Apple's request to block Samsung Galaxy tablet, phone sales in the US is denied
As the legal drama between Apple and Samsung drags on around the world, US District Court Judge has rejected Apple's request to block the sales of Galaxy devices.
...developing
(that's all folks, for the patent battles)
E2EK1EL
Gingerbread is now on over 50% of Android phones
Android just hit a pretty big milestone. As of December 1st, the number of devices running Gingerbread has reached over 50% for the first time, ironically just before the release of its first Ice Cream Sandwich device.
According to Android Developers, Gingerbread is loaded on 50.6% of all Android devices that have used the Android Marketplace in the past month. Froyo has also climbed slightly to 35.3%, and with the 9.6% running Eclair it means that 95.5% of phones are not on Cupcake or Donut.
Honeycomb numbers have risen slightly to 2.4% of all Android devices. What’s also nice to see is that 3.2 has been loaded on a (slight) majority of tablets leading up to the release of Ice Cream Sandwich.
All in all, it’s taken the platform a significant amount of time to reach a sense of equilibrium, only to be shaken up again with the release of Ice Cream Sandwich, a version everyone is going to want as quickly as possible. As a result we’ll likely see the chart start to fragment in the coming months, but hopefully it will take less time for 4.0 to hit over 50% over users as it for for 2.3.
(Gingerbread is one year old and stands only @ 50%?
Ice Cream Sandwich had already been deployed.
Android has to fix this fragmentation.)
Some Android phones fail to enforce permissions, exposed to unauthorized app access
Eight Android phones, including the Motorola Droid X and Samsung Epic 4G, were found to house major permission flaws according to a research team at North Carolina State University. Their study revealed untrusted applications could send SMS messages, record conversations and execute other potentially malicious actions without user consent. Eleven of the thirteen areas analyzed (includes geo-location and access to address books) showed privileges were exposed by pre-loaded applications. Interestingly, Nexus devices were less vulnerable, suggesting that the other phone manufacturers may have failed to properly implement Android's security permissions model. Google and Motorola confirm the present flaws while HTC and Samsung remain silent. Exerting caution when installing applications should keep users on their toes until fixes arrive.
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Nokia lose huge market share in their homeland
There's a state of unease within Nokia at the moment and unsurprisingly so. With the first Nokia-Microsoft lovechild now out in the market (the Lumia 800, you might have heard of it) and an aggressive marketing strategy in place to drum up interest in Windows Phone-laden Nokia's coming fresh out of the factory, the Finnish company have been waiting with bated breath to see how consumers will receive this new-era Nokia.
They've shown a resilience to the tough times they've faced already and since the partnership announcement in February, many wondered just how this shift would affect the company's image. By bringing Microsoft in, they've inherently changed the way they operate and the way fans of the brand expect them to operate. Sure they brought the Asha lineup to maintain support for their Symbian products and the N9 is taking point in markets where the Lumia 800 isn't, but now Windows Phone is Nokia and as Stephen Elop so boldly said at Nokia World, the Lumia 800 is "the first real Windows Phone device."
Not only could a statement like that upset the likes of HTC, LG and Samsung, all of whom license Windows Phone from Microsoft, but the hardcore fans of what we could call the 'old' Nokia also might not welcome the change, and that is a notion that has the potential to hold water in this case.
The Finns have been proud of the globally recognized giant that is Nokia and it's probably one of the key things those from outside of the country associate with it, but a recent report from Helsinki's Taloussanomat shows that pride only takes support so far. In the last 12 months, Nokia have lost 45% of the market share taking their dominance from 76% right down to 31%.
Of course they still have the top spot, but the gap has dramatically narrowed, with the majority of their sales now in the possession of Samsung who have risen sharply from a mere 3% to 25% in the same amount of time. Apple then take third place with 16% in Q3 2011, with Sony Ericsson and Huawei sharing 11% each, leaving the remaining 6% of the market currently to ZTE.
