Apple sues Samsung for “copying” tablets, phones
Apple has sued Samsung this week, accusing its rival of “copying” iOS devices when creating its Galaxy line of tablets and phones.
The lawsuit alleges Samsung violates many Apple patents and trademarks relating to design features.
Samsung says it will actively respond to the suit and the accusation that it “blatantly copied” Apple gadgets.
Apple’s suit is over 16 different claims “including unjust enrichment, trademark infringement” and 10 patent claims.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S devices have all sold well in the United States, and feature Android software.
Steve Jobs wants to add Wi-Fi syncing to new iPods
Cultofmac has reported today that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is pushing hard to get Wi-Fi syncing for the upcoming iPod revamp coming later this year.
The company has apparently been testing the tech for the last two years.
Jobs has made Wi-Fi syncing one of the top priorities for the media players, which are becoming less and less relevant as more people simply buy iPhones or iPads.
So far, Apple’s engineers have had issues with “reliability, signal strength, case design and battery life” when trying for Wi-Fi syncing.
The current method for syncing involves connecting to your PC via USB cable.
Using a carbon fiber design, which the new iPods are said to have, “the engineers have found many improvements” but it is still nowhere near perfect.
Video Daily: HTC Sensation specs now ‘official’
Through two leaks, one from Qualcomm and one from Vodafone UK, we now have most of the specs for the long-awaited HTC Sensation (formerly known as the Pyramid).
The smartphone has a large 4.3-inch qHD SLCD display, a dual-core Snapdragon processor at 1.2Ghz, 768MB of RAM, dual cameras and 4GB internal storage.
Additionally, the phone will come with an 8GB microSD card.
The rear-side camera will be 8MP with dual-LED flash, and the front camera will be 1.2MP.
HTC’s Sensation is expected to come with Gingerbread and HTC’s updated Sense UI overlay.
Xbox Live getting free-to-play games?
Citing “trusted sources,” IGN is reporting that Microsoft will soon make free-to-play games available through Xbox Live.
By doing so, gamers can play the games for free, but will purchase virtual content (currency, weapons, clothes, etc) just like in popular Facebook games like MafiaWars and CityVille.
The industry has seen an expansion into F2P, with big publishers like EA even trying the model on shooters like Battlefield Play4Free.
That game is still in beta.
For now this is still rumor, but we will keep you updated.
DOJ approves Google’s purchase of ITA
The Department of Justice has approved Google’s $700 million purchase of ITA Software, the world’s largest flight data company.
As part of the approval, Google must accept certain restrictions, however.
The major restriction is that Google must continue to license ITA software to airfare sites “on commercially reasonable terms” and Google must promise to continue enhancing the software “in a manner consistent” with ITA’s development over the past decade.
Google must also use an internal firewall that will block the company from gaining “competitively sensitive information” off of ITA customers.
Says the DOJ (via CNN):
The Department of Justice’s proposed remedy promotes robust competition for airfare websites by ensuring those websites will continue to have access to ITA’s pricing and shopping software.
ITA software organizes flight data like times, prices, availability and more, and is used on sites like Kayak, Orbitz, Expedia.com, TripAdvisor and Bing, among others.
Auburn, Maine kindergarten students to get iPad 2s
The Aubrun, Maine school department has announced this week that every kindergarten student in the district will receive an iPad 2 tablet for the upcoming fall semester.
There are 285 students and teachers, and the endeavor will cost around $200,000.
As a test program, 20 or so students will get their iPads in May.
Says superintendent Tom Morrill:
When you look at what the iPad 2 apps that are out there, from learning your letters from books, that can be read, finger painting your name, it’s absolutely something we must do.
School officials say they hope the iPads will boost literacy rates to 90 percent in two years. Current levels have hovered around 60 percent.
Grooveshark pulled from Android Market
Google has pulled the popular Grooveshark music app from the Android Market, following accusations from the record labels that the service facilitates piracy.
When asked for comment, Google only said that it “removes apps from Android Market that violate [its] terms of service.”
Apple removed the app from the iOS store last August after it received a complaint from the Universal Music Group.
Google is currently in the midst of speaking before the House Judiciary Committee, which is investigating whether the search giant aids piracy by offering AdSense to all sites, including those that offer pirated movies, music and more.
Grooveshark hosts over 6 million tracks.
‘Harry Potter’ books to finally go digital
In a move that should bring substantial more money to author JK Rowling, the blockbuster ‘Harry Potter’ book series is expected to go digital for the first time ever, 14 years after the 1997 release of ‘The Sorcerer’s Stone.’
All seven of the books will soon become available via the iPad and the Kindle e-reader, and should net Rowling £100 million.
Scotsman cites Rowling’s agent as confirming the imminent deal.
Rowling has an estimated fortune nearing $1 billion USD, following the record sales of the books, the films, the DVD/Blu-rays and other merchandise.
One editor added:
Experts believe that move could revolutionize the world of electronic publishing, triggering rocket sales of e-book readers such as Kindle and the iPad.
Analyst: Atrix and Xoom sales are low
According to Pacific Crest analyst James Faucette, Motorola Atrix and Xoom sales “have been disappointing.”
While shipments remain decent, sell-through of the devices are very low, with the Atrix sales specifically being “well below forecast.”
The analyst says the Atrix has been hurt by the cheap prices of the Apple 3GS ($49) and the HTC Inspire ($99). The Atrix, on the other hand, sells for $200 with contract.
Downgrading the company’s revenue forecast from $13.7 billion to $12.2 billion, Faucette also warned investors that the company will need to “quickly adjust and refresh its product portfolio” if it wishes to remain relevant.
Neither Motorola nor market leader Apple have revealed the sales figures on their latest tablets, yet.
Nintendo 3DS has best launch for company handheld, ever
Nintendo has said today that the 3DS handheld has sold extremely well since launch Sunday in the United States.
The company says launch day sales were “the highest of any Nintendo hand-held system in our history.”
Although they did not reveal specific numbers, they confirmed that numbers would be available on April 14th, when NPD shows off the figures.
Continues the statement:
Nintendo worked hard to get as much product as possible to retailers on day one to meet demand, and we will continue with these efforts moving forward.
Giant retailer GameStop also said they were very “pleased” with the sales of the handheld.
