Sunday, May 13, 2012

Google Alert - android

News9 new results for android
 
Best games for the iPad (and Android tablets, too)
Fox News
World of Goo ($5, iOS; Android) - This fantastic physics puzzler has long been one of the most downloaded games because of its unique concept - building up complex structures and machines using blobs of goo. You have to work fast, though, because these ...
See all stories on this topic »
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Highlights Android's Tablet Problem [REVIEW]
Mashable
In tablet society, though, Samsung and Android have a thinner pedigree than the iPad, and it shows in the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. While the tablet will certainly please anyone who just wants a decent screen for checking out Netflix videos, the tablet falls ...
See all stories on this topic »
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 review: Dual-core in a quad-core world
CNET (blog)
A couple months ago this would have made an appealing package for Android tablet shoppers. Now, not so much. by Eric Franklin May 13, 2012 7:00 AM PDT Follow @nidopal While the Tab 2 10.1 uses a PLS screen, its color accuracy unfortunately isn't up to ...
See all stories on this topic »
Me, Android, and my Mom [opinion]
Phandroid.com
Going against the usual "iOS is more user-friendly" cliche thrown around the web, my mom actually prefers Android. In fact, a few weeks ago someone brought their new iPad over to have me set up a few things. As an experiment, I opened Google on both ...
See all stories on this topic »
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) Review
Android Community
Samsung has released these tablets with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the OS. With their own tablet-optimized version of TouchWiz over the top that offers impressive widgets, screenshot features with edit mode, and a new keyboard that is actually ...
See all stories on this topic »

Android Community
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (16GB)
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was one of the premier Android tablets when it launched in 2011, with specs that, at the very least, matched top tier Android tablets at the time. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 feels almost like a disappointing ...
See all stories on this topic »
How To Root Android Phones
The Driod Guy
With hundreds of Android devices on the market, many users are curious about how they can root their phones to have full control of their phone. If you're thinking about rooting your phone, let's see how you can benefit from it, the pros and cons and ...
See all stories on this topic »

The Driod Guy
Bixolon Releases iOS WiFi and Android Compatible SPP-R300 Mobile Printer
Houston Chronicle
"With its iOS WiFi, Android and Bluetooth connectivity, the SPP-R300 is the ideal solution to an ever increasing mobile transactions markets' printing needs" said David Roberts, Sr. Vice President, Bixolon America, Inc. "Bixolon continues its ...
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appsbar.com Recognizes "Pocket Cajun" as the appsbar App of the Day
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Every day appsbar identifies an excellent example of an app built with appsbar's iPhone app builder, Windows app builder or Android apps builder. This free app exemplifies how mobile apps can be made as part of the community with Digi, ...
See all stories on this topic »

Blogs4 new results for android
 
Android Income Report #12: May 12
By Johannes Borchardt
April is over, time to sum things up. I'm quite late this time, I apologize for that. If you are new to this series, let me explain it to you: Since Android.
Droid-Blog
Easy Voice Recorder Pro for Android OS Review: An App for ...
By info@brighthand.com
Easy Voice Recorder Pro is a $1.99 app with tons of uses at work, at home, and everywhere in between. What's more, it's truly simple to use. Read our full review for all the details.
Brighthand.com Handheld News and Reviews
Leaked Flipboard for Android app gets first update | 9to5Google ...
By Jake Smith
Flipboard for Android is set to officially début on the Galaxy S III when it launches May 29 in Europe, as we learned during Samsung's press event earlier this month. However, before the app even launches, the currently iOS-exclusive ...
9to5Google
Monetizing Your Android Apps
By Daniel CerVentus
CodeAndroid Malaysia will be hosting a seminar on how to monetize your awesome Android app. A lot of app developer can developer real cool apps but if you've got a nice app but can't figure out how to get paid for it, this event is for you.
Entrepreneurs.my


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Android Authority

Android Authority


Meet Sensory TrulyHandsfree, what’s behind Samsung’s new S Voice

Posted: 12 May 2012 10:47 AM PDT

Speech recognition is a staple in today's smartphones, no matter if your device runs Android, iOS, or Windows Phone. No matter which one you prefer, you can find a range of voice-activation utilities from useful to downright amazing. But have you ever thought about how Samsung's new S Voice or Apple's Siri work?

