Steve Wozniak's recent statement somewhat still identifies himself with the company he co-founded. He is said to have quoted that Apple is a bit behind in terms of features, but he did not identify which areas need improvement for Apple to keep abreast with its competition with Google, presumably, even if there was no mention of Android being the competition. He also commended Samsung and the Korean giant's ability in "making great products".

He also admitted to still buying Apple products, which seems to imply that they are great and mentioned that he wouldn't do so if the company manufactures lousy gadgets.

Although Android was not mentioned, it is hard to leave it out when we are talking about the greatest operating system battle in the history of mobile technology, along with the iOS. Also, whatever Wozniak says will always make the news, since he is just as controversial as the best OS rivalry in the planet.

According to Strategy Analytics, mobile phone shipments grew 4 percent annually to reach 52 million units in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2012. Apple leads the pack with its 34% followed by Samsung and its 32.3%.

As far as the entire last year is concerned, Samsung is in the lead accounting for 31.8% of the US market followed by Apple with its own 26.2%.

LG managed to grab the third spot position both in units shipped and market share. LG shipped 4.7 million mobile phones for 9 percent share of the United States market in Q4 2012, dipping from 6.9 million units and 14 percent share a year earlier.

Check out the following link for the complete numbers.

Strategy Analytics

In the document filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Judge Koh found that Samsung did not act willfully in infringing on Apple's patents, denying the Cupertino company a chance to triple damages associated with the suit.

The jurist granted Apple's motion that sought judgment as a matter of law to invalidate two claims of Samsung's U.S. Patent No. 7,675,941 for wireless data packet technology and denied five others:

• DENIES Apple's motion for judgment as a matter of law that Apple's unregistered iPad/iPad 2 trade dress is protectable, infringed, and diluted;
• DENIES Apple's motion for judgment as a matter of law that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringes the D'889 Patent;
• DENIES Apple's motion for judgment as a matter of law that all accused Samsung phones infringe or dilute all Apple's intellectual property as asserted, and that all acts of infringement or dilution by accused Samsung phones and tablets were willful and induced by SEC;
• DENIES Apple's motion for judgment as a matter of law that the '893, '711, '460, and '516 Patents are invalid; and
• DENIES Apple's motion for judgment as a matter of law that Samsung is liable to Apple for breach of contract and antitrust violations stemming from breach of the ETSI IPR Policy.

Apple and Samsung's legal battles in this case began a little over a year ago, and went to trial in August of 2012. A nine-member jury then awarded Apple $1.05 billion, and because the jury ruled the infringement was wilful, the monetary damages could have tripled in post trial deliberations based on US Laws. At a post trial hearing in December, Koh heard arguments from each party as to whether the damages were appropriate, if any of Samsung's products should be banned for sale in the US, and if the jury decision should be thrown out. Although the jury originally ruled heavily in Apple's favour, Judge Koh's post trial decisions have lessened damages for Samsung.

In addition to addressing wilful infringement in the ruling of the 29 January, Samsung's motion for a new trial was denied, and Judge Koh ruled Apple would not be getting three times its originally awarded damages amount.

"Given that Apple has not clearly shown how it has in fact been undercompensated for the losses it has suffered due to Samsung's dilution of its trade dress, this Court, in its discretion, does not find a damages enhancement to be appropriate," Judge Koh wrote.

She explained that Apple delivered an inconsistent argument, first claiming money could not compensate Apple for the harm it had been dealt by Samsung's actions, then requesting $400 million in compensation.

On whether Apple's unregistered iPad and iPad 2 trade dress are protectable, Judge Koh sided with the jury and found no infringement or dilution from Samsung.

Source

About a year ago, if you had an iPhone and you walk into a public gathering all the eyes knew one direction that is you and your phone. Unfortunately, this is not true according to the current statistics. If you now keep iPhone in your hand and walk you wouldn't be considered as cool as a year ago. Especially, in Asia iPhone's demand has fallen down drastically according to the latest statistics only in Singapore iPhone's demand has fallen by 22 percent.

People nowadays shifting more towards android devices in particular Samsung's devices. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from in particular has been a big hit in Asia especially. It's hard to see when Apple would gain back its original status as it was a year back. But, the world of technology is makes a move every day and any day could be Apple's too they just need to work hard and have patience.

Source

The Librarian of Congress banned the practice of buying a cell phone and unlocking it last October. Tech News Daily pointed out that the librarian provided a 90-day buffer in which wireless customers could purchase and unlock their phones. That period ends on Saturday.

Basically, when one unlocks a phone, it will free the handset from restrictions which ensure the device will work only on a particular network, meaning any other network that runs on a similar wireless standard will be able to play nice with said handset. Those who travel overseas often would find that unlocked phones are the most ideal route to take, while others prefer to have the freedom to switch carriers anytime they like.

But not everyone will have to make do with locked phones. As Mashable notes, "Verizon's iPhone 5 comes out of the box already unlocked, and AT&T will unlock a phone once it is out of contract." What's more, you can pay full-price for a phone, as opposed to the discounted price that comes with a multi-year contract, to receive it "unlocked from the get-go."

Source: appleinsider