Apple’s Contributions to the PC Industry

Did you know about the Apple Newton?

Originally crafted by Apple, the Newton stood as one of the earliest personal digital assistants to ever exist. It was a portable device capable of recognizing handwritten input, showcasing advanced technology during its introduction in 1993. However, due to its high cost and limited capabilities, the Newton project was eventually terminated when Apple’s co-founder, Steve Jobs, retook control of the company and shut down the unprofitable Newton division in 1998 (at a time when Apple was experiencing financial challenges).

One of the team members involved in the creation of the Newton, Albert Chu, shared insights about it in 2003. The then-vice president of business development at Palm mentioned, “The Newton possessed impressive technology and numerous outstanding features. However, upon its launch, it failed to gain traction under Apple’s umbrella.

“Undoubtedly, it was a pioneering endeavor that was far ahead of its era, yet it lacked the necessary refinement: for instance, its handwriting recognition technology was flawed.”

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

See author's posts