Sharp's Newton ExpertPad
Models: original (PI-7000) and upgraded (PI-7100)

     The Sharp ExpertPad (EP) was introduced alongside the Original MessagePad (OMP) in 1993 with much fanfare at Boston's MacWorld Expo. The ExpertPad showed Apple's commitment to licensing Newton technology from the start (unlike Macintosh, which took Apple ten years before they decided to license it). The EP was the same device in a different case -- a more rectangular case with a screen covering lid that had a right side-mounted hinge and internal pen cradle. The first ExpertPad was called the PI-7000 and used the same OS as the OMP which were versions 1.0-1.11. When the much nicer OS version 1.3 became available on Apple's MessagePad 100 (MP100) Sharp responded to consumer demand and offered upgrades and the new model was called the PI-7100. Sharp had expected sales in the millions by the first year yet only sold some 10,000 or so. Of those people that purchased the first generation of Newtons (~60,000 shipped), most consumers purchased the Apple brand model (the 'real' newton) and avoided the 'clone.' The case for the ExpertPad is arguably nicer than that of the MessagePad. Although it did not have the nice rubberized 'skin' the Apple units had. It had a flat stylus (stored on the side of the screen) that was called a carpenter's pen. Sharp Electronics discontinued manufactering its ExpertPads as well as the Apple models in late 1994. It had expected to make millions in the first year and quietly exited the Newton world due to the poor sales of Newtons in general and ExpertPads specfically.

  The Sharp ExpertPad is the first in a family of communications assistants from Sharp. By combining Apple's Newton Intelligence technology with sophisticated communications capabilities, the ExpertPad helps you stay in touch with friends and colleagues, organize your life, and keep track of your ideas. You can take notes. Make a quick sketch. Format and print letters. Share and synchronize information with your personal computer. Send a fax. Receive pages and messages. Tap into on-line services or electronic mail. Even exchange business cards with a colleague via built-in infrared technology. And wherever you go, the powerful, under-one-pound personal digital assistant goes too, tucked in your pocket or briefcase. Almost as easy to use as pencil and paper, the ExpertPad lets you leave your notes handwritten or reads your handwriting and transforms it into typed text. If you prefer, you can type words using an on-screen keyboard. It even cleans up your rough sketches. And as time goes by, it learns about you, your handwriting, and the way you work.

Features

Built-in applications

• Let you capture, organize, and communicate all kinds of information
• Allow free-form notetaking -- mixing ink handwriting, printed text, and graphics all on the same page
• Turn printed or cursive handwriting into typed text or leave it as ink
• Track tasks via a to-do list that helps you assign priorities, lets you check off completed tasks, and then updates the next day's list for you
• Let you create name files with a familiar, business-card look and feel that help you store information on hundreds of colleagues and friends
• Help you plan monthly, weekly, and daily calendars
• Include an assortment of information and productivity tools (such as time-zone maps, calculator, and currency-exchange formulas)

Communications capabilities

• Send notes or messages, schedule appointments, or exchange business cards with other nearby Newton users via built-in, infrared beaming technology
• Print formatted letters and notes to serial and parallel printers
• Send faxes anywhere with an optional compact fax modem
• Receive and store wireless paging messages with the optional Newton Messaging Card
• Share information and keep files synchronized and updated with personal computers running Microsoft Windows or with Macintosh computers (requires Newton Connection Kit)
• Tap into electronic mail and on-line services with an optional compact fax modem

Intelligent assistance

• Knows how you work and actively assists you in completing tasks
• Assists you in making phone calls, faxing, finding information, sending electronic mail, printing, scheduling meetings, and completing to-do lists

Technical Specifications

Newton Intelligence

Newton Recognition Architecture

• Recognizes handwriting: printed, cursive, or mixed word recognition
• Recognizes graphics and the inherent symmetry in objects

Newton Information Architecture

• Object-oriented data storage optimized for storing, finding, and linking small pieces of information
• Easy creation of custom forms applications via the flexible graphical view toolbox
• Easy data sharing using standard tags
• Object-oriented database provides flexible view of data

Newton Communications Architecture -- Provides single interface for all communication services

• Integrated to support easy communications with minimum setup requirements
• Designed in modules to support new communications capabilities

Intelligent Assistance Architecture

• Assists users in completing repetitive tasks done in multiple categories, including communications, scheduling, finding, and reminding functions
• Contains smart defaults to reduce complexity
• Functions across applications transparently
• Allows extensions by third-party developers

Newton Hardware Architecture

Sharp ExpertPad(s) are most similar to OMP and MP100
(variation is in OS and outer case/form factor)
Operating System Version: PI-7000 has 1.0,1.1, PI-7100 has 1.3
Low-power, reflective LCD display (336 x 240 pixels)
-Apple custom system ASIC
CPU: ARM 610 processor at 20 MHz
ROM: Transparent tablet with passive pen -- 4MB of ROM
RAM: 640KB
System space 482 (448) KB *():1.04,1.10
User space 158 (192) KB *():1.04,1.10
Heap: 50K
Size:182.? x 112.? x 28.?(mm) (Flip-side LCD Cover)
Weight: 440g (and Batt.)
Card: One PCMCIA type 2 card slot
Interface: LocalTalk compatible serial port (RS422) x 1
IR: Low-power, half-duplex, infrared transceiver (9600 baud at 1 meter)
Batt.:AAA 14 hours (alkaline batt.) 4 hours (NiCd batt.)

Communications capabilities

• Print to Apple LaserWriters and StyleWriters with serial cable and to popular parallel printers using Newton Print Pack
• Fax with optional fax modem (9600 baud fax send, automatic cover-page generation, post-formatting)
• "Beam" via infrared technology (send notes, name cards, appointments at 9600 baud with 1-meter range)
• Handle telephony needs with assistance for intelligent auto dialing (DTMF or modem dialing)
• Receive and store wireless messages using optional Messaging Card
• Send and receive NewtonMail to other Newtons, PC's and Macintosh computers with optional modem*

Size and weight

• Height: 7.25 in. (184.75 mm)
• Width: 4.50 in. (114.3 mm)
• Depth: 0.75 in. (19.05 mm)
• Weight: 0.9 lb. (0.4 kg)

Operating environment

• Temperature: +0 to +40 C
• Storage temperature: -20 to +60 C
• Humidity range: 20% to 95% RH noncondensing

Power requirements

Power adapter

• Universal, 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Four plug configurations: U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia

Battery type: alkaline or nickel-cadmium

• Alkaline output: 6.0V DC, 1.1 WH (nominal)
• Nickel-cadmium output: 4.8V DC, 200 mAh (nominal)

Lithium cell: CR2032

• Operating range: 3 V (nominal)

Power source

• AC adapter (included) or four AAA batteries (included)
• optional Rechargeable Battery Pack

System requirements

• Works with personal computers running Microsoft Windows; requires connector cable and version 3.0 or later
• Works with Macintosh personal computers; requires connector cable and system 7.01 or later

Printer support

• Built-in printer support for the Apple StyleWriter and StyleWriter II
• All Apple PostScript laser printers from the LaserWriter Plus and up
• The Apple Personal LaserWriter printer
• Works with most popular PC printers, including the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet, Hewlett-Packard DeskJet, Canon BubbleJet, and Epson LQ and FX using the Print Pack option

Fax machine support

• Supports Group 3 fax machines