The Return of the Newton?

Nate the great · 09-26-2007, 04:51 PM

For the past 18 months, well-respected sources tell AppleInsider, a small team of Apple engineers have been at it again, this time tapping the company's revolutionary multi-touch technology as a foundation.

...

Externally, the mutil-touch PDA has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone, about 1.5 times the size and sporting an approximate 720x480 high-resolution display that comprises almost the entire surface of the unit. The device is further believed to leverage multi-touch concepts which have yet to gain widespread adoption in Apple's existing multi-touch products -- the iPhone and iPod touch -- like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste.

from:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...he_newton.html

NatCh · 09-26-2007, 05:21 PM

Excellent find, Nate!

I'd love to see a new Newton -- I almost bought one the first time around, but I was ... not financially positioned to do so.

alex_d · 09-26-2007, 07:35 PM

wow....

hopefully the first version will have powerful software. It's one thing to write the gui to an iphone... it's a whole other matter to create a PDA operating system and app suite.

nekokami · 09-26-2007, 08:25 PM

If they could only leverage their Newton technology as well as this multi-touch stuff... I know Apple still has the tech for HWR, they just need to put it to use!

I'm not sure 1.5x the size of the iPhone is very interesting, though. I really did like the Newton MP2x00 formfactor. I'll probably be sticking with my iLiad-- I think it's the closest thing to my old Newt that I've found since.

Bob Russell · 09-26-2007, 09:08 PM

Wouldn't it be funny if they call it the iFoleo!?

petermillard · 09-27-2007, 02:03 AM

iNfopad? Nah, doens't really work

Still, whatever they call it, the fact that it's just rumoured to exist must be sending shivers (anticipation or fear) down the spines of anyone interested in the business. Can't wait...

lexico · 09-27-2007, 04:21 AM

Hmm, at 720x480 it has less resolution than the Nokia N800 (800x480) and much less than the Sony and IRex devices. Not really up to it for reading?

andym · 09-27-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexico

Hmm, at 720x480 it has less resolution than the Nokia N800 (800x480) and much less than the Sony and IRex devices. Not really up to it for reading?

It wasn't so long ago that the standard resolution for desktop monitors was less than that. (But yes, higher resolution would always be nice).

grimo1re · 09-27-2007, 06:19 AM

Oh dear, this is causing a serious case of gadget lust!

Azayzel · 09-27-2007, 08:28 AM

I like the idea of the formfactor & size too. I think the major hang-up will be if it supports existing PIM systems; i.e., LotusNotes and Outlook. If not, it will be doomed to fail as no one will want to have to redo all their work in multiple programs; you know, these things are supposed to make life easier, not more difficult.

Looks to be a sweet device, let's hope that is it follows the iStuff line that it at least has a more durable enclosure and doesn't get all scratched up from being too pretty!

yvanleterrible · 09-27-2007, 08:34 AM

Clearly this is the future of computing that was announced when Apple got the Newton out. Technology for this new device is zillionfold what table computers were then. Hook this baby up to a dock and a bigger screen and all the software I use... I'd be sold and set for the (short)rest of my life.

Unfortunately they won't see things that way. Apple has taken an 'expendable toy' view of things, keeping you wanting for the next and next iteration.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-27-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexico

Hmm, at 720x480 it has less resolution than the Nokia N800 (800x480) and much less than the Sony and IRex devices. Not really up to it for reading?

It's bigger than the Toshiba PDA I read on now. I'd definitely take a look at it to replace my PDA... and especially if it's wireless-enabled for web and e-mail access.

yvanleterrible · 09-27-2007, 10:38 AM

When they say that they offer web and email access is it cell based, Blackberry style?

I hope it doesn't mean a one company access like the iPhone!

BTW I heard on the news that they'll close the cracked phones with the next software update. Any word on that statement?

Nate the great · 09-27-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

When they say that they offer web and email access is it cell based, Blackberry style?

I hope it doesn't mean a one company access like the iPhone!

BTW I heard on the news that they'll close the cracked phones with the next software update. Any word on that statement?

