Newton Revival?

[iGuy]

fully loaded iGizmo

Just a quick reality check. Please don't let this stop all the fun.

The only way to have an iDevice that does it all would be something like a new 7 inch Tablet Powerbook.

It would have a larger, more usable screen than a Palm and with a Superdrive you could play DVDs. It'd have all the processing power of a Powerbook and all the goodies like InfraRed (for use as a remote), Firewire, USB and audio/video out et al.

Would it replace my cell phone? No.

Would it replace my Mac? No.

Would it be expensive? Yes.

Would it be bulky? Yes, depending on your definition of bulky.

Would I buy one? Probalby.

Would anyone else buy one? Probably not.

Would Apple actually make one? Probably not.

Just my two cents.

~ iGuy

 

[kenaustus]

Instead of "Newton II" why not consider that it might just be "enhancements" to the iPod?

 

[AdamZ]

What I want

If Apple was to come up with a new device I would want a phone, ipod, and presentation, quicktime abilities. I curently have a nice g5 and I really don't need a laptop except to show presentations. I always have to borrow someones laptop just to hook up to the projectors at school. All I want to do is present a Keynote file and $1000 for an iBook is not the answer. The problem is that some computers I hook to don't have the software I need on them, nor do they have bluetooth. So a device that I can run or at least play Keynote is a must since exporting to Powerpoint defeats the purpose of using Keynote If its not a phone, then device that could be used with a Sailing Clicker type program that I could control with bluetooth to go to the next slide. I can't wait Apple!

 

[AdamZ]

If Apple was to come up with a new device I would want a phone, ipod, and presentation, quicktime abilities. I curently have a nice g5 and I really don't need a laptop except to show presentations. I always have to borrow someones laptop just to hook up to the projectors at school. All I want to do is present a Keynote file and $1000 for an iBook is not the answer. The problem is that some computers I hook to don't have the software I need on them, nor do they have bluetooth. So a device that I can run or at least play Keynote is a must since exporting to Powerpoint defeats the purpose of using Keynote If its not a phone, then device that could be used with a Sailing Clicker type program that I could control with bluetooth to go to the next slide. I can't wait Apple!

Opps, I forgot to mention an infared port to contol my television. I just want one device to use for everything I use, a mouse would even be cool.

 

[Stella]

If Apple was to come up with a new device I would want a phone, ipod, and presentation, quicktime abilities. !

What you describe is a smartphone.

Nokia Series 60 and Erccison P900 are good.

 

[vitaboy]

Yeah - I know. But the TERM PDA didn't really arrive until the Palm devices, by which time the Newton had then been inducted into that category by default.

I owned an original Newton. I clearly recall it being referred to as a PDA long before the first Palms came out. Just because it wasn't a widely used term at the time doesn't mean the Newton was later "inducted" into the category. Rather, Palm popularized the term that was originally associated with the Newton and made it part of the general vernacular. To say otherwise suggests that Palm invented the PDA concept, which is different from saying Palm made PDAs affordable and popular.

 

[vitaboy]

If Apple was to come up with a new device I would want a phone, ipod, and presentation, quicktime abilities.

While such an idea seems appealing, I think it's a bad idea to have such a multifunction device. There is a good reason for this, too. If you had a mobile phone, would you really go around draining its batteries to listen to music? I would think the vast majority of people would rather have a phone that can be used to make a call at any time rather than risk draining the battery for some secondary purpose. If your iPod battery runs down, not being able to listen to any more music until the next recharge is okay, but if my phone battery runs out while I'm hours from home is a big deal.

Thus, while I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, the phone + iPod concept is one of those concepts that suffers from a bad case of featuritis. And one thing Steve Jobs understands is that every feature has to be justified in terms of useful functionality instead of simply being added because it can be done.

On that note, I think it would be a bad idea for Apple to produce its own cell phone. The mobile phone market is super competitive and manufacturers literally have to sell tens of millions of phones to make a profit. That's the reality, and too risky a venture for Apple.

Still, I don't think it's wholly impossible. Apple could team up with an existing manufacturer to produce a co-branded phone a la Sony Ericsson. What about an Apple Nokia phone? All Apple would have to do is lend its industrial and interface design expertise (especially since most phone interfaces suck) and Nokia would manufacture the phone. Then Apple exposure to risk is minimal and wouldn't have to worry about the need to build, market, and sell millions of phones per month.