The quick (and accurate) answer is "It's complicated". The amount of research and work that goes into creating an effective speech recognition application is mind boggling. Speech recognition specialists need to take into account numerous factors and feed them as inputs into complex algorithms. Just think about how important it is to filter out ambient noise for an app like S Voice.

Based in Sunnyvale, CA, Sensory Inc does just that – making voice recognition smarter, so your phone can understand you in a crowded food court and not just in the quiet office of some marketing exec. Founded in 1994, Sensory specializes in voice recognition, speech recognition, and music synthesis. Its products (both software and hardware) have been integrated in products as diverse as Samsung's smartphones, car stereos from Kenwood, and even NASA's Mars Polar Lander.

Source

Talking to Brad McCarty from The Next Web, Sensory's Bernard Brafman said that the company is working on TrulyHandsfree, a technology that might really change the way we interact with smart devices.

Many devices currently implement user profiles, but switching between them is rarely seamless. Sensory promises that devices, from smartphones to TVs, will listen and know who is using them, just like you recognize the voice of a friend who's calling, without looking at caller ID. Truly smart voice recognition might also supersede passwords, pattern unlock systems, or fingerprint readers. Just say hello to your device (don't worry, you won't sound crazy) and you'll get access.

Sensory's TrulyHandsfree technology will also make it easier to talk to your phone, even you're in the subway or other noisy place. TrulyHandsfree recognizes dozens of keywords, and Sensory claims that its system has an accuracy of 95%, without firing at false alarms. So, when you'll say "Hi Galaxy" to wake up your Galaxy S3, you will actually benefit from Sensory's TrulyHandsfree.


This article, Meet Sensory TrulyHandsfree, what’s behind Samsung’s new S Voice , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Super AMOLED HD Plus display seen on Samsung Tizen phone?

Posted: 12 May 2012 09:32 AM PDT

We’ve all seen the power of the rumor mill, with the crazy speculation whirlwind that preceded the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S3.

While some of the pre-launch gossip was spot on (Exynos 4412 quad-core processor), some was, as expected, way off-base (2GB RAM). One rumor that had us all excited was the possibility that the Samsung Galaxy S3 would feature a Super AMOLED HD Plus display using the RGB matrix. With this type of display almost ready for production, our expectations weren’t unrealistic, but unfortunately, the final launch left display-fanatics quite disappointed.

Samsung, of course, is already anticipating the highly-successful launch of its latest flagship device, and is currently conducting a Tizen Developer Conference in San Francisco. If you aren’t in the know, Tizen is a new OS being developed in collaboration with Samsung, Intel, and the Linux Foundation, among others. The open-source platform is being developed for smartphones, tablets, netbooks, and in-car entertainment systems. You can read more about the Tizen OS and the impact it is expected to have in the Android-dominated OS arena here.

 Samsung has been handing out Tizen developer phones at the conference. The device is, I assume, is nowhere near to being finished and assigned as a finalized product. The developer phone, the GT-i9500 code-named Fraser, features include:

  • 1.2 Ghz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 1280×720

According to some sources over at Sammobile, it seems that the GT-i9500 also features the sorely-missed-in-the-S3 Super AMOLED HD Plus display. The inclusion of this display for the Tizen phone makes sense, as Samsung requires a huge selling point to get consumers to look away from Android long enough to develop some interest in the new OS.

You can watch a video of the of the Tizen prototype here, courtesy of TheHandheldblog:

What are your thoughts? Is the presence of the Super AMOLED HD Plus display enough for you to consider moving away from Android? What do you think of Tizen and the impact it might have? Let us know in the comments section below!


