A curious trend has developed in recent quarters: When iPhone sales fall, business improves for AT&T and Verizon.
From Ars Technica: NTP to get patent cash from “pretty much” entire cell phone industry
Cell phone makers are paying dearly for the right to patents covering “wireless e-mail” technology.
NTP Inc., a patent-holding company that won a $612.5 million settlement from RIM in 2006, has struck again with a settlement involving 13 of the biggest companies in the tech industry.
NTP, noting that it holds eight US patents “relating to the delivery of electronic mail over wireless systems,” today said it reached a settlement with 13 companies representing just about everyone involved in building and selling smartphones or delivering e-mail to them. The 13 companies are AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Apple, HTC, Motorola Mobility, Palm, LG, Samsung, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo.
“The signed agreement provides broad coverage under NTP’s patent portfolio to all of the companies,” NTP said. Consequently, “all pending litigation between NTP and these companies will be dismissed.”
from Ars Technica
From Ars Technica: DoJ on Apple e-book pricing: two wrongs don’t make a right
The US Department of Justice says it plans to move forward with its proposed settlement with some e-book publishers, despite the “self-serving” comments submitted by Apple. In a 64-page response (PDF) to the comments it received on the settlement, the DoJ reiterated its reasons for suing Apple and publishers, accusing Apple of continuing to offer solutions that are “contrary to the public interest.” That’s a no-no, even if the old system pushed by Amazon was a “monopoly.”
When the DoJ first sued Apple, Hachette, Harper Collins, Macmillan, Penguin, Pearson, and Simon & Schuster in April of 2012, it said the companies had actively conspired to raise e-book prices. This allegedly forced consumers to “pay tens of millions of dollars more for e-books than they otherwise would have paid” since the iPad’s launch in 2010, both as a result of the iBookstore’s prices and Amazon’s eventual decision to adopt the same “agency model” pricing scheme that same year.
Three of the publishers—Hatchette, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster—immediately agreed to settle with the DoJ, leading to a slew of commentary being submitted from the public, publishers, and even Apple. And now that the comment period is over, the DoJ appears to feel even more strongly about its original complaint. In its response, the DoJ reiterated that it conducted a “lengthy investigation” into the e-book price increases of 2010 that “uncovered significant evidence that the seismic shift in e-book prices was not the result of market forces, but rather came about through the collusive efforts of Apple and five of the six largest publishers in the country.”
from Ars Technica
From Engadget: Galaxy S III sales breach 10 million, satisfy Samsung executives
Wondering if Samsung’s new flagship has hit its sales goal yet? Breathe out — it did. According to Yonhap, Shin Jong-kyun, head of Samsung’s information technology and mobile communication division, told reporters the firm has moved more than 10 million Samsung Galaxy S IIIs since its unveiling. Jong-kyun wasn’t able to give specific numbers, but we know from history that the handset is outpacing its predecessor, which took five months to make eight digits in sales. As for the goal, Sammy previously pegged the 10 millionth unit for early July, noting that it was fighting component shortages along the way — all in all, mid-month isn’t too far off. Thinking of helping the firm bolster its numbers further? We’ve got a whole series of reviews you may want to take a look at.
from Engadget
From Technology Review RSS Feeds: Solar Charger Made for Africa Coming to the U.S.
Fenix International launches Kickstarter campaign to bring $300 off-grid solar charger to U.S. customers while it seeks to expand in Africa.
It’s not often that technology designed in the United States for people in developing countries comes back to the U.S. But that’s exactly what’s happening with an off-grid solar charger.
From Business and financial news – CNNMoney.com: Shoppers say “No” to Amazon sales tax
Many Amazon shoppers are not thrilled at the prospect of paying sales tax on their online purchases.
From Kotaku: Apple Store Rips Down Torchlight Ripoff
The mall cops in the iTunes App Store today finally ejected Armed Heroes Online, a Chinese-published MMO, sold only in iTunes’ Canadian store, which evidently stole most, if not all, of its audiovisual assets from the PC dungeon-crawling hit Torchlight. The takedown came about a week after demands from Torchlight‘s lawyers. More »
from Kotaku