Softbank CEO Lays Claim To Patent On Google Glass Tech

Softbank CEO Lays Claim To Patent On Google Glass Tech We have said it before, and we will say it again – patents are the new “ammunition” for companies, and amassing as many of those as possible (good ones, of course), would definitely work in your company’s favor in the long run. Recently, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son tweeted a link to the English-subtitled version of his two-hour speech, where he envisioned what would happen in the coming three decades where technology was concerned. Apparently, one of his insights do seem to have run up the proverbial brick wall for one particular reason – there is already such a device in the market (or at least, prototypes of it with the real deal arriving very soon), where it is none other than Google Glass.

Masayoshi Son did mention that down the road, a special pair of glasses will allow users to view language translations instantly, dubbing it “Translation Eyeglasses with Captions,” in addition to claiming the patent on this particular technology. We have no idea on whether Son’s proposed translation glasses and the claimed patent would actually infringe on Google Glass, or the other way round, but something tells me that time will be able to sort all of it out.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Smart Helmet Monitors Your Vitals, LifeSaver Jerrycan Can Purify 5 Gallons Of Water,

Sprint And Softbank Promise Not To Use Chinese Equipment, Will Replace Huawei Products In Clearwire’s Portfolio

Sprint And Softbank Promise Not To Use Chinese Equipment, Will Replace Huawei Products In Clearwires PortfolioChinese brands such as Huawei and ZTE have managed to get a reputation as being able to produce somewhat decently specced handsets and devices at affordable prices. However at the same time both companies have also managed to gain the reputation of not being trustworthy, at least that what the US congressional committee seems to think with their report from back in 2012. At the same time, The Wall Street Journal has reported that according to their sources, the US congressional committee seems to be worried that after Sprint merges with Japan’s Softbank, they would be relying on equipment manufactured by Chinese companies, such as Huawei or ZTE, to help build its new network.

According to the chairman of the House intelligence committee, Mike Rogers, he claims that he has since received phone calls from both companies with a promise that they will not be using equipment from China, and that current Huawei products in Clearwire’s portfolio will be replaced. We guess this compliance with what the government wants is a way for both Sprint and Softbank to help reduce the number of obstacles they would have to go through in order to have the deal clear. We’re not sure what this could mean for consumers, but considering that there are other companies who manufacture affordable products, we guess at the very worst consumers will just have one less brand to choose from.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iOS 7 Jailbreak May Already Be In The Works, Wii U Miiverse Coming To Smartphones, PC In A Few Weeks,

Softbank and Sprint say no to Huawei in hopes of getting merger back on track

DNP Softbank and Sprint say no to Huawei network equipment in hopes of getting merger back on track

In an effort to speed up an already contested $20.1 billion merger, Softbank and Sprint have reportedly agreed not to use Huawei network equipment within the US carrier’s existing network. In fact, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Rogers, recently told The New York Times that the two outfits have pledged to remove Huawei hardware from Clearwire’s network, too. These promises are likely a reaction to Congress’ security concerns, which saw Huawei exiled from America’s first responder network back in October. While Rogers is happy with Softbank and Sprint’s new game plan, this deal is far from done. The two firms still need to make it past the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, which reviews national security risks connected to business transactions. Until then, Dan Hesse may wanna hold off on any extracurricular activities.

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Via: The Register

Source: The New York Times

Softbank – “Rap Otosan” DJ app – Rap with the Shirato Family

Anyone who has watched TV in Japan has seen Softbank’s TV commercial series – The Shirato Family – starring a white Japanese dog called “Otosan”. Otosan means “Dad” in Japanese and he is the gruff by loveable character who always seems to be confused and grumpy about what is going on around him.
Now, Otosan has his own DJ/rap smartphone app. Pick the character from the Shirato family, choose the words they should say, mix it and have fun. This app is …

SoftBank – Next Generation Display Technology IGZO – Built into – AQUOS PHONE Xx 203SH – smartphone

Softbank is releasing a new Sharp Android 4.1 smartphone – AQUOS PHONE Xx 203SH – with 4.9 inch big HD display (1,280 x 720 dots).
It is built on IGZO, an LC technology Sharp invented, which provides high energy-saving performance, meaning you can use the phone for 2 full days without recharging, and it has a vivid high-def display so quality is not compromised.
It’s compatible with the SoftBank 4G communication network and the phone has high communication speed. 1.5GHz Quad …

Sprint CEO eyes more spectrum deals after buying Clearwire

Sprint CEO eyes more spectrum deals after Clearwire

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse isn’t so narrowly focused as to think that the proposed Clearwire acqusition represents the end of the road for spectrum. Far from it: he tells Bloomberg Businessweek that the company is investigating future airwave deals involving companies and government auctions. The Clearwire deal mostly bought time, according to Hesse. Naturally, these ambitions are partly contingent on both SoftBank’s purchase of Sprint and the absence of any Dish-sized hurdles to the Clearwire pact. As long as the path stays clear, though, we wouldn’t assume that Hesse’s shopping spree is over.

