In what could be labeled as this year’s biggest non shocker, Apple is claiming that Samsung is violating Siri patents with Mountain View’s Google Now software. U.S. patents 8,086,604 and 6,846,959 cover technology related to Siri, a “universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system.” 

Apple is grouping these violations together with the case that is already taking place apparently, but what has us scratching our heads is how this is Samsung’s problem. It is Google that controls Google Now, not Samsung. In addition, the Galaxy S4 is also being thrown into the mix, as Apple claims Samsung’s newest device infringes on five patents.

For the time being, Google Now users won’t have to worry about a thing, as the slowly-moving court system goes through its process. This is justice.

Via: FOSS Patents

Apple Sets Eyes on Galaxy S4 and Google Now in Newest Patent Infringements Claim is a post from: Droid Life

Last week, the vice president of investor relations for NVIDIA, Rob Csongor, spoke of the company’s mobile strategies moving forward through 2013 and beyond. Currently, Samsung and Apple make up exactly 50% of this year’s first quarter mobile sales, so according to Csongor, NVIDIA will look to partner with the “other half” of the market such as HTC, ZTE, Huawei and other lower-placed companies to push its line of mobile processor. 

In doing so, NVIDIA’s upcoming Tegra 4i processor would be seen in direct competition with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 400 chip, a chip that NVIDIA says can be outperformed three to one by the 4i.

The Tegra 4 and 4i were announced earlier this year, but we are still awaiting a flagship device to carry either chip inside. Anyone else hoping to see a device running either one of these before NVIDIA arrives too late for the party?

Via: Fool

Cheers Ben!

NVIDIA to Target Mid-Range “Other Half” of Smartphones Moving Forward is a post from: Droid Life

Today, the newest shirt from the Andy vs. Apple guys is available, and boy does it take this ongoing fanboy battle to the next level. The designs of their shirts usually feature our favorite little Android doing anything stomping out the Steve Jobs army Godzilla-style to smashing Apples with a mean swing. But if those shirts were all a little too soft for you, today’s shirt might be more your style. 

This newest release boldly expresses “Android kicks Apple’s ass,” so you can let all your friends that have iPhones know just how much you love them. If you are looking to start a fight like in those new Windows Phone commercials, this shirt will only set you back $17.

Buy. ($17)

Latest Andy Vs. Apple Shirt Makes the Fight Personal is a post from: Droid Life

Just when we thought we wouldn’t have to talk about it anymore, it’s back. A federal judge has set the dates for a new trial between Samsung and Apple, focusing on whether a matter of $450.5 million worth of damages will be awarded to Apple. 

Judge Lucy Koh has ordered that the trial be set to begin between November 12 and 18, after she discovered there were miscalculations from the jury and that a new trial must take place to determine the final amount to be paid.

The goods news is that we won’t have to bring this matter up again until then.

Via: Reuters

New Dates Set for Samsung vs. Apple Patent Case, Will Decide Fate of $450.5 Million in Damages is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

For the most part, Microsoft’s campaigns against Google, Android, and iOS that promote Windows Phone or their other products are all pretty lame. Think “Smoked by Windows Phone” or even those “Scroogled” spots. Not really the most clever of marketing ideas, to say the least. This new Lumia/Windows Phone 8 spot, on the other hand, is actually funny and worth a quick look.

In the spot, you’ll see iPhone users taking shots at Galaxy owners with their “enormous” phones and S Beam feature followed by comments made in return to grandmothers about being too young to own an iPhone. There are Apple logo tattoos, app availability trash talking, and even the thought that Samsung and Apple fanboys love the constant fighting. Silly.

“Weeeee!”

Cheers Scott!

Microsoft Pokes Fun at Samsung vs. Apple Stereotypes in New Commercial, is Actually Pretty Funny is a post from: Droid Life

Whenever Google Babel does arrive for public consumption, we’re starting to believe it will be everything we have ever asked for in a unified messenger service. We’re talking synced notifications, cross-platform conversation experiences, a new UI, photo sharing, quick access to live video chats, and on-the-record chat history viewing from anywhere. According to sources of ours who have shared new information with us (including a feature list), we’re getting all of this and more. 

Google Babel as a product is a collaboration of work by the Google+, Android, Chrome and Apps teams. Through their combined efforts, as was previously reported by us, we’ll see this unified service launch in Gmail and as Android, iOS, and Chrome apps. What’s particularly interesting, is that Google is talking about the iOS app as being the first time they have built a “first class iOS experience” when it comes to a messaging service. I can’t say that I’m familiar with their current iOS offerings, so I’ll leave the iOS experts to weigh in on the quality of Talk (if there even is an app) and G+ Messenger.

We’ve also learned that Google Voice support is “eventually” coming to Babel, however, the service initially only brings together Talk, Hangouts, and Messenger. This was an inclusion we were hoping to see from the beginning, but won’t, from what we understand. No specific details on how Voice will blend into Babel were given, just that it’s coming later on down the road.

