Samsung proposes appeal in patent battle with Apple
Another day another patent battle. When this happens, Apple and Samsung are the first two that come to mind. Both company’s are known to have gone back and forth in the courts many times over the recent years. And those times aren’t near being over.
According to a new report on a modern case, Samsung isn’t willing to give up easily. Following the long dispute over one of Apple’s design patents, Samsung has decided to take the case to the courts.
On August 19, Samsung filed a report explaining it wants the US Supreme Court to hear its appeal. Samsung wants a decision by the summer of 2016 and is strongly encouraging a review. Recently, the company was able to have a $1 billion verdict reduced to only $548 million. And if the new court ruling favors Samsung, the company could potentially have its fine dropped an additional $400 million. Many companies are backing Samsung in this battle, but who knows, the court may not even agree to take the case. Only time will tell.
Source: MercuryNews
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Square Enix’s ‘Final Fantasy VII’ Now Available for iOS
Square Enix today released a long-awaited port of Final Fantasy VII for iOS devices. Originally released in 1997, Final Fantasy VII was the first game in the Final Fantasy series created for PlayStation and it continues to be one of the most popular Final Fantasy games.
At E3, Square Enix promised to launch Final Fantasy VII before the end of the summer in 2015, so with tonight’s release, the company is living up to its word. Square Enix has previously made the first six Final Fantasy games available on iOS devices, but Final Fantasy VII for iOS marks the first Final Fantasy port from a PlayStation game.
According to Square Enix, the iOS version of Final Fantasy VII is a port of the PC version, with no changes or additions to the storyline.
With its unshakeable monopoly over Mako energy production, the evil Shinra Electric Power Company holds tight to the reigns of wold power. One day, a Mako reactor serving the sprawling metropolis of Midgar is attacked and destroyed in a bombing raid by a revolutionary group calling themselves Avalanche. Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra’s elite “Soldier” unit takes part in the raid as a mercenary hired by Avalanche and sets events in motion that will draw him and his friends into an epic struggle for the fate of the planet itself…
The iOS port of the game includes a virtual on-screen controller that’s “designed not to obscure the action.” It offers virtual analog or fixed 4-way digital control pad options and the opacity of the on-screen controls is adjustable. Also new to the iOS version of the game is an option to turn off enemy encounters in area maps and a Max Stats command to “become all-powerful in the blink of an eye.”
It’s taken several years for Square Enix to bring Final Fantasy VII to the iOS App Store, largely due to space constraints. In 2013, Square Enix producer Takashi Tokita said that a release of Final Fantasy VII was years away because of space limitations. “It’s that currently, space will be an issue,” he said. “Phones won’t be able to contain the space it takes. It’s over a gigabyte. People are probably going to have to wait for a few years.”
In February of 2015, Apple expanded the size limitation on apps from 2GB to 4GB, paving the way for apps like Final Fantasy VII. According to the App Store description of the game, it takes 1.66GB of storage space, but requires more than 4GB of free space to download.
Final Fantasy VII is compatible with the iPhone 5s or later, the third-generation iPad or later, and the iPad mini 2 or later, with Square Enix warning that the game may not perform well on earlier devices. iOS 8 or later is also required.
Final Fantasy VII can be downloaded from the App Store for $15.99. [Direct Link]
Google Photos update 1.3: reorder albums, trim videos, sign in as Google+ page and more
Google Photos has proven to be a great way to keep your images organized and backed up, but there is always room for improvement. The Search Giant has just introduced a significant upgrade to its Photos app. There’s a few upgrades in tow, so let’s give you all the juicy details. This update takes Google Photos to version 1.3 and includes the following alterations.
What’s New:
- Google Photos can recognize collages/animations that Google Camera create
- You are now able to login to Google Photos as a Plus Page
- You can reorder content in albums
- You can now trim videos to be included in movies
- You can see a new timeline user interface for Movie editing
Likely the biggest feature for regular users is the ability to reorder content within a folder, as well as trimming videos. Those who run Google+ pages (businesses, organizations, clubs, etc.) will also love the idea of being able to keep your photos in a separate account.
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This is a pretty good update, as well as a significant one. It’s not every day we get to see large improvements come to Google apps, so enjoy this one. Remember apps don’t roll out all at once, so you may not see the update live just yet. Don’t worry, though, it will come in due time. Just keep it tuned to the Google Play Store.
