Like a time travel scenario where you meet your own grandfather as a child, enthusiasts working with the Einstein Newton Emulator project have ported the Prodigal PDA to the iPhone. The current implementation is only available as source code and runs a bit slow, but is an actual working version of NewtonOS complete with handwriting recognition and familiar input gestures.
Apparently a submission to the App Store is planned, but chances of approval seem slim since as Apple never looks backward; ultimately this hack may require a jailbreak to run. Regardless, emulators are a wonderful way to keep old technology alive, and the Newton was a groundbreaking device on many levels.
The circle is now complete. Obi Wan would be proud.
[via Retromacast] [TUAW]
Adam Rosen is an Apple certified IT consultant specializing in Macintosh systems new and old. He lives in Boston with two cats and too many possessions. In addition to membership in the Cult of Mac, Adam has written for Low End Mac and is curator of the Vintage Mac Museum. He also enjoys a good libation.
