Newton writes its own path into the future

Newton technology is being lauded by those in the industry as a breakthrough in computer technology. Although there are a few problems that need to be ironed out with the devices, says ANDREW HANIBELSZ, the experts are on the mark about the future of the Newton. THE pen-based, hand-held Newton MessagePad is the first in a family of products created around Apple's innovative Newton technology. Because of Apple's decision to licence several key elements of the Newton, there will be a full range of products and services developed, according to William James, managing director, Apple Far East. Sharp, for example, has already released a compatible product - the ExpertPad P1-7000 - while Siemens/ROLM will be incorporating Newton technology into its forthcoming NotePhone product. Besides Sharp and Siemens/ROLM, other companies that have announced support for Newton intelligence include Kyushu Matsushita Electric, Motorola, Alcatel, Cirrus Logic, and LSI Logic. The Newton is a class of computer that relies on an entirely new architecture, compatible with both Macintoshs and IBM-compatible personal computers (PCs). The first device using Newton technology, the MessagePad, offers revolutionary features and the potential to take the industry by storm. Handwriting recognition is the key to the MessagePad. The screen is pressure sensitive, allowing data to be input with any type of soft-tipped object. ''It's designed, so that you can hold it in your hand and quickly jot down notes,'' said Apple product manager, retail, Jeanne Lim. It remains to be seen if future Newton script recognition will process handwriting fast enough. As it stands now, there are a couple of minor problems with speed. One shortfall is the Newton's inability to delay handwriting processing until the entire sentence is written. There is a waiting time of between three and four words (depending on handwriting speed and clarity) for the Newton to catch up. The wait is less than a second before it's converted into text, but the time difference is noticeable. Newton is able to recognise not just words and shapes but ''gestures'' as well. For example, rapid scratching by pen on the screen is interpreted as ''delete''. A stroke up through a letter in the text will capitalise. Formatting is a breeze. Another minor problem stems from Newton's dictionary-based recognition system that cannot understand words that are not already in its memory. However, it is very easy to ''teach'' it new words. After a stint of baby sitting, the Newton will learn to take care of itself. But this may take time. The Newton is a new breed. There is nothing else like it. The technology is fascinating. When the Newton can be used as easily as a phone, fax and notepad, it will become the revolutionary storage, organisational and communication device it is touted to be. When the device starts to ship in October, the problems may well have been ironed out. The MessagePad's strength is an architecture that can incorporate an unusually wide variety of communications capabilities. This allows Apple and licensees to build devices with applications and services that support low to high bandwidth voice and data and wired and wireless technologies. The Newton already allows users to share information through a variety of means. For example, the MessagePad can act as a hand-held fax machine, that will format output, add a cover page and place the facsimile in an ''out box'', awaiting connection to a phone line. Future Newtons will offer the capability to receive faxes. The MessagePad has the ability to access paging, messaging services, and electronic mail. It can also ''beam'' quick messages to and from other similar devices over a short distance without any wiring or cabling. The pad can, more importantly, output to a wide variety of dot matrix, portable inkjet, thermal and laser printers via direct or local area network (LAN) connections. As most people will be purchasing the Newton as a personal assistant, Apple has recognised the importance, as usual, of connectivity. The Newton Connection Pro Kit allows the creation of a ''virtual Newton'' on your desktop computer. Available for both Macintosh and PCs running Windows, the package will automatically synchronise and update information between the MessagePad and a desktop computer. Other Newton applications will let users create, view and edit Newton information even when the computer is not connected to a Newton. A credit card-sized PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slot allows for expansion in both functionality and memory. An ARM 610 RISC (reduced-instruction-set computing) chip, that consumes less power than a small flashlight yet performs at the rate of a high-performance desktop system, provides the processing power for the MessagePad. The MessagePad can run on either four standard alkaline AA batteries, or rechargable NiCAD. If your handwriting is consistent, clear and measured then the Newton, retailing at about US$700, is ideal.