• U.S. Patent No. 8,086,604 and U.S. Patent No. 6,847,959 on a “universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system”
• Apple asserted the ’604 patent in a preliminary injunction motion. The Federal Circuit reversed a preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Nexus and, in addition to equitable reasons, overturned Judge Koh’s claim construction in a way that affects both “Siri” patents alike (for an excellent explanation of this claim construction issue, see Patently-O’s post). Apple claims that the ’604 and ’959 patents are infringed even under the appeals court’s construction.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,666,502 on a “graphical user interface using historical lists with field classes”
• U.S. Patent No. 5,946,647 on a “system and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data” (which I dubbed the “data tapping” patent, a term many reporters have since adopted)
• Apple prevailed over HTC on this patent at the ITC. Apple claims that Android infringes this patent at the operating system level (the “linkify” library), as you can see in this infringement claim chart from the HTC case. Apple was enforcing an ITC import ban against HTC but ceased enforcement after a settlement (the parties stipulated to rescission of the exclusion order).
• U.S. Patent No. 7,761,414 on “asynchronous data synchronization amongst devices”

Interestingly enough, Apple has not yet mentioned the recently announced Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition in its claims, and it would not be surprising if they did in the future. How the battle turns out is now in the hands of the courts.

[Via: Droid Life , FOSS Patents] [Image: Techno Buffalo]

The government looks to be just about done with those obsolete BlackBerry 7 handsets that’s grown synonymous with the image of public figures. Now if only stock Android could join the party.

[Bloomberg; via engadget]

Even the ATF is having trouble, with CNET’s report saying that an ATF agent spent three months last summer trying to find a local, state or federal law enforcement agency with the skills needed to decrypt an iPhone 4S before calling on Apple.

Brute force password attacks are possible on iPhones, and can be cracked fairly easily if the pin is only four or five digits. Passwords that are nine or ten digits long however can take years to crack. Apple has the ability to crack passwords with ease, a method that the Cupertino company is keeping close to their chests.

Unlocking mobile phones by law enforcement is increasing in popularity, and raises privacy concerns. If done without a warrant, the process raises Fourth Amendment concerns.

Google has a process for helping law enforcement crack Android devices, by resetting the password of the device and then handing it over to authorities. If this process is initiated, Google also notifies the user that their device has been compromised.

[Via: Gizmodo , CNET] [Image: ArsTechnica]

According to SFPD, half of all thefts in the city by the bay involve stolen smartphones, with women being the targets of most robberies. The SFPD are picking some of the most notoriously shady places in SF, such as 7th and Market streets, where selling of stolen smartphones and other items regularly take place.

In order for the SFPD to be able to make arrests, the police need the prospective buyer to name a price for the item. Undercover cops will approach prospective buyers, clearly state that the item is stolen than ask for the customer to make an offer. Only at that point can SFPD make an arrest.

Whether or not this approach will actually curb stolen smartphone sales is to be determined, but one thing’s for sure; if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. And taking it just may land you in jail or with a nice fat fine. What are your thoughts on the SFPD’s strategy? 

[Via: Gizmodo]

However judges seen it another way, by deciding to rule that the proximity sensor patent Motorola was asserting is invalid. After the court’s decision was laid out, a Google spokesperson said that the company was “disappointed with this outcome and are evaluating our options.”

So this means back to the drawing board for Google. The company’s acquisition of Motorola is puzzling because it hasn’t brought any real results to these legal squabbles with Apple. Google still seems vulnerable to patent trolling, and buying Motorola was supposed to be this maximum chip for defending itself. None of Google’s infringement cases against Apple seem effective. The only effect these patent cases have had is the wasting of time and resources.

Everyone should just kiss and makeup, and just license with one another already.

[via Reuters]

“Any attempt to make the connection between Chechnya and Tsarnaevymi if they are guilty, in vain,” “They grew up in the United States, their attitudes and beliefs were formed there. It is necessary to seek the roots of evil in America.”

The FBI identified two brothers as suspected bombers in the Boston Marathon attack that left two dead and dozens injured. The two brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev and Dzhokar Tsarnaev have Chechen roots, and some reports are claiming that the brothers lived in Chechnya for some time. The brothers had spent some time in the U.S., with the younger brother Dzhokhar graduating from public high school in Cambridge in 2011. Whether the brothers had connections to Chechen groups has yet to be determined.

Kadyrov has been using Instagram since April 2013 and uses it to comment on current events and post updates about his activities, and has over 116,000 followers.

