Generally Magic.

I picked up a couple General Magic Data Rover 840s last week on eBay for $6 a piece. I've used Magic Cap 1.5 OS on my OMP and found it to be intriguing. I decide that $6 was worth owning the hardware unit that was created by two former Apple gurus.

I am very impressed with the design and the similarities to a Newton MessagePad, especially on the software side. I'm not going to give a review of the device in this blog, but I have added an image gallery to convey what the magic is all about.

Click here to view the gallery.

Next on my list... Song Magic Link!

Dock TCP & NCX

I have had some inquires about docking a MessagePad/eMate via ethernet or Wifi. This blog will explain how I setup my Newtons with Dock TCP and sync via Ethernet to Newton Connection (NCX) on my Mac.


Step 1) Download NIE 2.0 Here and install the files in the order that they are numbered:



This is very important because certain files need to load prior to others. Packages numbered 4 and 5 may be installed on a storage card, the rest MUST be installed internally. Please note that I have only included ethernet drivers for Farallon cards (which are required for 3Com cards) and the 3Com EtherLink lll (3C589C) card. If you are using another Ethernet card please find the appropriate driver at U.N.N.A. Once you have the right driver you can substitute the packages numbered 6 and 7 with your Ethernet Card's driver.


Step 2) Let's setup your Internet Connection(s). Under the Setup menu tap on the Internet Setup pkg. You should see a screen like this:



Tap on New and select Generic Setup. Next select Ethernet as the connection that you are using and tap continue:



Under the setup name I like to name my connection Ethernet or WiFi depending the connection I am setting up:



Now you will need to pick the appropriate driver for the card you are using:



In these two examples I have a 3Com card selected on the left and my Lucent WiFi on the right. The next option, Domain Name, you will leave blank and tap done:



Your setup connection should look like this:



It is optional but I like to add a disconnect delay on my setup(s):



Once you have all your internet setups completed they will appear in the Internet Setup pkg as selectable setups:




Step 3) Install Dock TCP to your internal memory. You can Download It Here. It is also included with Simon Bell's Newton Connection. Once you have installed it tap on your Dock pkg. You should see TCP/IP as an option in the dock connection popup menu:



Select it and tap on the Pref button that is left of the Connect button. Now lets setup Dock TCP's preferences:



In this window you will enter the IP address of your computer. My Mac's IP address is 192.168.0.78. I would also recommend that you select the internet connection that you created in the link popup menu. By selecting your connection you will not have to select it manually every time you connect. Now tap on the [X] to close the preference window, launch NCX on your Mac, and tap connect. If your Newton/eMate is connected properly to your router you will see a progress window of the connection:



Once everything is connected NCX will show your device as if you were connected via serial.

Newton MessagePad Charging Station tip.

If you are like me then you are constantly using a couple of Newtons throughout the day. For me it could be my 2100 and 130, or 2000 (2100 upgrade) and 2100, or whatever... you get the idea. Rarely I am plugged into the power adapter because I like to move around, I mean these damn things are mobile, right?! Anyways my point is that I can burn through batteries pretty quick, and it is very annoying. 

I'm sure many of us have these laying around:



In their glory days they were gold, but now they are merely a bundle of nickel. (with some Cadmium)


Well it's time to make a substitution for these dead battery packs. First and foremost you will need the following: MessagePad charging station, NiCad rechargeable batteries, and a Newton power adapter. Let's take a look at the MessagePad charging station:



Apple built a little push button that only their battery packs can trigger, and it prevents you from charging non-apple rechargeable battery packs. Close up:



Fortunately that's the only thing stopping you. Here is the tool I use to trick my charging station into charging non-apple rechargeable batteries:



Nothing fancy but these are super useful (especially if you are replacing the digitizer on an iPad 2,3,4), and they are thin enough to allow the batteries to fully seat within the charging dock:



So now that the guitar pick is under the two batteries towards the right of the charging station you should be able to charge any rechargeable batteries:




Next let's look at doing the same thing inside a Message Pad 1xx:



Now that we have the guitar pick installed we can put the back cover on and place the MessagePad on the charging station. It is ok to place the MessagePad on top of the batteries that are charging in the battery slot:



The charging station allows for charging from the battery slot as well as your MessagePad (with rechargeable a installed). Basically you can charge 8 batteries per charging station.



Conclusion: I'm sure that many of you have a rechargeable battery charger, but if you don't this is a great way to save a little $$ in batteries and make great use of a Newton accessory that may be collecting dust. If you do not have a charging station, or power adapter, then check out our Accessories Store. eBay is also a great place for charging stations. If you find something better to use than a guitar pick please share it with the Newton community by posting it in the comments of this blog.