Continuing on – there will be notification syncing across devices and platforms. For example, if you have a browser open on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone that are all attached to Babel and receive a message, once you check that message on any of the devices, the notification will disappear from the others. As someone who operates a half-dozen devices at any time throughout a day, I can’t tell you how important this feature is. It may be the most important.

We’ll also see a brand new UI that promotes conversations and is applied across all versions of Babel. You’ll be able to send photos, use 800+ emoji (not an exaggeration), look back at any on-the-recrod conversation from any device, group chat, and of course, carry all conversations with you to and from any device.

Here is a feature list according to a Google memo (colorful commentary is theirs, not ours):

1. Brand new UI. We’ve designed a new UI that’s applied across all clients and promotes conversations.
2. Stay in sync.  With just one conversation list and experience across mobile and desktop, everything is always in sync. Install the Chrome app, the Android app, and iOS app.
3. Desktop app.  Stop laying whack a mole across blinking browser tabs. With the new Chrome app your conversations continue outside of the browser.
4. Keep a group conversation going to coordinate with your team, and start a Hangout with a single tap whenever you need to talk face-to-face.
5. Be notified…just once.  Get notifications on your two phones, tablet, laptop, and desktop. Open it on one and watch the others disappear. If you’re actively using your computer or phone we’ll even intelligently notify you on just one of those endpoints. Magic!
6. Message more than just text.  Add a photo to the conversation and/or send some of the 800+ emoji to your coworkers. Kittens and poop are particularly helpful in explaining complex issues.
7. Get nostalgic.  Scroll back in time and relive any (on-the-record) conversation, on any device.
8. More ways to talk.  For the first time we are building a first class iOS experience. Try out our very early preview on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

I will say that the screenshots posted yesterday by TechRadar appear to me to be the real deal. From what I have seen, the emoji box does slide up from the bottom, though I’ve also seen the box with a black background. Conversations will look the same – threaded with profile pictures of the participants.

Still no word on a release date.

New thoughts on Babel?

Google Babel News: Google Voice Support “Eventually” Coming, Synced Notifications, “First Class” iOS Experience is a post from: Droid Life

According to Samsung executive Young Hee, who spoke with media in Seoul this week, his company is “definitely” preparing to launch its own smartwatch. As you know, the smartwatch has been one of the hottest indie technologies to hit the market this year, so it makes perfect sense that bigger companies would look to invest in similar, wearable technology. Companies like Pebble have jumped out to a headstart in the category, but with an Apple iWatch grabbing rumor headlines over the last couple of months, Samsung needs to hurry to get something that can compete. 

Hee mentioned that they have been preparing a watch product for “so long” and that they are working “very hard to get ready for it.” While he wouldn’t specify any features for the product, it’s clear that they need to make it powerful enough to make it a worthwhile purchase for consumers that is also affordable. The smartphone market is said to be nearing saturation, so wearable products like a smartwatch could help Samsung or Apple make money off of a new product line, assuming they do it right.

It should be an interesting battle over the next couple of months as Samsung and Apple look to conquer this new category. Apple essentially revolutionized and created the MP3, smartphone and tablet worlds, but if Samsung can beat them to the punch with a smartwatch, they may find one of their greatest achievements to date.

Via:  Bloomberg

Samsung is “Definitely” Preparing a Smartwatch Says Company Exec is a post from: Droid Life

Good news for Samsung today, as Judge Lucy Koh announced that damages being awarded to Apple will no longer exceed $1 billion, but reach a mere $598,908,892. Practically nothing, right? In her look into the jury’s findings, it was seen that there were some miscalculations, which is why Koh is proceeding to fix the mistakes. A new trial is being established to determine the remaining balance, but she has urged both sides to go over the appeals process before entering a new trial.

Much as we expected, this case is clearly not over. Not by a long shot. If anything exciting happens, we will keep you posted, but I think I’m pretty much spent on this case.

Via: The Verge

Apple’s Big Payout From Samsung Nearly Cut in Half to $598 Million is a post from: Droid Life

Before Google Music launched, Google and the music labels were said to have had a hard time working out the hard details, but they eventually reached an agreement. A recent report said that a few execs in Google working for the Android department have been in talks with music labels for expanding Google Music, wanting a Spotify-like streaming service.

Adding in a subscription based music option to Google Play could be a huge step for Google moving forward in providing content. The rumored plans have been centered around having paid subscriptions to Youtube music channels as well as audo-only tracks too. This would give people the option to either buy music and have rights to that album or song or possibly subscribe to a pay-by-the month program. Details to the actual plan are scarce so we don’t know much, but it sounds like something Google would want to get into.

The only question that remains, would you use it?

