Apple strikes back at Samsung with 2005 iPhone prototype design
Countering Samsung's allegations that the iPhone borrowed design elements from Sony, Apple has revealed an iPhone prototype dating back to 2005 that shares many design elements with the iPhone 4 released in 2010.
Referred to internally as "Purple," the prototype created in August 2005 was revealed in new court documents in the Apple-Samsung lawsuit, which is set to kick off in court today. The filing, highlighted by The Verge on Monday, shows a white iPhone dominated by a touchscreen on the front, with a home button below the display that reads "Menu."
The prototype design has flat sides and curved corners much like the iPhone 4, and the back of the device has a spot for a camera lens in the upper right corner. Apple revealed the "Purple" design in an attempt to show the court that its smartphone design was not stolen from Sony.
Samsung previously asserted in court that Apple's iPhone design was inspired by Sony's aesthetics. As evidence of this, it showed a prototype iPhone from 2006 from Apple designer Shin Nishibori that included the word "Jony," presumably in honor of Apple's lead designer Jony Ive, in the same font and style as the "Sony" logo.
But the "Purple" prototype revealed by Apple predates the "Jony" concept by months. Apple also said that Nishibori's Sony-inspired concepts were "an 'enjoyable' side project" that embellished a concept Apple had already designed.
Apple's "Purple" iPhone prototype dates back to August of 2005.
The lawsuit between Samsung and Apple has revealed a number of highly confidential internal documents from each company. Last week, dozens of unreleased iPhone and iPad design prototypes were disclosed, including an iPad with a kickstand, and a two-toned rear casing for an iPhone.
While the lawsuit centers around Samsung and Apple, a report in Monday's The Wall Street Journal suggests the lawsuit is a "proxy" for Google, maker of the Android mobile operating system found on most of Samsung's smartphones and tablets. If Apple were to earn a strong victory against Samsung, the implications could ripple beyond the South Korean electronics maker and affect Google's other Android partners from around the world.
Referred to internally as "Purple," the prototype created in August 2005 was revealed in new court documents in the Apple-Samsung lawsuit, which is set to kick off in court today. The filing, highlighted by The Verge on Monday, shows a white iPhone dominated by a touchscreen on the front, with a home button below the display that reads "Menu."
The prototype design has flat sides and curved corners much like the iPhone 4, and the back of the device has a spot for a camera lens in the upper right corner. Apple revealed the "Purple" design in an attempt to show the court that its smartphone design was not stolen from Sony.
Samsung previously asserted in court that Apple's iPhone design was inspired by Sony's aesthetics. As evidence of this, it showed a prototype iPhone from 2006 from Apple designer Shin Nishibori that included the word "Jony," presumably in honor of Apple's lead designer Jony Ive, in the same font and style as the "Sony" logo.
But the "Purple" prototype revealed by Apple predates the "Jony" concept by months. Apple also said that Nishibori's Sony-inspired concepts were "an 'enjoyable' side project" that embellished a concept Apple had already designed.
Apple's "Purple" iPhone prototype dates back to August of 2005.
The lawsuit between Samsung and Apple has revealed a number of highly confidential internal documents from each company. Last week, dozens of unreleased iPhone and iPad design prototypes were disclosed, including an iPad with a kickstand, and a two-toned rear casing for an iPhone.
While the lawsuit centers around Samsung and Apple, a report in Monday's The Wall Street Journal suggests the lawsuit is a "proxy" for Google, maker of the Android mobile operating system found on most of Samsung's smartphones and tablets. If Apple were to earn a strong victory against Samsung, the implications could ripple beyond the South Korean electronics maker and affect Google's other Android partners from around the world.
Comments
Apple's genius: in 2005 they were *already* thinking like that. A design way ahead of its time.
Samsung's defense, that the iPhone idea was "stolen from Sony anyway" is was very risky, given that it's a virtual admission that they stole from Apple. If Apple are able to prove otherwise, Samsung may have thrown their case away.
It is incredible that these designs went back to 2005, when phones tended to look like this:
http://img.xcitefun.net/users/2010/07/195382,xcitefun-nokia-6030.jpg
2 billion is a traffic light ticket even if it sticks. They'll simply copy something else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoolook
Samsung's defense, that the iPhone idea was "stolen from Sony anyway" is was very risky, given that it's a virtual admission that they stole from Apple. If Apple are able to prove otherwise, Samsung may have thrown their case away.
It is incredible that these designs went back to 2005, when phones tended to look like this:
http://img.xcitefun.net/users/2010/07/195382,xcitefun-nokia-6030.jpg
Samsung can't offer the Sony claims anyway. The judge already ruled against allowing it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by uguysrnuts
Judging from how f'ed up the patent system is, and if that idiot judge from UK is any indication, there may be little to zero consequence to Samsung.
2 billion is a traffic light ticket even if it sticks. They'll simply copy something else.
But it'll make others think twice.
