Sam Oliver
Because of Apple's alleged threats, Windows-based Ultrabook makers are expected to invest more in research and development to avoid patent infringement lawsuits, according to DigiTimes. Some thin-and-light PC makers are said to have already hesitated with their Ultrabook plans in fear of a lawsuit from Apple.
The third-generation Ultrabooks set to hit the market in the second quarter of 2013 will reportedly feature 3D displays and high-definition user interfaces. PC makers are also expected to add new sensors, industry sources reportedly said.
Apple has shown a willingness to protect its patented designs for mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad, as evidenced by numerous lawsuits filed by Apple against competing device makers. But while Apple has been aggressive in protecting the design of its iOS devices, it has not yet taken aim at Ultrabook makers who compete with its MacBook Air lineup.
One executive at PC maker HP was asked earlier this year about similarities between the design of its company's new Windows-based Ultrabook and Apple's MacBook Air. Stacy Wolff, vice president of Industrial Design at Hewlett-Packard, dismissed concerns that Apple could sue and accuse HP of copying the design of the MacBook Air.
"Apple may like to think they own silver, but they don't," Wolff said. "In no way did HP try to mimic Apple. In life there are a lot of similarities."
Ultrabooks feature many of the same defining features as the MacBook Air: solid-state storage, instant-on capabilities, and super-thin design thanks to the lack of an optical drive. The Ultrabook specification was created by chipmaker Intel in an effort to spur sales of Windows-based notebooks.
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75 Comments
It's funny how these coincidental similarities in HW design only seem to pop up after Apple has released a new product. It's almost as if it's not coincidental at all.
They should be afraid. Very Afraid.
I can't wait until Apple starts suing all of those copycats.
I've wondered why Apple hasn't gone after the Air clones, yet. I'm sure this is a complicated issue, given Intel was the company providing the design direction to the pc market. If Apple created the design and Intel was not given the rights to offer it to others, then Apple should be going after both Intel and the pc makers who have created virtual knock-offs of the Air.
It's funny how these coincidental similarities in HW design only seem to pop up after Apple has released a new product. It's almost as if it's not coincidental at all.
^This
What a massive mess the patent and copywriting laws are though. It's pathetic that there should be so much grey area. Either laws need to be enacted that say Apples right, and they can actually stop the sale of stuff that is suspiciously like their stuff, or we need some clear laws that say Samsung are right.
What's dreadful is the amount of lawyers who will be filling their boots, and effectively driving up the cost of products to us, the consumers.