Here’s what Google becoming a handset maker means for Apple

by Christian Zibreg on May 22, 2012

Earlier today, Google CEO Larry Page took to company blog to break the big news: having obtained necessary approvals from watchdogs on both side of the Atlantic, the search giant has finally closed its $12.5 billion acquisition of the ailing handset maker Motorola Mobility in a move meant to “supercharge the Android ecosystem”.

The transaction will close by May 23 and is rumored to see Google laying off up to one-third of Motorola staff.

Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha is stepping down (not unexpected) and will be replaced by Dennis Woodside whom Apple tried to poach last year. The new CEO already promised “fewer, bigger bets”, meaning Motorola should streamline its portfolio to focus on a select few hero devices.

So, Googlerola is alive and the search giant is now officially a handset maker – one sitting on an enormous pile of patents. In fact, the search Goliath is now in a position to directly fight Apple’s allegations against Android makers.

Taking it all in, we analyze what repercussions – if any – this development potentially poses for Apple and its ongoing legal spat against major Android backers such as HTC, Samsung and, yes, Motorola… Read More

 

Tim Cook to start settlement talks with Samsung head today

by Cody on May 21, 2012

Well it appears that Apple could be getting closer to resolving its 14 month-long patent dispute with Samsung. The two companies are slated to begin their court-ordered mediation session later today.

Reuters is reporting that it has learned that Apple’s Tim Cook, and Samsung vice chairman Choi Gee-sung will be meeting in a San Francisco federal courthouse this afternoon to discuss a legal truce… Read More

 

HTC alters functionality of US handsets to bypass Apple patents

by Christian Zibreg on May 17, 2012

If you ever wondered whether Apple’s patent infringement claims against HTC were worth the pain, here’s your answer.

Responding to a recent exclusion order by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) concerning HTC One X and Evo 4G LTE shipments, the Taiwanese handset maker, once the dominant force in the Android camp, is now pre-loading its U.S. phones with an altered build of Android software.

Designed to bypass Apple patents, it changes the expected behavior of these devices. As a result, flagship HTC phones waiting to be imported into the United States now feature notably different functionality compared to HTC devices shipping elsewhere in the world.

The change is also impacting the uniformity of the Android experience, suggesting Apple was right to sue in the first place… Read More

 

HTC One X and Evo 4G LTE shipments delayed at US Customs due to Apple patents

by Cody on May 15, 2012

So this is pretty big news: The Verge is reporting that it has learned that shipments of HTC’s One X and Evo 4G LTE handsets have been indefinitely delayed at US Customs due to an import ban order handed down by the ITC last year.

The International Trade Commission ruled last December that HTC was infringing upon an Apple patent regarding the auto-hyperlinking of phone numbers and other data in text, resulting in a country-wide ban of HTC’s products… Read More

 

Interesting Apple steering wheel remote patent surfaces

by Cody on May 15, 2012

PatentlyApple points to a number of newly-granted patents published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office with Apple’s name on them. And out of the 20 or so filings, there’s one particular invention that stands out.

The patent describes an in-vehicle remote control with what appears to be a clickwheel-esque interface. It attaches to the steering wheel and can control an iPod, iPhone or other device. Keep reading for more details… Read More

 

Apple still working on haptic feedback for iOS devices

by Cody on May 3, 2012

Remember the last-minute rumor that Apple was going to integrate Senseg’s haptic feedback into its third-generation iPad? The theory, which surfaced just hours before Apple’s iPad event, never materialized. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

9to5Mac points to a new patent application from the Cupertino company, discovered by PatentlyApple, regarding haptic feedback. The filing covers a technology that is described as a “wildly intelligent multi-tiered haptics system…” Read More

 

Apple and Samsung bosses meeting on May 21-22 to talk patents

by Christian Zibreg on Apr 29, 2012

As previously hinted, top dogs at Apple and Samsung will meet next month to discuss a possible settlement to the ongoing patent war which has seen minor casualties on both sides, but has otherwise failed to produce an outright winner. A new report claims the upcoming mediation will take place on May 21 and May 22, starting on each day at 9:30am.

The court-moderated settlement talk is to seek an alternative dispute resolution to the more than fifty lawsuits the two technology giants have filed against each other in little more than a year in courts the world over… Read More

 

ITC judge finds Apple’s products in violation of Motorola Wi-Fi patent

by Cody on Apr 25, 2012

Thomas Pender, of the International Trade Commission, passed down a ruling yesterday that could have some serious ramifications for Apple if the cards fall just right. Bloomberg reports that the ITC judge found the iPad-makers to be in violation of one of Motorola’s patents.

Motorola was actually suing Apple over four patents, so the fact that Apple was only found to be in violation of one is a victory in itself. But the patent it is being charged with infringing upon, an invention involving Wi-Fi, is a pretty crucial component for iOS devices… Read More

 

Tim Cook speaks out on Apple’s patent battles

by Cody on Apr 24, 2012

Along with making announcements regarding its quarterly performance, Apple also uses its financial earnings calls to offer analysts a chance to ask questions. After all, these are the folks that have to essentially guess how Apple will fair over the next few months.

On today’s call, there was one particular question that was both interesting and relevant: “In terms of flexibility in cash and providing more color, how should we think about opportunities regarding patent disputes? Any thoughts about settling vs ongoing litigation?

And here’s how Tim Cook responded… Read More

 

Court upholds ban on iCloud push email in Germany

by Cody on Apr 13, 2012

Earlier this year, a German court slapped Apple with an injunction, forcing the company to disable iCloud’s push email service in the country. The move was the direct result of a Motorola lawsuit, who claimed Apple was using its patented technology in the feature.

Well things got worse today for the iPad-makers. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a German regional court has upheld the previous decision of the ban on Apple’s iCloud service, essentially granting Motorola a victory in the ongoing patent war… Read More

 
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