[Dark Helmet]

Ok lets just admit it. The iPhone is the Newton 3000. This is a good thing though.

Newton just went away for 9 years after collage to see the world and find himself. Along the way he made a friend named iPod, slept around with more modernized hardware and met this hot chick called Cellular and they made a baby together. Somewhere on the travels he lost his stylus so he couldn't pass it on but Son of Newton prefers getting that warm hands on aprotch over sharp stylus anyway. One night Newton got so drunk and forgot everything he learned about reading handwriting but doesn't care as nobody liked it to begin with.

The world is totally different then when Newton was last here 9 years ago. PDA's are near dead, cellphones are in, iPods are in, internet is in, email is standard,smartphones are trying be hip and cool but not quite getting it. Most of all APPLE IS COOL and a common household product.

Look at the similarities between the two and there is no denying son of Newton.



The Newton's form factor is a large touchscreen with "handels" on the top and bottom.
The iPhone looks the same modernized smaller with a colour screen.

The Newton had a gesture based interface. So scribbling out things erased items, drawing a diagonal line was a line break etc.
iPhone is a gesture based interface.

The Newton could be used in portrait and landscape mode when you ask it to.
The iPhone does this also but you don't have to ask it to do it.

The newton had an inbox and outbox.
The iPhone has an inbox and outbox.

The Newtons OS was based around a main launch screen and no "desktop".
iPhone's is exactly the same.

The Newton has wireless communications to send print jobs and other small info over close range using IR.
The iPhone has bluetooth to send small bits of information over close range.

The newton could get a online with a modem card to connect to email etc.
The iPhone does the same with WiFi

The Newton could dial your calls for you.
The iPhone is your phone.

The Newtons OS had a "Soft Dock" that could could be changed at will.
iPhone has a "soft Dock" that can change itself on the fly and is context sensitive.

The Newton had a port to connect to your computer to sync and transfer files
The iPhone has a port to do exactly the same.

The Newton had a contact list, calendar, notepad, world clock, calculator.
The iPhone has a contact list, callender, notepad, worldclock, calculator.

The Newton was between $600-$1000
The iPhone is close but to be determined depending on contracts etc.

Everyone loved the newton except for these things:

1) It was too expensive for what it did.
The iPhone is cheaper but still high although it does much much more.

2) The Newton was too big to fit in your pocket
The iPhone is about the same as the current iPods and nobody minds those.

3) The newtons handwriting software was bad at first getting a bad rap but the later one rocked.
The iPhone realized that even if it works people still don't like using it.

So since those were the 3 main issues with the Newton and they are all solved this is the dream Newton 3000 we have all waited so long for. Even better this newton is back but in disguise!

WELCOME BACK NEWTON!! WE MISSED YOU!

[Lateralus]

Agreed, return of the Newton.

I'm just afraid that Apple's decision to stick the iPhone in the cell phone category of devices is going to keep a lot of people that are looking for a PDA from giving it enough of a look.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Lateralus 

Agreed, return of the Newton.

I'm just afraid that Apple's decision to stick the iPhone in the cell phone category of devices is going to keep a lot of people that are looking for a PDA from giving it enough of a look.

Seriously how many people are out "looking for a PDA"?
Very very few.

When was the last time Palm came out with a new PDA. Not in ages as the Treo is what everyone wants.

Sony ditched PDA years ago wisely.

[turtle777]

The iPhone is a good compromise between size and weight.

Previously, a lot of the smartphones were too bulky and heavy to be used as a phone. The iPhone seems to be ideal. We will see. I'm sure once you hold it in your hands, some of the doubts will go away because you are trapped in the reality distortion field

-t

[::maroma::]

I agree that this is the Newton resurrected. Its the second coming. And I think that the fact that it isn't a "true" PDA is a good thing. Apple is taking the PDA and smart phone and blurring the lines. I see this thing turning into the ultimate personal data and communications device that once and for all takes all of the sub-categories of phones/PDA's/smart phones/music players/etc. and brings them together into one amazing device. Rev 1 is close, but it has room to grow. And its only going to get exponentially better from here.

I know that Apple has been the darling of the media lately, with the iPod taking over the world, but the buzz around this thing really seems to be huge, even for Apple. Even the Apple skeptics are conceding that this thing could be a massive success.

I simply cannot wait until it is released!

[powerbook867]

Heck, just rename the iphone the Newton and end the Cisco lawsuit today!

Just wish that they were bringing the darn thing to Sprint....

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by powerbook867 

Heck, just rename the iphone the Newton and end the Cisco lawsuit today!

Just wish that they were bringing the darn thing to Sprint....

The newton name and PDA have a bad and dated rep. They are careful never to even say PDA when talking iPhone as it scares people off.

If they called it the newton 2 it would have bombed already.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by powerbook867 

Just wish that they were bringing the darn thing to Sprint....

Never gonna happen. CDMA is a dying technology and too US centric.

They need a platform that can be used wolrdwide w/o major modification.

