HTC Says Its Smartphones Have Cleared Customs

You're unfortunately correct.

I'd like to think that the American consumer would've been incensed by Apple's continued courtroom shenanigans and it all seems petty until you realize that this is monopolizing the courts time and resources that cost the US Taxpayer and yes I am a proud part of the 53% of US citizens that PAY taxes. But US consumer apathy is its own worst enemy.

Is Apple attempting to patent a slab/bar style touch screendevice that can download and run apps, browse the web and check email, make calls send and receive sms and sync you to your social media, take pictures and video and upload and share?

Sounds about as ridiculous as when Motorola attempted to patent the FLIP PHONE design ... A judge at the time thought out was ridiculous as well, where is THAT JUDGE and level of common sense now?