It was not long ago that the symbol of the successful executive was theleather-bound dairy, or to give it its full name—the Filofax. Also called theorganizer, it did just that, helped organize information appointments, calendar,quick lists of things to do, addresses and telephone numbers and small memosthat the executive needed when on the move. It was sort of replaced by thedigital dairy, but not quite. Although the digital dairy provided all thesefunctions, and in evencases some more, it could never acquire the class of theleather bound filofax. Perhaps, tapping away on a small keyboard didn’t havequite the same style as writing. And on the ability to understand text scribbledon a touch-sensitive LCD panel, hinged the success of the PDA or the PersonalDigital Assistant.

The PDA can trace its origin back to the Psion I, launched in1984 by UK-based Psion. Actually, it was more of an organizer than a computer,with a single-line LCD display. What really made it different was the optionalscience pack, with which you could even create your own programs. Since then thePDA has been a pocket-sized computing device with basic calendar, calculator,scheduler, memo, address book functions plus the ability to install and runother software.

Whatreally marked the PDA as a device different from the digital organizer (and moreof a computer) was the Newton MessagePad that Apple launched in 1993. The mostinnovative feature of the Newton was that it didn’t have a keyboard andinstead used a stylus and relied on handwriting recognition for data input.Since then, this feature of using a stylus for input has defined the PDA againstthe sub notebook that uses a keyboard for data input.

The Newton used its own Newton OS, and itshandwriting-recognition capabilities were, at least initially, primitive. Butthe Newton was impressive by any count, offering internet connectivity ande-mail capabilities to both the PC and the Mac. And we are talking of a productthat shipped in 1997!

Fondly called Newts, over time the Newton acquired a strongfollowing and a strong suite of applications, ranging from astronomy throughchemistry to financial and even GPS applications. In fact the Newton even hadits own version of the Basic language called NS Basic.

In 1998, after his return to Apple, Steve jobs announced thediscontinuation of the Newts and the Newton OS. Perhaps because Apple’sfinances were in a bad shape and he wanted to concentrate on Apple’s flagshipproduct, the Mac. Or perhaps, the fact that the Newton was the creation of JohnScully, who was instrumental in Jobs leaving Apple. Whatever be the reason, theNewton is now part of history. About a year before the Newton was discontinued,Apple launched the eMate. Aimed at the school market, the eMate ran Newton OS2.1 and had an integrated keyboard. The iBook of today looks something like theeMates of old.