AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

A world with no Android. That will never happen nor will Apple fans or fans of other mobile platforms want to see that. It is hard to fathom just what will come out of the ITC ruling today that HTC infringed on two key Apple patents. Will Apple and HTC work out a deal or will Apple say no to any deal. A lot of blogs now seem to suggest that a deal will be worked out. A deal in Apple's favor but a deal nonetheless. There is evidence to suggest that could happen. After all, Apple indicated that it was trying to resolve its patent and trade-look complaints with Samsung. So a deal could still happen. But many Apple watchers have also said Apple isn't in the business of licensing patents. This is a stark difference from what Microsoft is doing with its Android competitors. And maybe Apple's unwillingness to license its patents is at the heart of this epic mobile struggle. However this plays out, I don't see this as the beginning of the of Android. Nor should anyone else. An...

I've got six or so apps on my mobile devices that I use to help me with workout, losing weight, and eating right.  But none of that matters without putting in the hard work and a willingness to.  According to CNN , Jamil Macias made that hard choice and effort after seeing how he looked from his pictures. Since then, he has ran a half marathon and is feeling pretty good about himself.  The thing about Jamil's workout and diet is no secret at all.  It's his toughness and willingness to make it happen.   CNN's post offered some details about what he did, ate, and went through.  The story is the same for all of us.  We're either a Jamil or we're not.   I rarely get to post about health and mobile.  So, whip up your Blackberry, Android, or iPhone into shape with the right apps and get the ball rolling.

All day, I was waiting for another round of lawsuits, maneuvers, or filings between Apple and Android device makers it was suing.  Just when I thought the day was going end quietly, this happened: The ITC ruled that HTC has violated two of Apple's patents.  HTC is appealing but if HTC doesn't win the appeal, it would need to come to terms with Apple.  And Apple does not have a history of licensing its patents.   Closely watched is also the other major lawsuit between Apple and Samsung.  It's not over but this is definitely a major setback for HTC. Could a ban of HTC products result?  I hope not.  If you're worried, better go out and get your HTC devices as soon as you can.    Source: CNet , TUAW .

I had always thought that Microsoft did not enter the social network market because it had one.  Facebook.  After all, it was an early investor and there are close relationships between the two companies. According to T3 , the secret project is called "Tulalip" is Microsoft's own social network - this news comes on the heel of the successful Google Plus launch with already 10 million users.   Personally, I'm kind of tapped out now.  Plus works for me and Microsoft is going to have to do a lot of incredible stuff to make me want to even consider starting up a profile with it.   I wonder if Facebook had prior knowledge of this and how they feel about it.   From the looks of it, Microsoft could be trying to be an aggregator to other social networks (both Facebook and Twitter were featured prominently on the front page) and working with them instead of just competing with them outright.  Yesterday, I wrote about an Apple patent that creates a mean for App...

This is another one of Apple's perfectly timed leak aimed. And the intended audience is an audience of one:  Samsung. Maybe you've heard of TSMC.  They are a Taiwanese chip foundry and Apple is currently working with them to see if their skills are up to snuff to be Apple's main chip supplier their next generation of iOS devices.   According to Reuters , whether TSMC gets the order and how much of it will depend largely on yield.  In the post, an analyst based on Seoul said something that was interesting.  Apple and Samsung have had a deep and long relationship.  It won't be an easy breakup.  He also asserted that there are intellectual property issues that will make it hard for Apple to remove itself from Samsung.  I'm not sure about that point since Apple's own team designed their chips. How will Samsung take this TSMC leak?  I think they were expecting something like this already and there could be some panicky shareholders or the Korean p...

With the open war raging between Apple and Samsung, Apple could be looking else where to source their component needs.  And it likes the first one to be moved from Samsung is Apple's next CPU to be used in their iOS devices.  Of course, this could be a potential short term hit on Samsung's finances but I'm not sure with the market growing so fast, Samsung can find other customers, like Amazon or even its own mobile division, to pick up the slack.  The Galaxy S II is selling on par with earlier iPhone sales. There is one main reason why I like to see Apple make a clean break from Samsung.  Curiosity.  Plan and simple.  Nothing more.  Nothing less. If Apple isn't sourcing or provide some information to Samsung so that they can manufacture Apple's components, is Samsung able to continue to push forward their mobile efforts? There would be no cheat sheet that Samsung is able to rely on. And if so, Apple really doesn't have a case in the public court of opi...

People who work hard for their money out to be paid for it.  I know, sometimes, it's easier to just get something to free off the Internet than to go into a store to buy something.  But with digital media so readily available now and cheap, it has never been easier to just buy it rather than pirate it.   Apple has made it very easy to find and download music, video and apps.  And while video is on the higher side of the cost curve, music and most apps are not.   And Apple ought to do more about this.  According to Appleinsider , they highlighted one developer who was frustrated that Apple's social gaming service, Game Center, even works with pirated copies of his game.  I can't believe that people are so unwilling to just pay the $1 for it. I know there are people who there who just refuses to pay for one damn song or app.  I think they are on the extreme. But put yourself in the developer's shoes.  You really are fine if people take away 90%...