The Apple Newton was one of the first personal digital assistants (PDAs) developed by Apple Inc. in the early 1990s. It featured a touchscreen interface and could perform tasks like note-taking, scheduling, and managing contacts. The device was notable for its handwriting recognition technology, which was innovative for its time. Despite its advanced features, the Apple Newton faced criticism for its high price and inconsistent performance. It struggled to gain widespread popularity and was eventually discontinued in 1998. However, it laid the groundwork for future mobile devices and influenced the development of later products like the iPhone.