Rare Apple VideoPad 2 Prototype Goes To Auction

A unique prototype of the Apple VideoPad 2 device will be auctioned in November as part of the auction “History of Science

and technology”, conducted by the internationalauction house Bonhams in Los Angeles. The VideoPad will be auctioned alongside other Apple prototypes and Steve Jobs memorabilia and is estimated to fetch between $8,000 and $12,000.

Designed between 1993 and 1995 with VideoPad1 and 3 (the only two prototypes shown to the public), this only surviving PDA prototype was Apple's next attempt after the Newton Message Pad. Unlike the Newton Message Pad, the fold-out screen of this model apparently included a built-in video conferencing camera.

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Despite its design ahead of its time, it wascanceled along with Newton OS after Jobs returned to the company in 1997. According to auction house Bonhams, this came after Jobs realized the technology hadn't yet reached the level needed for a positive user experience.

The device was created based on conceptualsketches drawn by former CEO John Sculley. The design never saw the light of day, but it was clearly a very early tablet concept. If you look closely, you can see certain parallels between the VideoPad 2 and devices like the iPhone and iPad.

Source: Bonhams

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