Samsung

Verizon asks Obama to prevent upcoming iPhone sales ban

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2013

In April, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ordered an import ban on the iPhone 3G/3GS/4 after determining Apple had violated Samsung's 3G cellular technology patent. Apple was hoping the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) would overturn ITC's decision on the basis that Samsung was asserting a standards-essential patent.

Needles to say, Apple asked ITC to stay an order while the court considered the appeal, arguing the sales ban would "sweep away an entire segment of Apple's product offerings." And in an interesting twist earlier this week, the nation's top carrier Verizon Wireless pressured President Obama to intervene in the Apple v. Samsung case and veto the impending ban...

Apple makes ‘clear improvements’ to iDevice crime prevention, SF DA says

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 23, 2013

At least one critic is satisfied by Apple's efforts to slow a growing number of iPhone crimes. San Francisco's District Attorney, who earlier called on the iPhone maker to install a so-called kill switch in its handsets, now believes a feature in the company's upcoming iOS 7 shows "clear improvements" by the tech giant.

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón made the comment Friday after testing Apple's Activation Lock feature alongside the Absolute Software's Lojack running on Samsung's Galaxy S4...

Ongoing challenges forcing Apple to buy Retina iPad mini screens from Samsung?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2013

Run for years by the then op-chief Tim Cook, Apple's supply chain has become the stuff of the legend. Would-be watchers naively believe deciphering Apple's next move is as easy as keeping tabs on the chatter coming out of Asia's supply chain. Tim Cook, of course, begs to differ: on one of conference calls, Apple's boss cautioned investors against drawing conclusion from any one data point as the company's supply chain is a very complex beast.

So here's something for investors and fans to chew on: ET News reported Tuesday that Apple is considering tapping Samsung Display to produce low-power Retina screens for the upcoming second-generation iPad mini because AU Optronics (AUO) was unable to deliver. Samsung would presumably make the screens alongside LG Display, Sharp and perhaps Japan Display, according to a previous February 2013 report...

High-end smartphone market gone, warns analyst

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 22, 2013

Welcome to the commoditization of smartphones, or the Emachining of the iPhone. As the handsets move from only the hands of first-adopters to something even your grandma owns, prices are plummeting. It is to the point where one analyst declares the end of the high-end smartphone gold rush.

The average price of a smartphone has fallen nearly $100 in the past year as consumers dismiss talk of 4G and other technical debates, concentrating on just one question: is it good enough and within reach of their wallet...

Samsung and Apple renew settlement talks, but no deal yet

Cody Lee ∙ July 19, 2013

Apple and Samsung have reportedly renewed settlement talks, in an effort to put an end to their ongoing, global litigation. Since 2011, the two tech giants have been involved in countless patent lawsuits, in over 10 countries.

Word of their resumed resolution efforts comes by way of The Wall Street Journal. Citing people familiar with the matter, the outlet says the two even came close to an agreement in February, but things have since cooled off...

Apple-Samsung smartphone duopoly to continue into 2014

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 17, 2013

The smart device duopoly of Apple and Samsung is set to continue into 2014, new research finds. Although growth is slowing amid lack of 'wow' factor, smartphones will account for three-quarters of the 2.5 billion devices expected to sell next year.

In other words, smartphones will comprise an astounding 1.9 billion handsets sold next year.

Google's Android mobile software will have 42 percent of the market with Apple's iOS garnering fourteen percent in 2014. Microsoft is predicted to become the #2 platform with a fifteen percent share of next year's market, according to Gartner...

Major Apple-Samsung showdown due August 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 15, 2013

Two months following the $1.05 billion August 2012 ruling finding Samsung had infringed Apple's patented technology (non-standard-essential patents, to be precise), the iPhone maker expectedly sought a permanent U.S. sales ban on infringing Samsung devices.

Unfortunately, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh denied Apple’s injunction request on the merit that it would not be in the public’s best interest to halt handset sales just because Samsung copied a few features from the iPhone.

Shortly after, Apple filed an appeal and today the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has given notice of a scheduling decision - the two parties will face each other off again on August 9...

Google’s Moto X to include always-on voice assistant and other innovative features

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2013

When it comes to flagship smartphone sales, it's essentially a two-horse race between Apple's iPhone line and Samsung's Galaxy S line. Both companies account for nearly all of the industry's profits, and frequently trade-off the title of top-selling manufacturer.

But Google is looking to change that with its upcoming Moto X handset. The device, which has been the subject of a number of rumors and leaks over the past few months, is the company's first since it acquired Motorola's hardware division nearly two years ago...

Samsung apparently lands contract to produce A9 chips for iPhone 7 in 2015

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a report claiming that Apple has finally inked a deal with TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., to produce chips for iDevices, after the foundry met Apple’s requirements for speed and power usage. Pundits are adamant the agreement put the final nail in the coffin of the Apple-Samsung relationship.

They should hold their horses: it now seems Samsung has wrestled back some of the control amid talk its components arm will indeed produce sophisticated A9 chips to power Apple's iPhone 7 in 2015...

Is iPhone 5 ‘most hated’ or have rivals hijacked Apple’s message?

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Judging from last week's online chatter over whether people hate the iPhone 5 or love Samsung's Galaxy S4, you'd have thought the tech press had returned to high school, where the halls are filled with BFFs and everyone dots their 'i' with hearts.

However, there is some actual news coming from that torrent of tweets and Facebook posts.

Apple, long admired for its tight control of information, is great at talking up its brand, but does little to guide the conversation once a product is launched. Hence, the iPhone 5 'most hated' drivel...

Russia’s #3 carrier Beeline drops iPhone over ‘harsh conditions’

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2013

Looks like Apple's just been dealt a major blow over in Russia as another carrier reportedly quit selling iPhones. Vimplecom-owned Beeline, the nation's third-largest wireless carrier, has allegedly cut its ties with Apple. The firm will not renew its iPhone distribution agreement over too "harsh conditions", the story goes.

While the move doesn't mean the iPhone isn't popular in the country (just ask the local elite and celebrities), it does leave Apple without a major carrier presence there. Russia's two biggest carriers MTS and Megafon stopped selling the handset earlier.

Both telcos criticized Apple's demanding requirements: committing to large-volume purchases, generous subsidies and advance payment...

Apple and Google are no longer America’s hottest brands

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 11, 2013

Quick, name the two hottest brands in the United States. If you picked Apple and Google you'd be wrong.

Although the iPhone maker and Android creator dominate the smartphone industry, the companies have dropped from the list of hot brand names.

By contrast, Amazon and YouTube made the current list of the top 10 hottest US brands for mid-year 2013. In another surprise, basement-dwelling BlackBerry was named the most-improved technology brand - thanks to the new Z10...