Immersion sues Apple for infringing on haptic feedback patents
Apple’s the star in the latest chapter of Immersion’s court drama. The California haptic feedback developer known for going to court to guard its technologies has filed a lawsuit against Apple and AT&T. It says the haptic feedback systems of the Apple iPhone 6/6Plus, iPhone 6/6s Plus and Watch/Watch Sport/Watch Edition infringe upon two of its patents. Those are no. 8,619,051, which is named “Haptic Feedback System with Stored Effects,” and “Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations” that’s filed under no. 8,773,356. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus allegedly infringe upon a third patent, as well: no. 8,659,571 named “Interactivity Model for Shared Feedback on Mobile Devices.”
As Apple Insider notes, Apple’s devices have always had haptic feedback systems. However, it upgraded its newer devices’, introduced the “Taptic Engine” to its smartwatches and latest iPhones and gave them their 3D Touch/Force Touch features.
Immersion’s CEO Victor Viegas says:
While we are pleased to see others in the industry recognize the value of haptics and adopt it in their products, it is important for us to protect our business against infringement of our intellectual property in order to preserve the ecosystem we have built and the investments that we have made in continuing to advance haptic experiences. We will vigorously defend the intellectual property we have developed when it is infringed.
Besides the lawsuit in which it’s seeking damages, Immersion has also filed a complaint with the ITC “seeking an exclusion order preventing the importation, sale for importation, and sale after importation of infringing Apple devices into the United States by the defendants…” In other words, it’s requesting a sales injunction.
Back in 2008, Immersion had a better relationship with Cupertino, and it was even rumored that it would provide haptic tech for the iPhone. Apple isn’t the only tech giant that had been sued by Immersion — it also fought court battles against Microsoft in 2007 and against Motorola/Google in 2012.
[Image credit: Will Lipman]
Via: Apple Insider
Source: Immersion
12-Inch Retina MacBooks Discounted $300 for Limited Time
B&H Photo has begun offering a significant $300-$350 discount on 12-inch MacBook models for a limited time. The deal is applicable to both 256 GB and 512 GB models in all three color options, making this the cheapest price we’ve seen for the 512 GB models. The deal expires on February 15, 2016.
– 1.1 GHz 256 GB MacBook, regularly $1,299 – discounted to $999.
– 1.3 GHz 256 GB (Silver or Grey) MacBook, regularly $1,549 – discounted to $1,199.
– 1.3 GHz 256 GB Gold MacBook, regularly $1,549 – discounted to $1,249.
– 1.2 GHz 512 GB MacBook, regularly $1,599 – discounted to $1,299.
– 1.3 GHz 512 GB MacBook, regularly $1,749 – discounted to $1,449.
The 12-inch MacBook is Apple’s newest entry into its laptop line. As the MacBook approaches the end of its cycle it’s likely it’ll see a refresh soon, making additional deals from sellers possible over the course of the next couple of months. Additional deals for the MacBooks and other Apple devices are available in the MacRumors Deals Guide.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner of B&H Photo
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Apple Facing Class Action Lawsuit Over ‘Error 53’ iPhone 6 Bricking
Seattle-based law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA) today followed through with plans to bring a class action lawsuit against Apple over the “Error 53” controversy that made headlines last week.
“Error 53” is the error code that some iPhone 6 owners have received after third-party repairs that affect Touch ID were made to their iPhones, rendering the devices unusable. As explained by iFixit, repairs made by third-party services using non-original components cause the iPhone to fail a Touch ID validation check because the mismatched parts are unable to properly sync. Parts that can impact Touch ID include the screen, flex cable, and Home button.
When this Touch ID validation check fails during an iOS update or restore, Apple disables the iPhone, effectively “bricking” it in an effort to protect Touch ID and the related Secure Enclave that stores customer fingerprint information. Apple says that without the validation check, a malicious Touch ID sensor could be used to gain access to the Secure Enclave.
