In the early 90s Apple released a product which was hailed by many at the time, but nevertheless failed to really catch on. The device however lives on now as a legend of sorts in the tech industry; a PDA before PDAs, the tablet computer before tablet computers, the first real hand-held computer, the father of the iPhone: The Newton.

Today reports are swirling that Apple is hard at work on a sequel to the device that would be heavily based on new Multi-Touch technology. Larger than the iPhone but smaller than a laptop, it is said to basically be a large, flat touchable screen.

The iPhone is already revolutionizing computing (not just communications, computing) as we know it – whether we realize it or not yet. A slightly larger Multi-Touch device seems the next logical step in the quest to have a fully-functional computer with you at all times.

AppleInsider claims the device is currently tracking for release in the first half of 2008, but I have to wonder how many devices Apple is going to come out with before they start to cannibalize each other. Would you rather have a 3G iPhone (also supposedly coming in the first half of ‘08) or one of these new Newtons? What about an iPod Touch? A Slim MacBook? It all sounds good for now, but lets keep it simple Apple.