AUGUST 24, 2012, 7:51 PM23 Comments
Apple Beats Samsung: First Reactions
By BRIAN X. CHEN
Apple / Samsung Handout/European Pressphoto Agency
In the landmark trial between Apple and Samsung Electronics, a jury awarded Apple over $1 billion in damages on Friday after deciding that Samsung was guilty of infringement on most patents at issue. And in response to Samsung’s countersuit accusing Apple of infringing patents, the jury concluded that Apple owed Samsung nothing. In other words, it was a clean sweep for Apple.
What follows are early reactions to the news.
Apple was, obviously, quite pleased. Katie Cotton, an Apple spokeswoman, said the verdict did it justice.
We are grateful to the jury for their service and for investing the time to listen to our story and we were thrilled to be able to finally tell it. The mountain of evidence presented during the trail showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.
Samsung Electronics issued a statement after the verdict:
Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies. Consumers have the right to choices, and they know what they are buying when they purchase Samsung products. This is not the final word in this case or in battles being waged in courts and tribunals around the world, some of which have already rejected many of Apple’s claims. Samsung will continue to innovate and offer choices for the consumer.
Mark Lemley, a professor of Stanford’s law school, spelled out just how enormous a win this was:
$1,051,855,000. And no cents, apparently. Just large enough to make it the largest surviving patent verdict in history. #icourt #appsung
In an update posted on LinkedIn, Al Sabawi, a former I.B.M. executive and founder of Quantopix, a software company, said Samsung deserved to lose.
To all the lazy copycats out there who think cutting and pasting is an intellectual achievement, that hard work, sweat and tears don’t matter, that ideas, designs, and innovations can be stolen willy-nilly with no consequences: This is to you.
Paul O’Brien, founder of MoDaCo, a site focused on Windows smartphones, said this sounded like good news for Microsoft and its Windows phone platform.
Hear that noise? That’s the sound of Android manufacturers ringing Microsoft right now.
Robert Barr, executive director of the Center for Law and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, spelled out what this would mean for the tech industry as a whole. It’s going to make it very difficult for not only Samsung but for other companies to mimic the Apple products:
Each of the patents cover a particular feature of the iPhone and the iPad. You can still make a smartphone, like the Microsoft Windows phone made by Nokia. It has a different look than the iPhone, different appearance and different features. That would be an example that is unaffected by this. The important thing here is that Apple’s patents were upheld as valid. Other companies are going to have to avoid the patents or license them. Even though this jury upheld them, other companies still get a shot. They can come in with new evidence and attack them. You have to have new reasons and new evidence.
The amount of damages is extraordinary. A billion dollars in damages is extra. It’s one of the biggest patent verdicts ever. That’s a huge amount of damages. And the judge has to now decide whether to increase that for the wilfulness. And the judge could increase that as much as triple. The judge has to still decide if there will be an injunction against future sales or a recall of product.
Even though people can come back and attack them, they are going to need new evidence and it’s going to be difficult.
Lisa Alcalay Klug and Nick Wingfield contributed reporting.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Keeping it classy. Twitter opens door to HootSuite
Twitter hands HootSuite users $100 in ad credits as API controversy fades
By Louis Goddard 24 Minutes Ago
Social media dashboard HootSuite has teamed up with Twitter to provide selected users with $100 in free advertising credits, part of the microblogging service's mission to woo small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The promotion, which went live yesterday, is only available to US businesses, and can only be redeemed with Twitter accounts that have not used Twitter's self-service advertising platform in the past.
The scheme is reminiscent of a deal offered when the platform launched, in which SMEs using American Express cards were given an identical amount of advertising credit. It is not clear whether Twitter has plans for any further promotions, with the decision likely to depend on how successful the HootSuite partnership proves in attracting new business.
As TechCrunch points out, this latest move follows an apparent endorsement of HootSuite made during the announcement of Twitter's controversial new API plans earlier this month. Describing the company's shifting attitude to third-party clients, product director Michael Sippey listed HootSuite among business-focused CRM providers like Sprinklr and Radian6, contrasting them with consumer-oriented clients.
Via TechCrunch
Source HootSuite
iPhone market share drops in China
As with everything else, China's very fluid economy proves that value and features at a low price are the true winners...
