Відео

My first computer. Took me from os9 to the early osx internet. That’s what I was in front of when 911 happened. Downloading pics and reading live updating blogs with the tv on in the background.

You put a lot of work into this video and it shows, it was excellent.

Hold on, this might help.(emphasis on 'might') I am curious to know if rollers of other trackballs of the same model tended as a rule to acquire the same defect with age. It would be a shame to see such a fine device go to the recycler. Say, recyclers specialized in informatic ('computer related' for the younger of us out here) equipment are fairly common now aren't they? I recall decades back buying a box of defective Mac mice from one of them when I lived in Florida years ago. These places were all over even then. They did serve me well but I had hoped that at least one would still be working. I had to use them all for parts. Apparently broken rollers seem to be endemic towards mice used in corporate computers back then. Wait: It's interesting that only one of the rollers has a segmented pattern facing outside. That means different part numbers assuming they used standard optical readers. It would seem logical that to facilitate and cheapen production they would use the same type of roller, unless they were parts common to many devices and purchased from a random component manufacturer. The segmented pattern (just to explain how these operated to a new generation of techs, in case anyone is interested or truly bored) is not just an aesthetical detail. Inside the plastic housing attached to one side is an optical reader that measures the movement by counting the lines (segments) on the wheel as they move past, to calculate speed and distance. You said that replacement rollers might not contain the same design. It seems to me that since you very likely won't be replacing the rollers separately from there movement sensors anyway, it doesn't make a difference how they are designed. Also, very possibly, you might be able to source these parts to an ancient NOS parts bin somewhere in the distant (4-6 weeks away) Orient via part no.! Thank the internet this is so much easier nowadays! I used to be a sourcer (as in: harried, grumbling person who had to track down hard to find items, before the internet was commercially practical and obiqutous - reporters - contact me for further war stories, ladies for phone numbers and or autographs. Insane asylum workers, I changed my address, no use trying to track me down!) If you find the complete reader unit containing the roller, melting the plastic would probably be simple enough, sans a few burns on the hand or possibly nose, that you can laugh about later. Remember kids, always use your safety goggles! However, this seems to be a very standard design. I believe that the chances of finding such sensor/roller combos should be as easy as opening an old mouse. Remember people don't like variations as this means more sku's, meaning more construction costs and trouble than if there were only two standard rollers (H+V), of course. So chances are you are going to be finding some variations and possibly many different companies who build them. So please don't give up without a quick glance!

Apple taking a wait and see approach: smart... good business Apple pretending they did it first every single time: now hold on a minute...

Really great work man!

Incredible work, Colin! Thank you for this.

This was incredible. Excellent work.

An absolutely amazing documentary made by Colin👍. This is the first ever in-depth revelation into a heart-felt creation (and cancelation)of a project far ahead of its time at Apple in the 90s.

This video gave me feels

Excellent, I was a developer of applications on the Newton, loved them.

Wow, this was so good. I started the video thinking it would be a quick look at a gadget and was transfixed until the end. Amazing work!

I really like this video format, gives a better understanding of the machine shown.

A big, big part of Apple’s history told here. Some unsung heroes, some great products that never see the light of day… until, something like 20 years later, the creators of this incredibly advanced product can think « Hey, that’s my work ! It finally made it to the sunlight ! ». There’s a lot of human feelings through this video. A lot of love and hopes. That’s why we’re humans, and that’s why we always go beyond the limits.

It's crazy how they took inspiration from leading a target in aerial combat for the pen driver. I have a strong interest in both technology and military stuff and it was neat to see the connection being made here. It's pretty ingenious too, the computer leads your pen "target" like how an aircraft's fire control radar will. Sad penlite never made it... The newton was a colossal flop.

I think @michealMJD has one of these

I enjoy all your videos, but this one is the best I've seen so far. Loved the interviews with the engineers and that you let them tell so much of the story. Congratulations of publishing such a high quality documentary!

