Apple patent shows off potential features of ‘iTime’ smartwatch

The tech world has been calling Apple’s much-rumoured smartwatch “iWatch.”  Now, a new patent granted to the company by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office calls the device as “iTime” and reveals some of the features we might see from Apple’s wearable device. The smartwatch will reportedly support arm and wrist gestures with a sensor-filled strap, meaning you can flick your wrist to answer a call or something. The device itself can also be taken out of the strap (much like how the iPod nano can be attached and taken out of its strap). It will have a square-shaped design and have accelerometers, GPS modules, haptic feedback, and Wi-Fi radios.  We’re not sure if this will be what Apple’s wearable device will be like or when it will come out but we will keep you posted on any significant update.

Source: Mashable

Apple makes 'green' FaceTime icon official through trademarking filing

Phone makers are serious about their intellectual properties, take the ongoing struggles between OEM giants Samsung and Apple. They're constantly at war over patents, claiming copyright infringement with every waking innovation announced, so today's news should come as no surprise to anyone. Shortly after its big WWDC announcement earlier this month, Apple has gone ahead and patented the new flat 'green' FaceTime logo. Although, of course, things could change with the other app colors prior to iOS7's official release in September, its highly unlikely. Patents cost money and Apple wouldn't begin filing unless they were serious about moving forward.

[via Patently Apple]

Apple and Samsung drop various patent claims against each other

The most popular frenemies in tech, Apple Inc. and Samsung have been ordered by a U.S. district court judge's order to scale down the number patent claims against each other in their monster intellectual-property lawsuit focused on smartphones and tablets.

Paring down the number of patent disputes between the two companies streamlines the trial and what the court has to work with.

Apple noted that, "while the parties have been readying the case for trial Samsung has vaulted into first place in worldwide sales of smartphones, with massive sales of its copycat products." 

Apple, who uses various Samsung components such as displays, memory and processors in its popular mobile and computer products and is one of Samsung's bigglest clients added, "to preserve the July 30 trial date, Apple is willing to narrow the case on its patents for jury trial to four utility patent claims and a small set of design-related claims."

Samsung dropped two patents from the lawsuit, reducing the total number of claims based on those patents. However, it still wants to proceed to trial on 15 claims from seven patents.

"With these reductions, Samsung has narrowed its case from twelve patents to seven, dropping 42% of its affirmative counterclaims. From a total of 75 claims identified by Samsung's experts as infringed by Apple's products, Samsung will drop 60 and only proceed on 15 -- a reduction in total claims of 80%," Samsung's representative said.

Apple took Samsung to court a year ago for violations on various Apple patents and trademarks pertaining to the iPhone and the iPad and even managed to temporarily stop sales of competing Samsung tablets in certain markets.  Samsung has countered with its own series of patent lawsuits.

Hostilities resume in court on July 30th when the trial begins.

Kodak files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

The Big Freeze: Kodak faces uncertain times. Photo from Vator.tvBy Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

It is a sad day for many who grew up around Kodak and its film, CD and digital products.

Reports that the company has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection. This is a sad, yet not altogether unexpected move. The rising tide of competition in digital cameras, which Kodak also pioneered, plus its lacklustre performance in newer industries like printers, digital photo frames and its inability to continue leveraging the sale of its patent portfolio have eventually done the company in.

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