Samsung got a reduction on the $1.05 billion of damages it was ordered to pay Apple last year. Judge Lucy Koh, who presided over the mega trial ordered a reevaluation of $450.5 million of the initial damages awarded to Apple to take place in a new trial with a different jury.
The new trial will involve 14 Samsung devices whose per-product damages from the first trial were found to be questionable. Some of the notable Korean devices include the Samsung Nexus S 4G, Infuse 4G, AT&T Galaxy S II, and the Galaxy Tab.
Having a new trial means that, depending on which way deliberations swing, Apple could receive a larger amount awarded in a judgment, or Samsung might get a break in the amount it owes its rival.
The new trial will not take place until appeals of the current verdict have ended. We honestly can't see an end to the saga in the near future.
The Apple vs. Samsung lawsuit settlement that had Samsung paying more than $1 billion for patent infringement has been halved by the case's federal judge today.
The reason for the reduced settlement is that the August jury awarded damages improperly and excessively for the Samsung devices that infringed upon Apple's patents, according to Northern District of California Judge Lucy Koh.
As software patent blog Foss Patents explains it more indepthly, "the jury set only one damages figure per product, but half a dozen different intellectual property rights were found infringed."
The 14 infringing Samsung devices are the Galaxy S2, Galaxy Prevail, Gem, Indulge, Infuse 4G, Captivate, Continuum, Droid Charge, Epic 4G, Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Tab, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, and Transform.
This leaves Apple with about $598.9 million from the $1.05 billion in damages the jury had originally awarded the company.
Apple vs. Samsung retrial
In addition to halving the Apple vs. Samsung settlement, Judge Koh ordered a new trial to sort out the improperly calculated damages.
The case has the potential to move Washington D.C. to the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles patent appeals, surmises the Mercury News' Howard Mintz, covering on the legal affairs beat.
There's also a second Apple vs. Samsung legal battle going on over Samsung's newest phones, and Siri is front and center of that spring 2014-set case.
Judge Koh, however, wants the two warring companies to go one lawsuit at a time, urging Apple and Samsung to finish the appeals process before moving onto this new court case.
We're imagining a van stalking behind you to provide coverage
As more and more users adopt cell phones and smartphones using 4G networks, the bandwith is becoming more and more clogged.
Anticipating the next leap in network coverage, Japan's NTT DoCoMo mobile operator teamed with the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) to conduct the first 10Gbps wireless test.
The study went down in December, and used a mobile station (i.e. - a van loaded with equipment) to attempt transmission in the 400MHz bandwidth of the 11GHz spectrum.
Using some two dozen different antennas, NTT and TIT were able to maintain an uplink rate of 10Gbps while traveling at a consistent speed on the road.
Like a 5G
NTT DoCoMo is hoping to run more tests uploading at 10Gbps on the 5Ghz (5G) "superhigh frequency band," despite that wavelength being troublesome for wireless transmissions.
Superhigh frequency bands don't typically allow signals to travel over long distances, and become even more unreliable when trying to transmit in and around buildings.
Lower frequencies (like 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE) have been the preferred method for mobile carriers to this point precisely for that reason, but NTT has reason to suspect it will be able to find a solution.
It's unlikely 5G will become readily available any time soon, so those of you who just upgraded to 4G or 4G LTE networks won't have to worry about being outpaced just yet.
The future applications remain a mystery pending further testing, but NTT's research could provide insight into a whole new way for data to be transmitted from mobile devices in a few years.
Google Glass could hypothetically display flight status
It's easy to imagine using Google Glass for hands-free directions, phone calls, video recording and more, but JetBlue took it one step further in a Google+ post this week.
The airline piggybacked the #ifihadglass social media campaign to remind its fans that it's the coolest airline around, publishing several pictures of imaginative ways to use Google Glass in and around an airport.
If that sounds a little twisted to you, JetBlue's hypothetical Google Glass uses might just make you feel better.
An end to futile parking spot searches? Yes, please
And that's why we want Google Glass
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
JetBlue posted on Google+, "#ifihadglass we would continue to help the world view air travel through a whole new lens," and included several mock-ups of Google Glass being used around an airport.
First, Google Glass could display in real-time how much space is left in a parking structure when you're driving up.
It could display your flight status without you having to search frantically for a TV screen in the airport, then point out available power outlets while you're waiting to board.