What should an Apple Nokia phone look like? It should be sleeker and sexier than any phone on the market. It should have Bluetooth for iSyncing and a well-designed interface. It should not play music beyond ring tones - no iPod functionality, no mini video player. It would have an 2 MP integrated camera with fantastic image quality, however, and iPhoto would be able to automatically grab the photos from the camera via Bluetooth. Basically, a better version of the Sony Ericsson K700 phone. For Mac users, it would have the limited ability to control your Mac remotely a la the Salling Clicker - launch iTunes, select next song, go to sleep, launch iPhoto, etc.

Now this kind of phone would sell.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Personally I think it will be a cold day in hell before Jobs brings the Newton back. It wasn't his baby and most if not all things that weren't Jobs's creation were ****canned.

With that being said I would pick up a new Newton in a hot second. My Newton is the only Apple device I still use on a daily basis. PDA's are all well and fine. I love my Pocket PC. But I crave a form factor between a tablet PC that, IMHO, is too large, and a Pocket PC, again IMHO, is too small to write comfortably.
I watch the progress of the Pocket PC and see how its matured over the years in both speed, features, stability and I want to cry wondering where the Newton would be right now. The resolution is still higher then just about anything short of those new palmtop devices like the Zaurus and the new CE.net devices. The features KILL most devices currently out. It uses the predecessor of the XScale CPU's that are the norm in current PDA's. Duel PCMCIA slots is unheard of even today. I'd like to think the Newton would look something like this:

Just a lot sexier.

Dang you Jobs. Dang you for killing my, and still many others, babies.

 

[TWinbrook46636]

As I recall, a while back Apple pulled some sort of utility from OS X that let you sync and boot/run OS X off an iPod. It was assumed that it was for the iPod but maybe for a next generation iPod or iPhone device. Of course you can do this now but it's a bit limited.

 

[clonenode]

Matthew Rothenberg, where are you?

Edit: Sorry, better link here.

Okay, one more , even better link (see page 2).

 

[lind0834]

Fuel for the Fire

If Apple and HP were able to get together to form a nice enough bond to get an iPod together.. maybe Apple will get more out of the deal than just iTunes sales.

Maybe they signed an agreement to produce an iPaq that ran on a Unix or something. Doubtful considering how heavily the iPaq is buckled in to the usual wintel platform, and that HP isn't the only company who uses a PocketPC iPaq, but shouldn't it be due for a major overhaul.. maybe we can dream.

Apple + HP = HP branded iPod.
HP + Apple = Apple branded iPaq.

 

[0 and A ai]

i think the ipod will evolve into a more advanced pda than it already is.

or apple can just develop a pda OS and license it. but that won't happen cause of the ipod.

 

[aswitcher]

i think the ipod will evolve into a more advanced pda than it already is.

SNIP.

I agree. I think they with follow the theme set already by Mac software, where M$ do Office, Apple do "iLife for the rest of your life." or in this case "iPod for the rest of your life."

I think they will evolve the iPod in this theme, not directly competing with Pocket/Palm but still supporting most features we would like like calender, to do lists etc. They will instead focus on their strengths, which is music, ease of use, non-corporate look, and interoperatability with Mac software.

Video will eventually be supported in one form or another, although not as quickly as people may wish. People love sharing verible things they has seen on TV etc, iPod could provide the digital support for that. News papers etc in adobe...

Sometime they will need to revist touch screens for data entry for soem features or perhaps allow audio insertion in calenders and to do as reminders for typing up when back at the Mac.

 

[Savage Henry]

Saturation, as in market saturation?

Where did you hear this? Source please.

Sushi

Sorry for the late reply, Sushi, bad day at the office meant I couldn't spend as much time at the desk as I would have liked.

I meant 'Saturation' as in the Apple product line has just about enough to fill the needs of pratically every single consumer.

As for the market, it's still got plenty o' burgeoning to go. The iPod mini has shown that you can sell them the same thing, just change the colour, and they will lap it up.

 

[windowsblowsass]

ThinkSecret posts some brief notes on various topics.

Of most interest is word of that one company is conducting a survey about Newton technology:



The Apple Newton was first introduced in 1993 and essentially represented the first Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The Newton went through various revisions over the years but was discontinued in 1998.

Apple, however, retained the rights to all Newton related technology, and at least some has made it into Mac OS X (Inkwell).

