iPhone 4, iPad 2 3G for AT&T infringe on Samsung patents

Samsung just won a patent victory against Apple, but it's an empty one. The South Korean company has successfully argued that some Apple products violate Samsung's 7,706,348 patent. The devices in question? The iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3 (presumably they mean the 3G), the iPad 3G (first gen) and iPad 2 3G, all for AT&T.

The patent is essential to 3G network connectivity and Apple's older devices were found to infringe on it (but Wi-Fi only devices are safe). Also, newer Apple devices use Qualcomm chipsets which do not infringe on the patent in question, neither does Verizon's iPhone 4, which also uses a Qualcomm chipset.

Due to how the US patent system works, Apple can continue to import the infringing devices during a period of Presidential review (the President has a 60-day window during which he can veto the ITC's decision), provided Apple files a bond. In this case, the bond is for the amount of "zero percent of the entered value," so it's a formality.

Also, it's not like AT&T and Apple are selling tons of these devices – in fact, the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 3G are the only ones still on sale. Apple said it will appeal and there won't be any impact on iPhone and iPad availability in the US (for now anyway).

Source (PDF) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_4_ipad_2_3g_for_at_t_infringe_on_samsung_patents-news-6160.php

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active officially announced

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active officially announced

Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy S4 Active - a rugged phone that brings top-end specs but lets you throw it in the bath.

Coming with a quad-core 1.9GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and a Full HD 5-inch screen, it bears a strong similarity to the original version.

Developing...

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-active-officially-announced-1156659

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41-megapixel Nokia EOS dubbed 'Elvis' in latest specs leak

Nokia's EOS 'Elvis' is said to sport a yellow chassis like the Lumia 920's

The long-rumored Nokia EOS, said to sport a 41-megapixel camera and a quad-core processor, is on schedule to be released this summer on AT&T, said a new report today.

The PureView-packing Nokia EOS was detailed in a report at Windows Phone Central, which claimed to have spoken with numerous sources who have seen the phone themselves.

According to the site,the Nokia EOS with PureView will feature 32GB of storage, a 720p OLED display, FM radio, and a yellow polycarbonate body.

Don't forget that gorgeous 41-megapixel camera with Xenon flash, which this report said will take two versions of every photo - one at 35 megapixels and one at five for sharing online.

Elvis will enter the building

The rumored Nokia EOS reportedly carries the internal codename "Elvis," though other than the phone's obvious swagger there's no clear reason for it.

In reality it's most similar to Nokia's 808 PureView; it's essentially a Windows Phone'd version of that 2012 device.

It's also about 1mm thinner than the Lumia 920, though with a larger bump in the body for the souped-up PureView camera. Unfortunately, that means no room for an SD card, according to the site's sources.

The Nokia EOS "Elvis" is also said to feature Nokia's new Nokia Pro Camera app with manual focus and other fun photography functions, plus a "flip-to-silence" feature that lets you send incoming calls to voicemail by flipping the phone upside-down.

WPCentral said from what they've seen a July launch makes sense, lining up nicely with what we've previously heard as well. Finally, it added that AT&T won't be the only carrier to get it, though it will likely be the first.

• Photography isn't Windows Phone 8's only strength. Check out TechRadar's list of the top WP8 apps.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/41-megapixel-nokia-eos-dubbed-elvis-in-latest-specs-leak-1156593

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Windows 8.1 will let you lock folders with your fingerprints

Windows 8.1 will add new features and bring back old ones at the same time

Microsoft finally spilled the beans on Windows 8.1 this week, but one thing it didn't mention was fingerprint reader support.

That doesn't mean Windows 8.1 won't allow fingerprint scanning as a security measure, though, and a new report today suggested that it in fact will.

According to The Verge, Windows 8.1 will up Microsoft's native support for biometrics and fingerprint recognition technology.

It will even include the option to lock folders to individual fingerprints.

Fingerprint reading: more useful than it sounds

Users will be able to associate their unique fingerprints with their Windows 8.1 Microsoft Accounts, the site reported.

That fingerprint will then allow them to log into or purchase apps, lock folders, and more.

It sounds like fingerprint reading will be possible both with external hardware peripherals and as a feature built-in to some Windows 8.1 devices; Microsoft's Senior Product Marketing Manager Michael Niehaus said during the company's Tech-Ed talks this week that they're working with hardware manufacturers to have it included.

The company is also reportedly working on getting more OEMs to build the technology directly into their own tablets, laptops, mice, keyboards, and other devices.

