Could IBM PowerPC be fuel for an Apple PDA?

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
I haven't found a lot of info on it yet (haven't looked much though ) but I ran across this and thought I'd see what the forum has to say.



<a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/333/C1528/"; target="_blank">PowerPC 405LP PDA Reference Design</a>
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 25
    kecksykecksy Posts: 1,002member
    Perhaps, since current Mac OS software could be run natively on such a PDA.
  • Reply 2 of 25
    crusadercrusader Posts: 1,129member
    Was that a pun? U know, "...be fuel..." and you're username is octane? Ha ha ha ha.



    anywho...

    I still think (even though I would kill for a new Newton...) that Apple will stay away from the PDA market and concentrate on working with companies such as Sony and making that wonderful T610 very freindly with OS X.



    [ 03-08-2003: Message edited by: Crusader ]</p>
  • Reply 3 of 25
    os10geekos10geek Posts: 413member
    Look, Apple could cobble together a PDA and optimize OS X for touchscreen use in a matter of minutes. But I want something more than a PDA. Something that is truly Apple.
  • Reply 4 of 25
    wmfwmf Posts: 1,164member
    Haven't we had this thread three or four times already? OS X is too heavyweight to run on the 405LP.
  • Reply 5 of 25
    os10geekos10geek Posts: 413member
    A Gobi G3/450 would run OS X fine (don't argue- I am running Jaguar on my Beige 350, and it works just fine) and the small screen resolution, assuming that we are talking about the PDA sporting a 800 X 600 TFT, OS X will need even less VRAM to operate. I am imagining a T-Mobile "Sidekick" style keyboard that slides out of the display for thumb-typing.
  • Reply 6 of 25
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,419member
    <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />



    Only to those poor souls that actually think PDAs have a future.



    I "really" don't think Apple will be hopping back into this market anytime soon.
  • Reply 7 of 25
    fran441fran441 Posts: 3,715member
    People today forget what a real handheld computer is like. They've looked at the Palm devices as their main option, then the Pocket PC, and now many cell phones.



    They've given handheld computers a bad name. The Newton would definitely be an even more impressive device had Apple continued to develop it.



    Can Apple release a PDA? Of course. In fact, they had one 'ready to go' for MWNY a few years ago and pulled it at the last minute. I'm sure people remember that Jobs' keynote had a pretty big hole in it.



    But Apple decided against releasing it and we can only guess why. So while an IBM Power PC 405 could power an Apple PDA, it probably won't.



    Of course I'd sure love to see Apple return to the market.
  • Reply 8 of 25
    kim kap solkim kap sol Posts: 2,987member
    [quote]Originally posted by Fran441:

    <strong>People today forget what a real handheld computer is like. They've looked at the Palm devices as their main option, then the Pocket PC, and now many cell phones.



    They've given handheld computers a bad name. The Newton would definitely be an even more impressive device had Apple continued to develop it.



    Can Apple release a PDA? Of course. In fact, they had one 'ready to go' for MWNY a few years ago and pulled it at the last minute. I'm sure people remember that Jobs' keynote had a pretty big hole in it.



    But Apple decided against releasing it and we can only guess why. So while an IBM Power PC 405 could power an Apple PDA, it probably won't.



    Of course I'd sure love to see Apple return to the market. </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Still clutching to those thoughs after 3 years eh Fran?

    <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[oyvey]" />
  • Reply 9 of 25
    octaneoctane Posts: 157member
    Crusader: Glad you liked that



    Anyway, I only mentioned an Apple PDA (I know there have been more threads than anyone wants to count) because I have recently been looking for a handheld. I looked at Palms, and wasn't really impressed, I looked at PocketPCs and didn't like them much either. Now I think I've decided that I don't really need (or even want, now) a PDA, so I'm considering a phone with good PIM functions (though, there are few of those that fit my tastes also).



    I'm starting to agree with those who think Apple should stay out of the current PDA market. Current PDAs leave a lot to be desired IMO, but if Apple did market a PDA, I think it should be, as os10geek said, something that is truly Apple. Something more.



    [ 03-09-2003: Message edited by: octane ]</p>
  • Reply 10 of 25
    matsumatsu Posts: 6,558member
    Tablets will proliferate when they can become dirt cheap supplements to the computing experience that can nonetheless stand alone for such tasks as web browsing, document viewing and text composition, but NOT before.



    The computing power is almost there, but it's still hard to make at a CHEAP price point. Such a device will have voice recording and handwriting recognition. It's be the perfect digital notetaking pad/eBook-type reader, but it will not replace any computer or even provide wireless monitor type functions. It will simply be a little slate about A5 sized. (half A4) just like the numerous notebooks, diaries, trade paperbacks, etc etc that we use to read and write while on the go. A size proven by decades of use. Think roughly half a letter size page, half inch thick, plenty of storage for documents and a great media reader so that we can look at everything, and write a few notes or make a scketch or two.



