Bitchplease. Apple 'invented' the idea that a tablet should be a rectangle with a screen on one of the flat sides. Wow, friggin' genius.
The ipad has succeeded not because of what it looks like, but because of the software (love it or hate it)
Innovation is many times not related to components. The innovation comes in re-interpreting and changing the way we do things.
Or, using an existing technology earlier than others or even just recognizing that somebody else hasn't figured out what to do with an invention (Xerox mouse based, Take Samsung with its picture frame, but no idea what else to do with it.) etc.etc.
For example the ipod was a late comer to that field, but blew everybody elses product away, because it was the first device to do away with the annoyances in operating the first portable mp3 players in a small portable package. One had to also see that mp3 was the way of the future.
The iphone wasn't the first either, but again Apple took a combination of existing technologies and put it all together again did away with the annoyances of similar existing devices.
They bought fingerworks which shows that they realized its potential for use.
Same for the ipad, except that Apple had a leg up because the ipad is basically a mix between a larger iphone and a smaller macbook Air.
In the process of creativity and development Apple came up with many ideas and had them developed by companies in the various fields.
In many cases when you present an idea to a few people they throw in their expertise to make things even better or add ideas.
But, without that initial idea the rest of the process never starts.
What does it do for people to claim victory or being right about who did what first? Who cares?
We are using the products and buy what works for us. End of story.
And, for those wanting to be engaged in who really came up with the first tablet, that would be GOD when she handed down the 10 commandments.
Plenty of pictures of that one in church paintings. Even with different creative shapes.
