Apple and Sun Microsystems are negotiating the sale of Apple's disastrous line of Newton handheld computers. Though no deal is imminent, Apple is trying desperately to rid itself of the machines, which have lost millions of dollars since they were introduced. So why would Sun be interested? Apparently, they are looking for a handheld NC platform and feel the Newton machines might let them get into this market without the need for years of research and development.
According to USA Today, Apple tried to sell the Newton technology before, and was asking US$200 million about two years ago. No one was interested. A group of European investors offered US$20 million earlier this year for Newton and Pippen (a Mac game machine that connects to TVs, also a dud), but the deal fell through when they couldn't get financing. Apparently, the bank knew a bit more about technology than they did.
Apple is also talking to a Taiwanese company, Inventec, about purchasing Newton. Apple is trying to focus on their core product, the Macintosh
