Source: http://www.infoworld.com/t/intellec...lock-patent-stomp-android-or-windows-8-177178
You might think that at least two features in Microsoft's Windows 8 Developer Preview may come perilously close to infringing on Apple's "Slide to Unlock" patent.
As currently constituted, the Windows 8 Lock Screen requires a slide -- from bottom to top -- to reveal the logon screen. And the optional Windows 8 picture password feature (the subject of its own Microsoft trademark filing) requires the user to define and repeat a pattern of three touches on the screen.
You might also think that every slide-to-unlock Android device manufacturer would be quaking in lead-lined boots, with Apple's lawyers poised to shoot down their unlock screens.
It doesn't take a team of patent lawyers to see similarities between Windows 8's swipe-up-to-unlock and touch-to-log-on gestures, and Apple's unlock shtick. But do either infringe on Apple's patent? Every Android device starts with a swipe, but was Apple first to the mark? Take a closer look.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Patent 7,657,849 (alternate source) to Apple on Feb. 2, 2010. Shortly thereafter, Apple sued HTC for its slide-to-unlock transgressions. USPTO granted a very similar patent to Apple, number 8,046,721, on Oct. 25, 2011.
Here's the abstract for the first Apple patent, issued almost two years ago:
A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture.
The abstract for the second Apple patent, the one issued yesterday, is identical to the earlier patent, except it includes one more sentence at the end: "In addition, there is a need for sensory feedback to the user regarding progress towards satisfaction of a user input condition that is required for the transition to occur." The older patent is listed as a parent case.
As the 9to5Mac site explains, the Neonode N1m phone had a slide-to-unlock feature that predated the first Apple patent by more than a year. "Interestingly," the site says, "a Dutch court ruled that the slide to unlock patent was invalid because of this very device." Indeed.
Take a look at tnkgrl's ancient video review of the N1m at around 4:15 into the clip. See how the N1m implemented a left-to-right unlock swipe? Of course, Apple would argue that the N1m swipe doesn't include "sensory feedback to the user regarding progress." Perhaps that's why Apple filed the second patent.
American courts aren't held to Dutch precedents, but whatever sanity prevailed in the Netherlands should hold some sway on this side of the Atlantic. It's hard to believe that Apple could sandbag Android on swipe to unlock, thanks to the N1m.
As for the Windows 8 speculation, while patents are subject to interpretation in ways that defy gravity, if not logic, the dozen-or-so dense pages of description in the two Apple patents appear to let Windows 8 off the hook. The pertinent "claim" involves:
...detecting a contact with the touch-sensitive display at a first predefined location corresponding to an unlock image; continuously moving the unlock image on the touch-sensitive display in accordance with movement of the contact while continuous contact with the touch screen is maintained, wherein the unlock image is a graphical, interactive user-interface object with which a user interacts in order to unlock the device; and unlocking the hand-held electronic device if the moving the unlock image on the touch-sensitive display results in movement of the unlock image from the first predefined location to a predefined unlock region on the touch-sensitive display.
While the Abstract doesn't delve into the meaning of an "unlock image," this claim in the patents makes it clear that Apple's patented process only applies to dragging a bunch of predefined pixels across the screen. Neither the Windows 8 lock screen nor the picture password feature require the user to drag an image across the screen.
It looks like Windows 8 dodged the bullet -- this time.
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Anyone into the lockscreen development realm needs to be mindful of this, if they don't want to be sued.
The US patent system is FUBAR. I despise the ability to patent such a generic ability. Especially when it existed in other areas first.
Love apple hardware (best trackpad in the business, bar none) but I really dislike the legal/patent shenanigans.
ahh... no problem
slide 2 unlock is sooooo old school
we got Face Unlock from ICS
and 1 touch unlock from CM
and WiFi unlock from 3rd party apps
and... soooooo much more options in market
cp_kirkley said:
The US patent system is FUBAR. I despise the ability to patent such a generic ability. Especially when it existed in other areas first.
Love apple hardware (best trackpad in the business, bar none) but I really dislike the legal/patent shenanigans.
