DISQUS

last100: What if Apple sued Palm, would Microsoft come to the rescue?

  • xxdesmus · 10 months ago
    I could not agree more. I think Microsoft at the very least would get involved if Apple was to try anything stupid here. Then again, we can also assume that Apple is aware of this very real possibility...and would plan accordingly before initiating any type of lawsuit. I'm very interested to see how this plays out.
  • Steve O'Hear · 10 months ago
    @xxdesmus

    I don't think Apple would file a suit without thinking through how this will send ripples throughout the whole industry. I hope it doesn't happen too but not at the expense of stifling competitors taking the best bits and improving them. That's what I like most about innovation: building on top of existing ideas not having to bypass or ignore them because of patents. Besides, most companies copy really badly, so just let them. The problem Apple has is that Palm looks like it has done a really, really good job.
  • Mack D. Male · 10 months ago
    Good call Steve. I'd be surprised if Apple were able to sue Palm and win. Then again, the patent system is mostly broken anyway.
  • Look · 10 months ago
    @Steve O'Hear

    "The problem Apple has is that Palm looks like it has done a really, really good job."

    *True, Palm copy really really good = Palm are desperate!
  • jdesson · 10 months ago
    Steve, your assumption is that Apple has the patents on gesture UI, maybe not entirely; maybe Microsoft or some other company has some of the patents. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft has quietly signed an agreement with Apple or whoever has the patents on gestures UI. Microsoft has invested so heavily in their gesture table, I would be surprised if they didn't have their patents in order.Same goes for Palm and RIM's new storm.
  • Daniel · 10 months ago
    With this stuff it's not just what you have but even more importantly what the other side has. Palm must have patents themselves... maybe Palm even have a patent covering all portable devices you hold in your palm.
  • mr bailey · 10 months ago
    at these stock values and cash on hand, it would seem that microsoft should buy palm and go head to head with rimm and apple on an even playing field. imo palm would do very very well
  • Steve O'Hear · 10 months ago
    @ mr bailey

    Microsoft buying Palm would be terrible news for Palm's future and would be a complete change of strategy from Redmond. They already have the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 OS in the oven and recently bought Danger, makers of the T-Mobile Sidekick. Let's see what that produces first.

    Instead, maybe Nokia should buy Palm - they have the cash too and would benefit from Palm's UI and web services approach...
  • Alexander Dombroff · 9 months ago
    As much as I like Apple products, I get sick of patents. Patents keep other companies from competing with similar but different products.
  • chris777 · 4 months ago
    Not a huge Apple fan but... Why would I want a phone that is violating corporate patents owned by Apple? This phone's future is uncertain with all the legal trouble it could cause Palm. Which presents problems... will upgrades be available, security fixes, stability fixes? If Palm recalls this phone there will be no support for it and resell value would be nothing.