Creative awarded patent for MP3 player interface, one that the iPod uses

[Verto]

I'm just here for the +1s.

oh. ****.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Asher
It's the same patent process that allowed Apple to patent using an icon to represent a harddrive, dragging and dropping, and sliders, checkboxes, pull-downs, and radio buttons.

How does Windows have those features then? Do they have to pay Apple for the right?

Btw, that's ****ed up too.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
How does Windows have those features then? Do they have to pay Apple for the right?

Btw, that's ****ed up too.

Because Apple knows if they ever try to force licensing fees for it they'll be rejected.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Asher
Because Apple knows if they ever try to force licensing fees for it they'll be rejected.

So if they have a patent, why not sue on it.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
So if they have a patent, why not sue on it.

Most of these patents are "defensive patents", to make sure some tiny company (or competitor) doesn't get a patent on it and use it to screw you for money.

Companies like Microsoft and IBM lobby for patent reform against such stupid patents, but in the meantime they will continue to patent such "stupid" things only because the companies tend to be on the receiving end of patent wars from tiny companies hoping to make an easy buck.

[Imran Siddiqui]

So what you are saying is that Creative isn't really going sue, even though they say they might?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
So what you are saying is that Creative isn't really going sue, even though they say they might?

No, they won't sue. But if they ever release a product with, say, a circular control like what's on the iPod and Apple sues them, you can expert a flurry of countersuits from Creative and its allies (like MS).

[Imran Siddiqui]

So you are basically saying this article is a bunch of hot air meaning little.

[St Leo]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Two words: prior art.

Better words: Broad patent cross-licensing between Creative and Apple that keeps both happy, but screws the little guys and start-ups.

[Agathon]

Is this the same Creative that was shipping players with a virus installed?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
Is this the same Creative that was shipping players with a virus installed?

No, that was Japanese software CD for a couple thousand Japanese market players.

That's smalltime stuff compared to the hundreds of thousands of faulty products Apple's been found liable of shipping.

[Nostromo]

Say hello to the 20 GB Creative Sleek

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=13599

If those buttons are clickable, its an improvement over the Zen Micro, IMO.

Why the hell do they have so many models? They already have the 20 GB Zen, not to be confused with the Zen Micro.

In other news, Samsung is slashing prices on 4GB Flash memory modules. AFAIK, these price cuts are for Apple only.

In what is one of the more encouraging signs sign yet that Apple is planning a flash-based version of the iPod mini, Tom’s Hardware reports that Samsung, which already supplies the flash memory modules used in the iPod shuffle, has offered to cut the price of its 4GB flash memory module by roughly 50% in order to make it competitive with the 4GB Microdrives that Apple currently uses in the 4GB iPod mini. That’d severely undercut every other supplier’s pricing and make it possible for Apple to offer a smaller, lighter 4GB iPod mini without a mini hard drive. That also means an iPod mini with no moving parts that could be damaged during exercise.

[Asher]

Originally posted by nostromo
Say hello to the 20 GB Creative Sleek

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=13599

If those buttons are clickable, its an improvement over the Zen Micro, IMO.

Why the hell do they have so many models? They already have the 20 GB Zen, not to be confused with the Zen Micro.

Because consumers like choice.

[Imran Siddiqui]

The Zen Sleek does look very nice. I agree with nostromo on the clickable buttons.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly
Hey, Asher, can I ask you a Creative player question?

We have three computers at home. My wife's and daughter's, both running Windows XP, have no problem recognizing a Creative MP3 player as an external drive; but my laptop, running Windows 98, treats it as a piece of hardware and looks (unsuccessfully) for drivers to make it work. Any idea what's up with that?

Is it 98 or 98se. win98 doesnt support usb but you can download usb support for 98se.