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Not just the generic ability, but it's open source they're trying to patent parts of. Android functions under GPL for the most part. GOD I hate Apple with such an indescribable passion!!!
agentfazexx said:
Not just the generic ability, but it's open source they're trying to patent parts of. Android functions under GPL for the most part. GOD I hate Apple with such an indescribable passion!!!
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+1
they are ridiculous. pissed that a superior class of devices designed for a wider variety of users with a wider variety of income is outselling their overpriced and "on lockdown" garbage.
but hey, whatever let's make the consumers pay for it.
screw apple.
cobraboy85 said:
+1
they are ridiculous. pissed that a superior class of devices designed for a wider variety of users with a wider variety of income is outselling their overpriced and "on lockdown" garbage.
but hey, whatever let's make the consumers pay for it.
screw apple.
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Yeah Apple sucks. Their controls and locks are pretty stupid too. It limits functionality like crazy. Then they come in and try and force everyone to use their inferior product. I seriously hope they get sued for antitrust.
And the worst of it is, this is not even Apple's "invention": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-KS2kfIr0 (seek to 4:00)
Gusar321 said:
And the worst of it is, this is not even Apple's "invention": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-KS2kfIr0 (seek to 4:00)
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Wow, that's interesting...
+1
Outstanding!
I want one!
Customized version of WinCE
full spec http://www.gsmarena.com/neonode_n1m-1137.php
from 2005 wow!
This doesn't have to be a problem for Google. All they have to do is, first of all after making Android legal, simply license the slide-to-unlock property of Apple.
MartyLK said:
This doesn't have to be a problem for Google. All they have to do is, first of all after making Android legal, simply license the slide-to-unlock property of Apple.
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The point is, they shouldn't have to worry about that crap.
I believe the patent in question actually specifies a full slide where you actually have to slide your finger clear from one side of the locking mechanism to the other. If a flick gesture achieves the same end it is not in violation of said patent. I've never slid my thumb even halfway up the screen.
AllGamer said:
Outstanding!
I want one!
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Neat little device, isn't it? I want one too!
Not very flexible though, not even java. And who knows how much the browser is capable of. But who cares, it's a really, really neat little thingy!
Damn thats annoying, i like apple's products but man they behave like such arrogant irritating f#cks, it just puts me off completely.
Sent from my GT-I9000.
agentfazexx said:
The point is, they shouldn't have to worry about that crap.
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Well, it's really easy to avoid infringing this Apple technology, simply go back to what was being used before the iPhone's slide-unlock feature appeared: Tapping an unlock button.
MartyLK said:
Well, it's really easy to avoid infringing this Apple technology, simply go back to what was being used before the iPhone's slide-unlock feature appeared: Tapping an unlock button.
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Perhaps you should watch the N1m video. Your timeline appears to be skewed.
On winmo there was an application that looked almost like the top of a rotary dialer that you slid to unlock long before iOS had it. They were just the first ones smart enough to patent it, and good for them.
z33dev33l said:
On winmo there was an application that looked almost like the top of a rotary dialer that you slid to unlock long before iOS had it. They were just the first ones smart enough to patent it, and good for them.
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Good for them? What exactly do you think the patent system is for?
The slide to unlock patent has already been ruled invalid in Europe.
z33dev33l said:
On winmo there was an application that looked almost like the top of a rotary dialer that you slid to unlock long before iOS had it. They were just the first ones smart enough to patent it, and good for them.
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Patenting things invented by others is ridiculous and should not be possible. A patent should only be able to go to the actual inventor. If the inventor foregoes that option it should automatically be public domain. Biotech companies pull the same BS they patent genetic strains cultivated for hundreds of years by farmers and then tell them they have to pay to use it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
dakine said:
Patenting things invented by others is ridiculous and should not be possible. A patent should only be able to go to the actual inventor. If the inventor foregoes that option it should automatically be public domain. Biotech companies pull the same BS they patent genetic strains cultivated for hundreds of years by farmers and then tell them they have to pay to use it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
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Well, the first time I ever saw a "slide-to-unlock" feature was on the first iPhone. And I've been around a long time.
Related
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/03/02patents.html
^yet another reason i'll never buy an iPhone.
