Motorola Mobility Comments on Initial Determination from ITC

ALJ determines that Motorola Mobility does not violate Apple’s patents

Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) ("Motorola Mobility") announced that it has received notice that the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) in the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) action brought by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) against Motorola Mobility has issued an initial determination. The ALJ ruled in favor of Motorola Mobility, finding no violation for any of the three Apple patents listed in Apple’s suit.

“We are pleased with today’s favorable outcome for Motorola Mobility,” said Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility. “Motorola Mobility has worked hard over the years to develop technology and build an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio. We are proud to leverage this broad and deep portfolio to create differentiated innovations that enhance the user experience.”

Business Risks

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the impact of this litigation and future actions with respect to this litigation. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the successful defense of the claims by Microsoft and protection of the company’s intellectual property; the timing of the matters before the ITC; the company’s continued ability to sell its mobile device products; and the other risks and uncertainties contained and identified in Motorola Mobility's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof Motorola Mobility does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or update the reasons that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Angry Birds Seasons - Year of the Dragon Teaser

Squawk! Fireworks popping, lanterns glowing, red envelopes bursting with money -- it's Chinese New Year! But what are the pigs up to? Stay tuned for more!

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Download Angry Birds Seasons:
- iPhone or iPod touch http://bit.ly/ni2I2Q
- Android http://amzn.to/oSNS6f
- iPad ‪http://bit.ly/oc710R‬

OnLive Desktop

Description
OnLive® Desktop is a service that provides a seamless, no-compromise, instant-response cloud-based PC desktop, wherever and whenever you want it. OnLive brings to your iPad a high-performance PC experience, regardless of the content, even when interacting with fast-action media.

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• Easily transfer files between OnLive Desktop and other devices
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DeviceFidelity and SpringCard Launch moneto, the World's First Multi-Platform Mobile Wallet for iPhone and Android at CES

moneto, developed by DeviceFidelity, Inc. and Spring Card Systems LLC, announced the launch of the world's first commercially available mobile payment solution that provides iPhone and Android users a convenient way to pay while on the go. The moneto iPhone wallet is powered by MasterCard PayPass technology and linked to a general purpose reloadable MasterCard prepaid card to enable iPhone users to make purchases with their phone at the hundreds of thousands of merchants that accept MasterCard PayPass.

"For over a decade, MasterCard has led the transformation of mobile phones into secure mobile payment devices," said James Anderson, senior vice president, Mobile and Emerging payments at MasterCard. "We are excited to partner with moneto so that iPhone users can enjoy the convenience of paying for purchases with a simple 'tap' at thousands of PayPass locations around the globe."

For the first time, NFC functionality is available directly to consumers at retail without the need to change devices, upgrade plans or sign new contracts. The moneto mobile payments technology uses a NFC-enabled microSD chip embedded in a patented, protective iPhone case. iPhone users simply need to sign up at moneto.me to receive the case, install the moneto app from the app store, and activate their account. Users can launch the moneto app to view their account balance, check transaction history and make everyday in-store purchases with a tap of their iPhone at any PayPass-enabled contactless payments reader at the point of sale. Users can fund their moneto prepaid account through direct deposit, ACH transfer or cash/credit/debit card-enabled third-party money transfer services such as MoneyGram, Western Union, PayPal or GreenDot.

"As this breakthrough mobile wallet launches in the US, it not only makes mobile payments available to iPhone users for the first time but it also opens the door for consumers to adopt NFC while pushing mobile commerce forward," said Deepak Jain, DeviceFidelity President and CEO. "We are excited to partner with MasterCard and SpringCard to break the barriers for a rapid effective rollout that will spur both consumers and merchants to adopt this new wave of electronic commerce."

moneto also comes with a companion prepaid MasterCard to give users the ability to access cash at ATMs and make online purchases, pay bills or shop at merchants that do not accept contactless payments. moneto also enables card-to-card and wire-fund transfers from a secure internet portal accessible via moneto.me.

"Consumers have been hearing about NFC and mobile wallets for years, now with moneto they can finally start using it and with the most popular smartphone device on the planet. The moneto mobile wallet app is focused on delivering a faster and easier shopping experience that is consumer friendly," said Kevin Haddad, president of SpringCard. "Our vision is simple: People who use our applications should not have to worry 'Will this work with my phone?' as consumers can easily make secure purchases regardless of their phone, carrier, or bank."

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The In2Pay technology behind moneto brings peace of mind to consumers. moneto users can prevent unauthorized access to their account using a PIN that is safely stored in a secure chip inside the microSD. The sleek and durable case design protects the iPhone and the NFC enabled microSD securely stores and encrypts the card information. Additionally, the moneto account is backed by MasterCard's Zero Liability, which protects consumers against unauthorized purchases.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

moneto for iPhone will be available for online ordering in the U.S. immediately at moneto.me for $79.95 which includes $10.00 of pre-loaded funds. The moneto mobile wallet is available in limited release on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3. A number of Android models will also be supported by 2Q12. Additional phone support will be added throughout the year.