We've asked a Microsoft spokesperson to clarify exactly how fingerprint recognition technology will be implemented in Windows 8.1, and we'll update this post if we receive more information.

Windows 8.1 is almost here

It's been rumored for months that Apple is about to get big into fingerprint reading, but this is the first we've heard of its implementation in Windows 8.

The Microsoft OS update has long been rumored as well, and recent leaks showed what looks like the return of the Start button.

Windows 8.1 will be available publicly beginning June 26 during the Microsoft Build developer conference.

• Can't wait for Windows 8.1? Here's 12 key changes coming in the Windows update.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc/windows-8-1-will-let-you-lock-folders-with-your-fingerprints-1156579

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Lenovo extends its Reach with new cloud service

Hey, you, get onto Lenovo's cloud

There are a multitude of cloud storage options already widely available to consumers for safekeeping of documents, pictures, and other media that can be easily accessed anywhere.

With tried and true apps like Dropbox, Mega, iCloud, and Google Drive already heavily favored by the on-the-go user, it's interesting to learn Lenovo will now be entering the cloud arena.

Like every other cloud service already available, Lenovo's Reach will allow you to remotely access your stored files from a multitude of devices, including Android, iOS, and Windows.

What Lenovo plans to do to stand out from the crowd remains to be seen, but we should learn more when the beta for Reach begins on June 22.

Reach for the sky

As with Reach's competitors, Lenovo's service will allow you access any of your stored files from any location or device, be it one manufactured by Lenovo or not.

Though the beta is just a few short weeks away, Lenovo won't be opening Reach up to everyone until later this year, pending the user feedback it receives during the closed trial period.

"Lenovo Reach plays a fundamental role in our plan to expand cloud services to consumers around the world," said Mark Cohen, vice president of software and cloud solutions at Lenovo, in a statement.

Reach's interface is designed to work well with both touch and mouse/keyboard interactions, and will feature 5GB of free storage, as has become the new standard.

The new service will also work with apps and websites like Facebook and Pinterest, and offers a modicum of customizability for the interface itself.

It's not really clear just what the benefits are of saving an app to Reach, but perhaps we'll learn more once the beta actually begins.

Sign-ups have already started for the beta on Reach's website, but you won't know if you got in until later this month.

• Can you live entirely in the cloud? Check out this editorial to see just how easy it is to live exclusively online.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/lenovo-extends-its-reach-with-new-cloud-service-1156574

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Lenovo teases smartphone joint venture with mystery company

Lenovo may have partner on future smartphones

Smartphones are big business, and Lenovo plans to reach for a more generous slice of that pie with the help of a company who shall remain nameless - at least for now.

Lenovo Group Limited released a Clarification Announcement (PDF link) to shareholders Tuesday about the company's smartphone ambitions - without actually divulging the name of who could help those plans come to fruition.

Citing "certain articles published in the internet" relating to "a possible joint venture arrangement" between Lenovo and an unnamed party, the so-called clarification only served to raise more questions than it actually answered.

While the announcement makes it clear the proposed joint venture intends to bolster Lenovo's smartphone business, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yang Yuanqing refers to the arrangement as a "potential transaction" and not yet a done deal.

Mystery partner

Earlier this year, Lenovo expressed interest in BlackBerry, the onetime Canadian smartphone giant currently in the throes of a comeback in the very market it once pioneered.

While BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins didn't completely dismiss the idea back in March, Lenovo has continued to launch its own Android-based hardware, most recently with the Intel-powered K900.

According to Reuters, the joint venture partner could be NEC Corp., Lenovo's Japanese partner for personal computers who has acknowledged their own mobile ambitions are presently in "a difficult state."

Lenovo is currently the second-largest manufacturer of smartphones in its home market of China, having ended 2012 with $1.6 billion in the bank.

• Find out more about the Lenovo K900 and NEC Corp.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lenovo-teases-smartphone-joint-venture-with-mystery-company-1156536

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White Nexus 4's being delivery intercepted by Google

If you've ordered the 16GB version of the white Google Nexus 4 in the past couple of days, you may have received a notification that your order is being intercepted and returned to sender.

No word on what the cause could be, and the only information from Google at this point is that it is aware of the issue.

The Google Nexus 4 in white was announced on May 28, and became available on Google Play a few days later. The listing currently has the 16 GB version as being out of stock, while the 8 GB model is unaffected.

We'll be sure to update you on what the cause for the delay is when we know more, but feel free to take a look at our hands-on while you wait.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/white_nexus_4s_being_delivery_intercepted_by_google-news-6159.php

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