Another Day, Another Lawsuit: HTC Sues Apple Over Patent Infringement http://phandroid.com/?p=61216
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Monday, 15 August 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Zynga's Pioneer Trail is like The Oregon Trail without the typhoid
Zynga has finally released The Pioneer Trail, the long promised sequel to FrontierVille on Facebook. Those familiar with The Oregon Trail will be right at home here but there's no indication as yet that you can die of dysentery. The game abandons many of Zynga's social gaming trademarks; rather than doing anything related to farming, players must instead journey across one of three maps. The creators claim that each one of these maps is five times larger than any of the outfit's previous games. Significantly, you can only play the game with three friends, as each player is awarded specific skills necessary to reach "Fort Courage" at the finish. The company hopes that by forcing four players together it will create "intimate gaming" experiences (translation: you can't give up if you get bored, friends are relying on you). Each map is said to take three weeks of hard pioneerin' to complete and if that still leaves you cold, remember: there's always that history textbook waiting in your app queue.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/14/zyngas-pioneer-trail-is-like-the-oregon-trail-without-the-typho/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
Zynga has finally released The Pioneer Trail, the long promised sequel to FrontierVille on Facebook. Those familiar with The Oregon Trail will be right at home here but there's no indication as yet that you can die of dysentery. The game abandons many of Zynga's social gaming trademarks; rather than doing anything related to farming, players must instead journey across one of three maps. The creators claim that each one of these maps is five times larger than any of the outfit's previous games. Significantly, you can only play the game with three friends, as each player is awarded specific skills necessary to reach "Fort Courage" at the finish. The company hopes that by forcing four players together it will create "intimate gaming" experiences (translation: you can't give up if you get bored, friends are relying on you). Each map is said to take three weeks of hard pioneerin' to complete and if that still leaves you cold, remember: there's always that history textbook waiting in your app queue.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/14/zyngas-pioneer-trail-is-like-the-oregon-trail-without-the-typho/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Soundhound
I recommend you to try SoundHound: http://appaware.org/app/com.melodis.midomiMusicIdentifier.freemium
Friday, 12 August 2011
HTC "Stunning" is a Chinese Incredible S With an NFC Chip
HTC "Stunning" is a Chinese Incredible S With an NFC Chip
Much has been made of a certain “HTC Stunning” that is headed for Chinese shores. It was a phone we’d never heard of, one with an NFC chip thanks to widespread use of the technology over in those parts of the world. Unfortunately, this phone is nothing more than an HTC Incredible S with an NFC chip. Don’t get us wrong – that Incredible S/DROID Incredible is a fine device. It’s just that we were hoping to hear of a new beast from HTC. As for the name, it appears that the word “Incredible” got lost in translation from Chinese to English. In short, nothing to see here folks. [via MobileCrunch]
Source:http://phandroid.com/2011/08/12/htc-stunning-is-a-chinese-incredible-s-with-an-nfc-chip/
Much has been made of a certain “HTC Stunning” that is headed for Chinese shores. It was a phone we’d never heard of, one with an NFC chip thanks to widespread use of the technology over in those parts of the world. Unfortunately, this phone is nothing more than an HTC Incredible S with an NFC chip. Don’t get us wrong – that Incredible S/DROID Incredible is a fine device. It’s just that we were hoping to hear of a new beast from HTC. As for the name, it appears that the word “Incredible” got lost in translation from Chinese to English. In short, nothing to see here folks. [via MobileCrunch]
Source:http://phandroid.com/2011/08/12/htc-stunning-is-a-chinese-incredible-s-with-an-nfc-chip/
HTC Bliss Says Hello to the FCC
HTC Bliss Says Hello to the FCC
The female-centric HTC Bliss for Verizon has made a stop at the FCC following a few leaks. It’s come with Verizon’s CDMA radios inside alongside radios for use around the world. We still don’t know a whole lot about the phone, but we can at least expect this thing right before Q4 rolls around as it has been rumored to launch September 29th. If you don’t remember, the HTC Bliss is supposed to be a stylish phone meant for women. While we aren’t huge fans of gender separation when it comes to technology, Verizon might have a good idea on their hands to attract another demographic to Android. [FCC via Engadget]
Source: http://phandroid.com/2011/08/12/htc-bliss-says-hello-to-the-fcc/