This article, Super AMOLED HD Plus display seen on Samsung Tizen phone? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


LG Optimus 2X ICS update once again delayed, Q3 2012 is the new ETA

Posted: 12 May 2012 08:43 AM PDT

While LG seems to be looking towards the high-end smartphone future with great ambition, the company's high-end devices from back in the day are being ignored big time. The Optimus LTE2, unveiled last week, looks pretty great on paper, and the LS970 Eclipse, leaked yesterday, has some out of this world specs, but what about the Optimus 2X?

Released more than a year ago, the Optimus 2X was a pretty cool gadget at the time, coming with a dual-core processor, an 8 MP rear-facing camera and a more than decent 4-inch IPS LCD screen. However, the phone didn't find its way to an Ice Cream Sandwich update and for a long time it seemed like it wasn't even due for an upgrade.

LG finally announced back in December that the Optimus 2X will receive ICS sometime in Q2 of this year, but unfortunately the Koreans failed to deliver on the promise. Although Q2 is not yet over, the handheld is now slotted for a Q3 update, according to a Facebook comment from LG Singapore.

The interesting thing about this information is that it's quite old (the Facebook comment is from April 26), but for a while it was kept on the down low. That means that either this is not a 100% certain information, which is not very likely, or LG was simply hoping that no one will notice the Optimus 2X's delayed update.

On a different front, it will be interesting to see what will happen with the LG phones that were scheduled back in December to get ICS updates in Q3 2012. Will those updates be pushed back as well or will LG finally deliver on a promise? There's no way to know what LG's exact plans are, both about the Optimus 2X (Q3 could mean July or September after all) and other older phones, but one thing is sure, nevertheless: LG has once again managed to disappoint its faithful users and their ICS update scheduling is becoming a major annoyance for anyone who's refused to jump ship to Samsung or HTC.

Do you guys agree? Are you willing to wait an additional few months for Android 4.0 on your Optimus 2X? How upset are you with LG right now?


This article, LG Optimus 2X ICS update once again delayed, Q3 2012 is the new ETA , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and Music Player 4.2 on sale May 13

Posted: 12 May 2012 06:48 AM PDT

After the successful launch of the eagerly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S3, it’s almost easy to forget that Samsung, the maker of a whole series of tablets and music players, is one of the largest device (among other electronics) manufacturers in the world.

The Korean company announced today that the 10.1″ Galaxy Tab 2 and the Galaxy Player 4.2 will go on sale on Sunday, May 13 in the US.

Galaxy Tab 2

GALAXY Tab 2 10.1

The Galaxy Tab 2 is dubbed the successor of the original 10.1″ Galaxy Tab slate, but with the impeding arrival of the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, the Tab series is seemingly being relegated to the low-to-mid range of the specifications and price spectrum. The specifications of this tablet include:

  • 1Ghz dual-core TI OMAP 4430 processor
  • 1280×800 resolution
  • 3MP rear camera, VGA front camera
  • 16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
  • Android 4.0 OS

While the specifications aren’t as impressive, the $400 price more than makes up for it. The device will be available for sale at retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, and Office Depot.

Galaxy Player 4.2

The Galaxy Player series has been dubbed an iPod Touch competitor. The latest release, Galaxy Player 4.2, features specifications that include:

  • Android 2.3 OS
  • 800×480 resolution
  • 4.2″ LCD screen
  • 1Ghz single-core processor
  • 2MP rear camera, VGA front camera
  • 8GB internal storage, expandable via microSD

Another impressive feature of this device is its ability to work as a bluetooth handset, i.e. you can connect a phone to this device via bluetooth and then use the music player as a phone with voice-calling capabilities. Unfortunately, it does come with the Gingerbread OS, and there is no immediate plan for an upgrade to Android 4.0.

This Galaxy Player 4.2 also goes on sale tomorrow, May 13, and will be available for $199.99.