Reuters
Friday, Aug. 24, 2012
Alternatives are becoming much more attractive than a year ago. The iPhone didn’t change much over the year
Apple Inc.’s share of China’s smartphone market almost halved to 10% in April-June as buyers waited for the next iPhone model — expected later this year — or switched brands, data from industry research firm IDC showed on Friday.
China, Apple’s second-largest market, is set to overtake the United States as the world’s biggest smartphone market this year, with demand driven by generous handset subsidies offered by the three main carriers, increasingly tech-savvy consumers and more feature-packed and affordable products.
For the first time, smartphone shipments in China overtook feature phones in the second quarter, with local brands Lenovo Group Ltd and ZTE Corp pushing Apple to fourth place from second, the IDC data showed.
Total April-June smartphone shipments rose to 44 million, accounting for 51% of China’s total mobile shipments of 87 million, IDC said.
“There are two things in play,” said IDC analyst TZ Wong, referring to Apple’s drop in ranking and market share. “One is seasonal, people know the new phone is coming. And the second is that the alternatives are becoming much more attractive than a year ago. The iPhone didn’t change much over the year.”
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd retained its lead in the Chinese smartphone market with a share of 19%, though this was down from 21% in the previous quarter, according to the IDC data.
Lenovo, the world’s No.2 vendor of personal computers which makes the LePhone, climbed to second place and increased its China market share to 11% from a single-digit percentage in the first quarter when it was ranked 7th, the data showed. Local rival Huawei Technologies Co Ltd ranked fifth.
Data from Gartner, another research firm, showed Apple’s market share fell to 12% in the second quarter from 17% in the previous three months, though it kept its No.2 ranking, according to a report by Nomura Securities.
CHIPS FOR CHINA
U.S. chipmakers such as Qualcomm Inc have been trying to capture a larger slice of a booming market that has long been dominated by Taiwan’s Mediatek Inc and China’s Spreadtrum Communications Inc, by offering chipsets and solutions catered to Chinese vendors.
Recently launched Chinese smartphones packed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips include Huawei’s G330D and Xiaomi Technology’s MI2.
“It’s such an important market because of the volume and the growth rate, which are so attractive for chipset vendors … so we’re seeing a lot of competition,” said James Shen, Qualcomm’s vice president for business development.
In the overall mobile phone market in China, which includes smartphones and feature phones, Samsung, Nokia and ZTE top the rankings for the second quarter, IDC said.
IDC’s Wong said it was inevitable that Chinese brands would gradually gain more share due to their aggressive marketing and close ties with local carriers China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.
“In the mid- to long-term, it’s very possible they will start to dominate four of the top five (rankings), leaving Samsung as the only one standing. At that point, even Samsung will start to feel the pressure.”
Reuters
Friday, Aug. 24, 2012
Alternatives are becoming much more attractive than a year ago. The iPhone didn’t change much over the year
Apple Inc.’s share of China’s smartphone market almost halved to 10% in April-June as buyers waited for the next iPhone model — expected later this year — or switched brands, data from industry research firm IDC showed on Friday.
China, Apple’s second-largest market, is set to overtake the United States as the world’s biggest smartphone market this year, with demand driven by generous handset subsidies offered by the three main carriers, increasingly tech-savvy consumers and more feature-packed and affordable products.
For the first time, smartphone shipments in China overtook feature phones in the second quarter, with local brands Lenovo Group Ltd and ZTE Corp pushing Apple to fourth place from second, the IDC data showed.
Total April-June smartphone shipments rose to 44 million, accounting for 51% of China’s total mobile shipments of 87 million, IDC said.
“There are two things in play,” said IDC analyst TZ Wong, referring to Apple’s drop in ranking and market share. “One is seasonal, people know the new phone is coming. And the second is that the alternatives are becoming much more attractive than a year ago. The iPhone didn’t change much over the year.”
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd retained its lead in the Chinese smartphone market with a share of 19%, though this was down from 21% in the previous quarter, according to the IDC data.
Lenovo, the world’s No.2 vendor of personal computers which makes the LePhone, climbed to second place and increased its China market share to 11% from a single-digit percentage in the first quarter when it was ranked 7th, the data showed. Local rival Huawei Technologies Co Ltd ranked fifth.
Data from Gartner, another research firm, showed Apple’s market share fell to 12% in the second quarter from 17% in the previous three months, though it kept its No.2 ranking, according to a report by Nomura Securities.
