Yesterday, Apple unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the iPhone X. With its edge-to-edge display and gesture-based interface, it’s clear that this device has been years in the making. In fact, CEO Tim Cook revealed during the unveiling ceremony that his team had been working on this project for over a decade.
But have you ever wondered where some of these innovative features originated from? As we’ll explore in this article, the answer lies in the early days of mobile computing and the pioneering work of Jon Rubinstein at Palm.
A Brief History of WebOS and the Palm Pre
In 2009, Palm announced its latest smartphone, the Pre. This sleek device was designed by none other than Jon Rubinstein, a former SVP of Apple’s iPod division who had left the company in 2006 to join Palm. The Pre boasted an edge-to-edge display, with a touch-sensitive area extending below the screen and onto the bezel itself.
What set the Pre apart from its competitors was its innovative interface, which incorporated a deck-of-cards activity interface. This allowed users to easily switch between apps by swiping between cards and tapping on them to activate specific tasks. The design was hailed as "simple and elegant" by Palm’s senior director of human interface and user experience, Matías Duarte.
Duarte would later go on to work at Google, where he played a key role in developing the Material Design language that extends the card motif used in Android. The similarities between WebOS and iOS are striking, and some have even accused Apple of "borrowing" from Palm’s innovative interface.
Cook’s Comments: A Warning Shot Across the Bows
During an earnings call later that same month in 2009, Tim Cook was pressed by analysts about how quickly iPhone competitors were elbowing into the market. In response, he stated, "We don’t mind competition, but if others rip off our intellectual property, we will go after them."
When specifically asked about Palm’s innovative interface, Cook remained tight-lipped, saying only that Apple had developed its own proprietary technology. However, some have interpreted his comments as a veiled warning to Palm and other competitors.
The Influence of WebOS on iOS
Fast-forward to today, and it’s clear that the iPhone X is the culmination of years of innovation in mobile computing. The edge-to-edge display and gesture-based interface are undeniably inspired by the pioneering work at Palm.
But what’s often overlooked is the subtle yet significant influence of WebOS on Apple’s design language. From the seamless transition between apps to the intuitive gestures that control various functions, it’s clear that Tim Cook’s team has been paying close attention to its competitors – including Palm.
Conclusion
As we look back at the iPhone X and its innovative features, it’s clear that there are unseen roots of inspiration that date back to the early days of mobile computing. The pioneering work of Jon Rubinstein at Palm and the innovative design language of WebOS laid the groundwork for many of the technologies we see today.
Whether or not Apple borrowed directly from Palm’s designs is a matter of debate, but one thing is certain: the evolution of mobile computing is a story that spans decades and involves countless innovators who have contributed to our current state of affairs.
Share Your Thoughts
What do you think about the influence of WebOS on iOS? Have any personal experiences with the Palm Pre or other early smartphones that shaped your opinion on innovation in mobile computing? Let us know in the comments below!
