Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) failed to win a court order blocking Apple Inc. (AAPL) from selling its newest smartphone, the iPhone 4S, in France.
The Paris court rejected Samsung’s request for an emergency order against Apple while it considers the South Korean company’s patent-infringement claims.
Samsung, the biggest maker of smartphones, sought to block sales of the new handset in France, Italy and the U.K. days after it was unveiled in October, arguing Apple violated its wireless-communications patents. Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung sued in Paris in July over earlier versions of the iPhone and Apple’s iPad tablet.
“The disproportionate character of the ban sought by Samsung against Apple is clear,” Judge Marie-Christine Courboulay said in the decision today.
The Paris court ruled Samsung must pay Apple 100,000 euros ($134,100) for legal fees while denying Apple’s request for damages. Samsung’s claim wasn’t “abusive” and the company’s infringement claims can move forward as a regular lawsuit, Courboulay said.
Florence Catel, a Samsung spokeswoman in Paris, declined to comment on the decision. Calls to Apple’s office in London for comment weren’t immediately returned.
Samsung has been locked in a global legal battle with Apple since the Cupertino, California-based company claimed in an April suit that Samsung’s Galaxy devices copied the iPad and iPhone. Samsung was the world’s biggest maker of smartphones in the last quarter, while Apple dominates the tablet market.
30 Lawsuits
The companies have filed at least 30 lawsuits in 10 countries and European Union regulators have started an antitrust probe of the companies’ use of smartphone patents.
A Milan court will hold a hearing Dec. 16 concerning Samsung’s Italian suit. Samsung won a Dec. 3 decision in California, when the U.S. District Court in San Jose rejected Apple’s request to block Samsung’s 4G smartphone and its Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer.(bloomberg.com)
Sabtu, 10 Desember 2011
BlackBerry, Android Users Still Want iPads
The iPad is still the tablet that continues to define the market. In fact, I've said there really is no tablet market, there is just an iPad market. Still, you'd think that if someone had BlackBerry phone they'd be more at home with the RIM PlayBook tablet, and Android owners would be happier with one of a few dozen different Android powered tablets. A recent survey though of 2,500 people indicates that isn't the case. In general, they prefer the iPad to go with their non-Apple smartphone.
With a brace of devices with matching operating systems, you can expect some things to function consistently across devices. You may also be able to save a bit of cash by being able to install the same apps on each device. You may even have some accessories that can be shared, like chargers.
According to a survey conducted last month, 2,500 respondents chose the iPad over 13 competing tablets regardless of what phone they use. BlackBerry owners were most likely to cross party lines and get an iPad instead of the PlayBook. That is particularly bad news for RIM because very few non-BlackBerry owners would have any desire to own a PlayBook since the tablet needs to partner with a BlackBerry phone to reach its full potential. Only 8.5% of BlackBerry customers expressed a desire to remain loyal to RIM.
Android users didn't show much more loyalty to their platform either. The Kindle Fire and Samsung Galaxy Tab, both powered by Android, were only preferred by 15% and 19%, respectively, of users with an Android phone. Compare that to 41% who want an iPad.
I don't see any big shifts in the tablet market for several months at least. The iPad 3 is rumored to be available this coming spring, but it isn't like Apple needs a new product. Sales for the iPad 2 continue to flourish and it is one of the hot items this holiday season, even though in tech terms it is ancient at nine months old.
The only thing that may shake things up is when Windows 8 ships this fall. It is designed to run on tablets and sports the popular Metro interface that was introduced on Windows Phone and came to the Xbox 360 this week. The question is, will Microsoft hardware partners put out compelling devices with great screens, long battery life, and svelte form factors that will be appealing when compared to the iPad? If not, expect the tablet market at the end of 2012 to look very similar to what it does today, which is really just an iPad market.(informationweek.com)
With a brace of devices with matching operating systems, you can expect some things to function consistently across devices. You may also be able to save a bit of cash by being able to install the same apps on each device. You may even have some accessories that can be shared, like chargers.
According to a survey conducted last month, 2,500 respondents chose the iPad over 13 competing tablets regardless of what phone they use. BlackBerry owners were most likely to cross party lines and get an iPad instead of the PlayBook. That is particularly bad news for RIM because very few non-BlackBerry owners would have any desire to own a PlayBook since the tablet needs to partner with a BlackBerry phone to reach its full potential. Only 8.5% of BlackBerry customers expressed a desire to remain loyal to RIM.
Android users didn't show much more loyalty to their platform either. The Kindle Fire and Samsung Galaxy Tab, both powered by Android, were only preferred by 15% and 19%, respectively, of users with an Android phone. Compare that to 41% who want an iPad.
I don't see any big shifts in the tablet market for several months at least. The iPad 3 is rumored to be available this coming spring, but it isn't like Apple needs a new product. Sales for the iPad 2 continue to flourish and it is one of the hot items this holiday season, even though in tech terms it is ancient at nine months old.
The only thing that may shake things up is when Windows 8 ships this fall. It is designed to run on tablets and sports the popular Metro interface that was introduced on Windows Phone and came to the Xbox 360 this week. The question is, will Microsoft hardware partners put out compelling devices with great screens, long battery life, and svelte form factors that will be appealing when compared to the iPad? If not, expect the tablet market at the end of 2012 to look very similar to what it does today, which is really just an iPad market.(informationweek.com)
HP has new plans for WebOS
PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 10 -- U.S. technology giant Hewlett-Packard is planning and developing WebOS devices, Chief Executive Officer Meg Whitman said.
HP, which purchased Palm Inc. in 2010, is also planning to make Palm's WebOS software available as an open-source program, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
Whitman, a former gubernatorial candidate in California, disclosed in two separate interviews that HP would continue to develop hardware, including tablets, for the WebOS platform, the Times said.
HP has had a rocky history with its TouchPad devices. Whitman's predecessor, Leo Apotheker, said in August that HP was backing out of smartphone and TouchPad development, and was studying the option of backing out of computer production.
Soon after he made the announcement, the board elected to send him packing and replaced him with Whitman, a high-profile CEO who made an unsuccessful run for governor in 2010.
Sales of the TouchPad were still disappointing, however, until HP dropped its price to $99, the Times said.(UPI.com)
HP, which purchased Palm Inc. in 2010, is also planning to make Palm's WebOS software available as an open-source program, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
Whitman, a former gubernatorial candidate in California, disclosed in two separate interviews that HP would continue to develop hardware, including tablets, for the WebOS platform, the Times said.
HP has had a rocky history with its TouchPad devices. Whitman's predecessor, Leo Apotheker, said in August that HP was backing out of smartphone and TouchPad development, and was studying the option of backing out of computer production.
Soon after he made the announcement, the board elected to send him packing and replaced him with Whitman, a high-profile CEO who made an unsuccessful run for governor in 2010.
Sales of the TouchPad were still disappointing, however, until HP dropped its price to $99, the Times said.(UPI.com)
Google's Opt-in Facial Recognition Avoids Facebook's Missteps
Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) quiet introduction of facial recognition for its photos application on Google+ is drawing praise from analysts and security researchers alike because it stands in stark contrast to the way Facebook employed similar technology earlier this year.
That is, it's opt-in. Google's Find My Face feature lets its Google+ social network users opt-in to photo tagging. When users opt-in to Find My Face, the next time one of their Google+ contacts adds a photo they're in, they'll see their name as a suggested tag. Users will receive a tag prompt can accept or reject any instance where someone wants to tag them.
"Despite the fact that I am not comfortable with my information being gathered in this manner, providing people with a choice is never a bad thing," wrote Chester Wisniewski, a senior security advisor at security software provider Sophos Canada
. "It is up to every individual to make an *informed* choice about how their personal information is shared and asking their permission is the right approach."
If Find My Face sounds familiar it's because Facebook already beat Google to such a feature called Tag Suggestions, which automatically detects users in photos and links them with their names so that users don't have to manually tag friends.
The tool was actually announced a year ago, but some of Facebook's 800 million-plus users forgot about it. As Facebook gradually rolled Tag Suggestions out in 2011, it drew the ire of enough users for not advising them the feature had been turned on. People can be quite self-conscious about tagged photos because they can provide contextual information that users may want to keep private.
Privacy and U.S. Congressmen took notice. Last June, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Connecticut state Attorney General George Jepsen complained that Facebook should have provided more notice and should instead make the feature opt-in. Facebook then made the tool easier to opt out of
, but it's still an opt-out feature.
A Google spokesperson declined to comment about whether Google looked at Facebook's photo-tagging folly for guidance with the way it implemented Find My Face. However, sources familiar with Google's thinking say the company has learned a lot from Facebook's privacy foibles, which is why it's being careful with Find My Face.
Google also learned a lot from its own social software privacy gaffe. Nearly two years ago, it launched Google Buzz, a social service that exposed its users Gmail contacts to other people. The company quickly altered the service but took a major hit to its reputation for preserving user data and trust.
Altimeter Group analyst Rebecca Lieb called Google's implementation of Find My Face a very smart move at a time when the company is trying to challenge Facebook for the hearts, minds and eyeballs of social network users.
"Google is not interested in making the same mistakes Facebook made," Lieb told eWEEK, adding that even creating the perception that they care about user privacy can go along with consumers. "They are ensuring users they have their privacy interests in mind."
The launch of Find My Face as an opt-in facial recognition tool conveniently came the same day the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a privacy workshop
where it said it would take a hard line against companies that violate consumer privacy using facial recognition technology.(eweek.com)
That is, it's opt-in. Google's Find My Face feature lets its Google+ social network users opt-in to photo tagging. When users opt-in to Find My Face, the next time one of their Google+ contacts adds a photo they're in, they'll see their name as a suggested tag. Users will receive a tag prompt can accept or reject any instance where someone wants to tag them.
"Despite the fact that I am not comfortable with my information being gathered in this manner, providing people with a choice is never a bad thing," wrote Chester Wisniewski, a senior security advisor at security software provider Sophos Canada
. "It is up to every individual to make an *informed* choice about how their personal information is shared and asking their permission is the right approach."
If Find My Face sounds familiar it's because Facebook already beat Google to such a feature called Tag Suggestions, which automatically detects users in photos and links them with their names so that users don't have to manually tag friends.
