Apple sued for iPhone screen tech; 17-inch MacBook Pro shipping

[AppleInsider]

Apple has been served a lawsuit for allegedly infringing on patents with the iPhone's graphics technology. Also, the company has started delivering unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro systems to early buyers.

Apple sued regarding iPhone graphics technology

Mobile software developer Picsel Technologies has sued Apple this week in a Delaware federal district court under the belief that the graphics renderer in the iPhone and iPod touch treads on multiple patents.

By using particular techniques to speed up panning and zooming for images and other documents, Apple is effectively borrowing Picsel's own acceleration to make the iPhone work as smoothly as it does, the complaint reads.

Unlike many of these suits, the plaintiff already has major customers for its software that primarily include Japanese firms like KDDI and Sharp but also include American phone manufacturers such as Motorola and Palm. It's unclear whether these existing relationships also involve the specific technology used by Apple.

If successful in court, Picsel would tie the claimed damages to the number of iPhones already sold and would look to triple the amount as a punitive measure.

Unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro now shipping

Readers have told AppleInsider that their orders for the redesigned 17-inch MacBook Pro have started shipping as of Friday.

First launched in January at Macworld, the system first showed signs of delay when some customers were told their orders would likely slip into March despite promises it would ship in late January. Early this month, the company let many of these buyers know that their orders wouldn't ship for about two weeks due to problems "wrapping up" production.

What triggered the delay is unknown, though the 17-inch MacBook Pro is considered a technology vehicle for Apple. It includes a new, sealed battery that reportedly lasts 8 hours on a charge and also upgrades the display with a 60 percent wider color gamut helpful in visual editing.

[macxpress]

I see another frivolous lawsuit against Apple.....

The 17" MBP shipping...Finally! Now certain people can stop bitching about their order. See...good things come to those who wait!

[steviet02]

Originally Posted by macxpress

I see another frivolous lawsuit against Apple.....

The 17" MBP shipping...Finally! Now certain people can stop bitching about their order. See...good things come to those who wait!

How do you know it's frivolous?

[Ireland]

"Ships in 3 to 4 weeks", both Apple.com and on the Irish store.

[Bageljoey]

Originally Posted by macxpress

I see another frivolous lawsuit against Apple.....

It seems a little premature to call this suit "frivolous." From this limited report, it sounds like this is a company that made some innovations and is actively implementing and marketing them. Now, I know nothing about the details of the alleged infringement (and neither does anybody else who has this report as their only source of information) but this does not sound like some non-productive patent-hoarding innovation-parasite lawsuit.
Unless you believe that all technology patents should be invalidated. But I don't think that fans of Apple are hoping for that!

[Cubert]

This delay on the 17 inch MacBook Pro is exactly why Apple doesn't want to be pressured to release products on a predetermined day (ex. MacWorld), rather than one of their own choosing. Hence, their withdrawal from all the Mac conferences around the world.

[Neil Anderson]

Looking forward to hearing actual usage times for the 8-hour battery.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Then don't announce a fricking ship date if they continually can't deliver.

Their website still says 3-4 weeks. Did Apple ship out 10 computers so they could announce they are shipping?

Here's hoping it doesn't have the same audio plug that the 15" has on it.

Good luck with your new 17" $3,000 beta tester machines.

With their current trend this would put the new iPhone in the September-November time frame.
If they can actually release it with this new law suit to deal with.

Do you ever get tired of complaining about products you don't own?

[Right_said_fred]

Should have my 'beta' 17inch on Monday - fedex tells me it will be here. I ordered a glossy. Originally ordered the matte, but then when I noticed the matte screen looked like a kluge i changed my order. Hope those 8 hours are realistic

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

I own 4 iPods and 2 iPhones. And no I don't get tired of pointing out Apple's continual problems. It's just too easy these days! Every fricking product they ship has problems.

So then, you don't get tired of complaining about products you don't own.

[mrpiddly]

I own 4 iPods and 2 iPhones. And no I don't get tired of pointing out Apple's continual problems. It's just too easy these days! Every fricking product they ship has problems.

Then stop buying their products.


(Also stop all the blind criticism of products you do not own and have no experience with)

[carloblackmore]

What the hell - is Apple the most sued non-health-related company on the planet??!!
Their lawyers must make a fortune defending useless suits.

[macxpress]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Not at all. You don't have to own something to READ what others are going through.

