Tag: case

Apple Pulls All Withings Products from Stores, Following Patent Suit From Nokia

Apple has pulled all products on sale by French company Withings, which is now a owned subsidiary of Nokia, following the recent patent suit by Nokia.

The new suit comes five years after the initial case against Apple by Nokia, which was settled, following a series of hearings. The new suit filed by Patent asserting entities or PAEs on behalf of Nokia, has caused a stirrup in the tech community. Following the news Nokia’s shares fell by 5% the next day, as investors feared a long expensive legal battle that Nokia does not have the power or finances to fight.

The new lawsuit covers covers 32 patents, including display, user interface, software and video-coding technology, alleged to be used by Apple without payment of fees to Nokia.

The Lawsuit has lead to Apple removing all products on sale by Nokia owned Withings, a company that sold heat equipment and connected hardware. Apple has removed all withings products including the “Body Cardio Scale’ and ‘Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor, from all retail and Online Apple Stores globally.

December 26, 2016
Apple Sued Over Faulty iPhone 6 And iPhone 6 Plus Touchscreens

While the next iPhone is around the bend, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners have sued Apple in the U.S. over faulty touchscreen controller chips that render the smartphones useless. Dubbed “Touch Disease” it seems to be rampantly affecting iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

The case alleges that Apple is aware of the technical glitch but refuses to fix affected devices. The named plaintiffs in the case Todd Clearly, Jun Bai and Thomas Davidson are reportedly accusing Apple of fraud.

The iPhones are not fit for the purpose of use as smartphones because of the touchscreen defect,”

The plaintiffs linked the problem to Apple’s decision not to use a metal “shield” or “underfill” to protect the relevant parts, as it did on versions of the iPhone 5.

Touch Disease was a tear given to the problem by iFixit who have also made the video below demonstrating the issue. A distinct flickering gray bar the appears at the top of the display near the status bar.

August 30, 2016
Mophie’s New iPhone Battery Case Adds Waterproofing

Mophie is a name synonymous with battery cases and their latest case brings a first to the table for Mophie. The juice pack H2PRO is equipped with a 2,750mAh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery. The H2PRO is also IP68 rated so it goes up agains the likes of otter box, however adding the additional battery.

The case also keeps bulk on the low, by keeping the total thickness with the case on the device at 6.9mm.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Daniel Huang” author_title=”CEO and Co-Founder | Mophie”]

Once again we’ve successfully broadened our product line by focusing on mobile users’ everyday power and protection concerns to develop a quality, reliable mophie solution The juice pack H2PRO serves as a protective safety net for those who encounter life’s unexpected mishaps

[/quote]

The case is unfortunately not on sale at the moment , but, the company has opened up its pre-orders at US $ 130.

There are no details on the iPhone 6 Plus variant as of now. Hit the source link below to check it out.

May 6, 2015
Spigen Cases for Nexus 5 Review : Seamless Blend of Protection and Style

One cannot deny that Google’s Nexus 5 is one heck of a device and even after all this time, one of the hot favourites in the market. Owing largely to the fact that it comes at a relatively economical price and packs amazing specs. As you all might be aware, the Nexus 5 fares quite poorly in drop tests, hence, protecting your investment should be a no-brainer. So if you’re a Nexus owner, you should consider buying a case. Hence, we’ve reviewed some of the best Spigen cases for the smartphone, to make sure your investment keeps those high-end specs intact.

Moreover, they offer better value for money compared to what Google and LG have on offer. So without further adieu, here’s a list of some of the best Spigen Nexus 5 cases available in the market.

ULTRA FIT

If you’re looking for a form fitting case without adding that extra bulk, and at the same time don’t want to spend a substantial amount of money, then Spigen’s Ultra Fit case might be the perfect solution. It’s the slimmest Spigen case for the Nexus 5 and lightest of them all at only 2 mm thick. Made out of premium polycarbonate plastic, this snap-on case covers the entire back of the Nexus 5, leaving only the display area exposed. It is suitable for scratch protection and lighter impacts. Cutouts are made with absolute precision around the sides of the case to allow easy access to ports and buttons.

Overall, the Spigen Ultra Fit is as generic as it gets and is available in black, gold and white colour options. Like we already mentioned, it comes at a relatively economical price of Rs. 899 and is easily available on various e-commerce websites. It’s highly recommended for users who like to retain that original naked look, without adding bulk.