D-Link Introduces Industry's First All-in-One Mobile Companion

New Solution Offers Instant Wi-Fi Access, Convenient File Sync, USB Sharing, and Device Charging at Home or On-the-Go

D-Link unveiled an innovative new product every traveling tablet and smartphone owner needs – the D-Link® All-in-One Mobile Companion (DIR-505). In addition to offering instant wireless access wherever an existing network is available, the new portable device also features USB sharing capabilities, enabling users to share videos, music and photos from an external hard drive or thumb drive to any iPad®, iPhone® or Android™ device. For added convenience, the All-in-One Mobile Companion allows users to sync files and charge smartphones, offering the ultimate set of features for home or on-the-go convenience.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110706/SF30992LOGO)
"The All-in-One Mobile Companion is perfect for travelers and mobile professionals, allowing people to access content on an external hard drive or thumb drive from any mobile device, as well as sync videos, music and photos, automatically," said Daniel Kelley, associate vice president of marketing, D-Link North America. "In addition, it serves as a great travel router/access point for instant wireless from any hotel or conference room where a network already exists."
Smaller than a standard mouse, the new All-in-One Mobile Companion offers instant Wi-Fi coupled with a range of useful features designed for today's mobile professional. Easy one-touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) ensures users are up and running quickly, and the free SharePort Cloud app for both Android and iOS devices offers access to videos, music and photos from anywhere. The All-in-One Mobile Companion features a USB port for sharing content from a USB storage device or charging smartphones, as well as an Ethernet Port that enables users to easily connect to an existing network in a conference room or hotel room.
More about the D-Link All-in-One Mobile Companion (DIR-505)
The All-in-One Mobile Companion offers a range of features in an affordable, compact device:
USB Port for seamlessly viewing and synchronizing videos, music, photos, and more from a connected USB storage device to any iOS or Android tablet, smartphone or computer browser
Free iOS and Android apps for tablets and smartphones
Wireless N150 travel router
Ability to act as an Access Point to wirelessly extend an existing network
10/100 Ethernet Port
Built in AC plug for easy traveling and use – no additional cables or power adapters required
USB Port for charging a smartphone device (when not used with a USB storage device)

D-Link's All-in-One Mobile Companion (DIR-505) will be displayed at the 2012 International CES, Jan. 10-13, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nev. For more information and detailed specs, visit www.dlink.com.
Availability and Pricing
The All-in-One Mobile Companion DIR-505 will be available in April for less than $75 throughout D-Link's network of U.S. e-tail and retail outlets and at the company's online store.
About D-Link
D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for home, small business, mid- to large-sized enterprise environments, and service providers. An award-winning designer, developer, and manufacturer, D-Link implements and supports unified network solutions that integrate capabilities in switching, wireless, broadband, storage, IP Surveillance, and cloud-based network management. For more information visit www.dlink.com, or connect with D-Link on Facebook (www.facebook.com/dlink) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/dlink).

Kodak sues HTC, Apple over patent infringement

The two smartphone and tablet vendors are infringing on its digital imaging technology, the company alleges

Struggling Eastman Kodak is alleging that Apple's and HTC's smartphones and tablets infringe on its digital imaging technology, and has filed a complaint and lawsuits with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, it said on Tuesday.

The complaint to the ITC claims that some of Apple's iPhones, iPads, and iPods, and HTC's smartphones and tablets, infringe Kodak patents related to technology for transmitting images.

Kodak also alleges that HTC's smartphones infringe on a patent related to a method for previewing images, which is already the subject of pending actions against Apple.

Separately, Kodak also filed suits against Apple and HTC in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York alleging the same infringement, it said.

Four patents are the basis for Kodak's actions, including one for "automatically transmitting images from an electronic camera to a service provider using a network configuration file" and another patent for "capturing digital images to be transferred to an email address."

Kodak wants the ITC to stop the import of products that infringe on its patents, and has asked the District Court to stop Apple and HTC from infringing on the patents and award it damages.

Kodak has had numerous discussions with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue, but has failed to reach an agreement, it said. The company's goal isn't to disrupt the availability of Apple's and HTC's products, but to get "fair compensation for the unauthorized use" of its technology, it said.

An HTC spokeswoman declined to comment until the company had reviewed the complaint. Apple didn't answer a request for a comment.

Kodak has already licensed patents related to its digital imaging technology to more than 30 companies, including LG Electronics, Motorola, Samsung Electronics and Nokia, it said.

The company is also using the technology in its own products, including two new cameras that were launched at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Toward the end of last year, Kodak lowered projections for its full-year revenue and year-end cash balance, and on Jan. 3 warned that it could face delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company has warned that performance this year will depend on it selling its digital imaging patents to raise cash for future investments, and there have been reports that the company is preparing to seek bankruptcy protection.