The tool was actually announced a year ago, but some of Facebook's 800 million-plus users forgot about it. As Facebook gradually rolled Tag Suggestions out in 2011, it drew the ire of enough users for not advising them the feature had been turned on. People can be quite self-conscious about tagged photos because they can provide contextual information that users may want to keep private.
Privacy and U.S. Congressmen took notice. Last June, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Connecticut state Attorney General George Jepsen complained that Facebook should have provided more notice and should instead make the feature opt-in. Facebook then made the tool easier to opt out of
, but it's still an opt-out feature.
A Google spokesperson declined to comment about whether Google looked at Facebook's photo-tagging folly for guidance with the way it implemented Find My Face. However, sources familiar with Google's thinking say the company has learned a lot from Facebook's privacy foibles, which is why it's being careful with Find My Face.
Google also learned a lot from its own social software privacy gaffe. Nearly two years ago, it launched Google Buzz, a social service that exposed its users Gmail contacts to other people. The company quickly altered the service but took a major hit to its reputation for preserving user data and trust.
Altimeter Group analyst Rebecca Lieb called Google's implementation of Find My Face a very smart move at a time when the company is trying to challenge Facebook for the hearts, minds and eyeballs of social network users.
"Google is not interested in making the same mistakes Facebook made," Lieb told eWEEK, adding that even creating the perception that they care about user privacy can go along with consumers. "They are ensuring users they have their privacy interests in mind."
The launch of Find My Face as an opt-in facial recognition tool conveniently came the same day the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a privacy workshop
where it said it would take a hard line against companies that violate consumer privacy using facial recognition technology.(eweek.com)
Jumat, 09 Desember 2011
HP webOS made public
Hewlett-Packard said Friday it is making its webOS mobile operating system available to the open source community and changed course on plans to abandon making tablets based on the platform.
HP will take another shot at making webOS tablets, most likely in 2013, Meg Whitman, the chief executive of the world’s number one computer maker, said in an interview with technology blog TechCrunch.
HP said it will continue to work on and support webOS, but the software platform will become open source, meaning that developers anywhere can tinker with it as they wish and it will be available for anyone to use free of charge.
“WebOS is the only platform designed from the ground up to be mobile, cloud-connected and scalable,” Whitman said in a statement.
“By contributing this innovation, HP unleashes the creativity of the open source community to advance a new generation of applications and devices.”
Palo Alto, California-based HP announced in August it would stop making smartphones and tablet computers using the webOS software acquired from Palm in a $1.2 billion deal last year.
Citing disappointing sales, HP announced on August 18 it was discontinuing the TouchPad, a tablet computer powered by webOS, just seven weeks after it hit the market.
Two weeks later, HP said it planned one last production run of the TouchPad, which became a hot seller following a price cut from $499 to just $99 and the announcement that it was being abandoned.
TouchPad was the top-selling tablet computer in the United States after Apple’s iPad in the first 10 months of the year, market research company NPD Group reported last month.
Whitman, who replaced Leo Apotheker as HP’s chief executive in September, told TechCrunch that HP will likely develop webOS-powered tablets in 2013 and will “bet heavily” on tablets running Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
Making webOS open source naturally leads to HP making devices for the platform and operating an online shop selling third-party applications for webOS, according to Silicon Valley analyst Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group.
“The two fastest growing areas for personal technology are smartphones and tablets,” Enderle said. “To make this viable, HP is going to have to play in those spaces.”
The analyst said he believed the webOS move held promise since the mobile operating system is well protected by HP’s patent portfolio and licensing deals the company has with Microsoft.
Google’s open source Android operating system has been pounded with patent lawsuits from Apple and Microsoft, eating into its appeal for device makers despite the popularity of the platform.
WebOS security also promised to stem the kinds of problems Android has had with computer viruses being hidden in third-party applications tailored for devices, Enderle said.
“This is probably going to be a major portion of what defines her presidency at HP,” Enderle said of webOS. “It has the makings of a signature project for Whitman.”(mybroadband.co.za)
HP will take another shot at making webOS tablets, most likely in 2013, Meg Whitman, the chief executive of the world’s number one computer maker, said in an interview with technology blog TechCrunch.
HP said it will continue to work on and support webOS, but the software platform will become open source, meaning that developers anywhere can tinker with it as they wish and it will be available for anyone to use free of charge.
“WebOS is the only platform designed from the ground up to be mobile, cloud-connected and scalable,” Whitman said in a statement.
“By contributing this innovation, HP unleashes the creativity of the open source community to advance a new generation of applications and devices.”
Palo Alto, California-based HP announced in August it would stop making smartphones and tablet computers using the webOS software acquired from Palm in a $1.2 billion deal last year.
Citing disappointing sales, HP announced on August 18 it was discontinuing the TouchPad, a tablet computer powered by webOS, just seven weeks after it hit the market.
Two weeks later, HP said it planned one last production run of the TouchPad, which became a hot seller following a price cut from $499 to just $99 and the announcement that it was being abandoned.
TouchPad was the top-selling tablet computer in the United States after Apple’s iPad in the first 10 months of the year, market research company NPD Group reported last month.
Whitman, who replaced Leo Apotheker as HP’s chief executive in September, told TechCrunch that HP will likely develop webOS-powered tablets in 2013 and will “bet heavily” on tablets running Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
Making webOS open source naturally leads to HP making devices for the platform and operating an online shop selling third-party applications for webOS, according to Silicon Valley analyst Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group.
“The two fastest growing areas for personal technology are smartphones and tablets,” Enderle said. “To make this viable, HP is going to have to play in those spaces.”
The analyst said he believed the webOS move held promise since the mobile operating system is well protected by HP’s patent portfolio and licensing deals the company has with Microsoft.
Google’s open source Android operating system has been pounded with patent lawsuits from Apple and Microsoft, eating into its appeal for device makers despite the popularity of the platform.
WebOS security also promised to stem the kinds of problems Android has had with computer viruses being hidden in third-party applications tailored for devices, Enderle said.
“This is probably going to be a major portion of what defines her presidency at HP,” Enderle said of webOS. “It has the makings of a signature project for Whitman.”(mybroadband.co.za)
Twitter Redesign Courts Businesses, Catches Up With Facebook, Google+
Social networking company Twitter announced a slew of changes to the online and mobile versions of the microblogging site Dec. 8, including a simplified design to make it easier to connect with others.
The company also updated the TweetDeck desktop application to be consistent with the new version. As more businesses—large enterprises, as well as small and midsize firms—delve into the world of social media to help market their products and sell their services, the Twitter redesign can help companies reach their potential audience more quickly, as the site now offers greater simplicity, thanks to four menu tabs, which are the same across mobile and desktop devices.
Twitter is not the only social media company looking for ways to offer more functionality for business users. Both Facebook and Google+, Google’s recently released social networking site, offer companies different ways to brand and advertise themselves online, while connecting to like-minded social networking users.
On the homepage tab, photos, videos and conversations are embedded directly in tweets, allowing businesses to offer visual details of products and special offers and to spread viral marketing campaigns. The new Connect section is where businesses can get in on the conversation by seeing who has followed or mentioned the company, or who retweeted or favorited one of the tweets, giving businesses insight into potentially untapped customers or enabling them to respond to compliments (or criticisms).
The Discover tab lets users tap into a stream of information that can be customized just for a business based on current location, what you follow and what’s happening in the world. As Twitter use increases, Discover gets even better at serving up more content that applies directly to the company’s market and interests through tracking people, organizations or brands. The Discover tab also lets users search for contacts by name and import contacts from an email account.
The updated profile section, the Me tab, puts businesses’ interests front and center. Direct messages allow users to send personal messages to followers and receive personal messages from those being followed, which can help with personal customer service issues or product questions. Customers can also see a gallery of product images or marketing videos the company has recently shared.
Finally, Twitter has updated the Tweet tab to help send business messages out into the world, and link to videos and news stories and more directly in tweets. Users can tag their locations to send out information from trade shows or different store locations to promote certain products or sales events, and businesses can associate their tweets with trends and ideas by adding the hashtag symbol (#) before a relevant phrase—for example, #appdevelopment. This way, when anyone searches for that trend or phrase, the tweet—and the sender's business—is more likely to appear in the results.
Small businesses are becoming more comfortable with social media marketing and are using it more when engaging with customers, while also allocating more time to social media marketing to engage their targets, according to a November report from marketing specialist Constant Contact. A full 81 percent reported using social media to market their businesses, up from 73 percent in the spring of 2011.
Twitter is quickly gaining ground as usage surged in the last six months, from 60 percent in spring 2011 to 76 percent in November. Effectiveness scores also improved across certain key social media marketing channels in just six months, with 60 percent of those using Twitter finding it effective for marketing their business, up from 47 percent in spring 2011.(eweek.com)
The company also updated the TweetDeck desktop application to be consistent with the new version. As more businesses—large enterprises, as well as small and midsize firms—delve into the world of social media to help market their products and sell their services, the Twitter redesign can help companies reach their potential audience more quickly, as the site now offers greater simplicity, thanks to four menu tabs, which are the same across mobile and desktop devices.
Twitter is not the only social media company looking for ways to offer more functionality for business users. Both Facebook and Google+, Google’s recently released social networking site, offer companies different ways to brand and advertise themselves online, while connecting to like-minded social networking users.
On the homepage tab, photos, videos and conversations are embedded directly in tweets, allowing businesses to offer visual details of products and special offers and to spread viral marketing campaigns. The new Connect section is where businesses can get in on the conversation by seeing who has followed or mentioned the company, or who retweeted or favorited one of the tweets, giving businesses insight into potentially untapped customers or enabling them to respond to compliments (or criticisms).
The Discover tab lets users tap into a stream of information that can be customized just for a business based on current location, what you follow and what’s happening in the world. As Twitter use increases, Discover gets even better at serving up more content that applies directly to the company’s market and interests through tracking people, organizations or brands. The Discover tab also lets users search for contacts by name and import contacts from an email account.
The updated profile section, the Me tab, puts businesses’ interests front and center. Direct messages allow users to send personal messages to followers and receive personal messages from those being followed, which can help with personal customer service issues or product questions. Customers can also see a gallery of product images or marketing videos the company has recently shared.
