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Samsung hires judge who ruled against Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

Remember a UK judge who took at face value the ruling that Galaxy devices didn't infringe any of Apple's patents because Samsung's tablets "are not as cool" as the iPad? The one who recently chastised Apple for lack of integrity and opined for the appeals court it should be ordered to apologize in newspaper ads for asserting Samsung's tablets had copied the iPad? Yeah, that guy.

A well-known patent blogger revealed Thursday that same judge is now receiving paychecks from Samsung as a legal expert through a law firm which represents Samsung Electronics in its case against Ericsson. Conflict of interest, much?

Analyst warns Apple could be headed for rough two years

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

If you thought Apple had already been through a rough period, just wait. That's the message from one Wall Street analyst who predicts the iPhone maker is "facing a very rough two-year period."

Although Apple's chief executive Tim Cook spent Wednesday defending his company's horde of cash, those concerns could evaporate as Apple spends billions to prop up slowing iPhone sales and works to improve demand in emerging markets.

Apple could see capital expenditures double, according to Jeffries' analyst Peter Misek, forecasting billions in payments for supplier upgrades, emerging-market payment plans and expensive technology updates all while iPhone sales plunge...

Dunkin’ Donuts implements Apple’s Passbook

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Put Dunkin' Donuts on your list of Passbook backers. A confirmation came Thursday that the American global doughnut company and coffeehouse chain is adding support for Apple's Passbook to its free Dunkin' Donuts free mobile app for the iPhone and iPod touch. This enables customers to add their Dunkin' Donuts Cards to Passbook and pay for food, beverages and merchandise at participating U.S. restaurants simply by scanning their pass in-store or at the drive-thru.

Balances are updated immediately after purchase and these passes are also location aware, the company said...

As the next iPhone looms, Apple slashes iPhone 5 panel and semiconductor orders

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

With about four months left until Apple's worldwide developers conference, chatter intensifies that Apple is re-aligning its suppliers. With both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 allegedly spotted in the wild and leaked parts cropping up on Chinese forums, new reports indicate that Apple has substantially cut iPhone 5 screen and chip orders.

And because Apple is the world's top chip buyer second only to Samsung, any material change in its orders immediately reflects on the entire industry. Little wonder that researches are now calling for a slow down in semiconductor equipment manufacturer orders...

Samsung fails in its bid to block iPhone and iPad sale in Japan

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Samsung has lost its patent lawsuit over Apple's iPhone and iPad in Japan as a Tokyo court ruled Thursday in favor of Apple. Needless to say, Samsung said it was disappointed by the court's decision and promised to conduct a thorough review of the ruling and "take the measures necessary to protect our intellectual property rights", Reuters reported this morning.

The Tokyo District Court said Samsung hadn’t negotiated “sincerely” with Apple over patents, also ruling the Galaxy maker now cannot seek damages from Apple...

Apple announces iTunes U downloads topped 1 billion

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

It could be the largest educational institution which never handed out one diploma. More than one billion downloads of class lectures, quizzes and assignments were downloaded from iTunes U, Apple announced Thursday.

In a press release, the technology firm unveiled class attendance numbers that would make even the best Ivy League schools jealous - if they weren't already offering part of the service.

More than 250,000 students are enrolled in the service with content from 1,200 colleges, universities and K-12 schools. While Yale, MIT and Stanford are among the U.S. schools involved, a growing majority of schools from outside the U.S. are also taking part, the iPhone maker said...

AT&T expands LTE coverage in Phoenix, Lincoln, Lubbock, Hartford County and more

Sébastien Page ∙ February 28, 2013

AT&T has been on a roll lately. On an LTE roll out to be more precise. After opening up to 6 new markets earlier this week, AT&T is now expanding its LTE coverage to four new areas. If you live in Phoenix, AR, or Hartford County, CT, then you might notice speed increases or simply better LTE coverage overall. If you are located in Lubbock, TX, or Lincoln, NE , you'll be glad to learn that your iPhone 5 will now be able to connect to the brand new LTE service AT&T just activated in your area...

Cricket seeing much weaker than expected iPhone sales

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Leap Wireless, the US telecommunications company that owns and operates the regional carrier Cricket, just submitted a rather alarming filing with the the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

It seems that Cricket is only on pace to sell through half of its first-year commitment with Apple, which goes to June, leaving it on the hook for some $100 million in remaining iPhone purchases...

Real Racing 3 now available in the US App Store

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

It's been a long wait, but it's finally here. Real Racing 3 has officially landed in the US App Store as a free download. A couple of weeks ago, we spent some hands-on time with the game, and came away blown away by the graphics. Some of you guys might not dig the game's new freemium approach — an approach that ditches paying up front in favor of paying for in app purchases — but only time will tell if this negatively impacts the game's reception.

Real Racing 3 features tons of new cars, tracks, and all sorts of upgrades for your vehicle of choice. It's a polarizing title due to the fact that iOS' most popular racing game franchise has taken an abrupt turn towards the freemium model. But even if you don't appreciate the new approach, you owe it to yourself to download this game just to take in the visuals. Real Racing 3 is eye candy in its most concentrated form.

Pandora introduces 40-hour monthly limit on mobile listening due to rising royalty costs

Cody Lee ∙ February 27, 2013

Popular internet radio service Pandora announced today that it is implementing a new 40-hour-per-month limit on mobile listening. The announcement was made this afternoon via the company's blog, by founder Tim Westergren.

For most folks, this won't mean anything. Westergren says that Pandora's average users spend approximately 20 hours per month listening to Pandora across all devices. But for the 4% or so that go over, you'll have to start paying up...

Samsung copies Apple’s Passbook

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 21, 2017

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXSQicmVOtg

Samsung on Wednesday unveiled its own mobile payment solution called Samsung Wallet that looks quite a lot like Apple's Passbook app which is part of iOS 6. Just like Apple's Passbook, Samsung's Wallet too lets you manage your coupons, boarding passes, various tickets and loyalty cards all in a single app and redeem these at a point of sale by showing the digital barcode to a clerk.

Again, just like Passbook, Samsung's solution supports real-time notifications when, for example, event details change or your flight gets rescheduled. Even the Samsung app's icon resembles the look and feel of the Passbook icon...