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.

Update: Motorola has issued the following statement, though it has not confirmed outright whether or not it will be pursuing the injunction:

“We are pleased with the court’s ruling. Today’s decision validates Motorola Mobility’s efforts to enforce its patents against Apple’s infringement. Motorola Mobility has worked hard over the years to build an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that is respected by the telecommunications industry, and we are proud to leverage this portfolio to create differentiated innovations that enhance the user experience. 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 U.S. and around the world are critical to our business. 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” Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility

As of now, the system is only compatible with Windows systems, and has a USB 2.0 connector that swivels out when needed, and can be hidden away when not in use.  To help users connect easily, it comes with VZAccess Manager software, which also allows for automatic installation of the device on the system.  Unfortunately, customers will need to activate global network access on their Verizon wireless service, before they will be able to use the mobile broadband around the world.

The AD3700 is scheduled to reach stores on August 14th, and cost $80 after a $50 mail-in rebate.  The rebate will come in a rebate debit card, which is usual for the wireless carriers.  You’ll need to tether yourself to a new two-year contract to  get this deal, but if you plan on going around the world and you’re under the Big Red’s checkmark, this might be the best way to do that.

[Thanks, David]

As with the second-gen model, the PocketSurfer3 uses a GPRS connection and embedded SIM for mobile data access, with DataWind’s page compression system for speedier loading.  Unfortunately there’s no support for streaming video such as YouTube, so you’re limited to static webpages on the 5-inch 640 x 240 display.

There’s also GPS and a new Linux OS which offers basic office and PIM apps.  Roaming on the GPRS connection will cost £0.05 ($0.08) per minute in Europe and the US, and you can also upgrade to unlimited mobile access, at either £5.99 ($9.75) per month or a one-off charge of £59.99 ($98).  After the first year, mobile data access is £29.99 ($49) for another twelve months.

We’re trying to clarify exactly what the difference between the standard and “Lite” models are with DataWind, and will update once we find out.  Both will be available from August, priced at £199.99 for the PocketSurfer3 and £159.99 for the PocketSurfer3 Lite.

[via Clove blog]

Don’t be expecting high-speed 3G however; in fact don’t even expect EDGE.  As with the Pocket Surfer, the UbiSurfer is limited to GPRS via Vodafone’s network and an embedded SIM.  There’s also WiFi b/g, while roaming on the GPRS connection will cost £0.05 ($0.08) per minute in Europe and the US.  You can also upgrade to unlimited mobile access, at either £5.99 ($9.75) per month or a one-off charge of £59.99 ($98).

After the first year, mobile data access is £29.99 ($49).  As for the UbiSurfer hardware itself, as well as the 800 x 480 screen there’s 1GB of storage, 128MB of RAM, three USB 2.0 ports, an SD card reader and built-in microphone and speakers.  Software includes DataWind’s own browser, basic office apps, calendar and email, a basic graphics app and some games.

The UbiSurfer seemingly uses DataWind’s existing “web acceleration” system, which basically renders the page you want to view on their remote servers and then delivers an image of it over the GPRS connection.  When you click on a part of that image, the server renders the next page and squirts that over.  The upside is that loading times are much reduced, handy when you’re on such a slow connection, but the downside is that streaming video is not supported.

The DataWind UbiSurfer should be available in the UK shortly.

The basic functions of the phone were decent as expected. Calls were clear enough, and reception was ok, though I received a bizarre hissing sound just before callers would speak, and the volume of their voices would increase subtly during the conversation. I’m not sure if the phone was doing this on purpose to adjust for ambient noise on my end, but it got annoying after a while. The one feature I wish I could have tested but never got to work was the video calling functionality (partially because I don’t know anyone with a video-call capable phone).

Web browsing on the device was hindered by the inability to browse in landscape mode. I’m used to every new Samsung phone having an accelerometer in it that the Tocco’s lack of one made the experience a little less enjoyable. There’s nothing WRONG with portrait, it just doesn’t give you as much screen real estate as you would like.

The dedicated widgets on the homescreen make accessing Google or Facebook super easy, and the TouchWiz UI was implemented beautifully on the AMOLED display. The screen is gorgeous and bright, with amazing viewing angles.