PCVA attorney Darrell Cochran, who is leading the Error 53 lawsuit, claims that Apple’s security argument is invalid because affected iPhones often work fine for several months following repairs as the validation check only occurs when downloading a new version of iOS. He also cites Apple’s failure to give a warning about the consequence of an update as an issue that will be featured in the lawsuit.
“No materials we’ve seen from Apple ever show a disclosure that your phone would self-destruct if you download new software onto a phone,” Cochran said. “If Apple wants to kill your phone under any set of circumstances and for any reason, it has to make it crystal clear to its customers before the damage is done.”
Compounding the problem, according to Cochran, is how disagreeable Apple’s reaction to the problem has been. “The error code 53 signals the death of the phone, and Apple’s response has been to say ‘you have no options; it’s not covered under warranty, and you have to buy a new phone.’”
PCVA is aiming to get affected iPhone customers new, working devices to “provide immediate relief” to consumers. It is also seeking upwards of $5 million in damages and an update to eliminate the repair restrictions. PCVA is asking customers who have been impacted by Error 53 to get in touch.
Aside from explaining the reasoning behind the Error 53 message and its consequences, Apple has remained quiet about the controversy. MacRumors has, however, heard from a retail source that certain Apple Stores have received the go ahead from Apple to replace third-party screens and other components to resolve the issue. It is not yet clear if this replacement policy will be extended to all Apple Stores or if Apple will make an official comment on the situation.
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Haptic Feedback Company Immersion Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Apple
Immersion, a company that develops and licenses haptic touch feedback technology, today filed a lawsuit against Apple and AT&T accusing the two companies of patent infringement. Citing technologies like 3D Touch, Force Touch, the Apple Watch Taptic Engine, and vibration patterns for ringtones and notifications, Immersion says multiple Apple devices use its intellectual property.
According to Immersion, the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition infringe on several Immersion patents that cover haptic feedback systems. Immersion says all of the above listed devices infringe on two patents related to tactile sensations:
– U.S. Patent No. 8,619,051: “Haptic Feedback System with Stored Effects”
– U.S. Patent No. 8,773,356: “Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations”
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are further accused of infringing on an additional patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,659,571, titled “Interactivity Model for Shared Feedback on Mobile Devices.”
“Immersion and its employees have worked diligently for over 20 years to invent solutions and build an ecosystem of content and playback devices that enable realistic and rich digital experiences. Touch matters, as it informs, excites and humanizes the digital world we interact with every day. Many of our licensed customers are market leaders that benefit from our innovation in touch technology,” said Immersion’s CEO Victor Viegas.
“While we are pleased to see others in the industry recognize the value of haptics and adopt it in their products, it is important for us to protect our business against infringement of our intellectual property in order to preserve the ecosystem we have built and the investments that we have made in continuing to advance haptic experiences,” added Viegas. “We will vigorously defend the intellectual property we have developed when it is infringed.”
While Apple is named in the lawsuit because it produces the devices that allegedly infringe on Immersion patents, it is less clear while AT&T is named. In the filing, Immersion claims AT&T sells Apple products and offers guides, directions, and other materials that “encourage and facilitate infringing use by others,” but other mobile carriers are not mentioned or included in the lawsuit.
Along with the patent infringement suit, Immersion has also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, seeking an exclusion order that prevents the sale of the accused Apple devices in the United States.
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Apple’s TestFlight App Gains Support for iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2
Apple today updated its TestFlight iOS app to include support for watchOS 2.2 and iOS 9.3, two upcoming software updates that are currently being beta tested by developers and public beta testers.
Today’s update also includes stability and performance improvements for the TestFlight app.
What’s New
Includes support for watchOS 2.2 and iOS 9.3, as well as minor stability and performance improvements.
Both iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2 are expected to see a public release in the spring, perhaps at a rumored March 15 event that Apple is said to be planning.
For those unfamiliar with TestFlight, it’s Apple’s iOS beta testing platform, designed to let developers recruit beta testers for their apps to work out bugs ahead of releasing apps to the public. Apple acquired TestFlight from Burstly in February of 2014 and relaunched the service alongside iOS 8 as an iOS-integrated testing platform.
