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Beware the Newtapocalypse, a 2010 bug for the Newton MessagePad

by Steven Sande Jun 15th 2009 at 3:00PM

We made it through Y2K and we appear to be surviving Twitpocalypse, but will Apple Newton MessagePad fans make through the Newtapocalypse?

Apple's ill-fated and technologically advanced personal digital assistant was hot stuff in the 1990s until it was axed in February of 1998. There are still a good number of Newton MessagePad fans who not only use their devices every day, but are also working together on hardware and software updates to their units to bring them into the 21st Century.

The Newtapocalypse occurs next year at 6:48:31 PM on January 5th, 2010. While a majority of the functions of the MessagePad are not affected by the impending doom, calendar functions are. Here's a description of the problem from 40hz.org:

The overflow happens in all NewtonScript functions which use seconds as the resolution. In contrast to the 32 bit unsigned integer used by the C++ functions, NewtonScript integers are only 30 bits wide. While the C++ functions can handle times from 1904 until 2040 without an overflow, the NewtonScript functions had to be designed with a smaller range of applicable times due to the limited precision.

The seconds-based functions are implemented by taking the value of the real-time clock, subtracting the offset to January 1st 1993, and converting the results to a NewtonScript integer. This limited range causes an overflow on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 6:48:31 PM.

This is the list of affected functions:

    • SetSysAlarm
    • TimeInSeconds
    • TimeToTimeInSeconds
    • TimeInSecondsToTime
Got that? John Sculley and company were probably hoping that by now you'd be using your Knowledge Navigator instead of a Newton MessagePad, and 2010 seemed far, far away. For anyone who wants to use calendar alarm functions on a Newton OS 2.1 devices after January 5th of next year, there's a fix that is being tested.

Now you'll be able to sleep better at night, won't you?

Update: I should change the title of this post to "Don't fear the reaper", since several commenters have pointed out that the update was released three weeks ago. The 40hz.org web page originally cited still says that "A solution is under testing". Frankly, considering the caveats listed on the update page, I think it would be a much better idea just to get an iPhone, guys!

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We made it through Y2K and we appear to be surviving Twitpocalypse, but will Apple Newton MessagePad fans make through the Newtapocalypse?...
 

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15 Comments

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David

I miss my Newton :(

June 16 2009 at 11:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eckhart

Thanks Grant & Genghis for your comments, the patch is indeed out and safe. I'm using my Newton daily, that's why I bothered writing the patch. If the iPhone would have the same battery life, hackability and handwriting recognition as the Newton, I would use it. Until then, there's no better PDA out there.

June 16 2009 at 10:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
genghis7777

Nothing to see here folks, move along.

As Grant has said, the patch that overcomes the Y2010 bug has been released after extensive testing gave it a clean bill of health.

Although the patch only supports two models and both US versions of the device, further development is underway to patch the other models effected by the bug.

As for those who scorn us Newton users, they probably haven't used a Newton before; if you get the opportunity, try it and then you'll see what a well designed UI should be like.

If you can't wait, read Paul Glasnowsky's (who owns both an iPhone and a Newton) comments here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-10104996-23.html. I use the Newton a lot for my day to day work. Something I wouldn't do if the screen were any smaller. From Paul's experiences, you wouldn't use the iPhone's onscreen keyboard for any significant length of time either without fatigue setting in: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-10245284-23.html

June 16 2009 at 3:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ignobilitor

Actually, the first Newtapocalypse took place in 1994, and with all of his appearances on the Sunday morning news shows this year, I'd say the Newtapolcalypse has returned.

June 15 2009 at 11:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mickey

I was just cleaning out my drawer at work the other day and found my old Newton MP2100 in the back corner.. ahh memories.

Favorite feature on it you ask? The melodic sounds it makes when you click around the UI.

( and yes i realize that i just said my favorite feature is a soundfx )

M!

June 15 2009 at 8:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tony

At The Company Store at WWDC, the Apple salesman had a Newton in his back pocket. Told me how it's hand writing technology is better than the iPhone and how he can write way faster than anybody can type on an iPhone. Which, I have to agree.

June 15 2009 at 5:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joey

This is terrible news for the five people that still use a Newton.

June 15 2009 at 4:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Joey's comment
splorp

Seriously Andy … enough with the baiting. Yeesh.

By the way Steven, the Y2010 fix was tested thoroughly and a patch released nearly three weeks ago.

http://40hz.org/Pages/Patch%2071J059

June 15 2009 at 3:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andy Lee

Seriously newton users... get an iPhone

June 15 2009 at 3:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Andy Lee's comment
required

why do you presume they don't have iphones?

June 15 2009 at 5:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kendall Tawes

I am an iPhone user with a Newton. I don't use the Newton that often any more but keeping it going is not something to complain about. Hey I still play old video games too doesn't mean I don't want to play on a PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii too.

June 15 2009 at 10:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jonathan Bruck

When is someone going to make a newton iphone app?

June 15 2009 at 3:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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