HTC Lose Out in Apple Ruling but Will Appeal

On Friday, the US International Trade Commission ruled that Taiwanese mobile phone company HTC, had infringed two Apple Patents.  Apple had claimed that their smartphone rivals had infringed a total of 10 patents.

The response from HTC has been to state that they will appeal; but if the decision is not overturned it could result in the US banning some HTC imports.  Shares in HTC fell 7% this morning as a result, but the result of the appeal could have much wider implications for the industry.  The findings are only preliminary and are subject to review by the full six-member committee in Washington. A final decision is due on 6 December.

The Taiwanese company is not the only firm wrestling with Apple over the rights to technology, with the US firm also in disputes with South Korea's Samsung and US-based Motorola.

Do you have a smartphone?  Do you browse the internet or check your emails on it?  Have you considered your smartphone security?  Find out more! 

Mobile Tracking Raises Legal Questions

As the phone hacking scandal rumbles on and the circle of deception continues to spiral upwards and outwards, serious questions are being raised about the UK's eavesdropping laws.

Sean Hoare, former News of the World journalist, has alleged that the newspaper paid police to track mobile phones and claimed that it was possible to "ping" a handset's location for £300.

There is certainly no firm evidence to support the accusation, but if it were true it would undermine safeguards within the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.  Under which, a handful of officers have the authority to ask mobile networks to determine the location of a phone, based on information from nearby radio masts.  Each request is supposed to be approved by a senior colleague.  These sorts of checks are written into the law to prevent it from being abused.

The system is regulated and audited by the Interception of Communications Commissioner, Sir Paul Kennedy.  Who in his most recent report discovered, found in 10% of cases where law enforcement bodies sought communications information, there was poor compliance with the rules.

Concerns about Mobile Security?  Find out more.

Vodafone’s Profits are up 10%

The rise in popularity of smartphones is the driving force behind the sharp rise in Vodafone’s full-year profits the company has said.  

Pre-tax profits for the 12 months to the end of March were £9.5bn, up almost 10% on last year’s figures.

Chief executive of the company, Vittorio Colao, said "Customers have adopted data services in increasing numbers, as smartphones proliferate and the tablet market begins to take off".

The group has been slimming down its portfolio, and recently sold stakes in Chinese and Japanese mobile operators, not to mention last months sale of French mobile operator SFR which raised 7.95bn euros.  All proving very sensible moves in a difficult climate.  Vodafone believes that they are entering the new financial year in a very “strong position.” 

SmartPhone Made of Paper, to be Revealed

Canadian researchers have announced that on the 10^th May they will reveal the prototype of flexible smartphone made from electronic paper.

The device emerged from the collaboration between researchers at the Human Media Lab at Queen's University, Canada and Arizona State University's Motivational Environments Research group.  It boasts all the same features as a normal smartphone, and triggers different features when it is bent, folded and flexed.

Creator, Dr Roel Vertegaal believes that "Everything is going to look and feel like this within five years".  

The prototype, that is only a millimeter thick, is built from the same e-ink technology found in Amazon's Kindle e-book reader.  They have bonded this to flex sensors and a touch screen that interprets drawings and text written on it. The prototype will go on display at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Vancouver alongside a device they call the Snaplet.

The Snaplet is designed by the same team, and operates as a wrist strap that can be manipulated in a similar way to the phone.  It is a watch when convex, a PDA when flat and a phone when concave.

Please note, Adodo is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

All-you-can-eat Smartphone data tariff

As the nations appetite for the smartphone market grows, mobile operator Three has adopted an all-you-can-eat data plan to encourage sales. 

Living in the fast lane has certainly increased the demand for on the go data.  More and more people use their handsets to connect to the web as well as to make voice calls.  The all-you-can-eat data plan has been designed so that individuals can make the most of their devices.

Three, is one of the smaller mobile operators, but there is a feeling in the industry that this move could force other operators to rethink data limits.

Earlier this year, Mobile operators, including Three, introduced data caps over fears that some users were consuming so much data it was putting unacceptable strain on networks.   The reversal of this decision by Three could put a massive strain on the operators network.  

Apple is far from perfect

"We're not perfect", said Apple boss Steve Jobs, at a press conference called to tackle the ongoing speculation about the iPhone 4's antenna problem. He went on to claim that reception problems were endemic throughout the smartphone industry.



To dumb the noise of complaints that they have had to date Apple is offering a free case to every complaining owner of its iPhone 4.


You will be able to get your free case via the Apple website between 22 July and the 30th September. Mr Jobs said Apple could not make enough for all owners of the phone, afterall three million customers equals approximately £118m, but would source a supply and offer a range of cases.


It seems that they had to do something, so owners will be pleased to hear that Mr Jobs also extended an offer to iPhone 4 users to give them a full refund within 30 days if they were still unhappy with the handset's performance.