Apple and Nokia Shake Hands (Patents)

Nokia has announced that Nokia and Apple have finally settled all of their long-running patent disputes relating to mobile phone technology. As part of the patent agreement between Apple and Nokia, Apple has provided Nokia with a one-time payment and will continue to pay Nokia royalties for use of their patents. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop:

We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees, said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Nokia. This settlement demonstrates Nokia’s industry leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market.

“The patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices”, according to Nokia’s May 2010 lawsuit filing.

Another Samsung WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the FCC

Today, a WiFi tablet from the Korean company made its way through the FCC bearing model number GT-P7310. While some may think that this could well be the 8.9-inch version of Sammy's Android tablet, the above drawing is actually identical to the previous one bar the extra text at the bottom, so our money's on 10.1 again -- maybe this variant is destined for other countries? We shall see.

Non-Exploding Batteries Anyone??

Apple products are really pretty, so it's quite a shame when they explode. More than once. So I'd say this patent for non-exploding batteries is definitely a move in the right direction.


When a battery is exposed to direct sunlight or intense heat, gas buildups can occur and cause the battery to swell or, even worse, blow up. Apple's new design would include "special battery pouches" with the intention of avoiding fire hazards.

Apple’s Privacy Screen Patent Puts the Blinders On

Yesterday the US Patent Office published an application for Apple's next generation screens. The coolest new feature: a recently developed Privacy function. It would only allow someone viewing the screen head-on to read what's on it.


It's controlled by something called a Beam Steering Module, which refracts light off the screen in such a way that it's visible only within a narrow angle of space. If the technology ever does make it onto the production lines, Perhaps Apple wants to see it everywhere private viewing is desired — from ipods to medical equipment to vehicle instrument clusters.

Apple patent application shows keyboard that doesn't require contact, blows air

Apple's latest generation of desktop keyboards, but Cupertino feels that these thinner, lower-profile input devices limit tactile feedback. A patent application from Apple, filed in 2009 but only now revealed, aims to improve the user experience by "expelling air from the input device proximate the key when user selection is imminent." That's right -- your keyboard could blow on your fingertips.Another solution in the patent would function like a vacuum to pull keys away when a proximity sensor detects that you're about to type, providing simulated feedback. If this concept takes off in the future, your next MacBook Air could really live up to its name.