Analysts: 1.2 billion smartphones, tablets to be sold in 2013

Analysts: 1.2 billion smartphones, tablets to be sold in 2013

1.2 billion smart devices is enough for entire population of India

Analysts are predicting that it's wise to be in the smartphone and tablet business right now, with a forecast of 1.2 billion "smart devices" to be sold worldwide in 2013.

This figure is up from the 821 million devices that technology research firm Gartner is predicting for this year.

Crossing that billion-sold mark will be due in part to businesses and IT departments being influenced by their workers' demands.

"BYOD [is] becoming a part of the devices policy," said Gartner Research Vice President Carolina Milanesi in a press release.

"We have seen consumer preferences shaping not only the vendors' landscape but also the way IT departments need to think about devices in the enterprise."

Predictions into 2016

Gartner analysts predict that 70 percent of total devices sold in 2012 will be "smart devices," which is defined as smartphones and tablets.

"In 2016, two-thirds of the mobile workforce will own a smartphone, and 40 percent of the workforce will be mobile," said Milanesi.

Tablets will be the key accelerator to mobility, according to analysts who are meeting in at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012 in Barcelona this week.

The firm estimates that businesses will purchase 13 million tablets this year and more than triple that number by 2016, reaching 53 million units sold.

"For most businesses smartphones and tablets will not entirely replace PCs," explained Milanesi.

"But the ubiquity of smartphones and the increasing popularity of tablets are changing the way businesses look at their device strategies and the way consumers embrace devices."

The smart money Android smart devices

Google's Android operating system will be the biggest beneficiary of this ever-increasing smart device sales trend.

By 2016, Gartner estimates that the Android OS will account for 56 percent of smartphones sold to businesses in North America and Europe.

That is up from 34 percent in 2012 and virtually no penetration in 2010, says the firm.

"Today the wide range of brands and price points that the Android ecosystem is offering is winning over users," said Milanesi.

"While Apple remains the heartbeat by which the market moves, Google has rapidly become its archrival."

Windows 8 the third wheel as RIM loses ground

Gartner sees Windows 8 as a strong No. 3 tablet OS by 2016, with demand coming from businesses as opposed to consumers.

"Tablets and convertibles will be the way into businesses for Windows 8," predicted the firm.

Windows 8 tablets and ultramobiles in businesses will reach 39 percent in 2016, estimated Gartner.

Milanesi didn't lay out such a rosy forecast for RIM and its line of Blackberry devices.

"As businesses are looking for a multi-device strategy and a rich application portfolio it is clear that RIM has a huge challenge ahead in regaining its key presence in the enterprise."


Source : techradar[dot]com

Windows Phone 8X vs. Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 5: spec showdown

Galaxy S3 vs Windows Phone 8X vs iPhone 5 spec comparison

The biggest representatives of every operating system go head-to-head-.to head. The iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3, and HTC Windows Phone 8X square off in a Spec Showdown. Which phone best meets your needs? Take a look at our comparison and make your call.

Since Apple makes its own products, it’s latest product is the default market leader for iOS. For Android and Windows Phone handsets, however, the field is wide open. The market defines the front runners with their wallets, and there’s the media darlings that manage to snag the hearts of reviewers. The Samsung Galaxy S3 has become Android’s model phone, in part because of an aggressive and enjoyable ad campaign, and because it’s just a darn good handset. With Windows Phone 8 just becoming available, we can’t be certain what the mobile operating system’s chief representative will be. What we can say with confidence, though, is that HTC’s Windows Phone 8X can make quite a case for itself. How do these three heavyweights of the handset world stack up against one another? Take a look at the stat sheet and draw your own conclusions.

Read our full reviews for the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3, and HTC Windows Phone 8X for our extended take on each option. 

