The Apple eMate Is Reborn... As A Windows CE Device? (With Pics)

by , 10:00 AM EDT, October 9th, 2001

Observer Steve Kroll points us to a device aimed at the education market that bears a striking resemblance to the ill-fated, but spectacularly cool, Apple eMate. The device is called the Brainium DreamMax, seriously, and runs Windows CE, Microsoft's OS for handhelds. The eMate was one of the last products from Apple's Newton line, and was also aimed at the education market. The eMate ran the Newton OS, Apple's OS for handhelds. To add even more to the similarities, the Brainium DreamMax runs off of a StrongARM RISC processor, the same processor that drove the Newton line, including the eMate. The letter from Steve:

While doing some research at work I ran across this product and was struck by how similar it appears to the Apple eMate product that proceeded the iBook series. Another hint at the brilliant innovation occurring in the Wintel corner!

The Brainium DreamMax

The Apple eMate

From the product's Web page.

Designed specifically for the K-12 Education market, the Brainium DreamMax is an affordable solution to bring fast portable technology into the classroom with a durability that is unmatched in the industry. Turn it on and you have immediate all day access to a Windows CE 3.0 device that runs a multitude of applications including the ability for all your students to use the Internet as a resource in your classroom. Anywhere anytime learning is enhanced with the additions of many peripherals, including your existing hardware as well as new USB port add ons. Include a Rol-A-Lab, for storage, recharging and security to provide a complete technology solution for your school.

You can find more information on the Brainium DreamMax at the Brainium Web site. You can find more information on the eMate in Apple's press release.

Thanks to Observer Steve Kroll for the heads up.

The Mac Observer Spin:

OK, Brainium DreamMax? Brainium? DreamMax? Who thought that one up? That is one of the stupidest names we have heard for a computing product since the Dell Inspiron! Secondly, the darn thing sure looks like an eMate. Certainly not enough to facilitate any sort of infringement lawsuit from Apple, but anyone looking at that has seen an eMate will know.

That said, why shouldn't Brainium rip off the eMate? After all, the eMate itself was Steved and shows no sign of ever seeing the light of day again. Someone might as well use it.

Lastly, it's funny that the eMate still looks better, even though there are more than 4 years separating the two.

Brainium DreamMax