Amazon says Kindle Fire has sold out - Reuters

Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:20pm IST

* Fuels speculation Amazon to launch new device soon

* Says Kindle Fire has grabbed 22 pct of U.S. tablet market

* Amazon shares hit record high in early trading

* Industry awaits Apple's response

(Adds expectations surrounding Apple, background on tablet market, stock price)

By Alistair Barr and Phil Wahba

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) said on Thursday its Kindle Fire tablet computer is sold out, raising expectations that the world's largest Internet retailer will launch at least one new version of the device at an event next week.

Amazon shares hit a record high of $250 after the announcement, before paring gains to $247.37, up 25 cents on the day.

Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos said the 7-inch Kindle Fire has grabbed 22 percent of U.S. tablet sales since it hit stores in November at $199, well below the price of Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) market-leading iPad.

Amazon is holding a media event on Sept. 6 in Santa Monica, California, fueling speculation that it will launch new tablet devices.

"We have an exciting roadmap ahead," Bezos said in a news release. "We will continue to offer our customers the best hardware, the best prices, the best customer service, the best cross-platform interoperability, and the best content ecosystem."

Less than a week after Amazon's event, Apple is planning a news conference where it is expected to unveil a new version of its iPhone. However, some analysts also expect Apple to launch a smaller tablet this year to compete with the cheaper Kindle Fire.

The tablet market is among the fastest-growing sectors of the technology industry. Research firm Gartner is forecasting tablet sales almost to double this year to 118.9 million units. That has lured many of the largest technology companies.

Google Inc (GOOG.O) recently introduced a 7-inch tablet called Nexus 7, which has been selling well. Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) is expected to launch its Surface tablet later this year. Barnes & Noble Inc's (BKS.N) Nook tablet, introduced last autumn, has also been popular.

Amazon said only that its Kindle Fire was sold out. It did not indicate when the device would be back in stock, or how many it has sold. An Amazon representative was not immediately available for further comment.

Since the launch of the tablet last year, Amazon's top-selling products have all been digital items such as music, videos and movies, it said.

(Reporting by Alistair Barr in San Francisco and Phil Wahba in New York; editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Matthew Lewis)

((phil.wahba@thomsonreuters.com)(646-223-6128)) Keywords: AMAZON KINDLE/

(C) Reuters 2012. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing, or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

iPad Mini's 'Guts' May Combine Old, New Technologies - PCWorld

A developer of a popular mobile app believes he's discovered evidence of what the insides of the rumored iPad Mini will look like and why it could sell for as low as $249.

Marco Arment, creator of Instapaper, an iOS app for clipping and reformatting online content for reading later, deduced in his blog Thursday that iPad Mini will be essentially an iPad 2 in a smaller package with the graphics chops to run a Gruber display but not Apple's eye-popping Retina display.

"It’s a textbook Tim Cook supply-chain move: selling the last generation’s hardware at a lower price point to expand marketshare," Arment writes.

"But this time, it's more dramatic," he adds. "Rather than just sell the original iPad 2 with a price cut, they've made a new product designed to be far less expensive from day one by combining old and new parts: the 32nm iPad 2’s guts, larger-cut iPhone 3GS screens, a smaller case and battery, and the new iPhone’s low-power LTE chip for $100 more. "

"I bet they could sell that for $249, and that would be a steal," he adds.

Armant reached his conclusions about the Mini after reviewing device statistics delivered to him by his Instapaper user base. Those stats showed two new iPad modelsâ€"iPad2,5 and iPad2,6.

While acknowledging that the new model designations could be faked by jailbreaking an iPhone, that's not consistent with Armant's prior experience with information appearing in his app's device stats. " I’ve never had a device show up there that didn't end up being a real, about-to-be-released Apple device," he wrote.

The two new iPad 2s could be upcoming revisions of the existing iPad 2, but the developer maintained that would be unlikely, considering how late the device is in its lifecycle. "The much more likely explanation is that iPad2,5 and iPad2,6 are the new 'iPad Mini' in Wi-Fi and GSM, and I haven’t recorded the likely iPad2,7 CDMA version yet," he writes.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Apple will be going to AU Optronics and LG Display for displays for the Mini and TPK Holding, a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group, for the lamination coating for the 7.85-inch screens.

Sharp, a large supplier of displays for Apple products, will be shut out of the initial Mini runs, the report noted.

The Japanese company may already have too much Apple on its plate. It hasn't even started producing screens for the next iPhone 5, expected to reach retailers September 21, according to The Wall Street Journal. That development is raising questions about Apple's capability to meet the initial demand for the handset, the Journal says.

Follow freelance technology writer John P. Mello Jr. and Today@PCWorld on Twitter.

Hands On With Samsung's Ativ SmartPC, Tab - PC Magazine

BERLIN - Windows 8 got a big push tonight during Samsung's Unpacked event, with the company showing off a new "Ativ" series of Windows 8-based gadgets, including a smartphone, tablet, and laptop/tablet hybrid.

PCMag's Sascha Segan dug a little deeper into the Ativ S Windows Phone smartphone earlier today, but on the tablet front, Samsung offered up the standalone Ativ Tab, as well as the Ativ SmartPC hybrids.

On the outside, the SmartPCs look like your average laptop. But press a button above the keyboard and grip the screen and it will lift away and function as a tablet. A keyboard pops up on the screen for quick notes; you can lock the tablet back into the physical keyboard for longer projects. During an afternoon demo, the SmartPC tablet lifted out rather easily, but during the Unpacked event, a Samsung attendant took pity on me as I struggled to remove it and released it from the cradle for me, so perhaps it depends on the model you get.

There are two versions - the Ativ SmartPC and the Ativ SmartPC Pro. Both feature an 11.6-inch HD display and S Pen integration, but the Pro has a few more tricks up its sleeve. While the SmartPC boasts a 1366-by-768 display, 2GB of RAM, and a next-gen Intel Atom processor, the SmartPC Pro offers up a 1920-by-1080 display, 4GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 chip.

The Pro version, according to Damian Cusick, a general manager for Samsung U.K., is "targeted at users who need a bit more power to get through the day."

When locked into the keyboard, the SmartPC functions like any other PC, while the tablet takes advantage of Windows 8 touch capabilities found in the tiled interface formerly known as Metro.

Samsung Ativ Tab
If you don't need the keyboard, the Windows RT-based Ativ Tab might be right up your alley. The 10.1-inch tablet is about 8.9mm thick and weighs 570 grams. It comes pre-loaded with a 60-day free trial of Micosoft Office 2010, and Samsung promised that it will boot up instantly.

Samsung talked up the USB port and uHDMI, which will allow the Ativ Tab to work with accessories like printers, keyboards, projectors, external monitors, and more. In a quick hands on after the Unpacked event, the Ativ Tab was responsive, loading up apps quickly - from Microsoft Word to Samsung's Music Hub.

Windows RT is the version of Windows 8 that is optimized for the ARM-based processors that power the vast majority of tablets and smartphones currently on the market. Microsoft will release a Windows RT version of its own Surface tablet later this year, a move that reportedly irked some of its PC partners. There was no mention of the Surface tonight, however, and Samsung acted as a true-blue evangelist for Windows 8.

"It's an exciting new OS that blends our content and device ecosystem perfectly," said Cusick.

The devices are expected to be released on Oct. 26, when Windows 8 makes its debut. Pricing was not discussed.

The Ativ moniker, meanwhile, is the reverse of Vita, which means "life" in Latin. "[It] is a pledge by Samsung to make everyone's life easier," the company said.

For more from Samsung and IFA, check out Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy Camera, and Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.

