You call that the original prototype, but even that article says "The original demo video showed a handset that was closer to an iPhone (although with keyboard) than a Blackberry,complete with touch screen interface,".
That seems kind of at odds with what you're saying. It makes this seem more like a proof of concept, released after videos of touch-based phones, that Android could work under multiple forms.
I couldn't find a link but it was later shown this prototype pre-dated the iPhone-like video. If I recall correctly this prototype was actually from the pre-Google acquisition days.
I just thought the point would be obvious since it makes no sense for Android to be more iPhone like, then go to this, then go back to being iPhone like.
Ahhhh, appreciated. I made an assumption as to why, but yeah, that makes more sense. That sentence just threw me off.
But your core point is probably right; they probably did see the iphone and say "well shit. Call up the team." I don't think it should be illegal, but you're likely correct on what actually happened. And yeah, it's funny people are so averse to saying that.
(And I recently realized I'm a big Google fan. ... Is there a name for us? I need to get to know my people!)
That seems kind of at odds with what you're saying. It makes this seem more like a proof of concept, released after videos of touch-based phones, that Android could work under multiple forms.