Apple patent victory over HTC; Ice Cream Sandwich coming to Samsung

Jamie Hinks
December 20, 2011
1 Comment

Apple happyApple has claimed victory in its latest patent dispute against an Android phone manufacturer. The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled HTC infringed two claims of one Apple patent. It covers software that coverts phone numbers and emails into clickable/touchable links and means any HTC device using the patent cannot be sold on US soil from April 19,2012. Devices running Android 1.6 to 2.2, such as Droid Incredible, Evo 4G, T-Mobile G2, and Nexus One could be affected. HTC doesn’t sound particularly perturbed by this with the firm telling Boy Genius Report: “Our designers have created alternate solutions for the ‘647 patent.’”

The effect this has on Google could go either way. Apple could now go after a number of different Android manufacturers in the same way or the firm could simply side step the ban by conforming. Patent expert Florian Mueller commented: “If Google can implement this popular feature, which users of modern-day smartphones really expect, without infringing on the two patent claims found infringed, this import ban won’t have any effect whatsoever.

The situation won’t affect the gaming industry in a massive amount with many companies choosing to gear their strategies towards Apple devices. A complete ban on certain Android devices could have a disastrous effect though.

Better news for Android comes with the news Ice Cream Sandwich is coming to Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets early next year. The Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note will be the first devices to get the upgrade before the full range “soon follows” according to Samsung. It will be good news for gambling industry developers that will be able to take advantage of the increased opportunities the new platform will give them.

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Tags: android, Apple, Article, Google, htc, patent
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