It makes a really good sound bite, especially when you leave out the consideration that the 'prior art' used a completely different methodology. Yes, that's right, the patent describes a method for achieving the desired result. You are free to implement the same perceived behavior, you just need to do it in a different way. Now, you can debate that no software algorithms should be patentable, but that is another discussion. There seems to be a big misunderstanding on slashdot that Apple patented things like tap-to-zoom in the abstract. Rather, they patented specific methodologies for achieving tap-to-zoom.
Don't give Apple a free pass though, they're laughing all the way to the bank as you sign a ToS explaining how your rights are diminutive compared to physical media yet you spend like you're buying a physical entity.
I'm certainly not going to give them a free pass. Rather, I'm going to spend my money at other retailers of RIAA music, like Google and Amazon, who do allow me to pass on my purchases to my family. Oh, wait they don't.
If it were Apple patenting this, we would be seeing hundreds of comments about how this was completely obvious, followed by hundreds of comments pointing to loosely related 'prior art'. Future Apple stories would be littered with highly moderated posts bemoaning the fact that Apple had patented using a camera.
How has that worked for us with Microsoft? From comments that I read here, most people avoid Windows. I also suspect that we try to steer our friends away from purchasing Microsoft products. So, how successful have we been? If people truly made their tech purchases based on our advice, the world would be a very different place.
Apple is probably selling iPhones at a small loss, with the expectation of making back the difference from other fees. Imagine if they found themselves in the position of Sony -- selling devices at a small loss like hotcakes, knowing they'd never see another cent from those same devices once they left their hands.
How did this get modded insightful? It's well known that Apple makes obscene profits on their hardware sales. Do you seriously think that they became the most profitable company in the world by selling the iPhone at a loss and then scraping some money off of AppStore transactions?
As long as we're talking Android, a tablet is the perfect work device - small, portable, thin, light weight device. We only make the comment that a tablet isn't suitable for work on iPad stories to dissuade people from buying Apple.
The patent is for the mechanism, not just the abstract concept. The patent explains how to implement this. You can come up with your own technique for how to solve the problem, as long as it is different from the patent.
When it comes to web-browsing, office applications and familiarity of interface, Windows has an edge (now along with Mac OS X) - at least in the consumer demographic that's waiting to spend money on a new device.
Except Microsoft is releasing this with a completely unfamiliar user interface.
I wonder how Apple is going to spin the fact that every man and their dog was releasing a 7" tablet at the time that Jobs was vitriolic in his total contempt for that size.
Easy, it will be 6.9". Who would want a 7" tablet?
Please excuse my friend. Like many technical people, he is under the impression that a spec sheet defines a product, rather than nuances of user experience.
Then to make my point more clearly in the context of the story - how do my music purchases from Amazon or iTunes die along with me? Isn't my family still able to to maintain and listen to my music collection?
I noticed the same thing as you while browsing the comments on some "normal" news sites. However, I do have to say this - I occasionally view the comments on "normal" news sites and I have to say that the only people posting have to be the scum of the earth. For anyone complaining about trolling on Slashdot, or even Dig or Reddit, those comments pale in comparison to the vile bigoted spew that makes up 90% of "normal" news site comments.
Now, I'm not saying that the comments in this case fall into that category, I would just caution anyone reading too much into news site comments. I'm not sure that they are representative of most people.
I hadn't seen a BitInstant story since Tuesday so I assumed that it was no more. Thanks for reminding me that I care.
Well, actually, there was the story on Wednesday that was able to keep my hopes up. If you can subtly work a few more BitInstant stories into the next few days, I'll be compelled to get a card and those advertising dollars will have been well spent.
Sorry to hitchhike on a top thread, but in case anyone came here for interesting discussion regarding a $500 million data center, there is not a single comment below dealing with the topic. Just partisan bickering about TARP, etc.
They're pissed off at Amazon and clearing out the Kindle Fires for 30% off, but the real news is the Kobo. Target seems to have had a falling out with Kobo and recently started dumping their products.
Target's also apparently pissed off at Brawny Paper Towels. This week they're shoving them out the door at a 30% discount!
Won't my already paid for games play on the Android device that I purchased them for? What is the advantage then with Ouya? I can play games designed for a touch screen with a different input device? Would a game designed for touch input automatically translate to a good experience with a different input device?
No, Google is not being sued for lying. They are being sued for purposely circumventing a privacy control via what could be called a hack. Now, you can blame Apple for the fact that this hack was possible, but do you not blame the party who purposely circumvented the mechanism? If I can find a way to circumvent your computer's security mechanism, would you only blame the OS manufacturer, or would you be upset that I broke in?
