New Microsoft Patent...

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/12/...-off-new-user-interface-for-mobiles/#comments

The first thing I thought when I saw that was...iPhone . Look at the overall layout. It is highly reminiscent to the iPhone's user interface.

I don't hate Microsoft...nor is this meant to be a "Microsoft hate, Apple love" thread. Just thought it'd be interesting to see your reactions on this new patent filing by Microsoft.

Now what rather bugs me is, they filed a patent on this! Microsoft claims that they were the first to "invent" this type of UI!

And reading Engadget's comments, one user claims that this patent was first filed in June 2007...the release month of the iPhone and six months after Apple showed off the iPhone at Macworld .

Extra: Oh, and of course, the Pictures image has a slight resemblance to Cover Flow, doesn't it?

 

What exactly is this for? A mobile device?

 

Yes, this is an UI for a mobile device. I would assume its meant for a future version of Windows Mobile.

 

Microsoft has a new smartphone cooking, it was showed off at the last company meeting. Supposedly its a pretty slick device, but I really haven't seen it yet. I would assume this is the OS for it. The resemblance to OS X Mobile is pretty obvious....I kinda like it, actually. Also, the CoverFlow ripoff on the pictures menu essentially confirms that its getting multi-touch, since that style of interface just DOES NOT WORK without a multi-touchscreen. Case in point: new iPod classic and nano.

 

Are they going to charge Apple royalties?

 

I'm sure the Microsoft royalties will be enough for most people all ready.

 

Sign me up if it's easy to use, is compatible with macs, and doesn't have crippled bluetooth. I still can't believe the iPhone doesn't have file transfer protocol. It's one of the most social parts of owning a bluetooth enabled phone, sharing photos and funny videos with friends and stuff, at least where i live...

 

This better be some new phenomenon Microsoft will release sometime hopefully soon, with Surface multi-touch technology.

 

a similar way of sideways scrolling through various vertical menus (if that makes sense) was used on the old Ericsson T28 phone..

http://www.cellphones.ca/upload/manuals/ericsson_t28w.pdf see using menus section

It's a very effective way of navigating lots of options with very little screen space. After seeing the menu on my t28i years back I used a similar menu system on a website I was building (sorry Ericsson I didn't ask permission!).

the cover flow style of image browsing isn't new either.. it's just a screen based version of a jukebox. (thats the reason I like it though!)

most "new" ideas aren't they're just recreations of something done well in the past and tweaked.

I don't think patenting of GUIs should be allowed personally, it's a very grey area. Proving someone invented an original GUI is next to impossible.

 

try getting a razr on verizon.

 

I hope this is more than just an idea, and I hope that MS can actually pull it off when it comes time ti make the phone. Apple will need pressure before they really try to improve the iPhone. I really don't want the iPhone to end up like the iPod.

 

I know what you mean. The only innovative product in the iPod line right now is the iPod touch, and the iPhone if you really want to call it an iPod. The other three iPods have hit an evolution block. Either Apple can't innovate them, or they just don't want to, or need to, since people are going to buy it anyways.

 

lol. I've heard the stories. It's crazy how north american telecoms work. Here in Venezuela all phones have all their features enabled, and if you wanted you could have your handset unlocked at any authorized dealer for $10. I dont know how you guys put up with that kind of ripoff.

 

People up here put up with it becuase guys like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates say they should

 

i just go on the internet and find out how to hack it to make it do the stuff i want.

 

Its more American, actually . Here in Canada, other than some of the smaller carriers, none of the cellphone features are crippled. No Bluetooth crippling on the major carriers (Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Fido...).

Although it is worth noting that Canadian carriers charge a lot. Unlimited data plans (something the iPhone would need) would cost a few hundred a month, if they followed the current Canadian pricing.

 

I have one, and it blows. You can't use Bluetooth with anything except headsets, you can't legally make mp3s ringtones, you can't transfer files to your computer (like pictures, videos, memos), and you can't even use Motorola's software for the phone.

I will not go with Verizon again after this, no matter how good the network is.

 

Wow, my TMob RAZR is not nearly that bad....The Mobile Phone Tools software is really useful for ringtones and transferring files off the phone to your computer.

Of course, the phone itself is still crap, but thats a different story

 

Is it just Verizon, or do all the major US carriers do this?

 

Most of them do stuff like that, but to a FAR lesser extent. Verizon is the worst without a doubt.

 

Good thing I'm Canadian, then .

 

Verizon has a UI that they use across all of their basic phones. It's horrible and one reason i would never go with them.

Most carries have some forms of control over bluetooth or other aspects.

 

YES! The Verizon OS is even worse than the regular RAZR's OS, which is pretty bad to start with.

 

Motorola has horrible UI throughout all their phones...the iPhone's UI is currently the best for a mobile device, if you ask me. As for the veteran players, I'd say Nokia and SE have the best UI of the veteran players.

 

What's next the ''mPHONE''
or ''softPHONE;;
''zPHONE''

 

Actually, google is working on a mobile phone OS and/or phone device, depending on who you ask. It sounds pretty interesting, actually.

 

I'm working on a Swarmphone.

 

As great as the iPhone is, I miss s60 daily. I miss the customization and multitasking along with APPLICATIONS.

 

Verizon's previous UI was pretty good IMO (about two and half years ago). The new one is absolutely ridiculous, and blocks you out of so many things, even strips features you used to have (like having the phone ring AND vibrate when you get a call, not just one or the other).

Most carriers prohibit uses in one form or another these days, unless you go with a smaller GSM-based local company. The problem is that those companies just don't have the coverage area or the speeds of the big players (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T). Verizon is by far the worst when it comes to feature control, though, because they have their own proprietary software and service (VCast) that they want you to buy your ringtones and music/videos from. They also want you to use their Get It Now service to send your pictures and videos across the web to your computer rather than just transferring via USB. Of course, all these features come at a small fee.

Verizon is like Microsoft for the phone world.

 

Ugh. Patents are such bull****. Great idea. Horrible, horrible, clownish implementation.

 

I do agree...patents cause more problems that they solve...especially with the companies out there with the sole purpose of suing any company that infringes on their ridiculously vague and general patents.