Apple Sues Samsung Over Tablets, Smart Phones

Apple is suing Samsung, alleging the Galaxy line of phones and tablets infringe on a number of the company’s patents and trademarks.

The suit, filed on Friday in U.S. District Court in Northern California, alleges patent and trademark infringement, as well as unfair competition. Apple is seeking injunctions, actual damages and punitive damages, as well as a finding that the alleged infringement was willful

The smartphone industry is filled with patent actions, including an ongoing battle between Apple and Nokia, suits between Microsoft and Motorola, as well as a suit by Oracle against Google. See this, for example.

Apple Sues Samsung, Saying Galaxy Phones and Tablets Too Close To iPad and iPhone Design | Ina Fried | Mobilized | AllThingsD

Next iPhone To Have 8MP Camera, Better Antenna, and Same CPU As iPad 2

Chalk this one up as a new rumour regarding Apple's next iPhone. Apple Insider is reporting that the next iPhone that gets introduced this year will have the same A5 CPU that you'll find in the iPad 2 meaning that the Galaxy S II will have the upper-hand if the software follows suit. Other rumoured specs are said to be an 8MP camera (likely from Sony), an improved antenna, and a Qualcomm chip that'll do GSM and CDMA just for good measure.

The design of the next iPhone is said to be the same as the iPhone 4 (think iPhone 3G to iPhone 3GS), but we have heard rumours in the past of an aluminum back. Rumoured release is said to be September but we know that Apple rumours tend to get out of hand all the time. What to believe...?

[Engadget]

White iPhone 4 Spotted In Verizon's Systems, Launch Imminent

9 to 5 Mac has just reported something pretty good if you're still waiting for the white iPhone 4 from Apple. Apparently, the photo above was taken of the Verizon inventory system and it shows said smartphone in there. MC679LL/A is the one you're looking at and that's just one-digit higher than the black iPhone models (MC678LL/A). Not much left to tell you here but the launch could actually be soon - after quite a lengthy wait.

[TUAW]

Apple Could Release Their HDTV This Year, Or Maybe Next Year

There's a new report that Apple will be unveiling a new product this year. We heard about it last year and the rumour is back again. Apple could be planning to release an HDTV of their very own sometime this year. Of course, this report is unconfirmed right now so you can definitely chalk it up as a rumour. I'm sure that if Apple does release a new TV they'll persuade you enough to get one. Don't wait around for it though, because it could launch next year if things don't work out.

[Apple Insider, Slash Gear]

White iPhone 4 Could Be Available In a Few Weeks, May Launch?

Bloomberg is reporting something great if you're still waiting for the white iPhone 4 for some reason. Apparently, Apple could be planning to ship this white model in the next few weeks so I'm assuming it'll be sometime in May. With rumours of the next iPhone being delayed until at least September, maybe you might want to pick one up if you don't feel like waiting.

[9 to 5 Mac]

Steve Jobs Hid iPad From Google

Steven Levy’s book “In the Plex” apparently reveals that Steve Jobs hid development of the iPad from Eric Schmidt while Schmidt was still on Apple’s board of directors.

Jobs reportedly didn’t like how Google’s OS was starting to match up blow for blow to iOS and didn’t want the same to happen with tablets. Jobs was angry because he felt that Android was ripping off the key features of the iPhone.

Read more here

Next-Gen iPod Touch Leaks With 128GB and Capacitive Home Button

Possibly the biggest news of the day is this - let's hope it's not fake. This image, along with a few others, have surfaced today and it's reportedly the next iPod Touch. Since it's still very early, this one's looking like a prototype. This model reportedly has 128GB of storage, dual cameras, and a buttonless face. Yeah, the Home spot on the phone will actually be activated by a touch - it's a capacitive button. Pretty interesting stuff and it would be a good move for Apple since they hate buttons so much.

[Crunch Gear]

Sony CEO Says Next iPhone Will Have 8MP Camera, Next-Gen iPod Nano Case Has Camera Hole

Two interesting pieces of news surfaced over the weekend and they're regarding Apple. The first one is just a brief statement that Sony's CEO, Howard Stringer, made. Apparently, he mentioned that Sony will be taking over OmniVision as Apple's camera supplier for the next iPhone model. Of course, this could mean that the next iPhone could sport a pretty awesome 8MP rear-facing camera.