The above releases follow the already available Galaxy Tab 2 7.7″ slate and the Galaxy Player 3.6, and Samsung is certainly going full-steam ahead in its plan to achieve worldwide Android dominance.

What are your thoughts? Are the attractive price points for these devices low enough for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

Show full PR text

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2™ 10.1 and 4.2 Galaxy Player™ to be available for purchase nationwide this weekend

Samsung Electronics America Inc., today announces that its newest additions to the Galaxy Family, Galaxy Tab 2™ 10.1 and Galaxy Player™ 4.2, will be available for purchase nationwide beginning Sunday, May 13.

The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will be available for $399.99 SRP, and the Player 4.2 will sell for $199.99 SRP. These complement the already available Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and Galaxy Player 3.6.

Retailers carrying the devices include Amazon, Best Buy, hhgregg, Tiger Direct, WalMart, Office Depot and others. (Not all models available from all retailers).

For additional retail outlet availability, visit http://www.samsung.com

Key highlights include

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

Control, Watch and Share Your TV Content

·        The perfect TV companion, use your Tab as a universal remote, multitask on the web while watching and wirelessly stream the live feed from your TV to your Tab.

Your Movies, Videos and Games Will Come Alive

·        Everything's more exciting on a bigger screen.  Browse the web, explore over 450,000 apps from Google Play and Samsung Apps, and access thousands of TV shows and movies via WiFi.

Built to Power Your Entertainment

·        A big 10.1" entertainment machine The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is powered by Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, a dual-core processor with a microSD™ card slot and more.

Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2

Listen to your favorite music on the go

·        Get instant access to your music with WiFi; as simple as drag and play.

Personalize your player. So many options to make it your own

·        Discover a large collection of apps to customize your player.

One single device for all your entertainment needs

·        The Galaxy Player 4.2 includes premium EA games. Experience seamless multimedia playback and much more!

No related posts.


This article, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and Music Player 4.2 on sale May 13 , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Sony Xperia ST21i Tapioca gets hands-on treatment, still not officially confirmed

Posted: 12 May 2012 06:40 AM PDT

While most of us are eagerly waiting to see Sony's upcoming super phone, the LT29i "Hayabusa", in action, another, more modest handheld from the Japanese company has enjoyed a first hands-on treatment.

The ST21i "Tapioca" hasn't been officially confirmed by anyone at Sony, but we knew for a while (a couple of weeks, to be more exact) that it was coming. With just an 800 MHz single-core processor under the hood, but with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on top of the box, the Tapioca has left a pretty good impression to the guys at Eldar Murtazin’s Mobile-review, the first people to ever get their hands on a pre-release version of the phone.

In terms of design, the Sony Xperia ST21i is set to differentiate itself from the company's current line of Xperia phones (the S, P and U), while keeping things simple. The phone is light, but doesn't feel cheap, and the overall look is surprisingly elegant. On the other hand, the screen is made out of plastic and that feels a bit cheap and shallow, said  Mobile-review.

As far as performance goes, the guys at mobile-review.com haven't had the chance to take the phone for more than a spin, but it was enough for them to conclude that this is "a weak device designed just to be able to run Android ICS acceptably". The 800 MHz ARM 11 CPU is doubled by an Adreno 200 GPU, and the 512 MB of RAM is pretty much what you would expect from an entry-level phone these days.

The rest of the features are themselves decent, but not impressive. The Tapioca sports an HVGA screen with a 320 x 480 pixels resolution and "acceptable color reproduction", the 3-megapixel rear-facing camera lacks focus and is "rather mediocre", while the 3 GB internal storage space can be expanded with the help of a microSD memory card.

In terms of connectivity, the upcoming Sony low-end handheld will come with Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi 802.11 b/g and a microUSB 2.0 port. As far as autonomy goes, the 1450 mAh battery should go for around two days between charges based on average use, but that's just a guess right now, as the phone is still in its development.