Related Videos (Quicktime):

Say Hello to Newton
Newton Intelligent Assistant
Newton Trash

HMM IF APPLE WAS TO RE RELEASE NEWTON WOULDNT YOU EXPECT THEM TO BE ORE SECRETIVE AND NOT JUST COME OUT AND SAY ITS NEWTON THAT MAY BE RE RELEASED?
IF I DID COME OUT ID BUY IT
edit might as well bring it up iphone.org is a complete apple mirror except for the store which links to the current apple store you think apples keeping it for something

 

[lajocaab]

Maybe we'll see the iSlate

The technology is available to provide consumers with a product like "iSlate". Of course only Apple could really do it right, although several other companies are attempting to create some variation of this device. Unfortunately many are too focused on video playback only, & not creating a true multi-function device that could be used at home, at the office, or on the road. This product would integrate well into the "Digital Lifestyle" philosophy & compliment existing Apple products.

It would provide a screen large enough to actually watch video & view photos, while still being small enough to be portable. It needs to be smaller than a notebook computer, but larger than a PDA. Granted, you can not put a device the size of a DVD case in your pocket, but something doesn't have to fit in a pocket to be portable. This device could be used in so many different situations that it would have broad appeal in the market. I only pray that Apple is working on such a device & will release it in 2004. They have an opportunity to impact the industry with the iSlate & iVideo media Store as much as the iPod & iTMS will.

iSlate

New Apple mini-tablet –> PMA (portable media appliance)

Designed not to be a creative device like a desktop or laptop, but rather a sophisticated display device that communicates seamlessly with other devices via Rendezvous & 802.11, BT, GPRS, FireWire, etc.


Device Size:
8” x 5.0” x .65” (±15oz)
± 1/2 size of a 17” PowerBook
± 2x size of a Palm T3 or an iPod
± size of a DVD movie case
small enough to hold with one hand by the bezel (.5” bezel on the sides)

Screen:
±8” LCD (16:9 ratio) -> 800 x 480 pixels minimum (1024 x 600 ideally!)
± 1/2 size of 17” PowerBook screen
± 2x size of a Palm T3 screen
able to display “640 x 480 material” & DVD (720x480) quality video natively

Battery:
6-9 hr. Li-Ion battery (or some new battery technology)

Storage:
1.8” 20GB or 40GB Toshiba hard drive (additional capacity can come from external devices)
128MB or 256MB RAM - fixed
CF slot (w/ adapter for SD, xD, Smart Media, Memory stick)

Processor & OS ??:
Motorola 800 MHz G4 mobile w/ Mac OS X lite or
Intel 400 MHz XScale PXA263 w/ Palm OS 6 or Mac OS Mobile?

Connectivity:
802.11 –> Desktop or Laptop, Stereo, Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots
Bluetooth –> Keyboard, Mouse, PDA, Wireless Headphones, Internet via GSM Phone
FireWire –> iPod, Computer, external Hard Drive, DVD/CD writer, Video Camera, iSight
USB 2.0 –> Printer, PDA, Digital Still Camera
mini-DVI w/adapter for:
-> ADC & VGA for larger monitor
-> DVI for video projector or HDTV
-> S-Video for video projector or TV
-> Composite for video projector or TV
Stereo mini out
Stereo mini in
Rendezvous for seamless connectivity to other devices

Input:
Inkwell via touch screen &/or stylus
Folding Keyboard & mouse via Bluetooth or USB
Microphone
Remote control via Bluetooth

Applications:
inkwell, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, Safari, QuickTime, iSync, Rendezvous
Preview or Acrobat Reader, Mail, iCal, Address Book, Sherlock, iChat AV
Keynote, FileMaker, Quicken,

A/V Formats:
Pixlet, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, JPEG, TIFF, GIF

Accessories:
Charger, External Battery, Stand, clip for iSight, Portable folding BT keyboard, BT mouse
Headphone w/Microphone boom, quality stereo headphones

Price ??:
$699 to $899

Create a device that is bigger that the largest PDA or Archos/Lyra type device, yet smaller than the average notebook or tablet computer. Imagine if you will, holding a device (about the size of a DVD case) away from you anywhere from 12" to 18". Obviously a 4" screen would be inadequate, but a 7" to 9" diagonal widescreen would be more than acceptable. It could still be small enough to fit in a stack of books, a briefcase, a large purse, of any number of other carrying cases. It would be something that could be viewed in an office, at home, in a coffee shop, on an airplane or train, or even in the backseat of a car.

