Apple wins patent over HTC

FFS this is ridiculous  you might be reading lots of articles about how Apple won an ITC patent case against HTC for their Android handsets today (btw its preliminary not final eg HTC will appeal).

Whether is stands up under appeal we'll see (btw Apple filed for 10 breaches but only these 2 were approved)

but what burns me is what the patent actually covers.

"system and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data", US patent No. 5,946,647, filed in 1996 and awarded in 1999.


Essentially, it allows elements such as email addresses or phone numbers to be recognised so that when they are activated via a mouse or, on a smartphone, by a finger, they activate the relevant program.

Apple implemented this idea as "Data Detectors", implemented by Apple's Advanced Technology Group.


So basically they got a patent for something that looks like a phone number...to bring up the dialler, for something that looks like an email...to bring up the email app.

How is this even a patent??

Cheers,
Dean
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jul/18/apple-htc-android-patent-infringement
http://www.xydo.com/toolbar/24380493-patents_in_apple-htc_case_filed_in_1994_and_1996_long_before_smartphones_existed
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/2080236/apple_wins_early_preliminary_patent_victory_over_htc/index.html?source=r_technology
http://www.infoworld.com/d/the-industry-standard/htc-loses-itc-patent-ruling-in-apple-tussle-227


I wonder if this is going to happen more often? when will the issues with the USPTO be seen as a negative for doing business in the USA?
App developers are withdrawing their products for sale from the US versions of Apple’s App Store and Google’s Android Market for fear of being sued by companies which own software patents - just as a Mumbai-based company has made a wide-ranging claim against Microsoft http://moconews.net/article/419-app-developers-withdraw-from-us-as-patent-fears-reach-tipping-point/

Droid3

Loving my new Droid3, just upgraded from a Droid1 last week.


Couple of initial thoughts.....


Disappointing that when i sign into google it doesn't copy across all the apps previously installed on my Droid1.


Basically it auto downloads the "paid" apps but all the others....you have to re-download. Even to the point that the Touchdown exchange "pro license" downloads...but the actual app itself you have to download.


Touchdown rocks though….if you use exchange and have a android handset don’t even consider not using this app.
Not a big deal but seems like something that could have been easy for them to implement, this also means you have to "reconfigure" all of your apps again from scratch (most are easy but some like touchdown exchange, 1-VPN, Sipdroid etc take a bit of configuration, also favorites etc don't copy over either...whats with that?).


Absolutely loving the new screen, although the handset is only about 1/2" longer and 1/4" wider because of the size of the display the handset actually feels thinner, more tablet like.


Would i prefer a 5" display instead of a 4" display… for sure absolutely, but that's just me.

Keyboard.....ahhh physical keyboard what can i say, you are either going to get why a real keyboard makes sense or you aren't, enough said, if you are sitting here thinking i like my iphones virtual keyboard...its the best... well good luck to you, skip the next paragraph.


Loving the extra row of number keys, though i kind of miss the Dpad I’m not finding the 4 arrow keys working out with the same ease. I do feel that the Droid3 keys have more travel and are easier to press than the Droid1 keys which i like though i didnt mind the Droid1 at all apart from wanting bigger keys (i hated the Droid2 keyboard when i tested in the store).


Dual CPU...... not noticing heat issues (yet) so so far loving it. Some people online are complaining about battery life but i think this is probably because they left their CDMA + GSM radios on (i'm clueless as to why they didnt switch off the GSM radio by default...lets face it how many Americans are going to use the "world" part of this world phone.....? BTW I'm heading home to Australia in December for a month so will post back how easy i find swapping out to a local sim when i get there.


What i have noticed however is how much faster pages resolve, so whereas i thought it may have been the network speed slowing things down.....its actually cpu speed related as such the Droid3 is way better experience.


As for Motoblur.....haven't noticed too many issues yet (though i'll be hacking it to cyanogenmod as soon as they have a rom available for it). I don't like the new carousel view for favorites. I also don't like the home page layout manager, it's wonky and sometimes causes objects to be misplaced in the wrong space.

