Tech PIVI

An innovative method for creating sharp, full-spectrum colour images at 100,000 dots per inch (dpi) does not need inks or dyes, thanks to metal-laced nano-sized structures. Conversely, current inkjet or laserjet printers can only achieve up to 10,000 dpi, while research grade methods are able to dispense dyes for only single colour images. This novel breakthrough - achieved by Agency for Science, Technology and Research Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) - allows colouring to be treated not as an inking matter but as a lithographic matter, which can potentially revolutionise the way images are printed, the journal Nature Nanotechnology reports. The inspiration for the research was derived from stained glass, which is traditionally made by mixing tiny fragments of metal into the glass. It was found that nanoparticles from these metal fragments scattered light passing through the glass to give stained glass its colours, according to a statement from th...

Apple and Samsung are going toe-to-toe in a patent dispute, which mirrors a fierce battle for industry supremacy between two rivals. An   Apple   Inc expert witness testified on Friday that consumers would be willing to pay $100 for three patented smartphone features that are at issue in its high stakes trial against   Samsung Electronics   Co Ltd.   John Hauser, a marketing professor at MIT, said he surveyed consumers over the Internet about how much they would pay for some of the technology in the lawsuit, like scrolling and multitouch, which Apple claims Samsung stole from the U.S. company.   However, Samsung hammered Hauser on whether his study actually relates to real world customer decision-making.   Additionally, Apple patent portfolio director Boris Teksler described the company's licensing strategy, saying he could count "on one hand" the number of instances it has permitted other companies to use its design patents. Teksl...

The testimony from Apple patent licensing director Boris Teksler came in one of the most closely watched technology trials in years. Apple   Inc licensed its prized design patents to   Microsoft   Corp but with an "anti-cloning agreement" to prevent copying of its   iPhone   and   iPad , an Apple executive said on Monday.   The testimony from Apple patent licensing director   Boris Teksler   came in one of the most closely watched technology trials in years. Apple is accusing   Samsung Electronics   Co Ltd   of copying its iPhone and iPad, while the Korean company says Apple infringes several of its wireless technology patents.   Apple had reached out to Samsung in 2010, hoping to strike an agreement with its rival on patent licensing before their dispute hit the courts.   Teksler testified that Apple offered a clutch of patents for licensing but, crucially, viewed patents related to what he c...

Apple Inc's new version of its iPhoneand iPad software will not include a pre-packaged app for Google Inc's popular video website, YouTube, Apple said on Monday.  The move marked the latest sign of the growing rivalry between the two technology companies, close on the heels of Apple's decision to dump Google's mapping software from its devices.   "Our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended," Apple said in a statement on Monday. "Customers can use YouTube in the Safari browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the app store."  Google was not immediately available for comment.   YouTube has been among a handful of apps that come pre-loaded onto the screens of Apple's mobile devices since the original iPhone was introduced in 2007.   News of YouTube's disappearance from Apple's mobile software came as Apple released a new test version on Monday of the iOS 6 software, which for the first t...

Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd are embroiled in a high-stakes patent battle in several countries around the world, but only in Australia are they also engaged in "hot tubbing." Rather than a gaggle of lawyers hammering out their differences in the jacuzzi, the term refers to expert witnesses giving evidence in court together - rather than one by one - in the witness box. Officially known by the more staid legal term of "concurrent evidence", the practice has become increasingly common in Australia in complex, technical trials such as the Apple-Samsung patent dispute. Proponents argue that it saves time and resources and, importantly, restrains experts hired by litigants from overstating their case as they can immediately be questioned not only by the judge and lawyers, but by their peers. "I think in a case like this it's quite a good approach," said Mark Summerfield, a patent lawyer and senior associate at Melbourne-based ...

