Actually, between you and me, here's a little inside information from the Halls of Redmond...
It uses the controls from Flight Simulator. But only the foot pedals, so you can keep your hands free for the mouse...;)
Actually, though, addressing the topic of the thread, I fail to see what's wrong with a technology having product concept and design meetings that include sessions of "What the Competition is Doing Right and How Can We Do As Well". It's just part of business.
I fully agree. And if folks don't think Apple doesn't do the same thing, well, all I can say is that when it comes time to design new audio subsystems there's always a lab full of laptops from Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba, Acer, etc.
Same thing when one of those other companies looks to upgrade things as well - you see Macs in the mix along with all other brands.
Oh, d-uh, of course! How silly of me!
> ...if folks don't think Apple doesn't do the same thing, well, all I can say...
Exactly. They'd be derelict in their due diligence if they didn't examine the competition. And it's not like Microsoft watching what Apple does is anything new. It's been going on since Windows 1.0. I know you're familiar with this old photo (1985); I'm posting it for the rest of the folks on the thread. :)
