Well, it was a long time coming, but Apple Computer finally cancelled the
unpopular Newton, a hand-held device that has improved steadily but never
realized its market potential. Apple's cancellation includes the Newton OS,
as well as all Newton hardware products such as the MessagePad 2100 and the
eMate 300. In 1999, Apple hopes to release a thin-client version of the
Mac OS that will run on Newton-like devices. The move is similar to
Microsoft's development of Windows CE, which resembles Windows 95 and NT,
but runs on a variety of handheld platforms. In fact, the popularity of CE,
and especially the PalmPilot, have contributed to the death of the Newton,
which was unable to keep up with the changing needs of mobile workers.
"This decision is consistent with our strategy to focus all of our software
development resources on extending the Macintosh operating system," said
Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO. "To realize our ambitious plans we must
focus all of our efforts in one direction."
Apple will continue to market and sell its current inventory of MessagePad
2100 and eMate 300 devices, and will provide support for their installed
base of users for an unspecified amount of time