I'd love to know which ones they mean. I can guess a few, but would a company like HTC really be THAT dumb??
Not like Apple stole their original user interface for the Mac from Xerox, or anything ...
It's not like Apple isn't in violation of God knows how many Nokia patents....
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH
You have got to be kidding! Hey, Jobs! I invented cheap plastic and you are using it in your iPhone... I'm gonna sue the pants out of you!
“We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We’ve decided to do something about it,”
Does anyone know exactly what they are claiming HTC "stole"?
Besides, in terms of UI, Android UI actually looks a lot more than the iPhone does (even the outer case of the Nexus actually sorta resembles the iPhone to a certain extent), so if you want to sue someone.... sue Google.
Does anyone know exactly what they are claiming HTC "stole"?
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Marketshare, probably.
Chainfire said:
Marketshare, probably.
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Well played, CF! Well played
Chainfire said:
Marketshare, probably.
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Good one there Chainfire!
I just read something on Techcrunch which I believe is right on the money....
Apple thinks it owns the concept of the touchscreen Web phone and it wants other cell phone makers to pay for copying the iPhone or to stop altogether. Who will Apple sue next? Motorola? Palm? Research in Motion?
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The handheld touchscreen phone has been around for a while, waaaaaaaaaaay before the "IPhone" concept ever came onto someone's desk over at Apple. I will lose my trust and confidence in the legal system if this "joke" gets any answer from a judge other than "Jobs, stop wasting our time and do something more productive with yours".
apple can diaf
lsxrx7 said:
apple can diaf
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Apple can what?
Apple is only trieing to sue HTC to keep the news away from their problems XD
egzthunder1 said:
Apple can what?
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die in a fire, I presume.
egzthunder1 said:
Apple can what?
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1. go to google.com
2. type "diaf", search
3. ????
4. profit
http://gizmodo.com/5483685/apple-htc-suit-gallery/
"The '849 Patent, entitled "Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image," was duly and legally issued on February 2, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the '849 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C."
are they kidding? many of those "infrigments" are from winmo itself. So maybe microsoft will join the taskforce? lol
shu8i said:
"The '849 Patent, entitled "Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image," was duly and legally issued on February 2, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the '849 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C."
are they kidding? many of those "infrigments" are from winmo itself. So maybe microsoft will join the taskforce? lol
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Fair enough, the idea was their's first, let's give them that, but how is it hurting them, do apple expect a jury to believe that people choose to buy an iPhone over a Android phone, just because of the Slide 2 Unlock??
Dave
Overview of infringements...
Count 1 - Patent 7,362,331 - "Time-Based, Non-Constant Translation Of User Interface Objects Between States"
Count 2 - Patent 7,479,949 - "Touch Screen Device, Method And Graphical User Interface For Determining Commands By Applying Heuristics"
Count 3 - Patent 7,657,849 - "Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image"
Count 4 - Patent 7,469,381 - "List Scrolling And Document Translation, Scaling And Rotation On A Touch Screen Display"
Count 5 - Patent 5,920,726 - "System And Method For Managing Power Conditions Within A Digital Camera Device"
Count 6 - Patent 7,633,076 - "Automated Response To And Sensing Of User Activity In Portable Devices"
Count 7 - Patent 5,848,105 - "GMSK Signal Processors For Improved Communications Capacity And Quality"
Count 8 - Patent 7,383,453 - "Conserving Power By Reducing Voltage Supplied To An Instruction Processing Portion Of A Processor"
Count 9 - Patent 5,455,599 - "Object-Oriented Graphic System"
Count 10 - Patent 6,424,354 - "Object-Oriented Event Notification Sustem With Listener Registration Of Both Interests And Methods"
shu8i said:
"The '849 Patent, entitled "Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image," was duly and legally issued on February 2, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the '849 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C."
are they kidding? many of those "infrigments" are from winmo itself. So maybe microsoft will join the taskforce? lol
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You know, because we weren't using styli (pl?) to hit the unlock button on our touchscreen WinMo phones like 7-8 years ago or something. I have my 3gs posted on Craiglist and I swear I can't get it out of my house fast enough. I've always been primarily PC, but over the last few years, my wife went through this Apple "thing". Had to buy her a Macbook Pro, then 2 gens of iPhones. Now I can get rid of this crap and get back to real hardware.
