May 25, 2005 03:47
I'm a big fan of the Newton, but unfortunately neither the platform nor its software are being developed any more.
The Newt Operating System (NOS) was, and is, in my honest opinion, streets ahead of both the Palm and Windows Pocket PC. I just wish that Apple had released NOS as Opensource after they discontinued Newton development.. that way I wouldn't have to use a "desktop computer / mouse" navigation system on a handheld device!!!
There is rather a nice mapping application for the Newton called GPSMap Lite which is available free of charge ( http://www.phys.uwosh.edu/mike/gps/Start_e.html ) but you'll have to convert your existing charts to the correct format. If they're MapTech BSB 4.0 this could be tricky (and potentially breach your license agreement!) Also, GPSMap is no longer supported or being developed.
The other issue is that you may have compatibility issues finding a CompactFlash / PCMCIA GPS that will work with the Newton. Although it's pretty compatible with most serial-based hardware, there aren't many active Newton GPS users out there, so if you run into problems, you're on your own!
Personally, I'd either go down the PocketPC route.. or keep my fingers crossed for a [url=http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/05/10/226205&from=rss]Mac Tablet ;-) ;-)
The Newt Operating System (NOS) was, and is, in my honest opinion, streets ahead of both the Palm and Windows Pocket PC. I just wish that Apple had released NOS as Opensource after they discontinued Newton development.. that way I wouldn't have to use a "desktop computer / mouse" navigation system on a handheld device!!!
There is rather a nice mapping application for the Newton called GPSMap Lite which is available free of charge ( http://www.phys.uwosh.edu/mike/gps/Start_e.html ) but you'll have to convert your existing charts to the correct format. If they're MapTech BSB 4.0 this could be tricky (and potentially breach your license agreement!) Also, GPSMap is no longer supported or being developed.
The other issue is that you may have compatibility issues finding a CompactFlash / PCMCIA GPS that will work with the Newton. Although it's pretty compatible with most serial-based hardware, there aren't many active Newton GPS users out there, so if you run into problems, you're on your own!
Personally, I'd either go down the PocketPC route.. or keep my fingers crossed for a [url=http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/05/10/226205&from=rss]Mac Tablet ;-) ;-)