You know what really ticks me off? Newton handwriting recognition bashing. I bring it up because of the new beta of Einstein, the Newton Emulator. Previously an OSX emulator, now running on Linux PDAs.
Widely being reported, this early beta is causing a stir. The importance of this software is stagering. The Newton is close to the heart of the BOSPDAUG members and we could give you a long list of reason why NewtonOS is still a damn good PDA platform.
Which brings me back to my opening statement. Many of the Einstein reports say things like; "available for public download--for those who want to downgrade their device's already-poor handwriting recognition" - Engadget. Well, I'm sorry Engadget but you are wrong, very wrong. Have you ever used an MP2100? Do you even know what I'm talking about?
Handwriting recognition for the early Newtons was not great for many people, though personally it was fine for my writing style. When Apple released NewtonOS 2.0, they ditched the original recognition software for a version they had writtem themselves (now integrated into Mac OSX as Inkwell), suddenly things got a lot, lot better for everyone.
The worst thing you can say about the Newton handwriting recognition software is that the early version spawned a rubbish system from Palm.......and we have been held back by that ever since.
Now, back to Einstein. this is going to be big, big, big. Anything that runs Linus/Unix could get the benefit from this. Old laptops (remember the Newton had a Laptop version called the eMate) can be invigorated, PDAs can have a highly developed user interface and phenominal range of software.
There are amazing things you can do with NewtonOS. eBook reading, Webserver, Web browsing, PIN functions, Notepad (i.e. writeand draw notes during a meeting just like paper), Games and all the usually PDA type software. Remember, we get the term PDA from the Apple Newton.
Don't knock the Newton. Once you've tried it, and soon you will be able to do just that, you will love it.