Lenovo fires off its salvo of laptops and desktops for Windows 8 - VentureBeat

Lenovo, the world’s second-largest PC maker, is launching a series of Windows 8 laptops and all-in-one desktops today that balance typical computer features with a taste of a touchscreen user interface.

The company is launching a series of IdeaPad laptops and IdeaCentre all-in-one desktop computers, all of them running Windows 8 when Microsoft’s new OS arrives on Oct. 26. Lenovo showed off the new machines at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin today. The machines are designed show that the arrival of touchscreen tablets is a plus for the PC, not a negative that will make it go away. The intention of the designs is to highlight simplicity, comfort, and responsiveness in a new line of computers.

“Our latest Idea-branded products offer more comfort, simplicity and responsiveness than ever before,” said Wei Jun, the vice president of Lenovo’s idea product group. “Designed for an optimal Windows 8 experience, users can enjoy up to 10-finger multitouch for versatile computing; Intelligent TouchPad for easy scrolling, zooming, and rotating; Lenovo Cloud for media sharing between devices; and the Windows Store for access to thousands of entertaining and useful apps. These new Idea PCs embody our commitment to deliver products that reflect the style and energy of the user.”

The new IdeaPad laptops include the U series Ultrabook, the IdeaPad Y series, and the IdeaPad Z series. The desktops include the IdeaCentre A and B series. They are powered by third-generation Intel Core processors or Advanced Micro Devices A-Series processors.

The IdeaPad U510 Ultrabook (pictured right) is a thin, high-performance, light laptop with a longer battery life and high-end design. The U510 has a 15-inch screen, is 21 millimeters thick, and weighs under 2.2 kilograms. It has a battery life up to six hours. It is available in September (upgradeable when Windows 8 comes out) at $679 and up.

The IdeaPad Y400 and Y500 (pictured left) are thicker, high-end multimedia powerhouses for entertainment and mobile gaming. They focus on peak performance and have Nvidia GeForce GT655M dual graphics chips. The machines have 14-inch (Y400) and 15.6-inch (Y500) screens, with a lot of high-end audio technology. Both are available in October and $649 and up.

IdeaPad Z400 and Z500 are 25 percent slimmer than standard laptops, using the Intel Core i7 processors. They’re available in a range of colors and have 14-inch and 15.6-inch screens. They used Nvidia GeForce graphics chips as well. Both are available in November for $549 and up.

On the desktop side, the IdeaCentre A520 is a slim all-in-one computer with a 23-inch display. It has a frameless 1080p full high-definition display, starting at $999. It sports a 10-point multitouch touchscreen with a wide viewing angle and Intel integrated graphics. It is available in October.

Sanjeev Menon, the director of IdeaCentre product marketing at Lenovo, said in a briefing that the all-in-one device can be adjusted forward or backward by 95 degrees (as pictured at top). The machine is targeted at both productivity and gaming users.

The IdeaCentre B340 and B345 all-in-one computers are entertainment desktops. Screen sizes include the 21.5-inch (B340 and B345) and 23-inch (B545) sizes. They also feature options for GeForce 615 or AMD Radeon HD 7470A graphics cards. The B340 and B345 are available in October at $599 and up. They have ten-point multitouch touchscreens and support Nvidia’s 3DVision 3D glasses technology. The B series machines have “one key” TV that allows users to watch TV shows with the press of a single button (assuming you have the TV tuner option).

“These are the first of our complete portfolio of Windows 8 devices that we will launch in the next few months,” Menon said.

Offbeat photo apps to make something unique on your iPhone - CNET

Photo taking apps are a dime a dozen in the App Store, but if you look a little deeper, you can make some really cool projects as long as you use some creativity.

Instead of simply giving your photos a retro look like many of the popular camera apps, there are a number of options that turn your images into a creative project where you can use your imagination to come up with something unique.

This week's collection of apps are all about doing something different with your images on your iPhone. The first quickly turns your photos into realistic drawings. The second lets you make collages with your images and offers tons of customization options. The third lets you make old-school vinyl record covers, with really neat results.

Though there aren't a lot of features in this app, it produces cool looking drawings.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Etchings (99 cents) turns your photos into drawings, but rather than giving you an insane amount of options, the app keeps it simple. Though the lack of features and tools makes this app a sort of one-trick pony, the results are very realistic looking and you can produce good looking etchings very quickly.

The interface couldn't be more simple. On the bottom you have two buttons -- one for effects and the other for line width. Effects range from simple etchings or color changes to more themed type of effects, such as one that turns your photo into a realistic looking postage stamp. From there you can switch to line width settings, to choose from ultra light settings to dark heavy lines. Even with only a handful of effects and line-widths to choose from, you'll be surprised at the results.

When you're finished with your etching, you can simply touch the check mark at the top to save to camera roll, share on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, send via e-mail, or open the drawing in a supported app on your iPhone. There's not much more to it, but I think that is part of this app's charm.

Overall, Etchings is not a complex app with tons of features, but it does what it does well without a lot of hassle. If you want a simple cool way to turn your photos into line drawings, Etchings is good choice.

With this robust photo collage maker, you can add effects for each photo in the collage.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Fuzel Pro ($1.99) is a photo collage maker that has more ways to play with your images than most apps I've seen from this genre. You start by selecting from an enormous amount of layouts, but keep in mind you'll be able to customize them to your heart's content later in the process.

Once you have your template up on screen, you can touch a panel to start loading the collage with pictures. The app has a unique and intuitive way of doing this by showing you a smaller diagram of the collage layout, and highlighting the panel that you are currently choosing a photo for. When you're finished choosing photos you can start customizing by selecting from several different effects for each photo of the collage, but there's much more in Fuzel Pro to make the collage your own.

Buttons across the bottom of the interface let you cut new lines into your collage, reselect your layout, adjust inner and outer collage borders, change the color of your basic frame, or add an additional frame. Simply touch each of the buttons for more customization options, each with intuitive controls. With the Borders option, for example, you can swipe to make corners more rounded. The cutting tool lets you add more photos into your collage in any shape you want. What I like about these tools is that they don't force you into one look giving you the option to create whatever you want.

There are a lot of collage makers in the App Store, but Fuzel Pro offers an exhaustive list of tools to make cool-looking custom photo projects. If you're looking to do something a little different with your photos, check out this app.

Once your design is ready, the Wear and Tear button is where you'll add a touch of realism.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

VinylizeMe ($1.99) is an interesting new app that lets you create classic vinyl record covers using your photos and tools that make it look authentic. It produces cool-looking results, but I wonder how many times any user will actually use the app.

You start by selecting a retro-looking album template from a variety of layout options. From there you can touch elements of the cover to edit them including the ability to change the text, add photos (either by taking a new one or picking from your library), and colorizing your images to match the overall theme. Depending on the layout of your particular album cover, you'll be able to add up to three photos, and with the colorizing tools, you can make just about any combination of images look great.

When you're finished editing the text and adding your photos, you have a couple more options that really make your album cover look authentic. You can create your own record label and the app automatically creates stylized retro-looking options you'll be able to choose from for each specific cover. You also can add Wear and Tear effects, that make the cover look like it's gotten a lot of use, and some that even look like you can see the outline of the record inside.

VinylizeMe is pretty fun to play around with and makes cool results, but I'm not sure how much time I would actually spend making record covers. The usefulness of this app relies on your own creativity, like making covers for party invites, or commemorating a vacation you took with friends. The app simply doesn't have a lot of practical uses, and the price of $1.99 (at the time of this review) seems a little steep for what you get.

Still, if you can think of some good ideas for how to use the app beforehand, VinylizeMe offers an easy process to take you through creating really cool looking covers. There's no doubt the app is fun, but I just wonder how much use people will get out of it.

