Along that line of thought, the convergence of computer-based hierarchical arrangements of MP3 tracks and computer-based portable MP3 player was sort of obvious. Boo on Creative and their entire corporate/legal team.

Along that line of thought, the convergence of computer-based touch screens and computer-based portable computer was sort of obvious. It was just a matter of seeing if technology could make it work reasonably, yet, and working out which UI was optimal.

According to Dan Bricklin:
http://www.bricklin.com/tabletcomputing.htm

Apparently the first was the GRiDPad from 1989, running a 10MHz 8086 and DOS. Its development seems independent of other efforts such as GO Computing’s PenPoint (released 1992), which inspired Windows’ support for pens.

Along that line of thought, the convergence of computer-based hierarchical arrangements of MP3 tracks and computer-based portable MP3 player was sort of obvious. Boo on Creative and their entire corporate/legal team.

Along that line of thought, the convergence of computer-based touch screens and computer-based portable computer was sort of obvious. It was just a matter of seeing if technology could make it work reasonably, yet, and working out which UI was optimal.

According to Dan Bricklin:
http://www.bricklin.com/tabletcomputing.htm

Apparently the first was the GRiDPad from 1989, running a 10MHz 8086 and DOS. Its development seems independent of other efforts such as GO Computing’s PenPoint (released 1992), which inspired Windows’ support for pens.

I don’t think Creative “pioneered” the MP3 Player.
I can remember when I bought a flash memory based MP3 player called the Diamond Rio like way way back in 1998. It was an extremely light player that had a huge 64MB DRAM and held about 1 CD worth of music encoded at 128kbps (10 to 12 songs). I thought is was so cool because it had no moving parts, super lightweight, about the size of a pager and held as much music as my Walkman cassette player. Also, I remember the Record Companies sued to stop the sale of the Rio but lost !
Anyway, my point is that Apple was YEARS behind other companies in the MP3 player market and quickly blew them all away.
Also, I remember shortly after buying the Rio I bought a 20GB hard disk based player that held thousands of songs in the palm of my hand, used 4 rechargeable/replaceable AA batteries and it was made by a company called Archos in Europe, I can’t remember the exact year I bought it, but I know it was way before the Apple iPod came out.
So, Apple hardly invented portable MP3 players but I think they sure perfected them.

@Tom: enjoy living in the RDF? Sure Apple developed APPLE’S MultiTouch. You’re missing the point. Little or no credit goes to the pioneers who actually did most of the gruntwork. Instead, all history is erased in the greater public’s mind and it turns into “Apple’s innovation.” That seems a very Microsoft-ish thing to do.

There’s been “touch” on ATMs and gas pumps for what seems like forever. So what? Is it your contention that these are the same as Apple’s MultiTouch?

Even something that LOOKS similar, such as Microsoft’s Surface, is just a series of cameras and projectors underneath the table top. It’s technology that’s been around for years. You think you can get that technology in a small device? Good luck.

Apple’s MT was developed by them, and patented all over the place. They surely borrowed ideas from elsewhere (as EVERY new technology has), but Apple made it, perfected it, and brought it to market. A sure sign it’s something truly new is that everyone around them is trying to copy it (because It’s not already “out there” somewhere to be used). To claim that my neighborhood’s gas pump or some end table at a Vegas casino has the same technology is ridiculous.

I don’t think you’re giving Apple anywhere near enough credit here. Perhaps you also think PARC invented the Mac interface?

Still.

You’d think the past 10 years might have set the records straight but I guess people see what they want to see, reality be damned.

@Davin Peterson:
Apple actually admitted that they stole.. err… I mean used the designs of a british inventor in UK for their iPod. This was during a lawsuit which was filed against them on the iPod by someone & Apple had to fly that guy over to US to give testimony in their case. It so happened that this british inventor had drawn up designs for an MP3 player & patented them 30 years ago but didn’t have money to extend the patent in 1980s so his patents went into public domain & that’s where Apple picked them up from & created their *innovative* product iPod!! And they acknowledged this only when their own skin was on the line!! And aren’t these the same guys who always moan & cry that Microsoft stole their ideas??!! Huh!! Talk about sour grapes!