Google CEO Larry Page sat down for a lengthy interview with Wired recently that covered a number of big, broad topics. As one would expect, Android, Motorola, Google+, and competitors like Apple and Facebook highlight the conversation. Page, who typically holds back a bit, unlike former CEO Eric Schmidt,, seemed to open up a bit and even take a few subtle shots at some of his company’s foes. 

In a recent report, it looks like Apple’s iPhone 5 is losing its grip on the everyday consumer. According to Consumer Reports, the iPhone 5 is now listed as the lowest rated top 3 smartphone on each carrier, minus T-Mobile who haven’t had the device on their network. Topping the lists are the Samsung Galaxy S3 for T-Mobile, the LG Optimus G for AT&T and Sprint, and the RAZR HD’s for Verizon. Crazy enough, the iPhone didn’t even make it onto Big Red’s list, which is actually quite surprising. 

We haven’t mentioned many of these reports from marketing firms like comScore over the last few months because they have all painted the same picture for 2 years now. We’re talking smartphone operating share in the U.S., something that Android has had a stranglehold over for quite some time. After surging to the front of the pack back in 2010 and 2011, Android has yet to give up any of its share to Apple’s iOS or any of the other competing smartphone operating systems. 

Back in 2009, Google filed a patent for Android’s “notification bar,” a feature that Apple wouldn’t figure out how to implement into iOS for another couple of years. Here we are almost four years after that patent was filed and Apple has decided that its “notification center” is worthy of its own. 

For the past week I’ve been spending a lot of time with the HTC 8X on Verizon. The 8X is considered a signature Windows Phone, sporting a 4.3″ 720×1280 display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, NFC, dual band WiFi, LTE, Beats Audio, and an 8 MP 1080p shooter in back with a wide-angle 2.1 MP front camera. In short, Windows Phone has reached parity with Android and iOS in terms of specs.

When I last looked at Windows Phone I argued that while the operating system looks good and is certainly an improvement over Windows Mobile, the lack of apps, disappointing multi-tasking, and poor notification system kept Windows Phone from reaching feature parity with iOS and Android. Since then Android and iOS have propelled smartphone ownership to unprecedented levels while Windows Phone has remained a niche product in terms of market share. Read on to find out how Microsoft has changed Windows Phone for the better, what has stayed the same, and what Microsoft still needs to do to make Windows Phone succeed.

Sorry, Apple, but according to Apple Insider, your pinch-to-zoom patent has been invalidated by the USPTO.

This patent (7,844,915 claim 8) was a major player in Apple’s initial win over Samsung back in August, but it’s still unclear if this will change any of the outcome of the trial. There is still time for appeals, post trial hearings, final rulings, and all that jazz.

And that’s your daily snoozefest of patent chatter.

Via:  Apple Insider

According to Australian law enforcement personnel, a flaw discovered in Apple’s Maps application could prove deadly for motorists if action is not taken. Pictured above is the city of Mildura, although that is not where the city is actually located. Apple has placed the town some 40 miles in the Outback, an environment that if not prepared for or you happen to become stranded in, offers very little in terms of road side service.

Unfortunately, a few Maps users have already found themselves in this situation, needing to be rescued by emergency crews and were found with zero water supply. 

Hot off the wire is the announcement that the U.S. Patents and Trade Office has found Apple’s ’949 multi-touch patent, that was a key factor in suits against Samsung and Motorola, to be invalid. After close re-examination, all 20 points of the patent have been ruled invalid, which means we can maybe expect some lengthy appeal processes from many OEM’s that fell victim to Apple’s trolling earlier this year, assuming it stays invalid.