Apple has just patented what PCs have been doing for some time now:

[Deja Q]

Lighting them up from within in pretty colors.

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-5311795.html

Has Apple nothing left to give than this joke that everybody else has already thought of and implemented?! (naturally, putting a patent on an already widespread idea will only allow them to sue the pants off of everybody...)

It's only a reminder that knowledge should be shared. Not hoarded.

[Placebo]

1. Well you are clearly insane, misinformed, and a biased PC phony.

............ j/k :pals:

but seriously, EVERYONE knows that every, and i mean EVERY pc manufacturer on the FACE of the planet studies and copies apple's designs and look.

apple invests more into R&D, by percentage of their overall earnings, than ANY other PC manufacturer on the planet.

and not only PC's, look at the iPod, EVERY other hardrive based MP3 player out there that even has a chance of selling 1/10th that of the iPod has to do everything to copy it short of actually doing so.

[caledesi]

3. Amen! nt

[Deja Q]

11. I have yet to see a PC case that looks like a Mac case...

And it all started when Apple saw Xerox's GUI and mouse and then "pulled a Microsoft before Microsoft pulled a Microsoft on them".

Apple is far from being some sort of angelic savior. They're a corporation. Like everyone else. They're all out for money.

Apple ditched SCSI for IDE, and that's after PCs adopted the IDE route. Considering how much slower IDE was at the time, Apple was doing it solely to cut costs (though prices for their units didn't correspondingly drop).

Apple took a free unix clone and made it into OS X. Another way to make a savings yet I don't see any price savings.

They can hype up a different brand processor that does better than Intel (who can't?), but they combine it with substandard video cards and puny amounts of memory and charge more for it, making me wonder what the big deal is. Businesses will clearly spend the least amount of money up front.

Apple made a translucent case in 1999, packed it with substandard hardware, and peddled it to the masses saying "buy all 5 fruity flavors: Grape, tangerine, lime, blueberry, and strawberry!" - I just about vomited at how crass Apple was at patronizing then reeling in the lollipops.

And does everybody need all the things the iPod does? If a simple MP3 player is all they need, they surely don't need a pricey iPod.

While Apple may have sold the first translucent case (big crowning intellectual achievement for them there </sarcasm>), they did NOT come up with internal lighting. As with water cooling the processors, the PC got there first.

[Placebo]

13. Oh tsk, tsk, tsk, WHERE do we begin...

"Apple made a translucent case in 1999, packed it with substandard hardware, and peddled it to the masses saying "buy all 5 fruity flavors: Grape, tangerine, lime, blueberry, and strawberry!" - I just about vomited at how crass Apple was at patronizing then reeling in the lollipops.

And does everybody need all the things the iPod does? If a simple MP3 player is all they need, they surely don't need a pricey iPod.

While Apple may have sold the first translucent case (big crowning intellectual achievement for them there </sarcasm> , they did NOT come up with internal lighting. As with water cooling the processors, the PC got there first."

1. That is your opinion, the computer actually sold VERY well.
2. If the tech industry was driven by what we "need" we would all be running Pentium II's. It's not about what "need" it's about what you WANT. And frankly, judging by how well the iPod (and other HD based MP3 players have sold, I think a lot of people DO need/want such a large and expensive iPod. You mad not, A LOT OF PEOPLE DO. (me included)

People use their iPods not only for music, but for transporting files as a portable HD (i use it for that as well) and for syncing with your address book, or listening to audibooks. (i do both, and I am NOT THE ONLY ONE)

And lastly, just because you consider it pricey, that doesn't mean it necessarily is out of reach for a lot of people.

3. Clearly you didn't read the article that you linked to in the first place if you think that this is a simple 'lights inside a clear plastic case' job, as another DUer noted prior.

[parasim]

17. Here's a couple of commentaries that you might like...

... or not.

Neil Stephenson has an interesting take on the evolution of the OS.

http://www.cryptonomicon.com/beginning.html
(it's in book form, but you can download the entire article at that link. Thanks, Neil)


and of course Mark Morford's take on the Mac:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2003/10/10/notes101003.DTL&nl=fix

and the iPod:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2004/07/23/notes072304.DTL&nl=fix

[Old and In the Way]

18. I hope you have your 3 piece Nomex suit on...............

:-)

[PatGund]

19. You mean....

"And it all started when Apple saw Xerox's GUI and mouse and then "pulled a Microsoft before Microsoft pulled a Microsoft on them"."

You mean when Apple *licenced* the GUI concepts from Xerox PARC in exchange for Apple stock???

