Apple vs. Samsung
Finally the pathetic anti-consumer patent war begun by Apple is now being thrown right back in their smug face. TMV had wondered how long Samsung would stay timid and Apple was probably hoping the respectful Korean culture would keep Samsung from launching retaliatory action. Well now the grenade has been thrown right back at Apple.
Whilst Apple sought to prevent the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet and restrict its sale in Australia, The United States, Germany and the UK, Samsung has now fired back and brought a lawsuit against Apple in the Netherlands. The fact Apple never secured a license for the UMTS technology for which Samsung holds the patent and both Apple’s iPad and iPhone have used for a couple of years, just illustrates how hypocritical Apple are. Every other key mobile device manufacturer with wireless capability that uses Samsung’s technology has licensed UMTS – so why not Apple?
So whilst Apple tells others to innovate without stealing, perhaps they should practice what they preach. If Apple is using a technology, which is key to the functionality of their devices then perhaps they should have secured a license from the patent holder before launching the iPhone? Apple’s argument that the circumstances are different and that the UMTS has become an industry standard is no excuse for not securing the appropriate license’s from Samsung.
If Apple does not like Samsung’s terms perhaps Apple should create their own standard? They already do so for their closed ecosystem hardware devices and the software that runs on them. So why not in that case keep it totally closed and come up with their own proprietary 3.5G bandwidth standard? Perhaps it is easier and cheaper to steal? All TMV are stating is that it is a two-way street and if you want to complain about competitors ripping of your IP then perhaps you should check your own house first Apple?
Overall, TMV believe Samsung hold the upper hand in this battle of the titans. Not only do they own the UMTS patents, they are also currently the supplier to Apple of its screens for the iPhone and iPad and so have Apple by the short and curly’s. Yes I hear some of you say but those screens are a $5.7 billion revenue stream flowing back into Samsung (in the last year alone). That may be so, however perhaps think of the cost to Apple in retail if that supply was to be disrupted – especially with the impending iPhone launch? The fact is Apple have cost Samsung significant retail sales of its Galaxy 10.1 tablet. TMV would support similar in kind retaliatory action from Samsung.
Overall, these patent battles hurt consumers because all they do is stifle competition – which is what is at stake here. TMV call on the patent app trolls, Apple, Samsung, Nokia et-al to call off their patent lawsuits and fight on consumer choice alone. Or is it that all of them are scared of consumers having true choice?
It could even be argued that Apple have now become the follower instead of the leader – as its rumored iPhone 5 sports a larger screen and more competitive specifications. Samsung, HTC and others already built a market around larger smart-phones with better components more than a year ago. Reinforcing this is expert views that the Galaxy 10.1 tablet provides a better UX at a lower retailer price. So yes it may well begin to give Apple a true run for its money in terms of tablet sales – which in TMV’s view is a good thing for us all!
Samsung relented and agreed to change the Galaxy 10.1 tablet yet Apple is still attempting to prevent its release so consumers can make up their own mind. TMV view this as a clear indication that Apple feels VERY threatened by Samsung. We go further and say let the real competition begin and let the consumer decide which device they prefer…
Related posts:
- Tablet Wars: Apple Seeks To Destroy Samsung
- Samsung: Two Steps Back And One Step Forward In The Tablet Game
- Samsung Finally Makes Move Into Mobile Music Space
- Apple’s Orwellian Censorship Patent
- Why Amazon’s Tablet Will Challenge Apple In A Way That Google Cannot
Posted by Jakomi Mathews
on Oct 1 2011. Filed under Digital, featured, Mobile.
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@Function10 – I wish I could pretend you just didn’t say what you did, but as a student of economics, I can’t. “Why in the world would any business let the consumer decide on whether they have the best product?” < Because, my friend, the consumer IS the one who ultimately decides where he/she will spend money. Blocking someone else's product is not a clean competitive battle, where you would consider simply comparing two or more products and deciding, based on your personal preference, which is the best and going for the best price. Instead, this is an attempt to prevent someone from even presenting their product; and in my opinion, I agree with the author. Apple is obviously threatened, considering the Galaxy SII phone smote the iPhone4 (and pretty much every other phone out there until a month ago) – so Samsung has really taken it up a notch in the past few years, and considering Sammy is the no. 1 market share holder in Apple's home US when it comes to smartphones (and with a 0.5% increase in this quarter), while Apple currently holds a comparatively smaller share of approx 9.4% (versus Samsungs 30% +) is more than enough reason for Apple to be worried that Samsung's tab will make the same dent into their iPad sales as it did with the iPhone. Is Apple unable to keep up or is it's differential product strategy now turning on them? My opinion, probably the latter. Other companies are now showing that you don't have to be the all-mighty Apple to produce high end products which can beat the iPhone in performance, design and price. And since Apple has long been very smug about their products (and, I will agree, often with a certain right to be so), I think some healthy competition is in order – if anything, it will just bring us newer, better and improved products. Unless the parties resort to acts such as what Apple has attempted, that is. Therefore, I applaud Samsung and for sure, they should make Apple suffer for violating any and all patents.
“If Apple does not like Samsung’s terms perhaps Apple should create there own standard”
Excellent opinion piece, but there should be their.
Come on, talk about a bias article and the fact the you address someone as an “apple fan boi” tips your hand. At the end of the day apple is a business. Why in the world would any business let the consumer decide on whether they have the best product? You obviously think businesses are there simply to give people jobs and make people happy…not! It’s about making money. Get over it. Its simple capitalism. Maybe they should just give their products away. Fighting for market share is what it’s all about and every business does it. Including samsung.
Actually I make it very clear within the post that TMV believes that all these patent wars are stupid and the Apple, Samsung, Nokia and all the rest should stop their patent lawsuits and let the consumer decide. But hey Apple Fan boi’s clearly do not read everything and so their comments are generally valueless…
haha, anti apple rant? i got bored half way though..