Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"The Apple Newton MessagePad, Apple's ‘failed' PDA, is sitting on my desk. It's a late model 2100, which was the last iteration Newton MessagePad to ship back in 1998. Every time I use one, I immediately think of a tablet computer, both because of its size and functionality: it's much more than just a small, simple PDA."

This is an interesting article, detailing Apple's history with tablets, back to 1979. I remember seeing the Newton for the first time back in the early 90's, thinking this would be a great gadget to have, but I never did pull the trigger and buy one. Check out the picture of the P2 Portable from 1989, and imagine yourself walking around with one like that. Funny right?

"Apple execs often say they're as proud of the products they don't release as they are of those they do - and if you'd like to take a look at some of those unreleased prototypes, then good news for you in form of a new book from influential designer Harmut Esslinger of Frog Design."

Frog Design was responsible for the 80's designs for many of Apple's products, including the Apple IIc, and they really came up with some interesting designs. According to Esslinger, they worked very closely with Jobs on much of what they did come up with during that period. The book is called "A Fine Line: How Design Strategies Are Shaping the Future of Business" and has background along with pictures of known and previously unseen products. There really are some interesting products shown in this book, some of which they probably could sell now.

I found these on YouTube today. Enjoy!

"Fans of Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie and the Count will be able to see episodes and clips of the show in three ways [iTunes Store, YouTube, Hulu], according to a statement released by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit group once known as the Children's Television Workshop and that started Sesame Street," MacMillan reports. "The announcement comes on the same day that 'Sesame Street,' which is broadcast in 140 countries, celebrates its 39th year on the air."

Sesame Street? On iTunes? I'm SO there. So what if I'm 32 years old? I'm already whistling "C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me," and "Rubber Ducky... You're the one!"

Anyone else going to be getting their muppet on when these start popping into iTunes? I know I will be. Even if it's only a few episodes and strictly for *cough* research purposes *cough.* At Apple Thoughts, we do the hard work so you guys don't have to.