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Author: Team TD

  • Apple reportedly paid $21M to use Swiss Railway clock design

    In the wake of all patent infringement cases it’s impossible to keep track. Even more so if it involves Apple. One such case was regarding the new clock app in the iOS 6 update for iPads. This new app had a clock that closely resembles a famous Swiss Railway clock design. Back then we heard that Apple and SBB have come to a licensing agreement that will allow Apple to continue to use the Swiss Railway clock design and SBB will ignore it from there on.

    It was never revealed what the terms of agreement were and how much was Apple going to pay SBB, if they were going to pay at all. Today the amount is unveiled. Apple has reportedly agreed to pay a lump sum of $21 million to SBB for rights to use the clock design on iOS 6 on the iPad.

    $21 million sounds a lot for a simple clock design, especially when Apple could have just changed the design. But in the spirits of the overall aesthetics of the clock app Apple might have deemed the $21 million necessary. Not every day you see such sums being paid out for minor designs. But then again, you rarely ever see two companies reaching agreement amicably.

  • iPhone 5 suffering from quick scrolling issue

    Apple may be all set to sell a record number of iPhone 5 but it doesn’t change the fact that the launch has been far from ideal. Initially right after release reports started coming in about iPhone 5 that were either too easy to scratch or were scratched out of the box. Then there was the camera issue and no one can forget the Apple Maps. Now if that wasn’t enough another issue has popped up. This quick scrolling issue is now reported confirmed.

    What is this quick scrolling issue? Rapidly swipe back and forth diagonally. On an iPhone 4S the screen will scroll/respond accordingly. On the iPhone 5 however it will eventually stop registering touch input, or will intermittently drop touch inputs. This is easy to check in the Mail app.

    While under normal use there won’t be a situation that will cause a user to scroll in this manner, but games like Fruit Ninja work entirely on this principal. It’s not known whether the quick scrolling issue is a software one or hardware. It is however present in iOS 6, 6.0.1 and 6.1 beta 1. Apple needs to respond to this as soon as possible and they better hope this is not a hardware issue.

  • iPhone 5 supply improving in US

    There are many problems associated with mass producing something. One of the biggest ones is keeping up with demand. The iPhone is one of the most hyped and talked about smartphone in the market. Naturally when Apple announced the iPhone 5 the demand was incredible. Unfortunately various problems prevented the iPhone 5 supply to reach optimal levels causing long delays in shipping.

    We reported before that iPhone 5 capacity is improving and Apple is hoping to sell nearly 46 million units by this years end. It looks as if they’re on track to achieve just that. It is reported that the supply to major US carriers Sprint and Verizon has improved, and will continue to improve in the coming few weeks. It will reach consistent availability in the next 2 to 3 weeks. According to findings by Gene Munster and his team at Piper Jaffray availability of the iPhone 5 at all three major U.S. carriers, including Sprint, was above 20 percent for the first time.

    54% Apple Stores reported they had the AT&T model in stock, 24% had the Verizon model, and 84% had the Sprint variant. With iPhone 5 supply improving users will get their ordered smartphones in time and Apple can hope to sell the forecasted amount in the next month or two.

  • VirnetX sues Apple again over same patents

    A few days ago Apple was ordered to pay an unknown company, VirnetX, a hefty sum of $368 million in a patent infringement case. For a small company like VirnetX, $368 million is like finding a gold mine. But no, these guys are clearly out for more. In the original article we told you how VirnetX isn’t planning to just sit tight after receiving the payment for Apple and are looking to mint some more money out of them.

    The patent in question that resulted in the $368 million settlement was regarding some very obscure FaceTime networking protocols (or something). Immediately after winning that case VirnetX filed another lawsuit. The difference? The original payment was for older Apple devices that infringed on their patents. This new lawsuit is for the newer devices and include the iPhone 5, fourth-generation iPad, iPad mini, fifth-generation iPod touch and the “latest Macintosh computers.” VirnetX is looking to force a preliminary injunction against the alleged infringing Apple devices as well as damages related to their sale.

    Originally VirnetX was looking to get all infringing Apple products banned. But it’s pretty clear they’re looking for a sizeable sum from Apple that will let Apple use their patents. Let’s see how this pans out.

  • Apple begins seeding iOS 6.1 beta 2 with Passbook enhancements

    iOS 6 was launched only a little over a month ago. It brought with it new features like the all new Apple Maps, Facebook integration, shared photo stream and much more. Then iOS 6.0.1 was seeded to users a few days ago. It most fixed issues related to iPhone 5 and wasn’t a feature release. In that same period though Apple seeded iOS 6.1 beta 1 to developers. It was available for download as well. The beta 1 focused on Mapping improvements.

    pass Apple begins seeding iOS 6.1 beta 2 with Passbook enhancements

    The iOS 6.1 beta 2 seeded just yesterday doesn’t bring in any major new features. So far the only one picked up is related to the Passbook app. In iOS 6.1 beta 2 when you launch Passbook for the first time you will be greeted with an explanatory note. The current iteration of Passbook directs users to Passbook enabled apps directly.

    The beta also enhances the Map Kit framework in iOS, allowing developers to search for map-based addresses and points of interest. It’s compatible with the fourth-, third- and second-generation iPad, iPad mini, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 3GS, and fifth- and fourth-generation iPod touch. Because it’s an early beta, it will have its fair share of bugs associated with it, though it’s stable enough for a quick spin.

  • Apple now shipping LTE capable iPad Mini

    Apple announced the iPad Mini a few weeks back and the new tablet was of to a great start. Positive reviews from the web and strong sales figures meant that the iPad Mini, which many were skeptical about, was indeed a success at least until that point. Apple mentioned during the unveiling that the LTE capable iPad Mini will be available a few weeks after the WiFi only version.

