Your World in Your Pocket

There was a time when we did not have cell phones. We imagined them (or something like them). But the computing power was not yet there, not yet affordable, and not yet small enough to make our dreams become reality.

This is an Apple Newton MessagePad — specifically, an MP110 (the second generation, limited edition jellyfish model). It has a transparent case that exposes the inner workings of the device.

First released in 1993, the Apple Newton MessagePad PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) predated the Palm Pilot and was the first such device with handwriting recognition. Steve Jobs canned the device when he returned to Apple in 1998. Ultimately, the Newton tech was repurposed for the Apple iPod, and then made its way to the iPad and iPhone.

I still have three of these and, yes, just add batteries and they actually work, even if you can’t do much with them anymore. My iPhone is smaller and lighter and connected. It does most of what they do and more (except the recognise your handwriting bit). 

The MessagePad got a bad rap for being large and heavy and for not recognising people’s handwriting. But, for a while, I carried one in a sling holster, using it primarily to record notes (I was working as a tech journalist). As for the handwriting recognition, I never had a problem with it, but I think that was down to good penmanship and realistic expectations.

Today is Tiny Tuesday and the optional theme is technology. Thanks, davidc for hosting!