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Introducing the iPhone—But Not from Apple

Croquant   on 18 December 2006 - 15:16 · 35 comments & 13465 views

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A joke making the rounds on the Web Dec. 15 said the iPhone will be released on Dec. 18.

Here's the punch line: It's true. Not only that, but the company unveiling the device isn't Apple Computer (AAPL). Instead, the manufacturer behind a series of new products bearing the iPhone name is Linksys, a unit of networking equipment maker Cisco Systems (CSCO).

The company is announcing a series of Web-enabled telephone handsets designed to work with Internet calling services such as Skype, a division of eBay (EBAY), and other services, including SIP Phone's Gizmo Project.
Registered Trademark

For longtime tech watchers, Cisco's ownership of the iPhone name shouldn't come as a big surprise. Cisco has owned the trademark on the iPhone brand since 2000, when it acquired Infogear—which had registered the name in 1996. Infogear showed an Internet appliance bearing the iPhone name at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 1997. Cisco spent $301 million to acquire Infogear in 2000. It later acquired Linksys, a maker of consumer home-networking products, in 2003.

News source: businessweek.com

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(5 replies) #1 PureLegend on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:25
I think Apple just got pwnt.
#1.1 Swordnyx on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:48
Who knows maybe they will call it the iCell or something lol.

But yeah sucks for Apple for being so stupid in the first place.
#1.2 roadwarrior on 18 Dec 2006 - 16:34
Quote - Swordnyx said @ #1.1
But yeah sucks for Apple for being so stupid in the first place.

How so? Apple has never actually announced that they are making a phone, much less that it would be called "iPhone". Both are just speculation, spread around by news sites who treat every rumor as if it were Gospel fact!
#1.3 Swordnyx on 19 Dec 2006 - 03:52
Quote - roadwarrior said @ #1.2
How so? Apple has never actually announced that they are making a phone, much less that it would be called "iPhone". Both are just speculation, spread around by news sites who treat every rumor as if it were Gospel fact!


Really? I thought even CNET said it was going to be called an iPhone.

Oh well I'm going to get one probably anyway, so why bother about what it's called. Such as the "Wii", it sosunds retarded but it is very innovative.
#1.4 HawkMan on 19 Dec 2006 - 12:38
Quote - Swordnyx said @ #1.3

Oh well I'm going to get one probably anyway, so why bother about what it's called.


You're goign to get a phone that may not exist, just because it's made by Apple, you don't even know anythign about it yet, features, quality... nothing. and you're allready sure you're going to buy it...
you need to get de-brainwashed
#1.5 roadwarrior on 19 Dec 2006 - 14:19
Quote - Swordnyx said @ #1.3
Quote - roadwarrior said @ #1.2
How so? Apple has never actually announced that they are making a phone, much less that it would be called "iPhone". Both are just speculation, spread around by news sites who treat every rumor as if it were Gospel fact!


Really? I thought even CNET said it was going to be called an iPhone.

Oh well I'm going to get one probably anyway, so why bother about what it's called. Such as the "Wii", it sosunds retarded but it is very innovative.


CNET is one of those sites that I was talking about in my previous post. In fact, I think they are one of the worst sources of information, partly because they appear to most people to be a legitimate source of information, but mostly do nothing but spread rumors.
(3 replies) #2 dl0711 on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:26
I can see Court Action coming soon..

a Canadian Company called Comwave Telecom Inc has a Service Called "iPhone" URL: http://www.comwave.net/CDN/iPhone/index.htm and has had the name for almost 3-4 years now.. They also have the iPhone Mobile URL: http://www.comwave.net/CDN/iPhone/iPhone_mobile.htm

iPhone Mobile ™
Wireless VoIP service is here!

Just $129
Call 1-877-iPhone-U

iPhone Mobile™ allows you to enjoy wireless communications wherever a wireless internet connection (WIFI) exists.

Simply turn the phone on and it will search for a WIFI connection on its own. Then simply make a call as you would with a cell phone. iPhone Mobile will work anywhere; at home, office, and around the world.

Best of all...there are no per minute fees. Talk as much as you like.

For security iPhone Mobile™ also stores five WEP security keys for secured WIFI connections.

Features:

Phonebook
Call Logs
Ring tones
Vibe
Calculator
Alarm
Calendar

Last edited by dl0711 on 18 Dec 2006 - 16:02
#2.1 xxdesmus on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:34
What are you smoking? Cisco has owned the trademark since 2000 .... and Infogear had the name first in 1996.

Apple and your Comwave Telecom have no rights here. In fact, they are infringing on Cisco's trademark...
#2.2 +guylaroche on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:40
But, xxdesmus, who owns the IP rights to "iPhone" in Canada? According to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Cisco abandoned their rights:

Default Notice Sent 24 March 2003
Cancelled - Section 16(3) 24 March 2003
Abandoned - Section 36 11 June 2003

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/cipo/tradema...ntIndexOnPage=1
#2.3 Elliott on 18 Dec 2006 - 20:18
Quote - xxdesmus said @ #2.1
What are you smoking? Cisco has owned the trademark since 2000 .... and Infogear had the name first in 1996.

Apple and your Comwave Telecom have no rights here. In fact, they are infringing on Cisco's trademark...

Yea, Apple is totally infringing on Cisco's trademark, since, you know, they never said their phone was called the iPhone.
(2 replies) #3 Rutager on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:33
When did Apple ever say that they were calling it the "iPhone" in the first place?
#3.1 +guylaroche on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:46
Well, they tried to obtain the rights to the name in Canada in 2004, and they were "OPPOSED."

