Apple and its name claims

[Robert Wheeler]

Is it me, or is Apple becoming more and more Microsoft-like in its approach to dealing with its competition?

A few months ago I noted reports that ITV plc were challenging plans to relaunch the Apple TV box and service in the UK as iTV, as they argued that ITV was their protected trademark. Apple argued that 'iTV' was sufficiently different to 'ITV'. I personally can not quite see how a capitalization of one letter can be regarded as "sufficiently different", especially when they are competing in similar, if not the same markets.

Now I have just read that Apple are opposing the release of a product called the 'Video Pod', a projection system from a company named Sector Labs, as they feel they have the exclusive right to use the word 'pod' in product names.

Surely Apple can only be following this tact because they think that Sector Labs will run out of money to pay their lawyers long before they do? The word 'Pod' has been used in both technology and non-technology applications for years. It is not like the word 'Hoover' which only the owners and licensees of Hoover brand can use to describe their products as 'Hoovers'. And how can they have the face to claim they have the exclusive right to the word 'Pod' in any part of a product name, yet say that 'iTV' is significantly different from 'ITV' for there to be no infringement?

To be fair, I do not think this is a new thing from Apple. Apart from the obvious Beatles Apple music case, back in the late 80's and 90's they tried to patent and restrict the use of certain technologies on other computer platforms. At one point they were threatening certain hardware manufacturers with legal action if they provided drivers for their graphics tablets that would allow them to be used with non-Apple systems. They leveled the same threats at software companies that planned to offer support for such software. Apple claimed that they owned a patent that meant they had the right to restrict the deployment of such technology on non-Apple hardware. This is probably one of the main reasons Apple computers became one of the systems of choice for graphics and design applications, despite the fact that their hardware was inferior to contemporary platforms such as the Amiga.

 

[Eagle]

Apple are just arrogant.

Power corrupts etc etc...

 

[Liybpg]

I think all those cases are just business sense. It is like trying to improve your cashflow by paying late and getting money earlier - there's no one policy of 'late' payments, they just do whatever they think is right in every situation. I don't think calling the platform iTV will benefit apple though - I think it is just too close and will cause confusion, which will not benefit apple.

I don't like apple at all though, their brand just annoys me. Not even the brand but the whole fake buzz around it, it is just a perfect example of consumerism at its best. Their products are good, but the whole culture is disgusting

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Apple are just as bad as Microsoft now - if not worse. There was once a time when Apple were very free spirited and believed in sharing and being open with their ethics and technology. Now, everything is extremely controlled to the point where usability is damaged in my opinion.

 

[Zeal]

Apple do indeed make great products.... but so do other providers. I mean, the iphone isn't the only "smart touchscreen" is it? HTC are well above Apple (IMO).

Anyhow... didn't Apple actually steal the name "ipad" which was trademarked

 

[nickoedwards]

Now, everything is extremely controlled to the point where usability is damaged in my opinion.

In what scenario is usability damaged? I would agree with that statement if you were a prolific user of cracked software and modding. However, my parents are not, Apple produce products which are ideal for them. Very easy to use, very intuitive and guides them through every step. The other day my 60 year old Dad made a respectable movie from old childhood movie clips, I'd very much doubt he'd be able to download a cracked copy of Adobe Premiere and make one.

You may have to fork out more money to use the software and hardware, but I think it's worth it. So far, it doesn't miss anything I require.

 

[jessicaloreen2]

now you can win free apple ipad in uk.. grab the chance...

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

In what scenario is usability damaged? I would agree with that statement if you were a prolific user of cracked software and modding. However, my parents are not, Apple produce products which are ideal for them. Very easy to use, very intuitive and guides them through every step. The other day my 60 year old Dad made a respectable movie from old childhood movie clips, I'd very much doubt he'd be able to download a cracked copy of Adobe Premiere and make one.

You may have to fork out more money to use the software and hardware, but I think it's worth it. So far, it doesn't miss anything I require.

