Apple patent lawsuit aimes more devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S III

Maybe I calculated things were more Samsung after a loss last week filed a lawsuit to Apple to cover most between the two countries. Sure, $ 1.0 billion and the resulting public stock losses + Samsung enough to get them out of the tablet and smartphone market. For all the hype, and judgment last week in favor of Apple jury only one battle in the war. Apple even recognize this. Instead of sitting on their laurels and wait for Samsung and other manufacturers of the robot in the world to dive the defeat Apple was back in San Jose Federal Court documents to work on Friday. This time it's a request to add more devices from Samsung to an item back in February 2012 based on a variety of patent infringements. Cover of the original case 17 units produced between August 2011 and done. Application adds four new devices including the Samsung Galaxy S III. No word or response from Samsung regarding informed of the latest

source: Reuters

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Microsoft Applies For Patents on Multi-touch/Multi-screen Gestures – Should Android Worry?

Some patents Microsoft applied for back in February of ’10 have recently gone public thanks to MicrosoftNews. So, why is Microsoft news on an Android site? Well, kids — if granted, these patents could pose a significant threat to our beloved Android OS and her OEM’s. Let’s take a look at Microsoft is trying to claim as “theirs”  (brace yourself).
Off-Screen Gestures to Create On-Screen Input

The patent provides for single-touch gestures, multi-finger same-hand gestures, and multi-finger different-hand gestures, all of which can operate along the bezel moving from the inside-out, or the outside-in. And if you take a close look at the pic, you also see mention of bezel gestures that display a drop-down menu ala Android. Immediately when I think of bezel gestures the BlackBerry PlayBook comes to mind. RIM better watch out.
Multi-finger Gestures

Bezel gestures seems to be big with Microsoft. This one particular deals with multi-finger gestures associated with an exposable drawer. These gestures can also be used on a device with multiple screens.
Multi-screen Pinch and Expand Gestures

This is pretty much your standard multi-touch “pinch-to-zoom function but bundled with multi-screen compatibility.
Multi-screen Hold and Tap Gesture

Last on the list is Microsoft’s “hold and tap” patent. Again, this is for interacting with apps via split-screen. This is a lot like long pressing an icon or widget in Android but in this case you would hold an object on one screen (left) and tapping a second object on the the opposite screen will move the object to the screen where you tapped. Basically, it’s kinda like copying the object your holding onto the opposite screen.
What do you guys think of these exposed patents? Some of this stuff actually sounds pretty neat and I would love to see it incorporated into some dual-screen Android tablets. For instance, Sony’s upcoming S2 tablet could benefit greatly from some of these gestures. Of course, if Microsoft gets their way, Android manufacturers may have their hands tied when it come to interacting with your Android tablet.

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Will Google End Up Selling Motorola After Integrating Patents Into Their Own Portfolio?

Speculation abound, folks. On Monday, Google proposed to purchase Motorola. I’m sure everyone in the tech world knows that by now. Not only 4 days later, people are speculating on what should happen next. Yesterday, I raved about five things I’d love to see come out of the Google/Motorola deal and many of you chimed in with your own thoughts.
Some people, however, think Google won’t even get a chance to do anything with Motorola as they believe the company will eventually have to be sold off, sans patents. This would obviously surprise us considering how highly Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha spoke of the deal and how they could help shape the evolution of Android because of it. Perhaps he just meant they would be “helping” by giving Google the patents they need to get back to working on Android without all of the legal stuff on the side.
Their (the analysts’) argument is that Google could risk damaging relationships with their current OEM partners if Motorola ends up improving in market share and revenue.
Although Google has clearly stated that Motorola would be independently run as a separate entity and that they would not box Motorola’s competitors out of the Android ecosystem,  it’s possible they could see any bit of special treatment as a sign of favoritism toward Motorola and dump Android in fear that Google will eventually become another RIM or Apple.
For instance, if that Nexus tablet we all want happens to be made by Motorola, competing OEMs will most likely call foul (even if they won’t publicly). And if Motorola gets major versions of Android before everyone else? That’s a riot waiting to happen.
Because of these reasons, some analysts think Google will quickly integrate their newly-acquired patents into their own portfolio and sell Motorola to someone else once that’s complete. Most think Sony Ericsson and Huawei would be best fits for the sale due to their need to strengthen their market presence in regions where Motorola currently shines.
It would be an interesting move by Google if they do end up doing something like that. I can’t imagine Motorola would like to be, and excuse my french, whored out to other companies after being stripped of their patents. But that’s all speculation and, at the end of the day, it’s Google’s call.
Analysts believe the sale of Motorola Mobility without the patents would attract at least $1 billion and could be worth as much as $5 billion.
So this can only be treated as a “what-if” scenario. If OEMs start to get antsy over Google and Motorola, Google might have to sell Motorola in order to make the many partners who make Android successful happy by making them believe there is no favoritism.
Conversely, if OEMs don’t care then Google will probably just sit on Motorola and enjoy the patents all the same. In any case, the buyout has yet to be approved and we shouldn’t even be talking about another sale until this one is completed.

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Apple Acquires 20 New Patents – Could Prove Problematic For Android

Apple was just approved 21 patents today from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Wait- before you check your URL, yes you are on Phandroid.com. If you were thinking, “What is this Apple $#@%&@*#?” Well, my friend — that’s because some of these newly acquired patents could become a potential problem for Android and her manufacturers. Lets take a look at a few of these patents Apple just got their hands on.
Apparently, an “integrated touchscreen” is an innovation that Apple now owns. Now, I don’t know about you but last time I checked, I’m pretty sure my phone had an integrated touchscreen. Well, sort of. This particular patent describes a new kind of technology that would merge touch-sensing components and a display panel into a single unit. Currently, they are separate pieces. This new tech would provide touch screens that are thinner, brighter, more power efficient and cost effective. Sounds like something Samsung would use in their future Super AMOLED Plus displays (and I could have sworn, was already using?).
What else was Apple able to dig their claws into? Well, they finally acquired a patent they submitted way back in ’07 that describes an interface and method for streamlining the voicemail experience by eliminating complex navigations and unnecessary buttons. Although vague, this pretty much sounds like the voicemail app I’m currently using on my Evo 3D right now.
Apple has been a very busy boy lately suing the pants off of OEM’s and acquiring new patents to use on the offensive. While I used to think I could simply ignore Apple and avoid their products it seems I was being naive. Apple seems hell-bent on destroying their opposition and these newly acquired patents can do nothing but help their cause.

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