Finally, Twitter has updated the Tweet tab to help send business messages out into the world, and link to videos and news stories and more directly in tweets. Users can tag their locations to send out information from trade shows or different store locations to promote certain products or sales events, and businesses can associate their tweets with trends and ideas by adding the hashtag symbol (#) before a relevant phrase—for example, #appdevelopment. This way, when anyone searches for that trend or phrase, the tweet—and the sender's business—is more likely to appear in the results.
Small businesses are becoming more comfortable with social media marketing and are using it more when engaging with customers, while also allocating more time to social media marketing to engage their targets, according to a November report from marketing specialist Constant Contact. A full 81 percent reported using social media to market their businesses, up from 73 percent in the spring of 2011.
Twitter is quickly gaining ground as usage surged in the last six months, from 60 percent in spring 2011 to 76 percent in November. Effectiveness scores also improved across certain key social media marketing channels in just six months, with 60 percent of those using Twitter finding it effective for marketing their business, up from 47 percent in spring 2011.(eweek.com)
Google's Chrome Will Run Console Games!
Don't look for id Software's Rage or Bethesda's Skyrim in your browser anytime soon, but it sounds like Google has big time gaming plans for its Chrome platform—plans that already involve running stuff like Xbox Live Arcade game Bastion in Chrome directly.
Google demoed Bastion running in its Chrome browser at a press event last night after working on the technology to make such a feat possible for three years, says CNet, adding that "[Bastion's] gameplay was smooth and...the graphics were highly detailed."
The technology's called "Native Client," or NaCl—an allusion to the periodic symbol for salt, implying per the dictionary definition that it "makes things more interesting"—and it's powerful enough to allow a sophisticated action roleplaying game like Bastion to run in Google's browser today. I mean literally today. You can grab Bastion from the Chrome store now for $15 (though, caveat, gamepad's aren't yet supported—boo hiss!).
According to Bastion's developer Supergiant Games:
This latest version of Bastion is built to run right in your web browser, using Google’s new Native Client technology. This really is the full Bastion experience, featuring our highly acclaimed 1080p artwork, musical score, reactive narration, and play experience, all built to run fast and smooth just like our Xbox 360 and PC versions. And, much like those versions, you can play through the prologue for free. The full game can be unlocked for $14.99.
You'll need at least a 1.7 GHz dual-core rig, 2GB of memory, 1GB of hard disk space, and a video card that with 512MB memory that supports shader model 2—pretty minimal specs, in other words.
And all that's just for starters. Google apparently used last night's event to announce that Chrome has over 200 million users, and to highlight other upcoming Chrome-based games. Look for IO Interactive's Mini Ninjas soon, for instance, courtesy Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix.(pcworld.com)
Google demoed Bastion running in its Chrome browser at a press event last night after working on the technology to make such a feat possible for three years, says CNet, adding that "[Bastion's] gameplay was smooth and...the graphics were highly detailed."
The technology's called "Native Client," or NaCl—an allusion to the periodic symbol for salt, implying per the dictionary definition that it "makes things more interesting"—and it's powerful enough to allow a sophisticated action roleplaying game like Bastion to run in Google's browser today. I mean literally today. You can grab Bastion from the Chrome store now for $15 (though, caveat, gamepad's aren't yet supported—boo hiss!).
According to Bastion's developer Supergiant Games:
This latest version of Bastion is built to run right in your web browser, using Google’s new Native Client technology. This really is the full Bastion experience, featuring our highly acclaimed 1080p artwork, musical score, reactive narration, and play experience, all built to run fast and smooth just like our Xbox 360 and PC versions. And, much like those versions, you can play through the prologue for free. The full game can be unlocked for $14.99.
You'll need at least a 1.7 GHz dual-core rig, 2GB of memory, 1GB of hard disk space, and a video card that with 512MB memory that supports shader model 2—pretty minimal specs, in other words.
And all that's just for starters. Google apparently used last night's event to announce that Chrome has over 200 million users, and to highlight other upcoming Chrome-based games. Look for IO Interactive's Mini Ninjas soon, for instance, courtesy Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix.(pcworld.com)
Motorola wins Apple wireless patent fight in German
Motorola Mobility could now try to force Apple's 3G products off Germany's shop shelves Continue reading the main story
Related Stories Australia lifts Samsung sales ban German HTC retailers face lawsuit Amazon's patent troubles spiral
A German court has ruled in Motorola Mobility's favour in a patents dispute with Apple.
The Android smartphone maker had complained that Apple failed to license one of its wireless intellectual properties.
Apple uses the technology in its iPhones and 3G iPads.
Motorola could now try to force Apple to remove the feature from its devices or halt sales in Germany. However, Apple said it intended to appeal.
Motorola said the ruling validated its "efforts to enforce its patents against Apple's infringement".
Apple responded: "We're going to appeal the court's ruling right away. Holiday shoppers in Germany should have no problem finding the iPad or iPhone they want."
If Motorola does decide to pursue an injunction blocking sales of Apple's products the case could result in a clash between the iPad maker and Google - Motorola's shareholders have approved the search giant's takeover of their company and the deal is due to be completed in 2012.
Fighting times
The case relates to Motorola's patent for a "method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system".
Motorola licenses this patent to others on Frand (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms.
The owner of a Frand-type patent is obligated to license out its technology to third-parties because the invention has been declared to be essential to an industry standard.
Apple had offered to pay a Frand-set fee going forward and was willing to pay a similar rate for past infringements. But it lost the case because it tried to retain the right to contest the validity of the patent with a view to past damages.
It tried to do this because Motorola had defended its right to charge an above-Frand rate for Apple's use of its technology over the past four years. This could have been many times higher than the rate Apple was willing to pay and potentially very expensive.
Motorola will have to post a 100m euro (£85m; $133m) bond if it wishes to enforce a sales injunction against Apple. The cash would cover compensation to Apple if the ruling was later overturned.
Motorola welcomed the ruling.
"We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our intellectual property, as the company's patent portfolio and licensing agreements with companies both in the US and around the world are critical to our business," said Scott Offer, senior vice-president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility.
"We have been negotiating with Apple and offering them reasonable licensing terms and conditions since 2007, and will continue our efforts to resolve our global patent dispute as soon as practicable."
Appeal details
Patent watchers say it could be years before the case is resolved.
"This is really a given between such large players in high stakes disputes," said Florian Mueller, a patent consultant who revealed the court's verdict on his blog.
"In Germany you get a first ruling by a regional court rather quickly - this litigation started in April this year. Usually between companies of this stature the disputes go to the higher regional court and that could take a couple of years," Mr Mueller told the BBC.
Mr Mueller advises Microsoft and others and has campaigned for patent reform in Europe.
He said Apple could try to revise its products, but noted that Frand-type patents were, by their nature, hard to work around. He added that doing so could run the risk of causing communication problems with the mobile networks' equipment.
Samsung tablet ban
Although Apple is on the receiving end of this lawsuit it has also been very active in the courts suing HTC, Samsung and Motorola among others for claimed patent infringements.
It temporarily managed to have Samsung's tablets banned from sale in Australia, although the restriction was overturned earlier today.
The US International Trade Commission is expected to rule on its dispute with Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC on 14 December. The judgement could lead to shipments of HTC's products being blocked in the US.
Although the targets of Apple's lawsuits are often firms which use Google's Android software, the two firms have avoided suing each other. That is set to change when Google's takeover of Motorola Mobility is completed early next year.
"Google with its pending acquisition will be watching this case with great interest as any victory is an endorsement of Motorola's patent portfolio that it is seeking to acquire," said Ben Cross, director of research at the telecoms consultancy CCS Insight.(bbc.co.uk)
Related Stories Australia lifts Samsung sales ban German HTC retailers face lawsuit Amazon's patent troubles spiral
A German court has ruled in Motorola Mobility's favour in a patents dispute with Apple.
The Android smartphone maker had complained that Apple failed to license one of its wireless intellectual properties.
Apple uses the technology in its iPhones and 3G iPads.
Motorola could now try to force Apple to remove the feature from its devices or halt sales in Germany. However, Apple said it intended to appeal.
Motorola said the ruling validated its "efforts to enforce its patents against Apple's infringement".
Apple responded: "We're going to appeal the court's ruling right away. Holiday shoppers in Germany should have no problem finding the iPad or iPhone they want."
If Motorola does decide to pursue an injunction blocking sales of Apple's products the case could result in a clash between the iPad maker and Google - Motorola's shareholders have approved the search giant's takeover of their company and the deal is due to be completed in 2012.
Fighting times
The case relates to Motorola's patent for a "method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system".
Motorola licenses this patent to others on Frand (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms.
The owner of a Frand-type patent is obligated to license out its technology to third-parties because the invention has been declared to be essential to an industry standard.
Apple had offered to pay a Frand-set fee going forward and was willing to pay a similar rate for past infringements. But it lost the case because it tried to retain the right to contest the validity of the patent with a view to past damages.
It tried to do this because Motorola had defended its right to charge an above-Frand rate for Apple's use of its technology over the past four years. This could have been many times higher than the rate Apple was willing to pay and potentially very expensive.
Motorola will have to post a 100m euro (£85m; $133m) bond if it wishes to enforce a sales injunction against Apple. The cash would cover compensation to Apple if the ruling was later overturned.
Motorola welcomed the ruling.
"We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our intellectual property, as the company's patent portfolio and licensing agreements with companies both in the US and around the world are critical to our business," said Scott Offer, senior vice-president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility.
"We have been negotiating with Apple and offering them reasonable licensing terms and conditions since 2007, and will continue our efforts to resolve our global patent dispute as soon as practicable."
Appeal details
Patent watchers say it could be years before the case is resolved.
"This is really a given between such large players in high stakes disputes," said Florian Mueller, a patent consultant who revealed the court's verdict on his blog.
"In Germany you get a first ruling by a regional court rather quickly - this litigation started in April this year. Usually between companies of this stature the disputes go to the higher regional court and that could take a couple of years," Mr Mueller told the BBC.
Mr Mueller advises Microsoft and others and has campaigned for patent reform in Europe.
He said Apple could try to revise its products, but noted that Frand-type patents were, by their nature, hard to work around. He added that doing so could run the risk of causing communication problems with the mobile networks' equipment.
Samsung tablet ban
Although Apple is on the receiving end of this lawsuit it has also been very active in the courts suing HTC, Samsung and Motorola among others for claimed patent infringements.
