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If so, then about a million other people "invented it" as well. Tablets are one of those "no duh" technologies that almost EVERY science fiction writer just as
by breckinloggins 15y ago
If so, then about a million other people "invented it" as well. Tablets are one of those "no duh" technologies that almost EVERY science fiction writer just assumed the future would have.
Apple didn't invent the tablet. They just made it not suck. The innovation didn't originate in the conception of the device itself.
- blahedo 15y agoWhether this is an apt counter to the article's thesis depends on whether you perceive that thesis to be "This guy invented it and therefore should get acclaim/money/patents", or "This guy invented it and therefore Apple didn't and therefore Apple shouldn't get acclaim/money/patents." In particular, as yet more evidence that Apple's design patent on the iPad is totally bogus, I think the point is valid---and your point that "about a million other people 'invented it' as well" only contributes further.
- breckinloggins 15y agoPersonally? I'd go with: "No one REALLY invented the product category. So, Apple, if you want to take someone to task for specifically ripping off one of your implementation details, then go for it. Just don't claim that you somehow came up with the 'computer as big slate of glass' concept."
- snprbob86 15y agoWell put. Very few modern inventions have a singular "inventor" in this day and age. It's a romantic notion that there is some genius somewhere who had a light bulb go off and suddenly a product is born. Unfortunately, that's simply not how the world works. It never was true because invention always took a lot of hard work. You need time, money, and skill. However, this romantic notion is especially not true now that timelines, budgets, and skill-requirements exceed individual inventors' minds, wallets, and lifespans.