Apple's "Newton"
At 2 p. m. sharp, the lights on the main stage came on.
One of the highlights of CES, Apple's product launch event, has officially begun.
Many reporters and analysts, who had just escaped the frenzy at the Sega booth, rubbed their still-ringing ears, straightened their wrinkled suits, and rushed over here.
They needed something "calm" and "serious" to counteract the sensory bombardment they had just experienced.
Apple CEO John Sculley walked onto the stage.
He lacked Tom Kalinske's inflammatory body language; his speaking style was steady and measured, filled with grand and abstract terms like "paradigm shift," "digital convergence," and "the future of personal computing."
"Today, we are redefining personal computing." Sculley's voice rang clearly through the Mike, "We call it - Personal Digital Assistant, or PDA for short."
The moment the word "PDA" was uttered, a slight commotion arose from the audience.
Reporters quickly jotted down the new abbreviation in their notebooks, while analysts began whispering among themselves.
This concept is very appealing.
A smart device that can fit in your pocket and help you manage your schedule, take notes, and send and receive messages anytime?
This definitely sounds like something from the future.
"It will become your second brain, your personal secretary, your gateway to the digital world." Sculley's tone rose, his arm tracing a graceful arc in the air. "Its name is Newton."
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the large screen behind Sculley, awaiting the unveiling of the groundbreaking product.
However, only a beautifully designed logo and a few concept design sketches appeared on the screen.
Scully continued to describe Newton's many promising prospects, but the eyes of the audience had begun to change.
What started as anticipation slowly turned into doubt.
"So—where's the actual product?" a reporter muttered under his breath.
The person next to him shrugged. "Maybe it'll be shown at the end?"
Time ticked by, and Sculley's speech was drawing to a close.
He painted a magnificent blueprint for digital life, but the revolutionary device called "Newton" never materialized.
"Thank you everyone." Scully smiled and bowed.
The applause was sparse, polite, but lacking in enthusiasm.
During the Q&A session, someone finally couldn't hold back any longer.
A reporter from the Wall Street Journal stood up and asked bluntly, "Mr. Sculley, thank you very much for describing the future to us. But when will we see a real ' Newton ' machine? Or even just a working prototype?"
All eyes in the arena instantly turned to Scully.
Scully's smile remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Newton is more than just a product; it's a platform, an ecosystem. What we're showcasing today is a vision, a goal we're working tirelessly to achieve. The specific hardware will be revealed at the appropriate time."
With a loud "boom," a suppressed murmur arose from the audience.
So you don't have it?
"After all that, it was just a pointless announcement?"
"A concept? We came all this way just to hear a concept?"
The reporter who had just asked the question sat down and wrote a line in his notebook: No physical exhibits are on display.
Apple's presentation ended abruptly, and the disappointment on the reporters' faces was almost undisguised.
"I've even thought of a title: <Apple Redefines 'Pie in the Sky'>."
"Compared to Sega this morning, it's a joke."
Amid the murmurs, most people had already begun packing their things, preparing to head home.
In their view, the main event on the first day of CES had already been a disaster, and they might as well spend the rest of the time browsing other booths or simply go back to the hotel to write their articles, turning their disappointment with Apple into sharp and incisive writing.
Just as the crowd on the main stage was preparing to disperse, the lights in the venue suddenly changed again.
Another press conference at 3 PM.
On the stage backdrop, the bitten Apple logo was removed and replaced with an unfamiliar logo composed of three geometric shapes—3D0.
What kind of company is this?
"Never heard of it. The schedule says 3D0, it seems to be a new company."
Some reporters who were about to leave stopped and looked curiously at the stage.
Since we're already here, there's no harm in watching one more show; who knows, maybe there will be a surprise?
A man in a casual suit, without a tie, walked onto the stage. He looked younger and more energetic than John Sculley.
He is Trip Hawkins, the legendary figure who left Apple to found Electronic Arts (EA).
He didn't waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this morning you witnessed the frenzy of gaming. This afternoon you listened to the future of personal computing." Hawkins surveyed the room, his voice carrying an undeniable confidence. "Now, I will tell you how these two will come together."
The previously listless reporters and analysts in the audience were suddenly invigorated.
This opening is much more engaging than Scully's vague "paradigm shift" rhetoric.
We call it -- 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
Multiplayer)!
The large screen behind Hawkins lit up, displaying not some vague concept art, but a well-produced CG animation full of futuristic technology.
In the image, a futuristic black console is smoothly running 3D games with graphics far surpassing those of any other game console of its time. It can also play CD-quality music and even be used as an educational tool.
"Hiss----" Someone in the audience gasped.
This visual is even more refined and smoother than the prototype of Virtua Fighter shown on the Sega Saturn!
"3D0 isn't a game console; it's a standard, a unified standard for next-generation interactive entertainment." Hawkins spread his arms wide, like a preacher. "We don't manufacture hardware; we create standards and technologies. We welcome any capable partners to join us in producing hardware that conforms to the 3D0 standard!"
These words caused an uproar in the audience.
This is a disruptive business model!
Instead of creating a closed ecosystem, should we adopt an open licensing model like PCs?
Does this mean that, theoretically, any home appliance manufacturer could produce a next-generation game console as long as they pay?
"Furthermore," Hawkins paused, then continued, "We won't charge exorbitant royalties like other console manufacturers, but we'll only charge three US dollar for each game sold."
As Hawkins finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence, then erupted into chaos, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured into boiling oil.