It turns out, is developing a reading room. Yes, in principle, he could have developed it himself and put it into production. But then it would be mediocre, on Linux, Android, or Windows CE. Even a big developer name would not make it stand out from the rest.
That's why Wozniak decided to cooperate with Apple, although without returning to the state. The purpose of it was the licensing of the legendary Newton OS. He plans to port it to the ARM architecture and “acquaint” with electronic ink displays and capacitive sensors.
In addition to the classic OS, nothing more unusual in the reader, perhaps, will not. The same support for modern formats and everything else. But this small difference will be enough to stand out from the rest.
Releasing the reader will not be Apple. Steve will entrust this task to the company, which he is in no hurry to call. The entire role of Apple in this transaction is to provide a license for Newton OS on terms that are also not disclosed. Thanks to the choice of a third-party manufacturer, the reader will support the generally accepted standards: Micro SD and Micro USB. It is promised that the old OS on the new hardware will be very fast and energy efficient.
The device will be released in two versions: normal and exclusive. The second will cost the buyer four times as much, but the video blogger Kokovin will personally carry out its final assembly in his garage. Wozniak called it "a return to the garage."
So far, nothing is known about the new product. There is not even a render, so do not be surprised at the absence of the KDPV. If everything goes well, we will see a modern reader from the old OS in the phone stores in a year. Exactly one year later.