14 DAY TRIAL // Apple reportedly ripped off a developer’s idea for their WiFi Sync function in iOS 5, even copying the icon, reports say.
UK student and programmer Greg Hughes has an iOS app that got rejected by Apple over using private APIs.
The app still made it to iOS devices via Cydia, the App Store alternative for jailbroken handsets, where it is fetching 10 dollars a piece.
So far, Hughes’ tool has been grabbed by iDevice users roughly 50,000 times. Needless to point out, WiFi Sync is a must have for the iOS install base.
Just recently, Apple decided to bake the function in iOS 5.
That wouldn’t be considered bad, hadn’t Apple also ‘copied’ the icon Hughes used for his own app, reports say.
We disagree.
First of all, the ‘idea’ Hughes had for his app is not exactly what you would call original. The function is pretty much a given once the hardware and the software falls into place.
As for the icons, we can’t help but notice they’re not all that similar either.
The mere fact that they both use the standard symbols for synchronization and WiFi in the most natural configuration possible (WiFi symbol inside the bent-arrows loop representing a completed cycle) cannot, and should not be considered a rip-off.
In fact, Apple may well be the first (of the two parties) to have used both these symbols commercially. The iSync application in Snow Leopard (pictured left) stands as evidence of that.
For its WiFi sync ability, Apple simply made the arrows thinner and threw in the universal WiFi logo, in what was a normal approach to represent a wireless sync function.
Apple’s icon is also metallic grey with the symbols painted in black, whereas Hughes’ icon is a baby blue background with the sync and WiFi symbols in white. His looped arrows don’t even make a circle, but an oval.
All in all, it’s pretty darn debatable.
On the other hand, Apple too is known to jump the gun whenever someone uses one too many leaves on top of something that merely resembles a piece of fruit. Not necessarily a bitten one either.
So perhaps the Cupertino giant is getting a well-deserved taste of its own medicine.
What’s your take on this?