Isaac prompts jump in gas prices - YNN Hudson Valley

It's Labor Day weekend, and that means many of you will be hitting the roads to enjoy one last summer getaway. But, it's going to be a more costly trip than usual. YNN's Megan Cruz spoke to experts about why a storm miles south of us may be to blame.

'); if(infobox=='True' && ShowInfoBox_l597714_1==false){ jQuery("#player_infobarl597714_1").trigger('click'); ShowInfoBox_l597714_1==true; } }; if (false) { $.setup_player(Play_Conf); } //info bar setup jQuery('#player_infobarl597714_1').click(function() { var $info =jQuery('#player_info_contentl597714_1'); if($info.text()!=''){ var $content = jQuery('div',$info); //min heigth var min = $content.css('min-height'); var max = $content.css('max-height'); $info.slideToggle(600); ShowInfoBox_l597714_1=!ShowInfoBox_l597714_1; } }); });

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

COLONIE, N.Y. -- "Don't want to be disappointed," said Colonie resident Tom Clauford. That's why when he fills up his tank, he avoids looking at the price.

"My truck - it likes gas!"

Many say they're sick of watching the dollars climb.

"I go through $150, $200 a week," said Dave Barnett from Colonie.

"It costs me about $75 to fill up each time," said Clayton Wood, also from Colonie.

And this weekend, they'll be spending even more, not just because of Labor Day.

"The production has been halted for a while and it will remain that way for at least a few more weeks," said Dr. Khalid Mehtabdin, an economics professor at The College of Saint Rose. He's talking about the oil and gas companies along the Gulf Coast. They've stopped production because of Isaac, meaning less supply to meet the holiday demand.

"Because there is no output for production, that means there's going to be demand there anyway," Mehtabdin said.

Over the past week, the national average for a regular gallon of gas has gone up $.11 from $3.72 to $3.83 according to AAA.

Here in Albany, the price of a regular gallon of gas has gone up $.05 from last week, to $3.91.

Regardless, AAA expects more than 30 million people to hit the roads this Labor Day weekend. That's a 3 percent rise from last year.

"Just need time to get a way," said Barnett. "You don't want to lose out! Everybody needs time off."

"I try not to make it a make or break thing for decisions and plans you make," said Wood. "It's just something you deal with."

"I hope they don't go up much more," said Clauford. "I mean, $4 is kind of the tipping point."

Mehtabdin says the good news is this recent spike in prices is shortlived, as the rigs and refineries will gradually gear back up as Isaac moves out.

Unfortunately not in time for this unofficial end to summer.

Lenovo Unleashes Windows 8 Laptops, All-in-One PCs - All Things Digital

Yesterday, Lenovo revealed its refreshed IdeaPad S series of laptops, but the China-based PC maker has more â€" a lot more â€" up its sleeve.

Lenovo IdeaPad U510 Ultrabook

At the IFA Consumer Electronics Show in Berlin, Germany, today, Lenovo announced a slew of Windows 8 products, including five new laptops and four all-in-one PCs.

The IdeaPad U510 Ultrabook is for those who don’t want to sacrifice the features of a laptop but desire a more portable design. Equipped with a 15-inch display, it measures 0.82 inch thick and weighs 4.8 pounds, which is on the heavier side for an Ultrabook.

However, you can configure it with a DVD or Blu-ray disc drive. Other options include a third-generation Intel Core i7 processor and one-terabyte hard disk drive. Lenovo estimates the Ultabook’s battery life at six hours.

The IdeaPad U510 will be available in September; pricing starts at $679.

Lenovo IdeaPad Z400

Also shipping in September is the IdeaPad Z500 for $549 and above. It’s not an Ultrabook, but Lenovo touts it as being 25 percent slimmer than a standard laptop without sacrificing any power or graphics performance.

The Z500 has a 15.6-inch LED-backlit HD display; you can also opt for a 14-inch screen with the Z400 ($549; shipping in November). Both are configurable with third-generation Intel processors and NVIDIA graphics technology and come in a variety of colors, including white, brown, pink and blue.

Next up are the IdeaPad Y400 and Y500. Designed for mobile gaming and multimedia, the Y400 and Y500 offer more graphics power, increased storage space and an additional fan for cooling to handle heavy tasks, such as editing video and playing games. The Y400 has a 14-inch widescreen HD display, while the Y500 has a 15.6-inch display, and both offer third-generation Intel processors, backlit keyboards and JBL speakers and Dolby technology for enhanced sound.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y400

The IdeaPad Y400 and Y500 will ship in October with prices starting at $649.

Lenovo IdeaCentre A520

Finally, if you’re in the market for an all-in-one PC, the IdeaCentre A520 comes with a 23-inch, 1080p HD multitouch screen with IPS technology for wider viewing angles. The display can also be tilted between five and 90 degrees and at the higher end can be built with an Intel Core i7 processor, a 1TB hard drive and a Blu-ray Disc drive.

Lenovo’s B Series all-in-one PCs kick the entertainment level up a notch with 3-D displays, and each model comes with two pairs of 3-D glasses â€" the B340 and B345 have 21.5-inch touchscreens, and the B545 has a 23-inch touchscreen. In addition to the aforementioned Intel processors, the series can be built with AMD quad-core processors and the B340 includes an option for an NVIDIA graphics processor. If you want access to HDTV, a TV tuner is also available for extra.

The IdeaCentre A520 has an availability date of October and costs $999 for the base model. The IdeaCentre B340 and B345 also go on sale in October and start at $599. The B545 is available now for $699 and above.

Kindle Fire won't go big to take on iPad - CNET

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced the Kindle Fire, the company's first tablet computer, at an event in New York last year.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Amazon plans to double down on the 7-inch tablet market with two new Kindle Fire models, CNET has learned.

Despite speculation that Amazon was preparing a larger 8.9 or 10-inch version, the company will only unveil a new 7-inch Kindle Fire and a slightly revamped version of the original tablet in an event scheduled for next week, according to a person who has seen the products.

The new Kindle Fire tablets are crucial in keeping Amazon competitive in the tablet business, which already faces tougher competition from Google's own Nexus 7 and the prospects of a lower-priced, smaller iPad Mini from Apple. They play into Amazon's broader strategy of playing a more significant role in the mobile consumer world.

Amazon vaulted into the tablet market a year ago with the Kindle Fire, with $199 price tag that many felt was the most innovative aspect of the product. The attractive price tag, access to Amazon Prime content, and a featured spot on the online retailer's home page generated a lot of buzz for the product, with many believing it would end up being the No. 2 tablet player behind Apple.

Unlike other equipment makers, which generate their profit off of the hardware itself, Amazon views the Kindle Fire as another storefront -- one that consumers can take with them wherever they go. As a result, it was able to offer the tablet at such a low price. The company can make up the difference on books, DVDs, and other products that consumers end up ordering through the tablet. But with the emergence of several other low-cost tablets, including the $199 Nexus 7, its price advantage has been negated.

Rather than expand its potential market and launch a larger Kindle Fire to compete against the iPad, Amazon will stick with the two 7-inch tablets. The company said earlier this week that the original Kindle Fire was "sold out," a convenient announcement given the upcoming event next week.

But Amazon appears to be making room for a slightly upgraded version of the original Kindle Fire, which includes a new user interface. While the person didn't have any pricing information, the company will almost certainly charge a lower price for the device than the original.

The more exciting product is the new higher-end 7-inch Kindle Fire model, which will feature more hardware improvements, including a faster processor, a camera, physical volume controls, and an HDMI port. It will also have larger storage capacity, but it will still not be expandable. There is no pricing information on the device.

