Newton
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Rig of the Week: The wireless Newt
Rig of the Week is back (again). Why? Because Rig of the Day was overkill.This week we take one more stab at the Newton's being named Apple's number one flop with this shot of a 2100 wirelessly browsing TUAW. No images, of course, but it's our words that are important, right?Wireless Surfing by YazdgerdIf you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. Each Sunday we'll comb through the most recent entries and declare a "Rig of the Week!"
Newton Connection 1.0 available
Despite having been named Apple's biggest flop by Newlaunches.com earlier this week, the Newton enjoys an active life among a large group of hardcore users. Today, Newton Connection 1.0 has been released, which allows Mac OS X native synchronization and backups. From the website:"Newton Connection allows you to backup your Newton data to your Mac desktop, import and export Dates, Names, Notes and NewtonWorks, install packages and use your Mac desktop keyboard to enter text on your Newton device. In fact, most of the functions provided by the Newton Connection Utilities, but without the need for the Classic environment."This is a PPC release and requires Mac OS 10.4 or better. Newton Connection is free.
Ask the TUAW Readers: Best use for a Newton
TUAW reader Paul writes in to tell us he just picked up a used Messagepad 120 for under ten bucks. (Lucky guy!) It should arrive later this week. So, now what? As a proud new Newton owner, what are the best ways to use his new gadget? Well, Paul, before throwing this out to our readership at large, let me suggest that you use the Newton for organizing your life, taking free-hand notes and for shooting off faxes. That's what I used the Newton for when I had one in my life. It was a fabulous (although bulky) companion for meetings and classes--kind of a over-powered and slightly-overlarge Palm Pilot. And that doesn't even begin to address "Newton Poetry", the surreal interpretations of the not-quite-accurate Newton handwriting interpreter. Readers, what other suggestions do you have for Paul and his new toy? How can he best make use of the Messagepad?
Computerworld: iPhone to suffer Newton's fate
David Haskin of Computerworld is convinced that the iPhone will be the same disappointing failure that was the Newton:"Apple seems to be repeating the [Newton] cycle again with iPhone, developing what is undoubtedly an advanced product with a remarkable interface and overcharging for it...Besides overcharging for iPhone, Apple faces significant competition, something it didn't face in 1993 when it launched Newton." Actually, David points out the crucial difference without even trying: People know what a mobile phone is. When the Newton was initially released, the concept of a "PDA" didn't really exist. For a large part of the population, the Newton seemed like some sort of Star Trek device that couldn't possibly have a place in their lives. It was foreign and seemed complicated.On the contrary, everyone knows what a mobile phone is, those who don't own one have at least used one and I would bet that a great number of people would love to have a phone that does its job simply, beautifully and efficiently. [Via MacDailyNews]
Joy of Tech and iPhone accessories
The folks at Joy of Tech posted a funny one recently that makes predictions about the forthcoming iPhone accessory industry. They suggest cramming one inside an old Newton case, among others.You laugh, but I bet it happens. If you're the first person to wedge your iPhone into the case of an old MessagePad 110, please let us know. We really want to see it.
First review of the... iPhone?
Some people have all the luck. The folks over at Evil Mad Scientist Labs got their hands on an iPhone. They didn't keep the goodness all to themselves though, they reviewed it so that the masses could have a little of the enjoyment. They like the screen, but are a little disappointed in the color saturation. iCal works like a charm, but writing in cursive with your finger tip is deceptively difficult.Finally, the iPhone seemingly sports Apple's old logo, which adds a little retro-chic to the device.Thanks, Windell.
Found footage: Wireless Newton web server cluster
This one's for the Newton fans out there. Presenting the Newton Wireless web server cluster! The first video is short on details, but the demo speaks for itself. Of course they had to use it to serve pr0n. Silly boys. It runs on four Newton 2100s using NPDS with custom scripts. For round 2, see this clip. Pretty cool!Thanks, Dave!