 

iPhone 5 

iPhone 5 display

Galaxy S3

galaxy s3

Windows Phone 8X 

HTC Windows Phone 8X tiny

Size  123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 (mm)  136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 (mm)  132.3 x 66.2 x 10.1 (mm)
Weight  112g  133g  130g
Screen  4.0-inch LCD  4.8-inch Super AMOLED  4.3-inch Super LCD 2
Resolution  1136×640 pixels  1280×720 pixels  1280×720 pixels
OS  iOS 6.0.1  Android 4.0 with TouchWiz UI  Windows Phone 8
Storage  16/32/64GB  16/32GB  16GB
SD Card Slot  No  Yes  No
Processor  Dual-core A6X  Dual-core Snapdragon S4 (US)  Dual-core Snapdragon S4
RAM  1GB  2GB  1GB
Connectivity  Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+  Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+  Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HSPA+
Camera  Front 1.2MP, Rear 8MP  Front 1.9MP, Rear 8MP  Front 2MP, Rear 8MP
Bluetooth  Yes, version 4.0  Yes, version 4.0  Yes, version 3.1
Battery  1440mAh  2100mAh  1800mAh
Charger  Lightning connector  Micro USB  Micro USB
Marketplace  Apple App Store  Google Play Store  Windows Phone Store
Price  $200+  $200+  $100+
Availability  AT&T, Sprint, Verizon  AT&T, Sprint, T-Mob, Verizon  AT&T, T-Mob, Verizon

What it means: You can sit and compare the processing power and pixel-per-inch count on each device and come to a conclusion about which phone is most technically sound. That said, the biggest and most glaring difference between these three handsets is in one category: the operating system. Apple’s iOS is streamlined and smooth, like everything Apple; Google’s Android OS is in a seemingly constant state of upgrade, but rarely are the changes met with complaints; Windows Phone 8 brings the complete implementation of Live Tiles, and we’ve already started to see that Microsoft may be on to something. The deciding factor may come down to your other devices and computer. If you own a Mac, sticking with the Apple theme may be best for the purposes of continuity. PC users that sprung for Windows 8 should consider snagging the Windows Phone 8X to get the full functionality of the OS. Android devices can work with Mac, Windows, or even Linux, and the NFC features like S Beam make the Galaxy S3 appealing if your friends of co-workers also own the device. Luckily, if you are making your choice from this group, it’s hard to pick wrong.

(Specs by Jeffrey Van Camp)


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Opera 12.10 adds Windows 8/OS X features, Chrome 23 gets DNT

Opera has released an update today, bringing a handful of new features including improved support for Microsoft and Apple's platforms. Opera users who have purchased new touch-enabled Windows 8 devices will be happy to find enhanced support for finger input. The release notes mention basic touch controls for Windows 7 and Windows 8 classic (presumably referring to the desktop interface).

Folks running Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion can also look forward to some new features, including alerts from Opera in the new Notifications Center and improved support for the high-resolution "Retina" displays on newer MacBooks and iMacs. Opera 12.10 also adds a button to the address bar that makes use of Mountain Lion's integrated social sharing functionality. Other noteworthy changes include:

  • Support for the SPDY protocol to improve and secure connections. Gmail and Twitter have already started using SPDY to supplement HTTP.
  • The WebSocket API is supported and turned on by default in Opera 12.10. Opera now also supports ICC color profiles and color management.
  • Support for Flexbox and and @supports to give website developers more control of how their website appear in the end users’ browsers.

Meanwhile, Google has also unleashed a new build of its browser. Alhough it's not as significant as Opera's update, Chrome 23 finally introduces support for the Do Not Track (DNT) protocol, which has already been added to Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Safari. Google also touted the performance improvements garnered by recently enabling GPU-accelerated video decoding for Chrome on Windows -- particularly in battery life, which lasted about 25% longer with GPU acceleration in the company's tests.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Microsoft readies 7-inch gaming tablet, the Xbox Surface

The 7-inch tablet market is about to see a new member jump into the fray. The Verge reports that Microsoft is working on a 7-inch gaming tablet called Xbox Surface that will include a custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM designed specifically for gaming tasks. Hardware specifications are not currently set in stone and could change to accommodate an Intel SoC, but work the Xbox Surface is supposedly moving ahead independent of a specific hardware architecture.