I want to know what kind of retailer carries HDTVs and assault rifles? Maybe Best Buy should adopt this idea
Great, then they would only sell gold plated assault rifles with attractive satin silk finish for maximum shooting distance with delicate low-level sound.
Slashdot Mirror
Care to elaborate on that rectangle computation? Remember, this isn't just zoom to tap, this is zoom to content.
If it is so obvious, then without reading the patent, please explain how it is done.
It makes a really good sound bite, especially when you leave out the consideration that the 'prior art' used a completely different methodology. Yes, that's right, the patent describes a method for achieving the desired result. You are free to implement the same perceived behavior, you just need to do it in a different way. Now, you can debate that no software algorithms should be patentable, but that is another discussion. There seems to be a big misunderstanding on slashdot that Apple patented things like tap-to-zoom in the abstract. Rather, they patented specific methodologies for achieving tap-to-zoom.
I'm certainly not going to give them a free pass. Rather, I'm going to spend my money at other retailers of RIAA music, like Google and Amazon, who do allow me to pass on my purchases to my family. Oh, wait they don't.
If it were Apple patenting this, we would be seeing hundreds of comments about how this was completely obvious, followed by hundreds of comments pointing to loosely related 'prior art'. Future Apple stories would be littered with highly moderated posts bemoaning the fact that Apple had patented using a camera.
How has that worked for us with Microsoft? From comments that I read here, most people avoid Windows. I also suspect that we try to steer our friends away from purchasing Microsoft products. So, how successful have we been? If people truly made their tech purchases based on our advice, the world would be a very different place.
How did this get modded insightful? It's well known that Apple makes obscene profits on their hardware sales. Do you seriously think that they became the most profitable company in the world by selling the iPhone at a loss and then scraping some money off of AppStore transactions?
Yes, as opposed to vIrb67's life of adventurous escapades.
And remember - anything can be deemed classified or sensitive, it doesn't matter if the material should be sensitive.
As long as we're talking Android, a tablet is the perfect work device - small, portable, thin, light weight device. We only make the comment that a tablet isn't suitable for work on iPad stories to dissuade people from buying Apple.
The patent is for the mechanism, not just the abstract concept. The patent explains how to implement this. You can come up with your own technique for how to solve the problem, as long as it is different from the patent.
Except Microsoft is releasing this with a completely unfamiliar user interface.
Easy, it will be 6.9". Who would want a 7" tablet?
Please excuse my friend. Like many technical people, he is under the impression that a spec sheet defines a product, rather than nuances of user experience.
Then to make my point more clearly in the context of the story - how do my music purchases from Amazon or iTunes die along with me? Isn't my family still able to to maintain and listen to my music collection?
Could someone explain to me what limitation prevents me from giving a copy of every single song I've ever purchased from Amazon or iTunes to a friend?
I noticed the same thing as you while browsing the comments on some "normal" news sites. However, I do have to say this - I occasionally view the comments on "normal" news sites and I have to say that the only people posting have to be the scum of the earth. For anyone complaining about trolling on Slashdot, or even Dig or Reddit, those comments pale in comparison to the vile bigoted spew that makes up 90% of "normal" news site comments.
Now, I'm not saying that the comments in this case fall into that category, I would just caution anyone reading too much into news site comments. I'm not sure that they are representative of most people.
I hadn't seen a BitInstant story since Tuesday so I assumed that it was no more. Thanks for reminding me that I care.
Well, actually, there was the story on Wednesday that was able to keep my hopes up. If you can subtly work a few more BitInstant stories into the next few days, I'll be compelled to get a card and those advertising dollars will have been well spent.
-Waddle to the bus stop
-Wheeze my way up the bus stairs
-Cram myself into seat
Sorry to hitchhike on a top thread, but in case anyone came here for interesting discussion regarding a $500 million data center, there is not a single comment below dealing with the topic. Just partisan bickering about TARP, etc.
Target's also apparently pissed off at Brawny Paper Towels. This week they're shoving them out the door at a 30% discount!
Of course, it's best not to let facts influence your opinion.
Won't my already paid for games play on the Android device that I purchased them for? What is the advantage then with Ouya? I can play games designed for a touch screen with a different input device? Would a game designed for touch input automatically translate to a good experience with a different input device?
No, Google is not being sued for lying. They are being sued for purposely circumventing a privacy control via what could be called a hack. Now, you can blame Apple for the fact that this hack was possible, but do you not blame the party who purposely circumvented the mechanism? If I can find a way to circumvent your computer's security mechanism, would you only blame the OS manufacturer, or would you be upset that I broke in?
Great, then they would only sell gold plated assault rifles with attractive satin silk finish for maximum shooting distance with delicate low-level sound.