    Well that time is now. If you were waiting for a LTE capable iPad Mini, you can go grab one now on Apple’s website. Those who pre ordered it are now getting confirmation from Apple that their tablet is now being shipped. The orders are scheduled to arrive this Friday, Nov. 16. Both the white and black versions are available. Initially Apple was suffering with supply shortages for the iPad Mini, but it looks as if they have subsided for now.

    Now that the LTE capable iPad Mini is rolling off the assembly line, it will further increase the previously stated 3 million commulative sales figure. Although Apple has so far not revealed the iPad Mini specific sales figures. The iPad Mini will go head to head with the Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire.

  • iPhone 5 shipping time improved to 2-3 weeks

    It’s no secret that iPhone 5 launch has not exactly been ideal. It was after all successor to one of the best selling smartphones of all time. While the lack of innovation is debatable, the hardware related issues that followed suit are not. Camera, built, touchscreen, none are spared from issues of their own. And to top that Apple was suffering with severe manufacturing delays which resulted in long iPhone 5 shipping time for customers.

    Recent reports are however a little more positive. Foxconn seems to have fixed whatever was causing delays on their ends. Retail stores now have ample stock of iPhone 5 with them. Even previously the iPhone 5 shipping time was 3-4 weeks if you ordered online from the Apple Store. That is now reduced to 2-3 weeks if you order now. It’s not perfect, but at least things are improving.

    Improving iPhone 5 shipping time is the only way Apple can ensure customers get the desired product as soon as possible. 2-3 weeks is still a lot for a smartphone, but a marked improvement from before. Let’s supply improves further and the delivery time is reduced to 24 hours. That will take some doing though.

  • Update Galaxy Ace S5830 to Android 2.3.6 XWKTS official firmware

    Not everyone wants or can afford top tiered smartphones. For those people smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 is the idea choice. But just because you have a low end phone doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the latest official firmware. Today we will guide you on how to update your Galaxy Ace S5830 to Android 2.3.6 XWKTS official firmware.

    Android 2.3.6 XWKTS Firmware Details:

    PDA: S5830XWKTS
    CSC: S5830ITVKT2
    Version: 2.3.6
    Date: 2012-10-24
    Regions: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom

    Note that this being an official firmware, you will loose root privileges after its installed. Make sure to backup all your data and have your phone fully charged.

    Step1- Download the XWKTS firmware

    Step 2- Download ODIN

    Step 3- Boot your phone into download mode. Do this by switching it off and then pressing and holding the Volume Down + Home buttons together, and then pressing the Power button. You’ll see a triangle and an Android logo. Press the power button to enter download mode

    Step 4- Open ODIN on your PC. Make sure USB drivers for the phone are installed. Upon successful connection one of the ID:COM boxes will turn yellow with the COM port number.

    Step 5- Select all files you downloaded in step 1.

    • Click the PDA button. Select the file which has CODE in its name
    • Click the Phone button and select the file which has MODEM in its name
    • Click on the CSC button and select the file which has CSC in its name
    • Click the PIT button and select the .pit file

    Step 6- In ODIN select Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options. Select repartition only if your selected the PIT file

    Step 7- Click the start button. Installation process will take a few minutes. After that your phone will reboot with Android 2.3.6 XWKTS official firmware

  • Update Galaxy Tab 10.1 P7500 to XWLPD Android 4.0.4 official firmware

    Galaxy Tab 10.1 is one of the very first Android based tablets that Samsung released last year. Even though its quite old it still packs in a punch with a decent Tegra 2 chipset by nVidia. Back then it was launched with the (buggy) Honeycomb OS, but Samsung has now updated it to a much better Android 4.0.4 XWLPD official firmware. Just in case for whatever reason you didn’t get this update, the steps below will guide you how to.

    Android 4.0.4 XWLPD Firmware Details:

    PDA: P7500XWLPD
    CSC: P7500DBTLP3
    Version: 2.3.6
    Date: 2012-10-30
    Regions: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom

    This is an official firmware which means installing it will un-root your tablet. Make sure you backup your data and charge your tablet battery.

    Step1- Download the XWLPD firmware

    Step 2- Download ODIN

    Step 3- Boot your tablet into download mode. Do this by switching it off and then pressing and holding the Volume Down + Home buttons together, and then pressing the Power button. You’ll see a triangle and an Android logo. Press the power button to enter download mode

    Step 4- Open ODIN on your PC. Make sure USB drivers for the tablet are installed. Upon successful connection one of the ID:COM boxes will turn yellow with the COM port number.

    Step 5- Select all files you downloaded in step 1.

    • Click the PDA button. Select the file which has CODE in its name
    • Click the Phone button and select the file which has MODEM in its name
    • Click on the CSC button and select the file which has CSC in its name
    • Click the PIT button and select the .pit file

    Step 6- In ODIN select Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options. Select repartition only if your selected the PIT file

    Step 7- Click the start button. Installation process will take a few minutes. After that your tablet will reboot with XWLPD Android 4.0.4 official firmware

  • Final Fantasy XIV Has Ended, Witness The End Of An Era In This Brand New Trailer

    As you may know by now, Final Fantasy XIV is now finished, Final Fantasy XIV 2.0 or Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released early 2013 for both the PS3 and PC. So to finish the original and welcome its successor Square Enix has released a brand new CGI trailer by Square’s own Visual Works studio on their YouTube channel titled “End of an era”, check it out below:

    Featuring Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn’s Main Theme “Answers” with vocals by Susan Calloway and music by of course the legendary Nobuo Uematsu the End of an era trailer sure is awesome. What do you think about the trailer? Are you looking forward to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn? Let us know in the comments below.