The Verge posted a picture of the new Kindle Fire yesterday.

It's unclear whether the two versions will have different names. CNET contacted Amazon for comment, and we'll update the story when the company responds.

Amazon could also have a larger Kindle Fire in the works, but any such product won't be announced at the event next week.

While many had expected Amazon to lead the non-Apple tablet pack with its lower priced tablet, Samsung Electronics, with its lineup of Galaxy Tab devices, is actually the second-largest player in the world, thanks in part to its global distribution. The Kindle Fire isn't in nearly as many markets. Samsung had 9.2 percent of the global tablet market in the second quarter, while Amazon had 4.2 percent of the share, according to IHS iSuppli.

Still, Amazon has taken steps to expand its presence overseas, including launching its app store in several new European markets. Rather than rely on Google Play, Amazon directs Kindle Fire users to its own Amazon Appstore.

The expanded availability and a lineup of two Kindle Fire tablets at varying -- but still low -- prices could make Amazon a major player this holiday season.

David Carnoy contributed to this story.

Japan judge dismisses Apple suit against Samsung - Christian Science Monitor

A week after Apple scored a major victory over Samsung, a similar suit has been tossed out by a Japanese court. 

By Matthew Shaer / August 31, 2012

A Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet computer is seen in a South Korean store. This week, a judge in Japan has tossed an Apple lawsuit which claimed Samsung infringed on a key iPhone and iPad-related patent.

Reuters

Enlarge

You win some, you lose some. 

Skip to next paragraph

Recent posts

' + google_ads[0].line2 + '
' + google_ads[0].line3 + '

'; } else if (google_ads.length > 1) { ad_unit += ''; } } document.getElementById("ad_unit").innerHTML += ad_unit; google_adnum += google_ads.length; return; } var google_adnum = 0; google_ad_client = "pub-6743622525202572"; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '1'; google_feedback = "on"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_adtest = "on"; google_image_size = '230x105'; google_skip = '0'; // -->

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of
The Christian Science Monitor
Weekly Digital Edition

A week after a California jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple approximately $1 billion in damages, a judge in Japan has dismissed a similar claim â€" also filed by Apple â€" against Samsung. According to the Washington Post, Tokyo District Judge Tamotsu Shoji ruled today that a media synchronization feature on Samsung tablets and smartphones did not violate Apple patents. 

"The defendant's products do not seem like they used the same technology as the plaintiff's products so we turn down the complaints made by [Apple]," Shoji told the court. 

The verdict was welcome relief for Samsung, which saw shares in the company temporarily slump in the wake of the Aug. 24 ruling in California. As the Financial Times points out, the iPhone has been the most popular smartphone in Japan for years, although the Samsung Galaxy line has more recently challenged the supremacy of the Apple handset. An adverse ruling would have hurt Samsung's clout in Japan. 

In fact, Taurus Investment Securities analyst Kim Hyung Sik told Bloomberg, the ruling could have international implications for Samsung, which has been sued by Apple in several countries, including Australia and England. "This will likely turn the tide in favor of Samsung," Hyung Sik said. "Samsung had this win in a country that’s strong at intellectual property. The mood is turning positive for Samsung."

Last week, a California court ruled that Samsung had infringed on a range of Apple patents pertaining to the iPad and iPhone. Apple is currently seeking injunctions against eight Samsung handsets that use the affected patents. 

For more on how technology intersects daily life, follow us on Twitter @venturenaut.

Google+ is now an Enterprise Social Network? Who knew? - Forbes

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) launches Google+ for businesses. Its entry into the enterprise social networking (ESN) market adds new collaboration features to Google Apps â€" the cloud-computing office service â€" including 10-way desktop videoconferencing with real-time editing.

It also adds all the security tools you’d expect, to help IT help users to keep sensitive data inside the organization.

On the one hand, Google doesn’t seem to know what to call this new thing: Google+ For Work? Google+ Enterprise? Or is it just a part of good ol’ Google Apps?

On The Other Hand, this could be strong competition for Microsoft‘s more expensive Office 365 service.

With a little background, Juan Carlos Perez reports:

Google first indicated last year that it planned to release an enterprise version of Google+. … Google+ was launched as a consumer social networking site in mid-2011, but [now]Google is joining the hot ESN trend [with] employee profiles…streams, microblogging, document sharing…blogging, discussion groups and…communities.
…
[It's] critical for Google Apps, since ESN by now is considered an essential element in enterprise collaboration suites. … Google+ is also gaining IT administration controls to…establish policies for usage and content sharing.

Fruzsina Eördögh is easy for you to say:

These new features include…videoconferencing…turning Google “hangouts” into business meetings [and] private, intra-office Google+ posts. (Think…Facebook for the workplace.) …”restricted posts” can’t be reshared outside the organization.
…
The new features are available for free until 2014, but the company has not announced what the eventual pricing will be. … Google says it plans to roll out more business features.
…
Google+ hasn’t been able to significantly challenge Facebook in the consumer…space, but the enterprise market is…wide open.

Google’s Clay Bavor is “excited to move into a full preview mode”:

Web-based collaboration and social tools have dramatically changed the way people connect. … So today we’re launching an initial set of Google+ features designed specifically for businesses.
…
Google Apps users now have more control over the content they post to Google+…when you create a post, you [can] share it with specific partners [and/or] colleagues outside the organization…if you choose. …administrators can now set company-wide defaults.
…
These latest business features…are just a start. We have a lot more planned for the coming months, including a mobile version…for enterprise users and more administrative controls.

But Barb Darrow says it “should come as no surprise”:

Google [is] linking Google+ to everything and tightening ties between [with] the Google Apps suite. … There are the usual nods to IT. … And Google Apps users will now get more control.
…
Google Apps, the company’s response to the Microsoft Office juggernaut, used to be perceived as a lightweight…but it has gotten considerable traction and has forced Microsoft to respond with Office 365.

Yet Quentin Hardy is intrigued:

It’s still early…but it’s easy to see how this could be an efficient way to [hold] a virtual meeting, collaborate…and embed in a calendar the future work commitments and follow-up that result.
…
There are a number of ways to look at [it]. The sour grapes version is that Google Plus isn’t getting anything like the buzz or traffic of Facebook, so Google is [trying] to make the service relevant. Less judgmentally, it’s another sign of the consumer technology drifting into the enterprise.
…
While business looks like the follower here, [it] may make social networking more valuable than it is in the consumer world. … We may use Facebook a lot to talk about our lives, but few of us click on the ads there.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Boris can’t wait to give it a spin:

Google+ has been looking for a way to distinguish itself from the competition. … This time, I think they got it right. … The concept is this: instead of only using your Google+ Page to talk to your customers, why not use it to talk to your co-workers?
…
The big news is how you can use Hangouts to run meetings. … The best part, you can open a Google Doc in the Hangout so everyone can work on [it] in real time. … I’m always looking for better ways to collaborate on projects and this is it. … It sounds too easy to be true.

Now read this:

---

Richi Jennings is an independent analyst, writer and editor. You can Google-Plus him at +richij, follow him as @richi on Twitter, pretend to be his friend at Facebook.com/richij or just use boring old email: fs@richij.com. A cross-functional IT geek since 1985, Richi also publishes a full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

Apple's iPhone chip salvation is close at hand - ZDNet

It doesn't matter how good the iPhone 5 turns out to be: Apple can't sell it if it can't build it. It's not alone: this is the cold equation facing many mobile device manufacturers in the coming months, as supply problems dog the chip manufacturers.

How can Apple stay ahead in the mobile game and ensure a steady chip supply?

