I owned a Newton MessagePad. Did you?

I remember seeing that device in action. The hand writing recognition was nifty at first glance, but then I noticed sentences ended up being spaced weirdly both vertically and horizontally. I got a palm pilot and I loved their handwriting recognition, even if the letters were more glyph and less English. I used that PDA for 8 years before I got a smart phone

Mine was acer n30 I still have it plunged in to and old PC still useless but it looks pretty.

@drhat77, my experience exactly.

Thanks for reminding me, @drhat77. PalmPilots, later just called Palms, are stone-age primitive now, but they were fantastic technology for their time. I think I’ve still got one stashed away.

I stopped using mine 2009 when I got a storm. I wish I just got my palm phone service instead.

I still have a Palm in the back of a drawer somewhere. Before that, I had a filofax. Real paper.

No.

I remember reading about them and really wanting one, but not being able to afford it. The same goes for the PalmPilot and the HandSpring Treo… I looked at the smartphones, but they all were missing something. The announcement of the iPhone was truly serendipitous, and I watched that keynote in awe – This as what I had been waiting for! Also, because in a rare move, Apple gave a few months’ notice for the launch of a new product so I had time to save up, and my 2-year Verizon contract was set to expire a month before the launch!

My Message Pad 2100 is one drawer away with fresh batteries and the ability not only to surf the web with wifi, but it can also serve a page. Still use it for notes from time to time.

Had all the Newtons and the 2100 was the bomb. Still reads my handwriting perfectly. Great interface and speed.

Very disappointed when it canceled. But Apple really needed the Bill Gates money at the time. I think 70 million to kill the EMate and Newton?

Sitting here with my iPad and Dell Streak, I don’t think we’ve progressed very far at all from the Newton. Nothing beyond color screen really.

I also miss my Palm Pilot phone.

I also bought one for my secretary. She got the extra keyboard because she didn’t like the handwriting thing. So wild at the time to sync up notes and schedule. Really great for the freelance photographer on the go. I remember making photo deliveries and having clients sign for the package on the Newt. Was an impressive piece of kit back then. Still is.

Just fired it up to hear the startup guitar chord. Beautifully played!