News - Slide-to-unlock patent win for Apple

[HEXUS]

The Cupertino based company also recently patented a smartphone without a home button.

Read more.

[3dcandy]

The US patent Office - run by Kermit and Miss Piggy

[Meowmatt]

Thats the most retarded patent ever! Loads of devises have no buttons already like Nexus 7 new HTC devises and the ones mentioned in the article how the hell did they get that! ><

[Kanoe]

I dont care how un PC this may be but the US Patent Office is seriosuly retarded.

My Playbook looks alot like that generic, button less rectangle with rounded edges just with bigger borders around the screen from the devices edge.

[iworrall]

The US patent Office - run by the guys from "Dumb & Dumber"

Fixed that for you.

[watercooled]

Oh well, the USPTO yet again proving how much of a joke they are. I thought something along these lines had been disputed recently?

[Valinor]

Do people really think that Apple are going to use that button-less patent to make a new phone? Isn't it far more likely just another revenue generation (let's sue everyone) tool?

[watercooled]

Deleted, misread some dates.

[shaithis]

Another win for lawyers...they get paid for this crap, then they get paid again when the case ruling gets overturned.

I am starting to wonder what percentage of every smartphone sale goes to lawyers....

[3dcandy]

Well Apple for the last 3 years or so have spent more on their legal battles than they have r&d - so I guess a lot!

[OilSheikh]

Well, Android manufacturers won't be affected then.

As , it doesnt say SLIDE TO UNLOCK and you don't swipe anymore. In fact, when you touch the unlock button, it bring a 4 way circle and you slide any direction you want.

Next, thing, manufacturers dont have to use plastic for base then ? Even a tiny steel dot will make it compliant ?

[3dcandy]

Well, Android manufacturers won't be affected then.

As , it doesnt say SLIDE TO UNLOCK and you don't swipe anymore. In fact, when you touch the unlock button, it bring a 4 way circle and you slide any direction you want.

Next, thing, manufacturers dont have to use plastic for base then ? Even a tiny steel dot will make it compliant ?

Not used many Android skins then have you....many have slide or swipe or whatever. Heck Jellybean lets you swipe across the icons to launch that app like the camera, and is one area that is often customised. However, the main one is the rectangle with no buttons...enforce that one, could be impossible!

[keithwalton]

I think the 2nd patent is more about the clear plastic tackyness than the lack of physical button as well the reference design for ice cream sandwich moves android to soft buttons rather than a hardware buttons.

[OilSheikh]

Not used many Android skins then have you....many have slide or swipe or whatever. Heck Jellybean lets you swipe across the icons to launch that app like the camera, and is one area that is often customised. However, the main one is the rectangle with no buttons...enforce that one, could be impossible!

An old Android version di have something like this

Touch to unlock
>>>>>>>><<<<<<<

which you used two fingers to unlock ( you didn't have to ). My point, is Android never had the Sldie to Unlock exactly like iphones

[watercooled]

Isn't the patent really broad though, something like drawing a shape/line on a touchscreen to unlock a device? Or am I missing the point entirely?

[3dcandy]

An old Android version di have something like this

Touch to unlock
>>>>>>>><<<<<<<

which you used two fingers to unlock ( you didn't have to ). My point, is Android never had the Sldie to Unlock exactly like iphones

Sorry if I wasn't clear I was agreeing, and adding that they often change it...meaning that it deffo won't make any difference

I just come across as abrupt, something I didn't mean at all!