Palm Not Concerned with Apple Threats

Should Palm be worried about a possible legal battle with Apple over the upcoming release of the Palm Pre?  While many are speculating about the prospect of a lawsuit, Palm is giving the appearance that all is well.

According to The Register, Palm CEO Ed Colligan recently told investors that there would be no more PalmOS devices after the Centro, and the Pre will not be limited to software downloaded from Palm’s Software Store.  Colligan also addressed the possibility of a lawsuit from Apple, “If something does happen there, we do have the [patent] portfolio, we think, to defend ourselves and to be successful doing that.  But nothing’s happened to date, so we’re really just focused on getting the product out the door.”

Speculation about a possible lawsuit began when Apple’s chief Tim Cook said this famous quote a couple of weeks ago: “We like competition as long as they don’t rip off our IP – and if they do, we’re going to go after anyone who does.”

Google Complied With Apple’s Request for Android

Released last October, many complained that T-Mobile’s G1 did not have multi-touch technology.  The reason?  According to Venture Beat, the G1 is based on Google’s Android platform, and Apple asked Google not to implement multi-touch technology.

Apparently, an Android team member said they were relieved that Google didn’t go against Apple’s wishes, given the current storm brewing between Apple and Palm.  Furthermore, by honoring Apple’s wishes, Google’s relationship with the company can remain strong.

Google specially tailors many of their products for the iPhone, such as Google Maps and other formatted web pages.  Furthermore, Google’s chief executive, Eric Schmidt, is on Apple’s board of directors.

While Google complied with this wish from Apple, some wonder if multi-touch will become so important that Google will be forced to implement multi-touch in the Android.  Such a question may depend on the course of events that follow Palm’s release of the Pre.  If Palm is allowed to keep multi-touch for their phone, Google will be forced to implement multi-touch in the Android.

Apple Awarded Touch Screen Patent

Palm has recently defended the upcoming release of the Palm Pre by stating that it can easily defend itself against any potential patent infringement lawsuit.  Well, the United States Patent and Trademark Office may have just thrown Palm a curveball.

The USPTO has granted Apple a key patent for the iPhone entitled “Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Determining Commands by Applying Heuristics.” The patent, which was applied for in September 2007 and granted on January 20, 2009, covers the product’s distinctive multifunction touch screen and all associated gestures such as pinch, swipe, and rotation.  According to Tech News World, it also encompasses technology behind the iPhone’s hardware, operating system and camera functions.

With Apple’s newest patent being so wide-ranging, it seems to give Apple the ammunition it needs to go after competing products.  Although there are differences between the Pre and the iPhone, most notably the Pre containing a qwerty keyboard that slides out from under the screen, many seem to think that the Pre is the device that will most likely be impacted in the near future. 

It remains to be seen whether Apple will litigate against any company, but many think it’s inevitable.  However, will Apple also go after products such as the Blackberry Storm?  It’ll be interesting to see how the industry reacts to this new patent.

Palm Remains Confident Against Possible Apple Lawsuits

With the new Palm Pre attracting much of the attention around the technology industry, many have speculated that Apple will litigate over violation of its touch-screen patents.  According to Electonista, however, Palm is confident that it can shoot down any patent lawsuits from Apple.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that they would aggressively defend their intellectual property if the Pre infringed on its patents.  Palm responded by stating that it has many of its own “fundamental patents” for mobile devices, which would held fend off any patent challenges.  In fact, Palm is often credited with inventing the smartphone through the Treo, and includes single-touch screens with every smartphone it makes.

Palm Spokeswoman Lynn Fox said, “Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio.  If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves.”

One similarity that Palm shares with Apple is Jon Rubenstein, who is the current head of research and development for Palm.  Rubenstein is widely known for his work on the iPod and other Apple products, and since leaving for Palm, has employed many former Apple employees.