Newton 2010

[fbhjr]

Fifteen years ago, my wife and I bought Newton handheld computers.
They were already on their way out when we got them. The Newton 110 had come out so we were able to get the Newton 100’s for only about 20% of their original asking price.
Yeah, the character recognition wasn’t really that great. But, there were add on programs that made it much better.
Yeah, 4 AAA batteries were a lot for only a couple of hours use, but I bought rechargeable batteries and an external booster pack, so it wasn’t too bad.
I took a lot of notes on mine, it was OK for that.
But, what I used it most for was a communications tool.
The company where I worked at the time had no electronic communication. (Hey, it was the 90’s. Not everyone had it back then.)
But, my Newton with its modem could connect to a free email system through any phone line. So, I used it to email people through the day, send notes, ask questions, all the same stuff I do with email now.
And, in the mid 90’s having a handheld that could do that was pretty cool.
I did have to go out to the receptionist’s desk, unplug the fax machine and plug in my modem. But, doing that a couple of times a day wasn’t really that hard.
I really wanted to get the Newton 2000 when it came out because it had a keyboard option. Since I used the Newton far more as a note taking and email device, this sounded perfect for me. But, it really was very pricy and at the time I couldn’t manage it.
I kept using my Newton for notes and email until Apple decided not enough of us were doing it and shut down the network of phone lines we used. Sad.
Even with what I liked most stripped away from it, I never did throw it away. It still sits on my computer desk in my office at home.

But now it is back!
I don’t care what they call it these days, I know a Newton when I see it.
This time it has a color screen, rechargeable batteries and an on screen keyboard to avoid the character recognition issues.
Yes, I’ve heard the complaints. No multi-tasking. No built in camera. Bad wifi reception. Fingerprints on the screen. They all appear to be true.
But, most of the complaints I’ve seen are from people who compare it with the iPhone, Android or other smart phone type thing.
It’s not any of those things, and I don’t want it for that.
It is the first Newton in more than a dozen years.*
And, I’m happy to have my old friend back.


*The iPhone is a phone with extras. The iPod touch is an iPod with extras. Neither are Newtons.

Comments

[pallid-regina.livejournal.com]

That's so cool.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Yeah that is really cool - I hadn't even considered the iPad being the New Newton. Interesting!

As for the complaint of Fingerprints on the screen That really makes me want to slap the people who whine about that hard across the face. It's a touch screen what did they really think would happen after they touched it for a while? Seriously/ Do people complain about fingerprints on their microwave touchpad? What about mirrors? Most people look in a mirror each [morning]...fingerprints don't seem to bother many people there, so because it's an iPad and they use it 'all the time' not unlike a mirror...they get to whine?

People. Sheesh.

Anyway, I'm glad you're really enjoying the NewNewton....Even with the Lightsabre app.