That's great for them. However, in making the software so simple, they have also cut off any sort of complex options, any sort of in-depth customisation, and directed it towards some fairly generic tasks.

With windows, there are many different options when it comes to doing certain activities and using the machine in a certain way. With Apple, they've stuck you down one simplistic path, and if it doesn't sit right with you, then you don't have a choice.

I presume that's because they want to prevent those who barely know what they're doing from accidently damaging the software. That's great for them, but it's really not for me.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Dear Scott

This is the 1st time I have heard that Adobe software is simpler on a Mac than a PC.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Dear Scott

This is the 1st time I have heard that Adobe software is simpler on a Mac than a PC.

I wasn't talking about specific software. I was talking about the OS as a whole, and basically everything Apple creates, such as the iPhone.

 

[Astaroth]

They have offered a simple option but they also have produced one of the most advanced commercial products for doing the same (Final Cut Studio) and a middle ground. In addition obviously 3rd parties develop their own software, many for Apple & Windows (such as Adobe Premier) and other than making interfaces in line with the OS there is little difference between the two.

I don't think its a case that Apple are getting worse, I think its more of a case they are becoming more high profile. 10 years ago outside of the creative media industry there was only a low level of interest in Apple and so the "pod" trademark case simply wouldn't have made the news. Now a big corporation is picking on a little company and so its news worthy.

 

[mangoprint]

You really need to be specific here, the below just sounds like a copy and paste from another Apple hater.

I grew up on Windows and used to like getting my hands dirty. I've been Mac permanently for about the last 7 years. There's nothing I can't do on my mac that I could on my PC. My mac does everything better!

And as for the iphone, jailbreak it and you can do what you want with it. I wouldn't be suprised if apple left holes intentionally to be exploited. They want their polished, controlled software but at the same time, have made it easy to jailbreak for those who like fiddling around.

It's win win for them. They sell the most polished phone on the market, whilst not alienating those who want to have a play around.

That's great for them. However, in making the software so simple, they have also cut off any sort of complex options, any sort of in-depth customisation, and directed it towards some fairly generic tasks.

With windows, there are many different options when it comes to doing certain activities and using the machine in a certain way. With Apple, they've stuck you down one simplistic path, and if it doesn't sit right with you, then you don't have a choice.

I presume that's because they want to prevent those who barely know what they're doing from accidently damaging the software. That's great for them, but it's really not for me.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

You really need to be specific here, the below just sounds like a copy and paste from another Apple hater.

Got it in one.

I grew up on Windows and used to like getting my hands dirty. I've been Mac permanently for about the last 7 years. There's nothing I can't do on my mac that I could on my PC. My mac does everything better!

In your opinion it does. I had to use a Mac for two years while I was doing a course, and I found it to be one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. Perhaps it was because I was using my Windows PC once I'd got home, but if that's the case, then what's the point in switching? Would I receive any clear and obvious benefit which would be worth me ditching my custom-built PC and forking out another £1000+? I highly doubt it. In fact, I'd be paying upwards of a grand just to be more annoyed than I was before when I was perfectly happy with my PC.

And as for the iphone, jailbreak it and you can do what you want with it. I wouldn't be suprised if apple left holes intentionally to be exploited. They want their polished, controlled software but at the same time, have made it easy to jailbreak for those who like fiddling around.

Jailbreaking isn't Apple though, so it's irrelevant. I don't want to hack into a system just so it becomes more accessible, customisable and less 'dumbed down'.

It's win win for them. They sell the most polished phone on the market, whilst not alienating those who want to have a play around.

And then you have to look at phones like the HTC Desire with the Android OS. They're extremely easy to use, extremely efficient, extremely simple, and still leave it wide open for functionality and customisation. I can even load it as a hard drive instead of having to open up iTunes which seems to have a penchant for every available megabyte of RAM in my entire system.

 

[Liybpg]

I was trying to use Mac for a bit, it was extremely annoying and seemed overcomplicated. It seemed to me that somebody sad down and though - how can we create something similar to windows but with all those annoying bits like cross on the other side, no right click (why do I need to play around with the system to get the basic function?) etc. So many things in mac just seemed uncessesary to me, so I am not sure what user friendly means for apple fans.