The riskiest products are the highest-performance smartphones and tablets, which drive new chip technologies â€" and are thus most susceptible to the delays that blunt the cutting edge. It's a rare point of vulnerability for Apple, which relies on massive sales of top-end products and likes very much to maintain absolute control over its supply chain.

Nobody doubts Apple wants to lock down its own chip supplies. It has more options than most. For example, the company has been shopping for semiconductor expertise over the past few years, leading some to suggest it may go as far as setting up its own silicon foundry.

These are insanely expensive: Taiwanese company TSMC has spent nearly $10bn (£6.3bn) on its latest plant. Apple has enough cash to buy anything it likes â€" but it can't change the laws of semiconductor physics. If it decided to build its own fab from scratch, it would be at least three to five years before it came onstream, and to be competitive, it would have to be cutting edge.

Existing chip companies find that hard enough, even with decades of experience, and the next stage in chip production â€" sub-20nm geometries on 450mm wafers â€" is doubly challenging. Starting up under those conditions would be like starting a space programme with a manned mission to Jupiter.

Other options

Its existing relationships aren't ideal, either. One major supplier is Samsung, which has to hurt. Other suppliers like TSMC are keenly aware that while Apple is the biggest company in the world, the mobile market is bigger yet, and they aren't prepared to sacrifice other customers in exchange for the Cupertino billions. That's despite it claiming that it has largely fixed its own 28nm fab problems and should be able to meet demand by the end of the year.

Apple's ideal chip partner would be one already leading the pack in fab but one without a major mobile presence

Another option would be to work with the Chinese government, which has already invested heavily in chip fabs and would doubtless be delighted to cut a very favourable deal with Apple in exchange for gaining access to competitive production techniques. That wouldn't solve the problems Apple would face in starting up its own fab, though, and partnerships with authoritarian regimes come with risks all their own.

There are other caveats. The chip industry, and in particular the mobile market, is a vast and thorny thicket of cross-licensing, patent barriers and other IP issues. And, once you've built your own chip fab, you lose a lot of flexibility: it's a lot easier to switch suppliers if you need to change course, than to turn your own supertanker around.

So Apple's ideal chip partner would be one already leading the pack in fab but one without a major mobile presence. It would be one with lots of key intellectual property, and masses of experience in working with the networking, storage and processing techniques that stitch together modern IT. It would be sweeter still if that partner had recently cooled on a long-term relationship with one of Apple's major competitors.

And if that partner was just 10 miles away from Cupertino, just the other side of Ponderosa Park, in â€" say â€" Santa Clara... well, that would be just perfect.

How Apple could build a $249 8" tablet and beat the Nexus 7 at its own game - Ars Technica

A mock-up of a potential iPad mini design compared to an iPad, iPhone, Nexus 7, and Kindle Fire.

Apple's rumored iPad mini could very well be a shrunken-down iPad 2, according to analysis by Instapaper developer Marco Arment. He recently discovered references to two previously unknown iPad models in logs that track device usage among Instapaper users, which suggest Apple may soon release two new variations of the iPad 2. Arment theorizes that these models in fact represent two variations of the rumored iPad mini, reportedly launching in October, and re-engineered to be less expensive than the existing iPad 2 model selling for $399.

"It's a textbook Tim Cook supply-chain move: selling the last generation's hardware at a lower price point to expand marketshare," Arment wrote on his blog.

Developers often collect anonymous usage statistics for their apps, which help them understand, among other things, what hardware is popular with users. With this data, developers can decide when to add features that only work on newer hardware, for instance, or when it's a good time to drop support for older OSes or hardware.

Arment discovered references in his usage logs to two new iPad model identifiers on Thursdayâ€"iPad2,5 and iPad2,6. Apple typically uses the numeric X,X model designation to refer to major revisions and minor revisions, respectively. So, iPad2,1, iPad2,2, and iPad2,3 refer to the original WiFi, GSM, and CDMA versions of the iPad 2. iPad2,4 refers to a version of the WiFi-only iPad 2 with a 32nm version of the A5 processor which Apple still sells for $399.

The 32mm die shrink of the A5 processor gives the iPad2,4 a 20-30 percent increase in battery life over the original iPad 2 model, which came equipped with a 45nm process A5 processor. Coincidentally, the iPad mini's screen is rumored to be 7.85" diagonally, a 20 percent reduction in screen size. Presumably, the smaller screen would mean a 20 percent smaller case, which could only contain a 20 percent smaller battery. Effectively, the 32nm processor should allow Apple to offer a smaller tablet with the same 10-hour battery as its larger 9.7" cousins.

The iPad mini's rumored 7.85" screen, which sources for Bloomberg said will be manufactured by LG and AU Optronics, is expected to stay at the same 1024x768 pixel resolution as the original iPad and iPad 2. The expected size and resolution makes sense to us for a couple reasons. For one, AU Optronics doesn't have an established reputation for manufacturing panels with the high-pixel densities required for a "retina"-class display. Also, maintaining the same resolution as earlier iPads means no changes are needed to existing software. Finally, some Apple watchers have argued that a 20 percent reduction in physical screen size shouldn't present usability concerns for standard iPad interface elements; that assertion seems plausible.

Two new model numbers suggest that Apple will offer a WiFi model as well as one equipped with some type of 3G or 4G cellular connection. It seems likely that Apple could be planning to use a second-generation combined GSM, CDMA, and LTE chipset from Qualcomm, which is also expected to debut in the next-generation iPhone. The combined volume between the iPhone and iPad mini should keep costs reasonable as well.

As Arment suggests, the combination of older hardware should allow Apple to target a price of $249. That's not quite as low as the Nexus 7's category-busting price of $199, but Apple does have brand recognition on its side when it comes to the tablet market. Google has already admitted that the Nexus 7 makes essentially no profit, and other Android tablet makers can't be happy at the prospect of competing with effectively zero margin. A $249 iPad mini could potentially take some of the wind out of the Nexus 7's sails while still contributing a healthy margin to Apple's already impressive bottom line.

Apple Worked A Broken Patent System - InformationWeek

Samsung too closely copied some elements of the Apple iPhone, and for that it should be hung up in the public square. But Samsung should be hung by its thumbs, at worst, not its neck.

Copying in some measure is all around us. It is continuously present in many parts of a free enterprise system and in some ways is a yardstick to the health of that system. I often see small, muscular-looking cars with lines similar to the BMW 300 series, but they have Swedish or Japanese nameplates on them. Watching what sells is a basic premise of anyone engaged in a competitive race. Matching a competitor under your own brand is a time-honored practice.

Webcasts

More >>

White Papers

More >>

Reports

More >>

What a patent and legal system should aim to prevent is theft by copying, such as stealing the technology of a competitor's product, or creating such a conscious, copycat duplication that one product can be confused with another, thus letting the profits of an originator be taken by an imitator. Samsung did not do this.

Samsung's icon layout on its application screen looks similar to Apple's home screen, but beyond that, the jury's verdict in the Apple vs. Samsung case is a muddle, a confusion of design patents put in the same category as utility patents, and the verdict for infringing design looks as punitive as one for stealing technology.

[ Take a look at Samsung's newest smartphones. See Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Windows 8 Smartphones: First Impressions. ]

That shouldn't have been the case. Utility patents are protection for a unique invention, a kind of monopoly granted for 20 years after an examiner determines that no such inventions existed previously or can be found in what's known as prior art.

Design patents are generally agreed to be more subjective. They're good for 14 years, and spring from an 1891 court case that found one silverware manufacturer had copied the pattern of another.

If the "ordinary observer" can detect "substantial similarity" in one silverware pattern versus another, the original's design has been infringed, ruled the Supreme Court. And that's still the standard used in a design patent case involving two sophisticated, multi-layered electronic devices today.