Of all the camera phones I’ve ever used, including Samsung’s own Memoir, this one is the nicest and highest quality I’ve seen. The 8.0MP really feels like you’re using a point and shoot, and the photo quality isn’t soft from noise reduction, or overly harsh from not enough of it. The LED flash is very bright, but sometimes washes out the picture with too much white light. There’s a healthy stock of photo editing features too, but the really impressive inclusion here is the video editing features. You have a mini studio built into the phone that is easy to use and understand, and doesn’t inundate the user with too many options. It keeps it clean and simple to use, and produces relatively quality cuts for short film clips on your mobile device.

The S8300 is attractive and feature rich, with many positive aspects that will make it a great phone to use (especially when video calling gets popular in the U.S.). The version I was sent is a UK phone, unlocked for use wherever. We can hope to see the S8300 Tocco on our shores…well we don’t know. But you can count on us to tell you when we find out!

One of the ARM processors handles GSM connectivity, while the other is left free for running apps under the AarLogic C10/3′s embedded Linux OS.  Storage is via an onboard SD card slot, plus there are interfaces for USB, RS232 serial and ethernet. 

It’s also capable of being hooked up to keyboards, digital cameras, WLAN and Bluetooth modules.  Best of all it’s commercially available now, priced at €192 ($256).

[via Red Ferret Journal]

Zer01 uses a self-developed VoIP system to carry voice calls across the data network.  While the nature of cellphone coverage means some connections may only be GPRS or EDGE, rather than 3G, Zer01 claim their VoIP technology can scale to offer decent calls despite the poor bandwidth.

Similarly straightforward should be the setup.  While Zer01 will sell subscribers a new phone, the expectation is that most will come with their own Windows Mobile device; setup takes around five minutes to download the special VoIP application – which starts and ends automatically, to save battery life – and update the user’s SIM.  Support for other devices such as Blackberry, Android and iPhone will be available “within months”.

Press Release:

New True Unlimited Voice & Data National Mobile Service From Zer01 Mobile To Premier At Upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 Convention In Las Vegas on April 1st

- Nominated For Four CTIA Wireless Technology Awards, Zer01 Mobile’s New Service Utilizes Proprietary VoIP Technology & Priced At $69.95 Per Month Without Any Contracts -

(Las Vegas, Nevada) – Zer01 Communications, a Las Vegas, NV based mobile communications company, announced today that it will premier its new Zer01 Mobile true unlimited voice and data mobile service at the upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 1 – 3, 2009. Priced at $69.95 per month for true unlimited national voice and data mobile service without any contracts or commitments, Zer01 Mobile has already been nominated in four categories for CTIA Wireless 2009 technology awards.

“We are the first mobile service to offer consumers a true national unlimited voice, data and Internet plan without any contracts or commitments that is priced affordably at only $69.95 per month with taxes and fees included. We have licensed patent pending proprietary Veritable Mobile Convergence (VMC) Technology from the Unified Technologies Group that allows each smart phone user to make voice calls or transmit data efficiently by bypassing carrier circuit-switched channels by sending voice communications through a VoIP system and onto a virtual private network that accesses the Internet,” explained Ben Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile. “Zer01 Mobile is not a new mobile virtual network operator (MNVO). We are a new communications carrier. For many years now, we’ve been developing our VMC Technology and I’m looking forward to premiering our new Zer01 Mobile service at the upcoming CTIA Wireless event.”

The new mobile national carrier has created its own interconnect agreements throughout North America and the globe, and will also be announcing an international unlimited voice and data service without any commitments or contracts. Zer01 Mobile customers will be able to use their own smartphones or buy a new phone from the online store. “We are saving consumers hours of time and hundreds of dollars. Since we are setup as a pre-paid service, no longer will consumers spend hours and hours reviewing contracts and being subject to high-pressure sales tactics. A consumer will only need to wait an estimated five minutes to allow us to update their phone’s SIM card to connect to our network,” said Piilani.

“People will soon realize the technical advantages and cost savings of an unlimited calling plan, no contract, no roaming charges and no additional taxes and fees. Literally millions of people will become aware of this product very quickly. Truly innovative products tend to go viral very quickly on the Internet today and we believe that the buzz that will surround the Zer01 service will be incredible,” said Mark Richard, chief information officer, Pervasip Corporation, a leading provider of wholesale Voice over Internet Protocol broadband telephone services, White Plains, NY. “As an information technology leader, I have pioneered advanced systems and innovative software solutions for over 30 years. I have a hard time containing my excitement for this unique service where the GSM cell networks and Internet seamlessly converge into a single communications device.”

