The best thing about science fiction is that some things come true. inventions and innovations that were previously only possible in films or advertisements. The case of Apple Intelligence or artificial intelligence in general is closely linked, for example, to the film “Her”. Maybe also with “Blade Runner 2049”, and even certain Apple TV+ series like “For All Mankind”. After the presentation of Apple Intelligence, some of us remembered. an old project that the CEO of Apple who replaced Steve Jobs I aspired to make it a reality.
Knowledge Navigator, the dream of the Apple CEO in the 80s
John Sculley was Apple’s CEO during a pivotal period in the company’s history. Although most people simply know it for expelling Steve Jobs from Apple in 1985, Sculley also played a key role in creating innovative new products. He successfully pioneered the Newton MessagePad and his vision for the future continued with the Knowledge Navigator project in 1987.
He Knowledge Navigator is a fictitious product which had a promotional video. This appeared as a concept of what Apple wanted to do, although nothing was developed behind it. This video shows a distant future for the time, 2011, with some sort of iPad and an ever-present assistant. Does this sound familiar?
Knowledge Navigator was foldable like a book
Apple Intelligence is about to turn 1987 fiction into reality
Watching the video, we find hardware from the 80s. Plastic, large frames… A retro aesthetic that has nothing to do with the current concept of the iPad Pro. Knowledge Navigator was practically a primitive iPad. In fact, it even had a front camera for video calls and wireless connection. The vision of Apple’s CEO in 1987 was that in the future,We would still have a digital assistant on our screens.
Knowledge Navigator during a video call
The video shows this assistant as a student with bow tie. The most curious thing is that we see it all the time; even on a video call, the assistant was still there and looking at us. In terms of functionality, you might ask Knowledge Navigator and its wizard to display a specific documentsomething Siri just learned to do with Apple Intelligence.
The Knowledge Navigator wizard was able to create charts itself
During the video, they ask Knowledge Navigator to call someone and even find out if that person is available or not. Finally, they ask you for a map with all the universities. Something we can easily do today with Apple Maps, but which in the 80s was pure science fiction.
Something that has not yet been realized is that Knowledge Navigator was a foldable device. You opened it like a book and inside you found the touchscreen. Rumors indicate that Apple is working on foldable devices, from the iPhone to the Mac. Who knows if this will also become a reality in a few years.
|
Knowledge Browser (1987) |
Siri and the iPad (2024) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Foldable device |
Yeah |
No |
|
Visible digital assistant |
Yes, it appears on screen all the time |
No, Siri only responds by voice |
|
Video calls |
Yes, with front camera |
Yes, with front camera |
|
Real-time synchronization |
Yes, with tracking and instant updates |
Yes, but not as instantaneous as in the video |
|
Search for specific documents |
Yes, the wizard can search for specific documents |
No, until Apple Intelligence came along |
|
Phone calls |
Yes, with immediate notification of availability |
Yes, but you have to wait for the busy signal |
|
Screen sharing |
Yes, during video calls |
No, up to iOS 18 with FaceTime |
|
Updating and editing graphics |
Yes, the wizard can update charts in real time |
Limited, requires manual intervention or specific applications |
|
Maps and location |
Yes, with advanced features |
Yes, but requires apps like Apple Maps |
|
Independent work of the assistant |
Yes, the wizard works when the user is absent |
No, Siri does not perform tasks when the user is away |
With the arrival of Apple Intelligence and the iPad Pro M4, former CEO John Sculley will see his dream come true thirteen years after the date he had in mind (2011). And that’s it Knowledge Navigator could never be developed as a real product in 1987, because the technology to create it simply didn’t exist. Processing power, advanced wireless connectivity and digital assistants have been cvery advanced concepts for their time.
Knowledge Navigator was one long-term vision of what the future of technology could be. In turn, it served as inspiration and guide for the development of future products. Science fiction is a literary or cinematic genre whose content is based on imaginary scientific and technological achievements. In this case, Apple created its own science fiction production and, twenty-seven years later, it became a reality.
Cover image | Vintage apple on Reddit
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