Previously, we shared an interesting idea that Google may be working toward competing in the desktop space. Today, a new patent filed by Google further backs up that supposition. Apparently, Google filed a multi-touch trackpad patent that looks squarely aimed at a desktop arena rather than the typical tablet or smartphone form factor. Here's a brief description of the patent and a picture above to give you the gist of what Google is aiming for,

Using a multitouch trackpad, a user can directly interact with graphical elements located at the current pointer location as if they are using a touchscreen device, and perform traditional touchscreen operations (e.g., dragging/flinging content, scrolling).

The PatentlyApple source link below goes into greater detail describing the patent, and includes several more pics. It would be pretty interesting if Google ends up being the first serious competitor to Microsoft in the desktop OS retail space (I don't really count Apple because they only control about 12% of the world computer market - However, I do give them credit... they fulfill their niche perfectly. Also, it's interesting to note that recent marketing data indicates that Apple has now sold more iPhones with iOS on them than Microsoft has sold Windows on PC's ever - food for thought). Of course, to tackle Microsoft's real power-base, which is Office, Google will have to go a long way toward improving Google Docs to compete there. Still, if anyone can do it, Google with Android can. What do you guys think?

Source: BGR and PatentlyApple

And the Oscar goes to.........The Droid RAZR MAXX! Yes folks the Droid RAZR has went Hollywood and will be appearing at the Oscars on the Red Carpet. Don't expect Joan Rivers to ask it what it's wearing, because it won't be literally be featured going down the Red Carpet. Yes we know, quite the disappointment. Instead the limited edition "Red Carpet" Droid RAZR Maxx will be given to select nominees and presenters at 84th Annual Academy Awards. While there is nothing different about this particular model, the swag it comes is worth noting. For the ladies, aka Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, they will receive the phone within a glamorous, gold sequined pouch, just big enough to keep the evenings essentials. The gentlemen-aka Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor and Best Director- will recieve a high-end shaving kit, so they can keep their faces as smooth, beautiful and chiseled-looking as ever. As an added bonus all the handsets will come with Motorola's ELITE SLIVER Bluetooth headset. Oh the perks of being a star.

Sadly, the Red Carpet RAZR will not be available for purchase in stores, but do not fret. Youll have a chance to get your hands on the special edition Red Carpet DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola via a Twitter sweepstakes that kicks off Thursday, February 23. Five lucky fans will have the chance to win their own device online by retweeting #RedCarpetRAZR. So get to tweeting tomorrow for a chance to win this beast. If anyone wins one be sure to let us know....oh yeah, pics are always appreciated.

Good luck everyone!!

Source: Motorola

At the end of this year, your next Android device may not be a smartphone or tablet at all. According to some fairly detailed industry intel, not only is Google working on a set of digital heads-up display glasses... they are also very close to reality. In fact, it is very likely we will see a set of Android-powered digital heads-up display shades with 3G/4G & GPS tracking by the end of this year. The report indicated that this project is primarily just an experiment by the Google engineers; however, this particular "experiment" is actually being lead by none other than Sergey Brin and Steve Lee. If you will recall, Sergey Brin is one of the co-founders of Google, and Steve Lee is the engineer that is responsible for creating Latitude. Accordingly, if the experiment turns out to be a success, then Google will look at making the glasses for potential business model & revenue streams.

Regardless, the HUD glasses will supposedly be priced in the $250 to $600 range, and will also boast a low-resolution camera that can monitor things in real-time and provide location specific augmented reality information. It is interesting to note that Google is paying attention to any possible privacy implications that this feature might touch upon, and Google is developing the system so that it can "ensure that people know if they are being recorded by someone wearing a pair of glasses with a built-in camera."

Further info suggests that the glasses could be similar in styling to Oakley Thumps, and will also have built in motion sensors that help the user navigate through the interface. Seth Weintraub, a blogger for 9 to 5 Google, seems to have dug up some additional info on that navigation system. He said, The navigation system currently used is a head tilting to scroll and click. We are told it is very quick to learn and once the user is adept at navigation, it becomes second nature and almost indistinguishable to outside users.

All I can say is... if they make them look as cool as a pair of Oakleys, so that when I wear them I don't look like a reject from a bad eighties "Revenge of the Nerds" sequel, then sign me up for a pair! What do you guys think?

Source: DroidMatters

A source for Droid-Life passed along a leaked screen shot of workshop dates for some Verizon handsets.

The leaked screenshot listed two unknown models, the LG Cayman and the DROID Fighter. The workshop dates for the pair are listed as March 29th and April 12th respectively.
Although these are not launch dates, we still could find out quite a bit about the duo next week at Barcelona.



Source: Droid Life

South African carrier MTN, has confirmed they will be launching the Samsung Galaxy SIII in lieu of the Galaxy Nexus in Q3 (July). Mike Fairon, head of product development and innovation, said MTN has ranged the Samsung Galaxy Note and Samsung Galaxy S3 as alternatives to the Samsung Nexus, as we believe they provide greater benefits to customers. Ranging is a term used to describe when a carrier decides whether it will be carrying a device and when it will start selling it. As with all releases the projected Q3 release could slip due to the many variables that present themselves. Eleanor Mitrovich, General Manager of the MTN service provider branded channel, explained that ranging is based on expected dates presented by OEMs and that these can sometimes slip or even come forward.

