There is a branch of the Apple tree many people are not familiar
with. It was doomed from its start way back in 1994, all the way to its
demise under Steve Job's ascent back to power in 1997.
The Newton OS, a stable, reliable platform developed by Apple for
its PDA-ish handheld, the Newton MessagePad. Under somewhat tacky
beginnings, the Newton encompassed something other markets had failed
to deliver - a feasible alternative to mobile telecommunications and
computing.
Started originally as an idea from onetime CEO John Sculley and
dubbed the "Knowledge Navigator," the concept had a long and difficult
road into production. Finally, at Macworld 1992, the Newton MessagePad
prototype debuted. Public release following in 1993. Immediately, the
technology was the butt of jokes and parodies, ranging from Saturday
Night Lives "Macintosh Post-it Notes" to an appearance in The Simpsons.
Still, it was something ahead of its time and a marvel of the day.
However, by 1995 the tables had turned, only two years after the
Newton's release, Apple's newest CEO was looking for investors for the
Newton project. In January 1996, Gil Amelio became the next CEO, and
Apple was over troubled waters. Amelio assured Newton-users that Apple
would continue support and expansion of the division, despite low sales
figures. By this time Apple had spent nearly $500 million on the
project. Amelio soon found that the project was struggling to keep its
ground, and Apple was losing too much money - an estimate $15 million
each quarter.
The release of the eMate 300, an educational laptop/organizer hybrid
brought hope to many and helped to refresh the dying franchise.
May 1997 brought surprise to the public when Apple announced that
the Newton division would become an independent company - Newton, Inc.
The decision was sound, but after the departure of Amelio and the
return of Jobs, Newton, Inc. was integrated back into Apple.
Afterwards, Apple released the Newton Message Pad 2100, a last
attempt to make the Newton successful; it ultimately failed along with
its predecessors. In February 1998, Apple officially discontinued the
Newton project. Many believed it was a revenge - Sculley was the one
who fired Jobs in 1985.
Today, nearly ten years after its initial inception, the Newton is
stronger than ever. Users can be found in message-boards, auctions, and
conventions, and the future only seems to hold more opportunities for
this most noble of platforms.
Are you a Newton user? If so, join
the
Newton email list.
Share your perspective on the Mac by emailing with "My Turn" as your subject.
