HTC found to violate Nokia patents by US trade panel judge

In a preliminary ruling for the US International Trade Commission, a judge concluded that HTC infringed two Nokia patents in manufacturing its products. ITC is scheduled to make a final decision on the case on January 23, 2014.

The HTC devices included in Nokia’s lawsuit are from the Taiwanese manufacturer’s 2011 lineup. They include the Amaze 4G, Inspire 4G, Radar 4G, Rezound, Sensation 4G, as well as the Flyer and Jetstream tablets. Nokia has turned toward ITC because it can easier ban the infringing products in the United States.

A Nokia spokesman has issued a statement regarding the judge’s decision: “Nokia is pleased that the initial determination of the ITC confirmed that HTC has infringed two of our patents."

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Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_found_to_violate_nokia_patents_by_us_trade_panel_judge-news-6847.php

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Low-cost BlackBerry handset codenamed Kopi leaks out

Following the footsteps of the C-series device we saw a couple of days ago, another unannounced, low-cost BlackBerry 10 smartphone has made an unscheduled appearance. Codenamed Kopi, the upcoming smartphone offers a combination of a hardware QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen.

BlackBerry Kopi is hardly a looker (click to enlarge)

The BlackBerry Kopi will reportedly sit below the already budget-friendly Q5 in the troubled manufacturer’s range. The handset is rumored to pack faster chipset than the BlackBerry Q5, as well as removable battery. The BlackBerry Kopi won’t support LTE networks, so we are likely to see it released only in emerging markets.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lowcost_blackberry_handset_codenamed_kopi_leaks_out-news-6846.php

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BlackBerry C-series 'Americano' might combine best of the Z and Q

BlackBerry C-series: specs of the Q5 with no QWERTY in sight? (credit: BBin)

BlackBerry is really not doing so hot, with losses and layoffs in its future, but the latest leak holds that its next scrabbling handhold on the ever-receding cliff face of profitability is a new budget line called the BlackBerry C-series.

The BlackBerry C (code name: "Americano") is said to combine the best existing BlackBerry 10 devices like the Z- and Q-series phones: sleek design with budget specs, respectively.

That will keep the BlackBerry C series looking fresh to consumers while appealing with a lower price point than the high-end Z-series, like the just-announced BlackBerry Z30; or at least, that's reportedly the idea.

If it's true, the Americano will be mucking about in the just-released iPhone 5C's neck of the sea, which may not be the best place to tread water right now.

The leaks keep flowing

News broke today that BlackBerry has agreed to an initial offer that could see it bought and taken private again by a financial holdings company called Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

But that hasn't stopped leaks of its alleged smartphone plans.

As far as specific specs we've got little to go on where the BlackBerry C is concerned, besides the promise of specs similar to what the chunky, QWERTY-equipped, budget-priced BlackBerry Q5 offers.

Besides that the only morsel is that the initial BlackBerry C-series device will reportedly have a full-sized 4.2-inch 720 x 1280 touchscreen, no QWERTY, and 4G LTE compatibility.

The phone is said to be in testing stages currently.

Inevitable comparisons

Word of the BlackBerry C-series fits perfectly with the company's recent admission that it will back off from the consumer market soon and release just four new phones in the future, instead of the previously planned six.

Of those four unannounced devices, two are high-end offerings and two are entry-level phones, like what the BlackBerry C is being described as.

Comparisons with the iPhone 5C will be inevitable (imagine if they call it the BB C5?), but the "budget" iPhone has reportedly done pretty well for itself since its launch alongside the iPhone 5S this past weekend.

Combined sales for both new iPhones hit 9 million in just three days, though Apple isn't detailing the exact split and TechRadar's digging indicates tentatively that the higher-end iPhone 5S is in fact in greater demand.

• BlackBerry could really be sold - the company actually found a suitor and agreed to an initial offer that would take it private.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-c-series-americano-might-combine-best-of-the-z-and-q-1183330

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BlackBerry gets $4.7 billion buyout offer from Fairfax group

BlackBerry hasn't had a great run in the recent times and the company has been losing ground rather quickly. The last few quarters have been rough for the once dominant Canadian tech company, and depleting market share has resulted in its Board of Directors deciding to sell the company.

Ever since then, the company's board has been pushing for a quick sale before the end of the year, and it looks like the firm has struck a deal with a consortium led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. The deal totals some $4.8 billion with each share valued at $9.

