Apple praises Nokia Lumia Windows Phone handsets

TECHNOLOGY DESIGN HOUSE Apple has shocked the world by praising Nokia's Lumia branded Windows Phone handsets for looking nothing like the Iphone.

As reported by the Seattle Times, Apple attorney Harold McElhinny showed off a Nokia Lumia handset during the firm's high-profile Samsung lawsuit, exclaiming, "Not every smartphone needs to look like an Iphone."

It's not just the Nokia Lumia 800 that Apple is fond of, as the firm's lawyer also complimented the Sony Xperia Xperia Arc for its unique design.

Of course, it isn't surprising that Nokia's Lumia handsets look nothing like the Apple Iphone, as it was revealed last week that Apple licensed design patents to Microsoft with an "anti-cloning agreement".

"Apple's decision to license its design patents to Microsoft was consistent with its corporate strategy, because the agreement prohibited Microsoft from manufacturing copies," said patent expert Boris Teksler.

These comments came as the courtroom battle between Apple and Samsung came to a close, with Apple seeking $2.75bn in damages due to its Korean rival allegedly "slavishly copying" the designs of its Iphone and Ipad. Samsung is also seeking damages from Apple, claiming that the company's products infringe a number of its mobile technology patents. µ