Found Footage: Steven Segal, saving the world with a Newton
This is odd. Someone edited together all the scene's in Steven Segal's Under Siege 2 which feature the ponytailed actor using a Newton. Ah, I love the internet so much.What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than with some pointless fun?Thanks, Steffen.
Newton "Video Guides" available as downloads
Oh, how I love the Newton community. When the various message pads shipped, they came with instructive VHS tapes (yes, VHS) that described just how they should be used. Some enterprising Newton user has taken the time to encode several of the tapes (specifically the Original Message Pad, the MessagePad 110 and Newton OS 2.0) to H.264, and made them available as a video podcast [iTunes link]. Nice! Also included is a video on using the Newton OS on 3rd party hardware.
Wireless eMate
Newton users, they are a crafty bunch. Nevermind the fact that Apple killed the Newton years ago, that doesn't stop the enthusiasts from tricking out their PDA of choice. The latest Newton 'hack' comes in the form of adding a WiFi card to an eMate.What will Newton users do next?[via MAKE: blog]
Newton bests Windows UMPC in Cnet competition
Way back in March Dave Caolo wrote a post called 'I already have an Ultra-Mobile PC: It's called a Newton' with tongue planted firmly in cheek. It would seem that Cnet UK agrees with Dave.They pitted a Messagepad 2100 against a Samsung Q1 and unbelievably the Newton won. It won based on battery life (two double AA's power it for 30 hours) and price. I'm not expecting to see a resurgence of Newtons out there but it would be nice, wouldn't it?[via jkOnTheRun]
Einstein night at Apple Store Ginza
Newton users, take note. Next Wednesday, May 31st will be "Einstein night" at Apple Store Ginza from 7 to 8pm. What's "Einstein?" It's the Newton OS emulator Developed for Linux-based PDAs, developed by Paul Guyot. Paul will be on hand in Ginza to demonstrate Einstein, answer your questions and discuss the future of the project. As Steve himself once said, the soul of the Macintosh is not the hardware used to run it, but in the software. The same is true of the Newt. Let us know if you attend (and if you get any cool pictures of your Sharp Zaurus running the Newton OS).
Roundup of Apple Patents Hints at an Apple Origami UMPC
Staska at the UMPC News blog has a nice roundup of many of Apple's recent patent filings and argues convincingly that Apple is developing its own UMPC (ultra mobile PC).The patents hint at features like a virtual on-screen keyboard and the ability to manipulate (for instance, rotate) onscreen objects with your fingers.I actually had a dream recently about my Newton 2100 running Mac OS X. Yes, I have dreams about obsolete Apple hardware. Don't you?
Rig of the Day: Mac, iPod, Newton
Here's a great shot of three siblings. JoeBob posts a photo of his SE, original iPod and Newton eMate, which seems to be running Newtonworks (?). Unfortunately, the SE is displaying the dreaded blinking question mark. Time to give that thing a little TLC, Joey."Old Iron" posted by JoeyBob.For the month of April, the theme for our Rig of the Day will be "Vintage Macs" in honor of Apple's anniversary. If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. Let's see your vintage Macs (Apples and Newtons, too)! We'll select an image every day to highlight.
Rig of the Day: Newton at work
You know I couldn't let this month's vintage theme pass buy without posting at least one Newton picture. Today's photo features a Newton (is that a 2100 or a 2000?) sitting next to a ETC express lighting console. I think it looks quite at home."my computers at work" posted by owenscenic.For the month of April, the theme for our Rig of the Day will be "Vintage Macs" in honor of Apple's anniversary. If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. Let's see your vintage Macs (Apples and Newtons, too)! We'll select an image every day to highlight.
30 years in Apple products: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Has it really been 30 years since two buddies named Steve sold off their prized possessions (Woz's HP calculator and Jobs' VW van) to raise money and launch a company? Has it really been 30 years since the two Steves, tired of selling blue boxes, built the Apple I and began selling it for $666.66? Yes, it has, and if you don't believe it, just compare Jobs' hairlines from '76 and today. And while the company has become known for many things, from its groundbreaking GUI to the iTunes Music Store, we know Apple has always been a hardware company at heart. So here's to you, Apple: the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly from the past 30 years. Happy Birthday.
