Newton was Apple Computer's first attempt to create a mobile platform for the handheld market. A series of devices were released from 1993 to 1997 by Apple and third-party companies, all running various versions of Newton OS.[1]
History[]
Development[]
A MessageSlate prototype, codenamed "Senior".
A MessagePad prototype, codenamed "Junior".
The Newton project was begun by Steve Sakoman around 1987 with the support of Apple executives Jean-Louis Gassée and John Sculley. However the scope of the project ballooned out of control with an A4-sized prototype, codenamed Figaro, which was expected to cost over US$6000 by 1992. Sakoman and Gassée left Apple to form Be, Inc. Sculley assigned Larry Tesler to salvage the project and Steve Capps was brought in after creating a working mockup in HyperCard. Three models were then planned: a larger 9 x 12 inch version codenamed Senior with a target price of $5000, a mid-sized 6 x 9 inch version with a target price of under $2000 that was quickly cancelled, and a small 4.5 x 7 inch version codenamed Junior with a target price of around $500 which would go on to become the MessagePad.[2][3] Apple established a new Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division in 1992 to develop and market the devices.[4]
Release[]
Apple CEO John Sculley unveiled the first device, tentatively called the Newton NotePad,[5] on May 29, 1992 during the keynote address of the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Illinois.[6][7] However, it was still beset by thousands of bugs when 4,000 prototype units went into production on May 26, 1993 for use at point-of-purchase displays at retail stores. The first MessagePad finally began shipping on August 3, 1993 at Macworld Expo Boston for the base price of US$699.[2] However, there were accusations of price gouging as high as $897 of early customers who had waited in long lines. Third-party companies signed up for licenses to produce their own versions of Newton devices, with the Sharp Expert Pad PI-7000 being announced at the same time as original MessagePad.[8] By 1995, tepid sales of the MessagePad 120 forced Apple to resort to rebates to help move inventory of devices and accessories.[9]
Discontinuation[]
The Newton Systems Group was spun off from Apple Computer on July 1, 1997 into a wholly-owned subsidiary company, Newton, Inc.[10] The MessagePad 2100 was the first and only model to be released under the "Newton Technology" brand.[11] The subsidiary was soon re-absorbed back into Apple after CEO Gil Amelio was fired by the board and Steve Jobs took over as interim CEO. Jobs cancelled the Newton on February 27, 1998,[12] causing fans and developers to protest at the Apple's 1 Infinite Loop campus on the following March 6th.[13]
Legacy[]
Former Apple Newton developers founded Pixo, the company that created the operating system for the original iPod in 2001.[14] The iPhone and iPad, released in 2007 and 2010 respectively, are considered to be spiritual successors to the MessagePad.[15] A similar stylus did not appear from Apple until 2015 with the Apple Pencil for the iPad Pro.[16] In 2020, iPadOS 14 introduced handwriting recognition for Apple's iPad line.[17]
Hardware models[]
Apple Computer[]
MessagePad 2000 with stylus and keyboard
- MessagePad (model H1000), also known as "Original MessagePad" or "OMP".
- MessagePad 100, same specs as "OMP", but with a newer version of Newton OS.
- MessagePad 110
- MessagePad 120
- MessagePad 130
- eMate 300
- MessagePad 2000
- MessagePad 2100
- MessageSlate (unreleased)
Digital Ocean[]
Harris Network Support Systems[]
- Harris SuperTech 2000, based on the MessagePad 120.
Motorola[]
- Motorola Marco, based on the MessagePad 120 with 5MB ROM.
Schlumberger[]
- Schlumberger Watson, based on the MessagePad 2000.
Sharp[]
- Sharp Expert Pad PI-7000, based on the Original MessagePad.
- Sharp Expert Pad PI-7100, based on the MessagePad 100.
Siemens[]
- Siemens NotePhone, based on the Original MessagePad.
- Siemens Online Terminal, based on the MessagePad 2000.
