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Apple granted 36 patents covering Siri mic icon design, Lightning, widgets and more

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Apple this morning has received patents covering more than three dozen different technologies, ranging from the obvious to the obscure. The company's patent filings as of late are even inspiring parody treatments like the Apple alphabet patent. Among today's grants are the filings describing ways to interface sports equipment with your iPhone, iPad or iPod, patents for Mac OS X dashboards and the MacBook keyboard and others seeking to protect icons and designs of popular software features.

Most people know of Apple's long-time association with Nike and the Nike+ app that records your running routine. Earlier this year, the Cupertino, California company filed a patent to go one step farther, interfacing your iPhone with a treadmill, or other workout machine at the local gym. Now it appears that patent was granted. But, wait, there's plenty more gadgets and gizmos Apple wants protected...

iPhone 5 helps Apple regain lead over Android in US smartphone market

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 27, 2012

Apple's iPhone 5 has helped the California-based gadget maker propel itself into the first place in the United States, topping Google's Android in arguably the world's most important smartphone market. Specifically, Apple's iPhone doubled its share of US smartphone sales and now enjoys a 48.1 percent share compared to 46.7 percent for Android.

The last time Apple held the lead in the US smartphone market was after the introduction of the iPhone 4S. Market research firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech announced Tuesday Google's mobile operating system still dominates in Europe, where it holds up to 81 percent of the market share in some countries...

Citi: Apple bottomed, stock set for rebound

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 26, 2012

After a six-month absence on the Apple watch, Citi has returned - and with a strong recommendation to buy shares of the consumer electronics giant. After hitting a particular rough patch that included a sell-off one observer called "the insanity of insanity", Apple's stock is set to rebound 20-50 percent.

Citi's new Apple watcher, Glen Yeung, told investors Monday that Apple's drop in share price has likely hit bottom. Indeed, in most cases, shares will climb back within twelve months. Yeung said the stock should hit $675...

Loss of Samsung screens apparently hurting iPad mini production

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 26, 2012

Questions of whether Apple can supply enough iPad minis to meet demand continue to linger. After cutting ties with Samsung for its displays, one of the two alternative suppliers reportedly face production problems. All of which makes the executives at Cupertino nervous amid Cyber Monday mania.

Apple reportedly chose LG Display and AU Optronics to replace Samsung. As we reportedly last week, LG Display makes most of the displays for the iPad mini, which is widely viewed as a top pick among Christmas shoppers. However, now comes a report out of Asia that AU Optronics is having problems producing the displays...

Samsung’s audit of Chinese suppliers finds excess overtime hours, but no child labor

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 26, 2012

No children are building Samsung devices in China, the South Korean smartphone maker announced Monday. According to an audit of 105 Chinese suppliers, there are problems with too much overtime and being fined for lateness or absences. The four-week monitoring of its suppliers' production facilities follows earlier accusations that one of Samsung's suppliers hired underage workers.

Although Samsung insisted it has "zero tolerance" about child workers, the company said today it will require that all suppliers follow new hiring procedures, including the use of a device that spots false IDs. By the end of the year, suppliers must stop fining workers when they are late or absent, the firm announced today...

The majority of iPad mini screens are made by LG Display, not Samsung

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2012

The vast majority of iPad mini units incorporate a 7.9-inch screen manufactured by LG Display, a report out of Asia claims. AU Optronics, another Apple supplier, is said to be responsible for a much smaller portion of orders as it reportedly continues to suffer from poor yields in the production of panels.

The news is another indication of Apple distancing itself from Samsung. Remember, Samsung was originally the primary supplier of Retina screens for the third-generation iPad, until LG Display stole the Apple account in August. The Galaxy maker also lost out on the iPhone 5 front to rival panel makers, although the company still manufactures chips for Apple devices...

Apple on Black Friday added six Galaxy devices to its Samsung suit

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2012

Following Samsung's motion asking Judge Paul S. Grewal for permission to amend its infringement contentions against Apple with the iPad mini, iPhone 5 and the latest iPod touch, Apple on Black Friday conveniently brought a motion seeking to add latest Galaxy devices to its California suit, including the Galaxy S III running Android Jelly Bean and the four-inch Galaxy S III Mini. The filing adds a total of six recently-released Galaxy gadgets to Apple's ongoing patent lawsuit against Samsung...

Apple picks new battery supplier, drops Samsung

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 23, 2012

Apple has chosen two China-based battery companies to supply the iPad and MacBook, says a Friday report. Amperex Technology Limited and Tianjin Lishen Battery would replace Samsung SDI, a subsidiary of the South Korean firm that is both Apple's chief rival and largest supplier. The report is just the latest indicating Samsung and Apple are reconsidering their close relationship.

As the two smartphone giants attempt to out-compete each other in the courtroom and store shelves, Samsung's role appears to be shifting from major supplier to important manufacturer...

Samsung adds iPad mini, iPad 4 and more to latest patent suit

Cody Lee ∙ November 22, 2012

Though the current US patent trial between Apple and Samsung, the one that resulted in a $1 billion verdict, is still far from over, another Stateside court battle between the two companies is already heating up.

Unlike the previous case, this new set of lawsuits pertains to more recent products from both sides including Samsung's family of Nexus devices, Apple's iPhone 5, and now the new iPod touch, iPad and iPad mini...

Judge orders Apple to reveal full HTC patent deal to Samsung

Cody Lee ∙ November 21, 2012

On Friday last week, Samsung asked the court to force Apple to turn over the full details of its recently announced patent settlement with HTC. It feels the terms of the deal could be useful in its ongoing legal battle with the iPad-maker.

Apple has since agreed to allow Samsung to see the pact in a heavily redacted document — leaving all of about 33 words. But tonight, a judge has granted Samsung's motion to compel. So Apple will have to reveal the entire agreement...

Samsung exec: ‘iPhone would be impossible without our patents’

Cody Lee ∙ November 21, 2012

Earlier this week, the ITC announced that it would be reviewing its September-decision that Apple's products don't violate some of Samsung's patents. It's a pretty big deal, as an overturn could result in a sales ban.

As you can imagine, Samsung is thrilled with the ITC's choice to revisit its previous ruling. And this morning, the company's head of mobile and IT division Shin Jong-kyun had a few things to say about the case...

Apple agrees to show the heavily redacted HTC patent pact to Samsung

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 21, 2012

Samsung is more than welcome to take a peek inside Apple's ten-year patent pact with the ailing handset maker HTC, but key data will be blanked out. South Korea-based Samsung last Friday filed a motion to compel, seeking to obtain the settlement and patent license agreement with HTC, saying it's relevant to its patent battle with the iPhone maker.

As things stand now, a version Apple promised to provide will be marked as "Highly Confidential - Attorneys' Eyes Only" and will contain 33 redacted words. Apple’s generosity knows no boundaries…