Hasta La Gadget!

Sometimes you just want some fresh coconut water. How frequent those times are all depends on who you are. If they pop up often, however, this clever coconut drill might come in handy. More »

Friday was something of a whirlwind day for the employees and executives of OnLive. At the start of the day, we heard that OnLive would be shutting down, with a number of employees saying they had been handed pink slips. Throughout the day, OnLive executives claimed that everything was fine. After the end of business of Friday, OnLive announced that it had been “acquired into a newly-formed company” and with this freshly-found financial backing, would be re-hiring a “large percentage” of its staff as it makes this transition.

Of course, that statement was specifically vague, as OnLive didn’t clarify who its new investors were or just how many employees would get to keep their jobs. One of those fired employees has given a better idea of what’s going on behind the scenes, telling PCMag that “definitely over half” of the company’s employees were let go during a meeting on Friday morning. It appears that the employees who were fired on Friday won’t be getting their jobs back as the company makes this transition, as some employees received job offers on Friday while others received notices of termination.

Not only that, but this ex-employee says that those who were fired weren’t given any kind of severance package, only pay for their last week of work. Things seemed to have changed around the OnLive offices pretty quickly as well, with those given the boot being told to vacate the premises by the end of the day. So, things may not have gone as well as OnLive executives would have us believe, but as with every story, there are two sides to hear.

Indeed, there still is a lot we don’t know about this whole OnLive deal, and we’re hoping that things become at least a little more clear in the coming days and weeks. If what this ex-OnLive employee says is true, then that’s a real shame for those who lost their jobs. We’re hoping that’s not the case, but we won’t know for sure until OnLive gets a bit more specific – if it ever does at all. Stay tuned, because this OnLive story is definitely far from over.

Ex-OnLive employee claims half of workforce laid off is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

With both sides having presented their cases in the high-profile Apple and Samsung patent suit, it’s almost time for the jury to begin deliberation. Before that happens, however, Judge Lucy Koh has asked both companies to either narrow their claims for the jury or attempt to reach a settlement. Unfortunately (and somewhat unsurprisingly) it looks like neither of those will be happening.

This means that not only will the jury have to decide who’s in the right here, but they’ll have to do so by wading through all of the claims both Apple and Samsung have made during the trial. Deliberation is set to begin on Tuesday, August 21, and Bloomberg Businessweek reports that both companies had until yesterday to report back on talks that were meant to narrow the claims. If a settlement could not be reached, Judge Koh was hoping that the companies could at least simplify the scope of the suit to make the deliberation process easier for the jury.

In a joint statement, attorneys for Apple and Samsung said that such talks proved fruitless, as they were not able to settle or or narrow the dispute. Part of that is because this case isn’t only raging in the US, as Apple and Samsung are currently duking it out in similar lawsuits on four different continents. Another part is that since both companies own a wide range of patents relating to smartphones and tablets, it’s inevitable that this case would be complex and perhaps a little too broad.

So, it appears that the jury has their work cut out for them. This suit has been filled with plenty of ups and downs for Apple and Samsung, and indeed both have made some convincing arguments throughout the case. Who will come out on top is anyone’s guess – and ultimately up to the jury – so we’ll all have to stay tuned for more information.

Chances of settlement slim in Apple, Samsung patent trial is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The Finnish might have a background in making phones, but they’re also into throwing them. This year, at the 13th annual Mobile Phone Throwing World Championship, Finnish Ere Karjalainen set a new record by launching an old Nokia 332 feet. More »

If you’ve been following the latest rumors surrounding Apple, you know that the company could be working on a new set-top box. That device, which would ostensibly compete against the TiVo and other set-top boxes, could very well be the replacement for its initial television idea.

Of course, Apple hasn’t said so. In fact, the company has remained tight-lipped on any and all plans it might have. Rather than tip its hand and give up its plans, Apple has decided to let the rumor mill do all of the work.

Given that, I’m going to assume, at least for the time being, that the rumor mill is correct in its assumptions. And upon doing that, I’m going to lament the idea that Apple is even considering launching a set-top box rather than the long-rumored (and more-desirable) television it was supposed to be working on.

Maybe it’s just me, but I was excited at the prospect of owning an Apple television. The company has a flair for the dramatic and could have very well offered up something that sets apart its television from all others available today.

And how might have Apple done so? The company would have undoubtedly delivered a high-end screen in its television, and probably would have offered an application marketplace for those who would want to extend its functionality. Apple would have, in some ways, set a new trend in the television market.

By launching a set-top box, Apple isn’t really doing anything that excites me. I already have an Apple TV, a TiVo, a Roku set-top box, and a Blu-ray player. Why would I need anything else? Moreover, what would make Apple’s set-top box so valuable that I would disconnect those devices to use its own?

I’m sure there are many Apple fans out there that can answer that question. They’d argue that Apple’s set-top box would come with an App Store and a software experience that could trump its competitors’ offerings. Moreover, they’d claim that Apple’s device would have more cable partnerships and a general design that would look nice in the entertainment center. It would be a must-buy, they argue.

I can understand that argument, and it’s awfully compelling. But perhaps I’m displeased with the thought of an Apple set-top box because I already know that a television could have been in the works. I’ve had my heart set on an Apple television for months now, only to have the rug pulled out from under me with the prospect of the company launching a set-top box.

It’s not that a set-top box isn’t appealing – it is. But a television with all of the same functionality built right in is, well, better. And to not want that over a set-top box would be rather ridiculous, don’t you think?

So, count me as one of those who are extremely displeased with news of Apple considering launching a set-top box. Unless it’s designed to be the precursor for the television and not its replacement, I won’t be happy.

I’d Rather Have The Apple Television Than A Set-Top Box is written by Don Reisinger & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.