One things I will compliment Apple for though, Their resale value ROCKS. Sold a 2.5GHz C2D MBP on Ebay for 1200 bucks. Non Uni-body. In a bidding war mind you!
Apple - stifling innovation and competition since 1976.
I hope they die in a fire.
Tirinoarim said:
Count 8 - Patent 7,383,453 - "Conserving Power By Reducing Voltage Supplied To An Instruction Processing Portion Of A Processor"
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WELL THEY MIGHT AS WELL SUE ME
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/apple-attempts-to-patent-a-smarter-camera-flash/
I honestly am gob-smacked at apple.
How can they even try to patent something, that Nikon/cannon and the likes have been doing for going on 30 years?
Isn't this what TTL flash systems are? Or flashguns with built in light metering?!
Its not a new system, Its just never been used (or needed) in phones.
How long until Apple apply for a patent for "The intake of air, consisting of gasses (namely oxygen) to survive" ?
lonelykatana said:
How long until Apple apply for a patent for "The intake of air, consisting of gasses (namely oxygen) to survive" ?
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Or until they Patent 'The use of electricity in a mobile device'
Anyway, I can't belive there trying to patent a flash I mean its a light a small light
I want some of that stuff Steve is taking. I swear, a FLASH? I think just to rebell against apple I will never use my flash again...phone and camera.
jaszek said:
I want some of that stuff Steve is taking. I swear, a FLASH? I think just to rebell against apple I will never use my flash again...phone and camera.
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lol Good luck with that Does anyone know who created the retina display ?? Or have they already patented that too
I know they filed a patent for touch screen and for the keyboard with the pop-up letters.
They might as well patent the camera......
Sent from my froyo lacking Vibrant.
To be fair, they're not trying to patent the flash, they're trying to patent a scanning flash.
Think of it as a spotlight instead of a flash, which shines over the subject changing its intensity as required.
They're also trying to trademark the use of the word "pod" when it comes to using it in technology. I think Apple have gone a little to crazy... this word has been used in existance on the net/life in general for god knows how long... they have issued a briefing paper to the courts against a start up company who have been developing something they call a "video pod" which is some sort of projector, for the last 10 years!
whiskey tango.......
<sarcasm>I might see if I can trademark the use of the word "cast" in terms of the internet and technology...</sarcasm>
captainstu72 said:
They're also trying to trademark the use of the word "pod" when it comes to using it in technology. I think Apple have gone a little to crazy... this word has been used in existance on the net/life in general for god knows how long... they have issued a briefing paper to the courts against a start up company who have been developing something they call a "video pod" which is some sort of projector, for the last 10 years!
whiskey tango.......
<sarcasm>I might see if I can trademark the use of the word "cast" in terms of the internet and technology...</sarcasm>
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"Easy" group, who own EasyJet, EasyBus, EasyCar but strangely not the obviously popular EasyWomen often threaten other companies using Easy and even EZ in their names, hoping the massive legal cost needed to defend against them would scare most companies into submission.
At least when Intel tried to trademark the letter P they were told to P off and so came up with Pentium.
The more people hear about Apple's bullyboy tactics the better. Think how much damage similar behaviour did to MS in the 80's and 90's, yet now when they buy a compettitor you hardly hear about it.
Apple are heading for a PR backlash in the future, most likely just after SJ leaves (again) if he has enough sense.
xaccers said:
To be fair, they're not trying to patent the flash, they're trying to patent a scanning flash.
Think of it as a spotlight instead of a flash, which shines over the subject changing its intensity as required.
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So its like a flash gun (i.e. changing intensity through built in metering, or TTL, focusing on the subject, and having the ability to change the direction of the flash?) but it doesn't actually flash?
Holy **** im confused now
lonelykatana said:
So its like a flash gun (i.e. changing intensity through built in metering, or TTL, focusing on the subject, and having the ability to change the direction of the flash?) but it doesn't actually flash?
