brief
Latest
The Sony device Samsung claims inspired the iPhone is a Walkman
Samsung is waging its legal battle against Apple in a California court and, in a move that angered Judge Lucy Koh, is sharing some of its rejected evidence with the media. Last week, the company went public with a brief that suggested Apple borrowed heavily from Sony when it designed the iPhone. As noticed by John Paczkowski of AllThingsD, the device behind this corporate intrigue is not a handset, but the Sony Walkman shown above. The leaked brief focuses on a 2006 BusinessWeek interview with Sony's designers Yujin Morisawa and Takashi Ashida that was circulated in an internal Apple communication. Apple designers allegedly read this interview and used some of Sony's principles to design the iPhone. What many people missed is the fact that the interview is about the Sony Walkman NW-A1200, and, ironically, the salient information about design is in response to a question that asked whether Sony was inspired by the iPod. As Apple 2.0's Philip Elmer-Dewitt quips at the end of his article, "Apple wasn't copying Sony, dear bloggers. Sony was copying Apple." [Via Daring Fireball] #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Apple, Samsung bickering over where to sit in court
The bickering between Samsung and Apple just won't stop. The latest report from AllThingsD suggests Samsung is even arguing over where it will sit and what the two companies will be called during the trial. Striving to get every advantage it can, Samsung is asking the court to call both companies claimants instead of plaintiff and defendant, since the trial involves patent infringement allegations from both sides. Samsung also asks that it be allowed to sit in the plantiff's table when it is arguing its case. "Equal treatment of the parties with respect to where they sit while presenting their affirmative case will mitigate any prejudice to Samsung that may result from Apple being in closer proximity to the jury throughout the trial," Samsung said in its brief. Jury selection in the trial is slated to begin July 30 so expect to hear a lot more about this legal battle in the upcoming weeks. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Apple opposes Verizon's timing in Samsung case
Late last week, Verizon Wireless stepped into the heated battle between Apple and Samsung. The wireless carrier asked the federal court if it could file a brief in support of Samsung. In its brief. Verizon said an injection against Samsung would be harmful to US wireless customers and could stunt the growth of Verizon's 4G network. Apple responded to this filing on Tuesday and asked the court to either throw out the brief or allow Apple until October 6 to respond. In its response, Apple does not address the validity of Verizon's claims. It's primary concern is the timing of the filing. Apple claims Verizon incorrectly filed the brief with the federal court instead of the appellate court and it filed it too late. According to the Apple, Verizon should have filed the brief by the end of August. [Via AppleInsider]
In Brief: September 1 Apple event
As preparations begin in San Francisco (check out the Yerba Buena Center's new look) for the September 1 press event, here's a brief review of what's likely and unlikely to go down. iPods are a given, and likely to be the thrust of the event. Apple has refreshed the line every year in September since the iPod's introduction. We're guessing a more iPhone 4-like touch with a camera and possibly a retina display, perhaps on a higher-end model. Also expected is a new iTunes rental option for TV episodes. As of this writing, TV shows are available for purchase at US$1.99 each. Bloomberg has suggested that Apple will add a rental option for $0.99 a pop, with new episodes becoming available just 24 hours after their original air time. The wildcard is a new Apple TV (or iTV) running specialized apps on the iOS. It certainly doesn't fit the music theme implied by the invite, but who knows. Perhaps Steve has one more thing up his black sleeve. In any case, visit TUAW on the 1st for our complete coverage.
In brief: Free iPod with Mac purchase offer ends 9/7
As expected, Apple has sent out a quick reminder that the annual discount offer for college students -- buy a new Mac, get a free iPod touch -- is expiring September 7. While this date was expected to coincide with the rock & roll introduction event, we now know that the big shindig will be taking place next Tuesday Wednesday, September 1. Got some money burning a hole in your pocket? Are you, or do you know a college student? Time for that new Mac, but it's running out.
