Xiaomi VP Hugo Barra Defends Against Copycat Accusations in New Interview

[Zedsdead185]

Again and again, repeats of the most ridiculous accusations against Apple, this time however with at least one photo that demonstrates what nonsense it is!

Someone seems to be suggesting that Dieter Rams and Jony Ive look similar... I think Mrs Rams and Mrs Ive would be very surprised to hear that.

2nd photo: Can you tell me where you see any similarity? Especially with the photo on the left showing an LP player on top of a speaker, which anyone with the slightest intelligence knows is absolutely the one place on earth where an LP player doesn't belong? (Think of vibrations from the speaker getting transmitted to the LP player. Pure idiocy. Dieter Rams would shoot you if that is how you used his system).

3rd photo in the first and the third row: So the two most different looking items that you could think of, and Apple managed to copy them simultaneously with the iMac! That is pure genius, and my admiration for Jony Ive has no end. The first item is a TV. An ordinary TV with a huge glass tube, about as deep as high, and since it shows a pretty picture, and the iMac shows a pretty picture, the iMac is obviously copying the TV. At the same time, the iMac also manages to copy Rams' great loud speaker. That speaker is actually almost man high, and wider, and is hanging in a frame. Since the two iMac photos show the same iMac, just from different angles, the first photo makes it blatantly obvious that speaker and iMac don't look one bit similar.

4th photo: That's the radio clock that supposedly looks like an iPad. But for that, they had to put the clock on its side. In reality, you would have it standing flat. And if you took a photo not exactly from the front, you would see that it is about 5 inch deep, not 1/2 inch like the iPad. Similarity = zero.

Photo pairs 5, 6 and 8 are hilarious. The pair 5 and the pair 6 are commonly used to demonstrate the similarity between some Dieter Rams design and a Mac Pro. However, and that's where are copycat accuser made a big mistake, the left picture of pair 5, the left picture of pair 6, and both pictures of pair 8 show the exact some Braun product! So you are telling us with a straight face that the MacPro looks like a radio... How stupid can you be. BTW in photo five, the left side shows a speaker covered with cloth, the right side shows the Mac Pro's aluminium grill.

Calm down man... Jony has spoken out about his admiration for Dieter Rams design. And Mr Rams has also acknowledged how his work inspired Jony.

Somehow you've made the assumption that I think that apples products are carbon copy clones of Dieter Rams designs. Of course I don't think the mac pro is a radio... don't be such a fool. I have merely pointed out that they all have very similar aspects. Jony has indirectly admitted it. Rams has indirectly admitted it. Why can't you?

 

[gnasher729]

I wouldn't use what BBRY says as evidence that Apple invented "putting a computer in a phone".

It's not something that Apple invented. It's something that was blatantly obvious, but nobody else did. And your comments that everybody had "a tiny computer" in a phone is misleading. The iPhone 1 outpowered them to such a degree that it was a completely new class of device. It made possible things that the others couldn't do at the time.

 

[LordVic]

It's not something that Apple invented. It's something that was blatantly obvious, but nobody else did. And your comments that everybody had "a tiny computer" in a phone is misleading. The iPhone 1 outpowered them to such a degree that it was a completely new class of device. It made possible things that the others couldn't do at the time.

Goalpost moving

yes, I never said the iPhone wasn't a giant leap in power and functionality. I love what the iphone kick started in the industry.

but that doesn't change the fact that Apple didn't invent putting a computer in a phone, which your original post attempted to say

 

[KPOM]

Not sure if you're joking, but no they don't. There's hundreds of "copied" versions on the market in look alike cans. It's their recipie that makes it different which is known as a Trade Secret. If you were serious, that was a horrible analogy because it would prove the opposite of what you most likely thought.

If you somehow got their recipe you have every right to make it exactly the same and call it anything other that Coka Cola

My point is that you can't copy their recipe and put out a product just like theirs. You can put out a similar product, just as there is nothing stopping Xiaomi from producing smartphones in general. However, they go a step further and copy trade dress, colors, and names. They would have a VERY hard time selling most of their product line outside China, and in fact have been hit with IP lawsuits in India.

 

[gnasher729]

Calm down man... Jony has spoken out about his admiration for Dieter Rams design. And Mr Rams has also acknowledged how his work inspired Jony.

Somehow you've made the assumption that I think that apples products are carbon copy clones of Dieter Rams designs. Of course I don't think the mac pro is a radio... don't be such a fool. I have merely pointed out that they all have very similar aspects. Jony has indirectly admitted it. Rams has indirectly admitted it. Why can't you?

That's what's called back-pedalling. You know as well as I do what you intended to claim with this photos. So I took your argument apart. At least be honest about it. Would be different if you had added that comment to the pictures.

And you still insist on "very similar aspects", which shows your dishonesty. There are no similarities. Except by carefully staged photography.

 

[Mascots]

In this thread Apple fanboys whine about companies copying Apple, yet see no issue with Apple copying Rdio and Spotify. LOL. Never change, fanboys. Never change.