Holy **** im confused now
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Current flashes that have built in metering still only produce one intensity of light.
So areas can still be under or over exposed.
What apple's idea sounds like it does is meter the entire subject rather than an average and scan the light over the subject adjusting the brightness accordingly, doing all that in the speed of a flash.
heck, ive heard apple wants to take legal action against anyone who jailbreaks their iphone. ipod touch, or ipad, because the high and mighty jobs does not approve. whats even scarier is awhile back i read on pocketnow.com that apple had submitted a patent request that would allow the iphone 4 to take pictures of whoever is holding it, and if it doesnt match up with the owner then it notifies the cops. itll even measure heartbeats and track you on gps. seriously, apple is starting to behave like a corporate version of Big Brother from george orwells "1984" book. apple is going needed an ass beating in the form of a legal case to put it back in its place. seriously apple, quit *****ing about everything just because you dont own and/or didnt invent it.
Soon Apple will file for a patent for patent filing.
jaszek said:
Soon Apple will file for a patent for patent filing.
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LOL
First, there was the abomination of the T-Mobile/ATT proposed deal ("T&A merger" as someone suggested)...
Now, according to the AP and others:
Microsoft filed suit today against Barnes & Noble as well as the makers of its Android-based e-reader and tablet devices for patent infringement, part of its broader campaign against Google's mobile operating system...Microsoft also named Foxconn International Holdings and Inventec Corporation as defendants in the case.
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Here is a Microsoft blog discussing the suit.
Thoughts?
Won't happen.
They have no case...
Among the patents MS claims are being infringed on :
• Give people easy ways to navigate through information provided by their device apps via a separate control window with tabs;
• Enable display of a webpage’s content before the background image is received, allowing users to interact with the page faster;
• Allow apps to superimpose download status on top of the downloading content;
• Permit users to easily select text in a document and adjust that selection; and
• Provide users the ability to annotate text without changing the underlying document.
Completely and totally BS. You've got that in a bajillion different products out there.
A. Nonymous said:
Among the patents MS claims are being infringed on :
• Give people easy ways to navigate through information provided by their device apps via a separate control window with tabs;
• Enable display of a webpage’s content before the background image is received, allowing users to interact with the page faster;
• Allow apps to superimpose download status on top of the downloading content;
• Permit users to easily select text in a document and adjust that selection; and
• Provide users the ability to annotate text without changing the underlying document.
Completely and totally BS. You've got that in a bajillion different products out there.
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Yeah those are just software features, I'm pretty sure I have never heard a patent lawsuit working like this
What a great time to be a lawyer..
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
what I dont understand for software is that if you are have a feature in your product that essentially does the same thing as someone else's software but the underlying code is completely different is considered patent infringement. I know this is an extreme example but what if the ford motor company was awarded a patent for anything the worked by turning wheels? I mean different car companies where allowed to have their cars but each had different engines under the hood. since i am not even close to a lawyer or someone who knows their way around code I always thought that the patents that a company can get for a software feature seemed shaky. but then when i was in a class for scientific patents, the business guys stressed that you needed to make your patent as broad and generic as you can get because then you can sue anyone who was able to create something you didnt think about that might be remotely related to your patent. I think they followed that up with a cha ching!
To help companies address Android’s ongoing infringement, we’ve established an industry-wide licensing program. Last year, HTC took a license covering its Android-based smartphones, confirming the viability of our license-first approach.
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Way to screw everyone, HTC. I said a year ago when this happened "Great, this will just validate their bull****" and it clearly has.
A. Nonymous said:
Among the patents MS claims are being infringed on :
• Give people easy ways to navigate through information provided by their device apps via a separate control window with tabs;
• Enable display of a webpage’s content before the background image is received, allowing users to interact with the page faster;
• Allow apps to superimpose download status on top of the downloading content;
• Permit users to easily select text in a document and adjust that selection; and
• Provide users the ability to annotate text without changing the underlying document.
Completely and totally BS. You've got that in a bajillion different products out there.
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Micrososft is joining the lowest of the low in filing this patent infringment suit.