Third-person MOBA ‘Smite’ finally exits beta, launches on Xbox One
If you couldn’t get into the beta for Hi-Rez Studios’ Xbox One port of Smite, today’s your lucky day: you never will. Today, the free-to-play third-person MOBA finally left beta for a full launch on Xbox Live. The game was originally slated for an early 2015 launch, but hit delays that extended the beta to summer. Waiting for a launch is always a drag, but at least we got some cool stats out of it — according to Hi-Rez studios, players defeated more than 300,000 Gods (other players) and killed more than 3 million NPC minions during the beta. Yeesh. Want to join in on the number-crunching slaughter? Head over to Xbox Live — the game is free.
Tags: hi-rez-studios, hirez, hirezstudios, smite, xbox, xboxone
More reasons for Project Ara delay emerge, electrpermanent magnets failed drop test
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The Project Ara delay has been a focal point of news this week, with the highly anticipated modular smartphone project being delayed till 2016 due to various reasons. While one of the reasons was described as having too many iterations to consider, yet another reason has emerged as a reason to delay the project – the phone isn’t able to stay together during a drop test. The idea that a smartphone can’t stay together after being dropped is becoming a rarity these days with more and more devices adopting non-removable batteries, but it’s quite another thing for all the internals of the device to scatter after a fall, which is what would happen in the case of a Project Ara device.
We are testing a signature experience to attach/detach modules. #ProjectAra #HopeYouLikeIt
— Project Ara (@ProjectAra) August 19, 2015
From Project Ara’s tweets, it appears that “electropermanent magnets” were initially used, but presumably aren’t as permanent as their name suggests. To remedy this, Project Ara says they will be using a “signature experience”, which presumably loosely translates as something unique to Project Ara will be developed as a securing technology. Whatever it is, we’ll have to wait till 2016 at least to see it, but even so, we can’t wait.
What do you think about the Project Ara delay? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Twitter (1), (2) via The Verge
The post More reasons for Project Ara delay emerge, electrpermanent magnets failed drop test appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 display is the best in any smartphone
We can complain about many Samsung shortcomings, but there is one thing the Korean manufacturer will never fail at. Their displays are stunning, and they keep getting better every single time (twice a year, to be exact)! In fact, multiple DisplayMate studies show Samsung has been offering the top screens in the market for quite some time. The Note 4 had the best smartphone panel last year, and the Galaxy S6 took that title more recently. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S series touted the best tablet displays for a while. What’s next?
You guessed it. It’s time for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 to triumph, and they have taken the DisplayMate title for the best smartphone screen around. And these are no simple tests; DisplayMate makes complex studies and uses advanced tools to measure screen brightness, accuracy, color gamut and many other factors. These guys go all out.
“Based on our extensive Lab tests and measurements listed below, the Galaxy Note 5 is the Best performing Smartphone display that we have ever tested. It takes over from the Galaxy Note 4, which was the previous record holder for mobile display performance.” – DisplayMate
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 still sports a QHD (2560x1440p) Super AMOLED display measuring 5.7 inches, which sounds identical to the Galaxy Note 4. The truth is these displays are quite different, though. DisplayMate’s analysis proves the newer phone increases screen performance heavily when compared to the predecessors.
For starters, peak brightness has been significantly improved, making it easier to read outdoors (in direct sunlight). And though the screen is brighter, it actually uses less power than the one in the Note 4, as energy optimizations are outstanding. To make matters even more interesting, the Galaxy Note 5 panel broke records in color accuracy, making this the best smartphone screen DisplayMate has ever tested. Now, that is definitely saying something!
Does this mean the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ is also a winner? Pretty much. DisplayMate doesn’t go too much into detail on the edged handset, but they do mention performance is nearly identical. The only main difference is the fact that it uses a flexible panel, which is what allows the screen to bend on each side.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
With multiple wins in a row, we say it’s time for the competition to really improve its game. Meanwhile, Samsung keeps dominating the display game (and sales). I will have to say I have seen no better screens coming from other manufacturers in a while. I am not exactly a Samsung fan, but I must accept they know how to make a gorgeous display.
What do you guys think? Will Samsung continue making the best displays in the market, or is it time for someone else to step in?