In this age of intellectual property lawsuits, patents have proven to be a very valuable commodity. For example, last year, Nortel sold 6,000 patents and patent applications for $4.5 billion to a consortium consisting of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research In Motion and Sony, following a bidding war with Google, which later made a $12.5 billion bid to buy Motorola Mobility. The reasoning behind that deal is in part to better protect Android from patent lawsuits.

source

iOS 5.1 beta reveals Apple’s plan to soon ship iPads, iPhones with quad-core chips

Speed increases are an expected part of Apple’s iOS device hardware upgrades, but what Apple has up their sleeves for speed enhancements is typically up for debate. The first-generation iPad clocked around 1GHz with the single core A4 processor, and —a year later—Apple bumped the iPad’s chip to dual-core-speed with the A5 processor. While not quite confirming that a quad-core processor will power Apple’s third-generation iPad, we have obtained evidence that suggests Apple is currently working on quad-core iOS devices.

Hidden deep inside the latest iOS 5.1 beta is updated processing-core management software that not only supports the dual-core processing enabled by the A5 iPhone and iPad chip, but also quad-core processing. The references to quad-core iPhone and iPad chips come by way of a hidden panel that describes cores that are supported by iOS device hardware. The updated core management software includes an option of “/cores/core.3,” and this represents a fourth available processing core… more details after the break:

Extremely reliable and knowledgeable people familiar with iOS’s inner workings explained to me that core references begin at “0.” For example: A single core device would be limited to  ”/cores/core.0,” and a dual-core device would come in at  ”/cores/core.1.” A “core.2″ (which is not referenced in iOS code) would be a triple-core processor according to this labeling method. iOS 5.1 beta 2 now includes core.3, a seemingly quad-core chip from Apple. Below, you can view a comparison between the pre-iOS 5.1 beta iOS core management software and the iOS 5.1 beta version. The dual-core A5 chip, on the bottom, has the “core.1,” and the quad-core chip, on top, supporting iOS 5.1 beta is marked with the “core.3.”

Apple leaving references to quad-core chips in the iOS 5.1 beta is notable because iOS 5.1 is the software currently being tested against the third-generation iPad. In addition, as we previously revealed, Apple is currently testing an unreleased “iPhone 5,1″ against the iOS 5.1-beta software. We cannot conclude that due to iOS 5.1 including quad-core processor references, Apple’s next-generation iPad and iPhone will include a quad-core chip, but it seems reasonable based on Apple starting with a single core chip in 2010 and moving to dual-core in 2011. A quad-core chip in 2012 would fit the pattern. On the technical side, Apple is already rumored to be working on a quad-core “A6″ processor, and such processors were said to be ready in 2012.

Also, Asus just released a quad core Android Tablet and it is unlikely that Apple would let Android tablets get a year out in front before matching the hardware.

The implications of an iOS device with a quad-core processor are vast. A quad-core processor can help devices power very high-resolution displays (such as the rumored iPad 3 with a Retina Display), and even power very advanced software like a rumored Final Cut Pro for iOS. Overall, a quad-core processor should add extra horsepower to gaming and overall operating system navigation, and —as we saw with the iPhone 4S— it will likely make actions like snapping photographs work even quicker. Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he would like to reinvent photography, and we think the ability for phones to snap photographs in an insanely quick fashion fits that dream.

source

Gametel announces support for Apple iOS devices

Wireless gaming peripheral now compatible with iPhone and iPad
CES Unveiled, Las Vegas, 8th January 2012. Fructel, a gaming peripheral company, announces the Gametel now supports iOS devices. Previously only compatible with Android smartphone and tablets, the Bluetooth controller now transforms your iPhone and iPad into portable games console, delivering a level of gameplay accuracy and immersion never experienced on Apple devices.
Compatible with Apple iPhone running iOS 4.0 or later and Apple iPad running iOS 3.2 or later, Gametel supports hundreds of arcade titles from the iCADE suite, including classics like Missile Commander, Asteroids, Centipede, Pong, Super Breakout, Lunar Lander and Warlords.
Alongside these retro titles, other selected iOS games, such as No Gravity, Silverfish, Super Crossfire HD and Terra Noctis, are also available to download from Apple’s iTunes App Store.
Bo Nyman, CEO of Fructel says: “Gametel has proved popular among Android users but we’re pleased to bring support for the Apple iPhone and iPad. Now users can experience even more immersive gameplay using the Gametel’s console-style controls – freeing the touchscreen from fingers.”
Gametel connects to the device via Bluetooth while a built-in adjustable spring-loaded clamp allows secure docking of any Android handset and iPhone. Once paired the Gametel automatically connects to the device every time it is powered on.
With a familiar controller design, Gametel’s D-pad, quartet of buttons and two shoulder triggers replicate console-style gaming controls; an impressive nine hour battery life provides more than enough playing time for long journeys and weekly commutes.
Please visit www.gametel.co.uk for further information.

A5 FAQ

How could pod2g have an untethered 4S and dev teams still haven't released tools to achieve this at home?

The exploit I used to inject the untethering files to the 4S relies on having a developer account, and can't be released publicly.
It's the same reason why @MuscleNerd has an iPad 2 tethered jailbreak but couldn't distribute it.
So, we need to find a distributable exploit to remount the system partition read/write and to set Corona files at the correct places.

Why A4 version of Corona was easier to release?

Because a tethered jailbreak is a good way to install Corona!

Why don't you do a tethered jailbreak then?

