So here we are, caught in that murky Twilight Zone between the Newton MessagePad and the eMac, waiting for Apple to release a compelling portable system that will be both low-cost and kick-ass. Apple's drifted somewhat from its promise to release new handhelds to replace the Newton in 1999, seemingly focusing on the upcoming consumer portable to fill that need instead. And while no one's likely to want to stuff a four-pound subnotebook in their pants (don't even say it!), since the MessagePad wasn't exactly pocket-sized either, it's possible that the "eMac" may indeed satisfy the requirements of some Newton users when it ships. Us, for example.

Then again, maybe not. Mac the Knife reports that Apple is considering yanking Rosetta, the Newton's handwriting recognition engine, out of Newton OS 2.0 and stuffing an enhanced version into the Mac OS for use with the eMac. The decision apparently hinges on whether or not Apple decides to bless the eMac with a pressure-sensitive screen-- a feature that, according to rumor, has been included in early prototypes, but apparently isn't a definite inclusion yet.

What surprises us is not that Apple may be implementing Rosetta in the eMac, but rather that they haven't etched that feature into stone yet. Back when the entire Newton operation was unceremoniously dismantled, Apple promised that it would re-enter the handheld market in 1999. They've already taken some liberties with the term "handheld," given that the eMac will undoubtedly be significantly larger than even the Newton MessagePad. But not to include handwriting recognition (arguably the modern Newton's best feature, and the lack of which keeps us from buying Palm III's) means all pretense is abandoned and the eMac is simply a cheaper, funkier-looking PowerBook without the expandibility. And while that doesn't sound bad, it also doesn't sound up to the standards of Apple's innovative spirit. We consider Rosetta a crucial feature for the eMac, and we hope Apple comes to the same conclusion.