Apple Throws Down the Smartphone Gauntlet

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/apple-on-smartphone-competition-if-others-rip-off-our-intellec/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/...f-our-intellec/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"For those of you who weren't listening in to Apple's earnings call today, you missed a prime moment of defensiveness when Tim Cook fielded a question about how the company plans to stay competitive amidst new entries from the likes of Google and, more recently, Palm. What seemed like an answer due to end with a "we've got some great new stuff on the way" slant, Cook dovetailed into how the company views its new smartphone competition."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1232597019.usr105634.jpg" /></em></p><p>Sounds like they are paying attention to the market and the competition, as anyone that has followed Apple would expect. Tim Cook pointed out that while they&nbsp;<em>"like competition because it makes us better, but we will not stand for companies infringing on our IP."&nbsp;</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[crimsonsky]

Stories are all over the web now about how Apple may go after Palm for the Pre, and honestly, I just don't get it. So it has a touch interface - like dozens of other phones these days including WM devices and the Blackberry Storm. So why is the Pre an object of IP interest?

The device hasn't even been released yet! This all seems premature. And it also smacks of "oh no, there's really a worthy competitor appearing on the scene - we better squash it quick." And this idea just doesn't seem to fly.

Or maybe it's just the tech press making a mountain out of an anthill, a thing at which they excel.

At least wait until the device is released before getting all hot and bothered.

[doogald]

Stories are all over the web now about how Apple may go after Palm for the Pre, and honestly, I just don't get it. So it has a touch interface - like dozens of other phones these days including WM devices and the Blackberry Storm. So why is the Pre an object of IP interest?

I believe that the thinking is that the device was developed under the leadership of Jon Rubinstein, formerly of Apple, who I believe led a portion of the development of the iPhone and hired away some of his former Apple employees to develop webOS and the Pre.


At least wait until the device is released before getting all hot and bothered.

I'm sure that's what will happen, if it does at all.


Or maybe it's just the tech press making a mountain out of an anthill, a thing at which they excel.

Or it could be that, yes.

[Vincent Ferrari]

Or maybe it's just the tech press making a mountain out of an anthill, a thing at which they excel.

I second that theory.