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Chris Jacob
I'm hoping MS can prove prior use with Surface... Multitouch is an inevitable development and it would badly stifle innovation to control who can or can't use it (or charge a licensing fee for it unless they use the EXACT same method.)
I have a feeling that nobody is going to get exclusive rights to multi-touch. Apple tried do this with the mouse and that didn't work, and this is basically the same thing.
Agreed. I'm not familiar with the Apple patent, so I don't know how broad it is, but I can't imagine a court agreeing that Apple has the exclusive right to market digital devices with screens that can be touched in more than one place at once. Frankly, I'd be surprised if Apple can patent come of its more obvious gestures (like pinching to reduce the size of an object, or reverse-pinching to increase it).
How could multi-touch be seen as anything other than a continuation of technology that already existed? I have used the iPhone, and while it is helpful, it is helpful in the same way that a second mouse button is helpful. How can you patent something that, once used, is plainly obvious that it is needed? Oh well, I have never understood patent law, and I suspect I never will. Hopefully everyone will just release their nuclear arsenal of lawyers and destroy the whole system.
So, rather than spend the extra cash to have a screen on the remote control, they are going to have the person just watch the TV/computer to see what they are doing. As long as you don't use those buttons in the center very often, it should be fine, and it is great for making the technology less complicated and use less energy. However, I think what we all want is an iPhone-like device as our remote control that is smart enough to change the screen and know what is going on at the other side.
Still, my favorite part about this product is the use of two touchpads. Great way to avoid any obnoxious Apple patents on dual touch.
06/02/09
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Linux, his eyes uncovered.
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Balmer and Steve on the ocean.
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Zima, at Anso! Zima and Bakor!
06/02/09
(...and to think I actually understood the reference. great episode btw)
04/08/09
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04/08/09
Agreed. I'm not familiar with the Apple patent, so I don't know how broad it is, but I can't imagine a court agreeing that Apple has the exclusive right to market digital devices with screens that can be touched in more than one place at once. Frankly, I'd be surprised if Apple can patent come of its more obvious gestures (like pinching to reduce the size of an object, or reverse-pinching to increase it).
04/08/09
03/20/09
03/20/09
Still, my favorite part about this product is the use of two touchpads. Great way to avoid any obnoxious Apple patents on dual touch.