This doesn't automatically spell the end for Nokia of course, far from it, but it still must be unnerving for them. The financial quarter in question actually precedes the announcement of the Lumia and Asha handsets, but as such, it does indicate that the change was necessary. It makes more sense for Nokia to have changed tack altogether, than continue along the road they were currently on and let's not forget the Finnish market is important for Nokia, but relatively speaking, it's a small one, with Finland's entire population around the 5 million mark.
Once the holiday season and the final financial quarter conclude we should get at least an initial indication of the impact the Lumia 800 is making. Until then however it's a case of crossing fingers and seeing if Nokia are able to reassure the old fans, as well as attracting new ones.
What would you say Nokia should do to maximize their potential in 2012, ideas in the comments. Read the full Taloussanomat report here (Finnish) and why not check out our new review of the Nokia Lumia 800 as well by clicking here.
TouchPad Go shows up on eBay for $700
Want a 7-inch TouchPad? The product you're looking for is the TouchPad Go — a miniaturized version of HP's doomed tablet that never got a chance to make a dent in the market once the company started waffling on webOS's future. Your odds of ever being able to walk down to Best Buy to pick up a TouchPad Go are practically nil at this point, but all hope is not lost: there's a pre-release model posted on eBay right now (not the first time this has happened to HP, by the way) for a steep $700, and it's even got a 3G radio along with 32GB of storage. The little tab is listed as coming from China, which doesn't come as much of a surprise considering that many of the world's tablets are born there — it does, however, mean that the buyer will need to wait a little bit longer to take delivery. Considering how long said buyer has already been waiting, though, no harm in waiting a few more days.
Siri and TellMe - a fair comparison
Great video, it's too bad they didn't market this before the 4S came out.
I wish these test weren't done by some dude with a thick accents; the commands would be executed much better for both platforms, especially for Windows. That's why I didn't find the other video really fair TBH.
E2EK1EL
Traxxas XO-1 RC car hits speeds of 100+ mph using iOS app
Remote control car manufacturer Traxxas is stepping things up with the XO-1, an electric RC car that the company claims will be able to hit speeds of more than 100 mph with the aid of a new iOS app. Powered by lithium polymer batteries, the pre-assembled car is capable of going from zero to 60 in 2.3 seconds, and from zero to 100 in just 4.92 seconds. Bringing the off-the-shelf model car even closer to its real-world counterparts, the XO-1 features a new custom motor and an all-wheel-drive aluminum and steel drivetrain.
Utilizing the high-speed gearing necessary for top speeds, however, requires the Traxxas Link app for iOS. Docking an iPhone or iPod Touch into the bundled TQi radio controller allows you to use your mobile device as a virtual dashboard and fine-tuned control system. Data on speed, battery voltage, RPM, and temperature are beamed from the car and displayed in the app in realtime, while a series of sliders let you adjust steering sensitivity, throttle trim, and a bevy of other options. Customized profiles can be saved for use with different vehicles or driving environments.
While RC cars running at these kinds of speeds aren't unheard of — a custom car built by Nic Case hit 161.76 mph in 2009 — it's an impressive feat for an off-the-shelf vehicle. Then again, when it's priced at $1,099, it probably should be. The XO-1 will be available for purchase on December 30th, with the Traxxas Link app coming to the App Store on the 20th. Check out the videos below to see them in action.
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RIM boss in Indonesia faces charges following BlackBerry stampede
Police say they will charge Andrew Cobham, CEO of RIM Indonesia, with negligence over the_mayhem and injury that accompanied the launch of the BlackBerry Bold 9790 in Jakarta.
On November 25th, about 200 police responded to the Pacific Place mall in South Jakarta to calm a crowd that had swelled to over 5,000 people, each hoping to purchase the_sharply discounted handset on its first day of global sale. The police halted sales after rumors of a handset shortage created a crush of humanity that injured nearly one hundred people. Police said it will likely charge three others, including a security consultant hired by RIM, the event's organizer, and a manager from the shopping center.
