Just a brief history:

Both Nokia and Apple have sued each other multiple times over the past few months over patent infringements. Each of the companies has also requested that government officials block imports of Nokia products coming to the USA, and the block of Apple iPhone units coming into Finland.

We’re learning that the trial between the two companies could occur in mid-2012, according to Reuters. That’s over two years from now! Really, that’s all there is to say — we just thought you’d like to know.

Meanwhile, the ITC continues to investigate claims filed by both companies in both December and January. No conclusive findings have yet been reported.

[ via Reuters ]

Google is at it again! This time, we’re talking about Google News — which has a new feature enough to make you excited, if reading newspapers tickles your fancy, that is.

Google News now allows you to browse thousands of newspapers which have been scanned and indexed for your pleasure. Free of charge, users interested in browsing can simply hit the “Browse This Newspaper” feature when already looking at an archived article.

Users who are simply curious can follow this link to get an idea as to what we’re on about here. It’s cool, and will certainly be helpful to some folks.

Keep it coming, Google!

[ via Search Engine Roundtable ]

When boys and girls everywhere discovered on January 27th, 2010 (the date the iPad was announced) that the iPad wouldn’t have a screen rotation locking feature — we heard sighs from all directions, it seemed. Anyone who’s used an iPhone/iPod Touch in bed only to have random landscape-to-portrait and portrait-to-landscape sudden view changes knows what this is all about.

But today, we’re learning that the iPad will now come with a ’screen rotation lock’ switch — at least according to the image Apple’s posted up on the iPad specifications page. Now, when the media was able to get their paws on the device, the location of what Apple now calls the Screen Rotation Lock was previously a simple “mute” switch.

We wonder what else has been changed since the keynote.

[ via 9 to 5 Mac ]

We’re huge fans of iPhone Concepts. There’s something so interesting and exciting about them, despite the fact they’ll likely never come to fruition. We’ve come across yet another concept of what is called the “iPhone Pro,” or the “iPhone 4G” that features retractable side-panels for additional control. Additionally, the concept will obtain its energy from a MagSafe power connector, similar to MacBooks.

Designed by Italian Studio ADR — they aren’t real, but we reckon that Apple needs to hire these guys as soon as possible. Perhaps the design isn’t for everyone, but you’ve got to admit — it looks fantastic.

You must watch the video demo after the article break. Additional images included, too!

[ via ADR Studio ]

With the iPad available for pre-ordering bright and early this morning, consumers have some extra considering to do when it comes to iPad accessories. Apple has — alongside with the iPad — posted a few new accessories for the tablet device, from docks, keyboards, and even a case.

First, users can order the iPad Keyboard Dock (ships mid-April) for $69; an iPad Case for $39; an iPad Dock for $29; and an iPad Dock Connector to VGA adapter, priced at $29.

As an incentive to shell out another $70, Apple is providing free shipping for the iPad Keyboard Dock, which will likely become desirable to an iPad user at some point or another.

Additionally, it would appear as if Apple is limiting pre-orders on the iPad to just two units per individual, signaling a potential shortage.

Do any of these accessories look attractive to you?

Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit on Wednesday, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has stated that development of the widely-anticipated Chrome OS [operating system] is on schedule, with the OS-in-the-cloud slated to become a “big topic” in the news come the second half of 2010, reports T-Break.

The ultra-light browser-only operating system (which will find its way first to netbooks) will also become available in the second half of 2010, as we originally noted last year — by word of Google.

This is the first time we’ve heard a Google Chrome OS progress report since last year, and hopefully the next time we hear something from the top brass at Google, it will be positive.

[ via T-Break ]

Just a few days ago, Google CEO Eric Schmidt stated that Google and China were currently engaged in negotiations, noting vaguely that “something will happen soon.” Today, The Wall Street Journal reports that according to “people familiar with the matter,” Google could soon stop censoring results in China entirely. This doesn’t necessarily mean the company will have to get out of the country completely, however.

It looks like Google is actually talking with various Chinese government agencies to allow to still operate in the country somehow. “There will be a way for Google to not pull out 100%,” said one of the sources familiar with the issue. What this means is that Google could very well remain in China, despite the censoring problems, though the company would have to change radically.

It’s not clear at this moment what Google would have to do in order to stay in China. One thing is certain, even if Google.cn is shut down, other Google operations like sales, investments, and research could be allowed to continue operating.

However, China Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong has now stated that Google could face consequences if they stop censoring results, which they believe is ”unfriendly and irresponsible.”

We’ll update when we learn more.

[ via Engadget ]

Today, we learn that Microsoft has lost its appeal, yet again. The company is now facing a fee of up to $240 million. That’s probably on top of already high fees that Microsoft paid to the best of lawyers to help the company get out of this mess. Unfortunately, not even the best attorneys could help Redmond on this one.

Apparently, the reason why the appeal was denied again is because there’s enough evidence pointing that Microsoft was aware that the i4i technology was patented when it used it on Word. Still, Microsoft might be able to file another appeal. This time with the Supreme Court.

More as we learn new information.

[ via BBC ]

T-Mobile issued a statement yesterday regarding the data outage that affected Wi-Fi equipped BlackBerry smartphones sporadically across the United States on Monday and Tuesday. The carrier confirmed that the problem was related to Wi-Fi, and not its network. T-Mobile also went on to say that the outage affected BlackBerry smartphones on all North American carriers.

A T-Mobile spokeswoman said in a statement:

“This particular issue occurred only when customers attempted to send/receive data, browse the Web or send PIN-to-PIN (Peronal Identification Number) messages via Wi-Fi. Services over T-Mobile’s network were operational throughout this time. T-Mobile instructed customers to turn off Wi-Fi and connect via our network.”

The explanation seems to go against what many people reported on Monday and Tuesday. Affected BlackBerry users stated that data services worked only when Wi-Fi was turned on, not the other way around like the carrier explained. Thankfully, the problem has been resolved by Research In Motion, as reported by T-Mobile.

RIM has yet to issue a public statement explaining what exactly happened.

[ via PCWorld ]