More Early iPhone and iPad Prototype Designs Surface in Samsung Trial Documents

[MacRumors]

Last week, we noted that documents filed as part of the ongoing lawsuit between Apple and Samsung had revealed a few images of early iPhone prototype designs, including some that revealed similar design to what ultimately appeared years later as the iPhone 4/4S.

AllThingsD has now put together a gallery of dozens of images from the court documents showing even more of Apple's ideas for the iPhone and iPad.

Among the many filings on Saturday was a document with dozens of sketches and prototypes for both the iPhone and iPad. Some had already been included in earlier filings, but Saturday's collection was particularly extensive.

The filing features a host of sketches, images from computer-aided design programs, and photographs of actual models that Apple fabricated as part of its design process.

Among the concepts that had previously surfaced was a series from Apple's Shin Nishibori, whose early Sony-inspired designs were immediately leapt upon by Samsung as evidence that Apple had copied the iPhone design from earlier innovators. But as noted by The Verge, additional prototypes dating even further back show that Apple had the iPhone aesthetic well in hand even before the Sony-inspired designs were created as a side project.

"Purple" dates back to August 2005 -- months before the Jony prototype was originally designed. According to the documents, Shin Nishibori's Sony-style touches were simply "an 'enjoyable' side project," embellishments on a concept Apple had already designed. The documents contend that Purple remained free of the alleged Sony inspirations, ultimately giving birth to the iPhone in 2006 (and looking decidedly like the iPhone 4).

AllThingsD is keeping a close eye on all of the trial developments, with Ina Fried tweeting from the courthouse today to provide updates on important developments in the high-profile case.

Article Link: More Early iPhone and iPad Prototype Designs Surface in Samsung Trial Documents

 

[jasonxneo]

this feud has to stop! It getting crazyy!

 

[Z400Racer37]

glad they canned those designs

 

[slrandall]

Interesting to see that Apple tried and rejected that two-tone back that we're seeing now ...

 

[iDisk]

glad they canned those designs

Not so fast with that statement, the one prototype looks like the current "fake iphone" floating around.

 

[KdParker]

glad they canned those designs

Proto 1015 look familar.

 

[JS82712]

Apple: Samsung copied us
Samsung: you copied Sony

 

[jav6454]

Proto 1015 look familar.

Yeah it does...

 

[icemanjc]

Purple looks like the iPhone 4...

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Litigation into stagnation?

I really do fear designs will slow to a relative crawl if these actions continue between the big players.

 

[surma884]

Interesting to see that Apple tried and rejected that two-tone back that we're seeing now ...

The "Purple" design is the current 4/4S. So the two-tone isn't the only one they resurrected.

 

[lifeinhd]

Suddenly, I'm liking these lawsuits a whole lot more

Keep 'em coming!

 

[ckelley]

I think the iPod mini inspired designs were kinda cool... then again, I'd still buy an iPod mini today. I loved the design of that little thing!

Also, lots of prototypes where the audio jack is on the side of the device.

 

[Z400Racer37]

Not so fast with that statement, the one prototype looks like the current "fake iphone" floating around.

ehh maybe with the two tone back idea, but its rounded and has thick boarders top and bottom, and looks like 2 halves of plastic though...

 

[efktd]

i feel like i'm seeing the same rumors every week.

1. tall iphone part leaks
2. ipad mini

 

[SpectatorHere]

Looks like Sony should sue both of them.

Alternatively, the industry obviously had a pretty good idea these high quality touch screen PDA-phone hybrids (later called by the smartphone we them by) were on their way and there weren't that many ways to do such a device.

 

[AngerDanger]

And to think people compare the Zune to a brick.

 

[george-brooks]

I love seeing all of these prototypes, such a rare glimpse into apple's design process. I'm also surprised at how ugly some are. It makes me appreciate the beauty of the final product and apple's ability to see it through.

 

[menithings]

So much for all the Android fan's BS claims that the LG Prada and F700 were designed before iPhone.

 

[BigJohno]

What would steve say about this? He would be crazy that they are showing all these concepts!

 

[shartypants]

Some of those early protos where ugly, but I guess that is part of the process.

 

[Waxhead138]

Apple: Samsung copied us
Samsung: you copied Sony

Image

Thats perfect

I'm not getting involved in the "whether or not" part of Apple suing, just commenting that part of the spectacle does look a little playground-ish.

I'd kill for video of the respective lawyers sticking their tongues out at each other in court....with a judge wagging the "no no no" finger...

 

[Hexiii]

Anybody has problems with loading the images?

 

[Winter Charm]

I love seeing all of these prototypes, such a rare glimpse into apple's design process. I'm also surprised at how ugly some are. It makes me appreciate the beauty of the final product and apple's ability to see it through.

I can imagine designers going to jony and being shut down over and over.

NO.
NO.
NO.
NO.
NO.

And finally, we get a Yes, this is what we were looking for.

and then production begins!

 

[840quadra]

i feel like i'm seeing the same rumors every week.

1. tall iphone part leaks
2. ipad mini

Except you are replying to a thread that is discussing old iPhone prototypes with regards to their lawsuits with Samsung's recent offerings. Not the same as current iPhone Prototype leaks we are seeing online in recent news.