Police investigator Budi Irawan said of the RIM CEO,...
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Warning: H1Siri – Jailbreak App That Claims To Bring Fully Functional Siri To iPhone 4 Is Illegal, Buggy And a Major Privacy Concern [Updated]
A new jailbreak app called H1Siri has just been released on Cydia, which claims to bring Siri to iPhone 4 running on iOS 5 or iOS 5.0.1.
It was only last week that a developer had released a jailbreak tweak called Siri0us that brought Siri's Dictation feature to non-iPhone 4S devices. He however had to pull the tweak from Cydia as he was illegally using Nuance's voice recognition software.
The H1Siri jailbreak app takes things a step further and essentially is a complete port of iPhone 4S' Siri to iPhone 4. The jailbreak tweak is available via a custom repository - http://www.iphone3gsystem.fr/cydia/.
It is not clear how it works, but according to initial reports it looks like once installed, the Siri port makes use of a proxy server, which is handles the requests rather than Apple's servers. We're also hearing reports that Siri works only occasionally probably due to high load on the proxy server resulting in connectivity issues.
Here's a video by the hacker of Siri working on iPhone 4 after installing the H1Siri jailbreak app:
It looks like the hackers have got this working on an iPhone 4 by pirating some of the iPhone 4S system files, which is illegal.
We're also hearing reports that it is causing other issues such as randomly rebooting the iPhone 4 and messing up the Settings app (when you open the Settings app, it goes to Siri section and it is not possible to go to any other section in the Settings app) and you may be forced to ultimately restore your iPhone 4.
So we would strongly recommend you to avoid installing H1Siri on your iPhone 4.
Update:
In a series of tweets, iOS hacker and developer chpwn provides some more reasons to avoid installing this Siri port:
Please note: if you use a proxy to access Siri, you may be sending your Email, SMS, Calendar, Contacts, Location, etc though that server.
It's up to you if you want to accept that risk. It's also your choice if you want to violate copyright law to obtain the needed files.
E2EK1EL
iFaith v1.4 allows downgrade to iOS 5.0, jailbreaker's dream come true
In the game of Apple versus the jailbreakers, Cupertino threw the community a curveball with iOS 5's newly restricted downgrade system which blocks devices from restoring to old 5.x firmware. With the help of his noble steed iFaith (a custom Windows tool), hacker iH8sn0w has found a way around the firmware block, making it possible for dumped iOS 5 signature hash blobs (SHSH blobs) to permit unsigned restores. Why all the fuss about downgrading to prohibited firmware? Prominent iOS hackers MuscleNerd and pod2g have stated that the first untethered jailbreak will arrive on iOS 5.0 and, as such, may require iFaith's downgrade process to facilitate user restores. While the jailbreak is still under construction, iFaith should assure disheartened users in the community that all is not lost. Want to learn about blobs, blobs, and more blobs? Continue past the break to view iH8sn0w's informative video.
(They forgot there's an internal baseband checker, in iOS 5.1 the baseband has been updated)
E2EK1EL
Apple, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Carrier IQ getting sued
Apple, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Carrier IQ have been sued in a federal court by what the lawyers involved have deemed a “cell phone tracking software scandal.” Law firms_Sianni & Straite LLP, Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP, and Keefe Bartels L.L.C. have jointly filed a class action complaint in a Delaware Federal Court related to the “unprecedented breach of the digital privacy rights of 150 million cell phone users.” The complaint suggests that the aforementioned carriers and vendors violated the Federal Wiretap Act, the Stored Electronic Communications Act, and the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act._The suit of course refers to the companies’ use of Carrier IQ, the carrier and vendor-implemented cell phone spyware discovered recently on a number of handsets_from multiple manufacturers. Read on for more.