CHIPS FOR CHINA
U.S. chipmakers such as Qualcomm Inc have been trying to capture a larger slice of a booming market that has long been dominated by Taiwan’s Mediatek Inc and China’s Spreadtrum Communications Inc, by offering chipsets and solutions catered to Chinese vendors.
Recently launched Chinese smartphones packed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips include Huawei’s G330D and Xiaomi Technology’s MI2.
“It’s such an important market because of the volume and the growth rate, which are so attractive for chipset vendors … so we’re seeing a lot of competition,” said James Shen, Qualcomm’s vice president for business development.
In the overall mobile phone market in China, which includes smartphones and feature phones, Samsung, Nokia and ZTE top the rankings for the second quarter, IDC said.
IDC’s Wong said it was inevitable that Chinese brands would gradually gain more share due to their aggressive marketing and close ties with local carriers China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.
“In the mid- to long-term, it’s very possible they will start to dominate four of the top five (rankings), leaving Samsung as the only one standing. At that point, even Samsung will start to feel the pressure.”
Stimulus? What is Bernanke not saying?
More stimulus possible to support recovery, Bernanke says
Bloomberg News
Friday, Aug. 24, 2012
There is scope for further action by the Federal Reserve to ease financial conditions and strengthen the recovery
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank has the ability to take additional steps to boost the economy.
“There is scope for further action by the Federal Reserve to ease financial conditions and strengthen the recovery,” Bernanke said in a letter dated Aug. 22 to California Republican Darrell Issa, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Bernanke repeated the statement from the Federal Open Market Committee’s Aug. 1 meeting that the Fed will provide “additional accommodation as needed.” He also reiterated earlier remarks to Congress that monetary policy “is not a panacea” and that other government policy makers could take steps to improve the economy.
The Fed chief said previous stimulus — including the two rounds of quantitative easing in which the Fed purchased US$2.3-trillion of securities — have “helped to promote a stronger recovery than otherwise would have occurred, and to forestall the possibility of a slide into deflation.”
The central bank’s most recent balance-sheet program, known as Operation Twist, is “still working its way through the economic system,” Bernanke said. Under the program, the Fed is swapping US$667-billion of short-term securities for longer-term debt.
“Monetary policy changes typically take several quarters to achieve their full effect on economic activity,” he said.
Bloomberg News
Friday, Aug. 24, 2012
There is scope for further action by the Federal Reserve to ease financial conditions and strengthen the recovery
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank has the ability to take additional steps to boost the economy.
“There is scope for further action by the Federal Reserve to ease financial conditions and strengthen the recovery,” Bernanke said in a letter dated Aug. 22 to California Republican Darrell Issa, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Bernanke repeated the statement from the Federal Open Market Committee’s Aug. 1 meeting that the Fed will provide “additional accommodation as needed.” He also reiterated earlier remarks to Congress that monetary policy “is not a panacea” and that other government policy makers could take steps to improve the economy.
The Fed chief said previous stimulus — including the two rounds of quantitative easing in which the Fed purchased US$2.3-trillion of securities — have “helped to promote a stronger recovery than otherwise would have occurred, and to forestall the possibility of a slide into deflation.”
The central bank’s most recent balance-sheet program, known as Operation Twist, is “still working its way through the economic system,” Bernanke said. Under the program, the Fed is swapping US$667-billion of short-term securities for longer-term debt.
“Monetary policy changes typically take several quarters to achieve their full effect on economic activity,” he said.
iPad mini. New gossip
Alleged Apple 'iPad mini' cases show rear camera, mystery hole
By Neil Hughes
Friday, August 24, 2012 @ 08:41 AM
A handful of third-party cases from overseas allegedly designed to fit Apple's rumored "iPad mini" feature space on the back for a rear-facing camera, as well as a mysterious tiny hole at the center.
The protective cases were discovered and highlighted on Friday by Giz-China.com, and show space for a camera at the top left of the device. That suggests that like all other portable iOS devices, including the iPhone and iPod touch, the smaller iPad will feature a rear-facing camera.
Also shown on the cases is a small, centered hole atop the back. That's consistent with leaked parts claimed to be from Apple's next iPhone which also show a new mystery hole on the back of the device, located between the camera lens and LED flash.
