Summary: Patent News Apple cries “Monopoly” over Samsung and Motorola using their patents to defend themselves agains Apple’s lawsuits * source (http://www.dailytech.com/Apple+Cries+About+Samsung+and+Motorolas+Patent+Monopoly/article22586.htm) * Yes, really really * There are a set of patents that have been used to establish industry standards for wireless communication * There is a sort of “gentleman’s agreement” that these patents will be licensed to whomever wants to get in the mobile industry * Apple is claiming it isn’t fair to use these patents when counter-suing Apple against the suits Apple has filed against Samsung and Motorola * Basically Apple has really stepped in it now by going for the throat and having Samsung’s products banned, or at least attempting to. Now Android manufacturers are striking back in ways Apple’s legal team didn’t imagine. * Time for an exit strategy? Apple could be preparing to sue Google directly over Android * source (http://www.infoworld.com/d/the-industry-standard/apple-preparing-legal-assault-google-over-android-171973) * In a filing for their case against HTC (the oldest Android patent case going now) Apple is now claiming that Andy Rubin had access to certain information that eventually let to iOS/iPhone/iPad over 20 years ago! * Kind of a stretch, but one should be concerned because Andy Rubin is now THE Android guy at Google. Acer and Viewsonic sign patent license agreements with Microsoft over Android * source (http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2108112/acer-viewsonic-sign-patent-license-deal-microsoft-protect-android) * No word on a price, but likely in the $10 to $20 range per device sold. Google sold some patents to HTC and now HTC is using them in their fight against Apple’s lawsuit. * source (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8749797/HTC-uses-Google-patents-to-sue-Apple.html) * They are trying to settle out of course by getting Apple into a cross-licensing agreement. * Nine patents that Google bought from Motorola, Palm, and other companies less than a year ago. Quick News Samsung unveils ChatON service to compete with BBM, iMessage, and Google Talk * source (http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-unveils-chaton-service-to-compete-with-imessage-bbm-and-others-29174790/) * Just another reason to think Samsung is close to pulling out of Android and either pushing forward wtih BADA or buying WebOS from HP. Scala is a possible alternative to Java when programming Android apps * source (http://www.infoworld.com/d/application-development/scala-the-android-programming-language-you-didnt-know-you-had-170999) * Everything still has to go through the Dalvic VM code interpreter so the Oracle lawsuit can’t be solved by switching to this language. Chomp will be powering app search in the newly redesigned VCast App Store, simpy calling it “Verizon Apps” * source (http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/13/verizon-apps-store-chomp/) Make sure you watch the Android Tech Show for big news on the AT&T merger with T-Mobile (hint: it ain’t gonna happen) and our review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 App Reviews This week is a widget spectacular, just to remind you of the little things that still make Android better than iOS. Wifi Widget * Market Install Link (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rb.wifiwidget&feature=order_history) * Free * between 100k and 500k installs * rated: Everyone * tells network connected to * IP address * MAC address * network speed (as in what version of WiFi, not actual speed) * turn wifi on and off CallTrack * Market Install Link (https://market.android.com/details?id=app.calltrack) * Free * between 100k and 500k installs * rated: Everyone * export your call list to any Google Calendar * you can even create a secondary calendar that just lists the call log GTasks * Market Install Link (https://market.android.com/details?id=org.dayup.gtask)
