Patents

Microsoft: No Zune phone in the cards

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:56:59 -0400

Despite soliciting feedback on how its Zune portable media device might more effectively interoperate with devices based on the Windows Mobile OS, Microsoft maintains there are no plans to release a so-called "Zune phone" anytime in the imminent future. In an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle, Microsoft's entertainment and devices division president Robbie Bach says the software giant is not working on a converged Zune/Windows Mobile device: "We continue driving the path we are driving with Windows Mobile and we are very excited about the approach we have taken this year. About 20 million devices will ship with Windows Mobile on it. We will outsell the iPhone. We will outsell the BlackBerry. We don't make phones ourselves. We don't have any plans to make phones ourselves. Our focus is on the belief that a phone is a very personal thing. Different people want different types of phones. We think that is going to continue, and we think Windows Mobile is in a great position to service all those different opportunities."

For more on Microsoft's mobile outlook:
- read this San Francisco Chronicle article

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QUICKLINKS: Apple patent points to flip iPhone; Sprint upgrades mobile web browsing;

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:59:55 -0400

> Apple patent points to flip iPhone. FierceWireless

> Sprint upgrades mobile web browsing. FierceMobileContent

> Opera Mini goes surfing on Helio's Ocean. FierceMobileContent

> The new wave of mobile web browsing. FierceMobileContent

QUICKLINKS: Mobile UI advances to watch in 2008; wireless spats to spur patent regulation?;

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

> Special Report: Mobile UI advances to watch in 2008. FierceMobileContent

> Background on the Microsoft/Yahoo bid. Videos

> Wireless spats to spur patent regulation? FierceWireless

> Study: Smartphones dominating mobile game play. FierceMobileContent

> Are native mobile applications facing extinction? Blog

> Nokia Growth Partners invests in mobile imaging firm Morpho. Release

RIM sues Motorola over patent licensing fees

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Device makers Research in Motion and Motorola have filed patent suits against each other, with each claiming the other is infringing on its handset technology without permission. In a suit filed Feb. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Motorola charges RIM with "willfully" infringing on its patents, causing "irreparable harm," while the RIM counter-suit--filed Feb. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas--accuses Motorola of "anticompetitive conduct" by demanding "unreasonable" royalties for patents RIM currently licenses, with the patents spanning across a series of familiar wireless technologies and services. RIM is petitioning the court to declare Motorola in violation of agreements requiring the firm to license its patents on reasonable financial terms, saying Motorola has jacked up royalty demands in response to the "declining fortunes of its handset business." In a statement, Motorola responded that "strong R&D and intellectual property are critical to our business. Motorola believes in the value of its IP and will move aggressively to protect that value on behalf of our customers, partners and shareholders."

For more on the RIM/Motorola suit:
-read this Wall Street Journal article

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RIM unveils BlackBerry platform updates
BlackBerry tops smartphone user survey
Facebook sells stake to Microsoft, partners with RIM

QUICKLINKS: Nokia delays N-Gage relaunch yet again, citing software issues; Apple applies for wireless payment system patent;

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:59:55 -0500

> Nokia delays N-Gage relaunch yet again, citing software issues. Article

> Apple applies for wireless payment system patent. Article

> Previewing CES 2008. Article

Apple counts down most popular iPhone apps

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Apple's iPhone website posted a list of the 10 applications that have proven the most popular with the device's users. Two Google applications made the countdown, which is otherwise notable for the surprising dominance of mobile games, a segment that has largely stalled on rival device platforms. The full list, in descending order:

Google Search

Frenzic

iPunchOut!

Google Maps for iPhone Touch

iDuckHunt by Jirbo

Connect4 touch

The Zinio Mobile Newsstand

Finger Scan

MindDojo

SMASH!

For more on Apple's iPhone apps countdown:
-visit the iPhone website
- see our slideshow of some of the top iPhone apps

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Apple files touch-control patents
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Broadcom pursuing injunction against Qualcomm

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Chipmaker Broadcom said it will pursue an injunction to block rival Qualcomm from manufacturing 3G and EV-DO chips after a federal judge affirmed a federal jury's May decision that Qualcomm willfully infringed on three of its patents. Broadcom said it will not seek a new trial and will accept the $19.6 million in compensatory damages awarded earlier this year--Judge James V. Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California originally doubled the damages in light of another court decision, but last week overturned the ruling after a change in federal law. Selna offered Broadcom the option to either elect a new trial on all issues or accept the jury's unenhanced liability and damage verdicts. Broadcom selected the latter--attorney David Rosmann said last month that obtaining an injunction was more important than damages.

For more on the never-ending Broadcom/Qualcomm spat:
-read this Computerworld article

Related articles:
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Apple files touch-control patents

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Within weeks of the iPhone's summertime release, Apple filed a series of patents for sensor layouts, mobile sensors and compliant conductors, together indicating the computing giant is working on a multi-touch device that recognizes more intricate gestures--e.g., grabbing or swiping motions with one or more fingers--and selectively disables input depending on context. According to AppleInsider, which uncovered the patent filings and pieced together the puzzle, the technology in question employs touch input nodes that are accurate enough to create a sensor image of different parts of the hand, but are not bound to any particular size, shape, or resolution. In the patent, Apple explains that pressure-sensitive technology could recognize rolling, tilting, or twisting motions for manipulating content in 3D. And because the touch controls need not be flat, the technology would enable more unique and ergonomic device designs.

For more on the Apple filing:
- read this AppleInsider article

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Apple slashes iPhone price, offers mea culpa
Rumor: iPhone upgrades imminent
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Microsoft releasing smartphones for under $100?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Microsoft is reportedly at work on a series of Windows Mobile smartphones that will hit retail priced under $100.00. The devices, scheduled to go on sale sometime later this month, would follow on the heels of the budget-priced Windows Mobile 3125, just $50.00 after rebate--Microsoft already said another sub-$100.00 handset would appear in the next month, although specifics remain unknown.

For more on Microsoft's budget smartphones:
- read this CrunchGear article

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Microsoft releasing smartphones for under $100?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

For more on Microsoft's budget smartphones:
- read this CrunchGear article