ULTRA HYBRID

Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid case is all about adding that extra persona, style and personality to your Nexus 5. The Ultra Hybrid case also comes with a fairly decent quality screen protector and two back graphic designs that are visible through the Ultra Hybrid’s clear hard polycarbonate rear shell.

For the most part, the case is made out of soft yet durable TPU material that cushions the handset in the event of a drop or fall. In addition, the rubberised sides significantly bolster the grip on your Nexus 5. The case has also been slightly raised around the edges that protects your Nexus 5’s display from directly touching the surface.

Meanwhile, even though there are no cutouts made on the sides, accessing the power button and volume rockers isn’t a hassle by any means. Eventually, the case offers style while keeping your device protected and also comes with a screen protector.

Priced at Rs. 999 and available in four different colour variants, the Spigen Hybrid Ultra is one case that should be on every Nexus 5 owner’s radar.

SLIM ARMOUR

The name says it all; the Spigen Slim Armor case for Google Nexus 5 is a deceivingly slim robust case that sports a double layered design. And it provides this protection without making the device significantly bulky. It’s form fitting though some might argue that it adds some bulk to the overall handset size, largely due to case’s shock absorption and full enclosure.

There’s also a TPU inner case that absorbs shocks in the event of a fall and along with that, it has a polycarbonate midsection that further bolsters the entire frame. Spigen offers the case in four different paint jobs which include smooth black, infinity white, champagne gold and bright red. The case can also be easily wrapped around the device and allows easy access to ports, including the 3.5 mm jack as the opening is quite wide even for those fatter jacks. Meanwhile, holding it feels quite good in the hands. The Spigen Slim Armour case is slightly more expensive than its peers and is available for Rs. 1,299 via online retailers.

All in all, it’s a well-built case brimming with style while the quality, sturdiness and feel of the case is just amazing. And at the same time, it’s quite affordable, notably cheaper than official Bumper case offered by Google.

Certainly, a very good option if you’re planning to invest in a protective case.

SPIGEN NEO HYBRID

Last but not the least, we have the Spigen Neo Hybrid. In terms of aesthetics and design, it’s probably the best-looking case out of the lot and turns the Nexus 5 into one badass phone. At the same time, it warps perfectly around your Nexus 5, with precise cutouts for the headphone jack, speaker grills and camera at the back.

It features a dual-layered protective system, manufactured from a combination of soft matte TPU sleeve and polycarbonate outer bezel. The sleeve does its job of absorbing shocks or drops while providing a superior grip at the same time, while the polycarbonate outer bezel takes most of the impact in the event of a fall. It comes in champagne gold, satin silver, and metal slate colour options; needless to say our review case made the Nexus 5 look like a Batman accessory.

The Spigen Neo Hybrid looks fantastic, offers adequate protection and allows you to set the phone face down, courtesy of a slightly raised bezel. The case does add some bulk to your device, as a lot of us would want to preserve that naked feel of the phone, but it’s a sacrifice one can easily make. The finish does not even leave any fingerprints, while sweat and moisture from the hand jumps right off.

Meanwhile, fitting of the case is tailor-made for the Nexus 5 as your device is housed firmly leaving no gaps around the TPU sleeve. While port and button layout are not messy, making volume rockers and power button all the more responsive.

Perhaps the only turn off with the case would be its width. Though it adds just a millimeter or so, it made a significant impact to the overall feel of the device. Apart from that, it’s a great case which provides adequate protection and significantly enhances the overall look of the phone.

VERDICT

Well, it’s hard to pick one out of the lot. All of them have their set of attributes that give them a slight edge over the others. Though it’s our job to pick the best which offers significant protection for your Nexus 5, and our pick would be Spigen’s ‘Neo Hybrid’. It’s a damn good case and not only protects the device, but also retains the original feel of the Nexus 5. Combined with a tempered glass screen protector, we are pretty confident your Nexus 5 can withstand just about any fall.

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December 6, 2014
Check Out the Redesigned Typo 2 Physical Keyboard for iPhones

After being accused of being similar to BlackBerry keyboards, the Typo 2 physical keyboard for iPhone has been redesigned in a new second-generation model that will begin shipping in mid-September. The Ryan Seacrest-backed product aimed to give iPhone 5 and 5s owners a case that would give them a physical keyboard. BlackBerry sued Typo and eventually won a sales ban on the accessory. Apparently that didn’t deter Typo, as the company recently introduced a new model of its iPhone case.

