Could IBM PowerPC be fuel for an Apple PDA?
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>
) 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>
Comments
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>
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.
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>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.
Still clutching to those thoughs after 3 years eh Fran?
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[oyvey]" />
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>
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.
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.
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.
<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!?
<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
<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.