Samsung products banned - Obama denies to veto

Samsung has been ruled by the courts that they infringed 2 of Apples patents and is pending a ban on Samsung products in the US. Samsung asked the Obama administration to veto the proposed ban, however they denied the request. 

Samsungs ban in the US is a striking move, and will hugly benefit companies such as Apple, LG, HTC, Sony, and Nokia, as the 2nd largest phone manufacture would be erased from the picture.

Do you think the Obama administration did the right thing?

Google to acquire WhatsApp for nearly $1 billion

Google is in talks to acquire cross-platform messaging application WhatsApp, a new report claims.

Google and WhatsApp have been talking for "four or five weeks," according to Digital Trends, citing a person who claims to have knowledge of the negotiations. So far, WhatsApp has been able to push the acquisition price to nearly $1 billion by "playing hardball," Digital Trends' source says.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging applications available to mobile users. The app allows users on just about any mobile platform, including Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone, to instant-message with each other, as well as send images, audio, and video messages. The messaging app essentially allows for cross-platform texting without having to pay for SMS.

Samsung infringes four Apple patents including touch screen and design, U.S. trade judge says

Samsung Electronics Co. infringes four Apple Inc. patents, including one for the design of the iPhone and one for touch-screen technology co-invented by Steve Jobs, a U.S. trade judge said in a decision that gives Apple another legal victory over its biggest smartphone competitor.
Two other patents, including one for the exterior shape of the iPhone, weren’t infringed, U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Thomas Pender said in a notice on the agency’s website. The judge’s findings are subject to review by the full commission, which has the power to stop goods that infringe U.S. patents at the border. The agency has twice before forced companies to alter foreign-made smartphones if they wanted to keep selling them in the U.S. HTC Corp. phones were held up at the border in May after Apple won a trade case, and the Cupertino, California- based company has an enforcement action pending that accuses HTC of violating the trade agency’s exclusion order. Google Inc.’s Motorola Mobility unit was ordered to remove a feature to coordinate schedules from its phones after they were found to infringe a Microsoft Corp. patent.
The case in today’s ruling is one of more than three dozen between the makers of about half of the world’s smartphones, who have run up hundreds of millions of dollars in legal bills. Samsung, which lost a $1 billion jury verdict in August against Apple, is challenging a different ITC judge’s findings that its own patents weren’t infringed by Apple.

New iMac, Are you buying?

Apple held a "little" media event today at the California theatre in San Jose that turned out to be anything but "little" -- at least as far as hardware is concerned. Apple announced five (count 'em!) new hardware devices, including:

• Mac mini
• iPad with Retina Display (fourth generation)
• iMac
• MacBook Pro 13 with Retina Display
• iPad mini

In this post I want to discuss the new iMac which was last updated in May 2011.

Easily the most surprising announcement of the day, the iPad 4 comes a short seven months after the iPad 3 which was announced on March 7, 2012

• Thinner industrial design built from aluminum and glass with up to 40 percent less volume
• Upgraded display with reflection reduced by 75%
• Every iMac display is individually color calibrated using an advanced spectroradiometer
• 2.7 - 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, or
• 3.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor
• NVIDIA Kepler graphics architecture - up to 60 percent faster performance
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, or
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX - best graphics available in an all-in-one computer
• 8 - 32GB of 1600 MHz memory
• 1 - 3TB hard drive, or
• up to 768GB SSD, or
• Fusion Drive with 128GB of flash and a 1TB or 3TB hard drive
• Two Thunderbolt
• Four USB 3.0 ports

The new iMac isn't yet available for ordering, but Apple provided the following base prices:

• 2.7GHz with 8GB and 1TB - starting at $1299 - available in November
• 2.9GHz with 8GB and 1TB - starting at $1799 - available in December

So, are you buying?

iPad Mini, A success? Or a Fail?

So, Apple just unveiled the new "iPad Mini" and to be honest, I'm not sure what this device is suppose to be, is it a affordable, "innovative" 7 (7.9) inch tablet? or is it a enlarged iPod touch/smaller iPad made to take money from consumers?

Well I'm pretty sure this isn't innovative because, there are many 7 inch and a few 8 inch tablets that already are floating out there. So basically, this is an over priced device that stumped people who bought the 5th gen iPod touch which costs 299 bucks. So what is this device? This is a device that makes the iPod Touch meaning less, but then Apple is greedy, so they want to keep the iPod Touch 5th gen at 299 dollars. So basically, this device is another on of Apple's "creations" to puppet innocent consumers around.