It temporarily managed to have Samsung's tablets banned from sale in Australia, although the restriction was overturned earlier today.
The US International Trade Commission is expected to rule on its dispute with Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC on 14 December. The judgement could lead to shipments of HTC's products being blocked in the US.
Although the targets of Apple's lawsuits are often firms which use Google's Android software, the two firms have avoided suing each other. That is set to change when Google's takeover of Motorola Mobility is completed early next year.
"Google with its pending acquisition will be watching this case with great interest as any victory is an endorsement of Motorola's patent portfolio that it is seeking to acquire," said Ben Cross, director of research at the telecoms consultancy CCS Insight.(bbc.co.uk)
Motorola scores Apple iPhone/iPad injunction in Germany
Motorola Mobility has won a wireless patent case against Apple in Germany this morning, meaning – unless Apple can secure a stay until an appeal can be heard – the iPhone and iPad could be blocked from sale in the country. A Germany court ruled that Apple’s cellularly-enabled devices infringe European Patent 1010336, detailing a “method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system” FOSS Patents reports, and deemed an essential component of the GPRS data standard. Motorola will have to cough up a €100m bond if it wants to chase a sales injunction, however.
That bond – which is designed to cover Apple’s losses should the patent case be subsequently overturned while an injunction was imposed – is considerably less than the €2bn the Cupertino company’s legal team demanded. If Motorola Mobility pushes ahead, Apple is almost certain to request a stay on the injunction while it files an appeal. The original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad WiFi + 3G and iPad 2 WiFi + 3G are all named in Motorola’s case, though the iPhone 4S is also likely to be impacted.
Apple could attempt to modify its products to work around Motorola’s patent, though it’s unclear how feasible such an endeavor might be. Alternatively, under European law, Apple could seek to license the patent; the company has already attempted to license it under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms, but Motorola managed to convince the court that the damages involved should Apple be found to have infringed would exceed FRAND rates. Motorola could agree to a license covering future products, but not applying retrospectively, and insist on damages for Apple’s past infringement.
The general opinion is that Apple will seek to convince an appeals court that Motorola should grant a compulsory FRAND license, with minimal penalties for past actions. There’s no word on when the appeal might be heard.
That bond – which is designed to cover Apple’s losses should the patent case be subsequently overturned while an injunction was imposed – is considerably less than the €2bn the Cupertino company’s legal team demanded. If Motorola Mobility pushes ahead, Apple is almost certain to request a stay on the injunction while it files an appeal. The original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad WiFi + 3G and iPad 2 WiFi + 3G are all named in Motorola’s case, though the iPhone 4S is also likely to be impacted.
Apple could attempt to modify its products to work around Motorola’s patent, though it’s unclear how feasible such an endeavor might be. Alternatively, under European law, Apple could seek to license the patent; the company has already attempted to license it under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms, but Motorola managed to convince the court that the damages involved should Apple be found to have infringed would exceed FRAND rates. Motorola could agree to a license covering future products, but not applying retrospectively, and insist on damages for Apple’s past infringement.
The general opinion is that Apple will seek to convince an appeals court that Motorola should grant a compulsory FRAND license, with minimal penalties for past actions. There’s no word on when the appeal might be heard.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus launch will not include Google Wallet, says Verizon
The launch of the Galaxy Nexus, the newest Google Android phone, has been shrouded in mystery. One feature that will not appear on the Nexus is Google Wallet, according to Verizon. As Hayley Tsukayama reported:
Those eager to buy the Google Galaxy Nexus in order to use its near-field communications chip for their shopping needs may be disappointed. Verizon — the only official carrier for the phone — has said that it will not support Google Wallet in its phones. Google confirmed that Verizon asked the company not to include the feature in the Galaxy Nexus phone.
Verizon is denying that it’s “blocking” the app, however, and said that it is in “commercial discussions” with Google on the matter.
In a statement, Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said that Google Wallet requires different considerations because it’s simply different from other apps.
“Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications,” Nelson said in a statement. “Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones.”
Others, however, say that Verizon isn’t supporting Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus because the company is working with AT&T and T-Mobile on its own contactless payment service, ISIS.
Media reform group Free Press said Tuesday that Verizon’s decision is hurting consumers, competition and innovation, and illustrates a need for stronger consumer protections from the Federal Communications Commission.
Even the price of the new Galaxy Nexus is under wraps, as the phone nears release. Some reports have put the price at $299, yet Verizon has not confirmed it. As Hayley Tsukayama explained:
The Galaxy Nexus, the highly-anticipated flagship phone of Google’s next Android operating system, has been a bit of a mystery. Not only has Verizon been quiet about when customers will be able to see the brand-new phone on store shelves, it’s also been mum about how much the phone will cost.
A report from Dow Jones Newswires, citing “people familiar with the matter,” pegs the phone’s cost at $299.99, which seems to be Verizon’s new standard for its premium smartphones.
The Droid RAZR, which the company is pushing hard in advance of the Galaxy Nexus announcement, is priced at $299.99, as is the HTC Rezound. Given the speed and power of the 4G phones, the report said, Verizon may feel more comfortable pricing the phones at the same range as high-demand devices such as the iPhone.
The Galaxy Nexus is certainly seen by some analysts as the most credible competitor to the iPhone so far, even outstripping it in some respect because it’s capable of running on Verizon’s 4G network. The phone has a bigger screen than the iPhone and, of course, has the distinction of being the first phone to run Google’s new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
The new system has quite a few experimental perks and features, such as the ability to unlock the phone using facial recognition and an NFC chip that will let users exchange information by tapping their phones together. One of the Galaxy Nexus’s functions, however, will not be a part of its U.S. release: the ability to pay with Google Wallet by using the chip. A report from the Associated Press said that Verizon is not enabling Google Wallet on its phones, likely because the company is involved in Isis, a competing payment system that uses NFC technology.
While the release date and price are still unknown, analysts have given the Galaxy Nexus strong early reviews. As Hayley Tsukayama reported :
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus — Google’s next flagship phone — has been getting strong early reviews ahead of its as-yet unannounced U.S. launch date. The phone hit stores in Britain Thursday, and reviewers are calling it the best Android phone yet. The Galaxy Nexus will launch in the U.S. on Verizon’s LTE network, but the review units handed out by Google run on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network — the international version.
Mashable’s Charlie White said that the hardware and software on the phone are fantastic, though he cautioned that the 4.65-inch screen may be a bit too big for people with smaller hands. The on-screen buttons that are baked into Google’s latest operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich, also eliminate the need for a bezel on the phone, apart from the space needed for the camera.
Edward C. Baig at USA Today called the phone a major upgrade, though he said that he doesn’t feel as if he’s had the phone long enough to give it a thorough review. His early impression, though, is favorable. He likes the phone’s camera, which shoots without lag thanks to Google’s new camera functionalities. He said that the phone is snappy and light, though he thinks the battery life will be short. Baig did, however, like that the phone gave him information on what was draining the battery (no surprises here: it’s mostly the screen) and on data consumption.(washingtonpost.com)
Those eager to buy the Google Galaxy Nexus in order to use its near-field communications chip for their shopping needs may be disappointed. Verizon — the only official carrier for the phone — has said that it will not support Google Wallet in its phones. Google confirmed that Verizon asked the company not to include the feature in the Galaxy Nexus phone.
Verizon is denying that it’s “blocking” the app, however, and said that it is in “commercial discussions” with Google on the matter.
In a statement, Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said that Google Wallet requires different considerations because it’s simply different from other apps.
“Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications,” Nelson said in a statement. “Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones.”
Others, however, say that Verizon isn’t supporting Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus because the company is working with AT&T and T-Mobile on its own contactless payment service, ISIS.
Media reform group Free Press said Tuesday that Verizon’s decision is hurting consumers, competition and innovation, and illustrates a need for stronger consumer protections from the Federal Communications Commission.
Even the price of the new Galaxy Nexus is under wraps, as the phone nears release. Some reports have put the price at $299, yet Verizon has not confirmed it. As Hayley Tsukayama explained:
The Galaxy Nexus, the highly-anticipated flagship phone of Google’s next Android operating system, has been a bit of a mystery. Not only has Verizon been quiet about when customers will be able to see the brand-new phone on store shelves, it’s also been mum about how much the phone will cost.
A report from Dow Jones Newswires, citing “people familiar with the matter,” pegs the phone’s cost at $299.99, which seems to be Verizon’s new standard for its premium smartphones.
The Droid RAZR, which the company is pushing hard in advance of the Galaxy Nexus announcement, is priced at $299.99, as is the HTC Rezound. Given the speed and power of the 4G phones, the report said, Verizon may feel more comfortable pricing the phones at the same range as high-demand devices such as the iPhone.
The Galaxy Nexus is certainly seen by some analysts as the most credible competitor to the iPhone so far, even outstripping it in some respect because it’s capable of running on Verizon’s 4G network. The phone has a bigger screen than the iPhone and, of course, has the distinction of being the first phone to run Google’s new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
The new system has quite a few experimental perks and features, such as the ability to unlock the phone using facial recognition and an NFC chip that will let users exchange information by tapping their phones together. One of the Galaxy Nexus’s functions, however, will not be a part of its U.S. release: the ability to pay with Google Wallet by using the chip. A report from the Associated Press said that Verizon is not enabling Google Wallet on its phones, likely because the company is involved in Isis, a competing payment system that uses NFC technology.
While the release date and price are still unknown, analysts have given the Galaxy Nexus strong early reviews. As Hayley Tsukayama reported :
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus — Google’s next flagship phone — has been getting strong early reviews ahead of its as-yet unannounced U.S. launch date. The phone hit stores in Britain Thursday, and reviewers are calling it the best Android phone yet. The Galaxy Nexus will launch in the U.S. on Verizon’s LTE network, but the review units handed out by Google run on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network — the international version.
Mashable’s Charlie White said that the hardware and software on the phone are fantastic, though he cautioned that the 4.65-inch screen may be a bit too big for people with smaller hands. The on-screen buttons that are baked into Google’s latest operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich, also eliminate the need for a bezel on the phone, apart from the space needed for the camera.