Actually, they are threatening to brick the cracked phones with the next update.

wallcraft · 09-27-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexico

Hmm, at 720x480 it has less resolution than the Nokia N800 (800x480) and much less than the Sony and IRex devices. Not really up to it for reading?

The 720x480 resolution is strange, because 800x480 has become a standard for 4" to 7" screens. In any case, in landscape mode this is effectively half of a 720x960 screen - which is perfectly ok for reading. You just need two page turns for every one on an ~600x800 device (and there is no page turn delay). Or you can use automatic scrolling if you prefer.

09-26-2007, 04:51 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	The Return of the Newton? For the past 18 months, well-respected sources tell AppleInsider, a small team of Apple engineers have been at it again, this time tapping the company's revolutionary multi-touch technology as a foundation. ... Externally, the mutil-touch PDA has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone, about 1.5 times the size and sporting an approximate 720x480 high-resolution display that comprises almost the entire surface of the unit. The device is further believed to leverage multi-touch concepts which have yet to gain widespread adoption in Apple's existing multi-touch products -- the iPhone and iPod touch -- like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste. from: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...he_newton.html

09-27-2007, 04:21 AM	#7
lexico Lexicographer Posts: 24 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Midlands, UK Device: IBM X 41 T, Samsung D500, Nokia N 800	Screen size Hmm, at 720x480 it has less resolution than the Nokia N800 (800x480) and much less than the Sony and IRex devices. Not really up to it for reading?

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09-26-2007, 05:21 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Excellent find, Nate! I'd love to see a new Newton -- I almost bought one the first time around, but I was ... not financially positioned to do so.

09-26-2007, 07:35 PM	#3
alex_d Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 187 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony Reader	wow.... hopefully the first version will have powerful software. It's one thing to write the gui to an iphone... it's a whole other matter to create a PDA operating system and app suite.

09-26-2007, 08:25 PM	#4
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	If they could only leverage their Newton technology as well as this multi-touch stuff... I know Apple still has the tech for HWR, they just need to put it to use! I'm not sure 1.5x the size of the iPhone is very interesting, though. I really did like the Newton MP2x00 formfactor. I'll probably be sticking with my iLiad-- I think it's the closest thing to my old Newt that I've found since.

09-26-2007, 09:08 PM	#5
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Wouldn't it be funny if they call it the iFoleo!?

09-27-2007, 02:03 AM	#6
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	iNfopad? Nah, doens't really work Still, whatever they call it, the fact that it's just rumoured to exist must be sending shivers (anticipation or fear) down the spines of anyone interested in the business. Can't wait...

09-27-2007, 06:19 AM	#9
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Oh dear, this is causing a serious case of gadget lust!

09-27-2007, 08:28 AM	#10
Azayzel Cache Ninja! Posts: 643 Karma: 1002300 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: PRS-500, HTC Shift, iPod Touch, iPaq 4150, TC1100, Panasonic WordsGear	I like the idea of the formfactor & size too. I think the major hang-up will be if it supports existing PIM systems; i.e., LotusNotes and Outlook. If not, it will be doomed to fail as no one will want to have to redo all their work in multiple programs; you know, these things are supposed to make life easier, not more difficult. Looks to be a sweet device, let's hope that is it follows the iStuff line that it at least has a more durable enclosure and doesn't get all scratched up from being too pretty!

09-27-2007, 08:34 AM	#11
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Clearly this is the future of computing that was announced when Apple got the Newton out. Technology for this new device is zillionfold what table computers were then. Hook this baby up to a dock and a bigger screen and all the software I use... I'd be sold and set for the (short)rest of my life. Unfortunately they won't see things that way. Apple has taken an 'expendable toy' view of things, keeping you wanting for the next and next iteration.

09-27-2007, 10:38 AM	#13
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	When they say that they offer web and email access is it cell based, Blackberry style? I hope it doesn't mean a one company access like the iPhone! BTW I heard on the news that they'll close the cracked phones with the next software update. Any word on that statement?

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