- March 4
- Apple Computer introduces the Newton MessagePad 110 handheld computer. It features 1 MB RAM, 20-MHz ARM610 processor, and runs on four AA batteries. Remote data transfer rate is 38.5 kbps. Battery life is five times that of the Model 100. Price is US$599. [46] [271.N7] [337] [429.36]
- Apple Computer introduces an improved Newton MessagePad 100. It is physically identical to the previously released model, but contains improved software in ROM. Price is US$499. [46] [271.N7] [337] [429.36] [2605.196]
- October
- Apple Computer releases the Newton MessagePad 120 in Germany. [2605.197]
- November 13
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character writes "Beat up Martin." on a "Newton" handheld computer (with green apple and worm logo), which interprets the writing as "Eat up Martha.". [1801]
- (month unknown)
- Sharp Electronics ships the Zaurus ZR-5000 handheld computer. It features Type II PCMCIA slot, built-in software. The system runs on two AA batteries. Price is about US$600. [1528.40]
- Year
- Shipments of handheld computers for the year: 390,000. [782.36]
1995
- January 4
- At the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, California, Motorola introduces the Marco Wireless Communicator, based on the Apple Newton. It features wireless communications for US$50-130 per month. Weight is 1.8 pounds. Price is US$900-1400. [1653]
- January 30
- Apple Computer announces availability of the Newton MessagePad 120 in the US. It includes Graffiti hardwriting recognition software by Palm Computing, and Newton OS 1.3. [46] [271.N7]
- April
- Palm Computing introduces the Pilot 1000 ($299) and Pilot 5000 ($369) handheld computers. [2605.199]
- September
- Intel announces the 80486SXSF and GXSF 486 microprocessors, designed for handheld computer products. The GX has a 16-bit bus, the SX a 32-bit bus. Both are 33 MHz, operating on 2.0-3.3 volts. [324.3] [508]
- Year
- Shipments of smart handheld devices in the US for the year: 1.5 million. World shipments: 2.4 million. [945.232] (1.1 million in US [839.28])
1996
- January 9
- Apple Computer officially unveils the Newton 2.0 operating system. [1559] (December [271.N7])
- March 14
- At the CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany, Apple Computer introduces the Apple Newton MessagePad 130, with transreflective LCD with an electroluminescent backlight, battery life about 8 hours (4 with backlight on), 1.2 MB heap space, 20 MHz ARM 610 RISC processor, 320x240 pixel display, one Type II PC Card slot, 2.5 MB internal RAM, for US$799. [1813.113] [2605.198] (June [884.45])
- April
- Palm ships the Palm Pilot handheld computer. [1955.61]
- (month unknown)
- Sharp Electronics introduces the Zaurus ZR-5800FX handheld computer. It features keyboard and fax modem. Price is US$729. [1813.113]
- NEC Electronics begins shipping its R4101 processor for personal digital assistants. The chip includes a 33 MHz 4100 processor core, 2 kB instruction cache, 1 kB data cache, real-time clock, DMA controller, audio driver, and interfaces for serial port, keyboard, infrared, and touch-screen interfaces. [590.5]
- September 16
- Microsoft unveils Windows CE operating system for handheld computers. Code-name of the project was Pegasus. "CE" stands for Consumer Electronics. [565.32] [599.4] [1244.36]
- October 28
- Apple Computer unveils the MessagePad 2000 computer. It features 1 MB DRAM, 5 MB Flash RAM, 2 Type II PC Card slots, backlit 480x320 100 dpi display, size 4.7 x 8.3 inches, Newton OS 2.1, 1.4 pound weight, and 161.9 MHz StrongARM 110 RISC processor. It runs on four AA batteries. [1012.44] [2605.199] (November [899.45])
- (month unknown)
- LG Electronics introduces the LG HPC GP40M handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 processor, 480x240 LCD screen, one Type 2 PC Card slot, 4 MB RAM, 4 MB ROM with Windows CE, fax modem, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.5 x 3.8 x 1.1 inches; weight is 0.77 pounds; price is about US$650. The systems runs for about 15 hours on two A batteries. [1075.135]
- November
- Casio Computer ships the Cassiopeia, a handheld computer running Windows CE. [605.6]
- November 18
- At the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Microsoft officially launches Windows CE 1.0 for handheld microcomputers. It includes includes a personal information manager, limited versions of Word and Excel, and an email client. [947.151] [1444.46] [1559] [1253.166] [1648.53] [1897.131] [2605.202]
- November
- Compaq Computer ships the Compaq PC Companion handheld computer. It features a Hitachi SH3 processor, 480x240 pixel backlit LCD, one Type 2 PC Card slot, 2-6 MB RAM, 4 MB ROM with Windows CE, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.8 x 3.6 x 1 inches, weight is 0.89 pounds, price is about US$500-700. The system runs on 2 AA batteries for up to 20 hours, [604.139] [605.6] [1075.135]
- NEC Computer Systems introduces the NEC MobilePro 400 handheld computer. It features NEC VR 4104 processor, 480x240 LCD screen, one 2 PC Card, 4 MB RAM, 70: 8 MB ROM with Windows CE, IrDA port, keyboard. Size is 6.9 x 3.7 x 1 inches; weight is 0.85 pounds; price is about US$650. [605.6] [1075.133]
- Hitachi Home Electronics ships the Hitachi Handheld computer, running Windows CE. [605.6]
- December 4
- At the Handheld PDA Expo in San Mateo, California, Microsoft announces that the Windows CE operating system will support Motorola MPC 821 and 823 PowerPC processors, and ARM processors from Digital Equipment and Cirrus Logic. [1559]
- Year
- Worldwide shipments of PalmPilot handheld computers for the year: about 350,000. [890.9]
- Shipments of handheld computers in the US for the year: 1.4-1.9 million. [839.28] [945.232] [1559] [1643.28]
- Worldwide handheld computer sales: about 2.4 million. [890.9] (2.6 million [945.232])
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