Investment analyst Charlie Wolf (Charlie Wolf) wrote to his clients that the suit Apple to HTC, which we wrote yesterday, the chances to win more from Apple. If the court confirms the correctness of Apple, a Taiwanese company will have to change the interface on their devices or stop their sale in the U.S. that will hit one of the main competitor Apple.

«Apple is very much invested in creating a unique, explosive smartphone, – says Wolfe. – From our point of view, this company has all the right to protect the unique features of the iPhone ".

On Tuesday, Apple HTC accused of violating 20 patents directly related to the iPhone, mainly in the area of its interface. As an example, cited several violations of Apple devices, including a number of smartphones running Android. Immediately after that, Google issued a statement with these words: "We did not figure in this process, but we protect our Android operating system and our partners that helped us in developing it."

According to Wolf, primarily Apple worries that Android is actively used Multisensory Technology ( "multitouch"). At the Nexus One, which HTC has released in conjunction with Google, the original of this functionality was not, but later it was in it later. You may also recall that a year ago HTC released the Android-smartphone with a virtual keyboard that is identical to that of the iPhone.

In the lawsuit Apple also mentions "software architecture, environment and implementation, including various aspects of the software involved in the functioning of operating systems." Apple Requests International Trade Commission to ban the sale of all HTC devices in the United States.

According to analysts, the action is just the beginning of "a long and bloody war» Apple with HTC. He assesses the chances of Apple's winning both the high and recommends buying shares of Apple.

Via AppleInsider

Airlines, Virgin America said the refusal of the use of Flash on your site. Instead, it will now be used in other technologies, such as CSS, and eventually planned to go to the HTML 5 standard, which supports animations, scalable vector graphics, and video without any plug-ins were.

This step in the company explained the desire to be closer to the users of the iPhone and other devices, which had previously been impossible to work with the site due to lack of support Flash. Many users receive useful information about flights and book tickets from your phone.

CIO Simhambhatla Ravi (Ravi Simhambhatla) admitted that Flash is too burdensome, even for desktop computers. Many visitors to the site plug-in Flash takes up to 40% of CPU time. Given that a fundamental need in Flash do not, the company decided to drop it.

This step is a major airline – wake-up call to Adobe and Flash. Many predicted a big problem iPad precisely because of the lack of it Flash, but if the other major sites will follow Virgin, may well be that this is Flash will give place to a more modern standard, HTML 5. Apple openly proclaims commitment is HTML 5, emphasizing the instability of Flash.

Via Electronista

Apple said that HTC breaks over 20 patents, implemented in the iPhone, and filed the lawsuit in court. Patents relate to interface elements and hardware architecture. Neither Google, nor Android in the lawsuit are not mentioned.

Google is working closely with HTC for a long time, with the release of the first device on Android – G1, which has made it this Taiwanese company. Own phone Google, Nexus One, also made it. Consequently, there is no doubt that the claim Apple is largely associated with Google and its hardware and software ecosystem, although it is known that between Apple and Google operates a kind of "gentleman's agreement".

It is known that Steve Jobs has commented on this claim as follows: "We can not sit idly by and watch as competitors steal our patented inventions, and might have something to do with it. We decided something to do with it.

It is still unknown, "theft" exactly what inventions did not like Apple. Perhaps it's the interface Sense UI, well-established system of multiple home screens with support for widgets. In addition, recently there were rumors that a new version of Sense UI almost directly copies the interface iPhone.

Via TechRadar

Gartner summed up the results of the smartphone market in 2009. A positive outcome of this year has ended for Apple, Google and RIM. In absolute terms, leading RIM with 19,9% of the market, but Apple and Google was growing fast. Apple increased its market share from 8,2% (in 2008) to 14,4% (in 2009). Android most of 2008 was not shipped, but next year this OS gained 3.9% market share.

As usual, the growth of some means a fall for others. Share Symbian fell below 50% – to 46,9%. The positions of Windows Mobile weakened with 11,8% to 8,7%, and operating system from Microsoft took the fourth position in the ranking. The share of systems based on Linux has declined from 7,6% to 4,7%: this reflected the transition of many producers on Android.

Proportion Palm webOS still negligible – only 0.7%.

If we talk about the market of traditional phones, there is still a leader Nokia with 36.9%. However, a year ago, it was higher – 38,6%. Next come the Samsung and LG, and they were able to improve the position: up to 19,5% and 10,1% respectively.