Designs are established through the black and white drawings of exterior ornamentation submitted with the patent claim. In this trial, four Apple design patents were the central issue. Jurors' comments to the press after the trial indicate they were crucial in determining the outcome.

Until now, design patents have tended to play a much smaller role in computing and consumer electronics. For example, of the 6,242 patent examiners in the U.S. Patent Office, 99 of them are design examiners. The rest are utility patent examiners.

Yet, as computers shrink to handheld size, the role of design patents gets magnified. In smartphone design the evolving functional elements, such as the size of the touchscreen, are closely tied into the overall design. Apple didn't invent the capacitive resistance touchscreen, where the electrical field of a human finger makes a connection on the conducting surface of a piece of glass. But its core design patent on the iPhone covers a large, rectangular screen on a handheld device with rounded corners, much as you would now expect a touchscreen to be implemented. There are other elements, but the screen-centric design figures heavily into the iPhone's and iPad's respective design patents.

Apple has used a dysfunctional U.S. patent system--too many patents granted without enough understanding of the state of the art--to prosecute this case.

One of Apple's utility or technology patents covered snapback, a user interface feature that has been taught in computer graphics courses for 10 years, according to testimony at the trial. Either the examiner who approved the patent was not aware of that, or he judged Apple's application of snapback on a phone screen to be a first-ever invention. Whichever way it went, the existence of prior art should have prevented this patent from being issued.

When it comes to the smartphone, Apple's design patents come too close for comfort to giving Apple control of underlying technologies it did not invent, simply because it has asserted ownership of the design. The iPhone and iPad were brilliant design packages, and Apple deserves all the profits it has gained from them.

But the emergence of capacitive resistance screens would sooner or later have allowed many companies to eliminate keypads and produce devices with screen-centric designs. In many cases, they would have been following Apple's lead--let's say copying a good idea in their own way. And the result would be a vigorous, competitive economy and consumer choice.

A more demanding patent system with fewer patents issued would still have left Apple with the leadership position in the market and the respect of consumers who like its products. But it would have been obligated to continue to innovate instead of using patent law to slow or stifle competitors.

Should I Buy Verizon? 3 Pros, 3 Cons - Investorplace.com

The telecom world is like the Old West: People keep riding into town to tell the local sheriff that they plan on taking it over.

The growth of wireless phones has been astonishing, from Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone lineup to Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android model. And with primarily three players all vying for a piece of the pie, it’s hard to figure out which phone and service to use, not to mention which stock to buy as an investor.

AT&T (NYSE:T), Sprint (NYSE:S) and Verizon (NYSE:VZ) are the primary sheriffs in their own little towns, and they’re battling it out to see who’s left standing when the smoke clears down the road. While it’s highly unlikely, of course, that any of these three will go away, one is bound to come out on top of the others.

The question is, which one? Let’s take a look at three pros and three cons for Verizon:

Pros

4G LTE Network. This might be Verizon’s biggest asset. The popular network is available in nearly 265 more markets than AT&T’s 4G offering and should be available with the highly-anticipated iPhone 5, which is set to be released in September. Throw in the fact that Verizon has been gaining on the iPhone-sales leader for the past three quarters even when its iPhone 4 was only offered with one less G, and things look pretty good for the provider.

High-Speed Internet Access. But Verizon isn’t just phones â€" it’s also Internet. Several years ago I jumped ship from rival-provider Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) primarily due to poor service and I’m glad I did. I’m also clearly not alone. Verizon continued to increase sales penetration, adding 134,000 Fios Internet and 120,000 new Fios TV subscribers in Q2. FiOS generated 65% of the company’s revenue and around 70% of FiOS consumer customers have purchased a “triple play” of phone, Internet and TV services. Solid.

Dividend Growth: Telecom stocks are know for solid dividend and Verizon is no exception. It payouts have increased from 46 cents per share per quarter in 2009 to 50 cents per share â€" a very nice 8% growth â€" making for a yield of 4.7%. That’s a nice reward for investors, and VZ has nearly $11 billion in cash on hand, so the dividend growth should continue.

Cons

Competition. Like I said, other carriers sure won’t be going away. AT&T, once again, is the other big name in the business, but it doesn’t end there. Verizon switched to the “Share Everything” plan, catering to customers with smartphones and multiple devices, and many customers were up-in-arms about the change. Sprint, on the other hand, never stopped offering unlimited data, while T-Mobile recently re-instated its full-speed unlimited option in response to consumer demand. And if that’s really what customers want, they won’t find it at this provider.

Market Saturation. There were roughly 5 billion mobile subscribers in the U.S. last year, representing about 9 out of every 10 people. That means, though, that subscription growth will have to slow â€" and already has started to. The market is not only finite, but could be close to being saturated. When it finally is, price pressure is likely to occur, and”stealing” market share will mean cutting prices and thus cutting profits.

Valuation. Verizon is a slow-growth company, yet is currently trading at a P/E of 43. And while it has pulled back from its year-highs, it still seems overbought. AT&T’s ratio is even slightly higher, but looking discounted compared to your also-overbought competitor is hardly a ringing endorsement.

The Bottom Line

Verizon’s has a lot going for it, offering up solid services and a sweet dividend. And while dividend growth is a plus, there is one red flag: Verizon pays out more in dividends than it makes in net income.The company made $2.4 billion in 2011 and generated $2.6 billion in free cashflow, but paid out $5.5 billion in dividends.

Still, that $11 billion in cash that I mentioned earlier is a nice cushion, and the company also has good growth prospects and a solid reputation for service and reliability.

All-in-all, the pros outweigh the cons for this stock, making Verizon a solid long-term stock for any investor’s portfolio.

Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing he is long VZ.

Nokia, Microsoft head for "Last Chance Saloon" - Reuters

By Sinead Carew and Bill Rigby

NEW YORK/SEATTLE | Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:11am EDT

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp and Nokia Oyj are loading up for their best -- and possibly last -- shot at denting a smartphone market dominated by Apple Inc's iPhone and Google Inc's Android mobile software.

If the new Lumia phones do not appeal to consumers when they are unveiled next Wednesday, it could mean the end for Nokia, and a serious blow to Microsoft's attempts to regain its footing in the mobile market, analysts and investors said.

"This is very high stakes," said Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley. "Nokia bet everything on Windows, and if this doesn't succeed the next step might be having to do what's best for shareholders, and that might include selling off key assets or selling the whole company."

The Finnish handset maker has logged more than 3 billion euros in operating losses in the last 18 months, forcing it to cut 10,000 jobs and pursue asset sales.

Its share of the global smartphone market has plunged to less than 10 percent from 50 percent during its heyday before the iPhone was launched in 2007.

For Microsoft, a successful Lumia launch would convince more handset makers and carriers to support its latest phone software, which is based on the same code as the upcoming Windows 8 computing system, and promises faster performance and a customizable start screen.

Windows phones have only captured 3.7 percent of the global smartphone market, according to Strategy Analytics. Android phones have 68 percent, while Apple has 17 percent.

The new Lumia phones will hit the market just as the world of Android reels from a potentially crushing legal blow, and as Research In Motion Ltd's BlackBerry continues its decline.

A California jury decided last week that some of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's hot-selling Android smartphones copied features of the iPhone, which may result in import bans and drive handset makers to put more resources into making Windows-based phones.

The judgment opens a window for Microsoft to exploit -- but it first needs to find favor with consumers.

"Windows Phone really is going to have to stand or fall on its own, it's going to have to appeal to consumers," said Jack Gold, an independent mobile analyst who runs consultancy J. Gold Associates.

GOOD TIMING?

