Well, how could they have written their statement? Maybe this is a bit closer to what I was expecting:
> We're appalled. Apple has stolen our
> wonderful idea, just like they always do,
> so we're calling on the f.lux community
> to boycot apple products. We are also
> in the process of finding a lawyer
> to defend our patent, which Apple
> has blatantly etc etc ...
But what purpose would that serve? It would definitely make some enemies. If the project really is so small, a bitter statement like that probably isn't going to matter much.
Maybe the f.lux folks are hurting inside. Even so, they've decided to put aside their disappointment for a moment. They're calling us not to fight, but to celebrate the fact that millions of people are going to get a good night's sleep, in part because of the research they pioneered, even though they might not reap the spoils of their work. I think it takes a big heart to write it that way.
It's not the vendetta I expected, it's spreading the awareness that Apple is stealing ideas from small companies using its muscles and killing the desire to innovate! The public needs to know and tell Apple: "Don't do this anymore!" This is not stealing ideas, this is a daylight robbery! Blocking an app from App Store just to bake in its features shortly - this is immoral and possibly criminal!
Maybe the f.lux folks are hurting inside. Even so, they've decided to put aside their disappointment for a moment. They're calling us not to fight, but to celebrate the fact that millions of people are going to get a good night's sleep, in part because of the research they pioneered, even though they might not reap the spoils of their work. I think it takes a big heart to write it that way.