MacUser examines the Newton Generation
BOSTON — July 30, 1993 — MacUser magazine Friday previewed an 8-page special report on Apple's Newton MessagePad from its upcoming October issue. The MessagePad is the first in the Newton product line of personal digital assistants (PDAs) and will be introduced on August 2nd.
The MessagePad is a small, hand-held, pen-based device and is designed to work with small bits of information such as jotted notes, which can be stored and sent to other people. The MacUser report is the first in-depth look at this new PDA from Apple.
The MacUser editors were given early access to the MessagePad and to the chief product managers working on the product. As a result, the report provides an in-depth examination of the MessagePad technology as well as a practical evaluation based on extensive use.
The report details the technical design of the MessagePad including how touch screens work, and a "cover-off" look at the technology behind the scene. The report also looks at the applications that come standard with the MessagePad and overviews those being developed by third-party vendors, as well as the accessories that will be needed by MessagePad users.
One of the innovations of the MessagePad is that users can write information onto a screen and the MessagePad translates the note into digital form.
This feature lets users employ the device in situations where typing on a keyboard is inappropriate. By eliminating the need for a keyboard, the technology also contributes to the MessagePad's diminutive size. MacUser's evaluation of its handwriting recognition capabilities — a tricky technology that has stumped many other developers — is that it does a better job than other handwriting systems.
Who will be using such a product? Business people who already use computers according to the MacUser report. The editors predict that the first groups will be executives who want the latest gadget and managers of mobile workers who fill out many forms.
The bottom line: should you buy the MessagePad? MacUser technical director, Henry Bortman notes, "Even if you buy a MessagePad, you'll still need your notebook computer, which means you'll be carrying around two products. However, if you're like me, and you want to start using what will evolve into an exciting new trend for communicating, you'll be doing just that."
A Ziff-Davis publication, MacUser is the largest paid circulation Macintosh monthly magazine. Based in Foster City, California, MacUser provides comprehensive, labs-based product reviews and productivity tips for optimizing the Macintosh platform to more than 422,000 experienced buyers each month. Magazine Week called MacUser the Best Computer Magazine of 1992.
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