Apple vs Samsung Update

For those who have been enjoying the life of those who live under rocks, Apple and Samsung have been very unhappy with each other over the last little while. They have expressed this unhappiness through the law, as you do.

They have both basically been going back and forth calling each other big cheaters and copiers and tattle tales  over their technology patents being infringed upon.

This has been going on for a while, but this time, Apple has lost. The United States International Trade Commission are the people in charge, and they have just overturned a previous judgment from last year, which had ruled in Apple’s favor.

They are now saying that, yes, Apple did infringe on some of Samsung’s patents, specifically to do with their 3G technology, and have henceforth banned some of Apple’s products from being imported into the States.

What does this mean iPhone Antidote?

Well, at the moment it means that the following AT&T products are banned from US imports and sales; iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G, and iPad 2 3G.

This doesn’t mean anything if you have any of those models currently, or are planning on buying a used model. It also doesn’t affect Apple very much to be honest, because those products are specific to AT&T and are all old models.

What it does do is pee Apple off, and worsen the relationship between the two biggest smartphone providers. Yaaaay?

Apple will be appealing, with the defense that Samsung made these patents available for use under FRAND terms. FRAND = Fair, Reasonable and Non Discriminatory. This is used to cover technology that is a standard and is meant to prevent litigation like this, and it seems to have been ignored by the ITC in their ruling.

Hey, guys, why can’t we just get to the part where we’re all friends and making super awesome blow our minds technology? Huh?

Image courtesy of applerumors.it

What Tim Cook said at D11: All Things Digital, and what it means.

Tim Cook has confirmed that OS X 10.8.4 and iOS 7 will be announced and previewed at WWDC 2013. Well, d’uh Tim Cook.

And I know I just said D’uh, but iPhone Antidote just thought that was obvious- we’re still SUPER excited about seeing the updated software previewed! Yay!

Mr. Cook confirmed this at D11: All things digital, where he also expressed Apple’s interest in wearable devices ( Hello iWatch), said that he can’t imagine trying to convince someone who doesn’t wear glasses to do so ( … take that Google glass!) and spoke about how Apple is, for reals, not done in the business of game changing technology. Duh! And Yay!

Mr Cook also announced the hiring of ex- Environmental Protection Agency Chief Lisa Jackson. Tim did forget Lisa’s official job title (oops) but said that her role within Apple would be to coordinate their environmental responsibility efforts. Cook also reiterated that Apple had achieved 100% renewable energy use at its data centers, with its corporate facilities using 75% renewable energy. Nice job, Apple.

So this is what a few people in the tech world are miffed about- what Tim Cook failed to do, and completely on purpose, is to give away anything that people hadn’t already kind of knew about. He was very good at staying mute on subjects such as the next iPhone, and only hinted at the possibility of other product lines in Apple’s future.

Which we should be used to, really. Apple is the king of secret products and well laid secrets, leaked when and to whom they want.

A lot of people say that they have been waiting for too long for an Apple game changer, a product that blew our minds, but in reality after a shockingly good rate of 3 game changing products in 10 years, and then a three year wait, now is the time where we are amping up. Where Apple is amping up. Apple has genuine competitors now, and a new look, tighter, executive team since last years shake up and Steve Jobs’ death.

Everything ( as well as a subtle Tim Cook) is pointing towards a software heavy WWDC, with the hopeful inclusion of iRadio and some super exciting announcements starting this fall, extending into early 2014. Think a beautiful new iOS and OS X,  iWatch, iRadio, iTV, new iPhone, new ipad, and new Macbooks.

It’s an exciting time to be an Apple user!

Image courtesy of techland.time.com 

100 million iPod Touch’s sold and a new, cheaper update released!

Another milestone for Apple- they’ve just sold their 100 millionth iPod touch! That’s like, 5 iPod touches for everyone in Australia! Yay!

The device has been around since 2007 and the latest update has just been released last Thursday- with interesting results.

The updated iPod only comes in two colors, is only 16GB and has no rear facing camera. That all sounds …a little bit bleh, until you discover the reason for this is the lowered price- now only $229 compared to the 32Gb at $299 and the 64Gb at $399.

Selling cheaper versions of their products has been something that Apple seemed to have shied away from previously. Now however, with this cheaper iPod update, it seems like the first steps for Apple in trying to provide a bigger price scale of their product line to reach more people.

This gives credence to the rumors that Apple is planning to bring out a less expensive version of the iPhone.

According to Analysts, an ‘iPhone mini’ will be announced in July, called such not in reference to size, but in price- with guestimates pointing at a price tag of about $350- $400 to buy outright.

That’s a pretty penny saved compared to the price of the iPhone 5 which is currently $700-$900.

Just like Apple, we’ll have to wait and see if this iPod touch product meets with enough success in sales to know if the move to provide cheaper Apple products is a good path to take.

The risk of trying out this path is that people might rather stick to what they know, be it more expensive Apple products with all the bells and whistles, or another cheaper brand that is already established in that price range.

We vote… good move, Apple!

Image courtesy of engadget.com