[IxDA Discuss] Apple's Gesture Dictionary

[pauric]

Bearing in mind this discussion is about events that have not, or may
not, happen.

Apple could have just as easily released this in to the public
domain, making the design non-patentable.  Even if they dont enforce
it, the patent cloud will restrict universal implementation.

I believe its shortsighted in the sense that, if implemented and
enforced, it makes it difficult for non-native speakers to easily
move to your devices. And visa versa, consumers will tolerate bad
design because they invested in your language.

As an effective incumbent in the mobile device segment, they are
acting as a monopoly. Locking users in makes perfect sense in the
short term, however it can take the edge off striving for the best
possible design.  Winning because of strategically captured consumer
pawns not on the merits of your R&D. 

Show me an incumbent monopoly that consumers dont hate...  the iPod
wins because it does one thing and it does it well, the i-tunes
lock-in is secondary.  Things are not so simple in a multifunction
mobile device playing field.  Apple does make design mis-steps
(Newton was an unmitigated disaster, .mac is a #$%^ing joke) To lock
users in with an gesture language is setting yourself up for
complacency and failure.


That said,  I agree with your take on business development and
patents. Thats just part of the imperfect world we live in.

regards - pauric


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Posted from the new ixda.org
http://beta.ixda.org/discuss?post=18934