The forthcoming tablet won’t run a full version of Windows or even Windows RT. Instead, it will run a custom Windows kernel with support for messaging and other tablet functions, but with a focus on gaming.

Further details remain scarce at the moment as Microsoft is being particularly secretive about the project. The report notes that the company recently locked down several Xbox-related buildings, limiting access to employees from the Interactive Entertainment Business division only, and speculates the lock down could be related to Microsoft testing the tablet and working on games and software for the device.

The Verge said we should expect to see the Xbox Surface debut ahead of the next Xbox, “providing the project doesn't get killed in favor of a full 7-inch Windows tablet, in the same way Microsoft axed Courier.”

Microsoft’s 10-inch Surface RT tablet went on sale less than a couple of weeks ago on October 26. Initial reactions from reviewers and consumer have been a mixed bag, with some praising its solidly engineered form factor, while most complained about the lack of quality apps on the Windows Store.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Analyst: 1.2 billion smartphones, tablets to be sold in 2013

Analyst: 1.2 billion smartphones, tablets to be sold in 2013

1.2 billion smart devices is enough for entire population of India

Analysts are predicting that it's wise to be in the smartphone and tablet business right now, with a forecast of 1.2 billion "smart devices" to be sold worldwide in 2013.

This figure is up from the 821 million devices that technology research firm Gartner is predicting for this year.

Crossing that billion-sold mark will be due in part to businesses and IT departments being influenced by their workers' demands.

"BYOD [is] becoming a part of the devices policy," said Gartner Research Vice President Carolina Milanesi in a press release.

"We have seen consumer preferences shaping not only the vendors' landscape but also the way IT departments need to think about devices in the enterprise."

Smartphone, tablet sales predictions into 2016

Gartner analysts predict that 70 percent of total devices sold in 2012 will be "smart devices," which is defined as smartphones and tablets.

"In 2016, two-thirds of the mobile workforce will own a smartphone, and 40 percent of the workforce will be mobile," said Milanesi.

Tablets will be the key accelerator to mobility, according to the analysts who are meeting in at the the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012 in Barcelona this week.

The firm estimates that businesses will purchase 13 million tablets this year and more than triple that number by 2016, reaching 53 million units sold.

"For most businesses smartphones and tablets will not entirely replace PCs," explained Milanesi.

"But the ubiquity of smartphones and the increasing popularity of tablets are changing the way businesses look at their device strategies and the way consumers embrace devices."

The smart money Android smart devices

Google's Android operating system will be the biggest beneficiary of this ever-increasing smart device sales trend.

By 2016, Gartner estimates that the Android OS will account for 56 percent of smartphones sold to businesses in North America and Europe.

That is up from 34 percent in 2012 and virtually no penetration in 2010, says the firm.

"Today the wide range of brands and price points that the Android ecosystem is offering is winning over users," said Milanesi.

"While Apple remains the heartbeat by which the market moves, Google has rapidly become its archrival."

Windows 8 plays the third wheel, as RIM loses ground

Gartner sees Windows 8 as a strong No. 3 tablet OS by 2016, with demand coming from businesses as opposed to consumers.

"Tablets and convertibles will be the way into businesses for Windows 8," predicted the firm.

Windows 8 tablets and ultramobiles in businesses will reach 39 percent in 2016, estimated Gartner.

Milanesi didn't lay out such a rosy forecast for RIM and its line of Blackberry devices.

"As businesses are looking for a multi-device strategy and a rich application portfolio it is clear that RIM has a huge challenge ahead in regaining its key presence in the enterprise."


