Google to pay part of Samsung’s legal costs in Apple patent infringement trial

A Google lawyer confirmed on Tuesday that the company will assume some of Samsung’s legal fees and will cover damage awards if the Korean company should lose in its infringement lawsuit with Apple, reports Re/Code. Apple presented evidence from Google lawyer James Maccoun that shows Goolge will agreed to provide at least partial and possibly full indemnity for four of the patents included in the infringement case. Apple played deposition testimony from Google lawyer James Maccoun, who verified emails in which Google agreed to provide partial or full indemnity with regard to four patents as well as to take over defense of those claims. Of the four patents covered by Google, only two patents, those covering background synchronization and universal search, remain in the case. The other two were dropped before the trial began. In the early stages of the trial, Google was considered to be a sideline figure, providing only testimony on behalf of Samsung. This latest deposition testimony suggests the company is playing a more central role in Samsung’s defense. Google likely is assisting Samsung as part of its contractual obligation under the “Mobile Application Distribution Agreement”, which covers the distribution of Google applications on Samsung’s Android devices. Samsung and Apple are in the final stages of the trial with each side arguing over damages. Apple is asking for $2 billion for infringement of five of its patents, while Samsung claims it should only owe Apple $40 million if it loses the case. Continue reading →

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Apple fixes Heartbleed flaw in its Airport Base Stations

Along with its iOS and OS X updates, Apple today also released a patch for its 2013 AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule models, reports Macworld. The firmware update fixes the Heartbleed OpesSSL flaw that was discovered earlier this month and affects both websites and internet hardware like Apple’s most recent AirPort Base Station models. The AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.7.3 is available only for the latest AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule versions that were released in June 2013. This update fixes a flaw that impacts Airport devices that have the Back to My Mac feature enabled. The flaw does not compromise Apple ID passwords, but would allow access to router or computer login screens via a man-in-the-middle attack. The firmware update provides a fix for the recent OpenSSL vulnerability for the latest generation of 802.11ac enabled AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule base stations (June 2013). This vulnerability only impacts recent Airport devices that have the Back to My Mac feature enabled. Customers with previous generation AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsules do not need to update their base stations. AirPort owners who have enabled the Back to My Mac feature are strongly encouraged to patch the Heartbleed flaw by running the firmware update as soon as possible. AirPort owners who own an older model or have a new model without Back to My Mac enabled are not advised to apply the update as those hardware configurations are not affected by this vulnerability. Continue reading →

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iOS 7.1.1 App Store adds “In-App Purchase” label to freemium apps

Earlier today, Apple released iOS 7.1.1 to the public with a handful of bug fixes, security enhancements and overall performance enhancements. Apple also made a few minor changes to the iOS App Store that make it clear which paid or freemium apps include in-app purchases, reports MacRumors. After a spate of high-profile in-app purchases by children made headlines a few years ago, Apple has been gradually improving its iOS ecosystem by highlighting paid content offered with apps and offering tools to minimize their accidental purchase. Several years ago, Apple required password confirmation for all in-app purchases and added parental controls that allow parents to turn off the feature for devices that land in the hands of children. The Cupertino company also recently added disclosure notices on individual apps that list the available in-app content and their purchase price. This latest feature brings the “in-app purchase” label right to the forefront of the iOS App Store by adding them to apps in the Top Charts listing, including the Free and Top Grossing lists that are dominated by these freemium titles. This disclosure also appears on category pages in the iOS App Store. iOS 7.1.1 is available over-the-air via the Software update tool in the iOS Settings app. It also can be installed by connecting your iOS device to iTunes. Besides these in-app changes, iOS 7.1.1. also includes Touch ID improvement, Safari support for top-level domains such as .photo, and a handful of bug fixes. Continue reading →

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Apple opens up OS X Beta Seed program to the public

Apple today opened its OS X Beta Seed program to the public. Starting now, anyone with an Apple ID can apply to join the program as long as they meet the minimum hardware requirements. Recently, this program was only available to developers who had a valid OS X developer account. The program allows users to download the beta versions of Apple’s desktop OS X before it is launched to the public. Once a user has signed up for the program, they can submit feedback on the OS X builds using Feedback Assistant, which sends the comments directly to Apple. Join the OS X Beta Seed Program and accept the Beta Seed and Confidentiality Agreement. Apple will provide a Beta Access Utility for your Mac, which gives you access to pre-release versions of OS X in the Mac App Store Updates panel. Users can apply to the beta program on Apple’s Appleseed Beta website. Interested parties only need to have an Apple ID and must virtually sign a non-disclosure agreement. They also must have current hardware that is capable of running Apple’s latest desktop OS. Hardware requirements include a OS X computer with OS X Mavericks 10.9 or higher already installed, 2 GB or more of memory and 8 GB or more of available space. Will you sign up for the OS X beta program? Let us know in the comments! Continue reading →

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Apple releases iOS 7.1.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Apple has released iOS 7.1.1 (build number: 11D201) for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Just like iOS 7.1, jailbreakers should avoid upgrading to iOS 7.1.1 until further notice as you will lose the jailbreak and won’t be able to jailbreak your device. Developing… Continue reading →

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Apple starts free recycling program for all its used products

Apple today confirmed that it will start offering a free recycling program for all its products, reports the Associated Press. This new initiative is part of a larger push by Apple to make its company’s operations as environmentally friendly as possible. Apple already has a program in place that offers customers gift cards when they bring in an older iPhone or iPod that is in good enough condition to be resold. Customer who bring in an older device could then use that money on a another purchase. Now all retail Apple stores will start accepting older devices that are broken or have no resale value because of their age. Customers won’t receive any money for these devices, but Apple will accept them for recycling for free. Apple is offering this program to help customers dispose of older devices in a responsible way. Will you take Apple up on its offer to recycle an old device for free? Continue reading →

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Apple video unveils ‘the best office building in the world’

Apple today posted a video of its Apple Campus 2 project on its website as part of its new “Better” environmental campaign. This video originally debuted during an Apple presentation to the Cupertino town council, but this is our first look at the video in high-definition quality. The video showcases architect Norman Foster and other Apple team members who discuss the beginnings of the forward-thinking corporate office. Forster notes that the spaceship building evolved over time as part of an intensive process. “It didn’t start as a circular building, it really grew into that,” Foster says in the video. “So the idea of one building with a great park was really borne out of a very intensive process.” Foster was brought onto the Campus 2 team directly by Steve Jobs, who called him out of the blue and said he needed Foster’s help. Foster recalls that the campus’ orchard landscape was crafted by Steve Jobs, who remembered California as the “fruit bowl of America” and wanted to bring some California back to Cupertino. Apple’s new Campus 2 building is located at the former HP campus in Cupertino, California. Apple is removing the existing buildings and parking lots that dotted the environment. The site will feature a circular, glass-encased office building with several orchards dotting the green landscape. Apple is building its new campus to the highest environmental standards with 100 percent of the Campus’ power derived from renewable energy sources. The company also takes advantage of natural ventilation, which will allow the main building to go without heat or air conditioning for 75 percent of the year. [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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