Apple, Samsung ready for latest patent faceoff

The fiercest rivalry in the world of smartphones is heading back to court this week in the heart of the Silicon Valley, with Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. accusing one another, once again, of ripping off designs and features
The trial will mark the latest round in a long-running series of lawsuits between the two tech giants that underscore a much larger concern about what is allowed to be patented.

“There’s a widespread suspicion that lots of the kinds of software patents at issue are written in ways that cover more ground than what Apple or any other tech firm actually invented,” Notre Dame law professor Mark McKenna said. “Overly broad patents allow companies to block competition.”

The latest Apple-Samsung case will be tried less than two years after a federal jury found Samsung was infringing on Apple patents. Samsung was ordered to pay about $900-million (U.S.) but is appealing and has been allowed to continue selling products using the technology.

Now, jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in another round of litigation, with Apple accusing Samsung of infringing on five patents on newer devices, including Galaxy smartphones and tablets. In a counterclaim, Samsung says Apple stole two of its ideas to use on iPhones and iPads.

“Apple revolutionized the market in personal computing devices,” Apple attorneys wrote in court filings. “Samsung, in contrast, has systematically copied Apple’s innovative technology and products, features and designs, and has deluged markets with infringing devices.”

Samsung countered that it has broken technological barriers with its own ultra-slim, lightweight phones.

“Samsung has been a pioneer in the mobile device business sector since the inception of the mobile device industry,” Samsung attorneys wrote. “Apple has copied many of Samsung’s innovations in its Apple iPhone, iPod, and iPad products.”

In the upcoming case, Apple claims Samsung stole a tap-from-search technology that allows someone searching for a telephone number or address on the web to tap on the results to call the number or put the address into a map. In addition, Apple says Samsung copied “Slide to Unlock,” which allows users to swipe the face of their smartphone to use it.

Samsung countered that Apple is stealing a wireless technology system that speeds up sending and receiving data.

The most attention-grabbing claim in the case is Apple’s demand that Samsung pay a $40 royalty for each Samsung device running software allegedly conceived by Apple, more than five times more than the amount sought in the previous trial and well above other precedents between smartphone companies. If Apple prevails, the costs to Samsung could reach $2-billion. Apple’s costs, if it loses, are expected to be about $6-million.

“You rarely get from the jury what you ask for, so companies aim high,” said German patent analyst Florian Mueller. “But in my opinion this is so far above a reasonable level the judge should not have allowed it.”

The problem, he said, is that each smartphone has thousands of patented ideas in it; Apple is challenging just five.

Throughout the three years of litigation, Samsung’s market share has grown. One of every three smartphones sold last year was a Samsung, now the market leader. Apple, with a typically higher price, was second, with about 15 per cent of the global market.

Apple claims the following Samsung products now infringe on Apple patents: Admire, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy SII, Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy SII Skyrocket, Galaxy SIII, Galaxy Tab II 10.1, and Stratosphere.

Samsung claims the following Apple products infringe on Samsung patents: iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad mini, iPod touch (5th generation), iPod touch (4th generation), and MacBook Pro.

With the San Jose federal courtroom just a 15-minute drive from Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, even jury selection can be difficult. In the previous case, several prospective jurors were dismissed because of their ties to the company.

 

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Samsung Galaxy S5 accessories emerge online

Seoul: As Samsung officially unwrapped the flagship smartphone Samsung Galaxy S5, now device’s official accessories emerge online.

Mobile accessory site MobileFun, indicate that there will be several variations of cases and covers for the Galaxy S5. The first such accessory is a Protective Hard Case Cover Plus, which is made out of plastic and is meant to be a rugged case.

While it isn’t much to look at, it will protect the Galaxy S5 against the daily wear and tear. Considering that the Galaxy S5 is set to cost over $800, you’re going to need one of these. The protective case will cost 25 Euros.

The next accessory is an S View Wireless Charging Cover, which comes with a cut-out that allows you to view the screen. You will have the ability to answer calls, look at the time and view incoming notifications without having to flip open the cover.

The cover also works with wireless charging, so you can wirelessly charge the Galaxy S5 without removing the cover. The S View cover will cost around 67 Euros and will be available in white and black colors. An S View cover without wireless charging functionality will also be available for 55 Euros and will feature more color variants.

A Flip Wallet Cover that doesn’t feature a cut-out but has room to store your cards will be available for 37 Euros. These cases will likely be available once the Galaxy S5 launches next month.

source::thenewstribe.com

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Samsung Launches New Smartwatch: The Gear 2

Samsung Launches New Smartwatch: The Gear 2 

 

Barcelona (AFP) — Samsung on Sunday launched a new smartwatch, the Gear 2, after a first version won over few critics, adding new features and ditching Google’s Android in favor of its own operating system.

The South Korean electronics giant revealed the new watch in an unexpected announcement on the eve of the Feb. 24-27 Mobile World Conference in Barcelona.

Samsung is unveiling on Monday its new flagship smartphone, almost certainly the Galaxy S5, and it had been expected to show off the new watch at the same time.

Besides an array of features including sports tracking software and a heart-rate monitor, the Gear 2 marks an important and widely rumored step toward independence from Android.

The watch, available in two models — the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo, which has no camera — will be powered by the Tizen operating system developed by Samsung with various partners to break free of the Android dominance.

Android powered 78.4 percent of smartphones worldwide last year, according to technology consultants Gartner Inc., making it easier for users to switch phones and harder for manufacturers to build customer loyalty. Apple’s iOS system accounted for another 15.6 percent of smartphones.

The Gear 2, which will be available worldwide in April, has a 1.63-inch screen, a 2.0 megapixel camera that can take high-definition video, a heart-rate sensor and pedometer, audio that can work with Bluetooth headphones, remote control for devices such as televisions, and an alert system for incoming text messages and emails. The wrist strap comes in black, orange and brown.

The first Gear, launched last September, was criticized by many for being unfashionable and unwieldy.

Samsung, like other device makers, is banking on smart devices to boost revenue as sales of smartphones slow in the mature, and most profitable, markets.

Though smartphone sales surged 42.4 percent to 968 million units last year, according to Gartner, the growth came from developing markets like Latin America, India and China, while mature markets such as Western Europe and the United States hit the brakes.

“We will see all of the handset companies responding to slowing growth in the smartphone market and the difficulty of making money,” said Ian Fogg, senior principal analyst of electronics and media at research house IHS.

“They are going to launch a number of smart accessory devices including wearable devices that will give them opportunities in new markets to generate revenues and growth.”

Despite perceived difficulties in selling the first watch to a broad audience, Samsung appeared confident in its latest version.

“With the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, we have enhanced everything consumers love about the Gear to offer unparalleled smart freedom in their everyday life,” J.K. Shin, head of the mobile division at Samsung Electronics, said in a statement.

The new watch has been designed to be compatible with a variety of Samsung devices, including the Galaxy range of smartphones.

The South Korean group sold 300 million smartphones last year, 31 percent of the nearly 1 billion sold globally and double arch-rival Apple Inc.’s 15.6 percent share, according to U.S. technology research house Gartner.

The Galaxy S5 is rumored to have a fingerprint scanner on the home button; a 5.24-inch, full high-definition display; a water- and dust-proof case, possibly metallic; and a 16-megapixel camera.

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