Specs wise, compared to the Nexus 7 (I love this device) the iPad Mini has a 7.9 inch display, .9 inches larger than the Nexus 7. This also features an Aluminum back with a very nice finish to the sides to blend the glass and aluminum. I admit, this does look very attractive however, here is the catch. The Nexus 7 features top of the line specs, however the iPad Mini has the same processor from a device a generation ago. This is the same with the iPod Touch, so basically, iPod Touch buyers got scammed bing time, and the iPad Mini shouldn't even win the competition with the Nexus 7 and other devices.

The only reason why Apple is able to sell millions of devices without people questioning why the device costs so much and if there are any alternates, is because Apple is a giant bag full of BS. The iPhones, iPad, Ipods, Macbooks, iMacs, they all look great, the OS is beautiful, but NOTHING is actually "functional". A Mac has a beautiful and attractive OS, however, it is not as functional compared to Windows. iOS is beautiful, however compared to Android OS, it lacks innovation compare to Android. Android went from a terrible, buggy OS to a very nice looking AND functional OS in about 2-3 year. iOS was always the same, the dock on the bottom, the same looking icons, etc.

The iPad Mini may be a success for this generation, however, when people realize the lack of creativity and innovation of Apple, Apple will die. The only reason Apple is still alive, is because Jonny Ive is a magnificent designer. Without him, Apple would have been dead the moment Steve Jobs died.


[Written Completely by SIZAHD, If you want to copy/use my post, contact me]

Microsoft Surface tablet back-ordered as new iPad mini is turning up

Call it round one of a Microsoft-Apple hardware heavyweight battle.

A few days before the expected rollout of Apple's new tablets, all Microsoft Surface tablets are now officially back-ordered in the U.S. A Microsoft representative confirmed with CNET today that delivery of three Surface RT modelshas been pushed back. On Tuesday, the same day that sales were launched, the order status of the $499 model (32GB) quickly slipped to three weeks. Now the $599 Surface with the black Touch Cover (keyboard/cover, 32GB) and the $699 Surface with the black Touch Cover (64GB) are back-ordered "one to two weeks." Surface is the first Microsoft-branded PC, making it the first Microsoft computer to go head-to-head with Apple. Microsoft is injecting fresh competition into the PC market, too. Surface will compete with Windows 8 and Windows RT products from Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Lenovo, Asus, and others.

Apple iPad Mini Event

 Apple announced Tuesday that it has scheduled an event for Oct. 23, at which it is widely expected to introduce a smaller version of the iPad, dubbed the "iPad mini." The "iPad mini" is believed to be a seven-or-so-inch tablet with a sub-$300 price tag. The current iPad lineup starts at $399 for the year-old iPad 2 and $499 for the third-generation iPad, both of which have a near-10-inch screen. The "iPad mini is rumored to have a 7.85 inch retina display with an internal storage of 8GB or 16GB. Keep following us for more details as they come in.

My opinion (rant) on this years launch for the Apple iPhone 5 and others.

In my opinion, this launch (2012 launch in general) is the worst launch that exists in the most anticipated launches. I was expecting a more "cooler" looks and a more revolutionary products. The iPhone 5 wasn't as surprising and revolutionary due to the fact that, most of the design factors and the specs already were "leaked". The aluminum backing was already known to come, and the larger display was already confirmed. The 9 pin conector wasn't a surprise either considering the fact that it  had already been leaked. The iPhone was suppost to be a revolutionary product, and a product other companies will play catch up with, but after the iPhone 4, Apple is now the one that is playing catch up to other companies. After Steve Jobs death, Apple has consistently going below the standard for tablets, MP3's (iPods), phones, and computers. Back then when Steve Jobs left Apple, the company struggled big time with failed releases such as the camera and the over sized laptops. Honestly, the new iPod Touch looks nothing revolutionary, and actually looks like it went back to the old days when Apple had those plastic colorful products, except now, its aluminum. On the aluminum back, there is the ugly plastic "rectangle" that was in the older iPods. Same goes with the iPod nano. Now, the iPod Nano's color scheme looks disgusting. The older, bold color looked much better than the new colors that have that ugly "creamy" color. Jumping back to my ranting on the iPhone, the new iPhone looks ok, however, the disappointing fact about this phone is that the screen is still too small compared to the competitors and rivals Apple faces. Samsung's Galaxy S3 for example, has a 4.8 inch display, multiple bold colors, and a great camera. The iPhone 5 has a 4 inch, tiny display that is nothing comparing to the competitor, and the styling of the phone is becoming a cliche, the over used rectangle with lines on the side. The simplicity of the OS and phone is great, however, all of Apple product is about styling and fake ergonomics. In my opinion, I believe right now Apple is running on the edge, and their only fuel right now is the brand name. When 2013 rolls around, and when the "iPhone 6" and the "iPod Touch 6"  is due, Apple will lose all there customers if they do not step it up, ahead of HTC, ahead of Samsung, and beyond the consumers imagination. 

