[NTLK] Who here thinks the iPad is a worthy replacement for the Newton?

[Forrest Buffenmyer]

On Friday, March 12, 2010, at 03:35PM, "Ed Kummel" <tech_ed at yahoo.com> wrote:
>The functionality that makes the Newton a "Newt" are:
>1) Handwriting
>2) Intelligent handwriting interpretation (this is different given that any device can accept and translate handwriting, yet very few can make intelligent decisions based on prior corrections made by the user)
>3) Package intelligence. The ability for applications to use and understand other apps' data
>4) Newton Intelligence. The ability for the Newton to interpret the intent of the user's statement, such as "meet with John Smith for lunch day after tomorrow". I guess this would be the "assist" function
>5) Intuitive gestures. Everyone knows to scratch out something you don't want. The hold/drag to the side is so obvious, I find myself doing it with my pen and paper! The insert, combine and capitalization gestures are also obvious!
>6) Not being out-dated within 2-5 years!
>Until a hand held device can do *ALL* of these things, not some, or one or two, but *ALL*...I will not get rid of my Newton.


Yeah, we beat this pretty much to death when the iPad was first announced...and I'm sure when it's actually hands-on, there'll be even more discussion.
I couldn't agree more with Ed on this. I've had several PDAs that you could write on...a Palm iv, a HandSpring Visor, a Sharp Zaurus ZR-5800. NONE of these has capabilities anywhere near what the Newton can do. The HWR, the sharing of data amongst and between apps, and that I can still use its functions--they haven't become outdated.
Nothing can *replace* my Newton...although the iPad could conceivably be a "supplement" to it.

--Forrest