In 1998, Apple announced that it was discontinuing further development of the Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products.
The MessagePad was the first in a series of Newton devices. A collaborative effort by Apple and Sharp, it weighed 1.4 lbs, had 640 KB of RAM and a monochrome LCD touch screen. It was powered by four AAA batteries and cost $699.99.
Read more about the Newton at http://cultureandcommunication.org/deadmedia/index.php/Apple_Newton