-SIZAHD 9/12/2012

New iPod Nano, looks good?

The iPod Nano line-up got a refresh this morning, as Apple unveiled its newest additions at its press event in San Francisco. 

The  iPod Nano has a new, wider 2.5-inch multitouch display, a very small Home button (CIRCLE, NOT SQUARE), and at 5.4mm, it’s 38 percent thinner than the previous model. It also boasts Bluetooth, an FM tuner with DVR functionality (for pausing and rewinding), a built-in fitness and pedometer, and the new Lightning connector. The Nano will be capable of 30 hours of music playback, ability to view photos and video, and has the longest battery life for a Nano yet.

It will come in seven colors, aluminum, black, purple, green, blue, yellow and red. However, the screen color is all white, except for the black one. There is also a mysterious white section on the back that makes the device look less attractive. 

The iPod Nano will be coming in October, with a price of $149 for 16GB.

NEW PHOTOS FOR APPLES NEW DOCK CONNECTOR!

A series of photos supplied by nowhereelse.fr compare the commonly used Micro USB standard to Apple’s alleged new dock connector. The side-by-side shots show that the iPhone 5’s shrunken connection is quite similar in size, though Apple eschews the Micro format because of its one-way-only limitation.

The company’s new 9-pin format is expected to allow consumers to plug their device in in any orientation; basically, no way is wrong. As an aside, the source who provided the comparison shots said to ignore the blatant Meizu adverts peaking from behind the cables — “pay [no] attention to [that] detail.” In any case, the cable looks like the very same we saw just recently, so we’d say this is a pretty accurate representation of what will be unveiled on Sept. 12.

[via AppleInsider, Reblogged from Technobuffalo]

New Apple Earbuds LEAKED!!!

The pack-in earbuds for iPhones and iPods have been among the most recognizable of technology symbols for more than a decade... just not for their technical merits. They're notorious for slipping out of wearers' ears and having a mediocre sound next to just about anything else you can buy. If Tinhte's own discovery in Vietnam is authentic, Apple might be breaking with another one of its longstanding traditionsthis year by redesigning those earpieces for the better. Gone are the usual buds that only vaguely aim towards your ear canals. Instead, what's on show has oval tips very loosely resembling those of theKlipsch Image S4 II, and slots in at an angle to fit more directly into the canals -- not to mention more comfortably, based on early tests. We can't guarantee that these headphones are more than just the products of an ambitious third-party manufacturer, but Tinhte has had a good track record for snaggingpre-release Apple gear, and that "Designed by Apple in California Assembled in Vietnam" lettering would reduce the possibilities to either a good KIRF or the real thing. One way or the other, we could know the truth soon enough.

MacRumors Tinhte.vn (translated) Reblogged from engaget.

iPad Mini Rear housing LEAKED!

Images that purport to be the rear shell of the long rumored iPad Mini have surfaced in China.

Rumors that Apple is working on a 7-inch iPad Mini have been picking up speed as of late, and the fact that emails related to such a device were used in court this week only adds to the speculation that it is a reality.  Now Apple.pro has uncovered some images on Chinese micro blogging site Sina Weibo that appear to be the back metal case of such a device.  The original poster has no history of Apple leaks, so there is no way to judge how accurate he is, but as leaks go, this doesn’t look like something could whip up too easily in an afternoon.

Should the images turn out to be the real deal, of interesting note is the lack of any hole for a rear-facing camera. The Nexus 7, the current darling of the 7-inch form factor, is also lacking a rear shooter despite having a space on the board for one.  Is it a way to cut costs?  Do manufacturers not think its essential?  We don’t know as of yet, but it is an interesting trend.

Rumors abound that the iPad Mini will make its debut with the iPhone 5 next month, but we’ll just have to wait and see what Apple has up its sleeve.

REBLOGGED FROM TECHNOBUFFALO.

[via MacRumors, Source Apple.pro]

iOS 6.0 Beta 2 Music Glitch

Ok, I was listening to music on my iPod Touch 4 with iOS 6 beta 2, and some weird glitch happened. The music screen was in landscape mode when I held the iPod in portrait. Very weird things on iOS 6 Beta 2.