The idea is not to see how much visual information one can cram into a small space (3" to 4" screens) or replace existing devices like the Laptop, TV or Video Projector. The idea is to create a device that is a reasonable compromise between portability & "acceptable or pleasurable" viewing for multiple applications & that also complements existing devices.

Although a 4 lb, 12" notebook computer displays video beautifully (I use one everyday), it is too big for the situations I have described. Beyond the innumerable business applications it could fulfill, it could display video & photos on a screen that is much bigger than an Archos/Lyra type device or PDA, & yet smaller than a notebook computer. It doesn’t need to carry everything all the time, so it doesn’t require a massive hard drive. The internal HD needs only to be large enough for the OS, applications & enough storage to carry material while you away from any connectivity to other devices or the internet.

From a strictly “video perspective”, a large part of its success would hinge upon Apple's ability to distribute video clips through an online store much like iTMS. This store could provide educational content, business content, news content, & entertainment content beyond just movies. To be truly successful, it must integrate into Apple's "Digital Lifestyle" strategy, & be truly portable (ubiquitous wireless connectivity & good battery life).

 

[Docrjm]

The technology is available to provide consumers with a product like "iSlate". Blah Blah
New Apple mini-tablet –> PMA (portable media appliance)

Designed not to be a creative device like a desktop or laptop, but rather a sophisticated display device that communicates seamlessly with other devices via Rendezvous & 802.11, BT, GPRS, FireWire, etc.


Device Size:
8” x 5.0” x .65” (±15oz)
± 1/2 size of a 17” PowerBook
.

Do you just cut and paste the same info into every reply? How about a little original thought?

 

[lazyrighteye]

Right On!

dot_mac, that's pretty funny. I was thinking I had read this post before.
Seems like lajocaab has this iSlate all worked out... cool.

Well despite what some suggest, there is a market for anything Apple... it's called Apple fanatics. If it's new, has an Apple logo on it - they will FLY off the shelves. Mark my words.

I saw some of Steve's underwear on ebay... happy bidding.

 

[iPost]

No reason to bring it out of the closet

What a coincidence...

Last weekend I was cleaning out a closet and came across my old Newton eMate 300. I plugged it in and it still worked! That's about all the excitement I got out of the experience though. While the handwriting recognition is top-notch, I wondered why anyone would want to write using a stylus when there is a keyboard right there on the eMate 300. The user interface is also very dated and hasn't aged well. Remember, this is a pre-Internet dinosaur product. I played around for about 5 minutes, unplugged it, put it back in the closet, and then fired up my iBook to send some email. The iBook offers a much better experience in every way. No need to bring back that Newton UI. Just put OS X on an ultra-portable. I have no desire to use a Newton now... Steve Jobs was right in canning it.

 

[boobers]

Cellphones are unloved

Its the most hated, yet most need device.
For my purpose, I need web access anywhere.
wifi isn't good enough until 802.16 comes into the fold..If it's not city wide then its unreliable..
I'll take a 5" screen 16x9 VGA
Bluetooth, GPRS/EDGE, Wifi, usuable keyboard

Here are some devices that come close for me..

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/sharp_zaurus_C860.htm
nice keyboard, uses linux OS

http://www.o2xda.de/
this one is meant to be a phone but is closer to a PDA, has built in GSM/GPRS connectivity, uses PPC 2003 phone edition

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/feature/sony_UX50.htm
mentioned earlier in this thread , nice device but there are no GPRS modems available for memory stick, uses palm 5 OS

http://www.psionteklogix.com/public.aspx?s=com&p=Products&pCat=128&pID=895
Uses Symbion OS, who's future is uncertain

None of these devices have a HD, I'm not sure apple needs to make a device with a huge HD in it..maybe a mini drive and connectivity to ipods for storage.

Internet on the go is what will fuel the next gen PDA.

 

[Awimoway]

I agree. I think they with follow the theme set already by Mac software, where M$ do Office, Apple do "iLife for the rest of your life." or in this case "iPod for the rest of your life."

I think they will evolve the iPod in this theme, not directly competing with Pocket/Palm but still supporting most features we would like like calender, to do lists etc. They will instead focus on their strengths, which is music, ease of use, non-corporate look, and interoperatability with Mac software.

Video will eventually be supported in one form or another, although not as quickly as people may wish. People love sharing verible things they has seen on TV etc, iPod could provide the digital support for that. News papers etc in adobe...

Sometime they will need to revist touch screens for data entry for soem features or perhaps allow audio insertion in calenders and to do as reminders for typing up when back at the Mac.