It hurts. But saving the touchpad might actually have been enough justification all on its own

Apple created the scribe and killed it; then tried that idea with Newton, then poor sales and bad performance kills it; then PalmOS takes that idea and makes a hit out of it with millions of Pilots sold to both Windows and Mac users; then it plummets as internet era kicks in and iPad is born for Apple to finally take revenge. Only in Silicon Valley.

Wow amazing very good to hear and see their experiences

This is very insightful as to why Apple has silly software silos.

This might be my new favorite episode you've ever produced. Well done!

Wow Colin, here I am watching this on my iPad and seeing a history I had no idea existed. Thank you for bringing this to light!

Nice format deviation, Colin. Well done!

That was an incredible film. Inspiring, even. I wish there was more!

Amazing, amazing vídeo!! 🎉

Truly amazing documentary ❤

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for putting this together. The quality easily matches the best documentaries from the 90s that I grew up with. It was really cool to see more models and learn more of the history behind Apple's pen computing era.

Great video, and amazing job pulling all this hidden stuff out into view again! That WWDC demo makes me think of Doug Englebart's "Mother of all demos" 20+ years earlier - Laurie had a similar low-key, conversational presentation style as Englebart as well.

So how long before we get to see it run Doom...

Should also benchmark tasks like refreshing the view of a complex Illustrator file, running a fractal explorer app, Photoshop filters, etc.

Honestly, I dunno if Colin will do more longer form stuff int he future, but I wouldn't mind Colins own adventures into looking into retro computer stuff, its always nice to see how people cover a topic (even one that I might know about) and also what they might find that I didn't know :) Anyways, great video buds! I

I really enjoyed this longer video. Well done.

This was the first project I worked on at Apple for what was supposed to be a summer internship. It turned into a career. It was magical to be part of a team of so incredibly talented people. Still, we were all gutted when the project was canceled. It would have been a great device. I still have mine!

Its crazy how much some tech stuff cost back then! over 3K for a 25mhz Duo?!?! 3K for a 4mhz Compaq back in '83 crazy

The journalism in this is fantastic. I love stories like this... hate that it didn't work out though. Way ahead of it's time product that would have been a success until the suits got involved. But that is the way of it for engineers a lot of times.

Wow, this must’ve been a lot of work to put together! Really well done - very engaging video with a great story 👏

A trip down memory lane. I think I owned pretty much every device shown, with exception of the the PenLite. I was a huge Newton fan and user. Funny to look back at a time that I mostly forgot.

...I think General Magic kinda had a better shot at this and actual products and software with that.

Wonderful

I was in college at this time interning at a local mom-and-pop Apple Store in Binghamton, NY. The owner kept talking about this device and when we'd receive inventory. But only the Newtons showed up. Amazing video. Thank you.

Amazing documentary Collin. You've really outdone yourself. This belongs on TV.

This is an exceptional video!! I lived in SF in the 80's and early 90's and being really deeply involved in tech, I used to hear the rumors about various things we never saw in the open market, this is very interesting stuff!

Wow amazing

Above and beyond Colin, you've gone above and beyond! Love this. Lots of fantastic clips and references and things I didn't know about, which was unexpected. And very nicely put together. May the algorithm let this soar far and wide...

8 hours ago

No mention of the Linus Write-Top?

Idk the facts, but the story that the iPhone when released at the Apple event for the first one not working and having to switch models, the fact that the scribe pad worked at the event and got "a standing ovation" makes me laugh, it feels like apple originally would have had more success with the scribe then the first iPhone, I guess that the iPhone couldn't go back to being a undeveloped product

Great video! Ironic that I’m watching from my iPad 😅

keep up the amazing work! really impressive stuff 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I think I still have my Duo 230 and full-size Duo Dock down in my basement. A Duo-ish tablet that could run Mac apps would have been so cool. A great documentary on Apple at a turning point.