Tech Roundup: Nov 4, 2012

Google Nexus 4 from LG

Google's fourth attempt at a mainstream smartphone:
The much awaited Android event got cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, but that didn't deter Google from announcing its latest lineup. Perhaps not wanting Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 to hog all the limelight, the muted release saw the search behemoth unveiling four things - Nexus 4, 32 GB version of Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and Android 4.2. The new devices, a smartphone from LG and a 10-inch tablet from Samsung, exactly corroborate the earlier leaks and run on the latest operating system Android 4.2.

Still titled Jelly Bean, the upgrade concentrates on improvements in camera and notifications alongside support for wireless TV display, gesture typing (goodbye Swype!) and many more. The full feature list can be found here. But both the devices are hamstrung by their own deficiencies. While the Nexus 4 is available only in 8 and 16 GB configurations (push for Google Drive?) and lacks LTE, the latter might struggle in an ecosystem where there is a dearth of tablet optimized apps (something which only Apple can boast of at present).

Microsoft reboots Windows Phone:
October 29 also saw the official launch of Windows Phone 8, the next offering from Microsoft after Windows 8 and Surface tablet. Boasting of features like Rooms (virtual chatrooms), Kids Corner, Live Lock Screen, resizeable tiles, Mobile Wallet, NFC, Nokia Maps, Xbox Music, Internet Explorer 10 and many more, it is a major overhaul over Windows Phone 7.5 and for the same reason, none of the existing devices will be eligible for an upgrade. Microsoft also admitted that it ran out of time on the notification center feature and is widely rumored to be working on it.

In addition, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal, it has also begun testing its own smartphone (I am looking at you Nokia!). A companion app is out on the Windows 8 store to manage content on your Windows Phone 8 device, but it does not work with Windows 7. And as for the devices, they (Nokia Lumia 920/820 and their US variants, HTC Windows Phone 8X/8S) are expected to hit markets worldwide in the forthcoming weeks. For developers who are looking to develop apps, the Windows Phone 8 SDK is now available for download.

The iPad mini is out, and the iPhone 5 is in India:
Apple's iPad mini went on sale yesterday and like any other Apple product launch, people thronged its stores in queues (though comparatively smaller) to lay their hands on one. But the finicky Wall Street was not impressed and sent the company's shares down to $576.80 on November 2 from the previous day's close of $596.54. If at all the iPad mini disappoints, the most likely reasons would be its premium price and an outdated hardware. However there's is no limit to the parodies on the iPad sibling. Here's a couple from Jimmy Kimmel Live and Mondo Media. Hilarious stuff! Lest you forget, the fourth generation iPad is also available in stores. Let the inevitable cannibalization commence.

By the way if you want to buy the iPhone 5 in India, now is the time! The taller, thinner iPhone from Apple has been officially launched in India. But be prepared to shell out big bucks. The 16 GB model of the new iPhone will sell for 45,500 rupees, with the 32 GB version priced at 52,500 rupees and the 64 GB model available for 59,500 rupees.

Apple's executive shake-up:
Top executives Scott Forstall, VP of iOS, and John Browett, head of Retail, have been handed the pink slip in a major executive rejig. Both will be leaving Apple by the end of this year. To compensate for Forstall's absence, Jonathan Ive will be overseeing the user interface development for the entire company. Though details are scarce, Forstall's departure seems to be connected with his refusal to sign the apology letter over Maps fiasco. There have been prior rumors of Apple infighting with Jony Ive and Forstall purposely avoiding each other due to clashes of opinion. While Forstall favored a skeuomorphic approach (open Contacts, Calendar apps to see for yourself), Jony Ive favored a more minimalist user interface. Will this finally pave way for a much needed refresh of iOS? Hopefully!

What's cooking at Facebook?
A lot of things. For one, it's rumoured to be starting a classified ads service for listing jobs, home rentals, items for sale etc. Two, it is testing a trimmer one column Timeline for user profiles instead of the current double column layout. Third, it's working on its own Android based smartphone, codenamed Opera UL, in partnership with HTC according to leaked benchmark scores. And finally, it fixed a critical bug that allowed access to Facebook user accounts without even having to enter the password.

Apple advert gaffe:
After losing its appeal against the Samsung Galaxy Tab for patent infringement, Apple complied with the UK court in putting up an ad (or an apology) stating the same. But the court has objected to the choice of words and has demanded a rewrite. "I’m at a loss that a company such as Apple would do this," Judge Robin Jacob said. "That is a plain breach of the order." The initial order called for a simple notice about the ruling that Samsung's Galaxy tablets didn't copy the design of Apple's iPad. But Apple, in addition to mentioning it, added extra four paragraphs regarding the iPad's 'cool' quotient (Remember? The UK judge had remarked that the Samsung's tablets weren't as cool as the iPads) and how other courts in Germany and US involving the same design issues ruled in its favour.

Samsung's lawyer Henry Carr, not leaving this golden opportunity, has said that the notice gave the "impression that the U.K. court is out of step with other courts". But it doesn't end here. Apple's subsequent request for a full 14 days to make the changes were rejected outright. "I would like to see the head of Apple make an affidavit setting out the technical difficulties which means Apple can't put this on" their website, Jacob said. "I just can't believe the instructions you've been given. This is Apple. They cannot put something on their website?" Apple has now promptly complied by putting up the redacted note on its website and in a couple of UK newspapers:

Samsung / Apple UK judgment
On 9 July 2012 the High Court of Justice of England and Wales ruled that Samsung Electronic (UK) Limited’s Galaxy Tablet Computers, namely the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Tab 8.9 and Tab 7.7 do not infringe Apple’s Community registered design No. 0000181607-0001. A copy of the full judgment of the High Court is available from www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Patents/2012/1882.html.