I put up with enough bullshit from Apple for the iPhone & 3G iPhone's I own which hasn't been stable since firmware 1.1.4

Then why don't you go buy something else if Apple pisses you off so much?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by macxpress

Then why don't you go buy something else if Apple pisses you off so much?

Bah! Being happy and content is soooo overrated.

[macxpress]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Bah! Being happy and content is soooo overrated.

Haha...apparently so!

I bet he always got candy in the checkout isle as a child....

[lordyoupeoplearedense]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

I own 4 iPods and 2 iPhones. And no I don't get tired of pointing out Apple's continual problems. It's just too easy these days! Every fricking product they ship has problems.

No one's receieved one yet, so how the fuck would you know if it has any problems?

[noirdesir]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Then don't announce a fricking ship date if they continually can't deliver.

So, just announce it and say it will ship in next couple of months? That sounds like a perfect strategy.

Or maybe it would be better to wait until you have some inventory and than announce the product?

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Do you ever get tired of complaining about products you don't own?

MacOldTimer continually complains about everything all the time, whether he owns it or not. He also complains about things not even related to Macs or the thread he is commenting on.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by Bageljoey

It seems a little premature to call this suit "frivolous." From this limited report, it sounds like this is a company that made some innovations and is actively implementing and marketing them. Now, I know nothing about the details of the alleged infringement (and neither does anybody else who has this report as their only source of information) but this does not sound like some non-productive patent-hoarding innovation-parasite lawsuit.
Unless you believe that all technology patents should be invalidated. But I don't think that fans of Apple are hoping for that!

This is more than likely a "show me" action like the one taken by that company that had the patent on capacitive touch screens last year.

Apple came out with the iPhone touch screen and said it was capacitive, so the company that (thought!) they had a lock on capacitive touch screens took them to task over it so Apple would have to either pay them for a licence or prove their technology was different. They made a huge noise over how Apple *had* to be using their tech but in the end they backed down as (presumably) Apple proved theirs was a different method.

In this case, it probably looks like Apple is using the same tech as these guys, so the case is brought mostly for Apple to be forced to prove that they aren't (if they aren't) in court. This is because they can't ask (and Apple can't tell them), exactly how they accelerate their GUI or whatever, unless it's under court order and in secret with lawyers etc.

At least that's my take on it as those are all standard things that happen all the time in these sorts of things.

[irnchriz]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

MacOldTimer continually complains about everything all the time, whether he owns it or not. He also complains about things not even related to Macs or the thread he is commenting on.

Yeah, Macoldtimer is like a Victor Meldrew for macs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_J6IvnawDw

[schmidm77]

So they don't know that Apple is infringing on anything, but they are suing with the assumption that they are? LOL, what a joke. The integrated CPU/GPU on the iPhone is powerful enough to almost be a small mobile computer by itself, why does Apple necessarily have to be using some fancy acceleration techniques for scrolling other than what it already does in its desktop code?

[iGuess]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Because Apple hasn't put out a Rev 1 product for at least 10 years that wasn't a POS.

Even the Apple FanBoys know this and stay away from them.

I'll give it until next Friday before AI has the first report of problems.

I have never once had a Rev1 product turn out to be a POS. PPC to Intel switch, bought a MacBook. Sold two years later never any major problems - just a MINOR issue with heat with was resolved with a firmware update - yeah firmware not new hardware. Rev 1 iPhone - still running strong - no problems. New Aluminum MacBook - Rev 1 - NEVER A SINGLE PROBLEMS AND NO COMPLAINTS.

Now I'm not your average user either. I'm a real etate agent, loan officer, software developer/CEO. My devices are always on and highly used. The drives get filled, wiped and filled again.

Apple hardware and software is second to none. Respectfully stable and secure.

Does that mean Apple doesn't have some issues here and there - OF COURSE NOT! In the real world every company has QA problems. Things happen in the manufacturing process. Mistakes are made in code. Shit happens.

The only reason you complain is because you keep looking for reasons to complain. Go hang out on a Dell forum or even a forum for Sony computers. Where are they?

Apple's dirt is front page news because it's customers are very vocal and passionate about the products they buy from Apple.

But then again you issue isn't even with Apple. God has an answer for the bitterness in your heart. He wants to help. It's OK. It's time to get healed.

[vinea]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Because Apple hasn't put out a Rev 1 product for at least 10 years that wasn't a POS.

Even the Apple FanBoys know this and stay away from them.

I'll give it until next Friday before AI has the first report of problems.