A tethered jailbreak also relies on an exploitable vulnerability that we still haven't found yet!

pod2g, release this stuff quick, [your insult here], I've waited enough now.

If I could, I would!

source

iPad Survives 100,000+ Foot Fall From Space Near Area 51 (High-Res)

http://g-form.com -- G-Form, a company well known for delivering the most extreme electronics cases and athletic pads, launched an iPad clad solely in the company's 6oz Extreme Edge case into space and then let it free-fall back to Earth.

The company released a stunning hi-def video Thursday where the nearly naked iPad is shown hanging above the Earth in the blackness of space. In the video, the iPad is lifted to over 100,000 feet by a weather balloon which bursts at altitude, then releasing the iPad to free-fall to Earth where it crash lands on a rocky hillside in the Nevada countryside. Perhaps even more remarkable than the dramatic hi-def footage itself is the fact that the iPad survives the adventure, remaining fully functional.

Website: www.g-form.com

iOS 5.1 beta reveals Apple’s plan to soon ship iPads, iPhones with quad-core chips

Speed increases are an expected part of Apple’s iOS device hardware upgrades, but what Apple has up their sleeves for speed enhancements is typically up for debate. The first-generation iPad clocked around 1GHz with the single core A4 processor, and —a year later—Apple bumped the iPad’s chip to dual-core-speed with the A5 processor. While not quite confirming that a quad-core processor will power Apple’s third-generation iPad, we have obtained evidence that suggests Apple is currently working on quad-core iOS devices.Hidden deep inside the latest iOS 5.1 beta is updated processing-core management software that not only supports the dual-core processing enabled by the A5 iPhone and iPad chip, but also quad-core processing. The references to quad-core iPhone and iPad chips come by way of a hidden panel that describes cores that are supported by iOS device hardware. The updated core management software includes an option of “/cores/core.3,” and this represents a fourth available processing core… more details after the break:Extremely reliable and knowledgeable people familiar with iOS’s inner workings explained to me that core references begin at “0.” For example: A single core device would be limited to ”/cores/core.0,” and a dual-core device would come in at ”/cores/core.1.” A “core.2″ (which is not referenced in iOS code) would be a triple-core processor according to this labeling method. iOS 5.1 beta 2 now includes core.3, a seemingly quad-core chip from Apple. Below, you can view a comparison between the pre-iOS 5.1 beta iOS core management software and the iOS 5.1 beta version. The dual-core A5 chip, on the bottom, has the “core.1,” and the quad-core chip, on top, supporting iOS 5.1 beta is marked with the “core.3.”Apple leaving references to quad-core chips in the iOS 5.1 beta is notable because iOS 5.1 is the software currently being tested against the third-generation iPad. In addition, as we previously revealed, Apple is currently testing an unreleased “iPhone 5,1″ against the iOS 5.1-beta software. We cannot conclude that due to iOS 5.1 including quad-core processor references, Apple’s next-generation iPad and iPhone will include a quad-core chip, but it seems reasonable based on Apple starting with a single core chip in 2010 and moving to dual-core in 2011. A quad-core chip in 2012 would fit the pattern. On the technical side, Apple is already rumored to be working on a quad-core “A6″ processor, and such processors were said to be ready in 2012.Also, Asus just released a quad core Android Tablet and it is unlikely that Apple would let Android tablets get a year out in front before matching the hardware.The implications of an iOS device with a quad-core processor are vast. A quad-core processor can help devices power very high-resolution displays (such as the rumored iPad 3 with a Retina Display), and even power very advanced software like a rumored Final Cut Pro for iOS. Overall, a quad-core processor should add extra horsepower to gaming and overall operating system navigation, and —as we saw with the iPhone 4S— it will likely make actions like snapping photographs work even quicker. Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he would like to reinvent photography, and we think the ability for phones to snap photographs in an insanely quick fashion fits that dream.source

Apple to ship 'iPad 3' in March, 'iPad 4' in October, say Taiwan component makers

Apple will ship the so-called "iPad 3" with a full HD display in March and then "iPad 4" - named so by its component suppliers - with killer applications in October, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The iPad 3 will come with a QXGA (1,536x2,048 pixels) display and longer battery life although its other hardware specifications may not be so amazing as expected, said the sources. But Apple will take the advantage of the iPad 3 launch to slash the price of its iPad 2 to US$399, the sources claimed.

The March launch of iPad 3 as well as the price cutting for iPad 2 will enable Apple to fend off competition from non-iPad vendors including Sony, Motorola Mobility and Samsung Electronics, who currently price their tablet PCs at US$359 or above, commented the sources.

However, the competition in the segment may continue to heat up in the second quarter of 2012 as Google reportedly may also launch an own-brand tablet PC in April, competing with Kindle Fire in the entry-level segment, noted the sources.

But a true battle for market share will arrive in the second half of the year when Apple ships its iPad 4 in October, about the time when Microsoft releases its Window 8 and Intel unveils its Clover Trail-W platform, the sources commented.

The 9.7-inch iPad 4 is expected to come with much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs to be released in the fourth quarter, said the sources.

source

Happy New Year 2012 from the Angry Birds!

