Google buoys its patent portfolio with 217 more filings acquired from IBM
It’s not quite as big as some previous patent transactions between the two companies, but it looks like Google did a fair bit more shopping from IBM’s vast portfolio at the tail-end of 2011. As noted by the SEO by the Sea blog, IBM transferred 188 g…
Kodak and Apple win early victories at International Trade Commission, big bucks hang in the balance
Looks like the US International Trade Commission’s had a busy week in tech, as Bloomberg reports the organization has ruled on two longstanding patent wars involving Apple, Nokia, RIM and Kodak. While neither is out of the woods quite yet, two compani…
Apple attempts to patent kill switch that roots out unauthorized users, detects jailbreaks
Just about every mobile operating system manufacturer can remotely delete apps from the smartphones they help provide, but if a recent patent application is any indication, Apple’s looking to lock down the whole enchilada on future devices. The basic …
Microsoft patent application cuts controller cords, sews them back together
Wireless gamepads are more convenient, but for latency, copper trumps 2.4GHz. What to do? Build hybrid controllers that can instantly cut the cord. It seems that’s what Microsoft’s thinking, as the company applied for a patent on just such a controlle…