Ericsson extends patent suits against Apple to Europe

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson has filed lawsuits in Germany, Britain and the Netherlands against Apple over technology licence payments, Ericsson said on Friday, extending a U.S. battle between the firms to Europe.

Ericsson said it had offered to enter into arbitration with Apple to reach a global licensing agreement for its patents, but that offer had now expired. “Apple continues to profit from Ericsson’s technology without having a valid licence in place,” said Kasim Alfalahi, Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Ericsson.

“Our technology is used in many features and functionality of today’s communication devices. We are confident the courts in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands will be able to help us resolve this matter in a fair manner,” he added.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the legal action in the three European countries, which relates to 2G and 4G/LTE mobile communications standards and non-standardized technology, but referred to its statement in January.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to agree with Ericsson on a fair rate for their patents so, as a last resort, we are asking the courts for help,” part of that statement said.

Ericsson had already filed a complaint in mid-January in the United States against Apple, responding to a lawsuit from the iPhone maker.

Last year, smartphone maker Samsung Electronics Co agreed to pay Ericsson $650 million along with years of royalties to end a licence dispute.

If the dispute with Apple also went Ericsson’s way, the U.S. firm would have to pay it between 2-6 billion Swedish crowns ($240-725 million) annually, analysts said, based on estimates of levels of handset sales and royalty payments per phone.

Posted by : Gizmeon

Facebook may sue lawyers over fugitive’s lawsuit: US judge

Facebook may pursue a lawsuit against law firms that represented a New York man who recently turned fugitive rather than face federal charges that he tried to defraud founder Mark Zuckerberg out of half of the company, a judge ruled.

New York Supreme Court Justice Eileen Rakower said Facebook and Zuckerberg could move forward with a lawsuit alleging law firms, including DLA Piper LLP and Milberg LLP, maliciously prosecuted claims by Paul Ceglia that were based on forged documents.

Rakower said that, accepting Facebook’s claims as true, its complaint adequately alleged the law firms “knew there was no basis – and therefore no probable cause- for Ceglia’s claims.”

Facebook in statement said it was pleaded with the ruling and would “continue to hold accountable DLA Piper and the other firms who pursued Paul Ceglia’s fraudulent claims against Facebook.”

A DLA Piper spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Milberg’s lawyer declined comment, and a lawyer for a third firm, Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP, did not respond to a request for comment.

The ruling came a week after what would have been the May 4 start of a criminal trial in Manhattan federal court of Ceglia, a 41-year-old wood pellet salesman from Wellsville, New York.

Instead, Ceglia removed his electronic ankle bracelet in early March and disappeared, along with his wife, two children and a dog. His whereabouts remain unknown. The criminal case arose from Ceglia’s June 2010 civil lawsuit in upstate New York against Menlo Park, California-based Facebook and Zuckerberg.

Ceglia alleged that a 2003 contract with Zuckerberg, then a Harvard University freshman who had done programming work for Ceglia’s StreetFax.com, entitled him to half of Facebook. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York last month upheld the dismissal of that lawsuit, saying “overwhelming forensic evidence” showed the contract was forged.

Over the years, the lawsuit was handled by several prominent law firms, including DLA Piper, one of the largest firms in the world.

Facebook sued those firms in October, saying they knew or should have known Ceglia’s lawsuit was a fraud, but plowed ahead “for the purpose of extorting a lucrative and unwarranted settlement.”

Facebook also said those lawyers stayed with the case even after a lawyer at Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman, who also represented Ceglia, warned he had found “smoking-gun” evidence of fraud. Kasowitz Benson soon withdrew from the case.

Posted by : Gizmeon

Facebook starts testing internal search engine for mobile: Report

Facebook has started testing an internal search engine for its mobile app. According to a report by Techcrunch, some iOS users are now seeing an ‘add a link’ option alongside ‘add photos, locations and feelings’.

Basically, users can search a keyword in the link function and Facebook will then suggest a list of related news articles that one can post. This new change is being tested to make it simpler to search and share on mobile devices.

This means, one will no longer have to search, copy the URL and then paste it while using mobile phones. The report adds that the update is aimed at ‘Facebook’s recent effort to get publishers to post content directly to the site’.

This means users will be able to search and access content within Facebook, without the need for ‘Googling’ or ever leaving the social network. Facebook is used by many digital news organisations to share content and this move will help solidify its position as a content host. “By hosting content and allowing users to search for stories in its own app, Facebook is making it easy to read and share news without ever actually leaving Facebook,” the report adds.

There is no word on if the update will be made available to everyone. Moreover, it reportedly favours the user’s frequently visited websites or the ones with a higher rating.

Posted by : Gizmeon

Android M at Google I/O: To bring more privacy controls for users

The most recent leak suggests that Google is all set to announce its upcoming mobile OS iteration, Android M, at the I/O to be held later this month. Now, a Bloomberg report highlights that Android M will bring more ‘privacy controls’ to users.

The new iteration of Android will reportedly offer users more detailed choices over what data apps can access such as photos, contacts, and location data. This move closely follows Apple that recently added similar security features.

A ZDnet report adds that ‘the change would give a user more granular controls over their data and how its used, adding that the option has been present in the past — albeit hidden for developers’ use only’.

Though Google hasn’t officially announced Android M, a session called ‘Android for Work Update’ said, “Android M is bringing the power of Android to all kinds of workplaces.” Google is known to name its mobile OS versions in alphabetical order, so it’s quite likely that after Lollipop, the next name will begin with the letter ‘M’. Google quickly pulled out the description, but not before ArsTechnica got its hands on a screenshot.

