Skip the navigation
Opinion

Apple at 30: Part 2 -- The Newton, Clone Wars and Jobs returns

By Ryan Faas
April 26, 2006 12:00 PM ET

Computerworld - Editor’s note: Apple Computer Inc. celebrated its 30th birthday on April 1. This is Part 2 of a virtual trip down memory lane that looks back at some Apple’s famous -- and infamous -- moments during the past three decades, including the advent of the Newton, the Clone Wars of the mid-1990s, Copeland and, finally, the return of Steve Jobs. Part 1 is available online already, and the final installment will be posted next week.

What Was a Palm Before There Was a Palm? A Newton

Today, many people take their Palm devices and Pocket PCs for granted. Even full-scale tablet PCs are becoming more mainstream. But in the early 1990s, the idea was radical that you could carry a handheld computer around that could manage a great deal of information and run its own applications -- let alone that the computer could recognize a variation of your own handwriting. Yet Apple pioneered this technological feat before anyone else with the Newton. The Newton was bigger than today’s handheld computers (though not terribly), had its own operating system and could be used to record and sync information with a Mac or PC. Unfortunately, the handwriting-recognition routines built into the Newton focused more on learning a person’s handwriting and less on a person learning a modified script (like Palm’s Graffiti, which was licensed by Apple for later Newton models). The Newton developed a fairly loyal user base, never quite took off -- although the concept certainly did. Apple produced these great devices until 1998, even creating a model that included a keyboard and more traditional laptop design called the eMate that was sold as a low-cost laptop for education.

Mac OS vs. Windows

Most Mac users know the sordid tale of the fight between the Mac OS and Windows. Apple needed productivity software for the Mac and turned to Microsoft to develop the fist version of Office for Mac. Microsoft agreed, but the contract enabled it to develop and use the Mac’s GUI elements -- arguably to produce software for the Mac. This later gave Microsoft the ability to develop its own GUI interface, which became Windows 3.1 and later Windows 95, 98, Me and Windows NT, 2000 and XP. Apple and Microsoft remained locked in a lawsuit over Windows’ similarity to the Mac for years but Apple eventually lost. In the meantime, because Windows could be licensed by and run on any number of low-cost PCs, it became the de facto computer operating system in the business world.



What is Tech Briefcase?
TechBriefcase is a new, free service where IT Professionals can Search, Store and Share IT white papers and content like this. Learn more
Bookmark content
Speed up your research efforts with content across the web.
Search and Store
Find the white papers you need. Create folders for any topic.
View Anywhere
Open your briefcase on your iPhone, tablet or desktop. Share with colleagues.
Don't have an account yet?
Additional Resources
Security KnowledgeVault
WHITE PAPER
Security is not an option. This KnowledgeVault Series offers professional advice how to be proactive in the fight against cybercrimes and multi-layered security threats; how to adopt a holistic approach to protecting and managing data; and how to hire a qualified security assessor. Make security your Number 1 priority.

Read now.

Cut Communications Costs Once and for All
WHITE PAPER
New IP-based communications systems are being deployed by small and midsized businesses at a rapid rate. Learn how these organizations are enabling faster responsiveness, creating better customer experiences, speeding office or mobile interactions, and dramatically reducing existing communications costs.

Read now.

Hardware White Papers
Gary Watson, CTO, Nexsan: 6 Tips for Selecting Hard Drives
What type of drives should be used for what types of data? Selecting a drive and interface can seem complex with considerations of...
10 Reasons to Modernize the Desktop
Learn how to enhance your business through VMware View
The Laptop Dilemma: How to Maximize Productivity and Lower the Burden on IT
Download Now
Mobile Middleware Strategies
Learn why a mobile development platform is critical to be able to support today's complex enterprise mobility strategies. Learn what to look for...
The Evolution of Enterprise Mobile App Development
Driven by explosive growth in smartphone and tablet sales, enterprise mobility has become an essential part of business. Organizations across industries are developing...
All Hardware White Papers
Hardware Webcasts
Delivery Management -- Extending Lifecycle Management
Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 1:00 PM EDT

Siloed organizations continue doing the wrong things and doing things wrong, leading to increased costs,...
Leverage automation today to reduce IT complexity
Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 2:00 PM EDT

Whether your B2B complexity is caused by multiple technologies due to M&A, business or application specific...
Redefine Expectations in the Data Center
Need to do more with less? Watch this video to learn how HP ProLiant Gen8 servers can help your business deploy servers three...
BMC Control-M - Single Point of Control Demo
With BMC Control-M, you schedule and manage everything - down to the very last platform and application - from one simple interface. It's...
Operational Analytics - Changing the Competitive Dynamics of the Business
Date/Time: June 5, 2012, 11:00 a.m., EDT, 4:00 p.m. BST / 3:00 p.m. UTC

Please join us for this webcast, as Dr. Barry...
All Hardware Webcasts
Newsletter Sign-Up

Receive the latest news test, reviews and trends on your favorite technology topics

Choose a newsletter
  1. View all newsletters | Privacy Policy
IT Jobs