Nokia is expected to launch two new Lumia phones on September 5, on the same day that phone maker Motorola, now owned by Google, also unveils a new product.

It kicks off a busy fortnight for mobile devices, with Amazon.com Inc expected to introduce new Kindle tablets on September 6. Apple is seen unveiling the newest iPhone on September 12.

The costlier of the two Lumias will go up against the iPhone, and is expected to feature a larger, brighter screen; a powerful camera on both sides; Qualcomm Inc dual-core chips; Skype calling; voice recognition; short-range radio technology for wireless payments and built-in maps for navigation.

But Lumia will need something completely different to beat the iPhone and Android, such as a bold new shape, exceptional camera quality or a mini-projector, said Tero Kuittinen, an analyst at mobile diagnostics company Alekstra.

Part of the problem is that Windows Phones have only 100,000 or so apps, compared with about 500,000 for Android or iPhones.

"Developers want to see more devices, and people want to buy only when they see more apps," said Sid Parakh, an analyst at fund firm McAdams Wright Ragen. "I'd say it will take years, they are so far behind."

Nokia may not have years. Finland's most famous company, relegated to second place in the global cellphone market by Samsung after more than a decade at the top, has bet its smartphone future on Microsoft.

Samsung stole some of Nokia's limelight by being the first to unveil a phone based on Windows Phone 8 software on Wednesday, a week before Nokia's event. Canaccord's Walkley expects Samsung to offer steep price discounts for Windows phones in markets where Nokia is also launching its phones.

While Samsung, HTC Corp and Huawei Technologies Co are also making phones based on the new Windows software, only Nokia is focused entirely on Windows Phone 8. This means that Nokia should be able to deliver more sophisticated Windows phones.

SUPPORT FROM CARRIERS

The job of saving Nokia, and getting the new Windows Phone 8 software off to a strong start, falls to Nokia Chief Executive Stephen Elop, the former Microsoft star who forged the agreement between the two companies.

One thing Elop has in his ammunition bag is support from big U.S. mobile service providers who want see Windows become a third strong smartphone platform to counterbalance the market heft of Android and Apple, which charges a heavy price premium.

Top U.S. wireless providers Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp and Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA have all said they will support Windows Phone 8, and AT&T Inc said it will sell Nokia phones based on the Microsoft software.

"Everybody's liking what they see coming from Microsoft with the Windows 8 (mobile) platform from the user experience perspective and the integration perspective," said Bill Versen, a Verizon Wireless executive who works with business customers on their smartphone strategies.

"Enterprises have Windows-based platforms they're using for their businesses. They've been waiting for Microsoft to mobilize that in a user-accepted way," he added.

Because Microsoft's new phone software is similar to the upcoming Windows 8 desktop and tablet software - to be released on October 26 - developers can more easily write apps for both, which should help the platform's popularity and may even lead developers to eventually build apps for Windows before Android, Current Analysis analyst Avi Greengart said.

Microsoft actually makes more money from royalties on Android products than it does on sales of its own phone software, but "can't afford not to have a significant position in the global smartphone market," said CCS Insight analyst John Jackson.

Microsoft needs to get at least a 10 percent share of the smartphone market by the end of 2013 to be a contender, Canaccord's Walkley added.

(Additional reporting by Tarmo Virki; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

How to use Cydia - Geek

The term “jailbreak” has an inherently negative feel to it. You aren’t supposed to break out of jail, so it makes sense to feel a little uncomfortable about the idea of jailbreaking your iDevice and installing apps that weren’t expressly approved by Apple. There’s nothing illegal about it, and in many cases users find many new ways they can use their “freed” devices. With this in mind, we’ve assembled this guide explaining how to use Cydia, the jailbroken App Store.

Cydia is an app store for everything that Apple doesn’t want in their ecosystem. The apps, themes, wallpapers, ringtones, and more that you find in the Cydia store are put together by developers and creative people who want to share the things they have done to improve their own experience with their Apple product.

All you need to do in order to get Cydia on your device is jailbreak it. The Absinthe 2.0 jailbreak tool, put together by the greenpois0n team, will work on just about every existing iOS product â€" just install Absinthe 2.0 to your computer, connect your device, and run the application. When your device reboots, Cydia will be installed on and you will be ready to go.

Setting up an account

Cydia offers some really great features to regular users, but taking advantage of those features means having an account. Instead of a lengthy form to fill out, Cydia just authenticates with an already existing Facebook or Google account in order to create your profile. Tap either the Google or Facebook login options, and sign in to an account you will remember. Once your credentials are verified and stored with Cydia, you will be able to login using them on any jailbroken device.

Any time you purchase an app, make sure you are logged in to Cydia. As long as the developer is still supporting that app, Cydia will keep a record of your purchase so you can download the app without having to pay for it a second time. If you wipe your iDevice, or pick up the next model when it comes out, you will be able to re-install the apps you purchased, just like you can on the App Store.

How to add Cydia repositories

Everything that you have access to in Cydia is hosted in places called repositories (or repos). Cydia includes a handful of repos that are maintained by developers that work with them, and the apps contained within them are thoroughly inspected and tested. There are other many other repos out there, and if you add them to your Cydia you gain access to all the content that is stored within. This is an “at your own risk” thing to do mind you, but it is very easy to do.

The process to add repos is simple. From the home screen, select “more package sources” from the menu on the left hand side. This will take you to a long list of repos that Cydia has collected. If you select one of them you will be shown a brief description of what kind of content is available, and then you will be offered a chance to install it to your Cydia. This looks like you are installing just another app, and once it has finished the new content will be added for you to browse.

If you are ready to install a repo that is not in that list, that feature is also available to you as well. Some developers keep their content in private repos for various reason. To add one of these repos, tap the Sources icon on the bottom of the Cydia menu. Here you will see a list of all the repos you are currently using. Tap the Edit button in the top right, followed by the add function that appears after. Enter in the repo URL that was provided to you, and the source will be added to your Cydia.

Purchasing content in Cydia

Cydia is home to great modifications, features, themes, and way more. Surprisingly little of the content is available for free, but in return you get some high quality software and practically zero chance of damaging your iDevice. It’s also incredibly easy to purchase any of that content, especially if you are already using Amazon or Paypal.

When you reach the checkout process, Cydia will prompt you to sign in using the Facebook or Google credentialls you used to create your account. Once you are logged in, you will be able to pay with Paypal, Amazon, or use payment information that you have stored in your account. When you make a purchase with Amazon, Cydia will ask you if you are interested in creating a purchase limit. You can set a dollar amount that the store will not allow you to exceed, in the event that you accidentally go micro-transaction happy.

Once the transaction is complete, you will be prompted to install your content. Curiously, the content you just purchased will not install automatically, you do need to tap the Install button to move forward. The app will install as though you has purchased it from the App Store, and you will be able to use it immediately. Any time there are updates available for your content, you will use the same system to install the updates. Everything is controlled through Cydia.

Cydia: The other app store

Cydia is an impressively maintained system. The well-oiled machine makes you feel like Cydia was really meant to be on your device the whole time, just as a sort of “expert” mode for users interested in getting a little customization happy with their devices. The service feels safe to use, although Cydia repeatedly warns that they are not responsible should anything happen to your device. If you are interested in tinkering, Cydia is well worth exploring, especially now that you know how to use it.

More reading: The best Cydia apps

Samsung Intros Slate, Smartphone, Note II and AiO PCs - eWeek

Samsung ATIV S Smartphone

The Samsung ATIV S smartphone features a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a 1.5GHz processor and HSPA+42 4G connectivity. It's 8.7mm thin, has a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel camera on the back.

