Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Gets Australian Victory, Apple Told by Judge to Provide Proof

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 inch Android Tablet may benefit from a long entrenched Apple Computing unwritten law to never reveal sales numbers unless absolutely necessary. Samsung’s latest tablet has been banned for sale in Germany until claims by Apple that Samsung infringed on their copyrights can be proved or disproved. A September 9 date for the final ruling by the Judge in Germany is set. Recently, Apple sued Samsung in Australia as well with the same claims that the design and physical appearance of the Apple iPad 2 Tablet were copied by Samsung for their thin, lightweight 10.1 Tablet.
Don Reisinger of CNET.com reported that Apple is now being ordered by Australia’s federal court Judge Annabelle Bennett to show proof that the similarities in design have hurt the sales of the Apple iPad 2, which is what Apple claims. She also released a statement claiming that Apple is not presenting enough compelling evidence to allow for an injunction in Australia. Samsung has voluntarily removed the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Tablet PC from the marketplace as a sign of good faith, and it appears this goodwill gesture has paid off favorably. The Judge is requesting sales data to back up Apple’s claims.
Not only filing for injunctions and downright banning of the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany and Australia alone, Apple has sought injunctions against their number one Tablet PC competitor in several countries and nations. Samsung has been very forthcoming with sales figures, documentation and even physical Galaxy Tab 10.1 Tablets which they gave Apple for them to inspect. Samsung even agreed to sell whichever tablet Apple accepted out of the three offered. Apple has made no decision as of yet.
Samsung has claimed that their research shows that Apple’s sales have not been hurt in the least since the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and that caused Judge Bennett to request provable sales losses by Apple. Stopping short of forcing Apple to give up this sensitive information, Judge Bennett simply stated that if Apple wants their injunction investigation to move forward, they would have to make the information available to her.
Apple has over the years been very stingy with allowing any type of numbers to be attached to the sales or speculation of sales of their popular iDevices. After their recent third-quarter declaration that they sold 9.2 5 million iPads in that time period, it may be hard for Apple to prove that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is actually hurting sales.

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Motorola Atrix 4G software upgrade update

Arriving in January of 2011, the Motorola Atrix 4G debuted as a mobile handset that could do several things at once. With the ability to act as an entry-level netbook, as a multimedia dock and as a hands-free turn by turn GPS mounted to your car’s dashboard or windshield, Motorola explained that this is was the wave of the future for mobile handsets. It has been nearly 9 months since the versatile Motorola Atrix 4G arrived, and not too many other handsets have attempted to do all that the Motorola Atrix 4G promises. The Motorola Atrix 4G recently got a software upgrade, so let’s take an in-depth look at how it affects the performance of the Atrix 4G.
The Atrix 4G received a firmware update in March to address some minor bugs, but until this recent Gingerbread update, the handset’s software has remained unchanged. The upgrade from Android’s 2.2 Froyo to 2.3 Gingerbread operating system makes some rather big changes. One is a cross-OS capability that is pretty important. You now have the ability to sideload apps from sources like Amazon or some other app marketplace, which in the past was considered an “unknown source” and was blocked.

Motorola has also upgraded the photo gallery to handle comments from Facebook and Picasa on those social networking photos, to aggregate your photos, and your friends photos from both sites as well. And an important change to the music player now gives the Atrix 4G owners the ability of music discovery. What this basically allows you is the ability to get song recommendations personalized to your library and tastes, as well as videos, news and updates customized to your settings as well.
Firefox 4.0 has been supported with this new update, which means faster web browsing, and a 50% improvement up to 1080p HD video playback, as well as Bridge access, one touch conference call capability are delivered. There are also some location-based recommendations through Facebook and Yelp which are now available. The Gingerbread software update takes place over the air and requires no action by the Motorola Atrix 4G owner.

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Citrix launches GoToMeeting app for Android

Citrix is bringing its popular GoToMeeting application/service to the Android community. Available as a free download, it provides Android device users with access to the popular mobile collaboration service, allowing them [users] to join online meetings while on the go.
Once downloaded, GoToMeeting will allow you to join meetings in seconds by clicking a link in an email or clicking the GoToMeeting icon and entering the meeting ID. And it’s not just the talk – you’ll also be able to access all of the conference materials and zoom content up to 200% by pinching the screen.
Finally, Citrix also announced the preload deal with Motorola and Verizon Wireless, which will bundle the GoToMeeting app with the newly launched DROID BIONIC smartphone…
The question now is – are you ready for mobile meetings? If so (and if you don’t have the DROID BIONIC or DROID 3, both of which have GoToMeeting preinstalled), hit the link below.
GoToMeeting (FREE) [Android Market link]

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Norton extends its “Norton Everywhere” initiative to Android tablets

Norton announced several new offerings under its “Norton Everywhere” initiative that aims to protect consumers and their families across multiple devices and platforms. The new products/services include:

• Norton Tablet Security – Available in the next few weeks, it is designed specifically for Android tablets to protect the device, privacy and all other important data against loss, theft, viruses and other threats.
• Norton Anti-Theft Beta – Free to download, this web-based service allows users to quickly and easily lock, locate and possibly get back a PC, laptop or Android device, along with the information on it in the event it is ever lost or stolen. Among the cool features included in this product is the so called “Sneak Peek,” which allows you to remotely activate the Web cam to see who has your smartphone or tablet.
• Norton Online Family for Android and iOS users – Now out of beta, this free mobile application allows Norton Online Family users to view their children’s online activities and manage each child’s “House Rules” from their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or Android device.