Via Electronista

If you look at the new version of the SDK iPhone 3/2, we can assume that it will videophone calls. The module Telephony UI icons appear with unambiguous names: AcceptVideo and DeclineOrEndVideo. At the same time are references to a certain iChat and VideoChat. Currently, the iPhone has no such functionality, but at the MAK OS X is for a video chat program called iChat.

Perhaps the video chat is for a future version iPad. In the early photographs clearly shows that in the design of the tablet is a place for the camera.

Via Electronista

At the Mobile World Congress Opera organized a presentation for journalists Opera Mini browser on the iPhone. According to Engadget, the speed of Opera Mini more than impressive: "With Opera Mini on iPhone 3GS page New York Times booted five times faster than Safari».

The secret of success lies in the fact that the browser on the phone itself makes the process page, and sends a request to their servers and then receive a ready-processed page with all text, images, etc. In addition to increasing the speed makes it more and reduce traffic . Apple has much to ponder.

But why Opera decided to arrange such a fuss when it is still not a fact that the application be approved in the App Store? After all, the right to reject applications that replicate the functionality of native, in Cupertino, has not disappeared. According to Engadget, this is done immediately, for three reasons …

First, half of mobile traffic in the world are on the iPhone, ie the iPhone for Opera – at the moment is the plum. Secondly, the presentation was made on many of the very strong impression. And finally, thirdly, Opera tries to prove that the application works and works, I must say, excellent – so that, say, Apple did not get out, referring to the bugs or even what some vague excuses. After all, antitrust agreement nobody abolished, while Opera has created a similar judicial experience with Microsoft: if Europe was lifted restrictions on the choice of a browser in Windows 7 when installing the system.

Pictures or video from the presentation there – the company is strictly prohibited.

Via Engadget

On the "fruit" battery has been known for a long time ago (more here). It is said that power the digital clock is enough for one orange …

And how many does it take to charge the iPhone? The answer can be found in this video:

PS is to agree with one of the commentators video: for the test would need to take the apples, not oranges. Last just cheaper? Or, perhaps, in the interfered French operator Orange?

Apple is an urgent need to think about the issue of the stylus for a capacitive screen, because otherwise she risks to pay a significant share of the profits … slaughterhouse. As seen from the photos, users in South Korea get the hand to use as a stylus for the iPhone usual sausage in the plastic package. In cold weather, remove gloves are not always pleasant, and sausage in their properties is the perfect substitute for thumb.

Via Engadget

Despite the fact that the Apple App Store is the largest store of mobile applications in the world, and Apple itself is taking 30% of each sale, the overall level of income continues to be low. On Monday, CFO Peter Oppenheimer (Peter Oppenheimer) said that a large income is neither App Store, or iTunes, and this despite the fact that last quarter was "a record". The exact figures are not voiced by executives.

"As for App Store and iTunes, then they both operate on the verge of profitability, yet it is so" – said Oppenheimer.

Apple has always said that the App Store is not intended for profit or to attract customers to the iPhone and iPod touch. Even so, for many will be surprised to learn that the 3 billion downloads from the App Store shop works on the verge of profitability.

In Apple also responded to the accusation that the approval process for new applications not in the interest of developers. According to the Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook (Tim Cook), over 90% of all new applications approved within 14 days. If the application is not approved, it usually happens because it "affects the full-time functionality of the phone." In particular, last year, Apple has not approved Google Voice, because it is too close to reproduce the functionality of a full-time iPhone. Some applications are rejected because of questionable content such as pornography. However, according to Cook, in most cases the cause is different.

"Most of the failures related to errors in the code itself, – he said. – So we are protecting the consumer and the developer, because nobody wants that the consumer was dissatisfied with the application.

Advisers Apple proudly announced that the App Store has already sold 100 thousand applications. The closest pursuer – Android Market from Google – far behind: it is only in December broke the mark in 20 thousand.

"We are far ahead of our competitors … – said Oppenheimer. – Together with the developers, we have provided consumers a number of excellent applications. This helps us and with the iPhone, and iPod touch. This is one reason why the iTunes set record sales for the quarter.

Via AppleInsider

In the online shop software for iPhone application appeared BarMax for $ 999,99. This is the most expensive to date, the application App Store, it is intended for law students, who pass the exams to a lawyer. More precisely, the application itself is free, but it does not work without a subscription to the service, which costs almost a thousand dollars.

Developer program, the company BarBri, draws attention to the fact that similar services from different companies is about 3-4 thousand dollars. However, for this price a student receives a course of seminars, which BarMax, of course not. But it is cheaper to four times.

Via TechCrunch