TestFlight can be downloaded for free from the App Store. [Direct Link]
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CBS exec: no recent talks with Apple about a TV service
Since Apple itself doesn’t have much to say about its long-rumored TV service, we’re forced to look for signals elsewhere. In comments revealed just before CBS announced its earnings today, exec Les Moonves once again filled in the gap. Following previous comments that he believes the service is on hold, Moonves told CNN Money that “we haven’t had recent conversations with them.” That could mean any potential debut is even further off than we thought, although it doesn’t seem to be hurting CBS any. CBS reported (PDF) its highest ever revenue for the fourth quarter, while claiming revenue from retransmission agreements is over $1 billion now, and will be at $2 billion by 2020. According to the exec, “something like 40 percent” of revenue his company is getting, didn’t exist five years ago.
Its recent broadcast of the Super Bowl was the third highest rated program ever, and notched 3.96 million viewers online. The report didn’t reveal any numbers for its streaming Showtime, CBSN or CBS All Access services, but said it’s attracting younger viewers, and that the company may release more original content like its already-announced new Star Trek series. The earning call is currently in progress, if any other details are mentioned then we’ll update this post.
Moonves: “We are now looking at the possibility of utilizing @CBSTVStudios to create additional exclusive programming for All Access” $CBS
— Dana McClintock (@Dana_McClintock) February 11, 2016
Source: CNN Money
How to Create an ‘Unread’ Folder in the iOS Mail App
In iOS 7, Apple introduced the option to add an “Unread” mailbox to the iOS Mail app, giving users a place to aggregate all incoming email for quick access. The feature was never widely publicized, and as a result, many iOS users today are unaware that it exists.
Adding an “Unread” mailbox takes just a few taps, but it’s highly useful, especially when you’ve got a lot of incoming emails. We’ve created a video that shows how to enable the Unread mailbox on your iPhone or iPad, and below that, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on the process.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Steps to enable the “Unread” Mailbox:
- Open the Mail app.
- Tap “Edit” in the upper right corner.
- Scroll down beyond the currently enabled mailboxes, and check the “Unread” box.
- Use the hamburger button to move the Unread box to a spot that’s most convenient for your usage habits.
- Tap “Done.”
Each incoming email will be filtered into the “Unread” mailbox as its received, and when read, the email will be removed from the box so you can always keep tabs on what hasn’t been read. You can also filter emails by other parameters using specialized boxes found in the Mail app, including total emails received in a day, emails with attachments, flagged emails, and more.
For more quick tips on hidden iOS features, make sure to check out and subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel.
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Late Night ‘Motor Noises’ Heard From Apple-Leased Sunnyvale Campus
Loud “motor”-sounding noises are being heard at a Sunnyvale campus where Apple leases at least one building, reports AppleInsider, speculating that the sounds could be coming from a secret car testing facility. Apple occupies a single building in a 7-building campus at North Wolfe Road and Central Expressway in Sunnyvale, which it leased in 2014.
AppleInsider has previously suggested that in addition to its known offices at the location, where it conducts research and development, Apple is also operating under a shell company known as SixtyEight Research. SixtyEight Research is a mysterious “market research” operation that also leases one of the buildings on the campus, and given the lack of information available about the company, it could potentially be a front for the site where Apple works on its Apple Car.
Campus where Apple leases a building, via San Jose Mercury News
In recent months, a resident who lives near the 7-building campus has complained to the city of Sunnyvale about “motor” noises emanating from the area late at night. Major renovations undertaken by Apple have been underway at the site since last year, so it is unclear if the resident was simply hearing ongoing construction sounds.
“(Do) there have to (be) motor noises at 11:00 p.m. at night like last night?” the resident wrote to the city of Sunnyvale. “Even with the windows closed I could still hear it.”
There continues to be no confirmed link between Apple and SixtyEight Research, or clear evidence that Apple is using the facility for its Apple Car development, but Apple has plans to build a 10-foot security fence around the area to hide its activity.
