Apple and Cisco have reached a mysterious settlement agreement over the use of the name iPhone. Although I predicted Apple would prevail in this post here I did not expect it to take place so soon.
Part of me wonders if the genius that is hype builder Steve Jobs actually worked with Cisco to launch the lawsuit in an attempt to gain exposure for BOTH parties' devices.
Cisco Systems and Apple said last Wednesday that the agreement allows Apple and Cisco to use the iPhone brand on their own products. Also, the companies said that they would explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security and of consumer and business communications. The brief announcement made no reference to any financial agreement, nor did it specify how the two companies might work together. Representatives for Apple and Cisco declined to comment further, citing confidentiality restrictions.
One has got to wonder if this was in the works on the eve of the unveiling of the iPhone.
This is an interesting little device and I thought I would do a brief comparison between the upcoming iPhone and Sony Mylo.
Both provide for communication via voice albeit the Mylo requires Skype as well as a wi-fi connection to achieve this. I think this is pretty brilliant though for the college crowd as they are likely to be both Skype savvy and have access to a connection.
Both provide MP3 playing although it's pretty clear that Apple has the lead in acceptance for this market. One thing the Mylo offers iPhone does not, however, is that it also plays other file formats and allows you to stream music to other Mylo users (although not share files) much like the Zune.
The screen on the Mylo is of course not comparable to the iPhone weighing in at a scant 2.4 inches with 65,536 colors.
Neither Mylo nor iPhone are game platforms and I wonder if Sony intends to incorporate some Mylo functionality in a new generation of PSP devices.
Mylo offers web browsing comparable to iPhone with scrolling and zooming in a full blown browser much as iPhone does with Safari. Mylo uses the Opera browser.
Mylo comes loaded with 1GB of Flash RAM but allows for memory stick PRO Duo so it can be expanded. Off the shelf this leaves Mylo pretty anemic compared to iPhone.
The fact Mylo allows you to connect to Yahoo IM, Google Talk and Skype means this little beast is capable of something iPhone is not and for the target audience I think this is pretty cool.
All in all the Mylo is a great niche product for connectivity - especially for the college crowd. The Mylo site itself and the advertisements make it pretty clear this is the target group for Sony. With communications without monthly access fees I think this device may be a hit.
It's coming in bits and pieces - the story is falling into place. The pundits, jockeys and tech gurus are all thinking they have the square around this, but leave it to Jobs and Apple to have something up the sleeve of inventiveness.
We have stated it here before in other words and again now - Apple will blow away most people with what they will end up delivering.
So ... patents. Patents are nearly always a bit vague and open ended in order to allow for wiggle room and to protect things still under development. When an application for a patent is filed it become public knowledge and as such often the diagrams and descriptions are fuzzy, simple or confusing as all get-out.
In the case of a recent patent application it becomes clear they will likely add download ability via iTunes as most of us have expected. What will they offer? Firmware updates, ringtones, wallpapers and of course music, videos and TV.
It is this person's belief you will also see games and widgets, widgets, widgets.
iPhone is the revolutionary gadget the brilliant folks at Apple have brought to bear on the cell phone market. Part widescreen video iPod, part gorgeous cell phone and part internet appliance this device will be THE MUST HAVE device for years to come.
AlliPhones.com offers a place to discuss iPhones and the other products Apple offers.
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