29 Jul
2010
29 Jul
'10
12:54 a.m.
On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 01:45:20PM -0400, Ray Arachelian wrote:
You can easily replace the batteries in that with standard NiCAD C cells
(I think). I suppose in a pinch you could just replace it with regular
alkaline C cells just to get it to power on - but obviously NEVER try to
plug in a charger. The battery pack is just a heat sensor + all of the
C cells wired together in series held together by shrinkwrapped plastic.
(snip)
They were awesome machines, and the Penpoint OS was quite nifty. Looked
like a tabbed notebook, with each tab being a different application. I
recall there was a tab UI for Windows 3.1 that resembled it.
Penpoint's HWR sucked when compared to even an original Newton - you had
to write each letter in a specific box, and even that didn't work
right. Of course Newton Intelligence 2.0's HWR killed everything else's
hand writing recognition, too bad the ipad doesn't use that. Rumor has
it it's still (or was?) part of OS X, but I've no idea how to enable it,
or use it.
(snip)
If you had the cellular module you'd know it. It adds quite a lot of
extra plastic to the bottom and has a desk phone handset on top. It's
completely worthless now - at least in the US as analog cell service has
been shut off. see:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/188228/atandt_eo_440_personal_communicator_1…
(snip)
If you do manage to power it up, see if there's
any interesting software
on the hard drive (if it has one). I think there was a spreadsheet and
some other office software for it.
Wow, thanks, that's probably the most information I've seen on the
thing since I got it (eBay, recognised it from an old BYTE magazine,
just couldn't resist).
I've still got the battery packs, so I'll take a look at using C
cells, thanks, it'd be great to get it powered on and actually use it
- presuming I've got the stylus (can't remember).
OS X did have something resembling the Newton HWR built in (it's
called Inkwell , just checked), but not sure if it's still there,
Apple trumpted it when they added it, but presumably the take up
wasn't worth them carry on with it
You're right, I won't have the cellular module - I'm not sure if such
a thing was ever sold in the UK (although I'm not currently sure the
EO itself was originally from the UK :)).
If I get it powered up, I'll definitely post here :)
Might just reread 'Startup' too :)
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