Carrier IQ’s software is intended to be a “Mobile Service Intelligence solutions that have revolutionized the way mobile operators and device vendors gather and manage information from end users” according to the company, but cell phone users are up in arms now that the software’s capabilities have once again been widely covered across the press and on blogs. Carrier IQ software fell under the spotlight to a lesser degree back in September when the software was discovered on Sprint devices. A number of lawsuits have been filed since then, including a complaint flied last week against HTC, Samsung and Carrier IQ.
“This latest revelation of corporate America’s brazen disregard for the digital privacy rights of its customers is yet another example of the escalating erosion of liberty in this country,” David Straite, one of the lawyers leading this crusade, said in a statement._”We are hopeful that the courts will allow ordinary customers the opportunity to remedy this outrageous breach.” His_co-counsel Steve Grygiel added,_”Anyone who cares at all about their personal privacy, or the broader constitutional right to privacy, ought to care and care a great deal about this case.” The firms’ joint press release follows below.
Apple, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Carrier IQ Sued in Delaware Federal Court in Cell Phone Tracking Software Scandal
WILMINGTON, Del.,_Dec. 2, 2011_– The law firms of Sianni & Straite LLP of_Wilmington, DE, Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP of_Edison, NJ, and_Keefe Bartels L.L.C. of_Red Bank, NJ, have today filed a class action complaint in Federal Court in_Wilmington, Delaware_related to the unprecedented breach of the digital privacy rights of 150 million cell phone users._ The complaint asserts that three cell phone providers (T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T) and four manufacturers of cell phones (HTC, Motorola, Apple and Samsung) violated the Federal Wiretap Act, the Stored Electronic Communications Act, and the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
The carriers and manufacturers were caught last month willfully violating customers’ privacy rights in direct violation of federal law._ A technology blogger in_Connecticut_discovered that software designed and sold by_California-based Carrier IQ, Inc. was secretly tracking personal and sensitive information of the cell phone users without the consent or knowledge of the users._ On_Nov. 30, 2011,_the United StatesSenate Committee on the Judiciary said in a letter to Carrier IQ that “these actions may violate federal privacy laws.”_ It added, “this is potentially a very serious matter.”
David Straite, one of the attorneys leading the action, noted “this latest revelation of corporate America’s brazen disregard for the digital privacy rights of its customers is yet another example of the escalating erosion of liberty in this country._ We are hopeful that the courts will allow ordinary customers the opportunity to remedy this outrageous breach.”__Steve Grygiel, co-counsel for the proposed class, agreed: “anyone who cares at all about their personal privacy, or the broader constitutional right to privacy, ought to care and care a great deal about this case.”__Barry Eichen_added, “today’s comment from_Larry Lenhart, CEO of Carrier IQ, that his software is somehow good for consumers starkly demonstrates what is at stake.”
Plaintiffs are represented by_Sianni & Straite LLP, a_Delaware-based litigation firm with a branch office in_New York,_Keefe Bartels LLC,_a_New Jersey-based plaintiffs’ rights trial law firm, and_Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP, a leading plaintiffs firm with three offices in_New Jersey.
E2EK1EL
Facebook to Bring Video Calling to Its Messenger App for iOS?
Facebook is reportedly planning to bring video calling to its Messenger app for iOS, reports iPhoneItalia.
The company has just released a new beta for developers the Facebook Messenger Beta where it is active - albeit in a rudimentary way - support for video calls. Currently, as you can see from the images presented, the interface consists of standard elements using the "Answer" and "Decline" to answer or reject a video call.
After answering, you will see a box where you can see the other user and his face and down the "End Call" to end the call. At present the new function is not stable and may require additional testing before releasing a public update that enables video calls to Facebook Messenger.
While the screenshots shown below could easily be faked, it does make sense that Facebook would look to expand the functionality of its popular messaging application.