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/cipo/tradema...ntIndexOnPage=1
#3.2 Elementfire0666 on 20 Dec 2006 - 03:18
Quote - Rutager said @ #3
When did Apple ever say that they were calling it the "iPhone" in the first place?


To correct you when did Apple ever say it was releasing a phone at all. There have been many numerous rumors for a long time and they've all been wrong. Maybe someday they will but it aint going to be called the "iPhone"
(1 reply) #4 Skoogie on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:33
Quote -
Registered Trademark

For longtime tech watchers, Cisco's ownership of the iPhone name shouldn't come as a big surprise. Cisco has owned the trademark on the iPhone brand since 2000, when it acquired Infogear—which had registered the name in 1996. Infogear showed an Internet appliance bearing the iPhone name at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 1997 (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/3/97, "A New Gig for Your Phone: Net Surfer". Cisco spent $301 million to acquire Infogear in 2000. It later acquired Linksys, a maker of consumer home-networking products, in 2003.


Haha Apple.
#4.1 treemonster on 18 Dec 2006 - 17:45
time space causality and chronology are no barriers to apple lawsuits!
#5 +Digix on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:34
Quote -
a Canadian Company called Comwave Telecom Inc has a Service Called "iPhone" URL: http://www.comwave.net/CDN/iPhone/index.htm and has had the name for almost 3-4 years now..


For longtime tech watchers, Cisco's ownership of the iPhone name shouldn't come as a big surprise. Cisco has owned the trademark on the iPhone brand since 2000, when it acquired Infogear—which had registered the name in 1996. Infogear showed an Internet appliance bearing the iPhone name at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 1997. Cisco spent $301 million to acquire Infogear in 2000. It later acquired Linksys, a maker of consumer home-networking products, in 2003.


Quote -
I think Apple just got pwnt.


lol yup
(1 reply) #6 Neobond on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:48
I guess they will call it iTalk, but as if iCare
#6.1 Krome on 20 Dec 2006 - 01:24
LOL good one... I like that pun
(3 replies) #7 Xero on 18 Dec 2006 - 15:49
I dun what is with you people, no one ever said Apples Cellphone would be called the iPhone. That was a rumor, and its real name has never been confirmed, for all we know it could be called iChat Moblie, I think they are just trying to get some attention due to the hype around Apples phone.
#7.1 Pug on 18 Dec 2006 - 16:01
Yeah ! What's Cisco anyway ?
...
Just kidding. Really, as if Cisco really needs to get attention...
#7.2 Xero on 18 Dec 2006 - 16:24
I never said they needed it, I'm saying they wanted it. Theres many people who want to ride of Apples products just for free advertising, for example anything with Pod in it thesedays.
#7.3 Swordnyx on 19 Dec 2006 - 03:54
The iChat Mobile? You have a corny imagination.
#8 mech9t8 on 18 Dec 2006 - 16:20
There's nothing in the "iPod" name that restricts to being an MP3 player.... I bet it'll be something like the "iPod talk" or something.
(1 reply) #9 Aleck79 on 18 Dec 2006 - 16:43
trouble is brewwing... they are going to get pwnt in a lawsuit.
#9.1 DomG on 19 Dec 2006 - 08:56
Why would they? Apple doesn't own the rights to iEverything.
#10 bucko on 18 Dec 2006 - 17:01
Ireally Idon't Ineed Iany Imore Iof Ithis Istupid Inaming Ischeme Ieven Ithough Ihave Ian Ipod
(4 replies) #11 [bear] on 18 Dec 2006 - 17:05
There is one difference between apple's iPhone and cisco's iPhone. Cisco's wont sell. the end.
#11.1 Munkyman on 18 Dec 2006 - 17:52
I have to agree. Apple are very good at marketing.
#11.2 toadeater on 18 Dec 2006 - 19:36
The cell phone market is saturated, it will be tough if not close to impossible, to reproduce an iPod-like hit. The iPod was successful because it created its own market. Prior to that, media players weren't selling that well because they were bulky and too nerdy. Cell phones are already sleek and come in just about any variety--including now ones that play media and games as well. So what is Apple going to do?
#11.3 Darkinspiration on 19 Dec 2006 - 04:04
Every time someone talk about iphone i cannot help imagining a osx compatible smart phone.

That would be nice. Considering that these kind of devices tend to ignore the mac platform a lot.
#11.4 Elementfire0666 on 20 Dec 2006 - 03:24
Quote - Munkyman said @ #11.1
I have to agree. Apple are very good at marketing.


Yea they could sale pretty much anything and someone would buy it. Pretty much the majority of apples success is in their marketing ;p specially in the damn iPods.
#12 Havin_it on 18 Dec 2006 - 20:30
A lot of sniping going on over this, but 'sensitive' name or no, this could be a nice product. It's not 100% novel, but does seem to be joining a market (hybrid phones) that's still growing, as the technology improves. I think Cisco's/Linksys's pedigree with networking kit makes it an exciting prospect. I'd be more likely to buy something like this from them than one of the recent outfits to get there first, say, Belkin. I own some Belkin wifi kit, and give me Linksys any day.
#13 chimera963 on 18 Dec 2006 - 20:52
Ooo what are Apple gonna do now?
iPhod? ePhone? :p
Heck, 'Steve's white phone of the gods' would do me.
(1 reply) #14 Audhumla on 18 Dec 2006 - 22:37
Here comes the lawsuit...
#14.1 DomG on 19 Dec 2006 - 08:58
You should read before you post. The name "iPhone" has been owned by other companies for a decade now.

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