-t

[Tesseract]

Apple probably will make a CDMA iPhone at some point - for Japan and Korea. Maybe it will turn up in the US as well once the two-year exclusive deal with Cingular is up - just don't hold your breath.

[powerbook867]

I agree turtle that Sprint will never have it...what sucks i that my company pays for my phone and their contract is with sprint..

I really don't want to carry 2 phones...I am a geek, but not that big of one...

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Tesseract 

Apple probably will make a CDMA iPhone at some point - for Japan and Korea. Maybe it will turn up in the US as well once the two-year exclusive deal with Cingular is up - just don't hold your breath.

Don't put your hopes too high. I don't think it will ever happen.

-t

[Stratus Fear]

Originally Posted by Tesseract 

Apple probably will make a CDMA iPhone at some point - for Japan and Korea. Maybe it will turn up in the US as well once the two-year exclusive deal with Cingular is up - just don't hold your breath.

I don't know about Korea, but in Japan, two of the three big carriers, Softbank and DoCoMo, are both W-CDMA/UMTS (or FOMA for those on DoCoMo), and only AU/KDDI is CDMA. Considering CDMA's rather low market penetration in the world compared to GSM and its UMTS successor, I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple deem it as not worth the investment.

[sek929]

The iPhone has convinced me (a person who does not need a smartphone) that I need this smartphone.

Not now, but I am very excited about this prodcut. Kudos Apple!

I haven't watched a keynote in years, but I watched the iPhone one last night and I am seriously impressed with this device.

Since my current G4 does 95% of everything I'll ever need to do, and Macbooks are out of my pricerange I figure that I get three things in one with the iPhone.

I get my wireless laptop w/internet, screen and zooming features sealed the deal.

I get my phone that can make phone calls, and I already have Cingular so in two years when my contract is up...bam! iPhone (maybe iPhone v 2.0)

Last but not least I get a new iPod, with one hell of a nice screen. My current 20 gig color is only a little over half full, and I never need any more than 8GB in a given time since I usually listen to music in phases. So instead of grabbing my phone and my iPod when I hop in my truck, I grab a similarly sized object that makes phone calls and plays my music....genius!

If the UI is half as speedy as they showed I'm impressed, even my crappy Nokia can't get through menus as quickly.

All in all the entire package sells itself, it really does. I've always been a big Apple fan, but this really amazed me. I sat with my mouth open at the computer screen in disbelief.

How on earth could Apple get me this excited about a PHONE?!?

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Tesseract 

Apple probably will make a CDMA iPhone at some point - for Japan and Korea. Maybe it will turn up in the US as well once the two-year exclusive deal with Cingular is up - just don't hold your breath.

No, they wont. CDMA phones everyone wants out of as they are bigger and eat more battery. Not to mention it is not a world standard.

[ajprice]

iNewton

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by sek929 

I already have Cingular so in two years when my contract is up...bam!

You can renew at any time without waiting for it to expire. And it doesn't count as 2+2 just 2 from the date you renew.

[Kevin]

I've read this somewhere else...

[Dark Helmet]

Oh and when off both the Newton and iPhone have a green screen.

I expect iPhone 1.5 will have a black screen even when off like many other companies do.

[macgeek2005]

I Want A Widescreen Ipod!!! This Piece Of Trash Is Not A Widescreen Ipod!! I Want A


Hard



Drive


Based



Widescreen Ipod!!!! Damn It!!!!

[olePigeon]

Someone should put a Newton emulator on it.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by macgeek2005 

I Want A Widescreen Ipod!!! This Piece Of Trash Is Not A Widescreen Ipod!! I Want A


Hard



Drive


Based



Widescreen Ipod!!!! Damn It!!!!

Patience is a virtue.

[sek929]

Also, they should have had anodized aluminum backs for the ipods since day one!

Gah!

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by macgeek2005 

I Want A Widescreen Ipod!!! This Piece Of Trash Is Not A Widescreen Ipod!! I Want A


Hard



Drive


Based



Widescreen Ipod!!!! Damn It!!!!

No reason to think that Apple isn't working on one as we speak. I think its a natural progression to utilize the same screen on the next generation of iPod. They can't just let the iPod die a slow painful death.

[centerchannel68]

F8ck hard drive based mp3 players. The idea of a spinning very fragile delicate disc that holds data and gets corrupted and quits working WITHOUT EVEN DROPPING it is STUPID.

I don't think apple should make ANY ipods with hard drives anymore... move to flash. Flash is the future. Or SD, or whatever. That type of storage= much much MUCh better.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

F8ck hard drive based mp3 players. The idea of a spinning very fragile delicate disc that holds data and gets corrupted and quits working WITHOUT EVEN DROPPING it is STUPID.

I don't think apple should make ANY ipods with hard drives anymore... move to flash. Flash is the future. Or SD, or whatever. That type of storage= much much MUCh better.

Yeah, who needs 80gigs of storage when you can have 8!