I understand why they're doing it, though. The Personal Computer is dying, and Microsoft makes the guts that go into it. Mark my words: 10 years from now we'll all be using tablets with simple, intuitive UI's and very little need for OS maintenance and configuration. The PC will go back to being a hobbyist tool, or something you use when you're at work.
Microsoft is trying to forestall this future, but it's like putting up a parasol to hold back a tsunami. Good luck with that one, Microsoft.
The future OS wars will be fought between Apple and Google (with Google probably the eventual winner). 10 years from now Microsoft will look like IBM, a company everyone knows of but few people can actually say what they do (after selling their PC line to Lenovo).
In my personal opinion, as great as my tablet is, it will never replace a mouse and keyboard. Nevermind that even when I'm at home (not just work), I design all the time, which needs precise accuracy and fast processor speeds. This is fine for music, angry birds, and casual web browsing, but tablets are made as a suppliment to PCs, not the other way around.
As far as the lawsuit goes, I can think of pretty much every smart phone and tablet in the world with those features. Microsoft is feeling the heat in this market. They're realizing that they're even being beat by ereaders, and they are simply sore loosers trying to ride on the coattails of someone else's success. And in this frustration, they found the company with the least chance of being able to defend itself well in court, and went to go take it out on them. Gee that sounds familiar..
Tablets are definitely content consumption devices and excellent ones at that. I don't think a tablet will ever beat a PC as far as content creation goes.
I also agree that right now, a tablet is not a desktop/laptop replacement. However, we already have Bluetooth keyboard "docking stations" for tablets that turn them into rudimentary laptops, so it's not hard to imagine them also gaining external Bluetooth mouse support when precision is required. More than anything what's happening is potential erosion of Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop by OS-X (via both Mac OS and iOS) and Linux (via Android) indirectly via what started as a smart phone revolution and has evolved into tablet computing. It's ironic that Linux is finally a viable widespread end user OS after years of trying through KDE, GNOME, etc., but instead via Android.
Given how late to the game Microsoft is on next-generation smartphones (ignoring Windows CE/Mobile phones of the past), it's not surprising that they're trying everything they can to get a foothold. I found Ballmer's comments about Apple's launch of the iPhone a few years back hilarious. If you haven't seen them, Google it and see what I mean. He pretty much said Apple introducing the most expensive handset the market had ever seen was tantamount to disaster and would be a huge flop! Bet he's wishing he'd given it a little more credence then...
SCWells72 said:
I also agree that right now, a tablet is not a desktop/laptop replacement. However, we already have Bluetooth keyboard "docking stations" for tablets that turn them into rudimentary laptops, so it's not hard to imagine them also gaining external Bluetooth mouse support when precision is required. More than anything what's happening is potential erosion of Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop by OS-X (via both Mac OS and iOS) and Linux (via Android) indirectly via what started as a smart phone revolution and has evolved into tablet computing. It's ironic that Linux is finally a viable widespread end user OS after years of trying through KDE, GNOME, etc., but instead via Android.
Given how late to the game Microsoft is on next-generation smartphones (ignoring Windows CE/Mobile phones of the past), it's not surprising that they're trying everything they can to get a foothold. I found Ballmer's comments about Apple's launch of the iPhone a few years back hilarious. If you haven't seen them, Google it and see what I mean. He pretty much said Apple introducing the most expensive handset the market had ever seen was tantamount to disaster and would be a huge flop! Bet he's wishing he'd given it a little more credence then...
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I'd like to know who finds Ballmer appealing. I used to be a huge fan of Apple (used their devices at home for 14 years, now only using them at work). I can't stand Apple's arrogant vibe, retard simple iOS, and surprisingly progressively cheaper and cheaper feeling desktops (I had three in a row that fell apart quicker than the next. My last iMac lasted 3 months, no lie). However, no matter how much I don't like Apple, I cannot for the life of me see the reason why Ballmer is at the helm of the company. The man makes Jabba the Hutt look like someone I'd like to have a deep conversation with. I often find companys seem to have the biggest jack whipes representing them. How they think that's good for business is beyond me.
Ok, back on topic...
