I disagree. Back then Windows Mobile is just pure SHIT. If Windows Mobile 6 (circa 2007) was similar to WinPhone7/8 on a full touch surface, I'll argue the outlook will be very different, regardless of branding. I really don't see Android as a cool brand at all. Maybe Samsung portrait that but not Google.

"They were more successful than just about any other smart phone. " - In fact, they were dominant with 62% market in PDA/smartphone http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/506328 I used SDA back then and people are already looking for 'smart' features like web browse, email....etc. That SDA is total crap. In fact it is trying to be a mini windows machine.

Should NOT be a job creation program. I think this is what happened here.

"Is there a right way to trade in patents for profit without abusing the process" - as long as it's not illegal, in a capitalist society somebody will find a more 'efficient' way to do things.

Good write :)

That's exactly the way I felt when the word "blog" started flowing around. It hurt my head. Now? Not so much.

If it's about bigger battery and faster processor, then, "good luck" (same comment to other manufacturers). Seriously, smartphone has matured.

Lower security risk with people contributing; people using XP will be thankful; MS make less money...etc. So many benefits!

Most of the critical comments on the article do not understand the issue. Typical hackathorn is meant to build and demo a solution for a problem in a short time (folks comment about 'hacking', seriously do you know what hackathorn is about?). The problem is that the 'idea' is self identified - you pick your problem. If it is more run like a programming contest where participants do not know what the problem is ahead of time, and presented then it'll be more meaningful.

And tape is for infinite amount of porn?

Duuude, it's all about war on terror man.

Look at how many mp3 players there were before the iPod... I think it should be rephrase as "Look at how many songs they sold on an mp3 player".

Alternative? Outlaw finger print scanner? Why stop there? Let's do that with GPS, social media, cloud computing....etc.

IF it works (big if) then it's a fine bit of biometrics to allow you to play Angry Birds. This. I don't get why everybody is riled up about this iPhone feature. It's not even about Apple - plenty of laptop uses this way before iPhone. I think we can infer that technological progresses are all evil. GPS can pinpoint, internet has porn...etc.

So it's not about Apple - any vendor has the potential be compelled by NSA. What's the alternative? Shall we all move back to the caves?