Monday, August 27, 2012

Android Central

Android Central

Weather HD now available on Android

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 04:55 PM PDT

Android Central

One of the more popular weather apps on iOS, Weather HD, has finally come to Android. It provides all of the usual weather data you'd want -- current temperature / humidity / precipitation / wind, 7-day forecasts and a few other customizable odds and ends. What's nice about Weather HD is the interface. It's the simplicity of gray and white text on a nicely animated background image, which changes with the current weather conditions, that really helps set this apart from some of the cluttered and busy weather apps. Unfortunately, Weather HD doesn't include a widget, though we'd expect it to soon if they want to stay competitive with the other popular weather apps out there.

Weather HD is available in the Google Play Store at the link above. It'll set you back 99 cents, or is free with advertisements.

Latest Dropbox beta adds 2-step verification

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 02:33 PM PDT

Android Central

Many of us use Dropbox in varying capacities (see what I did there?), and when we do, we often use it as crucial backup storage for data that's important to us. If it wasn't important, we probably wouldn't bother backing it up now would we? If you take your security seriously, and by now we hope you all do, you should be jumping for joy that Dropbox has added 2-step verification sign in to its latest betas.

The latest Dropbox beta follows the same principle that Google's 2-step verification does. In order to access your account you need two things: 1) something you know -- your password and 2) something you have -- your phone. And there's really no reason not to take security into your own hands and add that second level in order to help prevent the worst from happening. If you haven't already, go pick up the Dropbox app from the Google Play Store at the link above, and if you're interested in setting up 2-step verification for your account, see us after the break for a better in-depth explanation

Source: Dropbox forums; via The Verge

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From the Editor's Desk: Verdict fatigue; Motorola sends pigs into the air; how to really hate a device

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:47 AM PDT

Phil Nickinson

I'm supposed to take this more personally, I've been told. I'm supposed to hate Apple and what it's litigious self with every fiber of my being. I'm supposed to cry in my beer for Samsung, for HTC, for anyone who's ever had an injunction handed down. I'm suppose to hate the player, as well as the game.

That's just not me. I don't set my hair on fire, especially about things over which I have no control.

Here's what I do hate, in no particular order:

  • I hate that patent litigation has become the focus of the past several months. (It almost makes me long for the bad old, sky-is-falling days of Carrier IQ.)
  • I hate that instead of writing and talking about phones and tablets, we have to concentrate on lawsuits about phones and tablets.
  • I hate that it takes the focus away from the developers, without whom none of this would matter anyway.
  • Most of all, I hate that it's come this far.

That patents should be granted for software certainly should be debated. That patents are granted far too easily hardly is up for debate. Let's hope by this time next year we'll be talking about new and innovative products, and not this mess. I'm sick and tired of patents.

If you've yet to do so, check out the podcast I did with Rene Ritchie from iMore.com on Saturday.

And now, for some more good (and bad) from the past week in Android.

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Hisense preparing sub-$100 Google TV box, promises to show it at IFA

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 08:35 AM PDT

Android Central

The success of the Vizio Co-Star has proved that Google TV still has life in it, especially when the price is right. Jumping on the sub-$100 bandwagon now is Hisense, a Chinese OEM that has partnered with Google to produce a new budget Google TV set-top box. 

In a statement, Mickey Kim, Google TV parner manager said of the collaboration: 

Hisense adds even more innovation to the growing list of Google TV-powered devices available around the world. We're working closely with partners like Hisense to bring services from Google and multiple other providers to your TV with an experience tailored for the living room.

Better yet, the box is ready to be shown off to the world and is promised to be on display during next weeks IFA show in Berlin. Hopefully that means that unlike the Vizio offering, the Hisense box will ship in Europe. Android Central will be on the ground from the show all week, so keep it locked to the site and our IFA portal for all the best. 

Source: PC World

LG confirms display specs of upcoming device, as well as claiming 'longer battery life'

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 08:01 AM PDT

Android Central

The tale of the forthcoming LG 'Optimus G' superphone continues, only this time, it's the Korean OEM that is telling it. Following up from the recent leaked prototype of the device, LG has released a statement today confirming certain details that had previously been leaked, and new details of the gapless display it shall house. 

