Apple's iPhone Duo Name Not as Copycat as It Seems

The iPhone Duo has been making waves in the tech world since its announcement, but some people are giving it déjà vu. The device's name is causing controversy as it bears a striking resemblance to Microsoft's Surface Duo.

A closer look at history reveals that Apple used the Duo name before with its PowerBook Duo back in 1992. This compact laptop was designed for both home and travel use, connecting to an accessory called the Duo Dock to become a full-fledged desktop. Although it wasn't very popular, this product marked one of Apple's early attempts at innovation.

Apple's trademarks also show that the company had already experimented with the Duo name before releasing the iPhone Duo. In 2020, they introduced the MagSafe Duo Charger, which allows for wireless charging of two devices simultaneously. This suggests that Apple was exploring the Duo concept long before Microsoft's Surface Duo.