Typo 2 is out for pre-order now, and it’s meant for the iPhone 5 and 5S. Priced at $99, this iPhone accessory will start shipping to customers during mid-September. According to its makers, it has been aimed at those who carry around two phones, one of which is used for typing and the other, for everything else (an iPhone).

With Typo 2 the company aimed to create a keyboard and case that would add the absolute minimum additional length and thickness to the iPhone, while still providing protection to the phone and smooth typing experience.

The product description reads:

The result is Typo 2, which adds just short of a 1/4 inch in thickness and a less than 3/4 inch in total length to the iPhone, while still providing an unrivaled typing experience. This is made possible by miniaturizing the components on our circuit board, using our patented TYPOTouch keyboard technology and one of the world’s smallest Lithium-ion battery, measuring at just 1mm in thickness.

The people behind Typo believe that physical keyboards are superior to the virtual buttons featured on Apple’s iPhone. Their product was in development for two years, and the company calls it “an indespensible business tool that people simply can’t live without.”

August 4, 2014
Google Dodges Fine with EU Antitrust Deal

As The Wall Street Journal reports, Google has clinched a settlement in its high-profile case with European Union antitrust regulators to address concerns that it is abusing its dominance in online search.

EU Antitrust Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said that he’s “strongly convinced” the new proposals sufficiently address the competition concerns, marking a major milestone in the three-year-old case. “This is an important step forward,” he told reporters in Brussels.

Google had been accused of giving favourable treatment to its own products in search results. The company said it looked forward to resolving the matter.

As FT reports, on the European Commission’s side, there is still going to be a final approval process. The groups that filed the original complaint against Google will be consulted, but it will not be a formal “market test”. The commission will monitor whether Google sticks to its promises.

The agreement means the world’s dominant search engine has avoided a process that could have lead to a fine of up to $5 billion, or 10 percent of its 2012 revenue. It must stick to the deal for the next five years. Google has a market share of about 90 percent of Internet searches in Europe, compared with around 70 percent in the U.S.

However, Google may still face a second EU investigation, this time into its Android operating system for smartphones, with potentially bigger risks for the company.

February 5, 2014
Hitcase Pro for iPhone 5 Review

Since the beginning of the smartphones, as a matter of fact, since the beginning of mobile phones, we have been finding ways to have our handhelds resist the elements. While technology has come a long way, there are always restrictions when it comes to water resistant and dust proof designs. The Hitcase Pro for the iPhone 5 aims to achieve that with a design that does not stall the daily usability of the iPhone 5.

Build Quality

The Hitcase Pro is very well built, to say the least. The moment you go hands on with this case, you don’t feel like you have lost your iPhone in a big pit of protection. Designed keeping the Go Pro in mind, the case has a very strong railside mount, you also have a metal engulfed wide angled lens that unfortunately is very prone to scratching.

The case is built from a composite of ABS and Polycarbonate and is layered with a rubberized coating all around that not only keeps the case clean but also provides ample grip. The case locks in from three sides, almost like a food box, but seals the phone completely to the point where you don’t feel afraid dunking it in water. The H-Seal on the inside of the case is made out of Poron and should last a really long time.

Features

The Hitcase Pro not only protects the iPhone when you go into water or sand, it also retains the usability of the iPhone 5. The Hitcase Pro also features a great 170 degree 3 X Wide angle lens that is an absolute treat for photographers. The lens also allows close up shots upto 3X and makes focusing on subjects really easy.

The Lens also adds a Go-Pro Style video effect to the video – where you get a wide angle video frame, that captures a lot more in the same 16:9 aspect ratio.

The free app called Vidometer, captures GPS tracking info along with speed, G force, altitude and angle of approach and displays it directly on the video. This can come in handy when you look at your footage later on.

The Hitcase Pro can be used 33 ft/10 Meters underwater thanks to the IP68 rating. The railside mount allows you to use the Hitcase Pro with all sorts of Go Pro mounts and gear. The Included TiltR and StickR mounts also help those who have no Go Pro mounts. A Wrist strap also ensures the safety of your phone and case when you are at great heights and decide to hold onto the case vs mounting it.

The only downside to the case, is that the microphone gets really muffled up taking phone calls becomes slightly difficult as you will find yourself screaming to the person on the other side.