The handheld's biggest ace up its sleeve, Android ICS, is reported to be "acceptable" as well. In fact, if we were to sum up mobile-review's preview of the Sony Xperia Tapioca in only one word, that would probably be "acceptable". Most basic applications run smoothly on the ST21i, at least by low-end standards, but it's still difficult to talk about the software as a whole with months to the release of the  device.

We have no idea when will Sony actually unveil the ST21i, when it will be released, and how will it be priced. But rumors from a while back talked about a possible July launch and a $200 (or €200 in Asia and Europe) price tag.

Before we learn anything official about the phone, tell us what you think of the Tapioca after looking at the first pics and reading the preview (for the full hands-on click the source link below). Would you be tempted by Sony's future low-end phone if it will be priced decently?


This article, Sony Xperia ST21i Tapioca gets hands-on treatment, still not officially confirmed , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Leak suggests ASUS Padfone 2 is in the works

Posted: 12 May 2012 06:28 AM PDT

ASUS Padfone

With the excitement over the Samsung Galaxy S3 dying down (or is it?), it is once again time to look forward to the next device to create waves in the Android device world.

While the Samsung Galaxy Note has been dubbed a “phablet” due to it’s large tablet-like screen size and phone capabilities, the ASUS Padfone is in a class of its own. The Padfone features an Android smartphone that docks into a tablet shell, which then functions as a tablet. This setup can further be connected to a keyboard dock, to work as a laptop. And it has a stylus too. In which you can talk!

The ASUS Padfone has not yet been released worldwide, with rumors suggesting that the delayed shipping is caused by the Qualcomm/TSMC Snapdragon S4 production problems. Not unlike a movie studio announcing the sequel before the first flick is even released, it appears that ASUS is hard at work to deliver the sequel to the Padfone, called, gasp, the Padfone 2.

The leak that outed the Padfone 2 comes in the form of a slide, supposedly part of a strategy debriefing for ASUS employees. The presentation talks about a 4G LTE Padfone device that could arrive as soon as this fall. Also discussed in the briefing is ASUS’ “Happiness 2.0″ campaign, which will focus on:

  • ASUS cloud integration
  • New audio technology
  • Greater mobility
  • Improved design

The leak also reveals ASUS’ plans to  match or even improve upon its impressive first quarter results . The target sales and projected shippments can be seen on the slide above. We found out a while ago that ASUS has big plans for its tablet lineup in 2012, and this new leak seems to corroborate with earlier rumors.

With the “original” Padfone not yet available in most markets (you can get in Taiwan, though), I think it is too soon to start talking about a sequel, and a fall release seems simply unrealistic. Of course, no information on the specs of the device are available, so we could be looking at an US release of the Padfone with LTE capabilities, a la HTC One X (different international and US version).

While the concept of a phone-is-a-tablet-is-a-laptop is quite innovative, the hefty price tag associated with the device is a turn off for a lot of users. Similar to the movies, all we can do is wait and see if the first part is any good, and then make a call on the sequel.

What are your thoughts? Too soon for Padfone 2 or will it release at just the right time? Are there any movie sequels that you liked more than the first part? Let us know in the comments section below.


This article, Leak suggests ASUS Padfone 2 is in the works , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Hey, wannabe DJs, turntable.fm goes Android, still US only

Posted: 12 May 2012 05:55 AM PDT

turntable.fm

turntable.fm (with a lowercase "t") was founded in early 2011, with the goal of providing a social music service that would emulate the experience of listening to music in a "real setting". Users can join virtual rooms where they listen to the tunes played by "DJs", which are other turntable.fm users that take turns at choosing the playlist.

Users get to vote tracks up and down, and if many users "boo" a track, the app skips to the next DJ. While listening to music, users can have a chat, and, whenever a DJ spot is free, they can hop on the stage to prove their mixing mastery.

Music is better with friends is the motto of  turntable.fm, a simple, fun idea that grabbed the attention of high-profile investors, including Lady Gaga and Kanye West, not to mention the hordes of users.

