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Newton II - Does The Rumor Have Legs This Time?

Posted by Zonk on from the inewton-maybe dept.

Ian Lamont writes "Mike Elgan at ComputerWorld has an interesting analysis of the small computing market, and predicts that the market is primed to take off. He admits that small computers have been tried before and failed ('Every single UMPC device that has been shipped or announced suffers from lousy usability, high prices, poor performance, ill-conceived user interfaces, or any combination of the above') but he points to several recent products — and a rumor — that he says changes the playing field and paves the way for the first-ever successful small computer, from Apple. The products are the iPhone and the iPod touch. The rumor: Apple Insider has sources who claim that Apple is actually working on a 'modern day Newton' to be released in the first half of 2008. The device will supposedly have a version of Mac OS X Leopard and a touch interface, according to Apple Insider. A lot of people just aren't buying it. They point to the fact that the first Newton eventually flopped. A few note that similar Newton II rumors have been trotted out in years past, as well as a high-profile hoax. Nothing ever came of them." Would you buy if the Newton came back?

7 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. It better fix the Beat up Martin = eat up martha.. by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 5, Funny

    It better fix the Beat up Martin = eat up Martha handwriting recognition bug.

  2. the great return? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I wouldn't just buy it, I'd buy 2 so I could jack off all over the other one.

  3. tag: rumorsrumorsrumors by Nimey · · Score: 3, Funny

    If Windows thrives on "Developers Developers Developers" then Apple needs "Rumors Rumors Rumors".

    --
    Hail Eris, full of mischief...

    E pluribus sanguinem
  4. Next up: by Delusion_ · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Lisa II.

  5. newton joke by aquabat · · Score: 2, Funny
    Ah, the Apple Newton - ahead of it's time in the field of handwriting recognition. Reminds me of a good joke:

    Q: How many Newtons does it take to change a lightbulb?

    A: Foux! There to eat lemons, axe gravy soup.

    --
    A republic cannot succeed till it contains a certain body of men imbued with the principles of justice and honour.
  6. Re:In a heartbeat! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sony's already working on something that'd fit your needs. Here's the list of features:

    - A little bigger than the iPhone, but will be redesigned as a smaller version 6-12 months from release.
    - Bluetooth communication to Sony Ericsson phones, with option of remote controlling your PSP to remotely control your PS3 on the go
    - Memory Card Slot (because nobody uses SD or CompactFlash anymore)
    - Hndwriting Recognition
    - WiFi
    - Java
    - Microphone
    - 32 GB Flash
    - 2 Hr exploding battery

  7. Re:Would I? Well, it depends... by background+image · · Score: 2, Funny

    I want an affordable (>$500 2007 dollars)...

    Wait--more than $500 is affordable?!