MessagePad 130 with Newton 2.0 Operating System
(underlined words link to other gallery photos)

     In March of 1996 at CeBit in Europe, Apple announced/released the MessagePad 130 (MP130). To the casual observer the changes in the transition from MP120 to MP130 are at first invisible. Yet, in a dark room they become quite apparent. The MP130 was the first newton to come with an on-demand backlight. To be more accurate the MP130 has a transflective electrochemical luminescent lighting system (ECL) that you can turn on and off. This backlight used very little power and was first seen in the public on Timex Indiglo watches. I present to you the 'Indiglo Newton.' It's codename was "Dante." Perhaps because of the 'ECL fire' it held inside it. The backlit screen of the MP130 also had a surface that was reasonably rough and felt like paper to the pen (this was compared to the slick ice like writing surface of all previous newtons). Many users became quickly addicted to writing on this more natural surface and couldn't go back to slip-sliding along the glass plate on older newts. This roughed up surface also was designed to reduce the reflection and glare problems that result from staring at a mirror like surface in well lit rooms.

     In addition to backlighting the MP130 had one other extremely attractive property. Increased memory. At first an increase from the 2 MB MP120 to a 2.5 MB MP130 would not seem impressive, yet the increase in 512k was all given to the system heap space and allowed the MP130 to run many applications simultaneously, and surf the World Wide Web with no major memory hassles. NIE the Newton Internet Enabler (TCP/IP stack) runs just fine on MP130's, not so well on the heap memory starved MP120 in comparison. The MP130 also has a 93,000 word dictionary (compared to 15,000 in other newtons) that enables the Paragraph Cursive handwriting recognition engine to be much more accurate. That isn't so important to those of us that already use the flawless Printed recognition engine that is also built in, but worth mentioning none the less. Don't forget that the MP130 had the award winning OS 2.0 in it (Best of Comdex 1996). The MP130 was a very desirable upgrade. OS 2.0 Gallery Commentary is located on the MP120 with 2.0 page.

Description

The MessagePad 130 personal digital assistant (PDA) makes your information as mobile as you are. It makes your information easy to communicate and easy to view. The MessagePad 130 runs the award-winning Newton 2.0 operating system, and features user-controllable back-lighting for on-demand use and a nonglare screen that works in any lighting condition. With its additional system memory, the MessagePad 130 offers improved performance with communications solutions such as Internet Protocol (IP) applications and wireless LANs, as well as improved multitasking support.

It has a built-in notepad, to-do list, datebook, telephone log, and address file for organizing personal and business affairs, as well as Pocket Quicken (U.S. only) to help organize personal and business expenses. You can enter information in many ways: as digital ink, printed text, hand-drawn graphics, or with an on-screen keyboard. Improved recognition soft-ware quickly transforms your hand-writing into typed text. There's even an optional external keyboard.

Pen-based navigation and data entry make finding information easy and fast. The MessagePad 130 can receive wireless messages and alphanumeric pages, and can send and receive faxes and electronic mail. It also lets you exchange information with either Mac OS- or Windows-based computers using the included Newton Backup Utility, or optional Newton Connection Utilities and Newton Press software. Your MessagePad 130 can also be customized with software applications that put critical information at your fingertips, no matter where you are.

Built-in organization functions

• Helps you plan monthly, weekly, and daily activities using the calendar, and manage priorities using the To Do List
• Allows free-form notes, outlines, lists, and phone logs
• Includes customizable name and address files for colleagues and friends, using various business-card formats
• Offers an assortment of information and productivity tools such as time-zone maps, a calculator, and currency exchange
• Includes Pocket Quicken (U.S. only), which puts current information about your cash, checking, savings, and credit-card accounts at your fingertips

Built-in communications

• Actively assists you in making phone calls, faxing, printing, finding information, and sending and receiving electronic mail
• Uses an optional wired or wireless modem to send and receive faxes and electronic mail
• Prints formatted letters and notes using Apple printers or serial or parallel printers with the optional Print Pack
• Lets you beam notes, messages, packages, schedules, and business cards via built-in infrared communications
• Backs up all data onto your personal computer and installs software on your MessagePad 130 using the included Newton Backup Utility

Expandable functions

• Using the optional Newton Connection Utilities, lets you import and export infor-mation from your Mac OS- or Windows-based computer, and backs up and synchronizes files with your computer
• Works with PC cards and serial peripherals such as keyboards, modems, pagers, and wireless communications and storage products
• Offers a large selection of productivity, finance, time and billing, information man-agement, reference, electronic document publishing, and entertainment software