The other piece of news is actually what you see above - coming from Apple.pro. That's not just a random green case. This is reportedly the next-gen Apple iPod Nano case and, yes, that hole could mean that a camera will be present. Yes, a camera is a great addition but it'll be pretty awkward if this is the only device you carry around with you that can take a [bad] photo.

Sony's CEO Says the Next iPhone Will Have An 8MP Camera: Apple Insider
Possible Next-Gen iPod Nano Case Leaks, Has Camera Hole: 9 to 5 Mac

BBM Now Rumoured To Be Hitting the App Store On April 26th -- Negative, Says RIM

In the Mac Rumors forum there's, obviously, a new rumour that has been passing around. Apparently, in the Toronto event today, RIM's co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, mentioned that BBM "and 'services'" would be available on the iPhone App Store on April 26th. Of course, there's no way to confirm this but I hope it hits Android on the same day - which isn't looking too likely right now. Of course, the BBM for other platforms will just be a stripped down version so it might be a legitimate threat to other messaging services.

Update: BGR has contacted RIM and they mentioned that the rumour is false. RIM reportedly didn't even hold a conference in Toronto so it's absolutely made up.

[Mobile Syrup]

WWDC 2011 Starts On June 6th, Showing Off iOS and Mac OS X; Next iPhone Too?

Apple looks like they're going to be starting WWDC 2011 this year on June 6th which is a Monday. Usually, this is where the company unveils the next iPhone but recent rumours suggest that this might not be the case this time around. It says that we'll be joining them "for a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X" so we should get another look at Lion as well as iOS 5 - hopefully, release dates on both. We're still crossing our fingers for the next-generation iPhone to be announced.

[Engadget]

Apple iPad 2 To Launch In 25 Countries This Friday; Including Canada, Starting At $519

There may not have been enough iPad 2's for the US but that's not stopping the international launch. Apple has just announced that the iPad 2 is launching in 25 more countries this Friday, March 25th and that includes: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

Update: Mobile Syrup has mentioned that the iPad 2 prices in Canada will actually be $20 more than the US. On the Apple website the 16GB iPad 2 is listed at $519.

[BGR]

Best Buy Launching iPad 2 In Canada At 10AM On March 25

This Friday will be quite a big day for Canadians. Best Buy has announced that they'll be launching the iPad 2 at 10AM but it doesn't look like pre-orders will be kicking off as usual. If you want to get one you'll have to line-up and who knows how many each store will have. This is unconfirmed right now but you better be there early!

[9 to 5 Mac]

Apple's Next iPhone Prototype Possibly Leaks, Aluminum Back and Larger Display?

First off, the image above is not real; it's just a "metal" sticker for the iPhone 4 so don't go crazy. Getting back on track, the latest rumour states that Apple's next iPhone that'll be launching this Summer will reportedly feature a metal back and the sexy-looking iPhone 4 design. Of course, there's no way to confirm this news but the prototypes were apparently leaked from Foxconn. Furthermore, the display for the next iPhone is said to be a bit larger than the current model so I'm wondering if the pixel density will remain the same.

Apparently, the display will be 4-inches but we've been hearing about this rumour for a while now. Of course, Apple's next iPhone could have an edge-to-edge display which would be great so let's hope they also get rid of some bezel on the top and the bottom.

[9 to 5 Mac]

Apple's Next iPhone Rumoured To Feature Dual SIM Card Slot

iDealsChina has just mentioned something that some people could be looking for (not me). Apparently, the latest rumour on the street says that Apple's next phone (in June) could actually be sporting a dual-SIM card slot which is quite interesting. This would be great for those that carry around two phones because you can just jam both of your SIM cards into one phone which would be convenient. Of course, this is just a rumour right now because the website doesn't have a 100% track record.

[9 to 5 Mac]

Apple iPad 2 Available Now; 1AM PT Online and 5PM Local Time In Various Stores

Today is March 11 and that could only mean one thing. Apple releases their next-generation tablet, the iPad 2 to much fanfare and line-ups. This will be available at 5PM in your timezone and you'll be able to snatch one at Apple Stores, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, AT&T, and even Verizon stores. Of course, there's no LTE (4G) model ready so you're stuck with 3G for probably another year. If you don't want to leave your house into the horrible weather outside then you go online at 1AM PT to order it off of Apple's website. Let's see how many they sell.

