MacUser: Time For the Newton to Return

News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

March 08, 2006

Newton Ah, the sad tale that is the Newton. Such a promising handheld, yet so little sales. For years, Mac fans have long mourned the death of the Newton PDA. But I believe that now might just be time for the Newton to be…revived. Let’s consider the following: Apple has become very successful in the handheld device market via the iPod. Also, everyone says that an Apple-branded iPhone is in the works. And Apple has just taken a daring step forward into the home entertainment market. I think that all of those things could help bring back our beloved Newton. Here’s how:

1. Upgrade it! A modern Newton needs to have the latest technologies built-in such as Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth, widescreen, SDIO card reader, and IR port. Also, it needs an advanced OS that’s a cross between OS X and the iPod’s OS.

2. Make the Newton a “companion” device that integrates very nicely with your Mac and iPod (think syncing music, photos, and videos, along with contacts, calender, etc.). Also, try the Halo Effect in reverse: use Macs and iPods to increase the sale of Newtons (remember the original ad for the iMac G5 with the iPod)

3. Make different versions of the Newton meant to target different demographics of consumers just like the iPod.

4. Have the Newton be about home entertainment. Give it the ability to playback and possibly even record music, photos, and videos. Also make it function like an advanced Apple Remote that displays Front Row or an iPods screen right on the Newton when controlling either one.

5. Make the Newton a smartphone. Smartphones are definitely the future of the PDA market, and what could be better than a Newton iPhone?

6. And, of course, give it a catchy slogan (like doing something with the “new” in Newton).

Comments

IR port eh? I dunno if we need one of those... time for apple to do what apple does best and kill off legacy ports. Bye bye, IR! How about some EVDO while we're at it? sweet.

Posted by: Bo | March 8, 2006 09:21 PM

Your linky is stinky!

Posted by: Marc | March 10, 2006 02:09 PM

Whoops, fixed that.

Posted by: Aaron | March 10, 2006 02:17 PM

Seems more likely that they'd extend the iPod to include Newton functionality instead. It's already got PIM via iSync; just provide a decent way to input data (like a touch screen and stylus) and add a web browser and Bluetooth and WiFi and you've got something nice.

Posted by: fluffy | March 10, 2006 04:34 PM

Too much. Both my wife and I have come to realize that carying both a smaller phone and a smaller PDA (which you don't always need with you) is better than a big combined unit. Same with the Palm LifeDrive, I wouldn't jog with my handheld, but I would with my iPod.

I think Palm has the selection right. They have "Handhelds," "SmartPhones," and "Mobile Managers." All I want from Apple is the Handheld.

Posted by: Gregory | May 29, 2006 10:31 AM

I was a big Newton fan back in the day (my upgraded MP2000 still resides in a place of honor on my desk). If it were to ever make a comeback, it needs to really stand out from the competition. My suggestion would be to revive the most ignored technology in the computing world as part of the new interface: voice recognition. What easier way to communicate with a tiny do-everything device?

Posted by: Matt Blackman | October 3, 2006 09:33 AM

Does anyone know if the Newton screen is compatible with any of the ipod logicboards???

Could be a way of making a touch screen ipod.

Posted by: Chris | December 6, 2006 03:30 AM

March 08, 2006

Time For the Newton to Return

Authored by Aaron Freedman at 9:10 AM

Category | Apple » Newton

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