Conclusion

Despite the availability of several cases for the iPhone 5 in the Market, the HitCase Pro for the iPhone 5 is easily the most robust design. It allows the use of the phone while being packaged in a Waterproof and Dustproof cage. Whats more, the 170-degree wide angle lens and Railside mounts make the use of the case in extreme/ adventure sports very easy. Allowing you to use your iPhone as the primary camera, will almost replace the need for a dedicated rugged camera for a lot of folks. If the speaker and Microphone volume levels are something you can deal with, The Hitcase Pro is the best action case for the iPhone 5

June 29, 2013
Belkin shows off Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater for iPad with Integrated Front Speakers
iPads usually have been known for notoriously low sound, and while several companies and startups have tried to solve this issue. Belkin has launched a product which might be an actual answer to the above problem. The case works as a dock and Belkin will release two models to accommodate for both 30-pin and Lightning connectors. Belkin is also making a free companion app available that will allow users to customize sound profiles for different types of media.

Both models will be available early this year, for a price of US $ 199 or about INR 12000.
- Integrated, front-facing, landscape-oriented, stereo speakers
- Ported speakers for rich bass and depth
- Low-distortion, high-efficiency amplifier
- Magnetically attached folding soft cover with multiple stand configurations
- MFi Certified
- G3A1000 with 30-pin docking interface is compatible with iPad 2 and iPad 3rd generation
- G3A2000 with Lightning connector is compatible with iPad 4th generation
- Pass-through access for iPad rear camera, headset jack, microphone, speaker, charging, lock switch, volume control, and mute/rotation lock toggle
January 7, 2013
Popslate Case adds a second screen with E-Ink to the iPhone 5

An Awesome case that takes iPhone photography and ability a step further. Its called “Popslate” and its a pretty cool cover that adds a second (E-Ink) display to the back of the iPhone which is also touch sensitive. The iPhone app lets you take a picture with your phone and display it on the back of the device instantly , the always-on, ultra low-power, black and white display can also become a canvas for notifications, sports scores, maps, lists and notes.

The open API will let you cutomize your apps to work with Popslate, The company has a partnership with E Ink to use the latest in ruggedized e-paper technology and is hoping to raise enough funds to make Popslate a reality. The Popslate will be available in two colours at launch (White and Black like the iPhone) and will be available for US $79 for the first 500 supporters and US$99 post the 500 mark.

The company does not have a prototype yet and has assembled a team of engineers and designers, to make the Popslate a reality. However if you look at their video, it seems quite unlikely that an E-Ink display fitted case could be that slim, and the display that responsive. Also with the display running on the iPhone’s batteries, it may be a major concern. Since the iPhone 5 is not doing great in the battery department anyway. Checkout the Video below and hit the link if you wanna buy one.

[Indiegogo (popSLATE)]

November 30, 2012
US FTC Pushes Antitrust Suit Against Google

The Federal Trade Commission of the United States is raising the ante in its antitrust confrontation with Google with the commission staff preparing a recommendation that the government sue the search giant.

Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the F.T.C., said the agency would decide whether to sue Google by the end of the year while Joaquín Almunia, competition commissioner for the European Union, said he was troubled by Google’s dominance.

The government’s escalating pursuit of Google is the most far-reaching antitrust investigation of a corporation since the landmark federal case against Microsoft in the late 1990s. The agency’s central focus is whether Google manipulates search results to favor its own products, and makes it harder for competitors and their products to appear prominently on a results page.

The staff recommendation is in a detailed draft memo of more than 100 pages that is being shared with the five F.T.C. commissioners, said two people briefed on the inquiry.

The memo is still being edited and changes could be made, but these are mostly fine-tuning and will not alter the broad conclusions reached after an inquiry that began more than a year ago, said these people, who spoke on the condition that they not be identified.

Google rivals specializing in travel, shopping and entertainment have accused Google, the world’s No. 1 search engine, of unfairly giving their web sites low quality rankings in search results to steer Internet users away from their websites and toward Google products that provide similar services.

Computer users are overwhelmingly more likely to click on the top results in any search. The low ranking often forces companies to buy more ads on Google to improve their visibility, one source said.

The agency also is examining whether the company is using its control of the Android mobile operating system to discourage smartphone and device makers from using rivals’ applications, two of the people said.

The FTC began making calls to high-tech companies to gather information for its probe in April 2011 and Google disclosed in June of that year that the FTC had begun a review of its business practices.