Here’s a video demo of the app, courtesy of LifeHacker:

Up until now, turntable.fm has been available on iOS devices, Facebook, and the web, much to the dismay of many Android fans intrigued by the idea behind the social music platform. Moreover, turntable.fm is currently limited to US-based users, which severely limits the reach of the platform. But hey, one can't just mess with the RIAA and walk away with it, right?

Today brings some good news and some bad news for turntable.fm fans. The good news is an Android app has finally been released, so if you've been dying to show off your deejaying skills, but you just didn't find the place to do it, now you can go crazy in a virtual club, right from your Android device.

The bad news, turntable.fm is still not open to the 6.53 billion people living outside the US of A. However, the startup's founders do promise that an international expansion is in the future. We just don't know when.

So, if you're intrigued of what you've been hearing and you're RIAA-approved, go to Google Play and get your clubbing fix now, with turntable.fm.


This article, Hey, wannabe DJs, turntable.fm goes Android, still US only , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Samsung Galaxy S3 gets accessorized. Press images revealed

Posted: 12 May 2012 03:54 AM PDT

Smartphones over the last few years have been going from strength to strength, with faster processors, higher memory, bigger displays with larger resolutions, and bigger (but not always) batteries to help keep up with the other improvements. Device accessories, which once meant only earphones and an USB cable, have also become increasingly sophisticated. We now have a variety of bluetooth headsets, docks, protective and eye-pleasing covers, HDMI media link devices, capacitive styluses, and a myriad of other useful contraptions that complement our handheld devices.

Keeping with the trend, Samsung followed up the much-hyped debut of the Samsung Galaxy S3 with the promise of a slew of sleek accessories that would be available by the time the device begins shipping. We’ve already heard that the release of the highly-anticipated wireless charging kit will be delayed for a few months. But let’s take a look at some of the other, equally impressive add-ons for the Galaxy S3.

Flip Cover

With most high-end devices rocketing by the $500 threshold, the need to protect and keep devices in pristine condition has come to the forefront. The official flip cover for the Samsung Galaxy S3 is well designed and easy on the eye, while also providing all-around protection.

C-Pen Stylus

The C-Pen Stylus is the thicker version of the S-Pen that accompanies the Galaxy Note. As the S3 stylus does not fit in as a part of the device, the form factor of the C-Pen is more similar to that of regular pen, making it far easier to use.

WiFi Display Hub

Media link devices between the phone and other displays such as the television, are almost a must-have these days. The Samsung WiFi Display Hub lets you project photos, videos, and anything else on your phone, to a TV with HDMI support, via WiFi.

Battery Charger Stand and Wireless charging kit

The Battery Charger stand let’s you prop up the device and charge it wirelessly, while also charging an additional battery that fits into a slot at the back of the stand. With multiple battery charging options, battery dying out is a problem you will rarely have to face.

With the addition of the S-Pebble and multiple car dock options, the Samsung Galaxy S3 boasts a full slate of accessories to complete what is likely one of the best Android experience available.

What are your thoughts? Which accessories do you think are must-have? Will you be buying the Galaxy S3 as soon as it is released? Let us know in the comments section below.


This article, Samsung Galaxy S3 gets accessorized. Press images revealed , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Oracle vs. Google heading to a conclusion. Who will be the winner?

Posted: 12 May 2012 03:36 AM PDT

Oracle vs Google

Here at Android Authority, we've been watching closely the unfolding Oracle vs. Google legal drama. Each week of the trial has brought us valuable insight in the inner workings of Android (and Google as a whole). We've learned about the early childhood of Android, about how much money Google made from Android, and, in general, about how our favorite operating system came to be.

But the Oracle vs. Google affair is worth scrutinizing for more than just the wealth of inside information that is trickling out of Judge William H. Alsup's court. The trial has major implications for the future of Android, but also unpredictable consequences for the entire tech world.