I completely disagree. Apple has been very clear that the key to success with the iPod is advertising--just kidding--is its simplicity. Since its introduction, the iPod has had NO significant additions made to its functionalty. Changes, yes. Significant ones, no. Unlike most tech companies, Apple doesn't believe in adding features just because they can. They don't feel that the way to make it right is to put everything and the kitchen sink into it. Sometimes I think Apple overdoes it with the whole simplicity thing, insulting the intelligence of the general public (e.g. the one-button mouse) in the name of simplicity, but those are the facts nonetheless.

Note that I am not saying that Apple won't introduce a PDA or a a video DLD at some point in the near future. And for marketing purposes they may even brand it an iPod (the "iPod:Video," or "eyePod" or "iPad" or something similar). But it will be a fundamentally unique device, clearly distinct from the audio iPod. It won't be an evolutionary development to the iPod itself.

 

[aswitcher]

I completely disagree. SNIP

I agree in some respects, as I don't think the iPod will necessarily disappear anytime soon but I do believe that Apple's success with Hollywood and the iTunes store/iPod AAC format, bodes well for shifting to do the same for video, when video purchased online finally come of age.

I think that Apple has already leaked the fact that they are planning to do "iPod at home" to make the whole iDisk thing work with the iPod, and from this I believe that they will venture into new territory to build on the success of the pod. Maybe they are holding back to make sure it works with both Mac and PC before releasing to capaitalise on market share etc...

 

[CraigandhiseMac]

Maybe Apple will introduce an iPod AV or something along those lines, but I Can't see a PDA on the horizon's.

 

[aswitcher]

Maybe Apple will introduce an iPod AV or something along those lines, but I Can't see a PDA on the horizon's.

If Apple go it alone with a PDA it will probably be something that leads the market with design/features. It won't be Apple's palm/pocket pc copy, it will do soemthing unique and hopefully incorporate the best of the market. Eg an iPod harddisk, in a sexy and simple form factor, supporting iDisk. I think some of the larger Sony pdas have some nice features but they are hardly pocket sized.

Maybe the HP deal with the iPod will see a recepricol deal with HP for a Mac ipaq! That way Apple save on R&D and come to market with at least a market leader. Is this doable? I dont know. Would it be Pocket PC? I dont know. There have been a few Linux PDAs but they aren't doign well, I think they may have actually gone... mmmm
A cutdown OSX for a ipaq with a harddisk... mmm

I use a Tungsten T2 now and would be looking for something else in a few years. It would be nice if Apple have something

 

[vpalvarez]

Well, actually - it does. Especially now thanks to miniature high-volume hard drives such as those residing in the iPod. That's why Steve Jobs probably wants to break the mould regarding PDAs completely. Who needs a PDA when you can have a portable mass storage device that does ALL of the above - AND tons more?

PDAs today have reached the maximum level of PDAdom. Time to move on to something more PRACTICAL for video/audio/word processing/spreadsheet/presentation work.

Wouldn't it be grand for any executive to load in a PowerPoint presentation to their new DHK (sorry - I've seemed to adapt that name now...!), take it with them to the boardroom, and connect it directly to the video projector, hit "Play", and conduct their presentation with considerable ease?

Or even someone who needs to precis a document on the road - say, a speechwriter - and then load it directly into the autocue at the other end?

Or if on a plane - bored out of existence - wouldn't it be nice to watch one of your pre-loaded movies, or to carry a portable Bus-powered DVD drive with you for the long-hauls? The screen would be the PERFECT size...

They could even incorporate a rough version of iMovie, iTunes or even GarageBand (for musicians on the fly). It'd be a lot smaller than a laptop, but convenient enough to take anywhere, and powerful enough to get you out of trouble. It'd be the ideal DJ accompaniment on gigs, or a sequencer for musos. Full plug-and-play capability.

So - I reckon FireWire WOULD be an essential tool. After all - Apple DID co-develop it, and it WOULD be a waste not to include it. Fast data transfers, connectivity to other units and peripherals, and not a big space-taker (just look at the iPod - THAT'S got one...).

End of story.

Seems to me that what this sounds like is a high powered Tablet PC except a mac. The screen would mean that it would probabl be a slate style, but what size? ... How about the size of a paperback book. This sounds great. I hope that your right becasue it would seem that the New Newton would be Apple's foray into the Tablet PC area, still a relatively new market