Unlike Microsoft, who got to rip them off for free.due to a poorly-worded contract

As with water cooling the processors, the PC got there first.

Yes, because the x86 series tends to run hotter than the PowerPC. It's just been recently that the PowerPC has gotten to the point of needing water cooling.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. I was wondering...

Has Apple patented the Blue Screen of Death?

[Deja Q]

4. No. But have they patented their OS, based off of a free unix clone?

And ramp up the prices in the process? :shrug:

[Placebo]

5. Not true...

the Mac OS X operating system is based of unix but if you think that's a mere unix clone repackaged with a high price tag you would be seriously mistaken.

it's the most solid, most dependable, and easiest to use of ANY operating system on the planet, i tell ya what.

and those of us who actually use it love it so much we need not bicker about its price tag.

[ranosgol]

9. Novell, RedHat. IBM, SUN. etc

They are using Linux to profit off of.
I am one that does not have problem with commercial software or hardware.
I have been using computers for decades.
My first computer was an Atari 600XL with 16 K of Ram

Then I became a WINTEL user.

Those who bitch most about Apple software and hardware are those who have never used it or have used it very little.

Yes it is more expensive, yes it doe shave smaller market share.

I wish they had a little more market share but I do like a none Windows environment.

I have used Windows, Linux and Mac

Mac OS X is hands down the best OS on the market.

I know u WINTEL and LINTEL people Will never agree but that is what makes America Great.

[PatGund]

20. Actually.....

"No. But have they patented their OS, based off of a free unix clone?"

Actually Darwin, the BSD-based underpinnings of OS X, is Open Souced and are free for download. There's even some people that have created versions that run on x86 hardware.

http://developer.apple.com/darwin/

However, Aqua, the GUI interface that lies on top of Darwin, *is* patented. *NOT* the Unix underpinnings. Darwin is still Open Source though.

[salvorhardin]

6. It's only a reminder

that knowledge should be shared. Not hoarded.

...and that the USPTO has gone complete off their rocker in the past 15 years or so. The stuff that gets awarded patents these days is not only laughable it's criminal.

By the way, as an aside, I highly recommend everybody read Lawrence Lassig's book Free Culture. While it deals with copyright, it's a fascinating look at the history of intellectual property law, its' over-regulation in modern America and the chilling effect it has on the development of culture.

[amber dog democrat]

7. you have it backwards.

Apple is the only serious ino
vator in the personal computer industry.
They are the last ones on the planet that make the whole widget, from OS/ to hardware.

I never have used a PC unless I had no other choice. Instead of a mediocre copy of a Mac, I will use the real thing. But if you like PCs ( and lotsa people do ) knock your self out.

[Placebo]

8. Amen.

And the reason that Apple has to go to such lengths to ensure that no one tries to steal what they spend a large time of money on is because they ARE the underdog, and they have to protect what they have more than anyone else.

Apple inovates, Windows/PC's steal.

[parasim]

10. Really?

I have not seen those PCs that you speak of.

You know, the ones with the widespread use of these ideas...

-snip

...you would be able to change your Mac's color to anything you like through a control panel. You can already change your wallpaper to suit your tastes, and this would let you do the same for your computer case.

-snip

The technology can do more than this, of course, and Apple notes how earlier computers were not able to give you feedback beyond the screen or speakers. Having your Mac glow orange when you receive an e-mail from your boss or flash red when there is a system error can be of use.

http://www.macobserver.com/columns/devilsadvocate/2004/20030813.shtml



What models are you referring to? I think they sound kind of cool...

[politicat]

12. Toad, they're not talking about LEDs in the case...

This is a software/hardware interface that goes FAR beyond what the R1zboyz are doing with their gaming machines.

It's not at all the same thing.

While I agree with the patent issue, I think you're going off on Apple without the whole facts.

Politicat

[Placebo]

14. Exactly!

It's far more elaborate and complicated. I am glad some people realise this.

[Ducks In A Row]

15. even if it's true, it's just turn-around fair play

the pcs have been copying macs (although badly) for years.

[parasim]

16. I wouldn't worry too much about Apple...

... having "nothing left to give". You know as well as I do that the entire consumer electronics industry waits with baited breath for the January Macworld expo to see what they're coming out with next.

And btw, Apple introduced the idea of "lighting them up from within in pretty colors" years ago before anyone else. They did it with the sleek black powerbook and the Macintosh cube. Not only did they light up, but gently strobed to give the appearance of breathing to indicate when the system was asleep.