Apple Licenses Swiss Railway Clock Design for iPad's iOS 6 Clock App

[turtlez]

Dude, I could blurr two of many things in this world and make them look similar. That doesn't make them copies. LOL.

no. don't argue, i am a graphic designer for Billabong (since 2008) and concept artist contracting for Atomhawk(since 2010) lol

 

[Macboy Pro]

no. don't argue, i am a graphic designer for Billabong (since 2008) and concept artist contracting for Atomhawk(since 2010) lol

Lol, and....? My point still stands but we can disagree, no problem.

 

[chocolaterabbit]

What I've seen from this thread is just too many guys who claim to be "graphic designers" and claiming to be an authority on the subject.

I think most of these guys need to take a step back and re-evaluate their words again. If nothing else their attitude is in the wrong place.

 

[RVdave]

Um, no it doesn't, not on the iPad anyway. I'm looking at the iPad clock in fullscreen mode right now, and the seconds hand glides smoothly like on a Rolex. The minutes hand jumps from minute to minute and they've included a subtle bounce effect so that the minute hand trembles a little before it settles in its new position.

On my New iPad (3) in full screen mode there is NO minute hand tremble! Maybe my clock isn't an authentic counterfeit.

 

[iwaosx]

Oh but it SEEMS so simple. Don't look at the design again.
Now get a white sheet of paper and try to DRAW the design.
Not so simple is it? Thickness of lines/elements, length of the arms, spacing, how close to the circle, the actual RED color used etc...Getting the balance right is challenging.

We all "know" the design but cannot reproduce it accurately from memory=a classic!

 

[heimo]

On my New iPad (3) in full screen mode there is NO minute hand tremble! Maybe my clock isn't an authentic counterfeit.

There are some quality problems in manufacturing process in China where these clocks are installed on iOS devices. Apple is investigating and will address any issues. Please be patient, minute hand tremble can be installed later by Apple Store Horologist.

 

[JAT]

Well, scoffing at simplicity and purity of design on a forum related to Apple products is bound to stir up some anger, since Apple fans of all people should know all about the insane amounts of anal-retentive refinement that goes into creating a simple, beautiful, iconic and timeless design.

"What's so special about the Swiss railway clock face? It's totally generic, I could've designed that in my sleep."

"What's so special about a Mondrian painting? It's just a bunch of lines and squares. My 3-year old could've made that."

"What's so special about the iPad design? It's just a rectangular slab with rounded corners. I have a blind, quadriplegic cousin with Down's, and he could've pooped out a more sophisticated design than that."

"What's so special about Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye? It's just a big square on some pillars. A blindfolded monkey on valium could've designed that with creative assistance from a stillborn squirrel."

"What's so special about the Washington Monument? It's just a gargantuan granite dildo. A single cell organism could've designed that and later remarked 'it's not my best work'."

The world clearly needs more education with blunt objects.

So...you make up crazy comments, then claim you need to hit people over them? We didn't make up your comments.

 

[turtlez]

Lol, and....? My point still stands but we can disagree, no problem.

alright then. So you think that because of some small details it is completely different? That is like saying the an iPhone is not an iPhone because it is in a 3rd party case (add some tiny details to the side).

 

[varera]

That's what Apple should have done first place.

True. But I have a feeling they did not know it was not an internal design. How many people have seen Swiss train station clocks and/or pay attention about how they look?

I live in Switzerland, taking trains regularly. It never occurred to me the clock is virtually identical before seeing it on the web.

 

[dreadnort]

Who trademarks a clock face?

The Swiss

 

[craftytony]

Originally Posted by craftytony
If it were Samsung that did this, they would say that the Swiss Railway can't patent circles and dots lol

Of course, we're discussing Trademarks, not patents. But don't let that little tidbit bother you in the least.

Trademarks are different from design patents. There is no "obviousness" clause in a trademark, and also it must be defended or you risk losing it. In other words, the Swiss Railway people were forced to take action against Apple, and no matter how simple the design is, Apple was risking trademark infringement for using it.

and.....Samsung would still say it lol

 

[Macboy Pro]

alright then. So you think that because of some small details it is completely different? That is like saying the an iPhone is not an iPhone because it is in a 3rd party case (add some tiny details to the side).

What I am saying is that similarity of shape does not make them a copy. Not sure what you are talking about. Your analogy is ridiculous.

 

[GorgonPhone]

I'd bet that next year, we see major software changes.

i sure hope so cause when iphone 5 was shown seeing that same boring IOS grid was a downer

 

[nia820]

So, you need numbers on a watch to be able to tell what time it is? What has happened to our education system?

Sadly a time is coming where people cannot read analog clocks without numbers. I know some people who have a hard reading analog clocks even if they have numbers.

 

[unplugme71]

Some people grew up with digital time and timepieces / clocks. For them, reading a watch face with hash marks without numerals is a problem - because they never learned to do that. They don't wear watches, either, using their phones to see what time it is.

I grew up like that as well but I still made the effort to learn. I even can do math without calculator like many people seem to require.