Apple is currently on a global quest to ban the release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Apple has filed a lawsuit that claims Samsung has infringed on the “look & feel” of the iPhone and the iPad which has been quite the golden geese for Apple. This 38-page lawsuit filed in a Northern California court back in April accuses Samsung of violating Apple’s intellectual property.
“Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products,” Apple said in the filing.
I’m not a lawyer and my knowledge about these kind of litigation is bordering on zero but as a consumer, I have my own reasons as to why I think Apple should be condemned for this anti-competitive behaviour.
Techradar.com wrote a comprehensive review the Samsung Galaxy Tab in June and claimed that it is the best Android Tablet to date, it’s slimmer than the iPad and lighter too. While the iPad I admit has set the benchmark for quality and innovation, a number of vendors have released their own products to “compete” (there’s that word again) and have their own share of the market albeit a small slice at best. Ironically the core parts of the iPad which makes it so successful are are manufactured by Samsung. Samsung however has gone a step further and has a device that is one notch better than the iPad features. Makes sense right? if you’re going to compete with a popular product, it only makes sense that your product is better specs and priced competitively.
Here are a number of reasons why I would choose the Galaxy Tab over the iPad 2 in no particular order:
- It’s not an iPad – as simple as it sounds, that is a valid reason. If I wanted to buy an iPad, I would buy one. I have used the first generation iPad and it is competent, has it’s own merits but it’s far from being flawless. This is why I’m interested in alternatives and a good one at that.
- Pricing – it is rumoured that it’s going to be priced-matched with the iPad 2 which is slightly disappointing but at the end of the day, you are getting better specs so at the end of the day; you’re getting a better product for the same price.
- iTunes sucks – sorry Apple fanbois but it does suck. I don’t understand why Apple IOS devices are so dependant on this. A world where I don’t have to iTunes is a world I’d like to live in.
- Functionality – I buy devices according to my needs. I need wifi connectivity, stream media content from various sources on my LAN, browse the net, flash support and better battery performance.
The iPad is not a bad product, this is not what this post is about. It just pisses me off that one company should be allowed to try and wipe out the competition because of the “look & feel” violation. I own a Macbook Pro and an iPhone, my wife has an iPhone as well as an iPad provided by her employer. After two years of using an iPhone, I’m ready to switch to Android or at least a device that has a better battery life and a device that will allow me not to use the dreaded iTunes software.
I guess the only positive thing that Samsung can take from this situation is the free publicity for the Galaxy Tab 10.1. The way I see it, Apple believes that the Galaxy Tab is more than a worthy opponent considering they are doing everything it can to stop the product release. Consumers don’t like being told that they cannot have something, it makes them want it even more as a form of protest. It’s a fascinating legal battle and I’m hoping Samsung wins and let the consumer decides which tablet is better after all we are the ones forking out our hard earned dollar to buy these devices regardless of who actually makes it. It reminds me of the Apple vs Woolworths case in 2009 which Apple is suing Woolworths for their new logo.
Makes me wonder how much money Apple is wasting on legal fees in pursuit of their world domination.
Former US president Jimmy Carter once said “Too many of us now tend to worship self indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but what one owns” this is evident with that Apple tool I had an argument with who defined his social standing because he owned a Macbook Pro. Unbelievable.
