Doug Parker wrote:
> ...what's the current,
> best-of-breed for most likely and successfully
> jump starting (reviving) a 3000 version of the
> Newton?
>
> <Dream on>
As others have pointed out, examining other PDA and portable devices/
platforms, nothing really convinces me.
Design-wise, I think that the Newton is still interesting and usable
today. I don't want a smaller screen, and I don't necessarily want a
colour screen. What I'd love to find is simply an improved version of
the Newton we all know and love.
Some areas of desirable improvement:
- CPU and Memory. Faster processors and more RAM.
- Storage. Instead of PCMCIA cards, SD or CompactFlash.
- I/O Ports. Instead of serial and infrared, USB and Bluetooth
respectively. (For PCMCIA, see above). Built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
- Perhaps a crisper screen, something similar to the Amazon Kindle, so
to speak -- but that's not really mandatory.
- On the software/hardware integration side, I'd like to find more --
how to call it? -- "awareness" or "plug-&-play-ness". No more
complicated setups to configure Wireless connectivity and syncing.
Something à la iPhone/iPod touch on this front would be ideal.
Given the above features, it would be grand to improve even more the
handwriting recognition: with a faster processor and an improved HWR,
it'd be lovely to just write at normal speed on the Newton screen
without having to adjust one's writing flow. Whenever I try to write
more than 4 or 5 words on my MP2100, I simply feel I have to stop and
wait the green buddy to catch up.
More importantly, it doesn't have to be a feature-packed device at all
costs. It's not necessary it incorporates a phone, an iPod, a camera,
etc. I still think a less-is-more approach is preferable. The focus
should still be on the Newton's basic strong points: notetaking,
calendaring, e-book reading. Thus, I basically want this Newton 3000
to do everything the existing Newtons can do, with updated
technologies that make the Newton experience even more effortless.
Cheers,
r.
....................................
The Rizland Observer
<http://rizla.wordpress.com>
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Received on Mon Jun 30 11:38:37 2008
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