Edward C. Baig at USA Today called the phone a major upgrade, though he said that he doesn’t feel as if he’s had the phone long enough to give it a thorough review. His early impression, though, is favorable. He likes the phone’s camera, which shoots without lag thanks to Google’s new camera functionalities. He said that the phone is snappy and light, though he thinks the battery life will be short. Baig did, however, like that the phone gave him information on what was draining the battery (no surprises here: it’s mostly the screen) and on data consumption.(washingtonpost.com)
PC Shortfall in 2012 Caused by HDD Shortages: IHS iSuppli
The flooding in Thailand, which is causing shortages in HDD supplies, will mean 3.8 million fewer PCs shipping in the first quarter 2012, IHS iSuppli analysts say.
The shortage of hard disk drives caused by the recent flooding in Thailand will limit the number of PCs that will ship in the first quarter of 2012, according to market research firm IHS iSuppli.
IHS iSuppli analysts are cutting their first-quarter PC forecast by 3.8 million units— to 84.2 million—and reducing their full-year growth numbers for 2012, saying worldwide PC shipments for the entire year will rise 6.8 percent over 2011, down from the 9.5 percent growth the firm forecasted in August.
Getting hit the hardest will be notebooks, which are the systems most impacted by the HDD shortages, the IHS iSuppli analysts said in a report Dec. 8. They are now predicting that notebook shipments will grow 10.1 percent year-over-year in the first quarter 2012, down from the 13.8 percent they initially forecasted.
“The PC supply chain says it has sufficient HDD inventory for the fourth quarter of 2011,” Matthew Wilkins, senior principal analyst of compute platforms for IHS iSuppli, said in a statement. “However, those stockpiles will run out in the first quarter of 2012, impacting PC production during that period.”
The monsoon season hit Thailand early and hard this year, causing flooding that started in October and lasted weeks. The floods impacted the HDD industry the hardest—Thailand assembles about 70 percent of the world’s hard disk drives.
The HDD shortages are not the only challenge facing the PC industry, IHS iSuppli analysts said. Continued weakening in demand for PCs—thanks in part to the rise in popularity of tablets—and the difficult global economic situation also are contributing. However, the flooding is having a particularly strong impact. Total unit PC shipments in 2012 are now expected to be 376 million, down from the firm’s previous forecast of 399 million.
The analysts expect the HDD supply issues to improve in the first quarter, with major suppliers already moving production to locations outside of Thailand. However, shortfalls will continue, with supply not beginning to meet demand until the end of the third quarter in 2012, they said. Meanwhile, PC shipments should rebound in the second half of the year, though not enough to keep the analysts from reducing their year-long forecast.
However, the HDD supplies do rebound, they will swing back hard, the IHS iSuppli analysts said. Once the Thailand production facilities get back up to full speed, the output from those combined with the supplies from the facilities outside of the country could result in an excess of supply, they said.(eweek.com)
The shortage of hard disk drives caused by the recent flooding in Thailand will limit the number of PCs that will ship in the first quarter of 2012, according to market research firm IHS iSuppli.
IHS iSuppli analysts are cutting their first-quarter PC forecast by 3.8 million units— to 84.2 million—and reducing their full-year growth numbers for 2012, saying worldwide PC shipments for the entire year will rise 6.8 percent over 2011, down from the 9.5 percent growth the firm forecasted in August.
Getting hit the hardest will be notebooks, which are the systems most impacted by the HDD shortages, the IHS iSuppli analysts said in a report Dec. 8. They are now predicting that notebook shipments will grow 10.1 percent year-over-year in the first quarter 2012, down from the 13.8 percent they initially forecasted.
“The PC supply chain says it has sufficient HDD inventory for the fourth quarter of 2011,” Matthew Wilkins, senior principal analyst of compute platforms for IHS iSuppli, said in a statement. “However, those stockpiles will run out in the first quarter of 2012, impacting PC production during that period.”
The monsoon season hit Thailand early and hard this year, causing flooding that started in October and lasted weeks. The floods impacted the HDD industry the hardest—Thailand assembles about 70 percent of the world’s hard disk drives.
The HDD shortages are not the only challenge facing the PC industry, IHS iSuppli analysts said. Continued weakening in demand for PCs—thanks in part to the rise in popularity of tablets—and the difficult global economic situation also are contributing. However, the flooding is having a particularly strong impact. Total unit PC shipments in 2012 are now expected to be 376 million, down from the firm’s previous forecast of 399 million.
The analysts expect the HDD supply issues to improve in the first quarter, with major suppliers already moving production to locations outside of Thailand. However, shortfalls will continue, with supply not beginning to meet demand until the end of the third quarter in 2012, they said. Meanwhile, PC shipments should rebound in the second half of the year, though not enough to keep the analysts from reducing their year-long forecast.
However, the HDD supplies do rebound, they will swing back hard, the IHS iSuppli analysts said. Once the Thailand production facilities get back up to full speed, the output from those combined with the supplies from the facilities outside of the country could result in an excess of supply, they said.(eweek.com)
Kamis, 08 Desember 2011
Motorola, Sony Ericsson explain to customers why they won't get the new Android 4.0 for months
Unlike Apple, which immediately released its new iOS 5 on the same day for all its current devices, including models that are now over two years old, Motorola Mobility and Sony Ericsson are offering their customers excuses as to why the latest release of Google's Android 4.0 won't be available to them for many more months, if ever.
Motorla Mobility and Sony Ericsson have issued lengthly explanations offering various reasons why their customers won't receive updates anytime soon to Google's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which was made available in a generic form three weeks ago. The explanations highlight a major difference between Apple's integrated iOS software and Google's broadly licensed Android platform.
Open like Windows, if it were only launched by Dell
"Like you, we are excited to see that Google released the source code to Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS)!"
Motorola stated in a blog posting.
"There are many steps and processes that go into Ice Cream Sandwich in a way that works for the carrier and for you," Motorola states, adding, "once source code is released from Google, it doesn’t automatically update to your device." Both Motorola and Sony Ericsson are members of the Open Handset Alliance tasked with developing Android, and therefore might be understood to be privy to the development of the latest Android release before its final appearance.
However, Motorola explains that "each new version of Android launches with one device partner, in what is called the 'Google Experience Device' or GED, the showcase device for a new Android release."
A very short list of Motorola's Android 4.0 updates
Outside of the launch partner, other members of the Android community only gain "access to the Android source code as its [sic] made public shortly after," Motorola explains.
Now that has happened, the company says it is "currently assessing this source code, and over the next month we will be determining which devices will get the upgrade and when.
" Android licensees' lists of supported devices that will get updates to the latest release of Android typically only involve very recent, new devices. In Motorola's case, it only notes the Droid RAZR, Droid Bionic and Xoom tablets as its current targets for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This excludes the once highly touted Motorola Atrix 4G that was launched alongside Apple's iPhone 4 last year, along with the also relatively new and widely sold Droid 2, Droid X and X2 models, all of which will be stuck with last year's Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The original Droid/Milestone, which arrived a few months after Apple's iPhone 3GS, is stuck on Android 2.2 Froyo, an even older release.
Sony Ericsson similarly noted that the release of Android 4.0 "meant the start of an intensive period for the engineers at Sony Ericsson, in order to create a working, stable and certified software release of Ice Cream Sandwich for our 2011 Xperia™ phones." That excludes support for Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10, released in the US last fall with specs similar to the iPhone 4.
It will be stuck with Gingerbread, but as Wikipedia notes, "Since the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) update the phone has suffered a stuttering in play or streaming of music regardless of file association. The only solution currently is to root your phone and apply a patch located on the XDA developers forum. Sony refuses to acknowledge the problem and have as of late offered no solution to this bug."
This fractionalization of the Android platform means that developers have few reasons to incorporate support for features in the latest version of Android, because most Android users are still using a version that's over a year old (according to Google). As of December 1, half of the traffic visiting Android Market is still using last winter's 2.3.Gingerbread, while more than 45 percent is using an even older version.
The long road to releasing Android 4.0
For the few models it chooses to support with an update, Motorola says it must spend some time incorporating support for unique hardware involved in its products, including the specific processors, GPUs and other chips that are not natively supported in the generic Android release.
"This is also the time when we begin integrating all of the Motorola-specific software enhancements into the source code," the company adds. " Features like MotoCast, Smart Actions, and our comprehensive enterprise solutions are integral parts of our device experiences, and we want to make sure we continue delivering differentiated experiences for our consumers with these software upgrades."
Some of Motorola's additional software has had the side effect of breaking Android's permissions-based security system, although not nearly as bad as HTC and Samsung's additional software, which researchers note has opened up the ability for rogue apps to steal private, data, track users' precise locations, wipe the phone entirely, or record calls and send paid SMS messages.
Carriers add more months to Android rollouts
Once an Android licensee has finished working out release bugs to an acceptable level, it releases its hardware-specific updates to the mobile carriers, which have to test and certify the updates, something that Motorola says can involve "a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months."
"Contrary to what people may think," Sony Ericsson states, "it is not the Bring up phase [adding vendor hardware and software customizations], but the Certification and approval phase that is the most time consuming process when it comes to getting a new software release out on our phones.
"This is one of the major tasks that are legally required from us as phone manufacturer, but is a task that the custom ROM community doesn’t have to take into consideration. Furthermore,by putting all this efforts into testing and certification, we ensure that quality and conformance is at a top level, in benefit for all consumers worldwide."
By Daniel Eran Dilger(appleinsider.com)
Motorla Mobility and Sony Ericsson have issued lengthly explanations offering various reasons why their customers won't receive updates anytime soon to Google's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which was made available in a generic form three weeks ago. The explanations highlight a major difference between Apple's integrated iOS software and Google's broadly licensed Android platform.
Open like Windows, if it were only launched by Dell
"Like you, we are excited to see that Google released the source code to Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS)!"
Motorola stated in a blog posting.
"There are many steps and processes that go into Ice Cream Sandwich in a way that works for the carrier and for you," Motorola states, adding, "once source code is released from Google, it doesn’t automatically update to your device." Both Motorola and Sony Ericsson are members of the Open Handset Alliance tasked with developing Android, and therefore might be understood to be privy to the development of the latest Android release before its final appearance.
However, Motorola explains that "each new version of Android launches with one device partner, in what is called the 'Google Experience Device' or GED, the showcase device for a new Android release."
A very short list of Motorola's Android 4.0 updates
Outside of the launch partner, other members of the Android community only gain "access to the Android source code as its [sic] made public shortly after," Motorola explains.