Source : techradar[dot]com

Microsoft hiring engineers for possible new cloud-based TV platform

Microsoft cloud TV service

Microsoft isn't taking any time off between releasing Windows 8 and starting on its next big thing. The company's latest job listings suggest that we'll be seeing a cloud-based TV platform in our future.

Microsoft isn’t letting up on its efforts to stay relevant in the computing industry. Hot on the heels of the Windows 8 release, job listings on the company’s website show positions for developing “a new cloud-based TV platform.” The positions are part of the Interactive Entertainment Business division of Microsoft, so the possible new cloud service will appear on Xbox if it does come to fruition.

Think you’re up for the task? The job listings are for engineers experienced with using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and jQuery. It also looks like the company is seeking both mobile and browser options, since iOS, Android, Windows 8, and Windows RT are also listed as ideal fields of experience.

It would be a huge coup for Microsoft to be the first company to offer a device-specific cloud television service. Microsoft’s foray into a cloud-based TV platform could also be an effort to muscle out the other companies with Xbox Live apps for watching TV and movies, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, in favor of an internal platform. Microsoft worked with Comcast to release the NBC News app on Xbox in August, and that could be just an early step toward positioning itself as an entertainment leader.

Whatever the motivation, this is one more sign that Microsoft is willing to adapt to secure its spot as a key player in the fast-moving tech scene. With plans for the Xbox 720 to hit the market some time in 2014, Microsoft has plenty of time to make a concerted push to have an impressive new addition to its product when the new console becomes available. 

[Source: SlashGear]


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Our favorite iPad Mini accessories

Take a look at some of the best iPad Mini accessories on the market. We round up the stylish, the portable, the wireless, and the useful, for iPad accessory hunters on the prowl.

The iPad mini is likely to be a popular purchase over the next few months. Whether you’ve treated yourself to one or you know someone who has one, you may be on the lookout for some iPad mini accessories. You can extend the functionality of your new tablet and make it easier to use. You’ll also find that iPad Mini accessories make great gifts, much like the $330 iPad Mini itself.

If you’re looking for a decent set of speakers, a way to stream content to your TV, a stylus for sketching, or a sturdy stand. Whatever iPad Mini accessory you are hunting for there should be an option here to catch your eye.

If you haven’t got protection for your new Apple tablet yet then make sure to check out our iPad Mini cases and covers roundup for ten great suggestions. 

Breffo Spiderpodium iPad Mini stand ($20)

It can be a chore finding the right angle for your iPad mini and most of the stands on the market have a number of preset angles. The Spiderpodium is different. This stand is extremely lightweight and flexible and it allows you to get exactly the right angle for whatever you are doing on your iPad Mini. It feels like soft rubber which also provides good grip, but the skeleton inside is surprisingly strong. It’s a versatile option that you can use in a number of scenarios and it folds flat for when you’re traveling. It comes in a range of colors – there’s even a glow in the dark option.

Jawbone Jambox ($200)

Jawbone-Jambox

Although the iPad Mini does have stereo speakers, you’ll need to splash out for a decent speaker to enjoy really good sound. Since this is the most portable iPad yet, it makes sense to get a portable speaker and nothing else on the market packs the same quality sound into such a small form as the Jawbone Jambox. It is wireless, with support for Bluetooth, so there’s no need to carry a lot of cables around with you. You can also choose from a wide range of grills and colors to suit you.

Beyerdynamic DTX 101 iE In-Ear Headphones ($100)

If you prefer the compact in-ear style headphones, but you don’t want to sacrifice on quality, then this set from Beyerdynamic is worth considering. You’ll enjoy crystal clear sound with some real power, thanks to the Neodymium acoustic drivers. The headphones come with three different pairs of ear-pieces and a handy soft case for when you’re on the move.