Thanks to all our amazing fans for an egg-cellent 2011! The Angry Birds wish you all a chirptastic new year 2012! The birds will also celebrate Year of the Dragon in the very near future...

Become a Facebook fan: http://www.facebook.com/angrybirds
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/angrybirds

Play Angry Birds on Google Chrome: http://chrome.angrybirds.com

Download Angry Birds Seasons:
- iPhone or iPod touch: http://bit.ly/ni2I2Q
- Android (Amazon): http://amzn.to/oSNS6f
- Android (Android Market): http://bit.ly/nt4oqq
- Nokia: http://bit.ly/p9z8EM
- iPad: ‪http://bit.ly/vnTCvB‬
- Mac OSX http://bit.ly/uxXzXX
- BlackBerry Playbook: http://bit.ly/tazl77

Buy Angry Birds merchandise: http://shop.angrybirds.com

Apple Envisions Face & Presence Detection Security for iOS Devices

On December 29, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals one of the next chapters for device security. In 2009, Apple's presence detection patent first came to light in relation to future MacBooks. Then in November of this year, Apple revealed a heavy duty 3D face and object recognition system that could be used for home and enterprise security applications. In today's revelations, Apple introduces us to a more down to earth and practical security system for our portable devices. For simple home or personal use, the system could be setup to recognize your presence and face to quickly turn on your device. This would bypass the need for entering a password or even having to touch the home button to get to your homepage. For use at work, the facial recognition system could be set to higher levels of security. All in all it sounds like a very promising security system is in our future.

The Problems of Face Recognition Apple Seeks to Solve

Most face recognition systems fall into one of two categories. A first category system tends to be robust and could tackle various lighting conditions, orientations, scale and the like, and tends to be computationally expensive. A second category system is specialized for security-type applications and could work under controlled lighting conditions.

Adopting the first category systems for face recognition on consumer operated portable appliances that are equipped with a camera would unnecessarily use an appliance's computing resources and drain its power. Moreover, as the consumer portable appliances tend to be used both indoor and outdoor, the second category systems for face recognition may be ineffective. Such ineffectiveness may be further exacerbated by the proximity of the user to the camera, i.e., small changes in distance to and tilt of the appliance's camera dramatically distort features, making traditional biometrics used in security-type face recognition ineffective.

A Basic Overview of Apple's Solution

One aspect of Apple's invention could be implemented in methods performed by an image processor that include the actions of processing a captured image of a face of a user seeking to access a resource by conforming a subset of the captured face image to a reference model. The reference model corresponds to a high information portion of human faces. The methods further include comparing the processed captured image to at least one target profile corresponding to a user associated with the resource, and selectively recognizing the user seeking access to the resource based on a result of said comparing.

These and other implementations could include one or more of the following features. In some cases, the high information portion includes eyes and a mouth. In some other cases, the high information portion further includes a tip of a nose. Processing the captured image could include detecting a face within the captured image by identifying the eyes in an upper one third of the captured image and the mouth in the lower third of the captured image.

The reference model includes a reference image of a face, and processing the captured image further could include matching the eyes of the detected face with eyes of the face in the reference image to obtain a normalized image of the detected face. Additionally, processing the captured image could further include vertically scaling a distance between an eyes-line and the mouth of the detected face to equal a corresponding distance for the face in the reference image in order to obtain the normalized image of the detected face. In addition, processing the captured image could further include matching the mouth of the detected face to the mouth of the face in the reference image in order to obtain the normalized image of the detected face.

In some implementations, comparing the processed captured image could include obtaining a difference image of the detected face by subtracting the normalized image of the detected face from a normalized image of a target face associated with a target profile. Comparing could further include calculating scores of respective pixels of the difference image based on a weight defined according to proximity of the respective pixels to high information portions of the human faces. The weight decreases with a distance from the high information portions of the human faces. For example, the weight decreases continuously with the distance from the high information portions of the human faces. As another example, the weight decreases discretely with the distance from the high information portions of the human faces. As yet another example, the weight decreases from a maximum weight value at a mouth-level to a minimum value at an eyes-line.

In some implementations, processing the captured image could include applying an orange-distance filter to the captured image, and segmenting a skin-tone orange portion of the orange-distance filtered image to represent a likely presence of a face in front of the image capture device. Processing the captured image could further include determining changes in area and in location of the skin-tone orange portion of the captured image relative to a previously captured image to represent likely movement of the face in front of the image capture device. Also, processing the captured image further could include detecting a face within the skin-tone orange portion of the orange-distance filtered image when the determined changes are less than predetermined respective variations.

The Advantages of Apple's Invention

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification could be configured to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. The techniques and systems disclosed in this specification could reduce the impact of lighting and emphasize skin variance. By acquiring images with the appliance's own image capture device, the approximate location and orientation of face features could be pre-assumed and could avoid the overhead of other face recognition systems. The disclosed methods could ignore face biometrics, and rather use feature locations to normalize an image of a test face. Further, the face recognition techniques are based on a simple, weighted difference map, rather than traditional (and computationally expensive) correlation matching.

