Apple Newton
History and Development
The Apple Newton, officially known as the Newton MessagePad, was a series of personal digital assistants (PDAs) developed and marketed by Apple Inc. The Newton platform was an early and influential attempt to create a handheld computer that could recognize handwriting and provide a variety of personal information management features. The development of the Newton began in 1987, under the direction of Apple's Advanced Technology Group (ATG).
The Newton project was initially led by Steve Sakoman, who envisioned a device that could fit in a pocket and offer a range of computing capabilities. The project gained momentum when John Sculley, then CEO of Apple, became an enthusiastic supporter. Sculley is credited with coining the term "personal digital assistant" to describe the Newton.
The first Newton MessagePad was released in August 1993. Despite its innovative features, the device faced several challenges, including high cost, limited battery life, and issues with handwriting recognition. These factors contributed to its mixed reception in the market.
Technical Specifications
The Newton MessagePad series featured several models, each with varying technical specifications. The original MessagePad (OMP) was powered by an ARM 610 RISC processor, running at 20 MHz. It had 640 KB of RAM and 4 MB of ROM. The display was a monochrome LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 336 x 240 pixels.
Subsequent models, such as the MessagePad 100, 110, 120, and 130, saw improvements in processing power, memory, and display quality. The MessagePad 2000 and 2100, released in 1997, represented the pinnacle of the Newton line. These models featured a StrongARM SA-110 processor running at 162 MHz, 8 MB of RAM, and a larger 480 x 320 pixel display.
The Newton devices ran on the Newton OS, an operating system specifically designed for the platform. The Newton OS supported a variety of applications, including a calendar, address book, notes, and email client. It also featured a unique handwriting recognition system, which allowed users to input text using a stylus.
Handwriting Recognition
One of the most notable features of the Apple Newton was its handwriting recognition capability. The system, known as "Rosetta," was designed to convert handwritten text into digital text. This feature was a key selling point for the Newton, but it also became one of its most criticized aspects.
Early versions of the handwriting recognition software struggled with accuracy, often misinterpreting user input. This issue was famously parodied in a 1993 episode of the television show The Simpsons, where the Newton's handwriting recognition mistakes were highlighted.
Despite these early challenges, Apple continued to refine the handwriting recognition technology. By the time the MessagePad 2000 and 2100 were released, the system had improved significantly, offering more accurate and reliable text recognition.
Software and Applications
The Newton OS supported a wide range of applications, both built-in and third-party. The built-in applications included a calendar, address book, notes, and email client. These applications were designed to help users manage their personal information and stay organized.
Third-party developers created a variety of additional applications for the Newton platform. These included productivity tools, games, and specialized software for specific industries. The Newton's open architecture and development tools made it relatively easy for developers to create new applications.
One of the unique aspects of the Newton OS was its use of "soups," a database format that allowed applications to share data. This feature enabled seamless integration between different applications, allowing users to link contacts, appointments, and notes.
Market Reception and Legacy
The Apple Newton received a mixed reception upon its release. While it was praised for its innovative features and potential, it was also criticized for its high cost, limited battery life, and issues with handwriting recognition. These factors, combined with strong competition from other PDA manufacturers, limited the Newton's commercial success.
Despite its challenges, the Newton platform had a lasting impact on the development of handheld computing. Many of the concepts and technologies pioneered by the Newton, such as handwriting recognition and personal information management, influenced later devices, including the PalmPilot and Apple's own iPhone.
The Newton also developed a dedicated community of users and developers, who continued to support the platform long after Apple discontinued it in 1998. This community has kept the Newton's legacy alive through various projects, including software emulators and hardware modifications.
Discontinuation and Aftermath
In February 1998, Apple announced the discontinuation of the Newton platform. This decision was part of a broader restructuring effort led by Steve Jobs, who had returned to Apple as interim CEO. Jobs believed that the company needed to focus on its core products, and the Newton was seen as a distraction from this goal.
The discontinuation of the Newton marked the end of an era for Apple, but it also paved the way for the development of new products. Many of the engineers and designers who worked on the Newton went on to contribute to other Apple projects, including the development of the iPhone and iPad.