Mar 04
If you still have a home phone line and use an answering machine, one of the things that you probably commonly do is listen in on voice mails as people … Continue reading
Feb 25
Xbox One Case Design Patent Granted
Posted in: Today's Chili
When Microsoft introduced the Xbox One alongside its case design in May last year, it did generate its fair bit of attention. Well, fast forward to today, Microsoft has finally received the patent for that particular case design from the good people over at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For those who are curious about all things numerology, the patent number from the USTPO happens to be D700,246 and is officially for an “ornamental design for an electronic housing”. The patent itself is meant to last for a good 14 years, and I am quite sure that there will be future console generations way before the 14 years are up. Joel B. Jacobs, Scott Dullmeyer, Carl J. Ledbetter, Jonathan R. Harris and John Kenichro Ikdea have been listed as its inventors.
Interestingly enough, Microsoft first applied for the patent in February 28, 2013. If my mental math is correct, this particular design was just submitted to the USTPO close to a quarter before the Xbox One was officially revealed to the masses, going to show how close some secrets can be squirreled away by a company if they have the heart and will to do so in this era where smartphone cameras and loose lips abound. You can read all about our Xbox One hands-on experience here.
Xbox One Case Design Patent Granted original content from Ubergizmo. 
     |
Feb 22
Apple and Samsung are headed back to court next month, after attempts at negotiating a settlement over ongoing patent infringement disputes in the US failed. The two firms had been … Continue reading
Feb 20
While there are many third-party covers and cases for the iPad which are sometimes priced cheaper, there are some out there who still prefer Apple’s Smart Cover or Smart Cases. In terms of protection, we wouldn’t exactly call it robust but it gets the job done. That being said, could Apple expand on the use of Smart Covers in the future that goes beyond just protecting the screens of our tablets? Perhaps, thanks to the folks at AppleInsider who have discovered a patent filed by Apple that describes a Smart Cover accessory that will offer up more functionality than before.
As you know, the Smart Cover comes with magnets inside that when aligned with the magnets inside the iPad, will either turn the tablet’s screen on or off. However the patent suggests that Apple could use keyed magnetic structures in the chassis of the iPad itself, which would then allow the tablet to “hold” onto devices like gaming controllers, credit card readers, detachable keyboards, and even the possibility of attaching to another iPad which could then be used as a dual-display setup! The patent also talks about smart magnets which will require a ring to be used to activate it. The ring, worn on the finger of the user, can be used to perform gesture based commands without having to actually touch the iPad itself. Of course there’s no telling if Apple will ever turn this patent into a reality, but it sure does sound like a nifty idea.
Apple Patent Suggest More Advanced Use Of Magnets original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Feb 20
Like it or not, Apple has been at the forefront of innovation in recent times, and it seems that they have another interesting innovation that will involve magnets. The magnets involved will be located within the iPad, where it could see the expansion of additional smart accessories down the road for the likes of the iPad. Right now, the magnets that are located within the iPad will see action in anchoring the cover and case to it, but there might be additional improvements with the proposed “keyed magnetic structure”. This particular use of magnets will involve a specific arrangement that can be positioned on any side of the tablet. This enables them to be deployed in addition to traditional magnets and electromagnets which will then receive input from the operating system.
Apple Smart Magnet Technology Could Result In New iPad Accessories original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Feb 19
Feces Scale
I have a friend who tries to calm my food fears by reassuring me that something that doesn’t weigh a pound cannot make me gain a pound. Fine! But what about the bag of chocolate covered nuts (they’re filled with protein) I ate this morning? The one I forgot to weigh on my food scale? How much of that have I got sitting inside of me, threatening the needle of my bathroom scale? read more »
Feb 18
It has always been something of a fantasy to think that Apple could one day release a MacBook laptop with touch controls, similar to what Microsoft has done with Windows 8 hybrid devices which has the ability to transform itself from a regular laptop, to a tablet of sorts. Maybe one day Apple might embrace such design, but in the meantime an Apple patent has revealed plans for something that appears to be a tad more “realistic” in the form of a touch-sensitive MacBook in which the bezel of the laptop would come with touch controls. This would help eliminate the need for certain physical buttons which in turn could help reduce the weight and thickness of the device.
As you can see in the diagram above, the touch controls would be embedded into the sides of the laptop itself where users will be able to control certain features of the laptop simply by touching these controls. Right off the bat we are thinking about the media control buttons, such as volume adjustment, track skipping, pause/play, maybe even screen dimming, keyboard illumination, and so on. Apart from that, the patent also describes more advanced features, such as when the USB port is touched, USB options could pop up, or the computer could read aloud the name of the port for those who might be unfamiliar around computers. It’s a nifty idea but given that it was filed back in 2009, we’re not sure if this is a patent that might be sitting on the shelves or if it is something Apple could be working on for future devices. What do you guys think?
Apple Patent Suggests MacBooks With Touch Controls original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Feb 17
Tesla Patents Supercharger
Posted in: Today's Chili
Tesla, the company that churns out electric cars, has applied for a slew of patents which would then open up the doors for its Superchargers to be programmable in a way to manage the Tesla Model S electric vehicle in a better manner. Of course, if all goes well, this very same Supercharger, too, would play nice with the Model X and, eventually, the Model E electric vehicles. The patents filed by Tesla did spell out in greater detail that it will feature multiple charging ports which are smart enough to handle varying charging stages. Not only that, the Supercharger station will also be capable of redirecting power according to a first come, first served basis, or to figure out the various stages of each Tesla model’s battery, giving it to whoever has the initial lower battery figre.
Tesla Patents Supercharger original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Feb 17
Samsung has countersued Dyson, accusing the British vacuum cleaner company of having “negatively affected” its brand reputation after it sued the Korean firm back in 2013 over patent infringement. Dyson … Continue reading
Feb 14
Resolution talks between Apple and Samsung have reportedly broken down, with Korean media claiming clandestine discussions between Apple CEO Tim Cook and Samsung co-CEO JK Shin failed to find any … Continue reading
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.