After the flight, Google Glass could tell you where your baggage will be and when it will arrive.
Know how much you owe before you step in the cab
Finally, JetBlue contends that Google Glass could estimate your cab fare outside the airport.
We have a winner
JetBlue stands a respectable chance of taking the crown in the #ifihadglass campaign with these ideas, though no doubt if it really wanted a prototype Google would probably supply it one regardless - especially with applications like these in mind.
In related news, the airline posted a comment response to a request that it adds these features to smartphone apps before looking to future tech like Google Glass.
"We're always looking at features to add to our Android and iOS apps," JetBlue wrote, "and love the idea of streamlining the experience, not just from gate to gate, but from door to door."
It added that mobile boarding passes for Android are "nearly here."
Google Glass could hypothetically display flight status
It's easy to imagine using Google Glass for hands-free directions, phone calls, video recording and more, but JetBlue took it one step further in a Google+ post this week.
The airline piggybacked the #ifihadglass social media campaign to remind its fans that it's the coolest airline around, publishing several pictures of imaginative ways to use Google Glass in and around an airport.
If that sounds a little twisted to you, JetBlue's hypothetical Google Glass uses might just make you feel better.
An end to futile parking spot searches? Yes, please
And that's why we want Google Glass
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
JetBlue posted on Google+, "#ifihadglass we would continue to help the world view air travel through a whole new lens," and included several mock-ups of Google Glass being used around an airport.
First, Google Glass could display in real-time how much space is left in a parking structure when you're driving up.
It could display your flight status without you having to search frantically for a TV screen in the airport, then point out available power outlets while you're waiting to board.
After the flight, Google Glass could tell you where your baggage will be and when it will arrive.
Know how much you owe before you step in the cab
Finally, JetBlue contends that Google Glass could estimate your cab fare outside the airport.
We have a winner
JetBlue stands a respectable chance of taking the crown in the #ifihadglass campaign with these ideas, though no doubt if it really wanted a prototype Google would probably supply it one regardless - especially with applications like these in mind.
In related news, the airline posted a comment response to a request that it adds these features to smartphone apps before looking to future tech like Google Glass.
"We're always looking at features to add to our Android and iOS apps," JetBlue wrote, "and love the idea of streamlining the experience, not just from gate to gate, but from door to door."
It added that mobile boarding passes for Android are "nearly here."
The HTC One features an aluminium body, 4.7-inch HD screen and intriguing camera tech
The HTC One is set to hit the UK's streets on March 15, and networks are rushing to stake a claim on the company's new flagship Android phone.
However, there's far more to the story than that: what about pre-orders? Prices? Thoughts about whether it's worth buying a phone that you've not held properly?
Don't worry - we've spent some time browsing the relevant catalogues and come up with the prices, plans and pontifications you need to worry about before thinking about shelling out your hard-earned.
EE
The first network to decide it's worth bringing you the new HTC handset, this network is also one of the most pricey. It's offering the One from 'mid-March' and will cost you the princely sum of £69.99 up front and £41 a month from then on - and that's on a 24 month deal.
On the plus side you get mega speeds, movies and other assorted treats - but they may not be enough to make up for the lack of food in your life given the amounts you'll be spending.
Launch date: Mid-March
Greatest data allowance plan cost: 3GB allowance on 4G: £69.99 for phone, £41 a month
Vodafone
The red network has decided you can get this handset on a pretty good deal - if you think a free phone from £42 a month is such a thing.
The good news is that you can get this handset in BLACK rather than just boring ol' aluminium / silver - and apparently our eyes are deceiving us when we argue it looks heaps like the BlackBerry Z10.
The phone is being badged as '4G-ready' too, something that many manufacturers are doing given they're getting ready to make, you know, 4G ready.
Launch date: March 15
Greatest data allowance plan cost: 2GB of data: free phone, £42 a month
Three
Three was another early one to chat about its HTC One aspirations - dubbing it 'Ultrafast ready' rather than 4G, although that incorporates the next-gen network.
You can pre-order the phone right now, and it even comes on PAYG for £479.99 - that's if you've got that much spare change just sitting around. It comes in black on the numerical network, which is a plus if you want one to match your Batman outfit.
Launch date: March 15
Greatest data allowance plan cost: £69.99 for phone, £36 a month for the One Plan
Orange and T-Mobile
The two EE sub-brands are still fighting for customers below their EE overlord, and are offering the HTC One on some lower contracts as they look to nab those that aren't overly fussed about 4G.