Zer01 Communications will be premiering its new nationwide, no contract, unlimited voice and data mobile communications service at the upcoming CTIA Wireless 2009 Convention, Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #6363, from April 1-3, 2009. Visit www.ctia.org for details about this leading industry event. Zer01 Mobile will initially be available on Windows Mobile smartphones, however support for other devices such as Blackberry, Android and iPhone will be available within months.

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Zer01 Communications is owned and operated by the Unified Technologies Group, Inc., a global technology services and consulting company that is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. For more information about Zer01 Communications, visit www.Zer01mobile.com.

Video overview after the cut

The Pronto is also said to run faster than the original Peek, and the company is also promoting its unlimited texting abilities.  There’s also on-device searching, together with support for PDF and DOC attachments, as well as the regular picture attachment support. 

Battery life for the Peek Pronto is estimated at 4-5 days with typical usage, and the whole thing weighs 3.8oz and measures 4 x 2.7 x 0.4 inches.  The display is 2.5-inches QVGA resolution and there’s 8MB of onboard memory, triband US GPRS connectivity and a 104MHz ARM7 TI chipset running Peek’s own Peekux OS.  The original Peek remains on sale for $49.95 with the same monthly service charge.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/3822631[/vimeo]

Press Release:

PEEK PRONTO FACT SHEET

Peek Pronto:
Mobile messaging device

Peek Pronto
Features

Simple, but powerful
Building on the successful launch of its Peek mobile email device, Peek (www.GetPeek.com) is adding an exciting new product to its lineup – the Peek Pronto. Peek Pronto responds to the growing demand for mobile messaging that is both affordable and powerful.

Peek Pronto builds on the original Peek – not by
adding unnecessary bells and whistles – but by further enhancing
the core functionality of mobile messaging. The key features of
Peek Pronto are:

* push email;
* unlimited email and texting;
* compatibility with Microsoft Exchange;
* ability to view images/PDF/doc files;
* access to up to five email accounts;
* ability to search for emails on the device;
* 50% improvement in speed of the
software;
* larger font size option.

Peek Pronto retails for $79.95. A flat monthly fee of just $19.95
provides the user with unlimited emails and unlimited text
messages – substantially cheaper than a comparable
smartphone plan (for details see www.Peekonomics.com).

While Peek Pronto offers powerful new features, it continues
Peek’s philosophy of a stylish device that is easy-to-buy and
easy-to-use. There are no contracts to sign, and no hidden fees
or “gotcha” charges.

Peek Pronto takes just 2 minutes to setup and works
automatically with all major email providers including Yahoo!,
Hotmail, GmailTM, AOL and many more.

Peek Pronto’s full QWERTY keyboard makes typing easy, and its
large color screen and straightforward navigation makes mobile
messaging simple.

3/18/09 Pronto Fact Sheet 2

Peek Pronto is perfect for the busy person who needs to be
connected on the go, but does not want to pay a fortune for the
privilege.

Specifications Size:
Height = 102 mm (~ 4.02 inches)
Width = 68 mm (~ 2.7 inches)
Depth = 10.1 mm (~ 0.42 inches)
Weight = 109 grams

Color:
Charcoal Gray

Display:
2.5” diagonal
QVGA (Quarter VGA) which is 240 pixels high by 320 pixels wide
Languages: English

Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Charge: via power adapter
Battery life: average two to three days with typical usage

Availability Available exclusively at Amazon.com from March 24, 2009 until
March 31, 2009

Available online at www.GetPeek.com from April 1, 2009

Available at select Radio Shack stores nationwide from April 8,
2009

Pricing

Peek Pronto retail price: $79.95
Peek Pronto monthly service: $19.95

Peek and GetPeek are the exclusive trademarks of Peek, Inc.

The basic InGrid system hooks up to your broadband (for monitoring via Guardian Protection Services) and offers a number of wireless sensors and remote controls (that double as cordless phones).  The new components include a siren detector, which alerts Guardian if any of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarms are triggered, temperature and flood detectors, and the HomeView Camera which allows you to remotely view your house via a secure webpage.

Finally, the cellular gateway ensures there’s a GSM/GPRS backup in case your broadband goes down, presumably with a battery to keep the system functional even in the case of a power cut.  That hooks up into the new Mobile My InGrid setup, which is specially formatted to monitor the system from a web-enabled cellphone.  No word if the HomeView Camera footage can be streamed to a mobile, though.

