Here’s a blast from the past:
Apple Discontinues Development of Newton OS
“CUPERTINO, California–Feb. 27, 1998–Apple Computer, Inc. today announced it will discontinue further development of the Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products, including the MessagePad 2100 and eMate 300.”
“‘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 is committed to affordable mobile computing, pioneered by the eMate, and will be serving this market with Mac OS-based products beginning in 1999.”
“Apple will continue to market and sell its current inventory of MessagePad 2100 and eMate 300 computers, as well as to provide support for their installed base of users. The Company is committed to working with its customers and developers to ensure a smooth transition to Mac OS-based products.”
Full release here.
MacDailyNews take: Just when they got it right (Newton 2100), Steve came back and killed it dead. Still, the Newton community struggles on today with handheld computers that in many respects are still the best on the market. Newton technology was used as the basis for the Inkwell component of Mac OS X Jaguar.
A useful site for Newton enthusiasts: http://www.newtonarchives.com/