The female-centric HTC Bliss for Verizon has made a stop at the FCC following a few leaks. It’s come with Verizon’s CDMA radios inside alongside radios for use around the world. We still don’t know a whole lot about the phone, but we can at least expect this thing right before Q4 rolls around as it has been rumored to launch September 29th. If you don’t remember, the HTC Bliss is supposed to be a stylish phone meant for women. While we aren’t huge fans of gender separation when it comes to technology, Verizon might have a good idea on their hands to attract another demographic to Android. [FCC via Engadget]
Source: http://phandroid.com/2011/08/12/htc-bliss-says-hello-to-the-fcc/
HTC vigor
HTC Vigor Could Be First Beats by Dre Handset
source: http://phandroid.com/2011/08/12/htc-vigor-could-be-first-beats-by-dre-handset/
HTC sensation cheap
Get the HTC Sensation 4G for $130 at Target Starting August 14
Target will be running a sale on T-Mobile’s HTC Sensation 4G starting this Sunday, August 14th, according to the above shot of an in-store promotional display.The handset will retail for $129.99 on a new two-year contract, a savings of $70 from the phone’s normal $199 price tag. If you have been searching for a dual-core Android handset, you can’t go wrong with the Sensation — it’s basically an EVO 3D minus the glasses-free 3D gimmick. This is a great opportunity to get the handset at a great price.Source: http://phandroid.com/2011/08/12/deal-alert-get-the-htc-sensation-4g-for-130-at-target-starting-august-14/
Entertainment
'House MD' Adds 'Brothers and Sisters' Star as Regular
Odette Yustman, who portrayed Annie in some episodes of the canceled show, will play a new doctor in House's team. "House MD" has recruited an actress to be a new doctor for its eighth season. It has been confirmed that Odette Yustman is added to the cast ensemble as a series regular starting ...
Source: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00042379.html
Source: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00042379.html
Medical Research
Volunteers Needed For Clinical Research Study
Winthrop-University Hospital’s Clinical Trials Center and Michael Radin, MD, from the Division of Endocrinology, are seeking volunteers with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease to participate in a clinical research study. The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of an investigational medication in preventing cardiovascular disease by lowering the blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.
To be eligible for the study, participants must be over 30 years of age and must be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes. Eligible participants will receive study-related investigational medication, medical exams and laboratory tests at no cost to them. Compensation will also be provided for time and travel expenses.
To find out if you qualify or for further information, please call the Winthrop-University Hospital Clinical Trials Center at (516) 663-9582 or e-mail clinicaltrials@winthrop.org.
Google Acquires Facet Technology Mapping
Google’s not the only business that’s been driving around making videos of the streets of the United States. Facet Technology, which lists Bing as one of their technology partners, does something similar and offers navigation and location based services data and software. Back in 2009, Facet Technology and TomTom struck up a deal allowing TomTom to license Facet patented technology. It appears from a January/February 2010 report from topographic science Professor Gordon Petrie for Geoinformatics, that Facet Technology provided street level images for Microsoft in their initial demos for that service in 2006. (The Windows Live Local SUV pictured in that report looks similar to the image below from a Facet Technology patent.)
From the USPTO assignments database, it appears that Google has acquired Facet Technologies interest in the assigment of a number of their patents, which I’ve listed below. The execution data on the assignments is listed as June 21, 2011, and the assignments were recorded with the patent office on August 8, 2010. The USTPO database doesn’t provide any details behind the transaction such as costs or other considerations involved or licensing agreements that Facet Tech might have in place with other companies, or if Google acquired the company, its maps databases or just some of its intellectual property.
The technology may potentially help Google with Google Maps, Google Navigation, Google StreetViews and possibly even its efforts towards self driving cars. In addition, it may help the search engine avoid possible patent infringement lawsuits involving those technologies. It’s also possible that some of the technologies described within the Facet Technologies patents might be useful in helping Google further develop those projects and others.
An article from Twice Mobile from 2009 quotes co-founder James Tetteranth on some of the features that Facet Technologies maps and database provided back then that other mapping services didn’t:
Retterath said Facet maps indicate stop signs, speed limits, traffic lights and 3-D heights of the roads to provide slope data, creating attributes not often found on other maps. He further claimed that his maps are accurate to 7 feet or less, which is more precise than current maps, he stated.
A number of the patents involved are either continuations of earlier filed patents or are divisional patents. The first five patents share an abstract and the same set of images.
