Ignoring the fact that Palm has used pressure-based touch screens and not capacitance-based screens, it's also worth noting that everything Palm knows about touch screens was from their engineers who developed them for the Newton while working at Apple.

My first thought was the Newton also.

they were gunning for Palm. It was just a generalized statement for protection of intellectual property from any manufacturer. Palm must be feeling guilty about something. I'd hardly think that Apple should have any worries about competing against Palm, but you never know. It's probably not going to be easy for the Pre to gain traction in a down handset market. I'd give the nod to companies that have plenty of cash to spend on advertising and customer support.

I don't see how the type of screen matters (since Apple didn't patent the touch screen, capacitance screen, or whatever, their patents are on the underlying software), nor do I see how it matters that their techs came from Apple.

Should we be making comments that everything Apple knows about operating systems comes from NeXT?

hey testudo, you are very funny........

Taking on Apple with its well trained legal resources (well trained due to all the lawsuits they are in) and the amount of money Apple has in cach reserves makes me wonder if Palm has the ability to even try to combat Apple. If I held stock from Palm I would be selling right now.

"The company is often credited with inventing the smartphone through the Treo"

Credited incorrectly, then. The Treo was created by Handspring. Palm eventually bought that company, but they never created the Treo.

"Palm: Pre can shake any Apple patent suits" to which Apple sings that old Chubby Checker song... "C'mon baby, let's do the twist. C'mon, baaaaaabeeee, let's do the twist... Take my hand, and go like this." : )