IOGEAR Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard for Tablets and Smartphones ($50)

You can actually control six different devices at the touch of a button using this mini Bluetooth keyboard. It’s an ideal wireless keyboard for the iPad Mini because it’s compact, has a number of hotkeys for easy media control, and is very quiet to use. It comes with a nice carry pouch so you can throw it in your bag on trips, as well. It will also work with most smartphones and it only needs two AAA batteries to operate. However, if you prefer to stick with the Apple aesthetic then the Apple Wireless Keyboard might be for you. It is also Bluetooth, it runs on two AA batteries, and it costs $70.

Arkon Deluxe Universal Tablet Headrest Mount ($35)

If you have passengers in the back or you’re taking the kids on a road trip then you can make the most of your iPad Mini with this clever headrest mount. It clamps onto the two poles of the headrest and extends the iPad Mini to sit in between the two front seats so everyone on the back seat can get a great view. It also has a 360 degree swivel ball so that you can switch it from landscape if portrait if you want to. You iPad Mini will fit in this mount even with a case on.

HAND Stylus ($35)

This started out as a Kickstarter project and it surpassed its goal thanks to an excellent design that circumvents the problems typically found in styluses. Namely that there is no way for this stylus to scratch your tablet’s screen because every edge is rounded and smoothed. The 4mm tip is retractable, rotatable, and replaceable. Overall, it’s a responsive and easy-to-use stylus that is ideal for people who prefer to hand write notes and sketch on their iPad Mini. It comes in various colors and that $35 price includes shipping. You can $10 for a bag of six extra tips.

Apple TV ($100)

apple tv ipad accessory

You’ve likely heard of Apple TV before. It’s no new. It’s a $100 device that lets you buy movies and TV shows from iTunes and you can access a handful of other services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube on your big screen television. The real attraction for iPad Mini owners is the wireless streaming via AirPlay. You can choose content from your tablet, including your own videos and photos, and see it on your big TV. You can even mirror your iPad Mini’s screen which allows you to blow up games and apps or surf the web in style. There’s also an app that can turn your iPad Mini into a remote control.

If you don’t want Apple TV simply to play content from your iPad Mini you could consider the Lightning Digital AV Adapter, but it does cost $50 and you’ll still need an HDMI cable.

Suggestions? Let us know

You’ll find more and more iPad Mini accessories hitting the market over the next few weeks and there’s already quite a large selection at the Apple Store. If you find anything that’s so good you simply have to recommend it then please post a comment and let us know.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Steam for Linux officially enters beta testing

Steam Linux

Valve's ubiquitous software distribution service Steam has finally appeared on Linux. It's only in beta, but this new version of Steam already includes a number of important features found in its PC counterpart.

When Valve first announced Steam, a service that allows gamers (and, recently, creative professionals) the ability to download software at high speeds from Valve’s servers, many people were skeptical. Especially when the company launched Half-Life 2 and both Steam and the game were rendered unusable for a number of days. Of course, Valve has turned things around since then, and over the past few years Steam has become the de facto face of digital downloads, offering both PC users and those who prefer Apple’s devices a solid reason to never physically visit a video game store ever again.

Now, that awesome opportunity for wanton laziness has been expanded to Linux users. Well, sort of. As of this morning, Valve has announced that Steam has entered a closed Linux beta test. The current beta version of Steam lacks many of the features you’d find in its PC and Mac iterations, but Valve certainly didn’t want to test its game distribution system without offering players actual games. Thus, beta testers are now able to download and play a special Linux version of Team Fortress 2. Further, the Linux Steam client also includes support for the Big Picture mode seen in the PC version of Steam that allows the software (and any games running through it) to expand its viewing area to properly fit on modern HDTVs.

Oddly, Valve’s announcement also claims that there are an additional “two dozen” games available for play on the Linux version of Steam, though all links the company has offered to an official list of said games seem to be defunct. Seeing this, we attempted to manually search Steam for any Linux-compatible games, and while we came up with this list of 25 titles (26 if you include Team Fortress 2) by searching specifically for Linux compatibility, none of them happen to mention Linux in their respective Steam store descriptions. We just sent off a message to Valve to see if we could get a bit of clarification on which games Linux users can expect to play, so hopefully we’ll have more info to offer soon.