It has been speculated that the space on the new iPhone could be for a new rear-facing microphone that would improve audio quality when shooting video. It's possible that the empty space on the third-party cases purportedly for Apple's smaller iPad could also be accommodating for a new rear-facing microphone.
Another case available for sale includes a rendering of Apple's rumored smaller iPad featuring both the smaller dock connector as well as a forward-facing FaceTime camera.
Last month, alleged engineering samples of Apple's smaller 7.85-inch iPad appeared online and showed off the use of a smaller dock connector, but gave no indication of a rear-facing camera or microphone. The rumored device was shown to be noticeably thinner than Apple's current third-generation iPad with Retina display.
However, one alleged rear casing for Apple's "iPad mini" which surfaced earlier this month did not show a rear-facing camera or the mystery space found in the new third-party cases. But that alleged part also lacked the legally required technical info and disclaimer text usually found on the back of Apple's devices, casting some doubt on the part's authenticity.
Rumors have pegged Apple's smaller iPad to launch in October ahead of the holiday shopping season. It's been suggested that Apple may hold a separate media event from its anticipated Sept. 12 unveiling of a new iPhone to launch a smaller iPad model.
By Neil Hughes
Friday, August 24, 2012 @ 08:41 AM
A handful of third-party cases from overseas allegedly designed to fit Apple's rumored "iPad mini" feature space on the back for a rear-facing camera, as well as a mysterious tiny hole at the center.
The protective cases were discovered and highlighted on Friday by Giz-China.com, and show space for a camera at the top left of the device. That suggests that like all other portable iOS devices, including the iPhone and iPod touch, the smaller iPad will feature a rear-facing camera.
Also shown on the cases is a small, centered hole atop the back. That's consistent with leaked parts claimed to be from Apple's next iPhone which also show a new mystery hole on the back of the device, located between the camera lens and LED flash.
It has been speculated that the space on the new iPhone could be for a new rear-facing microphone that would improve audio quality when shooting video. It's possible that the empty space on the third-party cases purportedly for Apple's smaller iPad could also be accommodating for a new rear-facing microphone.
Another case available for sale includes a rendering of Apple's rumored smaller iPad featuring both the smaller dock connector as well as a forward-facing FaceTime camera.
Last month, alleged engineering samples of Apple's smaller 7.85-inch iPad appeared online and showed off the use of a smaller dock connector, but gave no indication of a rear-facing camera or microphone. The rumored device was shown to be noticeably thinner than Apple's current third-generation iPad with Retina display.
However, one alleged rear casing for Apple's "iPad mini" which surfaced earlier this month did not show a rear-facing camera or the mystery space found in the new third-party cases. But that alleged part also lacked the legally required technical info and disclaimer text usually found on the back of Apple's devices, casting some doubt on the part's authenticity.
Rumors have pegged Apple's smaller iPad to launch in October ahead of the holiday shopping season. It's been suggested that Apple may hold a separate media event from its anticipated Sept. 12 unveiling of a new iPhone to launch a smaller iPad model.
Formula GP experience!
Formula GP Experience aims to put you in a Formula 1 car
By Gary Becker
If you are reading this article then it is probably a good bet that you are a car person and have in some way thought about what is it really like to be in Formula 1 car at speed.
The folks at Formula GP Experience have come up with a way, if you have the cash, to turn those thoughts of speed into reality. Formula GP Experience is a joint venture between Conquest Racing of the American Le Mans Series fame and DXLus.com. The two companies have been working together for the past 4 years and have given 11,500 souls the opportunity to go fast in Europe and the Middle East.
Now operating in the United States, they have taken a couple 2003-2004 Jordan Formula1 chassis and added a couple of seats on either side of the driver's seat. The cars are powered by Judd V10 motors that are pushing out 750 horsepower and can take you from 1 to 60mph in about 1.8 seconds.
Depending on how heavy your wallet is you can either ride around in one of the side seats for a single lap for $499 or the deluxe package for $999.
The Discovery Lap Package is just that. You get a one lap ride in a Formula 1 car at speed. The Formula GP Package gives you some laps in a go kart, 2 or 3 laps in the real car and pictures with a Pirelli girl I'm sure your wife let you hang on the living room wall. The GP package takes about 5 hours.
The Formula GP Experience begins the end of September a the Monticello Motor Club, moves to West Palm Beach, Phoenix and Las Vegas in October and in November ends up in Austin.
For more information visit https://formulagpexperience.com
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