[tekknik]

> They're already “paying for others' research”, because you're allowed to copy what Apple does.

Patents cover anything innovative.

> Whoever said they can't still write for a platform? It can be the responsibility of other iPhone manufacturers to make to-spec iPhones.

and this works well currently with android and other platforms (cough palm). on android tv can i stream wirelessly to my headphones with zero lag? on chromebooks can i sync a bluetooth mouse and it show up on my other chromebooks?

You cannot have 2 companies and still have tight integration.

[wizzwizz4]

Android is a software platform. Look at the stuff that people did on IBM PC (a hardware platform).

And also?

> on chromebooks can i sync a bluetooth mouse and it show up on my other chromebooks?

This is pure software. I could do that between a Debian machine and a Windows machine, if I wanted. You're overstating the need for software / hardware integration.

[tekknik]

> This is pure software.

Nope. Because the certificate used to create the secret during the handshake must be kept secret. Apple uses custom hardware of this. Unless you think certificate keys should exist in main memory allowing for them to be stolen and your secure bluetooth connection to be compromised.

> I could do that between a Debian machine and a Windows machine, if I wanted.

Let’s see it. And while we’re at it throw in seamlessly (think non tech user seamless) downloading and sharing media to all your devices on your network. Not just ripped DVDs, protected newly releases DRMed up media. With nothing more than 2 clicks and an app install (for apple tv only)

You’re stuck in this everything is software world. That’s changing and as things progress further we’ll see more and more hardware used. Primarily so we can specialize and reduce the power consumption for generic solutions operating on generic processors.