...with eink this time, and usb, and SD and...

No one else interested? Just the design of it could be interesting!

I think it was before it's time. A shame it didn't catch on and continue to grow. I think there is a newton emulator, so you could probably do something like this with a UMPC.

Don't hit me, but I think it's probably more of a nostalgic thing to want a Newton, and not a widespread marketable idea... despite the things it got right, modern versions of eBook readers and PDAs are probably better. If nothing else, they have support for things like e-ink and usb on the e-ink side, and wifi, applications written, etc. on the pda side.

On the other hand, there's almost a universal cry for Apple to come out with a Tablet PC. And I think it would create a huge interest if they did an e-book reader, whether it was e-ink or other display technology. Maybe as an extension of their growing iPod line, which is already moving into multimedia capabilities.

My guess: Apple is holding back because their gadget division clearly focuses on the mass market. And until e-books become a mass market, it's a looooong time to go (only my guess).

Or they could do an iBod or iPok ... hmmm .... ;)

I assure you that when they finally do ... apple fans will act as though the very idea of ebook readers was invented by Steve Jobs and that it is heralding in a brand new paradigm. :p .... don't believe... just wait and see ... ;)

That aside, I think it can only be good news if apple join in the foray ... :D

The thing that prompted me to desire the comeback of Newton is mostly for good software like iTunes. Connect software is not up to par with the reader. I think iTunes is better than the iPod itself, what ever detractors think.

Something been spinning around in my thinking...

1) Diddent Job's have the head of Sony on stage for one of the dog and pony shows?
2) Its a bit weird how limited parts of CONNECT kind of act like iTunes. Or have basic logic. ( could be a copy )
3) Why playback ACC { Basically Apples m4a audio format }? It does play unencrypted iTunes songs. It eats a bit more power than mp3. And with some work could maybe play encrypted iTunes?

Could it be either they were working on something and fell out or that something has not filter out yet. Its a pretty big stretch but have seen strange things in the past.

Take the new apple hub being released next year for media and add the Reader to the mix. Or a combo flexible page reader or some other concept.

A heavy battery that good for a day of music or longer for pages. A bit odd...

Would not be surprise to see Sony and Apple were partner then split like Sony/Nintendo deal of the early 90's.

And last try this...
On some of the Apple sites they have reported a bezel control system patented by Apple... Would be energy efficient if you were using the current eink displays.

Ho hum... Having a blast with the Reader! :)

It's kind of weird that a tecno savvy company like Apple has'nt caught up with eink.
We'll surely have an announcement of a product of some kind soon?
As for all other companies using B\W displays, like MP3 players, could get longer battery use by the use of eink!

True... But Apple will wait until all of the parts are in sync so to speak. Could be waiting until the color and or foldable epaper come to market.

3) Why playback ACC { Basically Apples m4a audio format }? It does play unencrypted iTunes songs. It eats a bit more power than mp3. And with some work could maybe play encrypted iTunes?


ACC is not specifically an Apple format. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding

ACC is not specifically an Apple format. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding

I know they use that as a base for their audio but not that common for a player. I know they are adding it to their players now.

I know they use that as a base for their audio but not that common for a player. I know they are adding it to their players now.

Take a look of the Wikipedia article, espcially the number of audio players that can play aac files. It would be surprising if the Reader didn't feature it...

Take a look of the Wikipedia article, espcially the number of audio players that can play aac files. It would be surprising if the Reader didn't feature it...


Cool.

...with eink this time, and usb, and SD and...

There is a Newtom emulator for ARM 5. Runs in Zaurus and Nokia 770, can be ported to eink if you have a lot of time and a Newton rom.

Newton itself was ARM 2 I believe, was it?

The thing that prompted me to desire the comeback of Newton is mostly for good software like iTunes. Connect software is not up to par with the reader. I think iTunes is better than the iPod itself, what ever detractors think.

Well, I hate iTunes with a passion, but still love my iPod. (Thank God for the Winamp plugin.)

Actually I'm not necessarily a Newton fan as per se but I loved the originality of some of it's features. The first handwriting recognition comes to mind and the coined term PDA. What I'm mostly thinking of is that if Apple comes into the area of readers, that machine will be totally ergonomic, and backed up by excellent software. And what should we expect with design?

What I've noticed most of Apple detractors is that they feel better about the platform they're using and don't want to switch. I agree, I work on both. Since they want to faithfully keep to it everything Apple builds will be a threat to that peace; owning an Apple product means having to use it with an unwanted Apple computer. Also some Apple software lacks depth compared to Windows. But then we must remember that the Apple OS has fewer adopters thus a lower potential for investment. Apple seems big and full of itself sometimes but just remember how IBM was before it Lenovoed and Lexmarked away! The biggest point in favor of Apple is imagination. You feel it in the design, the utility and the marketing.

