Hasta La Gadget!

One of the more unique features of Samsung’s Galaxy Note series is the fact that it comes with a stylus which Samsung refers to as the S Pen. The S Pen is not your regular stylus as Samsung has designed the handset in such a way that using S Pen will unlock more features of the handset, thus encouraging users to take advantage of it. Now it might seem a little early to talk about the Galaxy Note 4, but according to a recent patent filed by Samsung, perhaps the next Galaxy Note handset could take advantage of handwriting recognition to unlock the device.

This is a feature that is already available on the Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy Note 3, but with this patent, Samsung wants to take it one step further. Right now both the Note 2 and Note 3 can be unlocked using handwriting recognition, but with the patent, Samsung describes how you can write a message, such as “call home” and once the software recognizes your writing, it will not only unlock your device but perform the “call home” function as well. Essentially it seems like a good way to cut down several steps one might have to take when they unlock a phone and place a call. Of course given that this is a patent, there’s really no telling if Samsung will ever implement it but what do you guys think?

Samsung Patent Suggests Advanced Handwriting Recognition original content from Ubergizmo.

Would it be more expensive for HTC to find workarounds for their devices in order to avoid infringing upon Nokia’s patents, or to sign an agreement with them in which HTC would pay Nokia in order to use their patents? Perhaps HTC has crunched the numbers and realized that the latter would make better financial sense because Nokia has recently announced that they and HTC have agreed to settle all outstanding patent litigation and to enter into a patent agreement, although exactly how much HTC will be paying Nokia for the right to use their patents remains unknown, unsurprisingly. (more…)

Nokia And HTC Agree To Settle Their Patent Litigations original content from Ubergizmo.

We’re not sure how many of you guys actually remember this, but back in the day, there were these toys/accessories that kids would wear. It was a strap that when you slapped onto your wrist, it would immediately curl up and form a bracelet. It was a pretty fun thing to do back then although we’re not sure if kids these days might appreciate it. That being said, perhaps LG might be interested in bringing it back to the modern day, thanks to a recent patent which revealed a possible plan for LG’s smartwatch.

Typically smartwatches look like normal watches but have a little bit more functionality to it apart from the ability to only tell the time. Chances are some of them might come with a touchscreen display as well. However in this LG patent, it describes a smartwatch that can wrap itself around your wrist, looking more like a bracelet than a watch (as pictured above). Alternatively it seems that this smartwatch can be fully extended which in turn can be used as a stylus as well, so it’s a win-win situation! Of course there’s no telling if LG will ever embrace this concept but what we do know is that LG has a smartwatch in the works. How it looks like and what functions it has remains unknown, but it will definitely be worth keeping an eye on. In the meantime what do you guys make of this concept?

LG Patent Reveals Smartwatch/Stylus Combo original content from Ubergizmo.

We know that Apple has huge cash reserves that is in the billions, but if a German patent troll has their way, they could be taking a huge chunk of cash from Apple in the form of $2 billion in damages. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, it seems that a German patent troll by the name of IPCom has demanded Apple to pay them close around $2 billion for apparently infringing upon a piece of technology that they own. However this piece of technology is not some obscure patent, but rather one that is used by every mobile phone in the market and is also required by law.

The patent in question is related to a chip that is used to help identify mobile phones used by emergency services to give them priority access to networks in the event that the networks are heavily congested, such as during a major disaster. These phones will also be able to circumvent carrier blocks who might choose to block off all phones in a particular area to prevent said congestion, only allowing devices from rescue personnel, such as police and firefighters, to go through. Apple, along with Google, HTC, Ericsson, and Vodafone have in the past asked the European Patent Office to declare the patent invalid as it was a required standard, although the EPO has since denied their request. The hearing is expected to take place on the 11th of February.

Patent Troll Demands $2 Billion From Apple original content from Ubergizmo.

When it comes to patents, Apple is one company that we often hear about, and I am quite sure that they have their fair share of patents up their sleeves. It is definitely something that would not hurt at all if you happen to have more of, and here we are with Apple’s latest patent it received from the USPTO – where it concerns a method of wireless induction charging which is capable of performing different actions, depending on the orientation of the device as it remains on the charging mat or pad.

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Apple Patents Wireless Charging, Orientation-Based Action Triggers original content from Ubergizmo.