    The phone will take over from the PDA, and the tablet (larger than B5) will prove an utter disapointment. Notice how the M$ tablet hype has already worn off?



    When it can be a small cheap supplement to computing for the student, reader, note taker, lab researcher, at that point, it will take off, NOT before.
  • Reply 11 of 25
    Powerful UNIX workstation in your pocket. I like it!
  • Reply 12 of 25
    fatmac84fatmac84 Posts: 67member
    Is that a powerful UNIX workstation in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
  • Reply 13 of 25
    octaneoctane Posts: 157member
    I'm not real excited about tablets right now either, but I did get a chance to use one a week ago and I like it better than any PDA I've used. I can see how with some development the tablet could go further, but, I agree completely, it would have to be at a much smaller price.
  • Reply 14 of 25
    vinney57vinney57 Posts: 1,162member
    I hate to refer back to Kormac (are you still out there?) but one of his 'predictions' was the production of two hand held devices. I still think this is likely in the form of the 'iFrame' (we need to think of a better name) which has been discussed to death and the 'iTablet'.



    I think its clear now that the iPod OS from Pixio was a one-off solution for that particular product and probably does not represent a useful OS for larger devices. The iFrame needs to be powerful in the CODEC department, basically running Quicktime and all its bits (I imagine QT must be going through a fairly major overhaul at the moment).



    The iTablet will absolutely need to run OSX. I think the iFrame is imminent but the iTablet will be some time away. Apple is probably, quite sensibly, allowing Microsnot and its 'partners' to flog their guts out creating that particular market space and consumer 'mindshare'.



    Will this IBM reference platform be capable of providing this functionality? Somebody with the required brain-bits please 'chip' in.



    One thing I am sure of is that there will be no Apple palm device, That market is dying. I've had several of the damn things and they just never get used whereas my phone and iPod are about my person at all times. Plus the fact that I am normally (like most of you I suspect) in front of a laptop or desktop machine. Rendevous/iSync is the answer there.
  • Reply 15 of 25
    matsumatsu Posts: 6,558member
    I don't see tablets doing very well at the moment. After the initial buzz and a handful of new models, they seem to have already faded into the background. The problem is, of course, that the extra functionality of a tablet isn't all that functional when a machine weighs more than 3 lbs and has a large screen. You have to cradle it in order to use it in tablet mode, which is extremely straining on your hands and wrists, or you have to sit, at which point the traditional laptop is a far superior weapon.



    These will take off only once they get down to A5 size, thin, very light and CHEAP! Enlarging a current PDA could make a damn near perfect one. It will always remain a supplement to the notebook/desktop though.
  • Reply 16 of 25
    cliveclive Posts: 720member
    [quote]Originally posted by os10geek:

    <strong>A Gobi G3/450 would run OS X fine (don't argue- I am running Jaguar on my Beige 350, and it works just fine)...</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Crap - X runs like a dog on anything less than a G4.



    Hold on.... beige 350!? Whatsat? Beige G3s were 233/266/300/333/366, no!?
  • Reply 17 of 25
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    [quote]Originally posted by Clive:

    <strong>



    Crap - X runs like a dog on anything less than a G4.



    Hold on.... beige 350!? Whatsat? Beige G3s were 233/266/300/333/366, no!?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    thats not tru i had OS X running on a G3/400 with 384MB RAM and it wasn't that bad at all...not exactly zippy but it was probably the same speed of a G3/300 running 9 (estimating of course)



    ...it sucked with anythign less then 10.2 though i'll admit
  • Reply 18 of 25
    gargar Posts: 1,201member
    [quote]Originally posted by Clive:

    <strong>



    Crap - X runs like a dog on anything less than a G4.

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    that's faster than you and me.

    sorry to tell you but ever seen someone working with osx on a wallstreet 266 or 300? it works very good with flash mx and such actually. friends of mine use them full time for webdesign, except for the weight of a wallstreet to carry around it works really fine.
  • Reply 19 of 25
    baconbacon Posts: 15member
    My tablet runs an 866 7457 pulling 7.5 watts. It's 6" x 9" touch screen display is good for 800X600. It's got built in 802.11g, firewire, usb2, bluetooth and infrared connectivity. I can sit on the couch listening to iTunes pull music off its 40 gig hard drive while wirelessly surfing the net. I also surf the net on the train to work through my optional t-mobile modem kit. What else...6 hours of battery life isn't bad. It makes one hell of a universal remote. Best of all, at night I can curl up to a little Pr0n when my wife is out of town. Best $999 i ever spent.
  • Reply 20 of 25
    matsumatsu Posts: 6,558member
    huh?
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