What I like most about it is that it is still able to sustain viable markets against cheaper producers of electronics without moving away completely from America. Being several steps ahead of your competitors by leaning on creativity and originality is the best alternative to keep a market captive, not DRM...

(Please guys I just wanted to say how I feel, not irritate anyone.):wink:

...owning an Apple product means having to use it with an unwanted Apple computer. Also some Apple software lacks depth compared to Windows.

Can you explain both of these statements...? AFAIK all none-computer Apple products are compatible with Windows PCs... And I've never felt Apple software lacks "depth"...

When a new device comes out it is supported only on the Apple Os. When the software comes out on the PC it is often unstable for a while (iTune comes to mind, it regularly crashes my XP)

First lack of depth is the non right clickable mouse. When I switch from my PC to my Mac the mouse has me stumbling every time. Compare any Apple only word processors of the recent past with Word of said era and you'll see. But then, I have to say that I don't have this year's version of both platform software.

(Told you It was my opinion. I hate sounding like I'm picking fights.)

First lack of depth is the non right clickable mouse. When I switch from my PC to my Mac the mouse has me stumbling every time.

Then change it... You do know that OS X has supported right-clicking for last couple of years...? If you have a laptop then there are extensions that allow you to "tap" as a right button.

(Told you It was my opinion. I hate sounding like I'm picking fights.)

Well... I could answer your other points but life is too short for a Mac vs PC debate...! :D

Then change it... You do know that OS X has supported right-clicking for last couple of years...? If you have a laptop then there are extensions that allow you to "tap" as a right button.



Well... I could answer your other points but life is too short for a Mac vs PC debate...! :D
Right on all counts! I'm due for a fifth new Mac and a fourth new PC. :happy2:

MacOS 9 supported right-clicking, too.

I agree that Apple is probably waiting until all the stars and planets properly align... that's what they did with their iPod and iTunes. I'm sure they're waiting for color e-ink.

But the device will stall without products, so they will want an iBooks store to go with it, and hopefully come out with all kinds of content (not just books, in other words) for it. My money would be on subscription-based and single-sale pop magazines. If no one has such a store, they'll create it.

And if they don't believe a large enough of a market for both will exist, they'll leave it cold.

It is not that much of a jump from the video iPod concept to the iBook concept. Resolution and screen size being the prime changes.

The market for download music was small before the iPod and most people looked at you funny if you had a portable mp3 player. Somewhere around here there is still an old Creative Jukebox that must weigh 4 pounds with batteries.

When (not if) Apple enters the ebook market it will take off like we're never seen it before. The Sony is a wedge to that day.

The Sony is a wedge to that day.Do you mean that you see the Sony as slowing things down or speeding them up?

I can read "wedge" as meaning either, so I thought I'd ask. :shrug:

I was using the word as in lever, to speed things up. Sorry for any confusion you may have had.

You have a large multinational with a long history in consumer electronics offering a product that that had before been only a niche market or an after-thought to other features on a PDA or cell phone and offering it to the world at large. The exposure they have gained in national magazines and web sites (beyond this one and their own) is something that no other ebook reader has ever been able to do before. If Apple follows in the wake (however small it may be to the total consumer electronics market) it will only open the market wider. While it matters to some people like those in this forum, it is still a nit in contrast to the size of the PS2/PS3 or DVD market for example.

Very interesting post over at wired...

http://blog.wired.com/music/2006/12/sony_hints_at_z.html

Esp the last paragraph....

As for Sony Connect music store, Glasgow admitted, "it has not been successful," while pointing to Sony Connect's success in providing content to the company's new briskly-selling eReader device. If Sony releases a new music store/device combo next year, it will likely build on Sony's eReader success, which it says closely unites the content source with the device it plays on -- just like the iTunes/iPod and the Zune ecosystems do for music.

There are other interesting passages...

Glasgow also had some choice words for DRM that indicate a break from Sony's previous stance. He said, "DRMs are going to become less important" as time goes on,

Sorry for any confusion you may have had.Hah! You're not to blame for my confusion -- I've been confused for years! :laugh4:

Seriously though, I thought that was probably what you meant (and I agree with your reasoning entirely), I just wanted to be sure. :shrug:

Then change it... You do know that OS X has supported right-clicking for last couple of years...? If you have a laptop then there are extensions that allow you to "tap" as a right button.



Well... I could answer your other points but life is too short for a Mac vs PC debate...! :D

Good one there! I learn something new everyday! :D ... this is one line that will come in handy ... shall I say, quite soon enough.

"Well... I could answer your other points but life is too short for a XYZ debate...! "