Leverage High-Engagement Video 18 teen porn video better
: Use TikTok and Instagram Reels for rapid discovery and to stay updated on current internet culture.
For those seeking more mature themes beyond standard teen drama, early 2026 is dominated by intense sequels and complex narratives. You are not quitting TikTok
At 18, you have power. Every time you stream a show or click an ad, you fund that type of content.
Eighteen-year-olds often turn to independent digital creators because mainstream television fails them. Short-form videos provide instant connection and unfiltered validation. This guide highlights the best ways to engage
: Teens are moving away from over-the-top, exaggerated shows. They prefer "relatable stories" that focus on the true daily struggles of being a teenager, such as fitting into school, family issues, and navigating identity.
The traditional timeline of going straight to a four-year university, getting a corporate job, and buying a house is changing. High-quality media should highlight diverse paths, including: Community college experiences Trade schools and vocational training Digital entrepreneurship and the creator economy Taking gap years to work or travel 3. Deeper Diversity and Intersectionality

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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