Don't forget about those that feel the need to justify their disregard for who is copying Apple, because Apple.

 

[toph2toast]

and rightfully so.

but do you not see the hypocrisy?

Apple has history of outright copying design. They have been proud of it in the past.
However, if someone copied something of Apples, they cry foul and scream and moan.

I'm not saying the copying is necessarily a good thing. Just that Apple corporate tends to be very two faced

Just curious - is it possible that there is some sort of agreement in place to use these designs? Before we go down the road of saying its "hypocrisy" and "Apple copies too" it might be worth figuring out if they got the approval to do so.

 

[LordVic]

Just curious - is it possible that there is some sort of agreement in place to use these designs? Before we go down the road of saying its "hypocrisy" and "Apple copies too" it might be worth figuring out if they got the approval to do so.

it is possible. in my opinion, if Dieter is ok with it, than we have no reason to judge honestly. But this is just one example

Apple is an old hat when it comes to "reappropriating" things for their own usage, but refusing to share back. its not just in design, but patent issues, regulatory issues and the like. it's a corporate behaviour that isn't anything new for them and honestly dates back to the 80's when they admit tingly copied the WIMP style of UI from xerox, then freaked out on everyone else for doing it too


it doesn't change the facts that Apple makes great products.

I just have serious issues with their corporate mentality.

 

[Elvergun]

A 4 year old can clearly see that the interface of the iPhone calculator is nearly identical to the physical one next to it. Yes, most calculators are rectangular with buttons.... But do they all have rounded buttons? Are they all black? All of them have a small yellow "=" button in the lower-right corner?

If you SERIOUSLY (ask yourself, seriously) can't see the design similarities, you are in a very serious state of denial.

Rounded buttons? What else could someone designing a calculator do, use hexagonal buttons just because someone made a calculator with rounded buttons in the 1960's? And if someone had made a calculator with hexagonal buttons in the 1990's (because they didn't want to use a "design" someone used in the 1960s), would that mean that the only option left for Apple was to create a calculator with triangular buttons?

But you are correct, there are similarities. The thing is, that is the only picture that shows clear design similarities. The other comparisons in that montage are ridiculous. Anyone using the Braun argument is grasping at straws.

The iPhone was not a success because the calculator it came with shared design similarities with a calculator from yesteryear. The only reason Xiaomi is having any kind of success is because they copy everything under the sun.

 

[wakinghour]

In this thread Apple fanboys whine about companies copying Apple, yet see no issue with Apple copying Rdio and Spotify. LOL. Never change, fanboys. Never change.

Apple copied Spotify's business model. In that perspective they also copied the smart phone. Where did they copy the product photography and UI layout to a point where one could almost be mistaken for the other? It's pretty obvious which is which. Unlike the Xiaomi issue.

 

[toph2toast]

In this thread Apple fanboys whine about companies copying Apple, yet see no issue with Apple copying Rdio and Spotify. LOL. Never change, fanboys. Never change.

What did they copy? Making a streaming music service? Creating their own radio stations? Because it certainly doesn't have any of the aesthetics or "feel" to either of those.

 

[heimo]

If it's not a Xiaomi, it's not a Xiaomi.

 

[bladerunner2000]

Why do fanboys assume that criticism of Apple is like insulting their god?
Listen, people criticising Apple often choose Apple as a brand exclusively but why should that mean that they can’t be called out if they lie and cheat? Come on man, get a grip and get those rose spectacles off.

I think it has something to do with Guy Kawasaki's time at Apple being responsible for this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelism_marketing

In any case, it's true, too many Apple fans find the need to get 'deeply offended' when Apple get's criticism. Really bizarre behaviour.

 

[oliversl]

When you lost your argument, use the bias (insert other moral causes here) card

 

[vmachiel]

Can't blame Barra personally for what he has to say for his paycheck. But Xiaomi makes Samsung look like the most innovative company that ever existed.

 

[toph2toast]

it is possible. in my opinion, if Dieter is ok with it, than we have no reason to judge honestly. But this is just one example

Apple is an old hat when it comes to "reappropriating" things for their own usage, but refusing to share back. its not just in design, but patent issues, regulatory issues and the like. it's a corporate behaviour that isn't anything new for them and honestly dates back to the 80's when they admit tingly copied the WIMP style of UI from xerox, then freaked out on everyone else for doing it too


it doesn't change the facts that Apple makes great products.

I just have serious issues with their corporate mentality.

That's fair. I guess what makes me "OK" with it is that to my knowledge they are not competing products, so it doesn't create market confusion. To me, thats the biggest issue with this whole Apple/Samsung/Xiaomi copying thing.

 

[LordVic]

When you lost your argument, use the bias (insert other moral causes here) card

here's the one very simple failure of logic in your statement

Bias, often times, and frequently on this board is a barrier to fact. when one side (don't care which) says that they refuse to accept a factual statement, because company X says otherwise, the bias becomes heavily relevant to the discussion.

