Apple Pares Newton Division

Apple Computer Inc., in its latest move to stem losses, is scrapping its innovative but money-losing Newton hand-held computer unit after failing to find a buyer for the division. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company plans to sell the remaining Newton-based hand-helds and will begin making models based on the Macintosh operating system next year. The Newton operating system is used in Apple’s MessagePad 2100 and eMate 300 computers. The company said it has gradually cut the 160 jobs in the unit over the last six months, and about 30 employees were transferred to other jobs. Apple said it doesn’t expect to take any charges for closing the unit. Apple stock fell 13 cents to close at $23.63 on Nasdaq.