Apple appears to be up to their same shenanigans, and this time it is something that has been speculated would eventually happen. Apple just filed a lawsuit in the Mannheim Regional Court, claiming that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus violates a utility model by copying their slide-to-unlock motion. Here’s a quote from Electronista with specifics,
The iPhone designer alleged on Friday that the Android 4.0 leader violated a slide-to-unlock motion from iOS that was given the utility model status in Germany in 2006. Apple argued that it couldn’t use the model until now as other phones, even ones years old, were too new for the claim, look at this web-site if you need an attorney.
What is more interesting is that if you look deeper and “read between the lines” this is a new tactic for Apple. In the past most of their lawsuits have been aimed at minor customizations rather than directly at Android functions. This time, by going directly after a primary feature of Android 4.0, Apple is making a statement against Google themselves. This is further reinforced by the fact that the Galaxy Nexus uses a completely stock version of Android rather than one “tweaked” by the OEMs. It’s important not to dismiss this claims outright, because the potential is significant for Android if the court rules in favour of Apple.
Interestingly, this is the exact same court where one of Samsung’s counter-claims against Apple was recently lost. There is a hearing scheduled for March 16. Speculation is that Samsung will likely base their defence around claims of “prior art” from a company called Neonode, which dealt with phones briefly in the past. This is the same strategy that Samsung used against Apple in the Netherlands in 2011.
What really makes a person scratch their head on this one is that the way the Galaxy Nexus’ slide-to-unlock works is very “loose” compared to other phones in the past. Certainly, someone could swipe their fingers in a manner that is similar to what Apple is claiming, but that doesn’t mean they will do it all the time.
Posted by: Gareth
In case you missed it, I few days ago ZTE held a small launch event in London where they announced their latest handset, the ZTE Tania. Up until now ZTE have only released smartphones running Android OS but with the Tania that set to change as this puppy run Windows Phone Mango.
The Tania is set to be an ‘affordable’ Windows Phone and there really isn’t yet a packed market place when it comes to Windows Phone so it will be very interesting to see how well it does.
Personally I think it’s a good looking handset and it works well in white even of the noise on Twitter does call it a girly phone with a girly name.
Specs and the press release can be found below:
At the end of 2011 Google introduced their third Nexus phone and second collaboration with Samsung. Making headlines this device has proved to be one of the important phones of the year and yet another contender to know the iPhone from the mantle. Has Google and Samsung hit a home run or is this their a lacklustre hardware attempt to unleash the latest version of Google’s mobile phone platform, Android?
Vodafone UK has today (Wednesday 18 January) announced that it has signed legendary Star Wars character Yoda to appear in its latest adverts.
The 900-year-old Jedi Master will star in a number of TV ads to showcase Vodafone’s innovative new services to ensure that customers get the smartphone that suits them, are able to use it right from the start and then have the confidence to experiment with all its new functions and apps. The first ad premieres on Channel 4 between 8pm and 9pm tomorrow night. The TV ad is supported by a major outdoor and digital campaign that showcases services including RED Box, Data Test Drive, Tech Team and Buyback.
The 60-second launch TV advert focuses on RED Box, a service that automatically transfers contents from an old phone to a new handset. Yoda is seen enthusiastically attempting to use his power to help a couple with the daunting task of transferring numbers to the husband’s new smartphone. However, he soon realises that the Force is not needed, as Vodafone’s new RED Box service has already solved the problem.
Each TV spot has been produced by a team at Lucasfilm’s renowned San Francisco-based visual effects facility ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), with Tom Kane voicing Yoda’s CGI character.
You can see the advert below: Continue Reading »
It’s Gareth, Matt and James this week looking at the Blackberry Curve 9380 and the HTC Explorer. Also a bunch of new updates for tablets, a new JCB phone and Matt impresses all with his knowledge of OLED TV’s.
Today, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, a market leader in consumer electronics and Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment category, announced the launch of ‘The Best of Britain’ mobile application in partnership with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency.
The app launch realises an agreement announced in 2010 between the two organisations to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by providing visitors with a wide scope of social, cultural, fun and enriching experiences during their stay in the UK. The Best of Britain app focuses on making fresh content supplied by VisitBritain accessible to users of the Samsung GALAXY smartphone and GALAXY Tab ranges.
Motorola Mobility today launches a limited edition Motorola DEFY+ handset which transforms the UK’s favourite life proof handset into a ‘work proof’ model.
The exclusive Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition features exceptional work-orientated protection for anyone operating in the demanding construction and engineering sectors, or who work in the rugged outdoors and in extremely demanding conditions thanks to its patented visco-elastic protective sleeve from JCB with re-entrant geometry.
Taking ‘work proof’ functionality one step further, the Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition handset also offers construction site users and outdoor enthusiasts who routinely work with core technical and measuring materials a range of built-in options. It comes pre-loaded with bespoke JCB applications including: a spirit level, theodolite, decibel meter and recorder, torch, unit converter, calculator and DIY store locator. This saves the user time and effort of lugging around a boot load of individual work components and also serves to speed up their productivity and output at the touch of a button.
It looks like Angry Birds Seasons will be updated very soon and according to the below video that was uploaded to Rovio’s YouTube channel they are will have a Chinese Year Of The Dragon theme. For 2012 the Chinese New Year is the 23rd of January so fingers crossed the update should roll out for iOS and Android very soon. Now, I wonder if the BlackBerry PlayBook will also get the update?
Posted by: James
The word on the street is that Samsung are going to replace their mid range devices with the Tizen OS and not Bada as they currently do.
What on earth is Tizen you may ask. Well, to cut a long story short Tizen is an open source Linux based operating system integrating MeeGo, the Nokia rejected OS.
Samsung have said that the current Bada devices, which have been around since 2010, will be backwards compatible with Tizen and they will produce at least two new Tizen handsets this year.
Let’s see if they show anything off at MWC next month.
Posted by: James
If you are looking for a new BlackBerry then the Bold 9790 could well be the one you are looking for. Today you can pick it up sim free from Clove for £342.00.
Features of BlackBerry Bold 9790:
- 1GHz Processor
- BlackBerry 7OS
- 35-key backlit QWERTY keyboard
- NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- 768MB RAM
- 8GB Internal Storage
- 5MP Camera
- MicroSD slot (up to 32GB)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
I can say from experience that the device is a beauty. Our full review of the Bold 9790 will online in the next couple of days.
Posted by: James
Connect
Connect with us on the following social media platforms.