Not that much of a surprise. History is full of examples of Apple dissing something, that they later sell themselves.
Very true. Interesting patterns:
Apple innovates -> Company X starts working on it -> Company X implements idea -> righteous anger from Apple and fans -> lawsuits ensue
vs.
Company X innovates -> Apple disses, doesn't work on it -> Apple eventually implements it anyway about 2 years after everyone else -> Company X shrugs -> lawyers don't get paid