

  (Source: Orion Pictures)
Rejection is still preliminary, just like past rejections




Early multitouch devices







Comments     Threshold


RE: Maybe
By Solandri on 12/21/2012 3:56:07 PM , Rating: 2
Don't get me wrong! If Apple had not done it, I doubt anyone else would have. On the other hand, they do steal (ideas) from the best.

Lots of PCs, PDAs, and MP3 players (including the iPod) had a touch interface before the iPhone. Some were even multitouch. Heck, the original Palm PDA's digitizing area could be operated with your fingernail if you wanted. The stylus was just a lot more accurate and natural, and it included a few physical buttons for navigation.

What Apple did differently was (encouraged by the success on the iPod) they took the risky step of using touch as the only interface on the iPhone. No keyboard, no stylus, no trackball or nub, just touch. They completely deserve the success they got for taking that risk. But I'd hardly call removing other interface options an innovation. Touch technology had just gotten to the point where a purely touch interface became a feasible alternative to physical buttons and navigation tools.

