I agree. What I'm wondering is why all the data collection is only seen as a thread. Yes it is dangerous but there are also opportunities and we as society have to adapt!

These discussions completely miss the point to think about a future where not only companies track our data but everyone can track the own data. And we will also shop for algorithms to make sense of that data. Quantified self and similar movements are only the beginning. There is a future where you can compare different recommendations what to read and not just rely on suggestions from Amazon. Individuals may have a more complete data set than companies do and can therefore make better decisions - if algorithms become generally available and people know how to use them.

Maybe this new reality can be compared with reading abilities that slowly developed after the dark age. Previously only scholars and priests were read the available books and transferred know how to the masses. Now again we need to learn to read the data.

Although this would be "just dreamy" I don't expect to see anything similar to the Newton again.
It was the from ground up well designed NewtonOS (not cloned and put at inappropriate hardware) with good applications and tightly integrated handwriting recognition that make the fascination of Newton. Today the developers are spread over different companies and documentation is lost. I believe it is not possible nor clever to implant parts of the Newton technology into another devices.

I'm using my MP2000 for nearly 3 years now, and hope he will not get broken, at least so long until something better will appear. It was mentioned, that the Newton was ahead of the time, for how many years he was ahead, will then turn out.