BlackBerry, the company known for manufacturing smartphones for professionals has given the group a time frame of six weeks to conduct due diligence and if things go alright, the final agreement is expected to be signed on November 4.

In the meantime, BlackBerry will continue to look for alternative offers, but according to the intent agreement, Fairfax group will have all the rights to match the offers if any.

The Fairfax group, which currently owns a 10% stake in the company, has several partners who have opted to remain anonymous until the diligence is completed. Fairfax CEO Prem Watsa said that there are no strategic players or other technology firms in the consortium.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_gets_47_billion_offer_from_fairfax_group-news-6845.php

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BlackBerry actually finds a suitor, investment firm extends buyout offer

BlackBerry gets bought

BlackBerry is becoming a private company again after signing a letter of intent agreement to be bought out by a group led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, it was announced today.

The deal is worth approximately $4.7 billion (about £2.93b, AU$4.98b) at $9 per share (about £6, AU$10) in cash for all of the shares that Fairfax doesn't already own.

"We believe this transaction will open an exciting new private chapter for BlackBerry, its customers, carriers and employees," said Fairfax Chairman and CEO Prem Watsa.

He said BlackBerry would continue "a long-term strategy in a private company with a focus on delivering superior and secure enterprise solutions to BlackBerry customers around the world."

Where to go from here?

BlackBerry has certainly had a violate month.

• Read the 11 moments that defined BlackBerry's rise and fall

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-to-be-acquired-by-fairfax-financial-holdings-in-buy-out-1183296

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Oppo N1 official camera samples emerge

Oppo turned a few heads today at its unveiling in China of the new Oppo N1, where it introduced a 13MP camera capable of rotating 206-degrees from front to back.

This means that your front-facing images should theoretically be just as good as your rear-facing ones - it is one and the same camera after all.

The images are processed by Oppo's new Pure Image algorithm, which they claim offers realistic and vivid image quality, as well as better white balance, exposure and focus. The lens itself is made up of six physical lenses of f/2.0 aperture. There's also a dual LED flash in the back, one each for normal light and diffused light, and an unprecedented 8 second long exposure time.

While we don't want to get too into analyzing images published officially by the manufacturer for obvious reasons, we must say that while the colors seem accurate, the dynamic range could use some work - particularly in the flower images, where some highlights and more than a few shadows are clipped.

We can't wait to get our hands on a unit to see how it performs in our own tests. Meanwhile, be sure to check out our dedicated hands-on of the Oppo N1 - we have our own camera samples, but at very poor lighting conditions.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n1_official_camera_samples_emerge-news-6844.php

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iPhone 5S and 5C sales hit 9 million in three days

iPhones strangely popular

Apple has announced that its latest iPhone launch is the most popular yet, with 9 million new iPhones sold in just three days.

According to Apple, the launch of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C was a record breaker for the company and downloads of iOS 7 have been impressive too, clocking in at 200 million.

To compare, the iPhone 5 in the same time span last year managed a mere 5 million sales.

Speaking about the popularity of the new iPhones, Tim Cook said: "This is our best iPhone launch yet - more than nine million new iPhones sold - a new record for first weekend sales.

"The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we've sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5S, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly. We appreciate everyone's patience and are working hard to build enough new iPhones for everyone."

Touchy subject

While Apple hasn't announced what the split is between iPhone 5S and 5C sales, asking around the networks in the UK, TechRadar found that the demand for the iPhone 5C wasn't anywhere near as strong as for the more powerful and somewhat less colourful iPhone 5S.

News of a successful iPhone launch for Apple couldn't have come at a better time. The company is currently battling a spot of negativity over its Touch ID technology which is said to have been infiltrated by hackers - although the outrage may be getting just a little over the top.

That said, it seems other manufacturers are still getting involved with biometrics on their phones, and it hasn't stopped Apple topping the sales charts worldwide.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5s-and-5c-sales-hit-9-million-in-three-days-1183193

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Apple sells 9 million iPhone 5s and 5c units in first weekend

Apple prides itself on its opening weekend sales each year and there's always that word record somewhere to be found. This year Apple boasts 9 million sold iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c units in the first weekend.

Apple didn't provide specifics on which iPhone sold how many, but the two new iPhones combined for a significantly larger win over last year's 5 million iPhone units opening weekend.

