iPad Looks a Lot Like His Parents - iPhone and MessagePad

The final Newton handheld/tablet pc in the late '90s was called the MessagePad.   The MessagePad brand, while less widely remembered, carries the Newton heritage without the failure associated with the name Newton.  Even a company as confident as Apple will avoid the Newton brand, but they will embrace the history and innovation they brought to tablets over a decade ago.

When launching what amounts to a ‘Newton 2’ that takes the best of form and function from both MessagePad and iPhone, Apple will not venture far from its core.  The name will be iPad – the right blend of new (iPhone) and old (MessagePad).

In fact, as a courtesy to the good folks at Apple, I’ve taken the liberty of saving them a few bucks in PR costs by updating their 1997 press release announcing their newest version of MessagePad.  Fourteen years later and it's surprisingly easy to do!  Click on image for full view.