Interesting take that gets to the heart of the matter but my
interpretation is different.
Like you say, the genius of Apple and Jobs is an incredible focus on
the simplicity and intuitiveness of their products. I have seen two
year old kids able to use ipads. This was their innovation and it has
won them millions (billions?) of loyal fans.
This was so radically different than the prevailing ethos in the tech
industry at the time that their supporters feel they should be
protected or rewarded for changing the industry.
However, there is a problem in granting protection for these types of
innovations, in that we are setting a dangerous precedent for patents
and innovation. The individual user interface elements that make up
the iPhone, by themselves, are all relatively obvious. Swiping to turn
a page is the natural evolution of the book. Movies like Minority
Report suggest the range of gestures we can imagine given the
appropriate technology. It's quite a stretch to suggest that something
so similar to what we have done all our lives should be protected by
law and in effect create a protected monoply and prevent others from
using these ideas in their products.
Instead those that admire Apple and what they have done should
continue to do what they have been doing, buy their
products.
As someone who has owned multiple ipads, ipods, iphones, and mac
books, I know how compelling their products are and the loyalty it
breeds in their users. Therefore, I think it is unlikely that many
will step back and think whether this really is the best result for
our industry.
Like you say, the genius of Apple and Jobs is an incredible focus on the simplicity and intuitiveness of their products. I have seen two year old kids able to use ipads. This was their innovation and it has won them millions (billions?) of loyal fans.
This was so radically different than the prevailing ethos in the tech industry at the time that their supporters feel they should be protected or rewarded for changing the industry.
However, there is a problem in granting protection for these types of innovations, in that we are setting a dangerous precedent for patents and innovation. The individual user interface elements that make up the iPhone, by themselves, are all relatively obvious. Swiping to turn a page is the natural evolution of the book. Movies like Minority Report suggest the range of gestures we can imagine given the appropriate technology. It's quite a stretch to suggest that something so similar to what we have done all our lives should be protected by law and in effect create a protected monoply and prevent others from using these ideas in their products.
Instead those that admire Apple and what they have done should continue to do what they have been doing, buy their products.
As someone who has owned multiple ipads, ipods, iphones, and mac books, I know how compelling their products are and the loyalty it breeds in their users. Therefore, I think it is unlikely that many will step back and think whether this really is the best result for our industry.