EG using mythical company names to avoid "BIAS":

Zeus Corporation says 1+1=3

we all know 1+1=2

Zeus Corporation fanboy refuses to accept this, and in turn says NO, ZEUS CORP IS RIGHT SO YOU'RE WRONG.

then you have to point out the bias to try and break it. to make that person realise that they are in fact, Factually wrong.

now, the correct version of your statement is

"When you must resort to a personal attack, you have lost your argument"

 

[LordVic]

That's fair. I guess what makes me "OK" with it is that to my knowledge they are not competing products, so it doesn't create market confusion. To me, thats the biggest issue with this whole Apple/Samsung/Xiaomi copying thing.

trying to carefully avoid the names and companies involved to not delve into that specifics

if I say "i dont think Samsung directly copied" one side jumps down my throat.
if I say "i think samsung ripped everything off" the other does.

both sides are based in emotion, and not fact.

 

[Elvergun]

Apple copied Spotify's business model. In that perspective they also copied the smart phone. Where did they copy the product photography and UI layout to a point where one could almost be mistaken for the other? It's pretty obvious which is which. Unlike the Xiaomi issue.

LOL...Apple copied Rdio and Spotify? That's like saying that Ford copied Daimler-Benz. And if this is the case, then Honda, Toyota and even Tesla are pure evil. Some of the arguments in this thread are simply ridiculous.

 

[C DM]

and rightfully so.

but do you not see the hypocrisy?

Apple has history of outright copying design. They have been proud of it in the past.
However, if someone copied something of Apples, they cry foul and scream and moan.

I'm not saying the copying is necessarily a good thing. Just that Apple corporate tends to be very two faced

Seems like there is more hypocrisy in implying that liking and being inspired by certain type of design and using it to create other products is somehow even close to simply copying it almost exactly and using to sell the same product at the same time.

 

[Zedsdead185]

That's what's called back-pedalling. You know as well as I do what you intended to claim with this photos. So I took your argument apart. At least be honest about it. Would be different if you had added that comment to the pictures.

And you still insist on "very similar aspects", which shows your dishonesty. There are no similarities. Except by carefully staged photography.

Yes, with that post, I intended to point out how Jony copied a lot of Dieter Rams Designs. And even after your careful 'psychological analysis' of my last comment, I still hold to that. That is what I meant to claim with these photos. That there is a large similarity between Ive's and Ram's Designs which has been acknowledged by both parties. Obviously you don't agree with me though so you decide to accuse me of back peddling & being dishonest.

Oh, and by the way, just in case this hate is being directed at me because you have mistaken me for an android fan then do not despair. I love apple. I have an iPhone 6 and a macbook pro and everything! I even like Jonathon Ive believe it or not! The only difference with me is I'm not acting a like a knight in shining armour when someone says something that could be considered the slightest bit negative about them.

 

[C DM]

In this thread Apple fanboys whine about companies copying Apple, yet see no issue with Apple copying Rdio and Spotify. LOL. Never change, fanboys. Never change.

Getting into the same business that another company is in isn't copying. How do people even come up with something like that?

 

[C DM]

Yes, with that post, I intended to point out how Jony copied a lot of Dieter Rams Designs. And even after your careful 'psychological analysis' of my last comment, I still hold to that. That is what I meant to claim with these photos. That there is a large similarity between Ive's and Ram's Designs which has been acknowledged by both parties. Obviously you don't agree with me though so you decide to accuse me of back peddling & being dishonest.

Oh, and by the way, just in case this hate is being directed at me because you have mistaken me for an android fan then do not despair. I love apple. I have an iPhone 6 and everything! I even like Jonathin Ive believe it or not! The only difference with me is I'm not acting a like a knight in shining armour when someone says something that could be considered the slightest bit negative about them.

Copied or inspired by? Did Apple create and sell radio clocks, record players, or TV's?

 

[MonkeySee....]

Sure... The chamfered edge is the only thing...

Jeez. This company is more despicable than Samsung. What a joke

 

[Elvergun]

Yes, with that post, I intended to point out how Jony copied a lot of Dieter Rams Designs. And even after your careful 'psychological analysis' of my last comment, I still hold to that. That is what I meant to claim with these photos. That there is a large similarity between Ive's and Ram's Designs which has been acknowledged by both parties. Obviously you don't agree with me though so you decide to accuse me of back peddling & being dishonest.

Oh, and by the way, just in case this hate is being directed at me because you have mistaken me for an android fan then do not despair. I love apple. I have an iPhone 6 and a macbook pro and everything! I even like Jonathon Ive believe it or not! The only difference with me is I'm not acting a like a knight in shining armour when someone says something that could be considered the slightest bit negative about them.

But that argument, and those pictures, are as old as my gradma. You intended to revive and old and tired argument (and are failing miserably).

There are large similarities with your post and many similar (actually, identical) ones posted in many threads throughout the years. And here you thought you were so clever.