Who's Newton? SynPet VHS Promo, 1989

"Meet Newton" theme now on iTunes --
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/meet-newton-single/id419944334?uo=4

My uncle was CEO/owner of SynPet back in the 1980s-90s and gave us a VHS copy of the promo those ages ago. I remember taking it to school and getting permission to show it to my 5/6th grade classmates. Hard to believe anything like that could have run on an IBM XT, much less with 1200 baud. Anyhow, enjoy!

Original blog post:
http://ablestmage.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/newton-by-synpet-vhs-promo-origina...

~ NEWS ~

Zeppotron, a production company in the UK, has signed papers with my uncle (whereupon my uncle delegated/granted me full authority to handle future copyright matters) to use on their Channel Four program, "8 out of 10 Cats." The clip was reportedly used during the filming of an episode in early October 2010 with a studio audience, but did not make it to the final broadcast cut. Zeppotron still has signed rights to use it on an upcoming episode, if it wishes, and the blessing to do so.

As of late November 2010, negotiations have begun with Endemol, Zeppotron's parent company, about the possibility of using the clip for an (unannounced?) upcoming British television program not even in its first season/series yet.

In December 2010, papers were signed with Endemol to use the clip on that then-upcoming television program hosted by British comedian, Frankie Boyle.

In February 2010, services by TuneCore.com were employed, to release the jingle portion of the promo from about 06:22 thru 07:15 onto music services like iTunes, Rhapsody, and several others. Plans for releasing the entire clip's audio (minus the ender logo for Training Media Services) will depend on how well the jingle does on the market.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• newton
• synpet
• imb
• xt
• 1200
• baud
• modem
• personal
• robot
• robotics
• house
• home
• vhs
• who's

[BigFatLoserDude]

I have a question. Computer hardware and processing power and software has progressed so much since the 80's. for example 12 gig usb drives 1 terabyte harddrives. Cell phones that have countless more processing power now then PC's of the 80's. (the I-phone for example) (pocket PC's) (wifi, bluetooth,) etc etc.

But what about personal robots? why have they not progressed? Where are they?

[ablestmage]

@BigFatLoserDude - Just as speculation, I suspect that the higher degrees of information retrieval without the use of personal robots has progressed so much that personal robots are no longer even a dream on the horizon. You can simply and inexpensively use the Internet to do most everything Newton could have done for you =/

[bytebinrobotlab]

So whatever happened to the bot Did he ever get it manufactured? The problem then (just like these days) is that it cost so much to make a bot that most consumers can't afford it and those that can are a bit perplexed on what to do with it. On my channel I have quite a few bots in my videos, including the i-Que Personal Robot, WowWee RS Media, and others. Newton seemed like he was way ahead of his time. Does your uncle still make bots?

[ablestmage]

@bytebinrobotlab - I'm not sure how long the business stayed afloat, but I think he sold it off within a 5-ish years, and hasn't made anything bot-related since then, to my knowledge. He's still working in wireless telecom to some degree (which Newton used) but nothing in the realm of bots =/

[dragonheadthing]

"Who's Newton?... Oh, he's some guy we found on the street and have trapped in our house as he can't go down stairs."

That's for posting this video. It's neat.

[6G3rm4N9]

Bitch who's Newton!!!!!!!!! D:<

[dragonheadthing]

5:16 - 5:24: Wake up! Time to worship your robot overlords!

This video keeps popping into my head, and I keep discovering Newton's hidden purpose.

[garry12gg]

If anyone has one of these in working order, can you upload a video of it in action?

[ArcadeGames]

Dam that thing is huge! I thought it was going to run over the baby. Battery life is only 4 mins...

[Clay3613]

16 BIT!!!

[jeremiahjacobs]

So much I love about this. How the actors say "nooten" and the voiceover guy says "newten". Totally awesome how the 'secretary' is writing down recorded voicemail on a legal pad.

[Scintillaterich]

@ablestmage but the internet doesn't wake me up when a moth flies into the house.

[codexbiohazard]

It's like R2D2 had baby with a Dalek!

[samblye1]

6:23-7:16 Who else thought this seemed an awful lot like it was a corny TV show intro without intro credits?

[YukiTheLaughingMan]

@eirinikos That was cutting edge in those days.