Now that has happened, the company says it is "currently assessing this source code, and over the next month we will be determining which devices will get the upgrade and when.
" Android licensees' lists of supported devices that will get updates to the latest release of Android typically only involve very recent, new devices. In Motorola's case, it only notes the Droid RAZR, Droid Bionic and Xoom tablets as its current targets for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This excludes the once highly touted Motorola Atrix 4G that was launched alongside Apple's iPhone 4 last year, along with the also relatively new and widely sold Droid 2, Droid X and X2 models, all of which will be stuck with last year's Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The original Droid/Milestone, which arrived a few months after Apple's iPhone 3GS, is stuck on Android 2.2 Froyo, an even older release.
Sony Ericsson similarly noted that the release of Android 4.0 "meant the start of an intensive period for the engineers at Sony Ericsson, in order to create a working, stable and certified software release of Ice Cream Sandwich for our 2011 Xperia™ phones." That excludes support for Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10, released in the US last fall with specs similar to the iPhone 4.
It will be stuck with Gingerbread, but as Wikipedia notes, "Since the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) update the phone has suffered a stuttering in play or streaming of music regardless of file association. The only solution currently is to root your phone and apply a patch located on the XDA developers forum. Sony refuses to acknowledge the problem and have as of late offered no solution to this bug."
This fractionalization of the Android platform means that developers have few reasons to incorporate support for features in the latest version of Android, because most Android users are still using a version that's over a year old (according to Google). As of December 1, half of the traffic visiting Android Market is still using last winter's 2.3.Gingerbread, while more than 45 percent is using an even older version.
The long road to releasing Android 4.0
For the few models it chooses to support with an update, Motorola says it must spend some time incorporating support for unique hardware involved in its products, including the specific processors, GPUs and other chips that are not natively supported in the generic Android release.
"This is also the time when we begin integrating all of the Motorola-specific software enhancements into the source code," the company adds. " Features like MotoCast, Smart Actions, and our comprehensive enterprise solutions are integral parts of our device experiences, and we want to make sure we continue delivering differentiated experiences for our consumers with these software upgrades."
Some of Motorola's additional software has had the side effect of breaking Android's permissions-based security system, although not nearly as bad as HTC and Samsung's additional software, which researchers note has opened up the ability for rogue apps to steal private, data, track users' precise locations, wipe the phone entirely, or record calls and send paid SMS messages.
Carriers add more months to Android rollouts
Once an Android licensee has finished working out release bugs to an acceptable level, it releases its hardware-specific updates to the mobile carriers, which have to test and certify the updates, something that Motorola says can involve "a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months."
"Contrary to what people may think," Sony Ericsson states, "it is not the Bring up phase [adding vendor hardware and software customizations], but the Certification and approval phase that is the most time consuming process when it comes to getting a new software release out on our phones.
"This is one of the major tasks that are legally required from us as phone manufacturer, but is a task that the custom ROM community doesn’t have to take into consideration. Furthermore,by putting all this efforts into testing and certification, we ensure that quality and conformance is at a top level, in benefit for all consumers worldwide."
By Daniel Eran Dilger(appleinsider.com)
Sony Ericsson and Motorola Detail Android 4.0 Upgrade Path
We've talked in the past about how OEMs take the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and use it to build software tailored for devices in the context of x86 optimizations, and today two partners are sharing some more details about their specific timelines for Android 4.0 releases.
Those two are Sony Ericsson and Motorola, who have outlined in their respective blog posts the path from code to getting a fully baked ROM pushed out over the air to handsets. The two posts describe the process as we've understood it for a while now, and with Android 4.0 things don't seem any different. Google works with a specific OEM and SoC vendor around some chosen reference hardware (in this case Galaxy Nexus), and simultaneously (or close to it) releases the source code and device when things are finished.
At that point, SoC vendors begin working on their own ports and build in necessary drivers or optimizations of their own. That software package then is turned over to OEMs who add their own specific software (in the case of Motorola, for example - MotoCast, Smart Actions, and likely Blur) and make necessary tweaks to accommodate individual carrier equirements and device nuances. After the OEM finishes up its own testing, the update then passes over to carriers for their own testing, and here things have been a bit fuzzy. Motorola gives out an interesting tidbit today in their post, oting that while each carrier is different, the testing period is on the order of months:
Each carrier has different requirements for phases 2 and 3. There may be a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months.
Sony Ericsson also notes that this certification and testing phase is the longest in the process:
The Certification and approval phase that is the most time consuming process when it comes to getting a new software release out on our phones. This is one of the major tasks that are legally required from us as phone manufacturer, but is a task that the custom ROM community doesn’t have to take into consideration.
Motorola has noted as well that the Droid RAZR, Bionic, and Xoom are all guaranteed to get an ICS port before the second half of 2012, and the list of Motorola devices being upgraded to 4.0 will likely grow. Meanwhile Sony Ericsson noted that the entire 2011 Xperia family will receive an update to 4.0 and that dates will come later.(anandtech.com)
Those two are Sony Ericsson and Motorola, who have outlined in their respective blog posts the path from code to getting a fully baked ROM pushed out over the air to handsets. The two posts describe the process as we've understood it for a while now, and with Android 4.0 things don't seem any different. Google works with a specific OEM and SoC vendor around some chosen reference hardware (in this case Galaxy Nexus), and simultaneously (or close to it) releases the source code and device when things are finished.
At that point, SoC vendors begin working on their own ports and build in necessary drivers or optimizations of their own. That software package then is turned over to OEMs who add their own specific software (in the case of Motorola, for example - MotoCast, Smart Actions, and likely Blur) and make necessary tweaks to accommodate individual carrier equirements and device nuances. After the OEM finishes up its own testing, the update then passes over to carriers for their own testing, and here things have been a bit fuzzy. Motorola gives out an interesting tidbit today in their post, oting that while each carrier is different, the testing period is on the order of months:
Each carrier has different requirements for phases 2 and 3. There may be a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months.
Sony Ericsson also notes that this certification and testing phase is the longest in the process:
The Certification and approval phase that is the most time consuming process when it comes to getting a new software release out on our phones. This is one of the major tasks that are legally required from us as phone manufacturer, but is a task that the custom ROM community doesn’t have to take into consideration.
Motorola has noted as well that the Droid RAZR, Bionic, and Xoom are all guaranteed to get an ICS port before the second half of 2012, and the list of Motorola devices being upgraded to 4.0 will likely grow. Meanwhile Sony Ericsson noted that the entire 2011 Xperia family will receive an update to 4.0 and that dates will come later.(anandtech.com)
China court rejects Apple lawsuit over iPad name
A girl tries out an iPad at an Apple
store in Beijing on Oct. 6, 2011. Published: 12/8/2011 9:38:15 AM BEIJING (AP) – A court in southern
China has rejected an Apple claim
that a Hong Kong-headquartered
tech company has violated its iPad
trademark, the latest development
in a case that could affect the tech giant's financial prospects in a huge
emerging market.
Apple's Beijing-based
spokeswoman Carolyn Wu declined
to comment Thursday on the
decision by the Municipal
Intermediate People's Court in the
southern city of Shenzhen.
The court said on its website that it
dismissed a lawsuit Monday by
Apple (AAPL) against Shenzhen Proview Technology over the
ownership of the iPad trademark.
The company is a subsidiary of LCD
screen maker Proview International
Holdings (PVIHF), headquartered in Hong Kong.
The court ruled that the Shenzhen
company is not bound by a 2009
agreement that its Taiwanese
affiliate, Proview Taipei, made with
Apple to transfer the trademarks to
the Cupertino, Calif.-based company for $54,700. Proview in Taiwan had registered
the trademark in various countries
as early as 2000, while Proview in
Shenzhen registered the trademark
in China in 2001.
According to the Shenzhen court
decision, Apple says its trademark
transfer agreement with Proview's
Taiwanese company should also
apply to the Shenzhen company, but
the court rejected that, saying that the Shenzhen company was not
involved in those negotiations.
Proview Shenzhen has been mired in financial problems and will seek to claim $1.6 billion in compensation
from Apple for copyright
infringement following the court
ruling, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The U.S. company has the right to appeal the verdict.(usatoday.com)
store in Beijing on Oct. 6, 2011. Published: 12/8/2011 9:38:15 AM BEIJING (AP) – A court in southern
China has rejected an Apple claim
that a Hong Kong-headquartered
tech company has violated its iPad
trademark, the latest development
in a case that could affect the tech giant's financial prospects in a huge
emerging market.
Apple's Beijing-based
spokeswoman Carolyn Wu declined
to comment Thursday on the
decision by the Municipal
Intermediate People's Court in the
southern city of Shenzhen.
The court said on its website that it
dismissed a lawsuit Monday by
Apple (AAPL) against Shenzhen Proview Technology over the
ownership of the iPad trademark.
The company is a subsidiary of LCD
screen maker Proview International
Holdings (PVIHF), headquartered in Hong Kong.
The court ruled that the Shenzhen
company is not bound by a 2009
agreement that its Taiwanese
affiliate, Proview Taipei, made with
Apple to transfer the trademarks to
the Cupertino, Calif.-based company for $54,700. Proview in Taiwan had registered
the trademark in various countries
as early as 2000, while Proview in
Shenzhen registered the trademark
in China in 2001.
According to the Shenzhen court
decision, Apple says its trademark
transfer agreement with Proview's
Taiwanese company should also
apply to the Shenzhen company, but
the court rejected that, saying that the Shenzhen company was not
involved in those negotiations.
Proview Shenzhen has been mired in financial problems and will seek to claim $1.6 billion in compensation
from Apple for copyright
infringement following the court
ruling, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The U.S. company has the right to appeal the verdict.(usatoday.com)
Android Ice Cream Sandwich Upgrade Process Outlined by Motorola, Sony Ericsson
With the launch of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the glorious Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Android owners can't help but wonder when their devices will be graced with the new operating
system. Both Sony Ericsson (soon to be just Sony) and Motorola have shed some light on the Android ICS update process in separate blog posts.
Motorola, which is on the verge of being
acquired by Google, explained in a blog post that a lot of work goes into preparing a new Android version for
devices even after Google open sources
the operating system.