It's interesting to note that neither offer a delivery date, and vary pretty dramatically in terms of cost, simply because Orange doesn't offer an unlimited plan.
Launch date: Unknown
Greatest data allowance plan cost: £29.99 for phone, £41 a month for 3GB data on Orange / £69.99 for phone, £36 a month for unlimited data on T-Mobile
O2
The bubbly network isn't going to be left out when it comes to the HTC One, but it's not going to be the cheapest if you're desperate to get your hands on the new phone with this supplier.
You do get the normal amount of treats though, such as O2 Priority, but many will see other networks as massively cheaper. And it doesn't even come with a charger - although this is a pretty eco-friendly move, and you've probably already got one.
Launch date: March 15
Greatest data allowance plan cost: £29.99 for phone, £47 a month for 4GB of data
Phones 4U
If you toddle down to one of 11 Phones4U stores now, you can be among the first in the world to have a go on the HTC One (which we already have, no big deal). You'll also be able to pre-order the handset with a few freebies for early orderers helping to sweeten the deal.
You'll be able to get the HTC One handset from Phones4U for free on a £36 per month contract on several networks from March 15. Want it in silver? Want it in black? Want it in gold? You can't get it in gold. Sorry. But there are headphones on offer as well - Dr Dre will be happy.
Launch date: March 15
Greatest data allowance plan cost: Free phone, £41 a month for 3GB of data on Orange
The Carphone Warehouse
As for Carphone Warehouse, the first 1000 people to pre-order the HTC One will get a free pair of Beats headphones, as well as being offered in black and silver.
You'll have to make like it's 1996 and call up to do that (the number is 0800 925 925), or you can hang on until March 15 when the handset will be available in-store and online.
Launch date: March 15
Greatest data allowance plan cost: Free phone, £40 a month for unlimted data on Three. (But no Beats headphones).
HTC One features
Of course, there's more to life than how much something costs - the HTC One comes with a whole host of new features that we've rounded up in a lovely and efficient manner below:
HTC One makes its debut with snap-happy Zoe on its arm
HTC's newest flagship Android phone: the HTC One has finally landed in all its aluminium uni-body, feature-packed glory. It's a good looking phone, slim with rounded corners and a premium look.
It's rocking a 4.7-inch Full HD display with a quad-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon processor on the inside. There's also 2GB of DDR2 RAM to play with and the handset will be available in 32GB and 64GB models.
It's well-documented that HTC hasn't had the best of it recently, with the profits slumping and market share down. So the HTC One is the firm's new attempt at a market-leading handset, and with an all-aluminium body, super-high-res 4.7-inch HD screen and futuristic camera technology hint that this could be something of a winner. So how does it stack up?
HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Sony Xperia Z vs iPhone 5
A few years ago, if you weren't on an iPhone or a BlackBerry, chances were you were rocking an HTC Android device with a big clock on the homescreen. But times change - and Samsung got busy with its Galaxy line, ultimately stealing the top Android spot from HTC and making HTC wince. We've compared the HTC One against the S3, the Xperia Z and the iPhone 5 to see how it fares.
Acer had a modest showing at the MWC - the Liquid E1 was there, but it was announced a month earlier. In fact, the company didn’t announce anything new, though the president of Acer's Smartphone Business left some clues about a new device – a phablet - in an interview for the official MWC paper.
The phablet is called Acer Liquid S. There are no specific specs mentioned, here’s what the president of the group had to say in this advertorial:
Acer currently does not have a quad-core phone (or phablets), only its tablets have quad-core processors. So, this phablet, the Acer Liquid S, will be their first non-tablet quad-core device.
But what exactly does “phablet” mean nowadays anyway? We don’t agree with the 4.7” and above screen size definition by Acer. Recently announced 5-inch screens are pushing the boundaries of the definition. It was last year's flagships that first hit the 4.7” mark - phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X and others.
The Galaxy Note II and the Optimus G Pro with 5.5” screens might be the lower-end of the phablet range, while the Asus Fonepad puts the maximum at 7”. So the Acer Liquid S can be anything in between.
Well, this was as vague as an announcement can get, while still counting as an announcement. You can bet we’ll be on the lookout for more specific info on the Acer Liquid S.