The Motoblur picture gallery is crap (could be i'm just not used to it...will reserve judgement), also sharing photos to facebook etc sees more complicated that it needs to be now.


I did however notice no pre-installed QR reader which was a surprise (though Barcode Scanner 3.6 is now sitting on the home window).


Well thats about it for now. Check back again soon and i'll update as i get more of a feel for it. For $200 its an absolute steal.


-Update 1 week later-
So after a week of using this phone i wanted to say i'm loving it, apart from a 5" display and bringing back the Dpad there isn't a thing i'd change in teh Droid4 next year.

Feels as solid as a rock and the kayboard is even better than ny Droid1 

There is an engadget review up now as well - http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/motorola-droid-3-review/

Cheers,
Dean

BTW things you should know...

Wallpaper is 1080x960

ifixit tear down located here - http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Motorola-Droid-3-Teardown/6108/1l

Death of QR codes

Dan Frommer seems to write about QR codes a lot considering....they are dying.
http://www.businessinsider.com/death-to-the-qr-code-2011-7

lol and another Death to QR article in March 2011 just 3 months ago.....
http://www.businessinsider.com/zoove-starstar-2011-3


I guess he likes the SEO benefit.

Cheers,
Dean
www.Cognation.net/QR

Echosign

Interesting tidbit posted in Dan Primacs mailinglist this morning.


Adobe Systems has acquired EchoSign, a provider of web-based electronic signature and signature automation solutions. No financial terms were disclosed. Palo Alto, Calif.-based EchoSign had raised around $8.5 million in VC funding from Emergence Capital and Storm Ventures. http://www.echosign.com/



btw....i have a theory about how Echosign are doing it wrong :) solving this issue has been in my to do list for a while, just waiting for the time an opportunity to reveal why i think there is a better way.

Cheers,
Dean

U.S. Recognizes Rebels in Libya

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/world/africa/16libya.html?hp
The United States formally recognized the rebel leadership in Libya as the country’s legitimate government on Friday.

This is freaking nuts??

I dont understand why more Americans arent complaining about this.

Can you imagine what would happen if Libya decided to recognize the KKK as the true successionary government to the USA and decided to support them with arms drops and shipping ammunitions??

Or if Qaddafi decided to personally visit Waco Texas to show his support for the Branch Davidians and McVeigh (like Robert Ford did with Syria last week).

What is wrong with people?? Help me understand why this isnt a bigger issue.


Cheers,
Dean

Gigi D'Agostino - L'Amour Toujours

I dont care if it is eurotrash disco, there is something really happy about Gigi D'Agostino's music that just makes me smile and want to to spin around like a goofy Sufi Dervish.

Things that make me smile

You know i was thinking a few minutes ago...there are very few toys that make me smile as much as my Logitech G11 Keyboard, using the G keys for shortcuts just rocks in a way you cant understand until you've used it for a while.

LinkedIn spam control = Fail

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=42941995&gid=61398&commentID=44284646&trk=view_disc

Does anyone else find it distressing that LinkedIn allows spam to stay on the site even AFTER it's flagged as spam.

Whats the point of having "Flag as inapropriate" and then hiding the message from you BUT everyone else has to still read it....oh and when you visit the article later....the spam has reappeared and is sill there.

Spam flagging on LinkedIn = fail.

Amanda Palmer

I just found out about "The Dresden Dolls"this weekend from watching a Masha Terentieva video.....btw you think that was good watch her here...amazing to see what she can do with her body (she's in Cirque Du Soleil) lol she's welcome to fake fall over me again anytime she wants.

I picked these tracks because in the beginning you get to see her and Brian as Dresden Dolls but then you get to see what a powerhouse solo performer Amanda Palmeris. The Radiohead cover in particular is perfect for a one take live clip.

I've just loaded up my Amazon cart with everything they've released....lol hope the neighbours like them :)

























...lol and in case that was all a little too serious:)

who do you think would be better in an international drug deal? Evan Williams, Biz Stone or Jack Dorsey?

Which one do you think will become the Oliver North of our times?
http://gigaom.com/2011/07/04/why-the-internet-is-america%e2%80%99s-greatest-weapon/