Author Archive: Gareth

More on the HTC patent infringement case against Apple

The International Trade Commission said in a brief notice that it would take up the investigation, which has to do with "certain portable devices and related software."

HTC had said in its complaint filed with the ITC in May that Apple infringed five of its patents related to cellphone directory hardware and software and power-management technology in portable devices.

HTC has asked for a ban on import of Apple’s products, most of which are made in countries such as China.

HTC’s suit was expected after Apple filed patent infringement suits against the company in March both at the ITC and in the U.S. District Court in Delaware.

While Apple’s lawsuit against HTC did not name Google as a defendant, it was seen as a strategic move against Google, whose mobile software powers handsets from Samsung Electronics, Motorola Inc and others.

The ITC, a U.S. trade panel that investigates patent infringement involving imported goods, has become an increasingly popular venue for patent lawsuits because it can bar the importation of products that infringe patents.

Legal wrangling is commonplace in the smartphone market, an industry where many vendors work under cross-licensing agreements.

[Source]

A look at a couple of iPad cases

I have received a couple of nice iPad cases from Gear Zap and wanted to do a short post about them, the first one is a silicon case:-

This silicone case for the iPad is an excellent value solution for protecting your Apple iPad from scratches and light bumps. The silicone case is specifically moulded to fit the iPad perfectly, while there are cut-outs for buttons and connection points, allowing you to leave the iPad protected at all times.

It really is a nice slim fitting case although it does lack any protection for the screen.

The second case is a Pixel Plus Sleeve which is my favourite as it offers great protection all around the ipad and is ideal for transporting it around.

Clove World Cup Competition

Clove have put together this competition for the World Cup. All you have to do is answer a simple question and the winning entry gets a free 8GB iPod Nano (4th Generation). Closing date for entry is Wednesday 16th June.

Enter the competition here

O2 introduces new mobile data pricing model

O2 today announced plans for data pricing for new and upgrading mobile customers which gives customers a more transparent pricing model tied to usage.
CEO Ronan Dunne said: “We know that customers are looking for clarity in pricing as too many offers have clauses and catches which are not easy to understand. With the wide range of Internet based services now available on mobile devices we’re providing customers with generous clear data bundles that give customers freedom. This enables us to provide a better overall experience for the vast majority of customers and to better manage demand.”
Based on current usage patterns, 97% of O2 smartphone customers would not need to buy additional data allowances, as the lowest bundle (500MB) provides at least 2.5 times the average O2 customer’s current use.
From 24 June, O2 will introduce three inclusive data bundles for new and upgrading smartphone customers.

iPhone 4 upgrade details for O2

Those who want to avail of this offer will simply have to pay a flat rate of £20 for each of the remaining months left in their contract regardless of what their currently paying at the moment. So what does ya be thinking of that? Frankly I imagine it might have been much worse and could have been better. My partner has 8 months left so she would have to pay an extra £180 to upgrade now, for essentially being half way through a contract that’s pretty good.

SPB TV for Windows Mobile Smartphones Gets a Major Update

SPB Software, a leading mobile software developer, has updated the Windows Mobile version of its flagship application SPB TV to version 2.0. Due to advertising revenues support the program is now free-of-charge and subscription-free. Ads featured in SPB TV only last as long as channel buffering takes and therefore preserve the best user experience.
In addition to the existing features that include quick channel previews, a TV guide for more than 150 offered channels in more than 20 languages, picture-in-picture mode, fast channel launching and switching, the new version offers also a video on demand (VOD) option. With this new feature the users can control what they are watching and when. Unlike broadcast TV, VOD provides greater choice and interactivity.
Another significant enhancement is the Advanced Video Codec (H.264) support which improves video quality. As a result even with substantial lower bitrates the resolution is strongly improved. SPB TV 2.0 also allows to watch TV with low speed mobile network connections.

Networks lost appeal against EU plan to slash amount they charge for using mobiles overseas

Mobile operators have lost their battle to to overturn an EU plan to reduce the amount they can charge for using mobiles abroad.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) backed a Parliamentary ruling made in 2007 that operators cap the maximum charge for making an inter-Europe call to 35 cents (29p) and 11 cents to receive a call by 2011.

The UK’s four biggest mobile operators – O2, Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile – challenged this ruling but their claims were dismissed.

Orange was highly critial of the decision. A spokesperson said: "We are disappointed with the decision expressed today by the European Court of Justice and feel that this does not reflect the best interests of the European market. We will of course continue to comply with European regulations in force."

O2 upgrades network in London

Nokia Siemens Networks has completed network analysis, optimisation and upgrades to O2’s base stations across London.

Working with O2, Nokia Siemens Networks monitored and analysed the data and signalling behaviour of different smart devices connected to the mobile network. The methodology provided information on the impact of these devices on different network elements.

The information, combined with traffic growth forecasts, was used to establish a capacity improvement project, upgrading only the network elements and modules identified as bottlenecks for current and future performance within O2’s London network.

Orange releasing iPhone 4 on June 24th

Brimming with information and pushing the boat out on updates Orange whispers from the back of today’s excitement that they too will be all over the iPhone.

That is all.