InGrid will sell you the HomeView Camera for $129.99, the siren detector for $49.99 and the temperature/water sensor for $59.99.  It’s all available now.

[via Electronic House]

uControl describe it as being “platform agnostic”; that is, it’ll replace any control panel or alarm box in an existing system, bringing together all the existing functionality of equipment, sensors and wiring.  For new installs, the 7-inch WVGA TouchScreen acts as a complete stand-alone wireless alarm system that communicates directly with wireless peripherals and sensors.  However the uControl SMA Platform also offers remote control from any browser or cellphone, alerts via email or SMS, redundant connectivity (WiFi, ethernet and built-in GPRS cellular), cameras and compatibility with home automation setups.

Meanwhile, there’s a modular “widget” GUI to manage video, photos, web-content and social networking apps throughout the home.  It’ll also stream media and even link in with thermostat and lighting controls.   Right now it’s a case of “price on application”; uControl will be demonstrating the system at Cable Show ’08 in New Orleans.

Press Release:

uControl Announces Revolutionary New Home Security, Monitoring and Automation (SMA) Platform for Service Providers

SMA Software Platform and TouchScreen Provide Simple, Flexible, Turnkey Digital Home Solutions

NEW ORLEANS –(Business Wire)– May. 18, 2008 uControl, a leading provider of next-generation home security and automation solutions, today announced an industry-changing software platform that allows service providers to deploy cutting edge Home Security, Monitoring and Automation (SMA) services. The uControl SMA Platform and accompanying TouchScreen combine to create an open, technology-agnostic infrastructure that works equally well for all homes whether they have an existing wired alarm system or require a new wireless alarm system to be installed. Beyond home security, the uControl SMA Platform delivers the next generation of digital home services that customers will demand.

The uControl TouchScreen combines an alarm system, communication gateway, and home automation platform into a single, 7-inch WVGA TouchScreen device that is about the size of a traditional alarm keypad. It can be conveniently placed anywhere within the home – whether mounted on a bedroom wall or placed on a kitchen countertop. For homes that don’t already have a security system, the TouchScreen acts as a complete stand-alone wireless alarm system that communicates directly with wireless peripherals and sensors. For homes that already have a security system, the uControl TouchScreen replaces one of the existing keypads and leverages all of the existing equipment, sensors and wiring in the home. Both of these deployment scenarios offer the same feature set, user experience and operational management platforms, independent of the manufacturer of the existing security equipment.

One out of every four homes currently has a home security system already installed (Source: Home Systems: Home Security (C) 2007 Parks Associates). According to a March report from ABI Research, “Home Automation and Security,” analyst Sam Lucero states that, “Telcos and broadband service providers are uniquely positioned to roll managed home automation and monitoring services out on a large scale, to publicize them, and to educate consumers about their value.”

The TouchScreen leverages key enabling technologies from uControl’s original service including remote control from any Web browser or cell phone, alerts via email or SMS, redundant connectivity (broadband and cellular), cameras, home automation and interoperability with existing alarm panels from Honeywell, DSC, GE and Bosch. In addition, it is a lightweight network information appliance in the home enabling service providers to deliver video, photos, web content and social networking applications via an open, standards-based Widget Platform. The Widget Platform enhances uControl’s ability to control media and entertainment functions within the home, and manage thermostat and lighting controls to help homeowners manage power usage and costs.

“uControl has spent the past year perfecting what we believe will revolutionize the SMA industry,” said uControl President Jim Johnson. “Our service provider partners encouraged us to create a home security solution that could easily be deployed in all home environments and could serve as the launch pad for the digital home applications that their customers are beginning to demand.”

uControl will be exhibiting at this year’s annual Cable Show ’08 in New Orleans in the Cisco booth, #2811. uControl will be showcasing proof-of-concept integrations with multiple Cisco products, including Cisco’s IP Services Gateway, cable modems, access points and cameras. uControl and Cisco will also be demonstrating control of the uControl SMA Platform from a television connected to Cisco’s Tru2way(TM) set-top box.

For an interactive demo and videos of the uControl TouchScreen and Web portal, please visit http://www.uControl.com.

