Its not a PDA
Ok. Fair enough. But, here is what Steve Jobs said about the PDA. U can take this debate up with him:
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/19461.html
Apple PDA Plans Gathering Dust
By Jay Wrolstad
Wireless NewsFactor
September 20, 2002
Apple's pioneering PDA, Newton, failed to take off a decade ago, largely because it was a clunky, expensive device that the public was not ready for. Now, with the market saturated with PDAs and smartphones, Apple may not be ready to try again.
Despite being the acknowledged pioneer in handheld computing with a device that was ahead of its time, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has conspicuously avoided the PDA realm since the demise of the Newton. The best advice for Apple aficionados clamoring for a Mac "iPDA?" Don't hold your breath.
The semiannual Macworld trade show has seen the launch of several innovative devices during Steve Jobs' tenure at Apple, including the stylish iMac line and the more recent iPod MP3 player, for the company's relatively small but loyal following. Still, analysts contend that speculation surrounding a Mac OS PDA is just that -- and Apple, as may be expected, is tight-lipped regarding what is on the R&D drawing board.
In 1998, Apple pulled the plug on Newton -- the first PDA-like device and OS to hit the market -- after about five years of lackluster consumer acceptance. Gone, too, were the Newton OS-based MessagePad and eMate handheld devices. "This decision is consistent with our strategy to focus all of our software development resources on extending the Macintosh operating system," Jobs said at the time.
Rumors Persist
Yet rumors persist that Apple has a PDA up its sleeve. Aberdeen Group analyst Isaac Ro points to the iPod, along with Apple's new iSynch "Mac to mobile" Bluetooth platform, as evidence the company is experimenting with PDA functionality.
"The iPod has the basic technology to be a PDA, with limited PIM (personal information management) data applications built into a wireless device," he said. "But it is not clear that Apple would bring a PDA into the market."
Slumping Market
Ro noted that Newton failed to take off largely because it was a clunky, expensive device that the public was probably not ready for a decade ago. Now that the market is saturated with PDAs and smartphones that meld voice and data capabilities, Apple may want to hold tight before taking the plunge, he added.
"Jobs has said the market is limited for existing devices, and he may be waiting for next-generation wireless networks to roll out, offering Internet access and embedded technologies," Ro said. "If Apple does offer a PDA, they do not want to jump into a slumping market."
Jaguar Derivative?
Yankee Group analyst Sarah Kim agreed that now is not the best time for Apple to launch a PDA. Most Mac users already have a Palm PDA, she told Wireless NewsFactor, and it could be difficult to alter brand loyalty.
"To offer a new device, they would have to connect with consumers who are not using all that is available with PDAs today," she said. "People need to see the value beyond personal information management, which is available on the iPod."
Apple's new Jaguar OS could serve as the platform for a PDA operating system derivative, according to IDC analyst Kevin Burden. The OS X upgrade has features -- such as synchronization applications, a mail client and chat capability -- that would seem to work better on a handheld than a desktop machine, he pointed out.
Reputation for Style
But Burden believes the already crowded market could hinder development of an Apple handheld computer. "If Dell decides to get in, as rumored, it will be even more crowded, and we may see some consolidation rather than expansion," he said.
"The ground was not plowed for them back in the early 1990s, when Newton was released, but handhelds are sold on their core applications and design," Burden added. "Apple is well known for their innovative designs, and they could make inroads by changing the looks and utility of the PDA, just as they did with the PC."
Ro said the company could draw a sizeable portion of the Mac cult with a handheld device, and could expand the Mac OS base by offering desktop, MP3 and PDA hardware running on the same system. "They have already proven they can deliver very compelling devices," he said.
And if that is not enough look right here in Mac rumors.:
https://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/05/20030529030024.shtml
) apparently can't possibly imagine.
