That might be. I did read something on folklore.org about Steve Jobs often being told an idea, dismissing it as stupid, and, several weeks later, often coming back with the same idea thinking it was his own.

Recently I read an interview where Steve said he had the idea for a "piece of glass with a keyboard on it", i.e. the iPad. Who knows...

I think it's more that when the NYT talks about the new "Job's designed iPad", Ive kicks the cat.