The FTC wants details on the deal that made Google the default search on the iPhone

This was certainly not a story that we expected to see popup on the news wire, not because it isn't an interesting story, and something that we'd like to know about, but because we are now almost 5 years into the life of the iPhone, and only now is the FTC asking for details on the deal that made Google the default search on the iPhone (and all iOS devices eventually). 

The subpoena from the FTC wants to know if Google got any sort of preferential treatment in the deal, and the terms of the deal will be part of the FTC's ongoing antitrust inquisition into Google. According to sources from AllThingsD, there have been other manufacturers also questioned about the use of Google search on mobile devices. 

This is all part of the ongoing investigation into Google's possible monopoly in the search market. Ofcourse, Google only holds about 66% of the search market share in the US, and traditionally monopolies must hold over 70%, which Google hasn't done in some time. Still, the mobile space is booming right now, and between Android and iOS, Google does hold quite a sizable chunk of the defaults on mobile browsers. 

We've always been curious about the details of the deal that made Google the default on the iPhone (and kept it that way even after Android continued to take away Apple's market share). Maybe we'll get to find out soon. 

source: Bloomberg & AllThingsD via The Next Web

Read More

Dolphin Browser comes to BlackBerry PlayBook

One of the most popular mobile browsers out there, Dolphin Browser, has made its way to the BlackBerry PlayBook, and while it is a solid alternative to the stock PlayBook browser, it isn't the shining light that we hoped for. This may be because the app was not developed by the original Dolphin Browser team, but rather ported by Mobotap to run on the PlayBook's Android player. 

Because of that, the browser has been said to lag and slow down at times, but the features should be close to what we expect. Just like the Android version, the PlayBook variant features gestures for easy navigation, the Webzine and Speed Dial UI for getting to or seeing content from your favorite sites, as well as tabbed browsing and the Dolphin sidebar. 

It may not be perfect, but it should be better than the stock PlayBook browser, and it is free. You'll need to have updated your PlayBook to version 2.0 of the PlayBook software, and then you can grab the Dolphin Browser in the BB App World.

Read More

Apple says court is being misled by Proview's claim of iPad trademark ownership

As Apple and Chinese company Proview battle for ownership of the iPad trademark in China, Apple filled a statement with the courts in the country saying that Proview is misleading the court. Apple wrote that it was tricked by Proview into signing a document in 2009 that turned over the trademark IPAD to the Cupertino based tech giant in Taiwan, China and other countries. Apple says that Proview had the contract intentionally go through its Taiwan division when it was the Chinese division that held the trademark.

In a prepared statement, Apple's spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said, "Proview clearly made that arrangement so they wouldn't have to give the money to their creditors in [China]. Because they still owe a lot of people a lot of money, they are now unfairly trying to get more from Apple for a trademark we already paid for." Proview, in its defense, alleges that it was Apple's attorneys who drafted the document in question and denied that Apple was forced to sign the pact in Taiwan. Proview's attorney, Xiao Caiyuan, says that it is Apple that is "misleading the public" and it was the Cupertino based company that made the mistakes that left Proview with the IPAD trademark in China. "The fact is that Apple's former lawyer made a silly mistake," Proview attorney Xiao said. "Proview still thinks both sides can solve the dispute by peaceful talks."

While the court drama plays out, Proview has unsuccessfully tried to get the Apple iPad pulled from stores in China. Meanwhile, as the High Court in China's Guangdong province tries to figure this case out, China has become Apple's second largest market for its tablet after the States. Research firm IDC estimates that Apple sold 4.1 million tablets in China, giving it a 70% market share in the country.

While the new Apple iPad will launch in various parts of the world this Friday, including in Hong Kong, there is no word when the latest iteration of Apple's tabletr will be released in mainland China.

source: WallStreetJournal

Read More

What people do when they find a smartphone

Anti-virus firm Symantec decided to see how honest people are when it comes to finding a lost smartphone. So the company set up a test that involved dropping 50 smartphones in 5 cities (New York City; Washington D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; and Ottawa, Canada). The phones were dropped in high-traffic areas like a mall food court and a bus stop. So just what are the odds that the smartphone you just lost will be returned to you?

The results were not good. All but two of the devices were accessed by the person who found it (although the finder could have been looking for a contact number or some way to identify the owner). Only half of those who found one of the lost phones made any attempt to return the unit. Even worse, Symantec created bogus files on the "lost" devices with tempting titles like "HR Salaries" and a stunning 80% of those who found one of the phones took a peek at the planted information. Half of the finders tried to use a bogus remote access app trying to connect to a corporate network. 60% tried to read social media information and email.

The test was called "Honey Stick" in reference to the honeypots tests used to test a security process that leaves an open server in an attempt to tempt hackers to take control of it. Symantec's blog mentions a number of things you should do before your phone is lost or stolen. First, you should password-protect your phone, install an app that can wipe your device remotely and install find-my-phone software from your online app store. For a complete list of Symantec's suggestions, visit the sourcelink.

source: Symantec via ReadWriteWeb

Read More

Lumia 900 hits stateside delay – rumored to hit AT&T April 22nd

 

BGR is reporting that a trusted source of theirs has confirmed that the Nokia Lumia 900 will not be able to make its rumored U.S. launch date of March 18, 2012. While that was initially the intended date for the debut of the Windows Phone handset, the launch has been delayed. AT&T is working vigorously to make the Nokia Lumia 900 available both online and in store on April 22, 2012.

While it is not abundantly clear what exactly is causing the delay, BGR previously noted that the Lumia 900 had not received technical acceptance so this latest delay is probably related to that.

While the date is changing, the price remains the same. The Nokia Lumia 900 is expected to be priced at an extremely competitive $99.99 when signing a two-year commitment with AT&T.

source: BGR

Read More