Technical Specifications

Newton Intelligence Newton Recognition Architecture

• Recognizes handwriting--printed, cursive, or a mixture of the two--with the assistance of a 93,000-word, built-in word list
• Lets you add up to 1,000 words
• Includes four pop-up keyboards: typewriter, numeric, phone, and time/date
• Recognizes graphics and symmetrical objects

Newton Information Architecture

• Object-oriented database stores, finds, and links information and provides a flexible view of this data
• Newton Toolkit lets you easily create custom applications using its flexible graphical toolbox
• Architecture lets you easily share data across applications

Newton Communications Architecture

• Provides built-in support for serial communications, PC card modems, sending and receiving faxes, and electronic mail
• Provides a single interface for modular, object-oriented communications services
• Provides improved performance with Internet commu-nications applications and multitasking support
• Supports new communications capabilities through its modular design
• Supports Class II Fax

Intelligent Assistance Architecture

• Helps users complete repetitive tasks in multiple categories, including communications, scheduling, finding, and reminding functions
• Contains smart defaults to reduce complexity
• Works in and between applications
• Supports third-party extensions

MessagePad Hardware Architecture

• ARM 610 RISC processor at 20 MHz
• Apple custom system ASIC
• Low-power, transflective LCD display with EL backlight (320 by 240 pixels) 3.8 in. by 2.8 in. (9.6 cm by 7.2 cm)
• Nonglare writing surface
• Telescoping pen
• 8MB of ROM; 2.5MB RAM (1,199K of system RAM; 1,361K of nonvolatile user RAM)
• One PC Card Type II slot with 325 mA capacity
• LocalTalk and RS-232-compatible serial port
• Low-power, half-duplex, infrared transceiver that works at up to 38.4 Kbits/sec within 3.28 ft. (1 m)
• Protective, removable lid

Communications capabilities

• Prints using a variety of serial, parallel, and network printers
• Receives and stores wireless messages using optional messaging cards
• Communicates via e-mail or taps into on-line services and the Internet with optional wired or wireless modem cards and software
• Provides faxing with optional fax modem (automatic cover-page generation, post-formatting)
• Beams notes, name cards, appointments, and packages at up to 38.4 Kbits/sec within 3.28 ft. (1 m) using high-speed infrared technology
• Automatically dials phone calls with assistance from intelligent auto-dialing (DTMF or modem dialing)
• Connects to cellular or GSM phones for wireless data and fax communications

Size and weight

• Length: 8.0 in. (20.32 cm)
• Width: 4.0 in. (10.16 cm)
• Height: 1.2 in. (2.9 cm)
• Weight: 1.0 lb. (0.48 kg) without batteries

Operating environment

• Temperature: 32deg. to 104deg. F (0deg. to 40deg. C)
• Storage temperature: -4deg. to 117deg. F (-20deg. to 47deg. C)
• Transit temperature: -4deg. to 149deg. F (-20deg. to 65deg. C) for up to 72 hours
• Relative humidity: 20% to 90% noncondensing

Power requirements

• Power adapter
• Universal, 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
• Four plug configurations: U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia
• Battery type: AA (LR6) alkaline or NiCd Battery Pack
• Lithium cell: DL2032 (3 V nominal)
• Built-in fast charger for optional NiCd Battery Pack
• Power source: four AA alkaline batteries (included), optional power adapter, and optional NiCd Rechargeable Battery Pack

Computer connectivity requirements

• Works with PC-compatible computers with 80386DX or later processors running Windows version 3.0 or later
• Works with Mac OS-based computers with 68030 or later processors and system software version 7.1 or later

Printer support

• Offers built-in printer support for Apple LaserWriter Plus (and other PostScript-equipped LaserWriter printers), Personal LaserWriter LS, and Personal LaserWriter 300, as well as StyleWriter I and II printers
• Works with most popular PC printers, including the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II DeskJet 500, Canon BubbleJet 10e, and Epson LQ and FX, using the optional Newton Print Pack

Fax machine support

• Supports Group 3 and Class II Fax machines
• This service may not be available in all countries.

Accessories

• The MessagePad 130 with Newton 2.0 operating system is compatible with most accessories available for the MessagePad 110 and MessagePad 120 with Newton 1.x or 2.0 operating system.