My rev 1 MBP 17" is great. But then you don't own one so you have no clue.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

I own 4 iPods and 2 iPhones. And no I don't get tired of pointing out Apple's continual problems. It's just too easy these days! Every fricking product they ship has problems.

Ignore Solipism- he's always condescending when anything is said that might interfere with his Apple Kool-aid drip.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

I figured he was just mad that his life like Steve doll was delayed with his order.

Personally I find it funny how all the little FanBoys gather together when anyone has anything bad to day about Apple even when it's true.

The problem with you, Teckstud and your ilk is that you state your opinion as a fact and somehow convince yourself that it must be true because of it. You also never point out any of the pros of, well, anything. Everything has its pros and cons. If you paid attention to all the posters you attack as "fanboys" when you are losing a logical argument you would see that they point pros and cons, while stating their opinions as opinions and often avoiding absolutes, woe-is-me comments and "applecolyptic" statements about how the company is headed for disaster.

Could you try being balanced, fair and logical, or is "the sky is falling" all you know?

edit: Here is an example of how your post could have sounded more intelligent, logical, balanced and less hostile.

MacOldTimer: "Because Apple hasn't put out a Rev 1 product for at least 10 years that wasn't a POS."
RationalPoster: "I can't recall an Apple product in the last decade that didn't have major Rev 1 issues."
Difference: You still state your opinion as you know it to be true, but it is no longer an absolute statement of fact that isn't up for discussion.

MacOldTimer: "Even the Apple FanBoys know this and stay away from them.
RationalPoster: "I recall reading--on these very forums--that many Mac faithfuls also avoid Macs with too many new components."
Difference: You avoid the slanted "fanboy" comment that clearly doesn't help your argument. Note: Many people, avoid any new CE right out of the gate, not just from Apple. I have a unibody MB,but I waited a couple weeks to see if there were any issues with the Nvidia chips before buying. It's still Rev 1, mind you.

MacOldTimer: "I'll give it until next Friday before AI has the first report of problems."
RationalPoster: "Based on my recollection of previous releases, I expect that if there are any HW issues with these new Mac notebooks, we should know about them within a week of them being received."
Difference: You have an unproven conjecture of what you think will occur based on your perception of the past.

PS: My lifesized Steve doll is not made be Apple. My mother made it for me.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by irnchriz

Yeah, Macoldtimer is like a Victor Meldrew for macs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_J6IvnawDw

Yeah, except Victor Meldrew is actually funny and somewhat of a sympathetic character.
Macoldtimer is 100% pure vinegar, all the time.

[sflocal]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Not at all. You don't have to own something to READ what others are going through.

I put up with enough bullshit from Apple for the iPhone & 3G iPhone's I own which hasn't been stable since firmware 1.1.4

Hey, he read it on the Internet!! It must be true right?!

I own iPods, iPhones, and Macs. Love em all. Haven't had a single problem with any of them.
You read it here! Therefore, I just canceled-out your static.

Perhaps the problems may not be hardware/software related but user error?

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Not at all. You don't have to own something to READ what others are going through.

I put up with enough bullshit from Apple for the iPhone & 3G iPhone's I own which hasn't been stable since firmware 1.1.4

Sorry to hear this. Must be you have lemons or it's something you are doing, ours are rock solid, so don't give up .

[digitalclips]

Too funny. You should start selling those dolls, your mum could make a fortune.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Not at all. You don't have to own something to READ what others are going through.

I put up with enough bullshit from Apple for the iPhone & 3G iPhone's I own which hasn't been stable since firmware 1.1.4

If you had problems with your iPhone since 1.1.4 then why did you buy the 3G?!

Any rational person would not buy the same bad product twice.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

If you had problems with your iPhone since 1.1.4 then why did you buy the 3G?!

Any rational person would not buy the same bad product twice.

Attributed to Einstein: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

[SigSegV]

Originally Posted by Right_said_fred

Should have my 'beta' 17inch on Monday - fedex tells me it will be here. I ordered a glossy. Originally ordered the matte, but then when I noticed the matte screen looked like a kluge i changed my order. Hope those 8 hours are realistic

Just curious when you placed your order and whether you customized it at all (ie. upgraded proc, mem, etc.). I placed my order just before 3PM EST on Jan 6th and upgraded the cpu and disk drive. After the ship date changed on Feb 4th (my original ship date) to Feb 19th, there has been no further change. I'm trying to gauge for myself whether my mbp might actually ship earlier than currently indicated or if one of the upgrades might be the reason for the delay. I would appreciate any info you are willing to share. Thanks.

