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News tagged ‘Europe’
Unlocked iPhone 5 Will Not Be Sold in the U.S at Launch
Apple has confirmed that it will not be selling an unlocked version of the iPhone 5 in the U.S. at launch, reports The Verge.
We spoke with several Apple Store customer service representatives today, who informed us that US customers won't be able to sign up for the unlocked variant of Apple's new flagship phone when pre-orders start early tomorrow morning. The unlocked version also won't be available from either the US online or brick-and-mortar Apple Stores when the iPhone 5 launches on September 21st.
Carriers Testing Nano-SIMs Ahead Of iPhone 5 Launch
Earlier this week we reported that European mobile operators began stockpiling nano-SIM cards in anticipation of Apple using the new card in the next iPhone. Now BGR that carriers have already began testing the nano-SIM cards in cooperation with Apple.
European Carriers Stockpiling Nano-SIMs Ahead iPhone 5 launch
Financial Times reports that European carriers have begun stockpiling the new nano-SIMs ahead the launch of the next-generation iPhone that will use the new standard.
Operators expect that the iPhone will feature the nano sim in a slimmed down design, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation, and have begun to store millions of the cards in warehouses in anticipation of high demand for Apple’s iPhone. Apple declined to comment.
Apple Threatened With Suspension Of Italian Sales Over Warranty Concerns
Back in December of 2011 we reported that Italian antitrust regulator forced Apple to pay a $1,2 million fine for misleading practices related to warranty terms disclosure. The regulator claimed that Apple mislead customers by selling standard one-year AppleCare warranty without properly informing consumers of a two-year warranty that is required by European Union law. Reuters, now Apple is facing additional fines and temporary closure of its commercial operations in Italy, if the company does not change its warranty policies:
New Nano-SIM Standard Approved
The European Telecommunications Institute (ETSI) has adopted a standardized design for the next-generation "nano-SIM" that is 40% smaller than the current micro-SIM standard.
Today's SIM card designs take up a significant amount of space inside a mobile device. This space is more and more valuable in today's handsets which deliver an ever increasing number of features.
Infinity Blade is now on sale for $0.99
Chair Entertainment has announced that their popular Infinity Blade game for iOS is now on sale for $0.99.
You can purchase Infinity Blade from the App Store for $0.99 ().
Apple Offers Royalty-Free Patent Licenses to Push Proposed Nano-SIM Standard
FOSS Patents reports that it has seen a letter sent by Apple to the European Telecommunications Standards Institutes (ETSI) committing to offer royalty-free license to its nano-SIM design patents. Apple pushes “nano-SIM” design as the official next-generation standard to further reduce the size of the removable cards.
A perfectly reliable source that I can't disclose has shown me a letter dated March 19, 2012 that a senior Apple lawyer sent to ETSI. The letter addresses the primary concern of critics of the proposal. The FT said that "the Apple-led proposal has caused some concern among its rivals that the US group might eventually own the patents". But Apple's letter has removed this roadblock, if it ever was any, through an unequivocal commitment to grant royalty-free licenses to any Apple patents essential to nano-SIM, provided that Apple's proposal is adopted as a standard and that all other patent holders accept the same terms in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
Such “nano-SIM” standard would enable Apple to design smaller and thinner devices or to utilize some of the space within existing device volumes for other components.
Consumer Groups In 11 EU Countries Request Apple To Change AppleCare Policy
In December last year AFP that Italian anti-trust regulators fined Apple $1.2 million for misleading commercial practices relating to AppleCare warranties. According to the decision of Italian competitor regulator, Apple’s AppleCare warranties have failed to inform consumers of a 2-year mandatory warranty required by EU law.
New iPad 4G LTE incompatible with networks outside North America
Apple advertises the iPad Wi-Fi + 4G model as the LTE-capable one, but the radio bands supported by the device are not the same as those used outside of North America.
4G LTE supported on AT&T and Verizon networks in the US; Bell, Rogers and Telus networks in Canada. 4G data plan is sold separately.
The iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G model you purchase is configured to work with a particular mobile network technology. Check with your carrier for compatibility and 4G data plan availability.
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Apple said to be considering a 14-inch MacBook Air for Asian markets
A new rumor suggests that Apple could develop a new 14-inch MacBook Air model specifically for the Asian PC market. DigiTimes reported that mass production of the 14-inch thin-and-light notebook may begin soon. Apple is said to be considering the 14-inch screen size for the notebook because it is a popular form factor unique to the region.
Apple currently sells MacBook Air in screen sizes of 11.6 inches and 13.3 inches. But in the Asia market 14-inch notebooks account for as much as 40 percent of sales that is why Apple is said to be considering a screen size specifically for that region.
Proview accuses Apple of fraud and unfair competition
On Monday Proview amended its California lawsuit against Apple over its use of the "iPad" trademark, accusing the company of multiple instances of fraud and unfair competition.
"The complaint provides evidence that the December 23, 2009 agreement that Proview Taiwan entered into was fraudulently induced by the concealment and suppression of material facts by Apple's agents, and that, as a result, the 2009 agreement is void," the press release states. "Once the agreement is voided for fraud, the iPad trademarks in the European Union, South Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam will revert back to Proview Taiwan."
Chinese Authorities and Retailers Removing iPads from Sale Over Trademark Issues
Last week, Apple was said to be facing a potential fine of approximately $38 million as a result of a trademark dispute in China between Apple and Proview Technology, which claims to have held ownership of the "iPad" trademark there since 2000. Noteworthy, Proview is seeking as much as $1.6 billion in damages. Apple believed that it had acquired the rights to the iPad trademark in China in an earlier $55,000 deal with Proview's parent company that also included European rights. But the Chinese arm of the company now claims that the Chinese rights could not have been part of the deal because those rights were not controlled by the parent company.
Now DigiCha and China.com. report that China authorities have begun taken steps related to the trademark issue, confiscating iPads from retailers' shops. DigiCha reports:
Apple Asked ETSI To Set Basic FRAND Licensing Rules
After being defeated by Motorola in a patent dispute over FRAND licensing this month, Apple proposed the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to set consistent royalties for patents that are essential to wireless communication standards, the Wall Street Journal. The body participates in setting the standards relating to 4G LTE, 3G UMTS and GSM technologies.
In China Apple May Face $38 Million Fine Over 'iPad' Trademark Infringement
iSmashPhone that in China Apple may face a $38 million fine from government bodies over alleged infringement of the trademark related to the "iPad" name. However, the fine pales by comparison to the $1.6 billion claim from Proview Technology. The company asserts that it owns the rights for the name and seeks to win a series of suits filed against Apple. Also Proview reportedly expects an apology from Apple and seeks an injunction restraining Apple from using this name in China.
Court upholds ban of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany on new grounds
A German appeals court on Tuesday upholds ban of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 sales in Europe's biggest economy.
The decision by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (DHRC) upholds a ruling from last September but does so based on Germany's unique unfair competition law rather than the earlier court's finding that Samsung committed a violation of a Community design. As such, Apple won't have success replicating the decision in other European countries, according to legal analyst Florian Mueller, as Samsung succeeded in defeating design-right claims by Apple that could have contributed to a broader, more material ruling covering most of the European Union.