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Apple Goes Bananas Over iPod PDA Emulator

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Apple Goes Bananas Over iPod PDA Emulator

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1292&e=6&u=/mc/20040309/tc_mc/pocketpcipodimitatorgetsapplesattention&sid=95573662
from WinCustomize Forums
UK developer Starbrite Solutions has a $20 software offering called pBop that may remind you more than a little of Apple's iPod. While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, pBop flattered the iPod too much as far as Apple's legal department was concerned.



"Apple felt pPod was being 'passed off' as an Apple iPod," Starbrite spokesman Ryan Kelly told MacCentral. "We were surprised to hear this as we have heard of no one buying a Windows powered Pocket PC application, being confused they are buying a hardware device."


While no one would mistake a Pocket PC-based PDA for an iPod, the diminutive device can run a variety of software and store a variety of files, including MP3 audio files. Starbrite developed pBop to give Pocket PC PDA users a "functional, easy to use MP3 player" that Ryan Kelly said is inspired by some of the most popular MP3 players on the market, including the iPod.


pBop's resemblance to the iPod was unmistakable, especially when the product first launched: It was originally called pPod, and featured an interface that was practically identical to third-generation iPods. The software included a navigation menu remarkably similar to the iPod's, enabling users to browse stored MP3 files by artist, track name and album. Touch buttons and a touch wheel interface even allowed users to navigate using their thumbs rather than the Pocket PC's stylus -- all in the same placement as Apple's iPod.


Kelly said that Starbrite has "cooperated fully to address Apple's concerns." The developer changed the layout of the software so the touch pad is now located between the menu and the buttons. Starbrite changed pPod's name to pBop, and also put a disclaimer on its Web site stating that the company has no connection to Apple or the iPod.
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Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The mouse an Apple innovation? That one cracked me up since it was invented in 1964. The Apple I didn't come along till more than 10 years later and the Apple Lisa which finally made use of the mouse came out in 1983 or 1984. Apple innovation indeed, but hey didn't they patent that hockey puck?

I would have to agree with Skaarjking that most of those weren't innovations, but borrowed ideas from existing products. Except the gui, they bought it and were the first to release it - works for me. Microsoft sure seemed to like it. Garage Band I've never heard of, so can't comment except that Apple's multimedia reputation seems to hold that out as a true innovation.

Off the top of my head, I believe Apple could probably take credit for the Newton as an Apple innovation. There were others that released PDA-like products around the same time including Jeff Hawkin's (who later got it right with the Palm Pilot) Zoomer which I believe Casio sold? But the Newton was released first and actually created a market. I never had a Newton but recall a lot of users really nostalgic over it in the PalmOs 2.0-4.0 days.

As a side note, isn't calling this bPod an emulator a bit of a stretch? Unless they are using a hacked iPod ROM and fixing it to work on a PPC it seems to be more of a MP3 player with an illegal copyrighted iPod skin.
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