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News tagged ‘multitouch’
Apple Files Patent Application for Pressure-Sensitive Touch Screen
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday published another Apple’s patent filing that describes a pressure-sensitive touch screen for iPhone or iPad. The company from Cupertino suggests to use several sensors to detect the level of pressure user applies to the display. Such sensors can be used as a secondary mode of input.
Leave a commentApple Announces New 4-inch iPod Touch And Multitouch iPod Nano
Today at its media event Apple updated the iPod touch lineup to a fifth generation model that includes the same 4" screen as the new iPhone 5. At only 88 grams and 6.1mm thin the new iPod touch is lighter than all previous iPod touch models. The new model incorporates the A5 processor.
Apple plans to release new taller iPod Nano with Home button this fall
Recent rumors say Apple is planning to release a new taller iPod nano this autumn. The new device is expected to have a Home button and integration with iTunes.
Microsoft Announces Its New Tablet Called Surface
Microsoft has unveiled its new tablet that will compete with iPad, Google’s Android and tablets from other manufacturers.
The is a 10.6-inch tablet running Windows 8 and will come in two models. One will be powered by OS Windows RT and ARM processor. It will ship in 64GB or 32GB versions.
Antitrust Investigators Subpoenaed Apple For Information On Search Deal With Google
Bloomberg, Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust investigators subpoenaed Apple requesting details on the company’s agreement with Google, according to which Google has become the default search engines on iOS devices. Reportedly, last year Google Apple $1 billion in the iOS search agreement, and the subpoena is part of an antitrust investigation that is currently conducted over Google’s business practices.
ITC rules Motorola did not violate Apple patents
The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled a couple of days ago that Motorola's Droid line of smartphones does not violate Apple's patents.
"We are pleased with today's favorable outcome for Motorola Mobility," Scott Offer, senior vice president and general counsel of Motorola Mobility, said in a statement. "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."
Apple granted another key multitouch patent
The United States Patent and Trademark Office published on Tuesday that Apple won a core multitouch patent that describes how touch events are recognized by a touchscreen device. The patent blog Patently Apple also noted that this patent was one of the "200+ Patents for new inventions" Jobs lauded when the iPhone first debuted in 2007.
The newly granted patent focuses on the oscillator signal and circuit of a touchscreen-equipped device, an integral invention directly related to how users interact with their multitouch products.
Apple states in the filing: "In general, multi-touch panels may be able to detect multiple touches (touch events or contact points) that occur at or about the same time, and identify and track their locations."
One way to record multiple touches is to generate an oscillating signal circuit that can power and clock inputs over a substrate as in a capacitive touchscreen display. But it is difficult to create a precise circuit-based oscillator. According to Apple's patent, the solution to capacitive touchscreen problem is to calibration logic circuitry which compares the signal oscillation against a reference signal and tunes the clock frequency accordingly. The invention provides for an accurate capacitive display that can not only sense multiple touches, but also detect hover or near touches which are also recognized as "touch events."
Apple wins injunction against Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia
The Federal Court in Australia has issued a preliminary ban on sales of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country. The Justice believed that Apple had presented sufficient evidence conforming violation two of its touchscreen- and multitouch-related patents by Samsung. Previously the Korean company had agreed to delay launch of their new tablet in Australia, waiting for the Court’s decision. Samsung even offered Apple a compromise deal that would allow the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to launch with minor concessions. But Apple was not accepted that offer.
In September Apple won the proceedings in Germany, where the Galaxy Tab 10.1’ sales were also preliminary banned. The legal battle between the companies has grown increasingly fierce since it began in April of this year, when Apple accused Samsung of copying the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad. Apple reported that they had tried to solve the problem not suing to the Court, but negotiations were not successful.
Apple has been denied trademark for Multi-Touch
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has denied an Apple’s application for a trademark on the term Multi-Touch, applied by the company on January 9, 2007, the day the iPhone was introduced. Receiving deny, Apple appealed to the Appeal Board. The board also refused to grant the trademark, noting that the term "multitouch" has taken on generic meaning, being used by a wide variety of publications to describe the touchscreen technology on Android phones, tablets, and notebooks.
Thus, from the foregoing, we find that “multi-touch” not only identifies the technology, but also describes how a user of the goods operates the device. Based on the evidence discussed above, as well as other evidence in the record, we agree with the examining attorney that MULTI-TOUCH indeed is highly descriptive of a feature of the identified goods. We now consider whether applicant has submitted sufficient evidence to establish acquired distinctiveness of this highly descriptive term.
New Chrome Enhancements Include Lion Multitouch Gestures And Omnibar History Sync
The latest developer version of Google’s browser Chrome includes several new improvements. Now the software supports Apple’s multitouch gesturing in OS X Lion. This improvement allow you to flick your finger right or left with Magic Mouse or (two fingers with Trackpad) to go back or forth in your history. However, such gestures as double-tap or pinch can’t be used to smoothly zoom in and out, like in Safari on Lion. With another enhancement you can be assured that accidental hitting of the Command + Q combination will not quit Chrome since to quit the browser you need to hold down the combination for a brief time.
New IPod Nano Will Likely Support Bluetooth 4.0
We have already heard many rumors about upgrade of Apple’s smartphone line this fall, as well as information about the release of next-generation tablet. Also rumors about launch of iPod touch with 3G modem have been circulating. But we forgot that upgrade of all iPod line is planned on September.
Apple Explores New Multitouch Gestures And "Physical" Ways Sharing Documents
Last week United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) published a new patent application that describes new multitouch gestures for imitating physical metaphors and allowing users to share documents across devices, for example, by “pouring” files between devices (showed in the picture above).
Another Apple's Patent Application Describes New 3D Gestures Technology
Besides Apple's patent application about multitouch gestures, USPTO has published another another patent concerning 3D gestures.
In another filing (number 20110164029) the company describes new three-dimensional gestures (showed in the illustration above) which might be used in professional content creation software, such as 3D modeling, CAD applications, image editing programs and many others. The 3D gestures could also be used in alleged iPhone HD to run such professional apps as Final Cut Pro and Aperture.
Microsoft’s Windows 8 Will Compete With The iPad 3
After Microsoft less than a year ago managed to catch up with Apple’s three year leading position and released up-to-date, multi-touch operating system in Windows Phone 7, it needs to do it again.
Happy birthday, iPad!
Yesterday, on April 3 the Apple’s iPad celebrated its first anniversary. 365 days ago the original iPad went on sale in the United States. The Apple’s “magical device” that was smaller than a laptop but bigger than a smartphone, was exactly what many people had been looking for. Moreover, the iPad created a new market of devices without physical keyboard with large Multitouch screen. iPad for Apple was a terrific commercial success. The company sold more than 15 million devices, and over 75, 000 native applications via the App Store. The iPad became an iconic device, and now there are long lines around the globe to get the chance of buying an iPad 2.