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Yes, they effectively did. That design patent is what they've been using in force.

That should not be patentable. Now it's patent infringement to make a battery of that shape.

EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventive_step_and_non-obviousn...

Rounded corners is just one element, full stop.

What are the other elements? That it's dominated by a screen? We know it isn't thickness or aspect ratio, or logos on the back, or home screen appearance.

The patent in question is literally a rounded corner rectangle.

AFAIK the use of cover glass instead of a raised plastic bezel was actually innovative.

Not really: http://techcrunch.com/2009/06/03/crunchpad-the-launch-protot...

I'm not sure that proves anything; the CrunchPad appears to be derivative of the iPhone which had been out for a year at that point. I consider scaling up the iPhone design to a larger size to be obvious. For clarity:

2004: Apple files patent on iPad-like design

2007: iPhone released

2008: CrunchPad development started

Google 'hp tc1100'

Your commentary is factious. No matter how you enunciate ponctuation to try and establish reason. That simply makes it look desperately void. And stop asking other users to downvote people you don't agree with, that is just silly.

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