Archives for March 2010

Apple [AAPL] has sued HTC for infringing on 20 different iPhone UI patents. Various patents infringed (according to Apple) include unlock gestures and other similar functions.

From what we understand, Apple is wanting a permanent injunction to prevent HTC selling phones that use these patents. More patents include the following…

The ˜331 Patent, entitled “Time-Based, Non-Constant Translation Of User Interface Objects Between States,” was duly and legally issued on April 22, 2008 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The ˜949 Patent, entitled “Touch Screen Device, Method, And Graphical User Interface For Determining Commands By Applying Heuristics,” was duly and legally issued on January 20, 2009 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the ˜949 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

The ˜849 Patent, entitled “Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image,” was duly and legally issued on February 2, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copy of the ˜849 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C.

[Read more…]

ThinkFlood have created a new product called the ThinkFlood RedEye mini that converts your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad (when available) in to a universal remote control and TV guide.

The RedEye mini costs $49 and connects up to the 3.5mm headphone jack of your iPod allowing you to control a variety of systems such as a TV, DVR, Stereo, Digi-Box etc… and lets you control them all from the single remote control software created as an application.

To get the system working it requires that you either enter a unique code for the device you own, or put the iPhone RedEye mini in to training mode which can detect signals from other remote controls. Once achieved you attach the IR transmitter, load up the app and use a variety of methods to control your TV and other devices. Gestures can be used such as sliding a couple of fingers down the screen to lower the volume or flicking the iPhone to jump up a channel. [Read more…]

Reports in today show that Orange and T-Mobile in the UK have received clearance by the EU Commission. This will allow the two mobile phone networks to join together making them a leader in the UK mobile phone market.

Right now the merger is being prepared for a Spring close of transaction with Deutsche Telekom saying…

‘This is excellent news, for our customers, for our highly committed teams in the UK and for our shareholders. Now the way is clear for pooling our resources to create an outstanding high-speed mobile broadband network in one of the most competitive markets in Europe. This joint venture company is based on a significant potential of synergies which create substantial value for the two shareholders and translate directly into customer benefits. Our teams in the UK will be rolling up their sleeves to roll out these benefits.”

[Read more…]

Nokia has announced the Nokia Cseries category for new smartphones launching. The first phone in the Cseries category is the Nokia C5 we just reported on.

The Cseries represents a shift in Nokia’s device naming convention and ads to the other 3 categories of phones already mentioned which are the Nseries, Xseries and Eseries devices.

The categories use a 1-9 numbering system with 1 being the cheaper less featured phones while 9 represents the higher-priced top end phones (putting the Nokia C5 right in the middle).

Each of the series represents a different “type” of phone. The new Nseries will be classed as Nokia’s flagship phones that will contain all the advanced features. Xseries will represent social entertainment. Eseries focusses on productivity and business (similar to blackberry style devices) and the Cseries represents the “core range of products” in Nokia’s words. [Read more…]

Nokia have unveiled a new smartphone called the Nokia C5. The C5 is the beginning of a new series of phones called the Nokia Cseries that ads to the already available Xseries as well as unannounced phones in the Eseries and Nseries.

The C5 sits right in the middle of the Cseries class and runs the Series 60 3rd Edition symbian operating system. It has a 2.2 inch screen along with a 3.2 megapixel camera. Software wise, it comes pre-installed with Ovi Maps allowing for free navigation in a number of countries around the globe.

New features are included in the Nokia C5 such as the phone book that allows you to see friends Facebook status’ as well as send them messages from the phone book. [Read more…]