Peripherals[]
- Newton Fax Modem
- Newton Keyboard
- MessagePad pens[18]
Video gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Newton: Products, Apple Computer. Archived 1997-07-07.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Story Behind Apple’s Newton by Tom Hormby, Low End Mac. 2013-08-06.
- ↑ Luckie, Douglas. Newton MessagePad. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26.
- ↑ Its as easy as Apple PIE for Newton launch this week by Computer Business Review, Tech Monitor. 1992-05-25.
- ↑ Apple gets to the core of a consumer division by Mark Potts, The Washington Post. 1993-01-17.
- ↑ On this day in 1992: Apple CEO John Sculley unveils the Newton, Apple's personal digital assistant, at CES in Chicago by Jon Erlichman, Twitter. 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Happy 25th birthday, Apple Newton, you beautiful failure by Stan Schroeder, Yahoo! Finance. 2017-05-29.
- ↑ Newton steals the show at Boston Macworld Expo by Knight-Ridder News Service, The Baltimore Sun. 1993-08-09.
- ↑ Apple Announces Nationwide Rebate Program for MessagePad 120s, Apple Computer. 1995-05-10. Archived 1999-01-16.
- ↑ Newton, Inc. Unveils Fresh Corporate Identity and Announces New Company Headquarters in U.S. and Europe, Apple Computer. 1997-08-06. Archived 1998-02-04.
- ↑ Luckie, Douglas. MessagePad 2100/2000 with OS 2.1. Michigan State University. Archived from the original on 2014-03-23.
- ↑ Why did Apple kill the Newton? by David MacNeill, Pen Computing Magazine. 1998-06.
- ↑ 22 years ago (March 6, 1998) Newton fans staged a protest at Apple to express their displeasure in shuttering the Newton project. by SchnauzerLogic, Twitter. 2020-03-10.
- ↑ Little-known startup was behind iPod's easy-to-use interface / Firm's founder now working on the latest handhelds by Matthew Yi, San Francisco Chronicle. 2004-08-16.
- ↑ Remembering the Newton MessagePad, 20 years later by Benj Edwards, Macworld. 2013-08-27.
- ↑ Review: Apple Pencil is the best iPad writing tool yet … if you can handle the Pro’s size by Zac Hall, 9to5Mac. 2015-11-24.
- ↑ iPadOS 14 introduces new features designed specifically for iPad, Apple Inc. 2020-06-22.
- ↑ MessagePad accessories (PDF) by Apple Computer, The Newted Community. 1997.
External links[]
- Newton at Apple (archived 1997-07-07)
- Newton: Press Releases (archived 1997-07-07, 1998-02-04)
- Older Software Downloads: Newton Software (2001-07-17, archived 2001-08-01)
- Newton Cap at the AppleDesigns store (archived 1997-07-11)
- Newton FAQ at Chuma.org
- Newtonhonk before iphone and ipad
- Newton Glossary an almost definitive guide to Newton-related terms and trivia
- Newton Resurrection at Oocities (mirrored 2009-10)
- Newton Special Interest Group at Michigan State University
- NewtonTalk.net mailing list
- Newtman's Newton Site (archived 2024-04-18)
- Stephanie's Newton Web Site (archived 2008-04-25)
- The Newted Community the home away from home for Newton users since 1999
- The ULTIMATE Newton (archived 1999-02-03)
- United Network of Newton Archives the largest single Newton-related repository
- AppleNewton.co.uk just another site about Apple Newton
- Apple Newton at Wikipedia
Articles[]
- Apple Discontinued the Newton 25 Years Ago Today by Hartley Charlton at MacRumors (2023-02-27)
- Remembering the Apple Newton's Prophetic Failure and Lasting Impact by Matt Honan at Wired (2013-08-05)
- Marketer's Dream, Engineer's Nightmare by John Markoff at The New York Times (1993-12-13, archived 2015-05-26)