Via: WSJ

Google Might Be Looking to Beat Apple to The Streaming Music Game is a post from: Droid Life

New numbers are in from comScore’s Q4 2012 report, ranking the top five U.S. marketshare contenders. In terms of operating systems, Android is still sitting on the throne with 53.4%, growing from last year’s 52.5%. Following Android is Apple’s iOS at 36.3%, which is quite respectable, considering BlackBerry and Windows make up just a little over 9% when combined. 

Outside of OS share, comScore also took a look at who controls the hardware aspect of these numbers. With little change, Apple still holds a 36.3% of that market, with Samsung coming in second with an even 21%. Samsung has gone up 2.3% since last year’s Q4, with Apple also growing by 2%. In terms of growth, no other handset maker is even putting up numbers. HTC has fallen 1.8%, Motorola has sunk 0.7%, and LG saw little gain with 0.5%.

Here in America, this has become a two dog show. 2013 is sure to be a huge spectacle, as Apple and Samsung go head-to-head in a giant mobile showdown.

Via: comScore

Q4 Android U.S. Marketshare Numbers are in, Still Sitting Pretty at 53.4% is a post from: Droid Life

The only Android OEM worth talking about lately seems to be Samsung with the dominance of their Galaxy line. That dominance is reflected in profit numbers as well according to a recent industry report. Research from Canaccord Genuity, says that Samsung and Apple together accounted for an “astounding” 103% of the mobile profits in 2012.

Canaccord is calculating this number by taking each OEM and their operating margins, then factoring in the losses of the other vendors, so you can see how well Samsung and Apple did. The only other Android manufacturer to post any significant number was HTC.

Do you see these numbers changing this year? Is the HTC M7 or Motorola’s X Phone going to challenge Samsung? At this point, it’s going to be hard for any OEM to compete.

Via: BGR

Samsung and Apple Combine for 103% of Mobile Industry Profits is a post from: Droid Life

Yesterday, there was new development in the Samsung vs. Apple case, with Judge Lucy Koh finding the Korean manufactures infringements of Cupertino’s patents un-willful. Previously when the jurors gave their verdict, it was possible that Samsung would have to pay triple the damages if the infringement was intended. Luckily for them and after a long appeals process, it looks like their bank accounts can sleep just a bit better at night not having to shell out in upwards of $3 billion dollars. 

Naturally, this ruling will also have an appeals process and we can expect this case to go on into the 2020′s it seems.

Via: Engadget

Samsung’s Patent Infringement Found Un-Willful, Apple Won’t Get Triple Bonus Points is a post from: Droid Life

According to a report out of Strategy Analytics, Android Q4 marketshare showed a 38% growth over last year’s, totaling at a 70.1% worldwide domination. Last year, during this same time, Android held a respectable 51.3%, followed by Apple’s iOS at just 23.6%. Now, Apple has dropped just a hair to 22% evenly, while Android grows by leaps and bounds, shipped on roughly 152.1 million devices in three months. 

As for any company that decides to go up against two corporations that hold 92% of the worldwide smartphone market, things are not looking bright.

Via: Engadget | Strategy Anayltics

Image: Fat Face & Me

Android Crushes Competition, Captures 70% of World’s Smartphone Marketshare in Q4 is a post from: Droid Life

Twitter just announced a new video sharing service called Vine. Vine, a company they acquired a few months back, focuses on recording 6-second clips of life events that run on an infinite loop which can be shared easily. The videos record sound as well. 

At this point, the Vine app is only available on the iPhone and iPod Touch, with work on other platforms happening now. All they would say as far as release goes is “stay tuned for that.” We would imagine that Android is second on the list behind iOS if these guys have any sort of intelligence.

The service itself sounds highly entertaining to me. Can you imagine the brilliant 6-second videos that our beautiful internet is going to cook up? It’s like a wonderful GIF, only it has sound.

To see some of these Vine videos in action, hit up the Twitter link below.

Via:  Twitter | Vine

Twitter Introduces New Video Sharing Service Called “Vine” – Only Available on iOS is a post from: Droid Life

This afternoon, Apple released their Q1 2013 earnings report, breaking records and clearing their own projections for the quarter. Cupertino posted $13.1 billion in profit on $54.5 billion in revenue which is far higher than last quarter’s $8.2b profit on $36 billion in revenue. 

For Apple, iPad sales and iPhone sales had a good helping hand in that, with the company moving 47.8 million iPhones last quarter, up from the 26.9 million they sold the previous quarter  To top it off, they sold 22.9 million iPads (all models combined I’m guessing), which dwarfs the 14 million they pushed during Q4 2012.

Later today, Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer are scheduled to give remarks and answer investor questions at 5PM EST.

Usually this is when we should have some witty commentary about Apple’s stock or something like that, but whatever. I’ll let you guys talk it out down below.

Via: The Verge

Apple Posts Q1 2013 Earnings, Hauls $13.1 Billion Profit on $54.5 Billion In Revenue is a post from: Droid Life