Kadyrov’s full statement, as translated by Google Translate, below:

The tragic events took place in Boston. The blast killed people. We have previously expressed their condolences to the people of the city and the people of America. Today, as reported by the media, while trying to arrest a Tsarnaea was killed. It would be logical if he was detained and investigated, found all the circumstances and the degree of his guilt. Apparently, the special services needed by all means to calm the result of society. Any attempt to make the connection between Chechnya and Tsarnaevymi if they are guilty, in vain. They grew up in the United States, their attitudes and beliefs were formed there. It is necessary to seek the roots of evil in America. From terrorism to fight the whole world. We know better than anyone else. We wish recovery to all the victims and share the feelings of sorrow Americans. # # Boston # bombing investig

[Via: Mashable] [Image: @kadyrov_95]

“A significant number of consumers are using smartphones running a version of the Android operating system with known, exploitable security vulnerabilities for which fixes have been published by Google, but have not been distributed to consumers’ smartphones by the wireless carriers and their handset manufacturer partners,” the text of the complaint states, “There are millions of vulnerable Android phones in the hands of consumers today because wireless phone carriers and phone hardware makers refuse to transmit existing software security fixes to phones in a timely manner, according to a security researcher.”

The security concerns are absolutely real and an increasing concern for Android users. But I have to say anything that forces carriers to get out the updates in a more timely manner is great news for all customers since so many folks are still running outdated versions of the OS. Gingerbread is still on a majority of devices and it’s two years old!

The ACLU complaint ends with a “Request for Relief” that outlines the way it feels carriers should address the alleged grievance. Whatever comes of this, hopefully it will lead to faster updates for everyone!

“REQUEST FOR RELIEF
The ACLU requests that the Commission investigate the major wireless carriers and enjoin
their unfair and deceptive business practices. Specifically, the ACLU requests that the
Commission:
A. Compel the major wireless carriers to warn all subscribers using carrier-supplied
Android smartphones with known, unpatched security vulnerabilities about the
existence and severity the vulnerabilities, as well as any reasonable steps those
consumers can take to protect themselves, including purchasing a different
smartphone.
B. Compel the major wireless carriers to permit consumers under contract who are
using carrier-supplied Android smartphones which have not received prompt,
regular security updates to end their contracts early, without any early termination
fee.
C. Compel the wireless carriers to permit consumers who are using carrier-supplied
Android smartphones less than two years old which have not received prompt,
regular security updates to either:
1. Exchange, at no cost, their existing device for another phone that will
receive prompt, regular updates directly from Apple, Google, Microsoft or
another mobile operating system vendor.
2. Return the phone and receive a full refund of the original purchase price”

[Via: Wired]

“Citizens have a right to know that corporations will be held accountable – and not granted immunity – for failing to safeguard personal information adequately,” the memo states. “Moreover, the Administration is confident that such measures can be crafted in a way that is not overly onerous or cost prohibitive on the businesses sending the information.”

CISPA is reportedly up for a vote on the floor of the United States House this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow (Weds.).  The bill’s stated goal is to help the U.S government investigate cyber threats and ensure the security of networks against cyberattack.  To this end, CISPA would allow for the sharing of Internet traffic information between the U.S. government and certain technology and manufacturing companies.

But privacy activists such the Electronic Frontier Foundation have criticized the bill for having weak limits on how and when the government may monitor an individual’s Internet browsing information, and they fear that such new powers could be used to spy on the general public rather than to pursue hackers or cyber terrorists.

Apparently the Obama administration agrees with their fears, at least to an extent.  The memo is very clear that the White House wants change to CISPA, not do away with the bill and they ”stands ready” to work with the House Intelligence Committee and other lawmakers to “incorporate our core priorities” into the final bill.

Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) of the House Intelligence Committee  disagreed with the President saying, “You can’t get more oversight on making sure that people’s personally identifiable information is protected than the way we structured it in this bill.”

[Via: TheHill.com]

[Image: Jason Heuser]

The “ban raises competition concerns; it raises innovation concerns,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski told TechCrunch during a CrunchGov event. “It’s something that we will look at at the FCC to see if we can and should enable consumers to use unlocked phones.”

TechCrunch notes that the FCC might not have authority in this area to force any changes in the law, but it’s encouraging that at least one arm of the government has taken notice of this issue. Hopefully, the successful White House petition that asks the President to consider changing this law will also move us closer to overturning this ban.

[Via TechCrunch]

It was just a month ago when the strict North Korean government started allowing foreign visitors to bring their own mobile devices into the country with them. Now the country is beginning to ease up a bit.

Unfortunately, North Korean citizens have to suffer through limited internet as a whole, with access to only message boards, chat functions, and state sponsored media. The country’s stubbornness keeps it laughably behind South Korea in the field of technology.

[via BBC]