CISCO sues APPLE over iPhone Patent

Wow, now here are two behemoths squaring off. I am not sure who will win this, but I have to think that CISCO has a lot more cash on hand to feed the legal meter. Plus, they don't have the legacy of past legal issues. This was actually the first thing I thought of when I heard the announcement. So, it wasn't a surprise. I just couldn't imagine why Apple overlooked this...unless they were purposely doing it for the PR. I had to think there was a cheaper route though, this will get very expensive. It turns out that Apple had tried to negotiate with CISCO, but suddenly abandoned the negotiations, bolstering the argument that they are simply too arrogant or too conceited to honor others' IP rights. The executives at CISCO seem genuinely offended with Apple on this. I can't blame them. Apple seems to be banking that their coolness and public popularity will win this in the public eye and force the courts to agree. I predict it will not happen that way and it will be likely very embarrassing to Apple.

Here's the link straight from CISCO's blog: http://blogs.cisco.com/news/2007/01/update_on_ciscos_iphone_tradem.html

and the Press Release:

http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2007/corp_011007.html

In truth the CISCO version of the iPhone is much more valuable and trend setting than Apple's cell phone redux. Not that Apple's wont be cool. Everything at Apple is well designed and cool, though I never like that it costs more and it not very open, if at all.

If you read my previous post on the iPhone, you already know that I think Apple has made a turn the wrong way. Steve is touting a me too phone as the second coming of mobile phones. Now, it's even more clear to me that Apple has veered off its successful path and is heading down an extremely treacherous road with reckless abandon, false bravado, and too much arrogance.

iPhone. The Crapple has hit the fan!

Well, it finally happened. Steve Jobs just made the most uncool announcement ever. crApple has jumped the shark. Been nice knowing you, but its over Steve, you're no longer cool. You're back to the geek with a perma-wedgie and broken glasses. Here's a quote (paraphrased by me) from his announcement (http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,21037451%5E15339%5E%5Enbv%5E15306-15321,00.html):

"iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone out now....at least when I thought of this ten years ago (sic)" Said Steve Jobs

First off, what is revolutionary? My phone has done all this for over a year. And second, I want to know more about this magic. Sounds awesome. I wonder if it's like Harry Potter magic, some kind of witchcraft, or real magic like David Spade..or...Blaine..or...Actually it should be David Spade. How did that dude get Heather Locklear to jump in the sack? I digress....

Let me see if I got the run down on features here:

• The Multi-Touch interface means users can make calls simply by pointing at a name or number.
• All applications can be synched with data in phonebooks or calendars
• The phone uses the quad-band GSM standard and also features Wi-Fi and EDGE
• The screen can shift between portrait and widescreen modes
• The device will also offer a Google Maps application
• The device will offer a five-hour battery life for phone and internet applications
• It has a 2MP camera.

Whew, quite a rundown there, Steve. Does it have ring tones you can get through iTunes? I sure hope so, that would be dandy. Oh, I don't let this slip past you...5 HOUR BATTERY LIFE. In truth I love that little feature...I can shorten my work day to...i don't know...3.5 hours so I can get home in time to charge my phone.

I cannot believe just how lame this annoucement is. Truely, truely lame.

Oh, and they changed their name today from today from crApple Computer to crApple stInc.

Well, THAT I like.