Sony Ericsson confirms in a blog post everything that Motorola says about
software updates but delves further into
the details which might prove
somewhat technical to most users.
Common to both the smartphone
makers is that they customise the
operating system to the hardware
requirements of the device and the
specifications provided by the carriers.
The companies then test the implementation and iron out the bugs. The modified OS is then sent to wireless
carriers for certification, which check
whether the device has been optimised
for their network.
After the certification
process is completed, which takes a lot
of time, the companies conduct a pre- release trial after which the OS is
release as update to the users.(itproportal.com)
system. Both Sony Ericsson (soon to be just Sony) and Motorola have shed some light on the Android ICS update process in separate blog posts.
Motorola, which is on the verge of being
acquired by Google, explained in a blog post that a lot of work goes into preparing a new Android version for
devices even after Google open sources
the operating system.
Sony Ericsson confirms in a blog post everything that Motorola says about
software updates but delves further into
the details which might prove
somewhat technical to most users.
Common to both the smartphone
makers is that they customise the
operating system to the hardware
requirements of the device and the
specifications provided by the carriers.
The companies then test the implementation and iron out the bugs. The modified OS is then sent to wireless
carriers for certification, which check
whether the device has been optimised
for their network.
After the certification
process is completed, which takes a lot
of time, the companies conduct a pre- release trial after which the OS is
release as update to the users.(itproportal.com)
Sony Ericsson will become just Sony by
The Japanese giant has
assumed full control over the the
phone-building company and will only
make smart phones, powered by Android, to regain lost ground against the iPhone. Sony Ericsson has been a joint venture between Sony and Swedish telecoms
company Ericsson for the past decade.
Along with Nokia, Son Eric was a major
name in the phone world until the
iPhone and Android ushered in the smart phone revolution. Sony decided in October to buy out Ericsson for £918m, and the public face of that buyout will be revealed in the first half of 2012. Sony boss Kristian Tear revealed that
the new Sony-only brand would only
make smart phones.
Sony plans to
make the most of its other brands,
such as Bravia, Cyber-shot and the
iconic Walkman name, to claw back some of the ground lost to Apple and
rival Android phone peddlers. Sony Ericsson has a fistful of phones in
the pipeline, including the Nypon and Nozomi, and the hotly anticipated Arc HD. Meanwhile the existing Sony Ericsson Xperia range will be upgraded to Android Ice Cream Sandwich during
2012. Is it a smart move to give up on phones that aren't smart phones? The line
between web-connecting smart
phones and simple phones -- dumb
phones or feature phones -- is getting
blurry, as even the dumbest phones are expected to have cameras, 3G,
maps and even basic apps on board.
Perhaps Sony Ericsson is
acknowledging that all phones are
smart phones nowadays, or perhaps
simply confirming that there's no
money in shifting even vast quantities
of cheap phones. For example, Nokia sells more phones than any other
manufacturer -- in large part to the
developing world -- but is in financial
trouble, and has turned to Windows
Phone smart phones for a shot in the
arm.(cnet.com)
assumed full control over the the
phone-building company and will only
make smart phones, powered by Android, to regain lost ground against the iPhone. Sony Ericsson has been a joint venture between Sony and Swedish telecoms
company Ericsson for the past decade.
Along with Nokia, Son Eric was a major
name in the phone world until the
iPhone and Android ushered in the smart phone revolution. Sony decided in October to buy out Ericsson for £918m, and the public face of that buyout will be revealed in the first half of 2012. Sony boss Kristian Tear revealed that
the new Sony-only brand would only
make smart phones.
Sony plans to
make the most of its other brands,
such as Bravia, Cyber-shot and the
iconic Walkman name, to claw back some of the ground lost to Apple and
rival Android phone peddlers. Sony Ericsson has a fistful of phones in
the pipeline, including the Nypon and Nozomi, and the hotly anticipated Arc HD. Meanwhile the existing Sony Ericsson Xperia range will be upgraded to Android Ice Cream Sandwich during
2012. Is it a smart move to give up on phones that aren't smart phones? The line
between web-connecting smart
phones and simple phones -- dumb
phones or feature phones -- is getting
blurry, as even the dumbest phones are expected to have cameras, 3G,
maps and even basic apps on board.
Perhaps Sony Ericsson is
acknowledging that all phones are
smart phones nowadays, or perhaps
simply confirming that there's no
money in shifting even vast quantities
of cheap phones. For example, Nokia sells more phones than any other
manufacturer -- in large part to the
developing world -- but is in financial
trouble, and has turned to Windows
Phone smart phones for a shot in the
arm.(cnet.com)
Rabu, 07 Desember 2011
T-Mobile’s Nokia 710 Windows Phone Can’t Wait for Next Week’s Announcement
Nokia and T-Mobile have scheduled an event for next week in New York to announce something special. But a new FCC filing appears to have spoiled the surprise.
As noted by WPCentral, the Nokia 710, a Windows Phone with T-Mobile branding, has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which reviews all wireless devices before they go on sale.
The filing includes a variety of unflattering test photos, a user manual and other information. (The Finnish company did at least remember to keep its block diagram and schematics confidential.)
Nokia introduced the Lumia 710 and a higher-end model — the Lumia 800 — earlier this year. The devices are going on sale this year in Europe and other markets, but Nokia said not to expect them in the U.S. until early next year.
Such filings can be made largely confidential until the device is announced, but companies have to check a box. On occasion, companies choose not to make their documents secret or forget to complete the needed paperwork. Either way, it’s happy times for those that don’t want to wait to get the scoop.
We’ll still tune in next week to find out about the remaining details, such as when the device will go on sale. Depending on what T-Mobile has to say, it could well be the first carrier to put a Nokia Windows Phone on sale in the U.S.(allthinksd.com)
As noted by WPCentral, the Nokia 710, a Windows Phone with T-Mobile branding, has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which reviews all wireless devices before they go on sale.
The filing includes a variety of unflattering test photos, a user manual and other information. (The Finnish company did at least remember to keep its block diagram and schematics confidential.)
Nokia introduced the Lumia 710 and a higher-end model — the Lumia 800 — earlier this year. The devices are going on sale this year in Europe and other markets, but Nokia said not to expect them in the U.S. until early next year.
Such filings can be made largely confidential until the device is announced, but companies have to check a box. On occasion, companies choose not to make their documents secret or forget to complete the needed paperwork. Either way, it’s happy times for those that don’t want to wait to get the scoop.
We’ll still tune in next week to find out about the remaining details, such as when the device will go on sale. Depending on what T-Mobile has to say, it could well be the first carrier to put a Nokia Windows Phone on sale in the U.S.(allthinksd.com)
OCZ Octane SSD (128GB)
Powered by the new Indilinx Everest controller, the OCZ Octane SSD is supposed to be different from other recent solid-state drives that use the well-established SandForce controller. However, chances are you'll find it exactly the same as any other standard SATA 2.5-inch internal drive, though with time and scrutiny it does turn out to be slightly slower in terms of data copy speed than other enthusiast-class SSDs.
More than making up for this, the new Octane comes with much friendlier price tag, with the 256GB version only costing around $370. While this is still very expensive, it's much more affordable than the $500 or so that you'd have to pay for other SSDs of the same capacity, such as the Samsung 830 series, or the Patriot Wildfire. Big spenders can also opt for the 1TB version of the drive, which is the largest capacity option among consumer-grade SSDs. If you're looking to replace your laptop's or desktop's main internal drive to significantly improve the system's overall performance, the OCZ Octane would make an excellent investment.
OCZ Technology Group introduced its Indilinx Everest controller in July and the Octane is the first drive from the company to incorporate it. The design of the controller is one of the most important factors in an SSD, since it determines how the drive performs as well as its durability.
On the outside, however, the new Octane looks exactly the same as other SSDs and 2.5-inch SATA hard drives. It comes in the most common 9mm thickness, so it would fit in basically all storage application that uses a 2.5-inch hard drive. The drive's housing is made of plastic on top and aluminum on the bottom. It's very light and feels hollow, since on the inside there are no moving parts, just flash memory circuitry.
According to OCZ, like most SSDs, the drive supports RAID and TRIM and has an MTBF rating of 1.3 million hours. Like all SSDs, it can handle shocks and uses much less energy than a traditional hard drive. In my trials, it worked with all popular platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
Like all new SSDs, the OCZ Octane supports the latest SATA 3 standard that offers a ceiling speed of 6Gbps. It's one of a very few drives on the market that come with a top capacity of 1TB (if not the only one), making it as large as top-capacity high-end hard drives of the same standard. The drive's lowest available capacity is 128GB, forgoing the 64GB tier found in other SSDs.
Cost per gigabyte
The OCZ Octane is noticeably more affordable than other SATA 3-based SSDs. At the time of this review, it was unclear how much the 1TB version would cost, but the 512GB version costs around $850, noticeably lower than the $1,100 of the Samsung 830 series, for example. Its 256GB version is also cheaper at around $370 compared with $440 for the Samsung. Overall, the OCZ Octane costs around $1.5 per gigabyte, making it about the most affordable among current SATA3 SSDs. Compared with 2.5-inch SATA 3 hard drives, including the Seagate Momentus XT hybrid drive, which costs just $245 for 750GB, however, it's still much more expensive.
Performance
OCZ says that the Indilinx Everest controller is optimized mostly for boot time improvement, and that showed in my testing. The OCZ Octane does significantly reduce the boot time of the host computer. In fact its boot time was the shortest I've seen, though not by much when compared with other SSDs. The drive averaged just 12 seconds for booting, while most others average about 12.5 seconds.
The drive also improved overall performance. The test computer would wake up instantly from standby mode, and large applications, such as games, would take much less time to load. StarCraft II, for example, needed just under 10 seconds to launch, compared with almost a minute when a hard drive was used.
When it comes to data transfer, the Octane didn't impress me much. When used as a secondary drive, where it could show its top performance, it registered 183.41MBps, which was very fast, but significantly slower than other SATA3 SSDs. The Samsung 830 series, for example scored 261.63MBps in this test. Another SSD from OCZ, the Vertex 3, did much better at 260.73MBps.
A similar thing happened when the drive was used as the main drive of the computer, which is the most common use for an SSD. In the copy test, in which the drive was set to both write and read at the same time, it averaged 135.43MBps, faster than some other SSDS but, again, slower than the Samsung 830 series and the Vertex 3.
