I agree. It looks like Apple has decided it's more efficient to let somebody else validate the market for features, then fast follow. This is kind of short circuiting Samsung's previous mode of operation where they were the fast followers.

Apple just has to see that there is a market for something, and then execute the hell out of it. Something Samsung isn't as great doing.

note I use a Note 3 and think it's the greatest portable electronic device I've ever purchased, despite the crappy Samsung software on it.

edit

somebody doesn't like this idea and has downvoted both my comment and the parent without explanation. Which is just the equivalent of "wrong!". What exactly is wrong with this assertion? Pretty much all of Apple's expected upcoming announcements are Apple executed versions of things that other companies have already produced: larger screen phones, watch, etc.

There's nothing wrong with using somebody else's R&D and marketing dollars to develop the market for you. That's what Apple did for everybody else with the iPhone and now it's what they're letting other companies do for them. It's smart since it puts execution front and forward, which is squarely in Apple's wheelhouse. Not feature development and market testing.