As it happens, the Snapdragon S4 Pro powered device will definitely have a 1280x768 True HD IPS+ display, coming in at 320ppi. Theres some science that goes along with it, but the rub of it is -- it's better than AMOLED and consumes less power.

The gapless display is an in-house technology developed with LG Innotek. Its G2 Touch Hybrid display will be bound for the device, and is "a unibody unit that eliminates the gap between the glass and the LCD panel as found in traditional touchscreens." Sounds a little like the display on the HTC One X, which is by no means a bad thing.

LG is also promising greater battery capacity, without compromising on size or weight and the powerplant has been designed by LG Chem. It promises to run 60% more efficiently than similarly sized batteries, meaning more power for longer. 

The 'Optimus G' is  certainly shaping up to be a full in-house affair, with several different arms of LG getting involved to create a device that they say will be a "game-changer" for them. They're sure trying to create some pre-launch buzz, whether it lives up to it though, only time will tell. 

Source: LG Newsroom

Supcase slim-fit leather case for the Nexus 7

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Supcase Slim-Fit Leather Case for the Nexus 7.

Next up in our quest for the perfect Nexus 7 case is the Supcase Slim Fit Leather Case, which has garnered a bit of an Amazon following for its affordable price. It's also available in nine colors -- pink, black, green, red, white, deep blue, deep pink, purple and sapphire blue. 

And after even just a few minutes, we can confidently say this one's worth taking a look at.

Read on for some more thoughts.

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Mobile Nations 18: Apple vs. Samsung special verdict edition

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 07:12 PM PDT

Phil Nickinson of Android Central and Rene Ritchie of iMore talk Apple vs. Samsung and the U.S. court verdict that saw Apple awarded over $1 billion in damages. This is a Mobile Nations special!

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Apps of the Week - Banana Republic, Bit.Trip Beat, Elixir 2 and more!

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 04:38 PM PDT

Android Central

We've got a roundup of fine app picks for this week. Some shopping, a little productivity, a few games and some reading are all on the agenda. So on this Saturday night, kick up your feet, have a nice beverage of your choice and download some new apps, will ya?

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Samsung reportedly releasing a Galaxy S III based 16MP camera; Will be announced with the Galaxy Note 2 at IFA

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 04:23 PM PDT

This news is definitely surprising to me, what about you? According to an anonymous tipster, rumor has it that Samsung has plans on announcing a Galaxy S III based point and shoot camera alongside the Galaxy Note 2 during this years IFA. This device will allegedly be called the Samsung Galaxy S Camera and will feature the same 4.8″ Super AMOLED screen found on the Galaxy S III. It will also run Android’s 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with other internal specs of the device yet to be determined.

The tipster described the device as a Galaxy S III that has been attached to the back end of a camera with no physical buttons at the back of the device. It’s also reportedly to be as much as 2 times thicker than the Galaxy S III. Other features that’s being reported is a 10x zoom, a 16MP sensor (size still unknown), a pop-out Xenon flash with a curved right side to help with the ergonomics and will come in Wi-Fi and 3G + Wi-Fi versions (only mobile data, no voice).

What do you all make of this? Would this be a device that you would consider purchasing? I can definitely see this device appealing to many amateur photographers.

source: GSM Arena

 

Kirby Ferguson On Music, Apple And Android: “Everything Is A Remix”

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 09:50 AM PDT

 

In the spirit of the recent jury verdict in favor of Apple… and the subsequent follow-up opinions regarding the matter, it’s only fitting that we hear other individuals give their two cents regarding the idea of patents and true innovation. In the TEDTalks (Technology, Entertainment and Design Talks) video podcast, Everything Is A Remix founder Kirby Ferguson offers some perspective on the idea of true innovation. He believes music is evolved by copying and transforming melodies, combining them with new lyrics or more specifically, transforming old lyrics with an artists’ perspective and spin. He cites famed folk/pop singer Bob Dylan who used works from other singers such as Paul Clayton. More importantly, Ferguson highlights that two-thirds of Dylan’s earlier melodies in his music are “borrowed”. You’d imagine that artists would have a hard time accepting their work is “borrowed” by other artists, but not-so-fast— it isn’t the case. Here’s another famed artist Woodie Guthrie offering his perspective on items like lyrics and melodies in borrowed music:

 

“The words aren’t the important thing. Don’t worry about tunes. Take a tune, sing high when they sing low, sing fast when they sing slow, and you’ve got a new tune”.

