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Microsoft patent shows how a modular smartphone could be realized. Image: RegHardware

We know Microsoft for its software chops, but the company is tinkering with some innovative hardware design concepts on the side.

A recent Microsoft patent describes a smartphone with a slide-out section that can house one of several modules, including a QWERTY keyboard, a gaming pad, a second display or a battery pack. Even better: The modules work wirelessly when they aren’t docked in the smartphone’s slider. Another useful way the modular smartphone concept could be used: The keyboard can be used as a controller while the smartphone acts as a TV-connected media hub.

Such a modular design combines capabilities normally found in different phones or accessories. For a gaming pad, your phone of choice right now would be something like the Xperia Arc. Want a slide-out QWERTY keyboard? You’re probably looking at one of several Android smartphones. If you’re looking for extra juice, you’ll need a special case or a phone with a removable battery.

How would something like this work if it came out within the next year or so?

With continued Xbox Live integration with Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango), gaming would definitely be fun with the d-pad module.

If you’re writing long emails or sending text after text, a QWERTY keyboard can be more comfortable to use but not something you necessarily need all the time. Windows Phone has tight social media integration, which would make it easy to stay connected with friends and family and keep chatting via email, Facebook or other methods.

Windows’ Live Tile-based UI looks fantastic on a single display. I can only imagine that spreading to dual screens — the ability to check status updates, weather notifications and more on one, and watch video, check email or browse the web on the other. However, dual-screened devices have largely disappointed in practice. Perhaps the slide-out, rather than the folding-style double screen, could be an improvement though.

A battery-pack module would be ideal for a long day (or weekend) traveling when you may not have access to an outlet for charging, like on a camping trip. Your phone would be alive — but would you have access to 3G or 4G? At least you’d be able to take photos and perhaps access some sort of offline map app. Along the same lines, a battery pack could keep the phone juiced up while you use the gaming pad wirelessly.

Would such a design be practical? Smartphones wear many hats these days, especially if it is being shared among members of a household (web-surfing mom or dad, text-happy kids who also suck batteries dry playing games … you get the picture). The biggest problem might be misplacing modules and the risk of dirt or debris damaging the slider.

Microsoft’s patent isn’t the first of its kind. Other modular cellphones include the Modu Phone, which featured interchangeable cases and a prototype from NTT Docomo. More recently, we’ve seen the smartphone itself work with larger accessories, like with the Motorola Atrix and its laptop dock.

RegHardware via Geek

Seems like we can’t go a week without another patent infringement lawsuit being filed, and this one’s no different. Apparently, VIA Technologies, maker of fine computational processors, is mad as hell with Apple’s allegedly infringing ways, and it’s not gonna take it anymore. Filed in the US District Court in Delaware, VIA claims that Cupertino’s iThings and Apple TVs infringe patent numbers 6,253,312, 6,253,311 and 6,754,810, which cover various microprocessor functions. A complaint’s also been lodged with the ITC — in order to hasten the settlement talks, no doubt. So, all that’s left is the countdown until these two shake hands, exchange checks and go on about their business… preferably outside the courtroom.

VIA Technologies sues Apple for patent infringement originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you happen to be making devices that run on Linux — of which Android is a subset — odds are pretty good that you’ll be getting a phone call from Redmond at some point. And that’s just what happened to Casio, who’s joining existing licensees TomTom and Amazon in signing a cross license agreement with Microsoft for patents pertaining to the Tux-approved OS. Covering Linux on “certain Casio devices,” the joint statement was equally vague about how many greenbacks exchanged hands, simply stating: “[both] parties acknowledge that Microsoft is being compensated by Casio.” There ain’t much more to it, but folks looking to humor themselves can do so after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft and Casio enter cross licensing agreement, world wonders if Casio actually makes Linux-based devices

Microsoft and Casio enter cross licensing agreement, world wonders if Casio actually makes Linux-based devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man. Exciting stuff, here. Stuff like lawyers yelling at each other in varied continents because “your stuff looks too much like my theoretical stuff.” The long, winding and increasingly mind-numbing battle between Samsung and Apple has taken yet another turn in Australia, with the former slapping the latter with a bold countersuit. According to The Wall Street Journal, Sammy feels that the iPhone and iPad 2 both “violate a number of wireless technology patents held by Samsung.” Spokesman Nam Ki-yung stated the following: “To defend our intellectual property, Samsung filed a cross claim for Apple’s violation of Samsung’s wireless technology patents.” The suit is being filed just days / weeks before a ruling will decide on whether the Galaxy Tab 10.1 can be legally sold Down Under, and in related news, Samsung is also appealing a recent ruling back in Germany. If ever the world needed an out-of-court settlement…

Samsung countersues Apple in Australia, claims iPhone / iPad 2 violate its patents originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patent reform’s been bandied about on Capitol Hill for years now, and last week we finally got both houses of Congress to agree on the language to make it happen. Today, in what was a foregone conclusion, President Obama has finally made the thing official by signing the America Invents Act into law. In doing so, he made the dream of a first-to-file patent system in the US a reality. Of course, it won’t go into effect for another 18 months, so we’ll have to wait awhile before we find out if it can curb all those companies’ litigious inclinations. Video recap of the patent reform process after the break.

Continue reading Obama signs America Invents Act into law, makes patent reform a reality

Obama signs America Invents Act into law, makes patent reform a reality originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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