RemoteManagement
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RIM slapped with $147.2 million in damages from Mformation patent lawsuit (update: RIM response)
RIM just keeps taking hard knocks in the patent arena. Just days after Nokia had its turn piling on extra infringement claims, device management developer Mformation Technologies has won a hefty $147.2 million verdict against RIM for allegedly violating a remote management patent. The damages amount to $8 for every BlackBerry linked up to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server up to a certain point -- no small impact for a company whose lifeblood is business. About the only reprieve is an escape from future penalties, which would most certainly have soured the recovery efforts for a company already on the ropes. The crew from Waterloo hasn't yet responded to the verdict, but it's hard to picture the company leaving those kinds of damages to sit without an appeal. Update: RIM has issued a statement in response to the verdict, and it's unsurprisingly putting forward motions that it hopes would overturn the verdict. It's also keen to point out that issues like the obviousness of the patent haven't been settled, which it hopes would deflate Mformation's case.
Samsung Galaxy S III gets enterprise-friendly version in the US, wears a Pebble Blue business suit
When Samsung launches its all-out blitz on the US with the Galaxy S III, it'll be targeting boardrooms as well as pockets: the Android 4.0 flagship will be the company's first American phone certified for its SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise) program. Regardless of the carrier, the American Galaxy S III will handle 256-bit AES encryption as well as offer better support for Exchange, remote management and VPNs than what you'd normally find coming from a Google-powered device. Samsung describes it as a way to "defragment" Android for companies that want consistent guarantees of how the OS will behave in the office, and the firm is confident enough that it's offering trade-in discounts for those who want to swap an older device for the secure phone, whether or not it's part of a corporate deal. SAFE-ready examples should be arriving by July and could save you from having to bring an ancient company-supplied phone on summer vacation.
Steam's latest beta client enables remote installation of games, with emphasis on 'beta'
Considering it's supposed to be a democratic free-for-all, Steam has been running a tight ship lately. We've already seen a video of a forthcoming native client for Linux, and now there's a new beta client for Windows and Mac that also brings something different: remote game management. This can save you time by letting you trigger the download and installation of a title to your home computer while you're still in the office or on the move, via any web browser. That said, this type of thing was already possible using remote desktop apps, and so far the community response to the buggy beta has been decidedly mixed -- so make sure you read up on Valve's forum (at the source link) before you expect to find your slippers, Pinot Grigio and Sniper Elite V2 all lined-up and waiting when you get home. [Productive workplace photo via Shutterstock]
ZeeVee adds remote management to ZvBox line, QAM 64 broadcasting and more
ZeeVee as a whole has transformed mightily as a company since we saw 'em debut back in May of 2008, now catering its hardware business towards enterprise customers and the occasional high-end home owner. That said, there's still reason to pay attention, particularly if you're an existing owner of a ZvBox. The company recently made known that a trio of gratis updates were being made available, the first of which added remote management capabilities to the entire line. Essentially, this upgrade allows multiple ZvBoxes to be simultaneously connected to a single computer at the ZvBox deployment site, and then access is granted to said computer via the web. In turn, an administrator can completely control distribution and the like, adding a bit of Sling flair to the whole ordeal. In lesser news, all ZvBoxes can now also broadcast using QAM 64 (in addition to the traditional QAM 256 method), and the ZvPro 250 can now deliver a single video stream with split-audio, which could be helpful in serving up multilingual streams. Or, you know, a censored version of that R-rated movie for your kid's room.
Verizon FiOS HD DVR owners all granted Remote DVR access, cellphone scheduling costs extra
It isn't an iPhone app, but we're sure plenty of people can appreciate Verizon's new, more widely available Remote DVR Management program. Previously limited to FiOS TV Media Manager subscribers only, accessed by the website or select VZW phones, now any FiOS DVR subscriber can queue up recordings via the website, while Media Manager subs can use http://m.verizon.com/tv from any cellphone, on any carrier for remote DVR programming. [Thanks, Scott! Via Phone Scoop]
Verizon welcomes HD DVR owners, all cellphones to the Remote DVR party
It isn't an iPhone app, but we're sure plenty of people can appreciate Verizon's new, more widely available Remote DVR Management program. Previously limited to FiOS TV Media Manager subscribers only, accessed by the website or select VZW phones, now any FiOS DVR subscriber can queue up recordings via the website, while Media Manager subs can use http://m.verizon.com/tv from any cellphone, on any carrier for remote DVR programming. [Thanks, Scott! Via Phone Scoop]
