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Except Apple nicked the UI from Creative Labs. https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-settles-with-creative-for-100-million-1/ https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-settles

• ascagnel_ 10y ago
  > The patent covers an interface that lets users navigate through a tree of expanding options, such as selecting an artist, then a particular album by that artist, then a specific song from that album, said Phil O'Shaughnessy, a Creative spokesman. The software UI (especially as described by that spokesman) is somewhat obvious. That said, the hardware UI of the iPod (click-wheel) was miles ahead of what Creative and others were offering (D-pads).