Now, before you Linux users get too excited, know that there are caveats involved with this beta test. First, this is not a public beta. To be eligible for the test, you would have had to already receive an invite from Valve. According to the company, it received over 60,000 applications to take part in this test in the first week following its call for such people, and while no official figures have been released on how many gamers are involved in this beta, we expect the number to be quite large

Assuming you are one of these lucky invitees, the only hurdle left is making sure that your operating system is up to snuff. According to Valve, the Linux beta test is specifically for those running Ubuntu 12.04. Steam’s availability will expand to include other popular Linux flavors over time, but for now its Ubuntu or nothing. “An overwhelming majority of beta applicants have reported they’re running the Ubuntu distro of Linux,” said Frank Crockett, a member of the Steam for Linux development team. “We intend to support additional popular distros in the future; we’ll prioritize development for these based on user feedback.”

There is currently no word on how long Valve intends to keep this test running, nor how quickly we’ll see other popular titles appear on Steam’s Linux iteration, but we’ll keep you updated as new information rolls in. In the mean time, you Linux users are given permission to smugly boast about the new gaming capabilities of your favorite, less-than-mainstream operating system. Your friends who swear by Windows have had it coming for years.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Daily Deal: Unlocked Dell Venue GSM Phone on sale, now 50% off

Dell Venue

Yes, the upcoming Google Nexus 4 is a pretty amazing deal starting at just $299, but what if you want something even cheaper while still retaining that whole “unlocked out of the box” smartphone experience? Amazon has a pretty great deal on the Dell Venue Android smartphone, slashing the price in half and giving you an unlocked smartphone for less than $200.

The Dell Venue is powered by Android 2.2 Froyo and comes with a 4.1-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display. Other features include the 1GHz processor, 8MP camera, Full Adobe Flash 10.1, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and HQ Corning Gorilla Glass. There’s a 16GB microSD card that comes pre-installed for storage and let’s not forget that this phone is factory unlocked, so you can use it with GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Rogers Wireless.



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

Google and Microsoft showing 'extreme' interest in UK airwaves

Google and Microsoft showing 'extreme' interest in UK airwaves

Look at all the wasted space! (credit: Ofcom)

The technology heavyweights could be looking to nab spectrum to start offering new services.

Google and Motorola have expressed 'extreme interest' in acquiring currently unused UK airwaves, possibly in a bid to offer broadband in the UK or begin to connect remote devices together, according to The Telegraph.

The unused spectrum – known as 'White Space' by Ofcom, which is looking to license out the frequencies – is currently used to make sure high power TV signals don't interfere with one another.

No worries – we'll have it

However, this means that lower-power devices operating in a short range would be able to make use of the space, enabling Wi-Fi routers with wider ranges or allowing things like appliances or utility meters to be better-connected within the home and through thicker walls.

The Telegraph's senior government sources have claimed that the two companies see this technology as a chance to offer something very different to Apple, with the possibility being that Wi-Fi would be available as part of the bundle when buying a top-end smartphone, thus saving consumers money and increasing speeds.

The technology, which exists in the sub 1GHz frequencies rather than the faster but shorter range 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands Wi-FI traditionally operates in, may not be able to carry data as quickly as the home router but would be able to extend the range of the signal to benefit more users.

Ofcom is also looking to extend the scheme to do the same with the white spaces in between the FM frequencies which act as buffers for the UK's radio stations, although it will likely be looking into that scheme after the TV signal repurposing is complete in 2013.


Source : techradar[dot]com

64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 pre-orders open in UK

64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 pre-orders open in UK

If you want it, you'll have to hope others do too.

The 64GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 has finally gone on pre-order in the UK, and at an eye watering price.

Online retailer Clove is the first to get its 64GB Galaxy S3 pre-order page up, and it's asking a staggering £600 for the top of the range handset.