About uControl:

uControl is a leading provider of next-generation home security and automation solutions. The uControl Home Security, Monitoring and Automation (SMA) solution enables Broadband Service Providers to deliver the next generation of services for the Digital Home. The uControl SMA Platform and accompanying TouchScreen combine to create an open, technology-agnostic infrastructure that works equally well for all homes whether they have an existing wired alarm system or require a new wireless alarm system to be installed. Beyond home security, the uControl SMA Platform delivers the next generation of energy management, home automation and Digital Home services that customers will demand.

Founded in November 2005, uControl’s management team consists of former executives from Cisco Systems, NetSpeed, Motive, BroadJump and TippingPoint. They are credited for developing products and services that automated installation and support processes for DSL and cable modem service providers. uControl’s board of directors includes former executives from alarm and telecommunications service providers including ADT, GE Security, Clearwire, MFS and others.

Existing TomTom functionality such as Map Share, a large 4.3-inch touchscreen, voice address input, text-to-speech for announcing road names, an FM transmitter and Bluetooth for using the units as a handsfree are all included.  The GO 930 has 4GB of internal memory while the GO 730 and 530 have 2GB and 1GB respectively; this can be augmented via an SD card slot.  Battery life is rated at 5 hours.

The High Definition (HD) Traffic Receiver, meanwhile, joins the TMC Traffic Receiver in bringing real-time road congestion data to TomTom GPS units.  Plugging directly into the cigarette lighter socket to recharge its Li-Ion battery, the HD uses the GPRS network to receive traffic data for a larger number of roads than the TMC unit.  Currently the HD service is available in the Netherlands, will be rolled out in Germany and the UK this year, and available in France come 2009.  

The HD Traffic Receiver will be included with certain GO models or available as a standalone accessory for the 930, 730, 530, 920, 720 and 520 devices, priced at €99.95 ($152) with six months of traffic service included; further subscriptions will be priced around €60 for six months.

Neo is the company, and its based out of Dubai, in case you don’t know what Dubai looks like, or where it is, its in the Middle East, it’s the single richest city in the world, and if you could imagine the architecture of Heaven, I’d assume it would look something like the city of Dubai. Anyways, they are bringing this handset, and 3 others, all to the US shortly.

So, the version you see in the photo is pink and grey, they also happen to have, for the guys I assume, a black and red version of the device that looks pretty cool. It has tri-band GSM/GPRS, a microSD card slot, FM Radio, Bluetooth with data transfer, WAP, and more. One bit of contention is the CrunchGear article says it has a 4MP camera but the product page says 1.2MP.

No word on when, or what carrier, or if they’d just be sold unlocked, carrier independent, but it looks pretty cool for a chic phone. Sadly we also don’t have any word on price, but they will be here by the end of the year, so I assume we’ll know soon.

[via CrunchGear]

The Compass 885 USB modem sports a microSD memory card slot and a clip to attach the modem to your laptop. Now if only they are able to add more memory card support, people would not have to carry any multi type card reader anymore.

As for the 855e, it is designed to be durable without moving parts – that includes the antenna; it uses internal antenna.
As far as connection type goes, both modems support tri-band HSPA/UMTS and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM with data speeds of up to 7.2 megabits per second on the downlink, and up to 2.0 Mbps on the uplink. These modems will work with OSX and Windows – availability in mid 2008.

[Sierra Wireless]

They are claiming that they have received the info from “highly reliable sources”, what kind of “highly reliable sources” is close enough to Apple, but far enough away to go to an Italian blog first? Whatever, we all know a 3G iPhone is due sometime next year, and I personally would be disappointed if it was UMTS and not EV-DO or HSDPA, or even better yet HSDPA/HSUPA.

Apparently Vodafone and T-Mobile are also going to work out their differences sans lawsuit too. Oh, and this release also wouldn’t violate distribution agreements with the Jesus-Phone’s current carriers as those agreements apparently only cover the EDGE/GPRS versions of the iPhone.

Vodafone Gets Exclusive On UMTS iPhone 3G Next Spring Maybe [via unwiredview]

It has some software that comes built that I assume installs similar to that of software on a flash drive, so pretty much, you plug it in and you are off and running. The best part, its one of the first USB WWAN modems I have seen that isn’t god awful ugly.

Ahh, the best part of this job, informing you, the reader, that I have no clue when or for how much this thing will be on sale for. I don’t really even know where, I do have some details for you though, it won’t be available until next year, that’s all I’ve got.

Sony launches the MD300 mobile broadband USB modem [via gadgettastic]