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The return of the Newton

ChuckG said:
Maybe it's the iReader? I'm afraid the PDA is pretty much dead and any of its features can be easily ported to the iPhone in a snap.

A new business segment, eBooks via iTunes would make it more plausible. As you all know, physical books is the last media distribution yet to be digitized.

However it wouldn't hurt to pack in a PowerPoint/Keynote app and video out capabilities. Dang, maybe it's just the iTablet and AppleInsider has the whole project's direction wrong.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the PDA being dead. I had a Handspring about five years ago that kept contacts, a calendar and notes. Every smart phone on the market today does that and handles email.

Calling a new Apple device a PDA is like calling your Subzero an icebox -- technically true but, you know, sort of lame.
 
This device is certainly something I would be interested in.

Somethings people on here need to remember / realise are:

  • Not everyone has the need to listen to music or watch videos all the time.
  • Just because you cannot see the point of a mobile computing device other than for entertainment do not thing other people have no need for them.
  • An internet connection or wireless connection is not always available.

A PDA device that can run 3rd party apps without the need to be connected to the internet would be perfect.
 
Looks interesting, I always thought the Newton was a killer product. But at that size over the Touch and iPhone it would have to be just under a sub-notebook to warrant the extra cost and size. I think the iPhone and Touch size with internet access and media almost makes them a PDA if more features where added, just think take a movie, edit and upload to web all on the go with something that fits in your pocket that wont look like it was done on a crappy mobile phone.
 
Porchland said:
Agreed on the PDA being dead. I had a Handspring about five years ago that kept contacts, a calendar and notes. Every smart phone on the market today does that and handles email.

Calling a new Apple device a PDA is like calling your Subzero an icebox -- technically true but, you know, sort of lame.
Click to expand...

Yep, at most I'd expect bigger form factors of the iPod touch to blur the line between iPod and subnotebook. :cool:
 
Is it just me or this just a terribly stupid idea. iPhone and iPod touch are practicly PDAs.

Just gonna confuse more people and convolute their products.

I don't see the point of a specific PDA device, and i consider myself a tech savvy person. I wonder what the non tech savvy person is gonna think especailly with all those palm devices, dell axims, just rotting away in their closet somewhere.
 
I've got a wonderful idea for Apple:

Before developing a PDA, how about adding a $#@ To-Do list to the iPhone already?
 
The iPhone is on its way to be being a pretty nifty PDA in its own right (lack of SDK notwithstanding). It will be an impressive feat if Apple are able to resurrect the PDA - the touch interface will certainly help its chances.
 
I would tend to agree with the idea that it is more of a UMPC or MID (Mobile Internet Device) rather than "just" a PDA. And as such, would be infinitely more useful to students and business/medical professionals. I don't mind so much "lugging" my MBP around - it doesn't add that much weight to my backpack compared to the books, and it's just a carry-on when I go on business trips. But something like this - assuming the UMPC theory - would be fantastic!

It seems a little large to be a hand-held phone, but coupled with a bluetooth headset, what's the difference? (not that I use a phone all that much anyways...) If it could sync to a .Mac account, I'd have full access to all my files wherever I went, just like I do with my MBP. 16GB of flash storage would be plenty for those "essential" files, music, maybe a movie or two... Add an optional bluetooth keyboard and I have it all - comfortable mobility, full access to applications, and all the entertainment I really need.

Keep in mind Intel's recent announcement of an expected ship date for their McCaslin platform for UMPC/MID... and how Intel has lately been jumping through hoops to give Apple what they want.

--- funny how chants of "cannibilization" are already rising, despite the release of the iPod Touch amid the same silly argument... ---
 
It sounds a little odd to me, releasing a PDA after the iPhone and the iPod touch.

I mean, isn't a smartphone already supposed to be a PDA?
 
veneficuss said:
I double agree. The reason I bought the iPhone was, being a guy, I cant carry a wallet, ipod and cell phone in my pockets when I go out. I want one device that does everything. What does a PDA do that the iPhone could not do with a little software upgrade?
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Um...Have you not heard of a manpurse? :rolleyes: :)

My issue, with all-in-ones, is that they typically need to be larger to accommodate all of the components that you mention, in addition to the extra storage space that would be required and a large enough battery so that it could last longer than an hour. A phone, alone, can be very small and have enough power to last for days. There are times when I'm out with friends, on vacation, etc. where the last thing I need is a computer in my hands. I just want a phone with the ability to send text messages.