Update: Check it out on Apple to order yours right now. It'll ship in 3 to 5 business days but you won't have to wait in line. Don't forget that there's a limit to two per order.

[Engadget]

64GB iPhone 4 Prototype Leaks From Foxconn, Short Hands-On Video

Something pretty big has just leaked from the Foxconn factory and MICGadget got their hands-on it somehow. Yup, it's a 64GB iPhone 4 but who knows if this'll actually get released - probably just a prototype. It could be a hint of things to come though. Maybe the next-gen iPhone will have a 64GB option; Apple could be planning to cut out the 16GB or 32GB model for their next model. In the meantime you can check out the video below.

[Mac Rumors]

SK Telecom Releasing the iPhone 4 On March 16th

It's taken SK Telecom long enough to jump on the iPhone 4 wagon. The carrier has just confirmed that they'll be launching the smartphone on March 16th, which is next Wednesday. Of course, they'll be the second carrier in Korea to launch the iPhone 4 since KT already has it. There's nothing special about this one but if you love SK Telecom then you might think about upgrading - or you can wait for the next one in a few months.

[Electronista]

Next-Gen iPhone To Have An Aluminum Back, Logo Will Double As the Antenna

There's a new rumour going around regarding the next Apple iPhone, coming from GadgetsDNA. Apparently, the next iPhone that ships in the Summer will sport an aluminum back and the Apple logo might actually contain the antenna. Apple did catch some early heat regarding the "death grip" with the iPhone 4, so they're obviously going to change the location of the antenna this time around. We'll see what happens. Maybe this time Apple will be able to deliver a white next-gen iPhone on time.

[9 to 5 Mac]
Picture Source: Macotakara

iPad 2 Gets Announced By Steve Jobs; Sports Dual-Core A5 CPU, Cameras, and Black / White Options

Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance introducing the iPad 2 today. After talking about how great and magical the iPad is they talked about all of the copcats launching tablets this year. Oh yeah, they've sold 100 million iPhones so far. Getting on to the good stuff, the iPad 2 features a new dual-core A5 CPU (probably supplied by Samsung again), a rear-facing camera, a front-facing camera, a gyroscope, an HDMI output (cable costs $39), and an 8.8mm thin body (thinner than the iPhone 4) that weighs just 1.3 pounds. Battery life is still 10 hours and that's great considering how thin the device is.

Of course, since it has dual cameras you're able to FaceTime whoever you want and you'll be able to launch Photo Booth as well so you can make them look as silly as you want them to. Display stays at 9.7-inches and has the same 1,024 x 768 resolution display. Basically, if you already have the first iPad, this might not be worth the upgrade unless you really want the dual cameras.

Thankfully, Jobs also mentioned that this will be available in black and white starting on day one. Prices will stay the same as the current model so that's amazing. The iPad 2 will be launching on March 11th in the US and it'll be launching in 26 more countries, including Canada, on March 25th. Models will be available on both AT&T and Verizon in the US so that's some pretty good news as well. Don't forget that the iPad 2 is bringing iOS 4.3 along with it. Anyways, I'd still rather get a WiFi-only Motorola XOOM.

Update: Engadget has just mentioned that the iPad 2 has just been spotted at the FCC. This includes all models: WiFi (A1395), GSM (A1396), and CDMA (A1397).

[Engadget]

Apple's Tim Cook Hints At a Prepaid iPhone, Adds Fuel To the Fire Of Rumours

The WSJ and Forbes has just mentioned some pretty good news. Remember the news about a smaller iPhone that would be hitting the prepaid market for $199? Well, Tim Cook from Apple might have just hinted at it when he talked to Bernstein Research analyst, Toni Sacconaghi. Cook mentioned that "Apple didn't want its products to be 'just for the rich,' but 'for everyone'; he also stated that Apple 'understood price is big factor in the prepaid market' and that the company was 'not ceding any market.'" Basically, Apple could be working on that prepaid iPhone that a bunch of tweens may be looking for.

[Engadget]