Google infringed Oracle’s copyright on Java APIs, says jury

[Updated] As our reader Adrian points out, the jury was instructed to assume that APIs are copyrighted and make a decision based on that assumption. Judge Alsup will decide if Oracle actually holds the copyright over the Java APIs.

In the first part of the trial (which was broken up into three sections – copyright, patents, and damages), the jury was asked to decide whether Google infringed on Oracle’s copyrights for the Java APIs. APIs (application programming interfaces) are omnipresent and vital to the modern technological landscape. They are the glue that keep your favorite platform together, be it Android, iOS, or Windows. A ruling that is favorable to Oracle would create a dangerous legal precedent and potentially turn the tech scene into a volatile and unpredictable conflict theater.

Oracle has already won, at least partially, in this matter. On Monday, the jury decided that Google infringed on the structure, sequence, and organization (SSO) of the Java APIs. In other words, the jury considered that Google purposely mimicked the way the Java APIs are built and structured, when it created Dalvik, its own Java-based virtual machine.

However, the twelve jurors couldn't agree whether Google's infringement was protected by the fair use principle or not. So, the trial moved ahead to the patent phase.

Oracle did try to have Judge Alsup make a "judgment as a matter of law" on the fair use issue, but Alsup rejected the motion. On the other side, Google countered with a motion of mistrial, which, if accepted, would cause the API copyright issue to be retried with another jury.

A final ruling on the fair use question is still to be issued.

Patent phase

With the jury hitting a deadlock concerning the fair use issue, the trial moved on to the patent phase. As you might know, Oracle initially claimed that Google's Android infringed on seven of its Java related patents. But the USPTO and Judge Alsup denied Oracle's request for trial on five of these patents, leaving only patent RE38,104, which describes a "method and apparatus for resolving data references in generated code" and patent 6,061,520, which describes a "method and system for performing static initialization".

Both Google and Oracle brought to the stand their experts and witnesses, including Andy Rubin in the Android camp and former Sun VP Brian Suthpin on Oracle's side.

Although this second phase of the trial should be dedicated to patents, we saw a number of moves related to both the copyright phase and the damages phase. In a somehow surprising decision, Judge Alsup ruled that Google did in fact infringed on Oracle's copyrights, by decompiling and copying the code in eight Java files. Alsup effectively overturned the decision that the jury made last week. The jurors agreed that Google was only guilty of copying the now infamous nine lines of code in the TimSort.java file, and not the eight files in question.

What lies ahead?

Alsup's surprising decision on the eight lifted files is a victory for Oracle, but it's a very small one. In the damages phase, Oracle is unlikely to get any major compensation from Google. Even Judge Alsup said that it would be the "height of ridiculousness" for Larry Ellison's company to ask 9-figure damages for Google's infringement of the nine lines of code and the eight Java files.

Both parties seem eager to end the trial as soon as possible, but probably for different reasons. Google hopes that its mistrial motion will be accepted, while Oracle might look forward to an appeal, now that its hopes for this trial have fizzled. Ellison and co. have little chance to get a share of Google's Android profits, like they have asked for, and statutory damages (a kind of standard amount paid in such cases) would be insignificant .

At this point, the trial is set to go ahead in the damages phase, where the jury is expected to decide what kind of compensation, if any, Oracle should receive for Google's infringement over its Java APIs and patents. First, though, we should see a decision about the two patents, which will probably come on Monday.

Overall, it seems that the scales of  justice are tipping in Google's favor, or at least, that's what I make of this complicated, at points obscure legal spat. For Oracle, the potential winnings from their legal action have plummeted from the lofty six billions floated around back in 2010, to a sum that might not even cover its legal expenses.

Of course, it all depends on the jury and the judge, and it’s possible that this trial is just one battle in an attrition war that could last for years. We'll learn more next week, when the two parties are set to spar over how much money Oracle is entitled from the Android camp.

No related posts.


This article, Oracle vs. Google heading to a conclusion. Who will be the winner? , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.