Apple wins patent rights to touch-screens in cell phones

Almost 4 years after the original iPhone came out, Apple today is celebrating a victory over pretty much EVERY smart-phone manufacturer out today. Apple was awarded the patent for the touchscreen technology that is slowly becoming the preferred method to interact with devices.

“ A computer-implemented method, for use in conjunction with a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display, comprises displaying a portion of page content, including a frame displaying a portion of frame content and also including other content of the page, on the touch screen display. An N-finger translation gesture is detected on or near the touch screen display. In response, the page content, including the displayed portion of the frame content and the other content of the page, is translated to display a new portion of page content on the touch screen display. An M-finger translation gesture is detected on or near the touch screen display, where M is a different number than N. In response, the frame content is translated to display a new portion of frame content on the touch screen display, without translating the other content of the page. “

This basically means that Apple could theoretically HALT all touch-screen smart-phone sales and production in America, however it seems they will be content just hosing everyone else for royalties related to the use of a touch-screen in their competitions phones and devices.

What do you guys think? Is this a totally negative thing or is Apple doing what’s right by them for patenting what they’ve wrought? Let us know in the comments below!