South Korea's  Samsung Electronics  said Friday it would unveil a new  mobile device  this month, just weeks before the likely debut of the iPhone 5 from arch-rival  Apple. A spokesman for Samsung, the world's largest  smartphone  maker, declined to give details of the device to be shown in Berlin on August 29, two days before the opening of Europe's largest consumer electronics show IFA. Analysts said it was likely to be an upgraded version of the Galaxy Note. The announcement comes as the two tech giants are embroiled in a major courtroom battle in California over  patents  for smartphones and tablet computers. Apple is seeking more than $2.5 billion after accusing the Korean firm of infringing designs and other patents. Samsung denies this and counter-charges that Apple infringed its patents for wireless communication. The rivals have launched dozens of legal actions against each other in 10 countries worldwide. The Note, wh...

In a move to make photo viewing more enjoyable on Facebook,the website has announced launching a re-designed version of its photos section In a move to make photo viewing more enjoyable on Facebook, the social networking giant has announced launching a re-designed version of its photos section.  "We are announcing improvements to the photos section that make viewing photos more enjoyable," Facebook Product Manager Emily Grewal announced on the company's website yesterday.  With this move, users would be able to access photos all at one place above the timeline. Earlier Facebook's users could view photos segregated into albums.  "Now when you click photos at the top of your timeline, you'll see larger pictures that fill up the page. You can use the menu to find shots you are tagged in, pictures you have shared and albums you have created...With your Facebook photos all in one section, it's simple to show friends your favourites. Click th...

Nokia has confirmed that it’s shutting down it’s last factory in Salo, Finland. This would result in a loss of 780 jobs instead of the previously speculated 850 jobs. The final phone to carry the”Made in Finalnd” stamp was made on Wednesday. The factory will be closed officially in September 2012. Nokia had stated previously in June that it aims to cut 3,700 jobs in Finland and 10,000 jobs globally in order to save costs. Nokia has been posting losses for the past few quarters and they’re trying their best to stay afloat. The closing of the plant in Salo will also be accompanied by the closure of research and development centers in Germany and Canada. This should help them to save around 2 Billion US$ by the end of the year. source

Apple, Samsung take patent fight to crucial California trial If  Apple  Inc's weaker-than-expected quarterly result is anything to go by, the global smartphone industry is a lot more vulnerable to economic shocks these days than during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.  In developed markets, every other person already owns a smartphone. In emerging markets, penetration rates are much lower, but cheaper phones that cost under $100 are squeezing profit margins.  That was not the case during the last recession, when Apple's iPhone and Google Inc's Android were still in their infancy. Smartphone demand remained strong even as sales of other electronics declined because consumers felt it was worthwhile to upgrade to a device with so much to more to give - touchscreens, email and full Web browsers.  Without a technology breakthrough such as touchscreen - made popular by the first iPhone in 2007 - people are in far less of a hurry to upgrade their phones this time ...

SEOUL: South Korean police have arrested two hackers who stole personal data of 8.7 million customers of the nation's second-biggest mobile operator, the company said Sunday. KT said the hackers -- formally arrested on Sunday -- had stolen data such as customers' names, phone numbers and residential registration numbers for five months since February and sold the information to telemarketing firms. "The number of affected people account for nearly a half of about 17 million customers of ours," a KT spokesman told AFP, adding the company had alerted police on July 13 after detecting traces of hacking attacks. Yon-hap  news agency, citing police, said the duo -- including a former veteran programmer at a local IT company -- had earned at least 1 billion won (about $880,000) by selling the stolen data. Seven other people were also booked for buying the leaked data for telemarketing purposes, Yonhap said. "We deeply bow our head i...

Web users in India are once again able to access video and file-sharing sites, including The Pirate Bay. Activists argued that the original internet legislation amounted to censorship.   The country's Madras High Court has changed its earlier censorship order which centred on the issue of internet copyright. The original ruling made Indian internet service providers (ISPs) block access to entire sites to prevent a single film from being shared online. The new order was issued following an appeal filed by a consortium of ISPs. It states that only specific web addresses - URLs - carrying the pirated content should be blocked, but not the entire website. "The order of interim injunction dated 25/04/2012 is hereby clarified that the interim injunction is granted only in respect of a particular URL where the infringing movie is kept and not in respect of the entire website," reads the updated decision. "Further, the applicant is directed to inform about...