 

So with that concept in mind, Ferguson uses additional time to criticize Apple for not applying the “everything is borrowed” perspective for its products. He highlights the hypocrisy of American and international copyright and patent laws are built to counter the ability to previously use the work of others. Moreover, he cites multi-touch that was introduced in the original iPhone as an example. While Apple did indeed “patent” the technology, Ferguson highlights an example of the technology used by Jeff Han one year earlier and even highlighted the technology “wasn’t completely new” when he put it on display at a conference. This is fitting because Steve Jobs even admits in 1996 that even Apple “steals ideas”— with multi-touch being the most famed example… except it’s acceptable for Apple because you know— Android is a stolen product and all.

The video podcast is certainly an interesting one, so be sure to hit the break in order to check it out in all its entirety.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Samsung confident in its appeal, prepares for multiple scenarios

Posted: 26 Aug 2012 12:21 AM PDT

We already knew that Samsung would be filing post-verdict motions to overturn the jury’s guilty verdict, but it’s unclear as to exactly what path the company will take. Samsung’s official statement solidified its stance on fighting the issue, saying “this isn’t the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims.” And, with $1.05 billion at stake, it makes sense for the South Korean-based electronics company to carefully prepare before it takes its next step.

It’s expected that Samsung’s appeal to Judge Lucy Koh will be centered around the argument that the jury’s verdict was either unreasonable or unsupported by the evidence in play. Very rarely do Judges grant these types of motions, but due to the amount of damages, Samsung feels it has a chance. However, if the company is unsuccessful, there may be a slew of other options.

“Apple’s arguments boiled down to an assertion that everyone who bought a Samsung device would have bought the equivalent product from Apple had the Samsung product not been on the market. But that reasoning ignores any brand loyalty customers might have had to Samsung, or they might be customers of carriers that at the time didn’t offer Apple products. I would say there are quite a few problems with the way Apple calculated damages.”

Potentially, the manufacturer could argue the method used by the jurors to determine financial penalties was inaccurate. It’s also possible that the jury’s verdict could lead both companies to discuss a possible settlement in which Samsung would pay a percentage of the $1.05  billion and agree to drop its appeal, as well as agree to remove some products from the US market. Another option is for the company to argue that designs similar to Apple’s iPhone and iPad existed before Apple even obtained specific patents on those products.

The worst part is that the jury found Samsung guilty of “willfully” infringing upon Apple’s IP, meaning Judge Koh could possibly ”triple the damage award, and order Samsung to pay court costs and Apple’s attorneys fees.” Koh has another decision ahead of her as well, one that could mean an injunction on Samsung’s lineup of infringing products. With Apple already filing for a preliminary injunction, Koh will have to determine the effect of removing Samsung’s products from the consumer market. In the meantime, stay tuned for further developments.

Source: Wall Street Journal

A juror from the Samsung vs Apple case speaks out and details the deliberation process

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 05:55 PM PDT

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m still profoundly shocked and whip-lashed from the outcome of the Samsung vs. Apple patent lawsuit.  While the jury was still in deliberations deciding on the outcome of this case, I always thought to myself what I’d give to have an ear in that room with the 9 jurors. I’m sure many of you can share the same sentiments as we would all love to know what went down in there  that ultimately cost Samsung more than a billion dollars. Thankfully, one of those 9 jury members by the name of Manuel Ilagan has stepped forward and provided all of us with some insight on what was talked about and why they gave Apple this landslide victory.

According to Ilagan, “We found for Apple because of the evidence they presented. It was clear there was infringement.” That statement alone pretty  much tells us that Samsung had no chance in this battle right off the bat. Ilagan also provided what he, and the other jurors, thought were damning evidence against Samsung:

“Well, there were several. The e-mails that went back and forth from Samsung execs about the Apple features that they should incorporate into their devices was pretty damning to me. And also, on the last day, they showed the pictures of the phones that Samsung made before the iPhone came out and ones that they made after the iPhone came out. Some of the Samsung executives they presented on video [testimony] from Korea — I thought they were dodging the questions. They didn’t answer one of them. They didn’t help their cause.”