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

F8ck hard drive based mp3 players. The idea of a spinning very fragile delicate disc that holds data and gets corrupted and quits working WITHOUT EVEN DROPPING it is STUPID.

I don't think apple should make ANY ipods with hard drives anymore... move to flash. Flash is the future. Or SD, or whatever. That type of storage= much much MUCh better.

And it's cheaper, too!

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

Yeah, who needs 80gigs of storage when you can have 8!

I think in 2 years he will be right. The cost of Flash is dropping while storage going way up.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

Yeah, who needs 80gigs of storage for a few months or barely over a year and then you have to cough up about $150-250 for a new hard drive or buy a new hard drive based player for 300ish when you can have 8 for ever and ever!!

Fixed.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by Dakar² 

And it's cheaper, too!

Even if it's more expensive now, it's still cheaper in the long run. Know why? I betcha most nanos will still be working in 2 years. I can't say the same for any ahrd drive based iPod. I've gone through THREE, and I'm gentle with my electronics.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

I think in 2 years he will be right. The cost of Flash is dropping while storage going way up.

Hopefully it does eventually go entirely flash based, but that is just not at all feasible right now. Also, I don't see hard drive storage prices increasing any...I can get a 320GB Seagate SATA HD for $95 right here. You couldn't do that a year ago.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

Even if it's more expensive now, it's still cheaper in the long run. Know why? I betcha most nanos will still be working in 2 years. I can't say the same for any ahrd drive based iPod. I've gone through THREE, and I'm gentle with my electronics.

You must have the same disease Helmet had with his Wii.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

I think in 2 years he will be right. The cost of Flash is dropping while storage going way up.

That's nice, but this isn't 2009.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Dakar² 

That's nice, but this isn't 2009.

It isn't June yet either.

[Dakar²]

He won't be right then, either.

[macgeek2005]

Apple basically stated that they aren't working on a Widescreen iPod, and you know why?

They said they released a widescreen ipod at MWSF!!!!!! They claim that their iPhone is an "Internet device, Phone, and Widescreen iPod in one".

Why would they be working on a hard drive based widescreen ipod if they claim that this is their widescreen ipod?

[Dakar²]

I think its a play to get more people to buy the phone so their initial marketshare looks good.

[Dale Sorel]

Originally Posted by Lateralus 

Agreed, return of the Newton.

Ditto™

[Dark Helmet]

Damn I am glad I kept my Newton 2000. Gonna pull her out of the closet and tell my friends it is a beta iPhone.

[ink]

Apple VPs confirm no 3rd party iPhone apps - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
iPhone Will Not Allow User Installable Applications - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

It's a crippled Newton, unfortunately.

[centerchannel68]

Screw that. They HAVE to. Like sports scores, news tickers, and all the other things that widgets do.

[turtle777]

I'm not surprised. Same as the iPod.

But I think it's gonna be the same battle as the iPod had to fight: iPod (limited features, good UI) vs. 3rd party devices (many features, FUGLY UI).

-t

[Brass]

The iPhone cannot do half of what the Newton used to be able to do.

Eg, draw pictures (and automatically straighten my lines, and make my circles perfect), enter text - how are you going to write yourself a quick note with the iPhone, with no stylus and no keyboard?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the iPhone, but merely that it is a completely different beast to the Newton.

The iPhone appears to have little capacity for data entry, except to upload it from another computer (sync) periodically.

The Newton WAS a full-on computer, and could sync both ways with another computer, and completely programable. You could install as many additional applications as you want to do any number of different things on it. All this was on the very first Newton MessagePad 100.

How do you install a new application on an iPhone?

Some of this may one day make it to the iPhone, but as of now, the iPhone is virtually a read-only device, perhaps with the exception of phone numbers.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by Brass 

enter text - how are you going to write yourself a quick note with the iPhone, with no stylus and no keyboard?

Same way you do SMS?

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Brass 

The iPhone cannot do half of what the Newton used to be able to do.

Ya they took out the half nobody used or wanted.

Draw pictures? Please. Even in all the apple demo's it was just to give directions and Google maps solved that.

OR are you saying you daily run into the need of having to draw circles and squares on a PDA.

As for notes, well take them in the included notepad and type them in on the phone. I bet it will also sync notes from your mac.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Brass 

and no keyboard?

What would you call this?

[Dark Helmet]

Gossamer you know someone is going to make gay cracks at you as your sig looks like it says anus.

Oh wait I think I just did

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet 

Gossamer you know someone is going to make gay cracks at you as your sig looks like it says anus.

Oh wait I think I just did

That's the point of the sig. I thought it was funny.

[Dakar²]

It is funny, but I don't like that they cheated on the 'e'.

[Dark Helmet]

Apple sold this for the newton:



Since Apple sells blue-tooth keyboards and the iphone has blue-tooth....

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

That's the point of the sig. I thought it was funny.

I know I just thought it was funny coming from you as it is quite a nice set up