From Muffin to Malai barfi, the guess game for the name has already begun.

Posted by : Gizmeon

Fujifilm launches four new instant-print cameras starting at Rs 6441

Fujifilm has launched four new cameras in the Instax series namely, Mini 8, Mini 25, Mini 50S and Mini 90, that can print photos instantly. These cameras are priced between Rs 6,441 and Rs 10,999.

The instax Mini 8 features a compact design and will be available in seven different colours. It comes with a simple operational system for instant pictures. There’s a brightness adjustment dial to allow taking photos in different modes.

Next in line is the instax Mini 25 that comes with a stylish, compact design that can take a selfie print instantly. The instax Mini 50S features a self-timer mode. The instax Mini 90 sports a classic/retro look with advanced features such as bulb and double exposures. It is also equipped with functions like macro mode and high performance flash.

Commenting on the occasion, Yasunobu Nishiyama said, “We are excited to launch the Instax series which has been well accepted in countries outside India. This range has been designed keeping in mind predominantly young age group and their requirements. Indian young population is experimental/ wants to seek new experiences and maintain their family values. Each camera has its own unique features, distinguishing one from the other and comes with 1 year warranty. Considering the growth of the market and the steady progress of the Indian economy, we have an extremely positive outlook for this series and expect it to be welcomed by customers of diverse needs in the country.”

The Mini 8 is priced at Rs 6441, Mini 25 at Rs 8045, Mini 50S at Rs 9147 and Mini 90 at Rs 10999.

Posted by : Gizmeon

Android M at Google I/O: Muffin, Mud pie or Malai barfi? The guessing game begins

While Google may have chosen to name its next version Lollipop over laddoo or licorice or whatever you wished, looks like the guessing game for its next iteration will begin soon. Yes, Google has disclosed the schedule for its I/O event to be held later this month and seems like Android M will be at the show.

One of the sessions called ‘Android for Work Update’ says, “Android M is bringing the power of Android to all kinds of workplaces.” Google is known to name its mobile OS versions in alphabetical order, so it’s quite likely that after Lollipop, the next name will begin with the letter ‘M’. According to ArsTechnica, Google has pulled out the description, but not before the news site got its hands on a screenshot.

So, its not yet official if Google is announcing its next iteration Android M at the event, but several users have already guessing a probable name. Some early favourites are Muffin, Mud pie and Meringue.

How about Indian dessert like Malai Barfi or Malpoa? In fact, last year a group of students from IIT-Kharagpur – which also happens to be Pichai’s alma mater – have been lobbying for the next version of Android to be named Lassi. Google also ensured the fun continues as it announced the next iteration simply as Android L and named it only after the version was ready to ship. This ensured a lot of speculation and buzz around the name.

Prior to that Google chose KitKat by booting out the long-time rumoured Key lime pie. Google had also created a landing page for Kitkat. It created similar buzz with reports about if Nestle’s paid Google or vice versa for using the name KitKat. However, John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships, quickly said, “This is not a money-changing-hands kind of deal” . Keylime Pie reportedly got the boot as Google realised that not too many people knew the actual taste of a Keylime pie.

So what do you think? What ‘sweet’ name  will Google release for Android M? Let us know. We’d love to see more options.

Posted by : Gizmeon

Android M, Voice Access, Skybox and more things to expect at Google I/O 2015

Google I/O kicks off by the end of the month, and the search giant has now put out the schedule for the event. While Android M is said to be one of the biggest announcements, Google also has some nifty details up its sleeve to reveal at its upcoming event. Here’s a quick look at what to expect at Google I/O.

Android for Work
Google is expected to announce an update to the Android for Work, which was announced earlier this year. It aimed at making the software more appealing to corporations, a move that could help extend the Internet company’s reach into workplaces. At the event, Google is expected to bring Android to all type of work places. “The current implementation doesn’t work for high-security businesses, so we’re guessing that Android M and the new version of Work combine for even more app separation,” points out ArsTechnica.

Android M

The ‘Android for Work Update’ session says, “Android M is bringing the power of Android to all kinds of workplaces.” Google is known to name its mobile OS versions in alphabetical order, so it’s quite likely that after Lollipop, the next name will begin with the letter ‘M’. According to ArsTechnica, Google has pulled out the description, but not before the news site got its hands on a screenshot. From Muffin to Malai barfi, the guess game for the name has already begun.

Voice commands
With the ‘Your app, now available hands-free’ session, the company will be announcing ‘Voice Access’ that offers access to Android devices only via voice. This could probably mean a driving app or so. Moreover, it also means users need to remember a lot more voice commands to access the app. Google may have to work at ensuring the app understands varying accents and dialects.

Skybox
A session called “The Earth in real time” talks about implementing Skybox. Those not in the know how, Google had bought satellite imaging company Skybox last year for around $500 million. The announcements are speculated to be around real-time satellite imaging.

Cloud Messaging

Google is also expected announce Cloud Messaging 3.0, a new version of Google’s push messaging platform.

Games for Chromecast
Google has also announced to be making more announcements for Chromecast. The description goes on, “designing for the mobile and television experience on multiple screens, and adapting existing game design patterns to a multi-screen interactive format.” There’s also another session covering, “Android and iOS mobile devices as game controllers to unleash new interaction models for Chromecast and other Cast devices.”

Miscellaneous
One can also expect some more on Polymer 1.0, Google’s UI toolkit at making websites that offer an app feel. Google’s Advanced Technologies and Products group may showcase a wearable at the show. Google is also known to be testing tools to woo developers, and we could possibly hear more on it at the show.

Posted by : Gizmeon