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 videos
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Danish police arrest two for running Popcorn Time guide sites
Danish law enforcement officers have reportedly arrested a pair of men for running two websites tangentially related to Popcorn Time, an outlaw site billed as the “Netflix for Torrenting.” Not only that, the police have also shut down both Popcorntime.dk and Popcorn-time.dk, and seized the domains. Each man faces a maximum jail term of six years for his involvement.
While arrests for running copyright infringing websites aren’t that uncommon, this case is notable as neither site actually hosted any infringing content, links to the software and neither man was involved in Popcorn Time’s development. The sites were, in fact, simply resource guides providing readers with news and FAQs about Popcorn Time.
“The case is important because, firstly, it shows that [site operators] can be revealed by the police. This has consequences and it also conveys the message that this behavior is illegal,” Danish police Fraud Squad Inspector Michael Hellensberg said in a statement. “Thus there is hopefully a deterrent effect against feeling confident that you can sit wherever you want and try to implement such things.” Apparently in Denmark, even talking about illegally-accessed content is enough to get you thrown into shackles.
Filed under:
Internet
Source:
TorrentFreak
Tags: content, Courts of Denmark, denmark, District court, FAQ, netflix, Netflix Inc, Police of Denmark, Popcorn Time, popcorntime, software, torrenting, torrents
Sony wants your help testing PlayStation 4’s next update
In a rare instance of following Microsoft’s lead this generation, Sony is opening up a beta program for its game console firmware updates. If you want to help test the next patch all you need to do is fill out an application, own a PlayStation 4 and wait. A post on the PlayStation Blog notes that the beta starts early next month and further details about what it includes will hit by then. Here’s to hoping that unlike the Xbox Dashboard Preview Program this won’t require near-constant updates every time you turn your console on. Now, if only Sony would take another cue from Redmond and actually lock down some exclusive games…
Filed under:
Home Entertainment, Laptops, HD, Sony
Source:
PlayStation Blog
Tags: beta, firmware, gaming, hd, hdpostcross, playstation, playstation4, ps4, sony, update, xbox, XboxDashboard
‘Hearthstone’s’ tournament-themed expansion lands August 24th
If you’re aching for more variety in your Hearthstone cards, you don’t have too much longer to wait. Blizzard has revealed that the game’s latest expansion, The Grand Tournament, will arrive on August 24th for both desktop and mobile players. As mentioned earlier, how much it costs depends on both your in-game experience and how many of those 132 new, championship-themed cards you’re determined to own. You can buy packs using 100 gold if you’re willing to grind through enough matches, while you can spend between $3 to $50 to get two to 40 packs all at once. Just remember to act quickly if you want the pre-purchase set, which offers 50 packs for $50 — that disappears the moment The Grand Tournament is available.
Via:
Talk Android
Source:
Battle.net
Tags: activision, Activision-Blizzard, android, Blizzard, expansion, gaming, hearthstone, ios, mac, TheGrandTournament, video, windows
BlackBerry ‘Venice’ allegedly coming to the Big Four U.S. carriers in November
BlackBerry’s upcoming Android-powered phone, codename Venice, is starting to unofficial make appearances on a frequent basis. Alleged images of the device, including a new one showing the curved display and physical keyboard (seen above), have been appearing online since early July. Between Tuesday night and today, Evan Blass has shared an abundance of information regarding BlackBerry’s product that is tasked with turning around the company’s misfortunes.
Customers of the four largest carriers in the United States will be happy to know that Venice is expected to available this November from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Rather than partnering with a single carrier to keep the device exclusive, BlackBerry would be going for mass availability by allowing the major carriers to sell Venice.
Blass also shared what looks to be a promotional image highlighting select software features from Venice. BlackBerry will include Content Transfer, a method to bring files from one device to Venice. Based on the description, Content Transfer will move values with Google Drive. BlackBerry Hub will be the place for users to see messages, emails, and notifications from apps and services to be housed in a single place. And, along with Chromecast support, Venice will ship with at least Android 5.0 Lollipop.
And here are two promotional teasers that Blass obtained:
Eye candy. pic.twitter.com/GtJwOfOus8
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 19, 2015
.@halfnibble More of an “Android Maya job,” innit? pic.twitter.com/4Fhll0Bfv0
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 19, 2015
Is anyone else getting excited to see what BlackBerry is going to do with Android?
Source: Evan Blass (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: BlackBerry ‘Venice’ allegedly coming to the Big Four U.S. carriers in November
AIVAnet 