This looks like the iPhone 4/4S design, not like the earlier designs. The Galaxy (S/S2) does not look like the 4/4S but resembles the earlier designs.
Looks like a single screen DS system.
Which was released in 2004 with wifi.
didn't Ngage have a touchscreen as well?
The fact this came to trial is just ridiculous. Its beyond stupid. So a month of discussing different versions of squares and corners and FRAND 3G patents.
What happens after this trial.
NOTHING.
Apple will sell a bunch of Iphone 5 (iphones)
Samsung will sell a Bunch of SGS III (galaxy phones)
If these companies were not so petty. This money that is being wasted could of been used for I dont know, innovation.
And all the fandroids and itards will line up behind "their" respected multi-billion company (like their way of life is being challenged and the result of this trial will create a life changing moment), spewing nonsense not realizing this does not help anyone but the lawyers and is a waste of money.
As if things could get any stranger, the designer who supposedly created the Sony-inspired mock-up for Apple, Shin Nishibori. resigned from Apple in the past couple of weeks and says he won't testify since he's no longer an Apple employee and wasn't properly served.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Key-witness-in-Apple-Samsung-trial-leaves-Apple-doesnt-want-to-testify_id32795
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techstalker
If these companies were not so petty. This money that is being wasted could of been used for I dont know, innovation.
And that is exactly what Apple is doing... innovating. The sad part is that if Samsung & others did their own R&D and innovating, Apple wouldn't have to spend a lot of time & money protecting those same innovations which cost far more than what it costs to defend & protect.
who cares if Apple had prototypes that were inspired by Sony. They never mass produced them and sold them as original designs. Also note, Sony did not sell phones that looked like the inspired prototypes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jungmark
who cares if Apple had prototypes that were inspired by Sony. They never mass produced them and sold them as original designs. Also note, Sony did not sell phones that looked like the inspired prototypes.
Good point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by uguysrnuts
Judging from how f'ed up the patent system is, and if that idiot judge from UK is any indication, there may be little to zero consequence to Samsung.
2 billion is a traffic light ticket even if it sticks. They'll simply copy something else.
No wonder he is from UK.
UK no longer produce durable anything.
UK used to make the coolest and fastest cars and machinery, now all they want is cheap-cheap.
Really, really SAD.
I'm an Apple fan mostly because of how much they emulate Sony.
And after reading a review from either BGR or Gizmodo stating that the Playstation Vita takes design ques from the iphone 4 is a bunch of shit. Seriously people, i truly get being loyal to a company that charges you an arm and a leg for their hard work, but ignoring another companies design just to validate your choice of purchase is insanely pathetic. Granted, that's just how people are nowdays, dumb as all get out. Just look at a PSP and the iphone and try to tell yourself that their not reminiscent of each other.
http://www.gaminggenerations.com/store/images/images_extra/PSP_1000_Chrome_2.jpg
considering Apple is getting away with enough of slamming the other OEMs of design choice, really they should slow down and take a look in the mirror. Dont try and shoot this down either. To everyone i know, the Galaxy Nexus looks absolutely nothing like my 4S yet somehow it was banned and it looks the least like an iphone!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techstalker
And all the fandroids and itards will line up behind "their" respected multi-billion company (like their way of life is being challenged and the result of this trial will create a life changing moment), spewing nonsense not realizing this does not help anyone but the lawyers and is a waste of money.
Being that i work in the legal field recording many depositions for over 17 years this is the REAL REASON HERE - PERIOD END OF DISCUSSION.
As far as people taking defense or offense against company a or b - thats just said - both companies make us products we use or dont use. but to repeat the original intent here - you have NO idea how this is just feeding the legal community...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sip
And that is exactly what Apple is doing... innovating. The sad part is that if Samsung & others did their own R&D and innovating, Apple wouldn't have to spend a lot of time & money protecting those same innovations which cost far more than what it costs to defend & protect.
Yes innovation and protecting squares.
Im all for Apple suing the hell out of samsung for touchwiz 1-3 because that was a direct ripoff of ios design standard. But the fact that in this trial the argeument for different variation of squares is coming up is ridiculous. I hope the judge follows the UK and throws out the rectangle problem Apple seems to have with other companies.
As far as touchwiz to ios goes, Apple deserves payment for samsung ripping them off. Its hard not to copy a picture frame, its pretty easy to stay clear of copying ios. Samsung made their android skin almost a direct copy of ios and deserves to be punish.
Look at the SGSIII it actually did not not copy ios. But the SGSIII was built on the back of the SGS and SGSII touchwiz and Apple deserves justice for that. Just not on vague patents of different size rectangles with sharp or rounded corners.
As far as samsung's FRAND related 3G patents. The court should decide what reasonable payments Apple should pay Samsung. Its a shame because reasonable companies would of solved these issues out of court. As much as I'm not a fan of Microsoft, this is one area where they are exceptional at.