Monday’s Tech Tidbits: Apple iPhone Edition

Samsung and Apple still claiming patent violations
Samsung has quickly struck at Apple’s new iPhone 4S, a product that sold 4 million units since last Friday, by asking for an embargo in Australia and Japan on the product, claiming patent violations. Apple and Samsung are both claiming that the other is violating its patents.

Apple to unlock iPhone?
In other iPhone news the report is that Apple will be offering an unlocked version of the phone in the next few weeks. The good news is you can add SIM cards in countries to avoid the ridiculous roaming charges, the bad news is that it will be expensive, and only GSM compatible.

Google kills unpopular products
Google continues to clean house-product wise. The company plans to focus on its successes such as Android and Google +. The latest two to be cut are the lamentable Google Buzz, its poorly thought out social networking program and Jaiku.

Google seeks to defrag Android development
Look for Google and Samsung to deliver Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) this week, after delaying its debut due to the passing of Steve Jobs. ICS is an effort to unify the Android ecosystem after it has been under increasing criticism for increased fragmentation and slow updates. Be interesting to see how well it works.

Samsung will also expand its Smartphone lineup

Following the ICS news Samsung also has a new Android-based smartphone that it plans to drop onto the market this week as well. The company is maintaining a very hard driving stance in the market both in regards to new products and aggressively taking on Apple.

Is the market waiting for a Microsoft OS for tablets?
That is what the Boston Consulting Group is claiming in a recent report. A survey found that a majority of consumers would prefer Microsoft’s Windows over Google’s Android or Apple’s iOS. Really?

Android app downloads to be tops by Summer
Xyologic, a startup that tracks and indexes the App Store claims that the monthly Apple iOS app downloads will be surpassed by the monthly Android app downloads by June 2012. Aren’t there already more Android-based devices out there?

Friday Grab Bag-How is your QB rated?

Apple stays hot
The demand for the new iPhone 4S is so great that even Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak had to stand in line to get one, and not just in line, but over night! That might show the popularity of the latest phone offering from Apple, but reports from AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel is that they all sold out of the phone during the preorder period. A visit to their web sites shows that versions of the phones can be back ordered with a wait ranging from one to four weeks.



While RIM keeps cooling

Research in Motion was flying high just a few years ago as its RIM platform was a must have by corporate execs who used it to free themselves from their desks. The company had an overwhelming market share and no viable competition. However it looks as if the market has bypassed the company and it is feeling pressures that it is unused to and questions are arising as to if it can react properly and in time to save itself. That is the issue that is examined by Forbes and should be a warning to all companies that get complacent about their technology and market share. The recent three day outage that RIM recently experienced will not help its standings.

Sony brings video library to Tablet S
Sony is attacking rivals on multiple fronts with the rollout of its Video Unlimited for its Tablet S platform. The company is leveraging its strengths in multiple fields ranging from technology to movie distribution. The company will offer its Video Unlimited feature, which includes more than 6,500 films and 40,000 TV episodes from a wide array of film studios and networks, and will be available not only on the S Tablet but also on Sony Ericsson phones. Now you never have to miss “Friday Night Lights!” The company will eventually move the feature to other Android based devices, but not all of them and currently has no plans to support Apple’s iOS platform due to the high fees that Apple charges.


ESPN’s QB Ratings cause a Stir.
Ever wonder if ESPN’s much ballyhooed Total QBR system would give us a true look at how well a quarterback did in any one game? Here is a look at two QBs from last week. One was 26 of 39 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns and his team won, the other completed four of 10 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown while also running the ball six times for 38 yards and a touchdown and his team lost. Which one do you think had the better game according to QBR? People have been raging about this all week around the sports world; however my position changed after I read this well thought out piece from The Big Lead. For a slightly different look go to the stats guys at FootballOutsiders.