Apple Newton MessagePad 2000
physical object
Identifier
2010.4.2
Description
Apple Newton MessagePad 2000, model number H0149. Costed from $700-$1000. It was the first tablet made by apple launched in 1993 and remained available for a short life of five year. It was discontinued after being panned for the handwriting recognition. The handwriting recognition allowed for text on a QWERTY keyboard and also sketches, shapes, and ink test. The system was meant to recognize when the user was drawing a shape with the pen and also be able to read the free handwriting and put it into text. The technology was supposed to be a breakthrough, but instead became a joke by critics and was featured in a comic strip "Doonesbury".
