Newton MessagePad 120 with custom shipping software

[Gil]

Just got my first MessagePad, and only my second Newton product (eMate 300 - I wonder where that thing went?!) This particular one caught my eye because it has an early version of UPS TrackPad on it. I work for UPS and have never heard of this software myself. Apparently TrackPad still exists and is mainly used by corporate customers. Nevertheless, I was pretty surprised that my employer had been involved in the Newton technology platform. The TrackPad software is dated 11/07/1995.

TrackPad appears to be "bootstrapped" to the device....it powers-on directly to the software and there appears to be no way to access any other Newton functions.

 

[bobo68]

Is there a pcmcia card installed with the UPS program?

Anyway, you should be able to circumvent the UPS package from starting by booting with extension off. See http://www.pda-soft.de/faq/frames_newton-faq-nos.html#IIIB2c

Best, Boris

 

[Gil]

Nope, doesn't appear to have ever used a PCMCIA card. Still has the "placeholder" in the slot.

Thanks for the link

 

[Huxley]

This is pretty cool! A Newton 120 isn't especially remarkable by itself, but this one is pretty unique - congrats on the neat find. 

 

[zuctronic]

Found this long-dead thread searching for UPS Trackpad because I just received a Newton 2MB PCMCIA flash card that, when put into the card slot of a Newton, will install the UPS TrackPad software such that the software is "bootstrapped" as mentioned in the original post. I'm going to keep the card intact because I'm not really sure how to back it up and it is pretty cool and unique.