On the patent investigation, the agency is scrutinizing whether a strategy of seeking court orders to ban Apple Inc. and Microsoft from using mobile and video compression technology is anticompetitive, said the people.

Meanwhile, Google has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

October 15, 2012
Apple seeks more than $2.5 billion in Samsung patent case

According to a partially redacted filing on Tuesday with a federal court in San Jose, California, Apple believes Samsung owes “substantial monetary damages” because the Korean company illegally “chose to compete by copying Apple.”

Apple said this allowed Samsung to overtake it as the world’s largest maker of smartphones, and reap “billions of dollars in profits” while costing Apple $500 million of profit.

It said damages, including reasonable royalty damages, reach “a combined total of $2.525 billion.” Apple said it also plans to seek a permanent injunction to stop future violations.

Samsung countered Apple’s allegations in a filing 13 minutes later, accusing the Cupertino, California-based company of trying “to stifle legitimate competition and limit consumer choice to maintain its historically exorbitant profits.”

It said Apple, in fact, should pay for the use of Samsung’s patented technology, “without which Apple could not have become a successful participant in the mobile telecommunications industry.”

Their dispute is part of a worldwide legal battle over the alleged theft of technology used in smartphones and tablets, including those powered by Google Inc’s Android, which Samsung uses in its most popular devices.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and top Samsung executives last week participated in court-supervised mediation to try to resolve the case but a resolution appeared to be unlikely, people familiar with the matter said.

July 24, 2012
More Case Color Gem Lucent Black Hard Case iPhone 4/4s Unboxing

In this video Bharat Nagpal unboxes the More Color Gem Lucent Hard Case for the iPhone 4/4s. It is a bumper case and has a snap-on mechanism. The cut-outs on the case are really well spaced and accurate. The only drawback of the case is that it is only slightly raised above the surface the phone which may lead to some scratches. . It is available in the market for $29 (INR 1500)

July 12, 2012
Apple loses patent war with HTC

Taiwan’s HTC on Wednesday won a London court ruling against US tech giant Apple over a series of patent infringement claims linked to technology used in its mobile devices.

London’s High Court said in a ruling carried on its website that HTC’s devices did not infringe four Apple technology patents.

Along with the slide-to-unlock mechanism, HTC challenged Apple’s patents on the iPhone’s “multi-touch” system. Both are prize features in the American company’s portfolio, according to intellectual property experts. The other patents in the case related to the way the iPhone manages photographs, and the use of different character sets in text messaging.

A HTC spokesman welcomed the London court’s ruling, which said parts of the slide-to-unlock patented were too “obvious” or foreshadowed by earlier patents.

July 5, 2012
Apple Pays USD 60M for iPad Trademark in China

Apple has agreed to pay US$60 million for ownership of the iPad trademark in China, as part of a settlement with a little-known Chinese firm called Proview that had tried to ban sales of the tablet in the country, according to a local court.

The Guangdong Province Higher People’s Court announced the settlement on Monday, and stated that the legal dispute had been put to rest. Following the payment to Proview, Chinese authorities transferred the “IPAD” trademark to Apple.

The two companies have been locked in a legal dispute to determine ownership of the iPad trademark, with Apple claiming to have bought the iPad trademarks for China from Proview in 2009.

The Guangdong court was originally expected to rule on the case. But Apple and Proview were in recent months in talks to settle the dispute, at the initiative of the court.

Proview had wanted as much as $400 million in settlement from Apple in order to help clear its debts. Eight banks have taken over Proview’s assets and are owed $180 million.

Li Su, the head of the consultancy representing the eight banks, said Apple initially wanted to pay only a few million dollars for the iPad trademark. But over time, Apple negotiated in good faith, realizing the dispute would linger in Chinese courts unless a settlement was reached, he added.

Su said he did not know how the $60 million received from Apple would be spent.

July 2, 2012
Apple introduces new Smart Case for iPad – smart enough to cover booth sides

Ever wondered, what was protecting your tablet’s precious behind when the Smart covers were essentially only protecting the front. Apple has introduced a new Series of polyurethane Smart Covers , available in 6 colors along with matching microfibre lining (!)

It still has the magnetic features, along with various stands for various positions that you would want to use your iPad in. Its selling for a price of US $49 (Rs. 2799) and it works with both the iPad 2nd Generation and the iPad 3rd Generation.

[Apple Store]

June 12, 2012