[Constable Odo]

People were complaining that Apple would be the bad guy if they sued Palm or HTC or whatever company for using Multi-Touch patent, but it's okay if somebody else sues Apple over a patent.

[alpha10711]

and also upgrades the display with a 60 percent wider color gamut

Can anyone explain what this means?

[gmcalpin]

Originally Posted by alpha10711

Can anyone explain what this means?

A range or set of colors is called a "gamut." Here's a graphic at Wikipedia that shows an example of an RGB gamut:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CI...srgb_gamut.png)

The various RGB colorspaces (gamuts) — i.e. sRGB, Adobe RGB, etc. — contain a broader range of colors than most monitors (especially cheaper ones) are capable of displaying. (Meaning your monitor's gamut is even smaller than the sRGB gamut the Wikipedia graphic shows you.)

When your monitor is told to display a certain color that is outside of the its gamut, it will push the colors it's incapable of displaying to a different color that it IS capable of displaying. By doing this, it's showing inaccurate colors, of course.

So the new display having a 60 percent wider color gamut means it's capable of displaying 60% more colors, and therefore capable (assuming your monitor is calibrated) of displaying the sRGB or Adobe RGB colorspace more accurately. This is one reason why it makes sense for graphics professionals to spend a large chunk of cash on a high-quality monitor when you can get a crappy Dell one for $200 — because the colors you see on-screen will (more) accurately represent what will actually get printed.

Hopefully that's accurate without oversimplifying it too much. I'm sure someone will fact-check me.

[rbonner]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

Because Apple hasn't put out a Rev 1 product for at least 10 years that wasn't a POS.

Even the Apple FanBoys know this and stay away from them.

I really like my 15" MacBook Pro, unibody, not a thing wrong with it and ordered just after it was put on the store. And probably a fan boy, see no reason not to like Apple, I enjoy using their products.

[VinitaBoy]

@ MacOldTimer,

You are one sad, pathetic, bitter old troll. Please run--don't walk--to your nearest therapist and try to find out which of your parents beat you unconscious as a child.

If Apple doesn't live up to your personal standards of product quality and reliability, GO ELSEWHERE! Buy a Dell or a Gateway! Get a WinMob phone and use the hell out of it! Stick a Zune in your ear (or somewhere else where the sun doesn't shine), and be happy!

But whatever you do, STFU and try to find some joy in life!

[Right_said_fred]

Originally Posted by SigSegV

Just curious when you placed your order and whether you customized it at all (ie. upgraded proc, mem, etc.). I placed my order just before 3PM EST on Jan 6th and upgraded the cpu and disk drive. After the ship date changed on Feb 4th (my original ship date) to Feb 19th, there has been no further change. I'm trying to gauge for myself whether my mbp might actually ship earlier than currently indicated or if one of the upgrades might be the reason for the delay. I would appreciate any info you are willing to share. Thanks.

I ordered originally on Jan 6th. Order ack came in on Jan 6th at 1:49pm USA EST.
Processor 065-8136 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 065-8141 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM 2X4GB
Hard Drive 065-8140 320GB Serial ATA @ 7200 rpm
Optical Drive 065-8145 SuperDrive 8X
Display 065-8645 DISPLAY-HI RES, Widescreen
Original ship date was Feb 19th (due to matt display)
I called the next day and changed display to regular. They have me $50 refund notification, and told me new ship date was Feb 5th. Currently Fedex are claiming Feb 18th on my dock (not Monday :-(
Hope yours arrives in timely fashion.

[inkswamp]

Originally Posted by MacOldTimer

I put up with enough bullshit from Apple for the iPhone & 3G iPhone's I own which hasn't been stable since firmware 1.1.4

May I ask what you use your iPhone for? I've been carrying one around, supplied by my employer, since last September and it has only locked up once. Safari crashed roughly a dozen times until the last update but beyond that, there are no serious issues with stability. I hear this stability complaint from time to time but experience no problems myself.

[irnchriz]

Macoldtimer:

You can picture him now,

A sad old man, he feels the world has turned against him and now hates everything.

Not content with just sitting quietly in his corner stewing in his own malignancy, he trolls the forums spewing forth his corruption.

Perhaps his wife left him for the milkman or perhaps he suffers from penile disfunction? Maybe he should get out more, catch some rays, pop a viagra or just lighten up.

Chillax old dude.