The iOS Device Acknowledging Presence

Apple's patent FIG. 1 shown below illustrates an iPhone with its face side camera sitting in a dock. The iPhone could be turned off while the camera could remain on. Panel 100 shows a potential user who is approaching the iOS device sitting in its dock. In response to the iPhone detecting (120) that the potential user has stopped in front of its face side camera, the iPhone will be able to transition to a new state (shown in patent point 102') to acknowledge the presence and attention of the potential user.

In some implementations, the iOS device acknowledges the presence of the potential user by turning on the display. Further in response to detecting the presence of the potential user, the iOS device could trigger a subsequent process for recognizing the potential user's face.

Could be configured to Recognize Faces in your Family or Workplace

Furthermore, the iOS device could be configured to recognize faces of a predetermined group (including a small number) of users that may login on the iOS device and could present each user with a personalized configuration (see patent point 142). For example, to comply with such personalized configurations, the iOS device could modify screen saver slide shows or other appliance non-security preferences.

I also see that patent point 142 noted above shows us that we could be greeted with a message saying Hello! Although that will likely be optional, I'm curious as to how Apple will implement such a feature. Will they use a text only greeting or will they venture out and introduce a more personalized greeting from Siri (if you're an iCloud subscriber, that is). Depending on your view of talking devices, that could either be cool or creepy (ha!).  

Apple's Method taps into the GPU of an iOS Device or MacBook

The methods disclosed in Apple's patent specification could adequately recognize a user associated with an iOS device without computing resources overhead that is characteristic of other face recognition techniques. Therefore, the face detection and recognition methods described in Apple's specification could be implemented in hardware, for example in graphical processing units (GPUs) of the iOS device. Apple clarifies that the new face detection and recognition system will apply to the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and MacBook.

Apple's patent FIG. 4 shown below illustrates a flowchart for detecting potential presence of a person's face in front of an image capture device and for inferring the person's level of attentiveness. The latter feature is likely to secure against those trying to access an iOS device with a simple picture, as was the case with Google's failed Android feature.

2D Correlation Matching System

Apple's patent FIG. 7 shows an example of a process for matching a normalized image of a test face with a normalized image of a target face.

The normalized image (see patent point 644) of a test face could be iteratively compared with each of target faces (see patent point 710) based on two-dimensional correlation matching (patent point 750). The 2D-correlation matching used in this method is based on generating a difference map between the two images, in contrast to other complex correlation matching algorithms that are based on correlations of the underlying face-shapes. Moreover, the 2D-correlation matching could be performed in accordance with weighting rules and scoring rules maintained by the computerized device configured to execute the process (see patent points 730 and 740).

And lastly, Apple's new security features could, in logical theory, do away with the necessity to use the classic iOS device feature known as "Slide to Unlock." Of course it will depend on the speed of the facial recognition system. If it's fast enough, I know that I'd definitely prefer that option over the process of hitting the home button and then sliding the bar over to unlock my idevice to get to the home screen. Only in time will we know if that pans out, but it sure sounds very promising indeed.

Apple's patent application was originally filed in Q2 2010 by inventor Robert Mikio Free.

Notice: Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. Apple's patent applications have provided the Mac community with a clear heads-up on some of Apple's greatest product trends including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, iOS cameras, LED displays, iCloud services for iTunes and more. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.

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Apple Seen Hurting Shareholders With Jobs’s Thermonuclear Patent War: Tech

