Well, Apple has announced the Newton. It has shown a nonworking mockup. It has touted its many futuristic features. It has been called the Communicator of the future. I believe it!
The problem with the future, however, is that it is always in the, ahh, "Future." I mean, if it wasn't, it would be the "Past" or the "Now." I don't want to wait for the "Future!" That's why I've ordered my Personal Communicator, "Now."
Sharp Electronics, the company that is going to build the Apple Newton, is already selling a personal digital assistant (PDA) that "is almost the same machine except that it lacks the handwriting recognition capability found in the Newton." The Sharp PDA is being marketed as an extension of the highly popular Wizard Organizer series and is designated the OZ-9600.
The OZ-9600 claims many of the same features as the Newton. Wireless communication between units, pen/touch screen capability, etc. The ability to write on the screen is limited, however, to "ink capture." This means that you can write or draw on the screen and the Wizard will capture the image, which can then be saved or attached to another file. Unlike the Newton, the Wizard has a small QWERTY keyboard. I personally consider this an advantage. Others may disagree.
The Sharp Wizard OZ-9600's other features include:
Graphic icons and menus
Word processor functions such as formatting, tabs, bold, italics, underline, page preview and direct transfer to printers.
Integrated filing system - categorizes and groups related info into folders for touch-access.
An optional infrared receiver plugs into your printer's parallel port to allow remote printing.
IC card port accepts existing Wizard applications (such as spreadsheets and language translators) and RAM cards.
Time and database management. These functions include "To Do" lists, calendars, schedule mode with unlimited alarms, business card directory, calculator, outline function, 3 telephone/user files (which are actually databases with 16 user definable fields each.
A screen size of 53 characters by 30 lines.
VT-100 and TTY terminal emulation. (Which I intend to use to check my email.)
The OZ-9600 will connect directly to a Mac with Sharp's MacLink software and cable, just like my "old" OZ-8000. However, until the MacLink software is upgraded (in the "Future") I'll be limited to transfering those functions which the '9600 has in common with the '8000.
Don't misunderstand me. I intend to buy a Newton. It'll be a second generation Newton, though. With the pressure that Apple has put on themselves with all the hype, I believe that, like the Quadras and PowerBooks, there'll be a revised version about six to eight months after release, with many new features. Then I'll probably put the Wizard on the shelf right next to my Psion Organizer, Atari Portfolio, and the rest of my techno-toys. ; )