Also iOS 7 is now running on more than 200 million devices, making it one of the fastest updates in history. The updated OS launched just two days before the new iPhones.

Apple is reporting low supply for the new iPhone 5s flagship, with many online orders expecting to be shipped in the coming weeks.

Be sure to check back with us soon for a detailed look at the iPhone 5s and 5c.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_sells_9_million_iphone_5s_and_5c_in_first_weekend-news-6842.php

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Oppo N1 is official with 5.9-inch fullHD display and Color OS

Oppo has just announced its latest smartphone in a special event in Beijing, China. It's called the Oppo N1 and runs the latest version of the company's home-brewed Color OS.

The Oppo N1 is built around a 5.9" display of full HD resolution, which equals out to a pixel density of 373 pixels per inch.

Below the display there are 3 capacitive Android keys - back, home and menu.

The back of the Oppo N1 is especially interesting. Firstly, there sits the camera with CMOS sensor and Oppo's specially-designed Owl imaging processor. The whole camera module rotates 180 degrees allowing it to act as a front-facing camera as well.

Depending on which version you pick (more on that in a minute), the camera would support either 15x or 10x optical zoom. Oppo has also created special plug lens. Not to be confused with Sony's QX100 and QX10 camera modules, Oppo's lens are like usual plug-in lenses that attach to the phone.

Secondly, the area below the camera is touch sensitive. The feature is called O-Touch and depending on the gesture that you make, the phone is can either play next song, browse the web or do a custom action. For example you can long touch the back of the phone while the camera app is on and it'll take a shot with the front facing camera. The supported gestures are long press, sliding and double tapping.

Right below the camera there's an LED flash, while on top of the phone you'll find a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Developing...

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n1_is_official-news-6841.php

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LG's warped-looking Vu 3 is officially official

Well, she's happy with it anyway

After unveiling its new animation-friendly cases last week, LG has now given the Vu 3 the official nod with its 4:3 stylings set for release by 27 September.

Not in the UK, US or Australia, mind you - the Vu 3 seems set for a limited release with the company focusing its efforts on its home turf.

So we'll be missing out on the 5.2-inch screen with a 4:3 "textbook" style aspect ratio, which LG describes as "monolithic", with a stylus coming as standard.

Textbook

There's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 on board, with LTE 4G connectivity and a 13MP camera rounding out the specs.

We've already seen the see-through QuickView smart cases that display animated notifications when the phone is encased within.

LG's not letting much more slip in its announcement release, however, so we're in the dark as to what version of Android it launches with and other details.

• We were underwhelmed by the LG Vu 2; will the new generation fare any better?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-s-warped-looking-vu-3-is-officially-official-1183099

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LG unveils Vu 3 with 4:3 screen, stylus and Snapdragon 800 chipset

LG had a phablet before the Optimus G Pro, the LG Optimus Vu, and two generations of it, at that. Now the company has put out its third iteration, and following its new naming convention it's just LG Vu 3 (no "Optimus").

The Vu 3 drops the squarish looks of the first two iterations and goes for a more rounded look that is similar to the Optimus G Pro (but not the LG G2 - there are hardware buttons below the screen). The Vu family has always had 4:3 screens and this one is no exception.

This time around it's got a 5.2" IPS LCD screen of 1,280 x 960 resoluiton which results in 307ppi pixel density. LG claims this aspect is better for reading text (both documents and web pages). Like previous Vu's, this one works with a stylus with a rubber tip, and there's no additional digitizer for it.

Despite the lower screen resolution, the LG Vu 3 uses the same chipset as the G2 – a powerful Snapdragon 800 with four Krait 400 CPU cores and Adreno 330 GPU.

LG Vu 3 • the translucent QuickView cover

It has a 13MP camera too, though the press release makes no mention of optical image stabilization. The LG Vu 3 still borrows a few things from its G2 counterpart, including LTE-Advanced (up to 150Mbps downlink), KnockOn (wake device by double-tapping the screen), Guest mode and QLink (send notifications between the device and a tablet).

The LG Vu 3 also works with QuickView covers, but unlike the covers for the LG G2 there's no window. Instead the whole cover is translucent and the screen contents shines through.

The squarish phablet will be released in Q4 (if we're reading the Google Translated press release right), but there are no details regarding availability.

Source (Korean) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_unveils_vu_3_with_43_screen_a_stylus_and_snapdragon_800_chipset-news-6840.php

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