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple (AAPL) Inc., told his biographer that he’d rather wage “thermonuclear war” with Google Inc. than make deals to share its technology with the maker of the Android operating system.
That was no empty threat. In the 18 months before Jobs died on Oct. 5, Apple sued HTC Corp. (2498), Samsung Electronics Co. and Motorola Mobility Inc., the three largest Android users. It alleged that the phone makers stole Apple’s technology and asked courts to make them stop.
Now, as rulings start coming in, it might be time for a détente that helps Apple maximize the value of its patents, said Kevin Rivette, a managing partner at 3LP Advisors LLC, a firm that advises on intellectual property. When courts side with Apple and impose bans on infringing products, competitors can often devise workarounds; in cases where Apple doesn’t win import restrictions, it would be better off striking settlements that ensure access to a competitor’s innovation, he said.
“A scorched-earth strategy is bad news because it doesn’t optimize the value of their patents -- because people will get around them,” said Rivette, whose clients include Android licensees. “It’s like a dam. Using their patents to keep rivals out of the market is like putting rocks in a stream. The stream is going to find a way around. Wouldn’t it be better to direct where the water goes?”
Steve Dowling, a spokesman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, declined to comment for this story.
Early Victories
For a time, Apple’s strategy looked sound. In October, an Australian court banned the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet in that country, and the U.S. International Trade Commission agreed to consider an import ban on sales of certain HTC devices.
Then the tide began to turn. Apple suffered a setback Nov. 30 when a higher Australian court overturned the ruling against Samsung. On Dec. 22, a German judge said he was unlikely to uphold an import ban on a version of the Galaxy, which Samsung had modified in response to a ban on the original design.
The ITC gave Apple only a partial victory on Dec. 19 by ruling that HTC had violated only one of four patents Apple said it infringed. The patent covered so-called data detection, a feature that helps users make a call, send an e-mail or find an address on a map with a single keystroke.
Can’t Last?
HTC decided to drop the feature. That’s a significant loss for HTC, since the capability has come to be an expected part of using a smartphone. Still, the ruling reinforced predictions that Apple won’t succeed forever in preventing Android rivals from selling gadgets with the now-familiar hallmarks of Apple’s pioneering devices. These include touch screens and app stores.
Legal history isn’t on Apple’s side, said Marshall Phelps, former head of intellectual property at International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and Microsoft Corp.
“Nobody has ever kept competitors out of any market with patents,” in part because software can usually be slightly changed to find a non-infringing alternative, he said.
Exceptions, he said, include an IBM patent that characterized the basic architecture of a computer and Texas Instruments Inc.’s original patent for the integrated circuit, or computer chip. IBM was ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice to license its patent, while Texas Instruments decided to do the same, which has resulted in billions of dollars in royalties, Phelps said.
Many of Apple’s patents, by contrast, relate to the look and feel of devices or particular ways of using a machine, rather than a basic technology breakthrough.
Shift Ahead
The question on the minds of many patent lawyers isn’t whether Apple should adapt its legal stance, but when. For now, the company’s approach is costing rivals millions of dollars in fees, distracting management and preventing them from emulating Apple’s products more boldly, said Ron Epstein, a former attorney at Intel Corp. who now runs patent licensing firm Epicenter IP Group.
Apple’s patent portfolio remains strong compared with those of rivals, thanks both to the innovations that went into groundbreaking products such as the iPhone and iPad, and to the effectiveness of Apple’s legal department in obtaining patents for those innovations, said Christopher Marlett, chairman and co-founder of MDB Capital Group, an investment bank that advises companies on buying and selling patents.
“Apple has the patents, the money and the expertise to go to war,” Marlett said. “I just don’t see why Apple would seek détente, since they’re the clear leader. Until they’re hit with an injunction by Google (GOOG) or Samsung, they don’t need to get serious about licensing.”
Right Back at You
Still, as more companies pour resources into the booming mobile-devices market, Apple should eventually cut deals to ensure access to rivals’ innovations as well, Epstein said.
“How long can you beat everyone else over the head before they can do the same to me?” he said.
Tim Cook, who took over in August when Jobs announced he would be unable to come back as CEO, has many other ways to take advantage of the company’s patent portfolio. The company could probably collect as much as $10 in royalties for every device sold, more than the amount analysts speculate Microsoft (MSFT) receives from Samsung and HTC, which use its mobile technology, said Rivette at 3LP.
Other Arrangements
With $81 billion in cash and investments, Apple has little need for more. Instead, the company could pursue out-of-court settlements that would help it take on Android in other ways, Rivette said. The company could offer to drop its more than two dozen patent claims against Samsung in exchange for an agreement to hold off using Apple technology for six months or a year, he said. Cook could also try to get price breaks or guarantees that would give it greater access to Samsung parts, Rivette said.
Apple and Samsung also could agree to focus on different parts of the market. For example, Apple might make iPad-sized devices while agreeing to stay out of the market for smaller devices with 7-inch displays that could compete with Amazon (AMZN).com Inc.’s new Android-based Fire tablet, Rivette said.
If Apple agreed to let Samsung include Apple’s proprietary iTunes software in such a device -- an unprecedented and unlikely step, he said -- Samsung’s sales would probably increase. That would help slow gains by Amazon, whose push into hardware makes it a threat to Apple. The move also would make Samsung more reliant on Apple, lessening its dependence on Google.
‘Divided Loyalties’
“If I’m Apple, I want divided loyalties” from Android licensees, Rivette said. “At this point, it would make more sense for Apple to build an ecosystem that everyone can live in. If you’re going to license, why not go for the big deal where you lock down supply chains, get your technologies broadly adopted and slow down competitors? That is the game.”
Apple should pursue such settlements soon, before it winds up in need of other companies’ technology, Rivette said. The ITC is expected to rule in September on an import ban on Apple and Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM)’s mobile devices, for improper use of a photo preview feature patented by Eastman Kodak Co. (EK)
If the Commission decides there was infringement of the Kodak patent, Apple would need to settle the dispute by licensing the technology or buying some or all of Kodak’s patent portfolio to continue selling its products in the U.S. Because Kodak has been actively trying to sell its portfolio of 1,100 patents in recent months, Apple runs the risk that they may be purchased by Google, Samsung or another competitor.
Google Maps
While Apple is working on its own location-tracking technology, many iPhone and iPad users now rely on Google mapping tools to get directions or find the nearest coffee shop, by way of a partnership between Apple and Google that predates the rise of Android. Nokia Oyj, Microsoft and Skyhook Inc. also hold valuable patents for tools that keep tabs on a device’s whereabouts. Apple has made little headway in social networking and may need deals with companies such as Facebook Inc. to add features that help users connect with one another.   “If Apple wanted to get into social networking, they’d have a big problem,” said Ron Laurie, managing director of Inflexion Point Strategy, a Palo Alto, California-based intellectual property consulting firm.
Working toward settlements sooner would help Apple and its rivals maintain the fast pace of innovation that has fueled the mobile-device market, he said.
“At some point, there has to be some kind of settlement, some kind of peace,” Laurie said.

