Apple Addresses Concerns of Early Adopters: Announces New MessagePads

Dispelling some of the shadows cast on pen computing by the restructuring at EO, Apple Computer reaffirmed its confidence in the emerging PDA market by announcing two evolutionary updates to its MessagePad product line on April 4th.

The devices, known as the Newton MessagePad 100 and 110, feature a form factor and design similar to the current MessagePad. In fact, many of the important differences are software-based, giving Apple the opportunity to offer upgrades to loyal early adopters of the original MessagePad.

In releasing the 110, Apple is trying to address the most important criticisms of the market. In fact, many people will probably think that the 110 should have been the original MessagePad.

Sources inside Apple acknowledge that they learned more about building PDA devices during the past six months of feedback than they did in the previous five years of R&D.

From the outside, users will notice a few changes. The 110 is slightly longer and narrower than the original MessagePad, while the 100 is exactly the same size. The most noticeable differences in the 110 include a Zoomer-like flip-up cover, and the use of 4 AA batteries in place of the current 4 AAA.

Other differences include a repositioning of both the PCMCIA slot and the speaker, and the introduction of a contrast control dial on the side of the unit. The 110 also features a new telescoping pen that has a more rounded shape than the current flat pen.

Inside the 110, users will find 1 MB of RAM, which effectively triples the user space compared to the original MessagePad. Most importantly, both the 110 and 100 feature an enhanced ROM which includes deferred recognition, a “Try by letter” option when a word is double-tapped, and better ink compression.

The MessagePad 110 will be available in early March for a street price of $599; the MP 100 in April at $499; and a ROM upgrade option for existing MP owners for $99. Apple also announced that the Newton Connection Kit 2.0 for the Macintosh will be available in early March.

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The MessagePad 110

What’s New

• Size 8″ x 4″ x 1.25″ (202 x 106 x 31 mm)
• Weight 1.28 lb (580 kg)
• 4 AA batteries (was 4 AAA)
• 320 by 240 pixel LCD
• Flip-up protective lid
• 38.4 kbps Infrared port (was 19.2 kbps)
• 1 MB RAM (was 640 KB)
• Updated ROM with deferred recognition

What’s the Same

• ARM 610 processor at 20 MHz
• One Type 2 PCMCIA slot
• Object-oriented architecture and communications support

The MessagePad 100

What’s New

• Updated ROM with deferred recognition

What’s the Same

• Everything else.