The old adage 'Fight fire with fire' does not apply to non-metaphorical fires
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Apple shuns prosthetic smartphone dock request, O2 helps
SELLER OF EXPENSIVE TOYS Apple shunned a request by a man with a missing arm to help make a prosthetic arm to house a smartphone, while mobile operator O2 agreed to help.
Trevor Prideaux was born without his left arm, and while he was used to adapting to things, he wanted to be able to use a smartphone in a way that would not require him to balance it on his arm or a table.
Prideaux approached Apple to ask if they would supply a blank Iphone case that he could test in a new prosthetic arm that was being designed for him by the Exeter Mobility Centre, but Apple refused to co-operate.
With Apple down and one less Iphone sale, Prideaux went to his local O2 store, which was much more helpful than the significantly wealthier cappuccino company. O2 agreed to help the prostheticians develop something that could hold a smartphone for easier use.
His new prosthetic arm was made in just five weeks, with a Nokia C7 smartphone securely embedded in it. This allows Prideaux to make calls by raising the prosthetic arm to his ear, and also allows him to text without needing to worry about dropping his phone.
Of course, if he wants to upgrade his phone he will either have to pick something very similar in size and shape or get a new prosthetic arm, but that's a small price to pay for the freedom that this development affords.
"I can now take calls and make texts just by using my one hand, while the phone sits inside my arm," Trevor Prideaux told The Telegraph. "The phone slots smoothly and securely within my limb and is easily removable, when required. I think this would help a lot of people with prosthethic arms - especially those who were not born with the disability. People who have had motorbike crashes and soldiers who have lost limbs - they could all benefit from this." µ
Tags: Hardware
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To: Calvyn, 27 October 2011,
leave Mr. Steve Jobs in peace! The information in this piece is out! It cannot be refuted!
Mr. Steve Jobs had a True gift instilled from GOD! Apple cannot and I am sure will not, sue for this man's idea!
However this man should look into patenting his idea; it is a genius idea!
I give Mr. Steve Jobs his Honor to which he is due.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Steve Jobs and Family!
That is a brilliant idea for those with disabilities and want to live normal life. Although the guy needs to watch out, apple may patent the idea and sue everyone for it....
You started out OK by referring to Apple as "Maker of Shiny Toys", but then neglected to follow it up with the usual epithets "Fruit Themed company" or "Job's mob".
Apple would not give away a component part and they are bad for it? Wow, you need to pull your head out.
Not sure if any manufacturer would supply a component part of any product.
He could have just bought one or found a broken one if all he wanted was the size and spec. Ebay? Kijiji? Craigslist?
Oh ya, Apple is so evil for not giving away something. Why is this bad PR. You are just a shallow person.
I say it is more like bad PR for The Inquirer for such glorified and misleading headlines. Write a more complete story or don't write drivel like this at all.
So he went to Apple who said no, so the he went to o2 and they said yes. But o2 also sell iphones. He ended up with a Nokia C7. Did he ask any other actual phone manufactures like Nokia to assist him before he went to a o2? who are a phone network carrier not a manufacturer.
Or is this just an opportunity to get the boot in to Apple?
He should've contacted google, im sure they wouldve jumped on the opportunity to make themselves seem charitable.
It appears apple like to keep both sides of their appearance going. GOOD advertising to get scope to their great products for sale and BAD PR like this to add to their pathetic patents shenanigans.