Overall, however, I was happy with the OCZ Octane's performance. It would definitely be the single component that most significantly improves the performance of a computer that was originally equipped with a hard drive. My only concern is the durability of the Indilinx Everest controller, but only time will tell.(cnet.com)
More than making up for this, the new Octane comes with much friendlier price tag, with the 256GB version only costing around $370. While this is still very expensive, it's much more affordable than the $500 or so that you'd have to pay for other SSDs of the same capacity, such as the Samsung 830 series, or the Patriot Wildfire. Big spenders can also opt for the 1TB version of the drive, which is the largest capacity option among consumer-grade SSDs. If you're looking to replace your laptop's or desktop's main internal drive to significantly improve the system's overall performance, the OCZ Octane would make an excellent investment.
OCZ Technology Group introduced its Indilinx Everest controller in July and the Octane is the first drive from the company to incorporate it. The design of the controller is one of the most important factors in an SSD, since it determines how the drive performs as well as its durability.
On the outside, however, the new Octane looks exactly the same as other SSDs and 2.5-inch SATA hard drives. It comes in the most common 9mm thickness, so it would fit in basically all storage application that uses a 2.5-inch hard drive. The drive's housing is made of plastic on top and aluminum on the bottom. It's very light and feels hollow, since on the inside there are no moving parts, just flash memory circuitry.
According to OCZ, like most SSDs, the drive supports RAID and TRIM and has an MTBF rating of 1.3 million hours. Like all SSDs, it can handle shocks and uses much less energy than a traditional hard drive. In my trials, it worked with all popular platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
Like all new SSDs, the OCZ Octane supports the latest SATA 3 standard that offers a ceiling speed of 6Gbps. It's one of a very few drives on the market that come with a top capacity of 1TB (if not the only one), making it as large as top-capacity high-end hard drives of the same standard. The drive's lowest available capacity is 128GB, forgoing the 64GB tier found in other SSDs.
Cost per gigabyte
The OCZ Octane is noticeably more affordable than other SATA 3-based SSDs. At the time of this review, it was unclear how much the 1TB version would cost, but the 512GB version costs around $850, noticeably lower than the $1,100 of the Samsung 830 series, for example. Its 256GB version is also cheaper at around $370 compared with $440 for the Samsung. Overall, the OCZ Octane costs around $1.5 per gigabyte, making it about the most affordable among current SATA3 SSDs. Compared with 2.5-inch SATA 3 hard drives, including the Seagate Momentus XT hybrid drive, which costs just $245 for 750GB, however, it's still much more expensive.
Performance
OCZ says that the Indilinx Everest controller is optimized mostly for boot time improvement, and that showed in my testing. The OCZ Octane does significantly reduce the boot time of the host computer. In fact its boot time was the shortest I've seen, though not by much when compared with other SSDs. The drive averaged just 12 seconds for booting, while most others average about 12.5 seconds.
The drive also improved overall performance. The test computer would wake up instantly from standby mode, and large applications, such as games, would take much less time to load. StarCraft II, for example, needed just under 10 seconds to launch, compared with almost a minute when a hard drive was used.
When it comes to data transfer, the Octane didn't impress me much. When used as a secondary drive, where it could show its top performance, it registered 183.41MBps, which was very fast, but significantly slower than other SATA3 SSDs. The Samsung 830 series, for example scored 261.63MBps in this test. Another SSD from OCZ, the Vertex 3, did much better at 260.73MBps.
A similar thing happened when the drive was used as the main drive of the computer, which is the most common use for an SSD. In the copy test, in which the drive was set to both write and read at the same time, it averaged 135.43MBps, faster than some other SSDS but, again, slower than the Samsung 830 series and the Vertex 3.
Overall, however, I was happy with the OCZ Octane's performance. It would definitely be the single component that most significantly improves the performance of a computer that was originally equipped with a hard drive. My only concern is the durability of the Indilinx Everest controller, but only time will tell.(cnet.com)
Android Market Tops 10B Downloads: Google
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) said its Android Market application store exceeded 10 billion application downloads this past weekend, clearly helped by the fact the over 200 million Android device have been activated all over the world, with 550,000 activated each day.
For perspective, the Android Market tallied 6.5 billion downloads through July and 4.5 billion through last May, when Google revealed the number at Google I/O. The Android app growth has accelerated considerably when one considers that it took Google from October 2008 to July 2010 to hit the 1 billion app download mark.
The search engine, which is counting on smartphones, tablets and TVs based on its Android operating system to help it funnel more ads to consumers, celebrated the milestone by offering new applications for 10 cents a piece for the next 10 days.
Titles costing a dime a piece today include Asphalt 6 HD, Color & Draw for Kids, Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro, Fieldrunners HD, Great Little War Game, Minecraft, Paper Camera, Sketchbook Mobile, Soundhound Infinity and SwiftKey X.
"None of these apps would have existed if it weren't for the developers who created them," Eric Chu, director of the Android Developer Ecosystem, wrote in a corporate blog post
. "Every day, these developers continue to push the limits on what’s possible and delight us in the process. For that, we thank them."
Hitting 10 billion apps is a nice mark for the Android Market, which had been much maligned since its launch for offering too many spammy apps and a weaker user experience than that offered by Apple's App Store.
Apple would likely greet Google's milestone with a shoulder shrug and point out that its 18 billion app downloads are cooler than Google's 10 billion app downloads. That's Apple's app download figure across the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch through Oct. 4
.
ABI Research has the stats to back Google's ascent. The researcher said the Android operating system vaulted over Apple's iOS platform in market share downloads by a count of 44 percent to 31 percent.
Yet ABI also said that while Android took the lead in mobile app downloads, Apple's app downloads per user bested Android by a ratio of 2 to 1. "Apple's superior monetization policies attracted good developers within its ranks, thus creating a better catalog of apps and customer experience," reasoned ABI analyst Dan Shey.(eweek.com)
For perspective, the Android Market tallied 6.5 billion downloads through July and 4.5 billion through last May, when Google revealed the number at Google I/O. The Android app growth has accelerated considerably when one considers that it took Google from October 2008 to July 2010 to hit the 1 billion app download mark.
The search engine, which is counting on smartphones, tablets and TVs based on its Android operating system to help it funnel more ads to consumers, celebrated the milestone by offering new applications for 10 cents a piece for the next 10 days.
Titles costing a dime a piece today include Asphalt 6 HD, Color & Draw for Kids, Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro, Fieldrunners HD, Great Little War Game, Minecraft, Paper Camera, Sketchbook Mobile, Soundhound Infinity and SwiftKey X.
"None of these apps would have existed if it weren't for the developers who created them," Eric Chu, director of the Android Developer Ecosystem, wrote in a corporate blog post
. "Every day, these developers continue to push the limits on what’s possible and delight us in the process. For that, we thank them."
Hitting 10 billion apps is a nice mark for the Android Market, which had been much maligned since its launch for offering too many spammy apps and a weaker user experience than that offered by Apple's App Store.
Apple would likely greet Google's milestone with a shoulder shrug and point out that its 18 billion app downloads are cooler than Google's 10 billion app downloads. That's Apple's app download figure across the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch through Oct. 4
.
ABI Research has the stats to back Google's ascent. The researcher said the Android operating system vaulted over Apple's iOS platform in market share downloads by a count of 44 percent to 31 percent.
Yet ABI also said that while Android took the lead in mobile app downloads, Apple's app downloads per user bested Android by a ratio of 2 to 1. "Apple's superior monetization policies attracted good developers within its ranks, thus creating a better catalog of apps and customer experience," reasoned ABI analyst Dan Shey.(eweek.com)
Yahoo building studio in New York
The Web pioneer is in the midst of transforming 5,000 square feet of midtown Manhattan office space into a studio that will feature two sets, seven edit rooms, a state-of-the-art control room, and a green room, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The facility is expected to be used as part of a pact announced in October with ABC News, in which the media giant's news division will distribute some of its content via Yahoo News. The news departments from each organization are working together on developing content for Yahoo as well as for ABC News sites.
Michael Manas, head of production supervision for Yahoo Studios New York, wouldn't reveal how much the company is spending on its Manhattan project, except to say "Just enough to win."
"This is showing Yahoo's commitment to premium video content," he said. "The studio will be a massive source of pride and enhance our ability to grow and innovate."
The news comes as the fate of Yahoo, one of the most storied companies of the Web's first phase, is in quite a state of flux. Reports of potential buyers have been rampant in recent months since a leaked memo from Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang indicated the company could be for sale.
Yang said at a conference in October that the company's board of directors was exploring a number of strategic options beyond selling the company, presumably selling off one or more of the company's three units: its core search and content business, as well as stakes in Yahoo Japan and Alibaba.
Despite its tepid stock price, high employee attrition rate, and sputtering product development efforts, Yahoo has been attracting a lot of attention from possible suitors, including venture capitalist Andreessen Horowitz, fellow dot-com wunderkind AOL, and even Microsoft, which pursued Yahoo vigorously a few years back, to no avail.(CNET.com)
The facility is expected to be used as part of a pact announced in October with ABC News, in which the media giant's news division will distribute some of its content via Yahoo News. The news departments from each organization are working together on developing content for Yahoo as well as for ABC News sites.
Michael Manas, head of production supervision for Yahoo Studios New York, wouldn't reveal how much the company is spending on its Manhattan project, except to say "Just enough to win."
"This is showing Yahoo's commitment to premium video content," he said. "The studio will be a massive source of pride and enhance our ability to grow and innovate."
The news comes as the fate of Yahoo, one of the most storied companies of the Web's first phase, is in quite a state of flux. Reports of potential buyers have been rampant in recent months since a leaked memo from Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang indicated the company could be for sale.
Yang said at a conference in October that the company's board of directors was exploring a number of strategic options beyond selling the company, presumably selling off one or more of the company's three units: its core search and content business, as well as stakes in Yahoo Japan and Alibaba.
Despite its tepid stock price, high employee attrition rate, and sputtering product development efforts, Yahoo has been attracting a lot of attention from possible suitors, including venture capitalist Andreessen Horowitz, fellow dot-com wunderkind AOL, and even Microsoft, which pursued Yahoo vigorously a few years back, to no avail.(CNET.com)
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