Google and Microsoft agree to end patent feud over smartphones and gaming systems
After a multi-year conflict in the courtroom, Google and Microsoft have finally agreed to end their big patent feud. No financial terms were disclosed, though the two companies have agreed to drop roughly 20 lawsuits in the United States and Germany.
The two companies have been in dispute since 2010, when Google’s former Motorola Mobility unit began demanding royalties on Microsoft’s Xbox gaming system. At the same time, Microsoft had sought to prevent Motorola’s mobile phones from using certain features that have been patented by Microsoft.
As GeekWire reports, here is the joint statement released by Google and Microsoft earlier this morning:
Microsoft and Google are pleased to announce an agreement on patent issues. As part of the agreement, the companies will dismiss all pending patent infringement litigation between them, including cases related to Motorola Mobility. Separately, Google and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate on certain patent matters and anticipate working together in other areas in the future to benefit our customers.
Now the two companies have agreed to drop all patent litigations in question, and work together in areas that would more greatly benefit their customers. One way the companies are doing so is by focusing on the newly-formed Alliance for Open Media, of which both Google and Microsoft are members. The alliance, which is setting out to develop a royalty-free video compression technology for the web, includes key players in the tech world like Amazon, Cisco, Intel, Netflix, Google, Microsoft and more.
Skype Translator is rolling out to all desktop users
After a preview offered access to Skype’s live translation tool on the desktop earlier this summer, the feature is rolling out to all users. If you’re in need of a quick refresher, Skype Translator converts video calls in English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish and 50 messaging languages inside the Windows app. The company says that the software leverages machine learning, so it’ll only get better as more people use it. In fact, folks who signed up for the preview have already pitched in there. When the tool arrives, you’ll notice a new translator icon in Skype that’ll let you know it’s ready to go to work.
Source: Skype Blog
Google and Microsoft drop all twenty lawsuits between the two
Google and Microsoft have been fighting over patents for quite some time. As of today, both companies have decided to terminate all twenty lawsuits debating patent filings between the two.
Starting today, Google and Microsoft will be friends again now that neither has to worry about their 5-year long dispute over patents. The argument consisted of everything from smartphones to game consoles with lots between. According to Bloomberg, the two companies have solved their issues and are now looking to partner up for future technologies. The companies agreed to set up what they’re calling a ‘royalty-free video format’ to prevent further disputes between the two.
It’s great to see that lawsuits have calmed down a bit. Both companies have changed to a large degree since 2010 when some of these disputes began. The market has changed a whole lot and each other’s goals today are not necessarily what they had in store back in 2010. Now we just need Apple and Samsung to do the same.
Source: Bloomberg
Come comment on this article: Google and Microsoft drop all twenty lawsuits between the two
‘Splosion Man’ developer Twisted Pixel is leaving Microsoft
Twisted Pixel may have gotten into Microsoft’s good graces (and the company itself) through games like Splosion Man and The Maw, but it didn’t stay there for very long. The developer has revealed that it’s being spun out from Microsoft Studios roughly four years after it joined the fold. The reasons behind the departure aren’t immediately apparent. However, it’s safe to say that Twisted Pixel’s most recent game, LocoCycle, didn’t do it any favors — the Xbox One launch title was so terrible that even the intro movie was hard to bear. Hopefully, the team’s departure from Microsoft leads to bigger and better efforts.
Source: Twisted Pixel
Google and Microsoft end their years-long patent war
And just like that, another one of the tech industry’s epic patent battles is coming to a close. Google and Microsoft have dropped all 20 (!) of the lawsuits they’ve filed against each other, ending their five-year dispute over everything ranging from phones (Microsoft’s main gripe) to Xbox video playback (Google’s gripe, and formerly Motorola’s). The two will now partner both on technology as a whole and on “certain patent matters,” such as building a royalty-free video format that prevents these kinds of legal fights in the first place. The truce is no doubt a relief if you’re tired of seeing endless stores about the lawsuits (guilty!), although it’s not a complete shock if you’ve been following changes in corporate culture.