Although that's a lot to pay for a phone, it's still £99 cheaper than the equivalently sized iPhone 5, which is available SIM-free for £699.

No guarantee

However those who pre-order are not gaurenteed to receive a black 64GB Galaxy S3, as Clove states it will review orders in two weeks time and make a decision on whether or not to stock the device based on demand.

There's no word on the Samsung Galaxy S3 64GB release date, but the retailer estimates it will be at least eight weeks from now, so it's unlikely that we'll see the handset land in time for Christmas.

The Samsung Galaxy S3's saving grace is that it's a quality handset, racking up 4.5 out of 5 in our in-depth review and it currently sits proudly at the top of our 20 Best Mobiles in the World feature.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Apple’s patent abuse lawsuit against Motorola has been dismissed

A case in which Apple accused Motorola of an abuse of the patent system, where it was charging Apple more for key patents than it was to other companies, has been dismissed. Apple has the chance to appeal, but Motorola wants to come to an agreement.

A lawsuit brought against Motorola by Apple has been dismissed by a court in Wisconsin, even before the trial had the chance to get underway. Instead, it took a week of pre-trial motions and a two-hour hearing on Monday morning, for Judge Barbara Crabb to cancel proceedings with prejudice. This gives Apple the chance to appeal, but only in the same court.

Apple was claiming that Motorola was abusing the patent system (oh, the irony) by asking unreasonably high license fees, and more than it charged other companies, for some key Wi-Fi and cellular patents used in the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Motorola’s fee is 2.25-percent of the price of each Apple device sold that uses the technology. Apple, however, only wanted to pay a fraction of that amount, stating $1 per future device was its magic number.

Following the dismissal, Motorola issued a statement saying “We’re pleased that the court has dismissed Apple’s lawsuit with prejudice. Motorola has long offered licensing to our extensive patent portfolio at a reasonable and non-discriminatory rate in line with industry standards.” It also adds that it’s “interested in reaching an agreement with Apple.”

Google-owned Motorola needs to be careful though, as it’s parent company is in-line for an antitrust lawsuit, should be it discovered withholding patents to stifle competition. Apple, on the other hand, is back to square one, with an appeal likely on the way.

This is the second Apple vs. Motorola lawsuit to be thrown out this year. Last time out, Apple accused Motorola of copying the design of the iPhone for its Android handsets, however Judge Richard Posner dismissed it in June after deciding neither company adequately made its case. At the time, Motorola tried to get this dispute with Apple enjoined, but the Judge refused.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Apple – Motorola lawsuit dismissed by US judge

Apple – Motorola lawsuit dismissed by US judge

Apple's ongoing battle with Motorola over patent licensing has been thrown out of court.

Apple has been maintaining that the rate requested for Motorola (and therefore now Google's since the search giant bought out the handset developer) is too high and wanted a court to order a lower rate.

But District Judge Barbara Crabb of the Wisconsin federal court ruled that she does not have the legal authority to make the claims.

That said, Apple is still pursuing the case against Googorola in other US regions, with court dates set for next year to make sure it isn't liable to pay damages on devices with featuring Qualcomm technology, which uses Motorola patents in its designs.

No Crabb-Apples this Christmas

The case being dismissed in Wisconsin is a blow to Apple however, as it was looking to force down the price Motorola is asking to use its essential technology – the company previously said it wouldn't pay more than $1 per handset.

Google, unsurprisingly, issued a statement filled with understated legal glee at the dismissal, claiming that it has always offered what it considers to be a fair price to Apple for the patents.

The bad news for the consumer is that there's no notion of these constant patent wars being settled as the battles continue to play out over many territories and over a number of issues.

The upshot could be higher handset prices, especially in the Android camp, as the likes of Microsoft and Apple attack the OS – hence the reason Google is so intent on leveraging the core assets it has, many of which live within the newly-acquired Motorola stable.


Source : techradar[dot]com

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