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NewtonOS Running on Linux PDA

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the platforms-never-die dept.

Seb Payne writes "At the WWNC 2006, Adam Tow has reported that Einstein, the NewtonOS emulator is now working on a Sharp Zaurus Linux PDA, showing future for our favourite green friend. Although it is not production quality, could this bring a future to the Newton platform?"

5 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. In a word... by Seoulstriker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    could this bring a future to the Newton platform?

    No.

    Newton has long been dead.

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    I am defenseless. Use your button. Mod me down with all of your hatred.
  2. No by NitsujTPU · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Although it is not production quality, could this bring a future to the Newton platform?

    No, I see no reason why emulating an OS under Linux on a PDA would bring that platform a future. I think that the best thing to do would be to incorporate those features that you liked from the Newton into an existing platform, rather than emulating it under Linux on a Zaurus, which seems more like a "fun and geeky thing to do" than a practical solution to anything.

  3. Newton Hardware by nurb432 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The OS was only part of the puzzle.

    Yes, its great that the OS may live again in some useable form, but its not quite the same with out the larger formfactor and apple quality behind it.

    If by some miracle and Jobs got a clue so Apple would bring it back, i know id be in line to buy another one..

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    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  4. this might lead somewhere by streetwise · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The goal here is not just being able to run decade-old apps from the Newton. It is extending what was so good about the Newton to new platforms. No pda has yet to come close to the best features of the Newton. Furthermore, palm os has stagnated, and there are lots of gadgets, from cell phones to "internet tablets" appearing that run on linux that are crying out for better user interfaces (especially decent handwriting recognition). Check out http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthrea d.php?p=7287#post7287 over on the Nokia 770 forum as an example of how this might play out.

  5. Other Newton Related Advances by Feneric · · Score: 3, Insightful

    There were lots of new Newton-related technology at the show. It's a pity it's not covered anywhere.

    One little thing I worked on was a Newton book reader extension for Firefox that can read Newton books from within Firefox on Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, WinXP, etc. It's now in its second public version.

    The reason that people still work with Newtons is simple -- Newtons still do things that nothing else on the market seem capable of doing. There are some really good, solid ideas in that OS.