South Africas other networks have all said that they plan to offer the device when it becomes available. The question on everyones mind on this side of the world, is when it will drop in the US. Unfortunately that info is still under tight wraps. As we previously reported, the SGSIII would not see any face time at MWC 2012 so the wait for more info continues.

Source: mybroadbrand
Via: Phonearena

Here's a potential case of pure hypocrisy. Microsoft is now backing up Apple's stance, and is taking things a step further by filing an anti-trust lawsuit against Motorola Mobility in the EU. MS and Apple claim that Moto is "abusing its standard-essential patents, impeding fair access to patents that are fundamental to regular device function -- this time dealing with video streaming and wireless connectivity." Microsoft further elaborated that they have a problem with Motorola's current patent pricing scheme. Microsoft claims that Motorola is setting an impossibly high royalty of $22.50 for a $1,000 laptop, which only covers fees for H.264 licensing. Here's a quote from the Engadget article with some more details,

Microsoft Deputy General Counsel Dave Heiner has posted an appeal to the company's TechNet blog, outlining the issue and explaining that "Motorola is attempting to block sales of Windows PCs, our Xbox game console and other products," further claiming that "Motorola is on a path to use standard essential patents to kill video on the Web, and Google as its new owner doesn't seem to be willing to change course."

This is all coming from the company, mind you, that has been charging just about every Android OEM on the planet for its own patent licensing issues. However, just for the sake of fairness and clarity, we should definitely mention the flip side to this argument. While Microsoft's actions do smack of hypocrisy, it isn't to the degree that one might initially think. In fact, MS might actually have a legitimate complaint this time. Apparently, the patents for which Motorola is asking high royalties for are "fair-use standard-essential patents". These are fairly common patents, that are not anything very innovative, and typically other companies would be asking a much smaller amount for.

It definitely appears as though Motorola is using these patents to be "spiteful" against Microsoft for all of the patent licensing fees that have been extorted from them and other Android manufacturers in the past. Technically, it really is a possibility that these patents are being abused under the FRAND standard. FRAND stands for "fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms" licensing, and it was established to stop patent holders from unfairly abusing their patents to hinder market competition. (Hmmm... that sounds like Apple doesn't it?) At any rate, it is entirely possible that Motorola doesn't really plan on getting these exorbitant licensing fees from Microsoft, but is really just using their situation as leverage to force MS into working out some different deals of their own. Of course, this could back-fire on them, and several different folks in the industry are unhappy with Motorola, and by extension Google... Motorola for taking this aggressive stance, and Google for not getting them to back down during the buyout process.

Regardless, even if it turns out that Motorola is being unfair in this new patent warfare battle, it still seems like the "pot calling the kettle black".

Source: Engadget

The above is an artist's mockup and does not necessarily reflect the final retail product.

Previously, we had some good hints and rumors about the Fujitsu flagship premium phone they intend to debut at Mobile World Congress next week. A few manufacturers are planning to debut a new high-end device at the show next week, and several of them actually may even be sporting a Tegra 3 quad-core cpu, but Fujitsu apparently intends to trump them all with its Fujitsu Arrows Prototype. Some new details have leaked about the device. The superphone has the following mind-blowing featureset:

• Quad-Core Tegra 3 Processor
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4.6" HD display
• 13.1MP camera with a 25600 ISO setting and "a near SLR level camera experience"
• Biometric security fingerprint scanner
• NFC
• Large Battery with Long-battery life (although no specifics were given)
• Water & Dust Proof (Highly-Resistant)

If these specs turn out to be more than vaporware, Fujitsu could just thrust themselves into the forefront of Android engineering. After launching the phone at MWC next week, they plan to debut the phone for European markets early this year, and eventually bring the device to North America as well. It will be interesting to get a good look at the phone next week, although to be honest, even if it is as ugly as a brick, with those features I almost wouldn't care.

Source: PhoneArena

SAP AG and Samsung have teamed up to make mobile devices running Android safer to use as corporate tools. As part of the partnership SAP, the largest maker of enterprise-management software, will include e-mail encryption as well as making handsets compatible with device-management systems that remotely update software and can operate phone functions such as switching the camera on and off. The deal is the first with a maker of Android smartphones, but they are certainly no stranger to the mobile device market. SAP has inked deals with Research in Motion Ltd. for the BlackBerry platform, and Apple for iPhone and iPad devices. Samsung is trying to get Android into to partner with the global leader in enterprise software is certainly the right way to go about it. Ulrich Trabert, a software analyst at Bankhaus Metzler in Frankfurt, said:

Companies need more pre-configured tablets and smartphones which comply with their advanced security requirements, naturally, SAP is looking for a partner who is dominant on the Android platform.

Samsung spokesman Jason Kim confirmed that the two companies will make a joint announcement at MWC 2012, but declined to give any more details.

Source: BusinessWeek