Patent - SlashGear

‘patent’ Stories

Apple patent app reveals advanced “Maps + Compass” feature with augmented reality

Rue Liu, Aug 18th 2011 Discuss [3]

A new Apple patent application has surfaced today, revealing that the company has some interesting plans ahead for its "Map + Compass" iOS feature. Titled "Augmented Reality Maps," the patent application shows that future updates to the iOS Maps app could incorporate the use of the iPhone's camera and its various sensors to provide mapping data to visually augment live video and images. Read The Full Story

Microsoft Google Motorola Code Leak Case Dropped

Chris Burns, Aug 17th 2011 Discuss [3]

On the 12 of August we were to understand that Google was in a court case involving Microsoft and Motorola in which a Microsoft allegedly leaked some "highly confidential source code" regarding Google's mobile OS Android to a star witness on the Motorola side of things. What we're seeing now is that a U.S. trade judge has just rejected Google's request to prevent Robert Stevenson, the expert witness hired by Motorola, from testifying about the Android source code he saw in an upcoming hearing. Read The Full Story

Google’s Motorola Acquisition Explained With Lightsabers And Darth Steve Jobs

Rue Liu, Aug 16th 2011 Discuss [6]

The Google acquisition of Motorola Mobility was big news yesterday with plenty of analysis and predictions on the bold defensive move. But to help you sift through all the chatter, Taiwan's Next Media Animation has worked their magic again to boil it all down into a one-minute action-packed animated video with a lightsaber-wielding Darth Steve Jobs. Read The Full Story

Apple sued by HTC over three new patents

Chris Davies, Aug 16th 2011 Discuss [125]

HTC has filed a new lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company infringes on three patents it holds, two of which were acquired with the purchase of ADC Technologies back in April. Filed in the US District Court in Delaware, Reuters reports, HTC claims that not only iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad, but iPods and Macs use the IP without permission. HTC is looking for damages, triple damages for willful infringement, and an injunction on importation and sales of the allegedly infringing devices.

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Euro Galaxy Tab 10.1 injunction diluted: Only German sales blocked

Chris Davies, Aug 16th 2011 Discuss [4]

The preliminary injunction preventing Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across most of Europe has been temporarily suspended, opening the door for resumed sales in countries outside of Germany. According to Webwereld and FOSSPatents, while the injunction against Samsung Electronics GmbH – the German subsidiary – still stands, the cross-European injunction against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd – the Korea-based parent company – no longer applies outside of German borders.

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Apple May Have Submitted Flawed Evidence Against Samsung In Europe

Rue Liu, Aug 15th 2011 Discuss [118]

According to an investigation by Webwereld.nl, a Dutch IDG publication, Apple may have submitted false evidence to the German courts as part of their case against Samsung. Last week, Apple won a preliminary injunction on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, blocking the sale of the tablet throughout Europe. But, a photograph submitted as evidence suggesting that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is practically identical to the iPad 2 appears to be doctored. Read The Full Story

HTC, Sony Ericsson and LG praise Google’s 17k Motorola patent grab [Update: Samsung]

Chris Davies, Aug 15th 2011 Discuss [7]

Google's announcement this morning that it will snap up Motorola Mobility in a $12.5bn deal is already being positioned as a patent-grab first, hardware drive second. The all-important IP - which Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha revealed as amounting to around 17,000 granted patents and a further 7,500 in the pipeline during the company's recent Q2 financial results call - was name-checked by Google CEO Larry Page, and it's the focus of existing Android licensees HTC, Sony Ericsson and LG, too. Official statements after the cut. Read The Full Story

Google challenges Lodsys but Android faces legal firestorm over source sluggishness

Chris Davies, Aug 15th 2011 Discuss [1]

Google has further waded into the ongoing mobile patent saga, joining Apple in calling for re-examination of IP it argues should never have been granted in the first place. "We’ve asked the US Patent Office to reexamine two Lodsys patents that we believe should never have been issued" the search giant's general counsel Kent Walker told Wired, referring to the same company targeting iOS developers over what it alleges is misuse of in-app payments systems. However, there are also fresh reports that poor handling of source code release by OEMs using Android have, in fact, left them in violation of the GPL v.2 open-source license, and have as a result lost their Linux distribution rights. Read The Full Story

Featured

SlashGear Weekly Roundup Video – August 14, 2011

Rue Liu, Aug 14th 2011 Discuss [2]

This past week brought more patent litigation drama along with new rumors for the exciting gadgets to come in the next few months. Sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 have been blocked in Europe after Apple won a preliminary injunction on the tablet. Apple became the world’s largest company briefly when its market valuation surpassed that of Exxon Mobile. Windows Phone Mango is now rumored for a September 1 launch with Nokia confirming closure of its US Symbian and feature phone operations. The first screenshots of Android Ice Cream Sandwich leaked with its roll-out likely in November. And there’s much much more. Continue after the cut for the full video and roundup list.

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Apple Patent Seeks to do Away with Fingerprints

Chris Burns, Aug 13th 2011 Discuss [2]

Take a look at the Fingerprint Portal here on SlashGear and you'll see quite plainly that when we review devices, the subject comes up often, especially when it comes to displays. Apple knows this, and with their new FCC filed plans they appear to be seeking to do away with them. Apple here is using an oleophobic coating to keep fingerprints out of mobile world, a direct liquid application called Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and should it work the way they're describing it AND should it make its way to the real world, we may soon have a tougher time judging who has held a phone based on prints alone. Read The Full Story

Google accuses Microsoft of leaking source code secrets

Chris Davies, Aug 12th 2011 Discuss [6]

Google has accused Microsoft of leaking "highly confidential source code" to an expert witness in a Motorola lawsuit, and has demanded that the USITC block the witness from taking the stand. According to Google's motion for sanctions [pdf link], Microsoft informed Dr Robert Stevenson of Google secrets without first clearing that exposure with the search giant, as per terms the two companies had agreed on. Microsoft is looking to use Dr Stevenson's expert testimony in its patent case against Motorola, alleging that the company's Android handsets infringe Microsoft technologies. Read The Full Story

Sony and LG Electronics sign licensing treaty in long running patent war

Shane McGlaun, Aug 11th 2011 Discuss [0]

Patents are the most common thing that will tie up major electronics firms in courtroom battles. The number of patents that cover all segments of the technology world is staggering. I can only imagine how hard it is to develop a new product without stepping on another firms patent in the process. Sony and LG Electronics have been fighting a long running patent war with each alleging that the other infringes on its patents. Read The Full Story