I think a lot of the Apple vs Anybodyelseintheworld (1 word, will be making it into the dictionry soon, I'm sure) arguments are similar to the Nintendo vs Anybodyelseintheworld arguments.
People talk about inventive, fun games on (the latest generations of) Nintendo consoles compared to impressive hardware specs in the latest XBOX/Play Station. While Apple's hardware may be outdated as soon as it is launched, and later generations of Android phones have more impressive hardware, Apple invested an awful lot in a UI that people found easy to use. If anybody here has used a Windows Mobile 6 device, you'll appreciate how fiddly they are. Apple's 'one button' interface was revolutionary at the time.
I'm not saying I like Apple's products. I do not own one. But while Android and Windows Mobile 7 have now caught up and you could (could, COULD) argue have surpassed Apple in UI design, it's taken long enough for Apple to have established a massive fanbase. That's what you get for being the first to change the game in a marketplace; you get the luxury of being chased, as opposed to the chaser.
That all aside, these patents all sound awfully silly. And that can easily be seen as a market leader abusing their position. But unfortunately, as a limited company, they are obliged to do all they can to maximise the profits for their shareholders. And going any further into that debate will sky rocket this thread off topic into a pro/anti capitalism, uh, thing. So I suggest we don't!
People talk about inventive, fun games on (the latest generations of) Nintendo consoles compared to impressive hardware specs in the latest XBOX/Play Station. While Apple's hardware may be outdated as soon as it is launched, and later generations of Android phones have more impressive hardware, Apple invested an awful lot in a UI that people found easy to use. If anybody here has used a Windows Mobile 6 device, you'll appreciate how fiddly they are. Apple's 'one button' interface was revolutionary at the time.
I'm not saying I like Apple's products. I do not own one. But while Android and Windows Mobile 7 have now caught up and you could (could, COULD) argue have surpassed Apple in UI design, it's taken long enough for Apple to have established a massive fanbase. That's what you get for being the first to change the game in a marketplace; you get the luxury of being chased, as opposed to the chaser.
That all aside, these patents all sound awfully silly. And that can easily be seen as a market leader abusing their position. But unfortunately, as a limited company, they are obliged to do all they can to maximise the profits for their shareholders. And going any further into that debate will sky rocket this thread off topic into a pro/anti capitalism, uh, thing. So I suggest we don't!