Running Windows 8

The smartphone runs Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 and according to Samsung is highly responsive, offering a great user experience whether for browsing or playing games. It also houses a 2,300mAh battery, which should keep users going all day.

Coming to the U.S.?

Whether or when this phone will make it to U.S. shores is unclear. The device wasn't included on the American press release from the IFA show in Berlin. Microsoft acknowledged it on its U.S. blog, though, calling it "equal parts powerhouse and head turner."

Samsung Slate PC

Samsung's new Slate is available in Series 5 and 7 models. Both feature 11.6-inch displays and measure 11.6 by 7.2 by 0.5 inches. The former weighs 1.65 pounds, while the latter is 1.90 pounds.

S Pen Stylus

Both Slates come with an S Pen—Samsung's grown-up stylus. The Series 5 features an Intel Atom processor, 2GB of system memory and a 64GB solid-disk drive. The Series 7 runs an Intel Core i5 processor, has 4GB of system memory and a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD). The former will sell for $649 without the keyboard dock and $749 with it, while the Series 7 is priced at $1,199.

Keyboard Dock

The keyboard dock attaches via what Samsung calls a "mechanical hinge." The two were designed as one device, and so "fit seamlessly when connected," says the company.

Series 5 Ultra

This more traditional laptop features a 13.3-inch touch-screen display and a choice of Intel Core i5 or i3 processors. It weighs 3.83 pounds, runs Windows 8, like the Slates, and starts at $799.

Galaxy Note II

As rumored, Samsung introduced a follow-up to the Note tablet it showed off at last year's show. The Note II features a 5.5-inch display—slightly larger than last year's 5.3-inch model, but a different story than the Note 10.1 Samsung introduced in New York this month.

Ergonomically Designed

The newest Note of course features an S Pen, and is "longer, thicker and ergonomically designed for the perfect grip," Samsung said in an Aug. 29 announcement, marking perhaps the first time any company has boasted about fattening up a product. Though actually, it measures 80.5 by 151.1 by 9.4mm, while the original Note measures 83 by 147 by 9.65mm.

Series 5 All-in-One PC

Samsung's new Series 5 AiO features "space-agey" legs that leave room for the keyboard to be pushed beneath the monitor—a nice space-saving feature on kitchen countertops. Like the new Series 7 model, it can also respond to five hand gestures from up to 3 feet away—handy for flour-fingered home chefs trying to follow a recipe.

Series 7 All-in-One PC

The Series 7 AiO sits on a more solid metal base, but like the Series 5 features a thin bezel around its touch-screen. It's powered by a third-generation Intel Core processor and can support up to 8GB of RAM, dedicated HD graphics and up to a 1TB HDD and a 64GB SSD.

All-in-One Pricing

Pricing for the Series 7 ranges from $1,099 to $1,699, while the Series 5 is priced at $749. Both PCs feature considerable viewing angles—178 degrees on the Series 7—and ship with an exclusive Jamie Oliver's Recipes app.

Windows 8 makes manufacturers touchy at IFA 2012 - SlashGear

This week in Berlin at IFA 2012 we’re seeing a large amount of manufacturers bringing on touchscreens and convertible, transformable, or otherwise completely strange Windows 8 computers. There’s everything from a flipping screen to a flat horizontal interface, and so many tablets that we don’t know where to begin. One thing they’ve all got in common: they’re attempting to make use of Windows 8′s ability to work with interactive touchscreens and gestures galore.

Have a peek first at the Sony VAIO Duo 11 in our hands-on experience. There you’ll find what’s called a “hybrid sliding PC” that’s not entirely unlike the ASUS solution for a similar situation in the Eee Pad Slider â€" but here it’s working with Windows 8 instead of Android. And it’s a bit more chunky (as seen above). Next have a look at Lenovo’s ThinkPad Tablet 2 as seen below. It’s a tablet if you’d like as well, this time you pull it out and set it up in a keyboard dock rather than sliding.

The Dell XPS Duo 12 is a strange beast indeed â€" working with a flip screen on hinges â€" like a framed painting whose center can be turned around. There’s a keyboard in there somewhere as well. Have a peek at that below this paragraph as well â€" and note that we’ve only gotten “eyes-on” with this device so far, so there’s no telling how fabulous it’ll be in the near future.

The folks at HP have brought along several units to the show including a hybrid PC that runs Windows 8 and has the power of a full PC â€" rather than a tablet with “mobile power”. Here you’re working with what’s otherwise known as a tablet with a keyboard dock, but it’s described the other way around. Then there’s Samsung â€" they’ve brought out the guns with the ATIV Smart PC Pro sporting a very similar setup to the HP solution also in this paragraph. Here Samsung has brought on a lovely looking combo that’s not without it’s Ivy Bridge â€" another bit of hardware we’ve seen a lot of this year. There’s also an ATIV Smart PC that we got hands-on with as well.

Check out the rest of this awesome pageant of touch-friendly (and sometimes not so touch friendly) devices as they appear in Berlin in our IFA 2012 portal. And keep up with the Windows 8 tag as well through the future â€" some strange devices are afoot!

Tokyo court: Samsung didn't infringe Apple patent - USA TODAY

TOKYO â€" A Tokyo court on Friday dismissed Apple Inc.'s claim that Samsung had infringed on its patent â€" the latest ruling in the global legal battle between the two technology titans over smartphones.

The Japanese court case addressed only the synchronizing technology that allows media players to share data with personal computers and was not comparable in scope to the much larger victory that Apple won in the U.S. last week.

Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea, the world's largest maker of phones, welcomed the Tokyo District Court ruling that its technology that allows media players and personal computers to share music files and other content did not infringe on Apple patents as confirming "our long-held position."

"We will continue to offer highly innovative products to consumers, and continue our contributions toward the mobile industry's development," the company said in a statement.

The Apple lawyer present at the courthouse declined comment, and the company said later it had no comment, including whether it intended to appeal. In the past, Apple has accused Samsung of copying Apple products.

In a session lasting just a few minutes, Judge Tamotsu Shoji said he did not think Samsung products fell into the realm of Apple technology and dismissed the lawsuit, filed by Apple in August last year.

Apple, the Cupertino, California-based maker of the hit iPhone and iPad, is embroiled in similar legal tussles around the world over whether Samsung smartphones, which rely on Google Inc.'s Android technology, illegally used Apple designs, ideas or technology.

In one such case, a jury in California ruled last week that Samsung products illegally used such Apple creations as the "bounce-back" feature when a user scrolls to an end image, and the ability to zoom text with a tap of a finger.

The jury awarded Apple $1 billion in damages, and a judge is now evaluating Apple's request to have eight Samsung products pulled from shelves and banned from the U.S. market, including popular Galaxy model smartphones. Samsung's latest hit, Galaxy S3, was not part of the U.S. ruling.

Friday's ruling was the first held in Japan in the Samsung-Apple global court battle, but other technology is being contested by the two companies in separate legal cases in Japan.

Seo Won-seok, an analyst at Seoul-based Korea Investment & Securities, said the Tokyo verdict showed that the lawsuits around the world are largely isolated and may not be affected by Apple's major victory in California.

"The favorable ruling for Samsung convinces me that lawsuits in other countries may play out differently from the one in the U.S.," he said.

Apple products are extremely popular among Japanese consumers, but major Japanese carriers such as NTT DoCoMo sell Samsung smartphones as well. Japanese electronics maker Sony Corp. also makes smartphones and tablet devices similar to Samsung's, using Android technology.

Samsung has sold more than 50 million Galaxy S and Galaxy S2 smartphones around the world. The legal battle also involves Samsung's Tab device, which Apple claims infringes on patents related to the iPad tablet.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.