Method and apparatus for rapidly determining whether a digitized image frame contains an object of interest
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,449,384
Granted September 10, 2002
Filed: January 29, 2001
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,449,384
Granted September 10, 2002
Filed: January 29, 2001
Method and apparatus for identifying objects depicted in a videostream
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
US Patent 6,266,442
Granted July 24, 2001
Filed: October 23, 1998
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
US Patent 6,266,442
Granted July 24, 2001
Filed: October 23, 1998
Method and apparatus for identifying objects depicted in a videostream
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,625,315
Granted September 23, 2003
Filed: September 16, 2002
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,625,315
Granted September 23, 2003
Filed: September 16, 2002
Method and apparatus for identifying objects depicted in a videostream
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 7,092,548
Granted August 15, 2006
Filed: August 5, 2003
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 7,092,548
Granted August 15, 2006
Filed: August 5, 2003
Method and apparatus for identifying objects depicted in a videostream
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 7,444,003
Granted October 28, 2008
Filed: July 13, 2006
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 7,444,003
Granted October 28, 2008
Filed: July 13, 2006
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus for rapidly analyzing frame(s) of digitized video data which may include objects of interest randomly distributed throughout the video data and wherein said objects are susceptible to detection, classification, and ultimately identification by filtering said video data for certain differentiable characteristics of said objects.The present invention may be practiced on pre-existing sequences of image data or may be integrated into an imaging device for real time, dynamic, object identification, classification, logging/counting, cataloging, retention (with links to stored bitmaps of said object), retrieval, and the like. The present invention readily lends itself to the problem of automatic and semi-automatic cataloging of vast numbers of objects such as traffic control signs and utility poles disposed in myriad settings. When used in conjunction with navigational or positional inputs, such as GPS, an output from the inventive system indicates the identity of each object, calculates object location, classifies each object by type, extracts legible text appearing on a surface of the object (if any), and stores a visual representation of the object in a form dictated by the end user/operator of the system.The output lends itself to examination and extraction of scene detail which cannot practically be successfully accomplished with just human viewers operating video equipment, although human intervention can still be used to help judge and confirm a variety of classifications of certain instances and for types of identified objects.
The next two patents also share an abstract.
Methods and apparatus for automated true object-based image analysis and retrieval
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 7,590,310
Granted September 15, 2009
Filed: May 5, 2005
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 7,590,310
Granted September 15, 2009
Filed: May 5, 2005
Methods and apparatus for automated true object-based image analysis and retrieval
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent Application 20100082597
Published April 1, 2010
Filed: September 14, 2009
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent Application 20100082597
Published April 1, 2010
Filed: September 14, 2009
Abstract
The present invention is an automated and extensible system for the analysis and retrieval of images based on region-of-interest (ROI) analysis of one or more true objects depicted by an image. The system uses a Regions Of Interest (ROI) database that is a relational or analytical database containing searchable vectors that represent the images stored in a repository. Entries in the ROI database are created by an image locator and ROI classifier that work in tandem to locate images within the repository and extract the relevant information that will be stored in the ROI database.Unlike existing region-of-interest search systems, the ROI classifier analyzes objects in an image to arrive at the actual features of the true object, instead of merely describing the features of the image of that object. Graphical searches are performed by the collaborative workings of an image retrieval module, an image search requestor and an ROI query module. The image search requestor is an abstraction layer that translates user or agent search requests into the language understood by the ROI query.
System for automatically generating database of objects of interest by analysis of images recorded by moving vehicle
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,363,161
Granted March 26, 2002
Filed: June 18, 2001
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,363,161
Granted March 26, 2002
Filed: June 18, 2001
Abstract
A system for automatically generating a database of images and positions of objects of interest identified from video images depicting roadside scenes that are recorded from a vehicle navigating a road and having a system that stores location metrics for the video images.
Method and apparatus for generating a database of road sign images and positions
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,453,056
Granted September 17, 2002
Filed: March 20, 2001
Invented by Robert Anthony Laumeyer and James Eugene Retterath
Assigned to Facet Technology Corp
US Patent 6,453,056
Granted September 17, 2002
Filed: March 20, 2001
Google Announces Games In Google+
It was only a matter of time before Google started rolling out everyone’s favorite pastime on Facebook: Games. Games in Google are gradually rolled out to all users. Those who have access to them see a new icon next to their stream buttons at the very top of the Google+ website. Those who do not see that button yet need to be patient as it will surely be available in the coming days.
How similar, or fundamentally different, are games on Google+ to games on Facebook? Google promises better controls, both in the playing experience and in the sharing experience.
British police use facial-recognition technology to find riot suspects
LONDON -- Facial-recognition technology being considered for London's 2012 Olympic Games is getting a workout in the wake of Britain's riots, a senior police chief told the Associated Press on Thursday, with officers feeding photographs of suspects through Scotland Yard's newly updated program.
Chief Constable Andy Trotter, who is helping London police in the wake of the riots, said the department's sophisticated software was being used to help find those suspected of being involved in the unrest.
