The Apple Newton MessagePad was the first handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) from Apple. Launched in 1993, it ushered in a new era of portable computing that would revolutionize how people used technology. It marked the beginning of a new era of mobile technology and set the stage for future advances in this area.
The First MessagePad
When rumors of the Newton MessagePad first surfaced in 1992, I was enthralled by the concept. The idea of having a powerful “computer” small enough to fit into my pocket that could recognize my handwriting and utilize fax and email was unprecedented at the time. Added to this revolutionary technology was the promise of special “Newton Intelligence” for a true game-changing experience.
As a passionate baseball fan, one of the first ideas that crossed my mind as soon as I heard about the MessagePad was creating an app that would enable me to easily score games with fewer distractions than using paper and pen. Although I had neither any programming knowledge nor experience in coding such applications, I immediately seized on this opportunity to be at the vanguard of developing software and programs to push mobile computing forward.
MessagePad 100
The Apple MessagePad 100 was a revolutionary device that paved the way for many other consumer electronics. Released in 1993, this product was the first Apple device to use an Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) processor and featured a black and white 336 x 240 pixel display. Designed without any built-in memory, the ARM 610 single-core processor had to manage all the applications along with handwriting recognition and outputting data through a PCMCIA port. Yet despite its impressive features, it suffered from lack of power and slow performance compared to modern devices.
Today, over 25 years later, our smartphones have become indispensable companions powered by ARM processors and running on Apple’s own software made possible by the innovation of the MessagePad 100. Even Mac computers are beginning to make the switch to Apple Silicon featuring ARM-based processors this year; a testament to how far we have come since that pioneering device was unveiled back in 1993.
MessagePad 110
The MessagePad 110 was an upgrade from the original MessagePad released in 1994. It featured a longer battery life due to its use of four AA batteries, a flip-over door to protect the screen when not in use and improved version of Newton OS with 1MB of RAM.
For users who wanted an extra special device, Apple created a “Developer Edition” MessagePad 110 with a see-through case. This rare case allowed users to see all of the internal components and admire the engineering behind this revolutionary device. Unfortunately for me, I had to sell the unit when the upgraded MessagePad 120 came out soon after. It is worth noting that someone put up one of these Developer Editions on eBay back in 2019 indicating that they are still highly sought-after even today.
MessagePad 120
The MessagePad 120 was a powerful step forward for the Newton technology and featured 8 MB of ROM and up to 2 MB of RAM. Not only that, but it was also the first Newton device to feature non-volatile flash memory, making it much more reliable in harsh conditions. During that period, Apple licensed its Newton technology to several manufacturers including Sharp, Digital Ocean (Tarpon and Seahorse), Harris (SuperTech 2000), and Motorola. The Motorola Marco had wireless capabilities that allowed customers within its coverage area access the ARDIS data network, enabling email and text message communication.
Unfortunately, while advanced for its time, using the ARDIS network was quite expensive; around $200 a month just for exchanging a few dozen emails and texts over the service. Nevertheless, the MessagePad 120 showed promise with this addition of modern day technologies at an economical price point. Ultimately thesefeatures made it successful while others like the Envoy suffered due to its expensive subscription fees.
MessagePad 130
The MessagePad 130 was the next iteration of Apple’s Newton MessagePad series that launched in early 1996. It featured 8MB of ROM and 2.5MB of RAM and a 320 x 240 pixel black and white display. This version was revolutionary for its time as it included the first ever backlit screen, which added much needed illumination to read the device’s contents in the dark or in low-light environments.
The primary addition with this model compared to its predecessors was its enhanced portability thanks to its smaller size with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery promising extended use times. This made the simple device perfect for business professionals and students on the go, who needed access to their electronic paperwork while away from their desks or even while while travelling abroad. Its industrial design grey build gave it an authoritative aesthetic and solid materials offered protection – making it one of the most popular PDAs of its era.
MessagePad 2000
The Apple MessagePad 2000 was a revolutionary 21st century handheld device that forever changed the way individuals experienced computing on the go. This fully featured device came with a StrongARM SA-110 CPU boasting over eight times the speed of its predecessor the ARM 610, with 4 MB of Flash memory to boot. On top of that, the MessagePad 2000 featured an impressive 480 x 320 pixel greyscale screen, with up to 16 shades of grey for an unparalleled viewing experience. With two PCMCIA card slots installed in this ingenious machine, users could equip their portable desktop computers with extra storage and even a modem, which allowed them to remain connected while out and about. The introduction of the MessagePad 2000 marked a new era in personal computing, making it easier than ever before for people to stay connected no matter where they were at any given moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Apple Newton MessagePad series of handheld devices truly revolutionized personal computing in the 90s, paving the way for future mobile devices. With each subsequent model, Apple managed to bring more powerful processors, improved storage capacities and new features like backlit screens and PCMCIA card slots. Ultimately, this allowed users to stay connected while on the go no matter where they were. The MessagePad 120, 130 and 2000 each brought something unique to the table, making them some of the most popular PDAs available during their time.