Patently Apple

Apple Secretly Moves Next-Gen iPhone Baseband Processor Development In-House to Possibly Enhance Security

Two new rumors surfaced today courtesy of Taiwan's DigiTimes. The first rumor claims that Apple reportedly has plans to form a new Research and Development team responsible for developing next generation baseband processors for use in their 2015 iPhones. Apple recently hiring two former Broadcom engineers give this rumor some credibility. The second rumor that comes second hand from China's Economic Daily News claims that Apple is developing the iWatch processor in-house and is set to begin production this August. Whether this latter rumor is really describing an iWatch or other wearable-computer is unknown at this time. However, other industry rumors that have surfaced this year would suggest that an "iWatch" won't be ready in this time frame. That being said, we've added a translation of the Chinese rumor report about the iWatch for your convenience.

Apple Granted 46 Patents Today Covering Push-to-Talk, Avatars, a more advanced version of Slide-to-Unlock and Much More

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 46 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover Apple's patent relating to a possible future Push-to-Talk iPhone and/or iDevice feature. We also cover a more advanced version of Apple's famed Slide-to-Unlock and two patents relating to avatar creation and editing for social networking, video conferencing and gaming. We wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.

Harvard's New Case Study Supplement about Apple is a Comic Book that puts Steve Jobs in a Negative Light

According to the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business School (HBS) is creating a new kind of case study program that illustrates high profile companies like Apple via comic books. The first one is about the early years at Apple. The Wall Street Journal is saying that Harvard is trying to make case studies more relatable, especially for foreign students or just visual learners. Yet some of the comic book illustrations are terrible. One particular image was rather provoking if you're an Apple fan. You have to wonder what's being taught about Apple at Harvard these days.

Apple's iBeacon is ready for Minnesota Twins Game Opener

Earlier this morning we reported on Apple's three new trademark applications for iBeacon icons in color and black and white. Yet the news on Apple's iBeacon doesn't stop there. Today, sources in Minneapolis reports that iPhone-toting Minnesota Twins fans will have their "MLB at Bat" app automatically start up instead of manually having to be started as in the past. That will happen due to Apple's new iBeacon technology. The new iBeacon services will begin this coming Monday at the team's game opener.

Samsung Reportedly Preparing New Standalone Smartwatch

According to a Korean press source, a new standalone variant of the Samsung Gear 2, equipped with a universal subscriber identity module, or USIM, will likely be christened the Samsung Gear Solo. Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom are jointly preparing to release the new smartwatch.

Apple Files Three New Trademarks for "iBeacon" Icons in Color and Black and White

Back in November Apple filed four iBeacon trademark applications which covered future financial services, e-commerce, consumer loyalty programs and much, much more. Today, the US Patent & Trademark Office published three new Apple trademark applications covering the iBeacon icon in color and black and white. The applications were actually filed on April first but were delayed in being published to the public until today. Whether they wanted to avoid April fool's day is unknown at this time. Apple filed their icons under two International Classifications covering a wide range of applications including, advertising, business services, retail store services and a car audio apparatus which likely translates into being a part of Apple's CarPlay.

Apple Sued Samsung in the US, yet a Euro Patent Expert Continues to Argue the Patent Case in Terms of Euro Standards

Apple's new patent infringement case against Samsung began last week. Before the trial began Samsung tried to stop a video from being shown to the jury because it showed Apple products in a light suggesting that "Apple's products are innovative and patentable." Thankfully Judge Koh overruled Samsung objection. As the trial began, Samsung focused on trial theatrics with trying to paint Apple's Executive of Worldwide marketing as being panicked by a silly Samsung ad. Then jumped to Apple declaring a "Holy War" against Google trying to say Apple battle is really with Google. Yesterday AppleInsider's Daniel Eran Dilger posted an extensive report about Samsung's slavish copying that took years to copy Apple's "Slide to Unlock." Yet today, a European patent expert tries to tear down AppleInsider's editorial. The problem, however, is that the case is being tried in a US Court under US patent laws and standards, not those of the European Union. So why does this European patent expert continually diminish Apple's innovation and US patents.

Apple's iMovie is Targeted in new Patent Lawsuit

Texas based Patent Harbor filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple late yesterday. The patent infringement lawsuit concerns Apple's iMovie and the Mac products that run that particular Apple application.

Samsung's Big Strategic Point at Trial about Apple Declaring a Holy War on Google Fizzles under Scrutiny

In the second California Apple v. Samsung patent trial that began this week, Samsung submitted a series of email exhibits from Apple discussing their product road-map that would be discussed at their "Top 100" executive sales retreat where the best minds of Apple would annually brainstorm for the year ahead. Samsung attempted to make hay with a single entry in these emails about a "Holy War with Google." Yet in context and under scrutiny their argument fails to have any punch whatsoever. Once again, Samsung has decided to shoot for theatrics. It may work in the press for a day or two, but in the end it's just dust in the wind; a feckess exercise.

New Stunning Maps of the US, Canada & Other Countries Show Apple is winning against Android in Larger Cities

Earlier this morning we posted a report titled "Apple's iPhone is King of Manhattan as Shown in Stunning Map." In that report we covered Business Insider's viewpoint that the iPhone's success in Manhattan proved the great divide in America between the rich and poor. They chose a series of New York maps to prove their point. However, that was a subjective slant to support their position. While I appreciate their report bringing some of this to light, the fact is that if you work with the source mapping service, you'll find a somewhat different reality that expands on Business Insider's viewpoint. Our report will provide with a large selection of maps outside of New York that paints a slightly different picture of the iOS vs. Android War.

Apple's iPhone is King of Manhattan as Shown in Stunning Map

They say that a photo is worth a thousand words. This is a clear example proving that out. The map illustrated in our cover graphic was created by Mapbox. It clearly shows us just how hot the iPhone really is in the richest part of New York: Manhattan. The iPhone is king in Manhattan in stark contrast to Newark, New Jersey where incomes are substantially less. It's an established fact that Apple's iPhone is adopted by more in the higher-end of the market, but this classic map gives visual life to those stats.

Samsung's AP Business Fell off a Cliff in Q4 Thanks to Apple

A Korean news site this morning picked up on data from a Strategy Analytics report released yesterday. It revealed that Samsung Electronics' global mobile AP market share (based on sales) as of the fourth quarter last year fell off a cliff. In the last quarter of 2013, Samsung's Application Processor business fell more than 50% from the previous year, due in large part to Apple.

New Study: Apple Users Lead the Trend of Multi-Screen Adoption

According to a new Kantar Worldpanel report published today, the data clearly shows that Apple users are high quality users and lead the trend of multi-screen adoption. What's interesting about the study is that the trend appears to be occurring in urban China – one of the most important mobile markets in the world.

VoiceAge Patents used in new Infringement Lawsuit against Samsung

St. Lawrence Communications has filed a major patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung involving five patents. All five inventions were originally filed under VoiceAge Corporation that have been recognized as a pioneer in speech and audio compression for the modern mobile phone by the ITU, ISO, ETSI, 3GPP2 and others. The products allegedly infringing upon these five patents are extensive. They include Samsung's HD Voice phones including the Galaxy Light; Galaxy Note; Galaxy Note II; Galaxy Note 3; Galaxy S 4G; Galaxy S II; Galaxy S III; Galaxy S4; and the Galaxy S5.

Apple Joins Safeguard Patent Group 'Partnership for American Innovation'

It's being reported today that a diverse group of industry-leading companies such as Apple, DuPont, Ford, GE, IBM, Microsoft and Pfizer that have staked their businesses on innovation, have launched the Partnership for American Innovation (PAI) to safeguard America's position as a global innovation leader.