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The Newton could connect to some online services via wired modem. It could also do e-mail and with some additional software PPP and TCP/IP. Apple sold a wired s
by giantrobot 7y ago
The Newton could connect to some online services via wired modem. It could also do e-mail and with some additional software PPP and TCP/IP. Apple sold a wired serial modem for the Newton and several PCMCIA models were also available. It was possible to use a cell phone to dial out, treating it like a serial analog modem. I don't know anyone that did that but it was technically possible.
There were a few good network apps for IRC, newsgroups, and even a few limited web browsers.
With Newton OS 2.x people got WaveLAN (pre-standard) and later a few 802.11b PCMCIA cards working. It was all a complete pain in the ass and only the most dedicated Newton fans even bothered.
- blihp 7y agoSounds like you stuck with it longer than I did. I can only speak to the original MessagePad 100 since that was the only model I bought. I still have the Apple modem dongle lying around here somewhere which is what I was referring to. While it worked, I never found it a terribly practical peripheral: slow even for its time and it devoured batteries.
- giantrobot 7y agoThe Apple modem had its own AA battery but it did devour them. I had one but only used it a handful of times and each time was a hassle and ultimately disappointing.
- dillonmckay 7y agoThere is actually a scene in the movie ‘Under Siege 2’ with Steven Seagal, where he uses a Newton with a fax/modem to send a fax from a moving train.