You see, Microsoft is in a very different place than it was when it first sued Motorola in 2010. Back then, the company under Steve Ballmer was bent on containing Android’s growth wherever possible and giving Windows Phone a shot at recreating Windows’ desktop monopoly. Flash forward to current CEO Satya Nadella and it’s a different story. He’s less interested in operating system dominance (in part because that’s no longer realistic) and more in putting Microsoft’s apps and services in front of as many people as possible, even if that means supporting Android ahead of Windows. We’d add that Google isn’t facing nearly as many threats as it has in the past — there’s less incentive to countersue and push for settlements. In either case, the hot-blooded competition that fueled the lawsuits has long since cooled down.
Source: Bloomberg
Microsoft store slip reveals the Lumia 950 a week early
Microsoft has already done a not-so-stellar job of keeping its upcoming Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones a secret, and it just erased whatever doubt was left. The company’s UK online store briefly listed both of the unannounced Windows 10 flagships, confirming some of the devices’ juiciest specs. As suspected, both Lumias will have Quad HD displays, 20-megapixel cameras and 32GB of expandable storage. The biggest difference is, as you might have gathered, the display sizes: the standard 950 will have a mid-sized 5.2-inch screen, while the XL bumps that up to 5.7 inches. The pricing was conspicuously absent (not surprising given the accidental listings), but there’s a real chance that you’ll get the full scoop on both handsets at Microsoft’s event next week.
Microsoft has already listed the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL on its own UK store http://t.co/CiVOZaCcpj)() pic.twitter.com/5ot989wSCH
— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) September 30, 2015
Source: David Gilbert (Twitter)
Microsoft’s flagship store in NYC opens October 26th
The Big Apple’s very own flagship Microsoft store is opening soon. Today, the Windows maker announced that its massive five-story, 22,269 square foot retail space in the heart of New York City will open October 26th. This new shopping outlet, which has been in development for nearly a year, is located at 677 Fifth Avenue — a few blocks away from Apple’s iconic “Cube” store. In addition to NYC, Microsoft says it’ll also be inaugurating another flagship store in Sydney, Australia, but that won’t be until November 12th. Of course, if you happen to pay a visit to either, you can expect a grand showcase of all-things-Microsoft, including Windows 10 devices, the Xbox One and whole lot more.
Renders of Microsoft’s Fifth Avenue flagship store in NYC (top) and Sydney (bottom).
Source: Microsoft
Dear Veronica: Smart watches and dead devices
Today it’s all about the gadgets: we have questions about Android smartwatches, how to flip the script on your Apple Watch, and what the heck to do with that old Zune you have laying around.
Do you have any use for your old Zune that we forgot to mention? Have creative uses for all your old gadgets and gizmos? Let me know by emailing me or sending me a tweet with the hashtag #DearVeronica! Keep sending those questions in, too. See you next week!
Xbox One update increases party chat to 12 of your friends
Who says big companies never listen? Based on user feedback, Microsoft has increased the number of people in a local Xbox One party chat from the current eight. “Garnering over 2,200 votes on Xbox Feedback, we are expanding party chat to include 12 people,” said Microsoft’s Major Nelson (Larry Hryb). The new feature has rolled out to all Xbox One and Windows 10 Xbox app users, though it’s not something visible, as Hryb said it’s “all server side.” The extra comms will be especially handy during Xbox One FIFA parties when 11 separate players are on the pitch per team.
Though the new feature is available to all, it happened to roll out at the same time as the latest Xbox One preview update. Members will get even more party chat options, namely, the ability to text chat as well as voice chat. Other new features included a streamlined Game DVR experience, new animated avatars (another feature that came from user feedback) and updated quick access menu and new guide settings. The preview update will roll out later today.
Source: Microsoft
Microsoft VR Kit is a more colorful Cardboard for Windows Phones
If Google Cardboard is just a little too cheap looking for your tastes, you’re in luck: Microsoft is making its own foldable VR headset. And it’s purple. The Microsoft VR Kit, as it’s called, was announced as part of Microsoft-hosted virtual reality hackathon happening in Russia next month — developers will presumably use the headset to prototype VR content on Lumia devices.
What’s that? You’re not going to be in Russia next month? Then you’ll have to sit tight — Microsoft hasn’t said anything about the device outside of the hackathon’s event page, but there’s a chance the VR Kit could show up at the company’s Windows 10 event on October 6th. Will it be part of a push to get developers working on hololens content? The prototype for a Windows-based Gear VR competitor? Just a nice freebie for folks who attend? We’ll be there, and we’ll let you know.
Via: USA Today, Windows Central
Source: Microsoft
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