Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has totally blown the minds of some techies and analysts alike. They have offered up praise to two competitors in the smartphone market, and it has left people in shock.
The Inquirer reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) attorney, Harold McElhinny touted a Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) handset during the infamous lawsuit with Samsung, which has been dominating headlines lately. He pulled the Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) handset out and showed it to the court, stating, “Not every smartphone needs to look like an iPhone.”
As it turns out, the Lumia 800 is not the only phone that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)has taken the time to compliment during this court case. The attorney also praised the Sony Xperia Arc, citing that it had a very unique design. These statements have left many techies reeling, as they are not accustomed to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) handing out citations of merit to lesser competitors in the market.
The fact that the Lumia handsets, manufactured by the Finland based Nokia, do not resemble the iPhone, really comes as no surprise. Apple revealed last week that they had licensed patents to Microsoft, but they had also issued a no cloning clause in the agreement, and the Lumia runs on Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform.
Patent expert, Boris Teksler says, “Apple’s decision to license its patents to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was consistent with its corporate strategy, beacuse the agreement prohibited Microsoft from manufacturing copies.” Basically, Microsoft had access to Apple technology, but could not directly copy it into their marketable products.
The parade of the two phones came as the courtroom battle between Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung drew down to its final hours, and it was a well played role on the part of Apple’s legal counsel to display the two phones, considering they are accusing Samsung of patent infringement. Apple is seeking $2.75 billion in damages in the case, and has accused Samsung of “slavishly copying” both the iPhone and iPad in their own phone and tablet lines. Samsung has filed a counter suit, claiming that several of Apple’s products violate several mobile technology patents held by Samsung.
Who will win the case is still being determined, but no doubt, Apple’s praise of the Nokia and Sony handsets will be a moment to remember.
