The Sony Device Samsung Claims Inspired Apple’s iPhone: Walkman NW-A1200

Philip Elmer-DeWitt:

It was not a phone at all, but a Walkman — the NW-A1200 — that according to Businessweek represented for Sony a new, cleaner, less cluttered design aesthetic. And what inspired that new aesthetic? Of all things, according to the Sony designers, an Apple iPod.

Apple wasn’t copying Sony, dear bloggers. Sony was copying Apple.

Looking forward to Eric Raymond’s follow-up.

★ Wednesday, 1 August 2012