Ilagan also pointed out that a licencing deal that Samsung had with Intel piled on even more votes towards Apple:

“Samsung’s offensive on Apple that claimed Apple violated two of its patents relating to 3G wireless technology. One patent involved the baseband chip in the iPhone and iPad with 3G. During the trial, Apple turned around and pointed to a licensing deal Samsung had with Intel, which made the chips Apple used. Under that deal, Apple said, Samsung was not able to sue any companies Intel sold to. Apple then presented the receipts from when it purchased the accused chips from Intel.”

According to Ilagan, it only took the jurors the first day to determine that Samsung had indeed infringed on several of Apple’s patents. In Ilagan’s words, “We were debating heavily, especially about the patents on bounce-back and pinch-to-zoom. Apple said they owned patents, but we were debating about the prior art [about the same technology that Samsung said existed before the iPhone debuted].”

It’s easy to assume that the jury may have been a bit haste on their decision, but Iligan claims that every juror took the job very seriously and that they weren’t impatient. According to him, “We wanted to do the right thing, and not skip any evidence. I think we were thorough.”

Ilagan continued on talking about Samsung violating Apple’s “trade dress.”

“Once you determine that Samsung violated the patents, it’s easy to just go down those different [Samsung] products, because it was all the same. Like the trade dress — once you determine Samsung violated the trade dress, the flat screen with the Bezel…then you go down the products to see if it had a bezel. But we took our time. We didn’t rush. We had a debate before we made a decision. Sometimes it was getting heated.”

This part is what infuriated me because what smarphone these days doesn’t have a “flat screen and bezel?” There’s no other way to make a smartphone with today’s current technology. It would be like patenting a car with 4 wheels, is there any other way to make a car? Either way, I can’t blame the jurors on their decision because they’re simply working with the hand they’re dealt. Apple has the patents for it, and the jurors were forced to enforce it with the evidence brought to them. The blame I put this on is the USPTO and our own Robert Nazarian thoroughly explains this in his recent article. If you haven’t read it, I would highly suggest giving it a look.

One thing Ilagan and the other jurors did have a problem with was addressing the issue of unregistered trade dress.

“We were debating the unregistered trade dress claims. That took a while because some of the guys wanted to give protection to round corners, the icons, and rectangles, but they were not registered. So, some of the jurors said ‘Why are we playing patent office? We’re not the patent office. Its not even registered.’ And some of the jurors, when you look at the combination of those features, said it looks like an Apple. But we didn’t want to shut out Samsung from the market because we thought ‘OK, well, if Apple had tried to get a patent for all that stuff and didn’t, so now they wanted us to be the ones to get it for them. We didn’t want to do that.”

It’s clear that what the jurors were referring to was Samsung’s first generation of the Galaxy S line. I’ve always thought it was a clear cut rip-off of the iPhone 3GS, and the jurors realized it too. Down from the shape and icons, it was easy to realize where Samsung generated the design of that phone from.

With everything pretty much going on Apple’s side, the jurors still thought the initial $2.75 billion that Apple was asking for in “damages and lost sales” was too high. The jurors wanted Samsung to feel the punishment, but didn’t want to cripple them at the same time. Thus they felt $1.05 billion was adequate enough.

Ilagan and the rest of the jurors strongly felt that this wouldn’t dampen Samsung too much and knew they would recover from this. According to them, “I’m sure Samsung can recover and do their own designs. There are other ways to design a phone. What was happening was that the appearance [of Samsung's phone] was their downfall. You copied the appearance…. Nokia is still selling phones. BlackBerry is selling phones. Those phones aren’t infringing. There are alternatives out there.”

What do you guys think of how the jurors went about this case? Do you think they gave Samsung a fair shot, or do you think they should have looked into things more thoroughly? I for one cannot blame the jurors whatsoever for making the decision they made. In my opinion, Samsung had no shot of winning this. The facts were laid out and the jurors had no choice but to side with Apple given the patents they owned and the evidence they brought forth to the court. For me, the blame goes to the USPTO for giving Apple these ridiculous patents in the first place.

Sound off in the comments section!

source: c|net

 
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