It is very obvious and I know that I am late to discuss this, but here is the actual patent application: US 2009/0249247, if you search the applicants - they appear on other applications assigned to Google. Just my 2 cents...
http://www.google.com/patents?id=r9...urce=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Honestly, in the end, I don't think it will matter. If it's a really good feature that people want, a company will put it in their product, regardless of competitors or patents.
It will, however, be interesting to see if lawsuits are thrown out there over this and other copied features.
Apple would and currently does sue anyone who tried to use anything remotely like one of their patents. I think other companies should do the same to them.
Honestly, the idea is so simple that it should not be patentable, and therein lies alot of our countries issues with stupid lawsuits, but since it is patented it should be used against apple.
...they also copied WP7 with the dedicated camera button, and BB with the messenging...and now they have a cloud....
The entire new iOS is just adopting features that other platforms already had. They should all just sue...
Just to clear, the patent application that appears to be filled by Google is just that an application and not a patent yet. However, it will be interesting to see what happens once they get it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
This will be interesting to see how some users respond to this. I think RIM might need some work on their gear to catch up. Android kills all, and iPhone, as mentioned above is playing catch up.
As much as I hate how Apple's new features were "inspired" by other OS its essential that these companies build on each other cause in the end its benefiting us the users.
The difference is that iOs5 is lacking a clear all button
brilldoctor said:
The difference is that iOs5 is lacking a clear all button
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Shocking omission.
Apple is reportedly negotiating with Android manufacturers to license its patent portfolio as it continues to pile up the ammunition such negotiations will need.
The news comes from the Dow Jones news wire, which talked to the omniscient "people familiar with the matter", and discovered that Apple plans to abandon its policy of all-out nuclear war with Android - a conflict led by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who was hell bent on annihilating Google's mobile operating system.
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More to be found here...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/07/apple_patents/
It's funny because android will be becoming the most expensive OS despite being the most poorly coded. This opens windows phone tango to release low-end devices while even the low end android devices will have to pay an additional $30ish dollars per handset. That will make the cheaper OEMs who want what they can use for cheap look at windows phone as the only viable option. It's just Microsoft and Apple playing smart against their younger, more naive competitor. Apple would rather see themselves back on top with wp7 following than see google and their... Business practices leading the way.
z33dev33l said:
It's funny because android will be becoming the most expensive OS despite being the most poorly coded. This opens windows phone tango to release low-end devices while even the low end android devices will have to pay an additional $30ish dollars per handset. That will make the cheaper OEMs who want what they can use for cheap look at windows phone as the only viable option. It's just Microsoft and Apple playing smart against their younger, more naive competitor. Apple would rather see themselves back on top with wp7 following than see google and their... Business practices leading the way.
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Google has been in the software game a LONG time (in terms of software companies that remain relevant). I wouldn't sell them so short. Keep in mind they compete with Zune and iTunes with Google Music, they pwn e-mail with gmail, they own search with Google Search, they're getting up there with Google+ competing with Twitter and Facebook and Android pwns all current mobile operating systems...
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...and you call them naive? There isn't a software pie on earth Google doesn't have 2 fingers in and they've been in competition with pretty much every software company you can name in one way or another. You have to believe they'll come out of this either just as screwed as apple or just as good as apple.
I personally see this as a good thing. This will lead to more innovation both by Google and their partners as well as for Apple. All in all, this is a good thing for the mobile marketplace and will further innovation rather than the usual "bashing over the head with a club" that we've seen as of late.
This will benefit Android a lot since this means (hopefully) that we won't be seeing the likes of the lawsuits we've seen in the past that resulted in Android phones being pulled off shelves due to some lawsuit.
This is good for both sides since they either steal or borrow each others new/featuring features to their phones can u imagine iTunes running on Android or customization featured on a new IPhone? This is good for both companies they both have their fan base and its gonna be hard to steal customers away from each other since half the people hate iPhones and half the people hate Android
they already steal stuff from each other ie iPhone notification dropdown. can't believe there's no lawsuit about that
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The tittle made me giggle a little
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How? Its not even funny
alexmdz said:
How? Its not even funny
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Peace talks + device manufacturers. Its hilarious!!!
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