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Zephyr (by chpwn): Awesome Multitasking for iPhone and iPod touch

Zephyr is multitasking gestures for iPhone and iPod touch. From swiping up to show the multitasking switcher or quickly swiping to a different app, Zephyr is all you need to quickly and easily control multitasking.

Zephyr is AVAILABLE NOW in the Cydia Store! You should definitely go check it out.

A4 release

Hello, as expected, the Chronic Dev Team and the iPhone Dev Team have released the A4 untethered for 5.0.1 based on my work.

It is exactly the same set of files, either distributed as a Cydia package for those that are already tethered or a redsn0w bundle for new users.

They both did a great job testing and integrating the payload.

Here is a link to their respective blog posts :
- Chronic Dev Team : http://greenpois0n.com/?p=150
- iPhone Dev Team : http://blog.iphone-dev.org
temporary redsn0w download links: http://pastie.org/3078869

Happy jailbreaking !!!

~pod2g

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Action Movie FX

ACTION MOVIE FX lets you add Hollywood FX using your iPhone's video camera! YOU direct the ACTION! And FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME – 2 Movie FX packs!!Here's how it works:Select a Scene like "MISSILE ATTACK," film a target and ACTION MOVIE FX adds an INCOMING MISSILE AND ITS EXPLOSION right into your movie!FEATURES:• 2 FREE Big-Budget FX! MISSILE ATTACK & CAR SMASH!• Sound Design By Skywalker Sound!• Fast, Automated Video Tracking!• Music, Sound FX and Lens Flares!• Post to Facebook or Email to friends!USES:Look like an action star as you evade a massive CAR CRASH!Direct a MISSILE ATTACK at that broken office printer!**Post your videos to Facebook & show the world what you got!**GET CREATIVE! Shoot your movies at ANY SCALE – from toys to life-size! ADDITIONAL FX FOR PURCHASE:•CHOPPER DOWN & TORNADO ACTION BUNDLEUnleash a TORNADO in any weather OR bring an enemy CHOPPER DOWN!•AIRSTRIKE & FIRE FIGHT ATTACK BUNDLECARPET BOMB the bad guys, or RUN FOR COVER as they OPEN FIRE!MORE FX TO COME – STAY TUNED!!!Requirements:• iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 or 4S• iPad 2• iPod Touch 4th GenSupport & Tips:Please email support@actionmoviefx.com with support questions or requests for tips!

Apple iPad 3 can be presented to the birthday of Steve Jobs

Publisher Economic Times reports that Apple intends to honor the memory of who died October 5, 2011 former CEO Steve Jobs, in conjunction with the launch of third generation tablets iPad for his birthday. The deceased was born on February 24. However, the resource is 9 to 5 Mac, usually provides a sufficiently accurate information on the announcements of Apple, said that new products are usually presented on Tuesday or Wednesday, and February 24, 2012 falls on a Friday. From this it is concluded that 24 device is already in the shops (the usual practice, when sales of new products will start on the last working day of the week), and its announcement will take place earlier - in late January or early February. iPad first was presented on Wednesday, January 27, and in sale on Saturday, April 3. His successor was shown on Wednesday, March 2, and in sale on Friday, March 11. At the time of announcement of the tablet iPad 2 Steve Jobs was already on sick leave, but specially for the event came to personally introduce novelty. According to rumors the difference between the second and third versions of the iPad will not be so large so early a date out to the market model is quite realistic, subject to the condition that the partners will Apple provide a sufficient number of components by the end of February.

Maybe Apple’s Newsstand Really Was a Present for Publishers

When Apple launched its Newsstand feature in iTunes this fall, the idea was that giving newspaper and magazine publishers their own dedicated shelf space — for those who signed on to Apple’s subscription program – would boost sales.
And perhaps it has. After the feature launched in October, there were a flurry of press releases and reports about increases in downloads and activity, though every report I saw listed percentage increases, not actual numbers.
But here are some, from Bonnier’s Popular Science mag app, in convenient chart form. The jump you see in the second week of October corresponds with the launch of Newsstand:

The chart comes to us courtesy of Mag+, Bonnier’s tablet-publishing software business. And as Mag+ CEO Staffan Ekholm points out, the really promising indicator for Pop Sci isn’t the one-week sales leap of 13 percent — it’s that the the magazine’s growth picked up after that week, with more velocity.
It’s very easy to caveat this report  – the most obvious thing to point out is that Pop Sci is a title that resonates particularly well with the iTunes market. But it’s still nice to see actual sales data, no matter how anecdotal.
The next thing I’d love to see, though I’m not sure how easy it will be to suss out, is how often readers return to Newsstand apps. In my personal experience, I find that I end up visiting the New York Times’ app much less frequently now that it’s stored in the Newsstand. I wish I could pull it out on its own, so it could sit next to stuff I use all the time, like Instapaper and Twitter. If anyone wants to offer up usage stats, you’ve got an open platform here.

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