The rumored car being developed by Apple under the name “Project Titan” is still in the early stages, but Apple is said to have hundreds of employees working on the project. Over the past few months, Apple has hired dozens of new employees with expertise in the auto industry, poaching them from companies like Ford, Tesla, GM, and more.
Recently, “Project Titan” lead Steve Zadesky announced plans to leave the company, and Apple is said to have implemented a temporary hiring freeze ahead of his planned departure. Apple executives are also said to be unhappy with the progress being made on the Apple Car, so its future could be in question. Rumors have suggested Apple is aiming to have the final design of its car established by 2019 or 2020.
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iPhone 7 A10 chip to be made exclusively by TSMC, Samsung semiconductor in trouble
Samsung semiconductor just can’t catch a break right now. With global semiconductor sales peaking in 2015 and a weak forecast for 2016, the holy grail of chip contracts in 2016 was always going to be the A10 for the iPhone 7. Samsung was, understandably, going after it in earnest, but a new report out of South Korea claims Samsung rival TSMC has been awarded the exclusive rights to produce the A10 for the iPhone 7, sending Samsung into a “state of emergency”.
See also: Salvaging Samsung: Can the world’s largest OEM ever recover?
While Samsung and TSMC have previously shared the load of chip production for the iPhone, TSMC reportedly won the exclusive contract due to its more advanced 10 nm process compared to Samsung’s 14 nm process. Full-scale production is scheduled to begin in June. Samsung was left reeling back in 2014 when TSMC got the exclusive rights to the A8 chip-production for the iPhone 6, but successfully managed to split the chip supply contract with TSMC for the 6s and 6s Plus.
Losing half of the contract to TSMC is going to mean very bad things for Samsung’s System LSI division. While this news is only being reported in South Korea today, Samsung’s semiconductor division apparently knew about the contract being awarded solely to TSMC back in the latter half of last year and is perhaps why Samsung was forecasting a tough year ahead for semiconductor sales. This is perhaps also why Samsung has been aggressively courting Qualcomm over the contract to produce the Snapdragon 820.
SAMSUNG VS IPHONE IN 2015:
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Samsung’s 14 nm process might be enough to win additional business producing the latest Qualcomm chip, but the company already has a plan to get back on top in 2017. Samsung is reportedly working on a new 7 nm process to win the contract back from TSMC for the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus. But this year doesn’t look good, with officials claiming it will be difficult for Samsung’s System LSI to be profitable in 2016.
See also: Flashbacks and Forecasts: Samsung in 2016
Considering the performance differences uncovered between the different iPhone 6s models last year, Apple’s choice seems a wise one for the iPhone 7. Not only is the TSMC process more advanced, iPhone 6s models that used the TSMC A9 were found to run cooler and offer better battery savings – however marginal – than their Samsung twins. It may have been the first time iPhone users actually cared about the specs of the latest iPhone.
Do you think Samsung will get the A11 contract next year? What do you think this means for Samsung’s overall profitability?
Music Video Service Vevo Launches New Apple TV App
Vevo today announced that it has brought its popular music video streaming service to the new Apple TV in a tailor-made native tvOS experience. Available to download right now, Vevo says that the app will act as “an extension of the company’s product-driven strategy to deliver the best cross-platform music video and entertainment experience.”
“Artists and audiences deserve great music video experiences, whether on mobile devices or connected TVs,” said Erik Huggers, CEO, Vevo. “The launch of our new Apple TV app represents an important milestone for Vevo. We continue to invest in what we believe is the premium platform for music videos and related original content.”
Customized for the living room setting of the Apple TV, Vevo’s app will let users seamlessly sync their music video favorites and playlists between the company’s other applications, browse current trending videos, and specify searches through the service’s back catalogue of genres and artists. The Spotlight section will let Vevo users stream a personally curated selection of videos on autoplay as a method of discovery for potentially finding new favorite songs.
Those interested can download the new Vevo Apple TV app on the tvOS app store beginning today. The company also has an app for iOS devices. [Direct Link]
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