[NTLK] CNET UK: Newton vs iPhone

[Jon Glass]

On Sat, Nov 28, 2009 at 12:13 AM, Ryan Vetter
<physicalconstants at yahoo.ca> wrote:
> The iPhone screen is nice.
>
> I did also find that article to be entertaining.  Sure, the Newton can approach the functionality of the iPhone for communications, but it becomes unwieldly.  All those cards sticking out...
>
The thing is, there was no iPhone in the 90s. When I needed it, the
Newton came on stage. At the time, laptops were huge and unwieldy, and
expensive as all get out--I couldn't afford one. I found a $400 MP120
on AOL, from a fellow forum member, and for the next 2+ years, it
became my on-the-road computer. It was my contact database as I
traveled to meetings, allowed email (I was receiving over 20 emails a
day on AOL, and my wife an equal amount. I used the Newton, together
with my StyleWriterII to write and print letters and envelopes (using
just the built-in Notepad). I was able to send and receive faxes, and
I still say that the best fax machine I ever used was my Newton. I did
all this stuff in the middle-late 90s, when there was nothing else out
there that could do this.

I think that the point of this article, other than being just a fun
exercise, is to simply remind people that there would be no iPhone
without the Newton. I'll be honest. Today, between my MSI WindMac and
Palm, I no longer need my Newton. If the iPhone could allow me to
write and print letters, maybe it could replace the Newton and my
computer, but I don't know.... If it could, it would only be walking
the path that the Newton beat in the jungle. ;-) But honestly, my
needs have grown, and the hardware has gone in different directions. I
really doubt that I could do today what I did back then, travel with
just a handheld for months on end.

I may try though. Next year, I will be traveling the States for 6
months.... It may be worth just seeing what I could do. Does anybody
think an iPod Touch could do it? I _really_ need to print, fax not so
much any more, but printing is essential.

Oh, and I need to keep track of my expenses and income for tax
purposes. Is there even anything like that on the iPhone? I hear about
tons of silly apps, but no expense software.

-- 
 -Jon Glass
Krakow, Poland
<jonglass at usa.net>

"I don't believe in philosophies. I believe in fundamentals." --Jack Nicklaus