Filed under: Hardware, Software, Odds and ends, Apple History
Beware the Newtapocalypse, a 2010 bug for the Newton MessagePad
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
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jonbruck said 3:27PM on 6-15-2009
When is someone going to make a newton iphone app?
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Andy Lee said 3:34PM on 6-15-2009
Seriously newton users... get an iPhone
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required said 5:03PM on 6-15-2009
why do you presume they don't have iphones?
Kendall Tawes said 11:08PM on 6-15-2009
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.
Grant Hutchinson said 3:44PM on 6-15-2009
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
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Joey said 4:34PM on 6-15-2009
This is terrible news for the five people that still use a Newton.
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required said 5:05PM on 6-15-2009
I hope more than five are in use - makes for a better picture than landfill does.
paxswill said 6:22PM on 6-15-2009
The Newton still has some of the best handwriting recognition ever made. Being able to write in your handwriting, and also being able to issue some commands in natural language (Write 'Todo: pickup eggs" and it can make an event).
Grant Hutchinson said 2:36PM on 6-17-2009
Five people … you’re a funny guy, Joey …
I’ll call your five and raise you another two grand. The fact is that there are currently over 2,000 members subscribed to the NewtonTalk mailing list.
http://newtontalk.net/about/
Tony said 5:55PM on 6-15-2009
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.
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Mickey said 8:28PM on 6-15-2009
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!
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Ignobilitor said 11:28PM on 6-15-2009
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.
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genghis7777 said 4:03AM on 6-16-2009
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
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Eckhart Koeppen said 2:57PM on 6-16-2009
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.
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David said 11:48AM on 6-16-2009
I miss my Newton :(
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