CNN reflects on Apple's great turnaround
I'll admit it, when I was in college (early 90's), I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that Apple's days were numbered. After Steve's departure and the parade of boring, beige boxes that followed (not to mention the bad press, failed Newton and the ultimate vaporware, Copeland) I begrudgingly admitted that it might be time to learn Windows. The rest, as they say, is a different story.CNN Money takes a nice look at Apple's turnaround from down-and-out computer company to the darling that it has become. My favorite quote from the article:"Apple has struck a cultural nerve, especially with Generation X and Gen Y, while Windows and PC are viewed in essence as 'My parents' computer',' said Tim Bajarin, president of technology research firm Creative Strategies."I love it. Windows as the Buick of the computer world. You can read the full article here.
2006 Worldwide Newton Conference materials online
This past January, the 2nd Worldwide Newton Conference was held in San Francisco. Today, materials from many of the information sessions have been made available online in PDF format with more to come. There's also a nice list of sites that gave the event press as well as a few photo galleries. Curl up with your 2100 and give it a look.
Rig of the Day: Powerbook, MacBook, iMac, Newton
Remember our "Rig of the Day" feature? Yeah, me too. Today's entry features a Powerbook, a MacBook Pro, an iMac, an iPod and an oh-so-beautiful Newton 2100. Isn't it nice to see siblings getting along so well?"My New Improved Setup" posted by \~{Foolery}~/ . If you'd like to see your own rig featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr pool. We'll select an image every day (usually) to highlight.
I already have an Ultra-Mobile PC: It's called a Newton
Yes, everyone's going crazy over the Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC), the new class of handheld devices that run Windows XP and are supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread (sliced bread with two and a half hours of battery life, but that's a different story). I don't know what all the hype is about, really. My Apple Newton 2100, which was discontinued about a decade ago, does just about everything else a UMPC does, and has a similar form factor. Let's do a modest feature comparison. According to Microsoft, a UMPC boasts: A touch screen. My Newton does as well. Check. WiFi connectivity. Using the drivers written by Hiroshi Noguchi and any 5 volt Lucent/Orinoco/Agere WaveLAN, I can connect to an 802.11b access point for internet (using either the NewtScape or Net Hopper browsers), email (with SimpleMail), IM (over jabber with NewtJabber), blogging (with nBlog) and web hosting (with NPDS. Go here to check out a few live Newton web servers). Check. Bluetooth connectivity. With a compatible card and the Blunt driver, I'm exchanging/synchronizing data with my desktop Mac and enjoying wireless printing from my Newt. Check. A good sized hard drive. Ok, the UMPC has me beat, but with Paul Guyot's ATA Harddisk/Flashcard drivers, I can have a few gigs of storage space available to me. Check. Digital music. MAD Newton lets me store and play Mp3's. Heck, I can even stream internet radio and download music directly to my Newt from iTunes 3. Check. Movies on the go. Well, I can watch The Simpsons and South Park on my Newt. Check. Customizable wallpaper. Thanks to Avi's Backdrop, I have a picture of my daughter as my Newton's "wallpaper," and there's a slew of other images I can choose from. Check. Word Processing/Spreadsheet apps. Newtonworks. Check. An optional, external keyboard. Check. In fact, I'll say "good luck" to anyone trying to enter information onto a UMPC without the keyboard, while the 2100's handwriting recognition is great. A weight of about two pounds. Check. A 7" diagonal display. Actually, the Newt's display can rotate to either landscape or portrait. Double check. Entertainment. Well, I can play games and read books, plus all of the other stuff I mentioned. So, check. Plays nice with both Windows and Apple desktops. Ooh, sorry! This one appears to be Newton only. Now how did that get on the list? Plus, the Newt gets a lot more that 2.5 hours of battery life (?!?), boots almost immediately since there's no hard drive, has a built in voice recorder and does all of the PIM stuff you'd want to do. Really, people. There's nothing to see here with "Origami." Move along.Note: This is all a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun, folks.