If I was using mac all my life, it wouldn't have been as annoying to use; but after Windows, not way I'm going to use mac, no matter how pretty or fashionable it is.

 

[Raw Rob]

It seemed to me that somebody sad down and though - how can we create something similar to windows but with all those annoying bits like cross on the other side, no right click (why do I need to play around with the system to get the basic function?)

Ha! If you check the history, you would find that it was the other way round, the Apple interface came first then Windows copied it.

Rob

 

[Liybpg]

Ha! If you check the history, you would find that it was the other way round, the Apple interface came first then Windows copied it.

Rob

I know that, but Windows is more popular, so it feels like Mac is a copy )

 

[mangoprint]

All this unnecessary clicking about lol. Firstly, why use the cross on a window when you can just hit Apple(key) and W to close? Apple Q to quit. A lot of these things can be done on a pc too.

Single clicking on a mac is old school, no one really does that anymore.

I use gestures on my Macbook pro, and haven't even missed my mouse, even when working in Photoshop! I have a mighty mouse sitting o the side gathering dust!

Macs are more productive but you do need to learn a few tips of the trade

it's like anything, spend a week, full time in adjusting to a mac and I don't think you would want to go back. Especially with virus scanners etc.

Quite a few of my friends have converted.

 

[Liybpg]

It is interesting how everyone says that apple is so secure etc.
In my PC, I didn't have an antivirus for about 10 months or so (lazy I know). My PC was perfectly fine during that time. I have then installed aN anti virus and it didn't find a thing! Windows security seems to be working well enough.

 

[mangoprint]

It's the slowdown from virus scanners that really irritate me on Windows

 

[Astaroth]

It is interesting how everyone says that apple is so secure etc.

More that Apple is not targeted rather than secure. A couple of times they have found security holes Apple have been fairly slow to patch them in comparison to MS.

As their popularity continues to grow they are going to have to stop relying on obscurity as their main line of defence.

That said, wouldn't give up my iMac at home at all and would love it if the rummor of a netbook in the form of a smaller Macbook Air turned out to be true.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

All this unnecessary clicking about lol. Firstly, why use the cross on a window when you can just hit Apple(key) and W to close? Apple Q to quit. A lot of these things can be done on a pc too.

It's annoying! I don't want to have to start combining keys on my keyboard. I don't even want to have to lift my hand. I just want to move my mouse a few millimetres and then click the button.

Surely no one thinks that all of these key combinations on the Mac are actually more efficient or easier? I found them infuriating.

Macs are more productive but you do need to learn a few tips of the trade

Are they really though? Is there any conclusive proof that Mac's increase productivity? I've always been FAR more productive on a PC compared to a Mac.

it's like anything, spend a week, full time in adjusting to a mac and I don't think you would want to go back. Especially with virus scanners etc.

Quite a few of my friends have converted.

In my opinion there's a trend of 'Mac's are cool'. These days I find a lot of people go for them simply because they're seen as fashionable compared to PCs.

By the way, can you even update Mac computers with hardware? For example, if my computer is getting sluggish with the latest software, I might buy myself another gig of RAM to handle the increased demand and pop it in. Can you do that with Mac's?

 

[dynamic08]

I have used pc's for the last 15 or so years. I have been using my lovely Imac for the last couple of months and I prefer the Imac to the pc/windows any day.

Its so easy to use and I picked it up in around a week. Not to mention its so quiet.

 

[Barnie]

you think thats bad do some research on the monstor cable company


not saying to much just incase they set their lawyers on me but do a search on interwebs and you will find some amazing cases


the itv thing is bad though, i mean ITV

 

[Cathy Duncan]

Bernie: If iTV is something bad, we’re responsible for that because it is we who demand so many things. Isn’t it?

 

[Newcott]

Came across this the other day - thought this might add to the discussion:

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/whos-suing-whom-in-the-telecoms-trade/