That Judgment has effect throughout the European Union and was upheld by the Court of Appeal of England and Wales on 18 October 2012. A copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment is available from www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2012/1339.html. There is no injunction in respect of the Community registered design in force anywhere in Europe.

Update: Apple has come under a barrage of criticism after Reddit users found that the link to the apology posted on its UK website is never visible no matter how much you resize the browser window unless you scroll down the page. According to CNET, Apple has installed a JavaScript piece of code that forces the main image on top (currently the one for iPad mini) to occupy the best part of the page alongside four smaller ads beneath it. The script, added in the last four months, also ensures the central image retains the same proportion even during a window resize making the apology link out of sight from direct view. Wow Apple, you are behaving sly!

Microsoft sued for Live Tiles:
Windows Phone has been mighty unique and one of its prominent features is its Live Tiles concept. This has now come under attack after SurfCast filed a case of patent infringement over the feature. You might think Windows Phone 7 had been there for the last two years and so why now? The answer is that the concept revolves around a device and not just software alone. Since Microsoft embarked on a journey to make its own tablet (hence the 'device'), SurfCast decided this was the right time to pursue the Redmond tech giant legally. It has also accused the company of inducing other manufacturers (like Nokia, Samsung and HTC) to violate its patent. Will Microsoft and SurfCast reach a settlement? Most likely.

Samsung setting smartphone sales records:
Samsung is in a happy position right now. That's right, in addition to the #1 position it snatched from Nokia, its has been selling phones like crazy. It has sold 30 million units of Galaxy S III and 3 million Galaxy Note II's so far. It would be an understatement if I say Samsung is the only manufacturer profiting enormously by Android!

Windows 8 zero day vulnerability for sale:
Microsoft just launched Windows 8 to the masses but trouble seems to be cropping up already. A new zero day vulnerability has been discovered in the operating system and its Internet Explorer 10 by Vupen, a computer security research firm known for selling vulnerabilities to governments and companies but not disclosing them to the software makers. It's doing same thing now by putting up this security flaw for sale. "Our first 0day for Win8+IE10 with HiASLR/AntiROP/DEP & Prot Mode sandbox bypass (Flash not needed) is ready for customers. Welcome #Windows8," reads a tweet from Vupen. Though the details are not known at present, the bug if confirmed could be a problem for Microsoft, which had been touting Windows 8 as the most secure platform ever by incorporating technologies like Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and other defences in the operating system.

Cyberterrorism and hurricane Sandy:
Superstorm Sandy may have created widespread havoc to New York and adjacent areas, but the US's Department of Homeland Security is comparing the natural disaster to acts of cyberterrorism. "One of the possible areas of attack, of course, is attacks on our nation's control systems—the control systems that operate our utilities, our water plants, our pipelines, our financial institutions," said DHS secretary Janet Napolitano. "If you think that a critical systems attack that takes down a utility even for a few hours is not serious, just look at what is happening now that Mother Nature has taken out those utilities," she added. A serious threat no doubt. Read the complete post here.

In other news:

• Google Play hits 700,000 apps; draws equal with Apple iTunes App store in ecosystem wars.
• Windows Phone store now has 120,000 apps.
• Android on 75% of the world's smartphones; Apple a distant second with a 14.9% share.
• Apple rolls out iOS 6.0.1 update to iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad; addresses Wi-Fi issues and more.
• Gmail gets a minor facelift; rolls out pop-up based windows to compose and reply to emails.
• Apple needs extra time to get iTunes 11 right; release postponed to end of November.
• Metro design specification of Microsoft now called the Microsoft Design Language.
• Gmail becomes the most popular email client; trumps Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail.
• HTC begins rollout of Android 4.1 to One series smartphones in Asia and Europe.
• Google Search updated for iOS with Google Now like features; takes on Siri.
• Mozilla laments 6-9 million lost downloads of Firefox due to browser ballot glitch in Internet Explorer that affected 28 million PCs running Windows 7 SP1.
• BlackBerry 10 devices in testing phase, says RIM CEO Thorsten Heins.
• Kim Dotcom announces Mega, successor to the banned file sharing site Megaupload; to be launched January 2013.
• Sony's restructuring pays off; Q3 2012 results shows signs of improvement.
• Amazon outs Cloud Drive for Android; lets you carry your photo library anywhere.
• Samsung announces a stripped down Galaxy S III, Galaxy Premier; packs in 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED, 8MP camera, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and Android 4.1; set for release this month.
• Twitter planning to take on Instagram with its own photo-filters on mobile apps.
• Record 20 million tweets on hurricane Sandy sent in the last one week.
• Microsoft announces 4 million upgrades to Windows 8 within 3 days of launch; stays mum on Surface tablet sales.
• Japanese company Sharp's survival in doubt after a second year of mega losses.
• iFixit teardown of iPad mini reveals Samsung made display and processor.

Tech Roundup is a weekly recurring feature on the latest trends in Technology.