Hasta La Gadget!

Leaked FCC document details AT&T’s 4G LTE rollout plans, talks up T-Mobile merger originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple has succeeded in getting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 blocked from import into most of Europe — but not the Netherlands. Today the initial proceedings in the legal dispute between the two companies there came to a close, an apparently entertaining show that saw Apple attempting to make the case that its design is being stolen. Apple presented online market research indicating that 80% of respondents found the iPad and Galaxy Tab 10.1 to be “identical” or at least “similar in general impression,” a study that apparently did not impress the judge. Apple also alleged infringement from the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Ace, while Samsung, for its part, said Apple’s claims were far too vague, enough so that any digital photo frame would be in trouble.

While Danny Crane sadly did not make an appearance the presiding judge still seemed rather amused, calling the various legal representatives “terriers” according to Andreas Udo de Haes, an editor at Webwereld who live-tweeted the proceedings. The judge finished by saying a ruling would come on September 15th and if indeed an injunction were coming it won’t appear until October 13th. So, tablet fans in the Netherlands, know that you have at least two months worth of worry-free shopping ahead of you.

[Thanks, Paul]

NL ruling on Apple vs. Samsung dispute due on 9/15, courtroom antics catalogued originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The FBI has just released its very first mobile app, aimed at helping parents deal with their worst nightmare — a missing child. Known as Child ID, the application allows users to store their kid’s photos and identifying information directly on their handsets, making it easier to provide authorities with vital data whenever the little one disappears. Parents can also use the tool to dial 911 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with the tap of a button, and can instantly e-mail their child’s details to law enforcement officials, thanks to a dedicated tab. Of course, some may feel uncomfortable with keeping such personal information stored on a smartphone, but the Bureau insists that none of the data will be collected or shared without authorization — and they’re pretty good at keeping secrets. For now, Child ID is available only for iPhone, though the FBI plans to expand it to other mobile devices in the near future. Interested iOS users can download it for themselves, at the iTunes link below.

FBI’s Child ID app helps iPhone users find their missing children originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever heard of estoppel? The term, sadly, does not denote a new German electronic bus service, but is rather a court-ordered way of telling companies “no backsies” on previously made public statements. It could also prove to be another nail in Oracle’s patent dispute coffin, should Google’s latest Wayback Machine defense hold up. Thanks to the internet’s never say die policy, a 2007 post, recently deleted by Oracle, from Sun Microsystem’s then CEO Jonathan Schwartz has surfaced, in which he enthusiastically endorsed Android’s Java base. The public statement falls in line with the aforementioned legal doctrine, potentially contradicting new owner Oracle’s patent infringement claims. Unfortunately for both parties, Judge William Alsup doesn’t seem to be too cool under the collar as he’s reportedly blasted each for “asking for the moon” and chiding them to “be more reasonable.” A final ruling in this case is still a ways off, but in the meantime you can head to the source to read Schwartz’s damning praise for yourself.

Sun CEO’s deleted blog post to help end Oracle vs Google patent dispute? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Angry Birds-maker Rovio is the most recent target in Lodsys' patent trolling disputes. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com

The mighty hand of Lodsys, a patent firm suing mobile app programmers, continues to come down on iOS and Android developers. Now it’s targeting a major and much-beloved player: Angry Birds.

In the lawsuit, Lodsys claims Rovio has infringed upon “at least claim 27” of their patent, which covers in-app billing technology. Lodsys wants 0.575 percent of any U.S. revenue obtained using the technology.

The lawsuit currently extends to 11 other defendants, including big league app developers like Electronic Arts, Atari, and Square Enix.

Lodsys began sending letters to iOS app developers in early May for including an “upgrade” button or allowing users to make purchases within the app using Apple’s in-app billing infrastructure.

Patent disputes are common among large technology corporations fighting to defend their intellectual property, including Apple, Google and Microsoft. However, it’s rare to see a small patent firm such as Lodsys go on a lawsuit spree against a laundry list of companies big and small.

Lodsys explained the reasoning for their actions in a blog post to Apple: “The scope of [Apple’s] current licenses does NOT enable them to provide ‘pixie dust’ to bless another (3rd party) business applications [sic],” Lodsys wrote. “From Lodsys’ perspective, it is seeking to be paid value for rights it holds and which are being used by others.”

Apple supported its developers with an official response from its general counsel Bruce Sewell (.pdf). In it he says, “Apple is undisputedly licensed to these patent and the Apple App Makers are protected by that license. Apple intends to share this letter and the information set out herein with its App Makers and is fully prepared to defend Apple’s license rights.”

The Texas-based Lodsys recently began filing lawsuits against Android developers for violating their patents, as well.

Many developers have responded to the company’s patent trolling by removing the offending features of their app (the in-app purchasing ability) or just plain removing their app from the market entirely.

The EFF explains that the patent system is intended to support innovation, but in instances such as this, it’s doing the opposite.