LG borrows from MacBook Air design with new Xnote Z330 ultrabook
LG on Monday unveiled a familiar looking laptop that falls into Intel’s much-touted new ultrabook category, the Xnote Z330. With the shape of a MacBook Air and the color scheme of a MacBook Pro, the LG Xnote Z330 is a 13.3-inch notebook that boots Windows 7 in less than 10 seconds thanks to “Rapid Start Technology.” The Z330 is even thinner that Apple’s MacBook Air at its thinnest point, and it weighs in at just 2.7 pounds. Spec highlights include a 1.6GHz Core i5 or a 1.7GHz Core i7 processor, a 120GB or 256GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, HD graphics, WiDi wireless display technology and an HDMI-out port. Battery life is rated at more than six hours, and the base model starts at just over $1,500 while the fully loaded model costs more than $2,300. Additional images and specs follow below.
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HTC Could Face U.S. Import Ban Tomorrow
The six-member panel of the International Trade Commission will announce its decision on whether HTC violated two Apple patents tomorrow, reports CNN FORTUNE.
HTC, the leading smartphone vendor in the U.S., could face an import ban if the panel rules against the company. In July, a preliminary ruling by an administrative law judge found that the company had infringed on Apple's patents. HTC then filed its appeal which will be decided upon tomorrow.
According to FOSS Patents, the two patents in question appear to be at Android's core and this decision could have serious consequences for the Android operating system.
"Google's Android mobile operating system is in serious trouble," Mueller wrote after last summer's ruling. "It's hard to see how any Android device could not infringe [the patents], or how companies could work around them."
At the height of the holiday season, an ITC import ban of HTC devices into the U.S. would be horrible news for company. FORTUNE notes that HTC shares have fallen to their lowest level in nearly a year and half on the news.
We'll let you know what happens tomorrow...
(Even though I dislike the patent wars, that's not gonna be good for HTC ...)
Prometheus Xex
I'm surprised Apple haven't applied for a patent dictating that laptops cannot be thinner than a certain amount... LOL.
E2EK1EL
iPhone 4S best-selling phone at three top U.S. carriers in November, Samsung sales strong
Apple’s iPhone 4S was the best-selling smartphone at Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint in November according to a report released Monday night by Canaccord Genuity. According to checks performed by analyst Mike Walkley and his team, Apple’s iPhone 4S remained a top-seller across the board while Samsung’s Galaxy S II picked up momentum ahead of the holidays. Samsung’s flagship handset was the top-selling smartphone at T-Mobile and it jumped up into the No.2 spot at AT&T. Sprint’s Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch was the second best-selling smartphone at Sprint as well in November, and Motorola’s DROID RAZR was No.2 at Verizon Wireless. Read on for more.
(click to enlarge)
“IPhone 4S sales strength continues as distribution increases – Our November checks indicated iPhone sales remained strong in the US, particularly at AT&T and Sprint. Further, our checks indicated strong global share gains,” Walkley wrote. “With the iPhone 4S launching in new markets including China, Brazil, and Russia during December, we anticipate strong December quarter iPhone sales and have increased our estimate from 29.0 to 30.5M units.”
The analyst also noted that Apple’s iPad 2 is still the world’s top-selling tablet, though he did lower his unit sales estimates to 13 million in the December quarter, down from an earlier estimate of 14 million units.
HTC lost share in November according to Walkley, in line with the expectations set last month when the Taiwan-based vendor cut its fourth-quarter forecast. “Our November checks indicated weaker sales trends for both RIM and HTC, consistent with negative pre-announcements from both companies, as we believe weak trends are company-specific for both OEMs rather than indications of a weaker smartphone macro,” he wrote in his report. “Our checks indicated HTC has lost significant share at all four US carriers following the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S II launches.”
Walkley’s checks also indicated that sales of BlackBerry smartphones in the U.S. slowed significantly in November, with the high-end Bold 9900 in particular showing slowed adoption. “Following early strength for the Bold 9900, our checks indicated BlackBerry sales slowed significantly during November due to high-end smartphone share losses combined with lower-priced Nokia feature-phones and sub-$200 Android smartphones adversely impacting BlackBerry sales in emerging markets,” Walkley said.