But he cautioned that facial recognition makes up only a fraction of the police force's efforts, saying tips have mostly come from traditional sources, such as still images from cameras, photos gathered by officers, footage shot by police helicopters or images snapped by members of the public.
"There's a mass of evidence out there," Trotter said in a telephone interview. "The public are so enraged that people who wouldn't normally come forward are helping us."
The facial-recognition technology used by police treats the human face like a grid, measuring the distance between a person's nose, eyes, lips and other features.
A news officer with Scotland Yard -- who also spoke anonymously, in line with force policy -- said that generally, the technology would be used only to help identify those suspected of serious crimes, such as assault.
The police also have released two dozen photos and videos to the picture-sharing Web site Flickr, where they have already gathered more than 400,000 hits.
HTC and Beats Electronics Partnership
HTC has scheduled a major announcement for roughly one hour from now where it's expected that CEO Peter Chou will detail the company's new partnership with Beats Electronics. The deal will see HTC begin to offer exclusive smart phones integrated with Beats sound innovations, some arriving as early as this fall. AllThingsD reports that HTC has invested $300 million in Beats and now has a majority share in the company.
"With the magic of mobile devices, it is easier than ever to discover and buy new music. However, without great sound experience it is a shame." - Peter Chou to AllThingsD
The official Beats by Dr. Dre tumblr adds that the deal with with HTC is but the next phase in the grand vision and that they are proud to help place the "utmost importance on giving smart phone fans the opportunity to hear the highest-quality of sound possible."
Look for HTC to begin touting the Beats technology as a way of differentiating from the competition.
Source : Android Guys
First Snapshot Of Ice Cream Sandwich
Today is the day that you and I have been waiting for since we heard whispers of Ice Cream Sandwich, the next amazing version of Android. The guys over at RootzWiki got some screenshots and details about ICS, and I know you're eager to hear this, so let's get right into it!
As you can see from the photo above, Google has implemented quite a bit of blue into ICS, and it actually looks really well thought out. There's also an awesome new launcher, as seen below, and the notifications system has been totally revamped. Also worth noting is the fact that Google apparently hasn't decided on a version number, as we can see that it just says "IceCreamSandwich" under the Android Version heading. The really important details are as follows:- GMail will be themed to match the blue hints that we see
- Google Search bar has been embedded in the top of the launcher, just like in Honeycomb
- Will be made available to the Nexus S, after the Nexus Prime gets it
- The Camera has a panorama mode
- Several UI changes and enhancements
Not much else is known at the moment, but RootzWiki's source claims that this is a very early build, so don't expect to see it on your device any time soon. They're also saying that older Android devices (mainly those that were released in the last year) should be able to run ICS once it's finished.So, who else is even more excited about Ice Cream Sandwich now that we've seen some leaked shots? Drop a comment below!
Android Ice Cream Sandwich UI
Leaked Ice Cream Sandwich UI Got You Down? Check Out MIUI’s Lockscreens! [Video]
| by Chris Chavez on August 11th, 2011 at 8:37 pm |
If the recently leaked pics of Google’s next iteration of Android 2.4/4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich didn’t quite “wow” you the way you thought it would, I figured I’d ad a little sunshine to your day by showing you a UI that might. It’s called MIUI and recently the ROM has been updated to now allow for completely themeable lockscreens complete with moving parts and backgrounds. Exactly what some developers have been coming up with is nothing short of stunning and it’s a testament to the versatility of MIUI. Just take a look at this video and watch the beauty and splendor of MIUI’s theme engine. (Protip: Turn your speakers UP)
As seen towards the end of the video is h_zee13′s Colors theme which has a distinctly wonderful “Google feel” to it. Honestly, I have to admit, seeing those leaked images of Ice Cream Sandwich was a bit of a let down. But here’s some food for thought, if Ice Cream Sandwich adds an open and versatile themeing engine (similar to what we see on CM7 and MIUI) just think of all the wonderful things the Android community can think up. Wouldn’t matter if Ice Cream Sandwich looked like MS DOS. And that friends, is the true power of Android — its awesome developer community.
Reliance tabs
Reliance 3G Tab now on sale online
If you are too lazy to go to a Reliance store or your nearest store does not have the stock of recently launched Reliance 3G Tab – You can now order it online from Letsbuy for INR 12,999 now.
If you are too lazy to go to a Reliance store or your nearest store does not have the stock of recently launched Reliance 3G Tab – You can now order it online from Letsbuy for INR 12,999 now.After buying the tablet, Reliance with contact you regarding the data plan details and other formalities regarding the activation of device.
Reliance is currently offering various discounted data plans as well as offers with the tablet.
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