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Flamebait. Jobs played up the IP that went into the iPhone at its launch and (paraphrasing from memory) vowed to defend it vigorously at the time, well before

Flamebait. Jobs played up the IP that went into the iPhone at its launch and (paraphrasing from memory) vowed to defend it vigorously at the time, well before a single Droid or Galaxy S or iPhone shipped. I'll dig through the WWDC transcript if someone forces me ;). They knew that they'd be copied, presumably by low-cost imitators as their products have always been imitated, and were always prepared to use IP law to defend their advantage. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with this strategy, but Apple saw these market pressures coming a long time ago.

mrcharles 15y ago
I recall that as well, but I think this article is still valid, because it speaks to Apple's vigor in enforcing them, as much as anything. I'm not going to say Apple is desperate yet, but I think that Apple foresees that desperation if they don't very actively pursue anything and everything.
- Loic 15y ago
  For once I totally agree. You must also add, that the vast majority of people are price sensitive and do not really care if they use an Apple, Samsung or HTC device. A lot of people around me bought the iPod (not iPad) because they were the cheapest and nice looking at the same time. Look around you at people having a decent normal job, kids, a house to repay, etc. At the end of the month, not a lot of money left for the high end Apple stuff. These are not even the majority of the people. In Europe, basically you have 30% of the people paying no taxes because no money, 30% with money but in fact nearly nothing left at the end of the month and 30% with extra (here I am generous). The iPhone is selling good in Europe only because it is subsidized by the mobile operators. So, if you continue following this line, this means that at least in Europe, Apple will simply not be able to grow past the 30% mark if not subsidized by the operators. Then you hit the last problem, the iPad is seen as a "big" iPhone by people. They use it in addition to a normal computer and buy it with a contract. Now you have Apple, depending for 60% of their income on hardware which most of the time requires the help of the mobile operators to be sold. This is not an easy position to be in. I do not own any Apple device, but I thank them for what they do, because they drive the general quality of the smart phones up.
  - saturdaysaint 15y ago
    People have been predicting Apple's death by the commoditization of consumer electronics since before Jobs' return. It hasn't happened because their expertise in both hardware and software is unparalleled and they have a sterling quality reputation, meaning they will always come out with cool products first and sell them in quantity. People forget that they're not afraid to disrupt themselves either. If they can create a great $500 tablet, don't be surprised if they can make a great $200 unsubsidized phone if they think the competition demands it.
fpgeek 15y ago
In a different context, I remember "Redmond, start your photocopiers!" That's Apple knowing they were going to be copied, but being supremely confident that it wouldn't matter because they'd stay far enough ahead anyway. I don't think I've seen that particular side of Apple in a while.
- saturdaysaint 15y ago
  I don't see the change of character. They encouraged the prosecution of a journalist for getting his hands on an iPhone before release, they sued several mp3 manufacturers for copying the iPod's look and feel (wonder why you didn't see other mp3 players with clickwheels on US shelves?), they were similarly aggressive (albeit not litigious) in blocking the non-threatening Pre from accessing iTunes, they've been fighting toe to toe with content companies since iTunes debuted, they've routinely cornered the market for critical components (small hard drives and flash memory, most notably) for the better part of a decade. This is a company that's played hardball every day for as long as I can remember. The main difference here is that the stakes are higher.
  - fpgeek 15y ago
    I absolutely agree that Apple has always played hardball. There are, however, different kinds of hardball you can play. Back in the day it was laughing, confident, grinding down and humiliating the competition because you were just that much better. Today... it looks more like the desperate, defensive hardball you play when you're backed into a corner. Throwing everything out there because you feel like you have to, rather than stepping back and focusing, first and foremost, on winning.

mrcharles 15y ago

I recall that as well, but I think this article is still valid, because it speaks to Apple's vigor in enforcing them, as much as anything. I'm not going to say Apple is desperate yet, but I think that Apple foresees that desperation if they don't very actively pursue anything and everything.

Loic 15y ago
For once I totally agree. You must also add, that the vast majority of people are price sensitive and do not really care if they use an Apple, Samsung or HTC device. A lot of people around me bought the iPod (not iPad) because they were the cheapest and nice looking at the same time. Look around you at people having a decent normal job, kids, a house to repay, etc. At the end of the month, not a lot of money left for the high end Apple stuff. These are not even the majority of the people. In Europe, basically you have 30% of the people paying no taxes because no money, 30% with money but in fact nearly nothing left at the end of the month and 30% with extra (here I am generous). The iPhone is selling good in Europe only because it is subsidized by the mobile operators. So, if you continue following this line, this means that at least in Europe, Apple will simply not be able to grow past the 30% mark if not subsidized by the operators. Then you hit the last problem, the iPad is seen as a "big" iPhone by people. They use it in addition to a normal computer and buy it with a contract. Now you have Apple, depending for 60% of their income on hardware which most of the time requires the help of the mobile operators to be sold. This is not an easy position to be in. I do not own any Apple device, but I thank them for what they do, because they drive the general quality of the smart phones up.
- saturdaysaint 15y ago
  People have been predicting Apple's death by the commoditization of consumer electronics since before Jobs' return. It hasn't happened because their expertise in both hardware and software is unparalleled and they have a sterling quality reputation, meaning they will always come out with cool products first and sell them in quantity. People forget that they're not afraid to disrupt themselves either. If they can create a great $500 tablet, don't be surprised if they can make a great $200 unsubsidized phone if they think the competition demands it.

fpgeek 15y ago

In a different context, I remember "Redmond, start your photocopiers!" That's Apple knowing they were going to be copied, but being supremely confident that it wouldn't matter because they'd stay far enough ahead anyway. I don't think I've seen that particular side of Apple in a while.

saturdaysaint 15y ago
I don't see the change of character. They encouraged the prosecution of a journalist for getting his hands on an iPhone before release, they sued several mp3 manufacturers for copying the iPod's look and feel (wonder why you didn't see other mp3 players with clickwheels on US shelves?), they were similarly aggressive (albeit not litigious) in blocking the non-threatening Pre from accessing iTunes, they've been fighting toe to toe with content companies since iTunes debuted, they've routinely cornered the market for critical components (small hard drives and flash memory, most notably) for the better part of a decade. This is a company that's played hardball every day for as long as I can remember. The main difference here is that the stakes are higher.
- fpgeek 15y ago
  I absolutely agree that Apple has always played hardball. There are, however, different kinds of hardball you can play. Back in the day it was laughing, confident, grinding down and humiliating the competition because you were just that much better. Today... it looks more like the desperate, defensive hardball you play when you're backed into a corner. Throwing everything out there because you feel like you have to, rather than stepping back and focusing, first and foremost, on winning.