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Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

SoftBank – SmartTV – Streaming content, 100,000s of titles, use your smartphone/tablet as remote control

SoftBank is releasing SmartTV, it’s highly anticipated service that will be directly taking on Apple TV in the Japanese market. It allows you to watch high-quality video contents just by connecting the dedicated stick to your TV’s HDMI terminal.
And you are not restricted to using a limited remote control – you can install a remote control app (free) to your smartphone or tablet to start watching the contents and use your smartphone/tablet as a remote control through a wi-fi …

SoftBank – Fujitsu “ARROWS A 201F” – High-spec smartphone with ultrafast-speed data communication service

SoftBank today revealed their new ARROWS smartphone, the ARROWS A 201F, made by Fujitsu. It runs SoftBank 4G which is their ultra-speed data communication service (up to 76Mbp).
It runs a 1.5GHz Quad Core CPU, Android 4.1, and high-def 4.7 inch HD (1,280 x 720). It also covers NFC, One-Seg, is waterproof and dustproof, Bluetooth, and infrared data communication. With its 13.1 mega pixel, you can take beautiful pictures and full HD movies. 2,420mAH battery allows a long battery life.
There are …

SoftBank – “Heart of Artist” iPhone 5 case – designed by 5 famous Japanese artists – supporting victims of the Tohoku Earthquake

SoftBank SELECTION will start selling iPhone 5 cases on February 8th, specially designed by 5 well-known Japanese artists. Those artists are Shigeru Izumiya (Musician, Actor), Naoki Urasawa (Manga artist), Satoshi Yoshida (Manga artist), Katsuya Terada (Manga illustrator), and Nizo Yamamoto (Art director for animated films).
A part of the sales will be donated to “Manaberu Kikin”, a scholarship fund to help high school students who reside in the Tohoku area with scholarships. …

Dish pulls out while DOJ steps in on Softbank/Sprint merger

The purchase of a controlling stake in Sprint’s business here in the United States has become a bit of a circus when it comes to companies stepping in with complaints here in the spring of 2013. The plan was first tipped back in October of 2012 and confirmed that same month with a 70% stake in Sprint being agreed upon for $20.1 billion dollars, purchased by Japan-based mobile carrier Softbank. Since that announcement, we’ve seen protests from AT&T, the Dish Network, and now the real deal US Department of Justice – it appears that there are going to be some delays, needless to say.

justice

Two new news bits are appearing this week in regards to this situation, the first being Dish “holding off” on their legal filing against the Softbank/Sprint merger. Before this week it was apparent that Dish was having none of the deal between the two based largely on their desire to purchase a controlling stake in the mobile company known as Clearwire here in the USA. If the deal went through, Sprint would be able to purchase Clearwire for a pre-discussed price – if the deal did not go through, Sprint would be unable to purchase Clearwire and the price Dish offered up for the business would likely go through. They’ve decided to cut their ties with the whole situation, noting with the FCC that they simply will not be participating in the next round of filings in the regulatory review – that’s it!

stopit

That note was according to Reuters while the following bit comes from ZDNet where they’ve attained details surrounding a brand new filing as made public by the DOJ. When the Department of Justice steps in on your business deal, you’ve usually got problems. In this case, it appears that, according to Sprint speaking with ZDNet, “this is a routine request.”

It would appear also that Sprint maintains that they’ll be completing the deal with Softbank by mid-2013 while their purchase of Clearwire has had no updated statuses – so we must assume that they’re good to go as well. The Department of Justice’s letter made clear that the DOJ, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI are all “currently” reviewing the Softbank deal for possible issues in national security, law enforcement, and public safety – and they’re just not done yet.

So hang tight, folks, as this deal continues to see as much or more scrutiny than it needs before it gets done (or fizzles.) Have a peek a the timeline below to follow this epic journey back to its source as well!


Dish pulls out while DOJ steps in on Softbank/Sprint merger is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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