The new Norton Tablet Security will be available at the MSRP of $39.99 for a one year service period. Norton Anti-Theft beta is now available as a free download for users in the United States from the Norton Beta Center. Norton Online Family for Android and iOS users is available as a free download for existing Norton Online Family users from both the Android Market and the App Store…
Norton Online Family (FREE) [iTunes link] [Android Market link]

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Motorola Droid 3 update adds GTalk video chat

Motorola Droid 3 users are set to receive a new update that adds GTalk video chat. The new Android build is 5.6.890.XT862 and is 57.6MB in size. In addition to the new video chatting capability, users can look forward to over 30 bug fixes and additional functionality.
Among the bug fixes, users can look forward to a display that no longer flickers, Airplane Mode that works properly when toggling rapidly, GPS updates which now install properly, as well as the device no longer overheating when using the camera or camcorder for extended periods. The Blur interface has also been tweaked and is said to be cleaner, and more stable.

New functionality brought in the update includes faster camera shutter speed and the addition of multi-shot capability, improvements to SWYPE, and improved audio quality.

The overall update is expected to take 20 to 45 minutes to download, while the installation process should take 5 -10 minutes. Users can manually check for the OTA update, otherwise they will find a notification pushed from the update server when it is available.

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Google and Oracle CEOs ordered to sit in settlement talks

Google chief Larry Page and his Oracle counterpart Larry Ellison​ were ordered on Friday to attend a special settlement meeting previously called for in Oracle's lawsuit over Java use in Android. The September 19 gathering, ordered by Magistrate Judge Paul Grewal, will include other executives but will require the two CEOs at a minimum. It followed after private mediation hit an impasse and the judge in the main case, William Alsup, called for court oversight to help force a resolution.
Although Google protests its innocence, much of the impasse has come over what the company is willing to pay versus what Oracle wants. The database firm has asked for $2.6 billion and as much as six billion, both figures that Google considers too steep. Oracle has been seeking as much as it can and has even called for destroying Android products that allegedly copy the patents, dealing serious damage to hardware partners.

Google has fought Oracle but has been steadily cornered on signs that it was not just using patented Java code that transferred from Sun to Oracle but that its executives knew they might have to license patents if they didn't get a deal from then-owner Sun. Engineers have said they had access to Sun code at the time Android was being established at Google.

If the two firms fail to settle soon, a formal trial is due to start on October 31. A formal case could deal a blow to Google as it not only has to see Larry Page testify but Motorola as well.

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Featured App Of The Day: Gurk, the 8-bit RPG

With all these high-end, octo-core phones being released with some of the most cutting edge and powerful GPU’s capable of advanced 3D graphics — this game wont require any of that. In fact, Gurk, the 8-bit RPG is merely a 100KB download of the most purest, old-school RPG fun.

Alright — I know most of you took one look at those screen shots and immediately ran for the hills. I did too. In fact, I laughed. But don’t let these cheesy 8-bit visuals fool you. Underneath this games pixeled exterior is a surprisingly deep and well thought out RPG. With over 24 dungeon levels, 44 different items and 23 unique monsters — seriously, you’re just going to have to try it for yourself.
After giving the game a chance, I couldn’t believe I was actually having fun with it. It may not look amazingt, but it’s definitely worth a look. You can find Gurk, the 8-bit RPG for free in the Android Market right now.
[Market Link]

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AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy S II Sign-Up Page Now Live

In case you missed it, the sign-up page for the Samsung Galaxy S II is now live on AT&T’s website. Keep in mind this is not the pre-order page but merely the page where you can sign-up and get notified on things… like when the pre-orders begin. It’s like the shirt before the shirt — ahhh forget it.
[Via AT&T]

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CyanogenMod Team Brings Stock Android Experience To Sensation and Evo 3D

If you’ve been praying and wishing that someone, somewhere would magically transform your Sensified HTC Sensation or Evo 3D into some good ‘ol plain, stock vanilla Android, well — your time is coming. Mr. Kmobs informed everyone via Twitter today that the CyanogenMod Team has been making good progress on the CM7 ROM build for the Sensation and Evo 3D and may have an alpha release build as early as tomorrow.

We’ve seen our share of teaser videos from the CM group for weeks now and it’s nice to know we wont have to wait much longer to see how (slightly modified) stock Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread runs on these 2 devices. Oh- and if you’re curious to see how 1080p video is coming along on the Sensation running CM7 check out the video below.

[Via Twitter]

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