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Apple sued by THX over patent infringement

, Mar 16th 2013 Discuss [0]

Another day, another patent lawsuit. This time it is THX initiating the legal warfare, and Apple is in its sights. According to George Lucas-founded THX, Apple is guilty of infringing upon one of its patents via the iMac, iPad, and iPhone. The complaint was filed on Friday in California, with THX stating that Apple's actions have caused it harm. Read The Full Story

Apple files for Smart Cover inductive charging patent for iPad

, Mar 14th 2013 Discuss [0]

Apple's new Smart Cover for the iPad has a lot of potential, and it seems the company thinks so as well. Case in point: Apple just applied for a patent that would see the Smart Cover being used as a wireless charger to charge up the iPad when the Smart Cover is closed. Both the iPad and Smart Cover would have induction coils to make the wireless charging possible. Read The Full Story

USPTO grants Google facial recognition unlock technology patent

, Mar 12th 2013 Discuss [0]

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted Google a patent for its facial recognition unlock technology, which consumers have seen used as a security option to Android users. Those running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and/or a Nexus will likely be familiar with the feature, for which Google can now boast a full patent and hang it framed on the office wall. Read The Full Story

Apple asks to appeal patent-infringement case against Google

, Mar 9th 2013 Discuss [0]

It looks like Apple is looking to stir up some old issues with Google. Apple has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington to reinstate the patent-infringement claims it had filed against Google's Motorola Mobility unit. Apple stated that Google, and several companies, infringed on its touch-screen patents. Apple said that the touch screen was the key aspect that "drove the iPhone phenomenon and later the iPad." Read The Full Story

Google patents rear-touch controls 6 years after Apple

, Mar 9th 2013 Discuss [0]

A patent application has just revealed that Google is going to be implementing rear-touch controls for its future Android smartphones. The patent is similar to a patent filed by Apple in 2006, which it planned on using to implement the rear-touch feature in its future iPads. However, it's been 7 years since Apple was granted the patent, and yet there are still no iPads with rear-touch controls. Perhaps Apple will begin production on that project now that Google is gunning for it too. Read The Full Story

Google Maps could be banned in Germany due to Microsoft patent lawsuit

, Mar 7th 2013 Discuss [0]

Microsoft has hit Google with a lawsuit over the latter company's use of one of its European patents - EP0845124. Thus far, reports state that Google is on the losing end of the spat, and although the ramifications may not be this severe, its Maps service could be banned in Germany as a result. This info comes from the folks over at FOSS Patents. Read The Full Story

Samsung denies any involvement in UK judge recruitment

, Feb 28th 2013 Discuss [0]

Earlier today, we reported that Samsung allegedly hired the UK judge that forced Apple to publicly apologize over patent infringement that it committed against the Korean-based company, saying that the judge, Sir Robin Jacob, could help the company out with its lawsuit with Ericsson due to his patent expertise. However, Samsung has denied that they were involved with hiring Jacob. Read The Full Story

Apple iWatch wristband patent shows the future of slap bracelets

, Feb 21st 2013 Discuss [0]

Apple's iWatch has been making the rounds lately, and we've seen our fair share of mockups and possible ideas going behind the rumored smartwatch. Today, for instance, a new patent filing suggests Apple is working on a slap bracelet of the future, complete with a small AMOLED flexible display. It comes straight out of Apple's R&D labs with the name "bi-stable spring with flexible display." Read The Full Story

Allegations of 3G patent infringement leaves HTC devices stuck in German customs

, Feb 18th 2013 Discuss [0]

HTC is currently fighting a patent infringement battle in a courtroom in Mannheim, Germany. On Friday the legal team for HTC told the judge presiding over the court that some of its shipments into Germany were being held by customs officers at Frankfurt-Hahn airport. HTC says that the shipments were held by customs officer after a company called IPCom applied for the border seizure of HTC 3G-compatible devices. Read The Full Story

Google countersues BT amid “patent troll enabler” claims

, Feb 14th 2013 Discuss [0]

Google has sued BT, alleging the UK telecoms company has infringed on four of its patents, with cases filed in both the UK and US amid accusations that BT has been "arming patent trolls" to take on Android. The litigation follows BT's own lawsuit against Google back in December 2011, the BBC reports, where the comms provider claimed Google Maps, Google+, and other products all infringed on as many as six BT patents. Read The Full Story

Sony PlayStation EyePad could bring 3D control to the PS4

, Feb 14th 2013 Discuss [0]

Sony is experimenting with a tablet-style PlayStation controller, codenamed the EyePad, which would allow dynamic 3D motion control and virtual buttons for gaming and other purposes, according to a 2012 patent filing. The application, spotted by Gamechup, for “Input device, system and method,” describes a “panel, tablet or slab-like device” that would build upon the motion-tracking abilities of the PlayStation Move by creating a virtual interaction area above the slate – using a stereoscopic camera array – within which individual finger, hand, and object movements could be incorporated into gameplay.

sony_playstation_eyepad_1

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Amazon patent hints at used ebook marketplace

, Feb 8th 2013 Discuss [0]

Ebooks are pretty fantastic. Granted, there's nothing better than reading an actual, physical book, but being able to squeeze a handful of books on an reader or tablet is a good deal. However, the problem with ebooks is the same problem with digital gaming distribution services, where you can sell your copy once you're done with it. However, Amazon filed for a patent that hints at the possibility that the online retailer may start up a used ebook marketplace. Read The Full Story
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