Now, an Apple PDA that has all of the features of the iPod Touch, including a camera, a larger screen and advanced software/features to create and edit documents, etc., would be great. I would carry that when I needed entertainment and/or for business use. I could then leave it behind when I didn't need all of those features. If all I needed was a phone, I would rather carry just a tiny phone than a large, bulky all-in-one device.

At least Apple has an active focus on R&D. It's better to have options available, even if they never release those projects/products. The alternative would be to realize there's suddenly a market for something and have to play catch up in engineering/designing a device.
 
I've a Palm TX that is great for keeping info together, and accessible. I'm a pretty disorganised person and I do find it helps. However I also have specific needs that an iPhone couldn't handle at present (hooking up to bluetooth keyboard, spreadsheets and such like), as I use it as a laptop replacement for certain roles, when I need to travel really light.

If Apple came out with something that can do what I want, I'd jump all over it. The iPhone (or touch) with a few modifications, and with more software will do everything a pda can, so I'm holding out hope (maybe futile) for the next revision.
 
More broadly characterized as Apple's answer to the ultra-mobile PC,
Click to expand...

Repeat after me.

It is NOT a PDA.

It is apple's entry into the new ultra-mobile space inbetween iphone and macbook/notebook market.

Rinse.

Repeat.

Rinse.

Repeat.

Rinse.

Repeat.
 
Cloudsurfer said:
It sounds a little odd to me, releasing a PDA after the iPhone and the iPod touch.

I mean, isn't a smartphone already supposed to be a PDA?
Click to expand...

Not all PDA users in a workplace need to be able to make phone calls so it as an additional expense that a business does not need to spend. The iPod Touch would not serve this purpose because the accountants are not going to agree to buying everyone music players are they?
 
Hmmmm, I don't see it. It wouldn't fit easily into a pocket.

If I have an iPhone, why would I also get one of these?

If I don't have an iPhone, why would I get this instead of an iPhone?
 
Missing market segment

An apple tablet/pda would be a great addition. They need a version of itunes that handles print media - they already have it for movies/tv/music - what about the billions spent on magazines, books and newspapers. pay a yearly subscription fee and have the latest copy of wired/maxxim/sci american/etc. download to your pda. Same with newspapers etc.

(can I patent this before apple does?)
 
I would love to see this though I agree that this will more likely be a UMPC rather than a PDA. PDA's are dead or well now smartphones aka iPhone. I have a feeling that this will be much more powerful with full fledged apps, etc. Either way, I'm sure it will kick ass and be a great seller, specially with Apple's nack for marketing.
 
The continuing introduction of new divisions of Apple Hardware makes me weary. I really want a Consumer based Desktop tower. Somewhere between iMac and Mac Pro.

Apple is going to start confusing people with all of these Gadget accessories. I say that they will not release this Tablet/PDA/Newton.
 
I don't see it succeeding without a cellular phone component, so if it's an "iPhone2" with a larger display and more memory to allow it to run more complex applications, then I think it could do well as Apple's answer to the larger Windows Smartphones (like the new HTC Touch).

But if it lacks the cellphone part, I don't think it will work, because folks would need to still carry an iPhone with them.
 
i'd imagine that this thing would be a complete OS X-running system, not just a PDA. if it was just a PDA, can you imagine the commercials? "It's like an iPhone, but no phone, and bigger!"

basically, a Touch with all the features people wanted. but bigger? :confused:

i doubt there's a market for that. if this thing is real, it'll run Leopard! or at least something more substantial than the iPhone OS.
 
I don't understand why they wouldn't make the iPod Touch into their PDA product.
 
This seems to be a logical move from Apple, considering that all of the ingredients are already there. Isn't the iPhone already essentially a PDA + phone?
 
jackc said:
I don't understand why they wouldn't make the iPod Touch into their PDA product.
Click to expand...

Depends if they are going for the consumer or business market. The entertainment features of an iPod are of no requirement to a medical staff using such are device are they?

If I had staff using a PDA device in a large warehouse then I would not want them to be watching films instead of doing their work.
 
I don't get this device???

I don't see the need for this. I see a greater need for a full sized "Mac" Tablet with handwriting cabability vs. another PDA device which is bigger. Heck; spare the $$$ and enable handwriting, Inkwell, more GB on the iTouch and iPhone and you've saved millions in R&D on this device that falls between pocket friendly devices and PB size.

Apple could even create the PB with a touch screen, high quality glass like the iPhone (with handwriting capability), and the ability to fold screen flat like a true tablet.

Or, even better... Sync the iPhone or iTouch to a PB or iMac and have real-time handwriting or art graphic editing . Would be better than writing or drawing "blindly" on a Quacom and Apple could continue to keep everything "Apple"....

just a thought... thjatty
 
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