Siemens NotePhone

Summary

The Apple Newton is, as far as its text input is concerned, a revolutionary device — but you can’t make calls with it. To make the MessagePad a useful desk equipment, Siemens cooperates with Apple: the result is the NotePhone, a combination of a Newton MessagePad 100 and a conventional telephone with fax module. Siemens replaces the Apple logo with its own lettering, but otherwise the PDA is identical with the MessagePad. In 1994 it appears at a price of 2400 DM.

The combination of telephone, messagepad and the docking station, which also includes the fax modem, allows a wide field of application, which is extended by taking the PDA out of the docking station and being able to be used on the go. Users can write a fax message on the way and send it later from the office.

The NotePhone offers conference calls, access to voicemail, a phone book and the caller ID display.

Siemens AG Munich plans, builds and designs the device and receives the iF Design Award in 1994.