Archive for the ‘Linux’ Category
Microsoft forms patent agreement with HTC, will receive royalties for all HTC Android phones
In a surprising move this morning, Microsoft announced that it has formed a patent agreement with cellphone manufacturer HTC. The deal gives HTC coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for its Android phones, and Microsoft will receive royalties from the company in exchange.
While the agreement could be seen simply as Microsoft extorting money from HTC to avoid another patent lawsuit (like the one it’s currently dealing with from Apple), HTC is also getting something out of it. It gives the company access to a potentially strong portfolio of patents that is far beyond anything Google could offer, and positions it with Microsoft against patent grievances from Apple.
While Microsoft’s press release didn’t go into why it decided to form this agreement with HTC, sources close to the company say that Microsoft believes Android violates its patents, Cnet reports. The company wouldn’t say what Android was infringing, but it could be related to its legal posturing against Linux, which Android is based on. Microsoft deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez told Cnet that the company prefers to handle IP issues without lawsuits, but added that “competitors do not free ride on our innovations.” Word is that Microsoft is targeting other Android manufacturers as well.
The strangest thing about this deal is that we now live in a world where Microsoft will be earning money from every HTC Android device sold, including Google’s own Nexus One. HTC has thus far been Google’s primary hardware partner — the company also developed the T-Mobile G1 (the first Android phone), the MyTouch 3G, and the upcoming Evo 4G.
All of this is bad news for Apple. HTC now has help from Microsoft against Apple’s patent lawsuit, and if other Android manufacturers follow HTC’s lead, Microsoft could start benefiting directly from Android’s success.
In a strange way, the move makes complete sense for Microsoft. Its upcoming Windows Phone 7 platform doesn’t have much of a chance at destabilizing Apple’s command of the smartphone market — but Android’s presence across multiple carriers and handset manufacturers certainly gives it a better shot. If Android is going to be the new dominant platform, Microsoft might as well make money off of it (while kicking Apple in the shins).
Don’t miss MobileBeat 2010, VentureBeat’s conference on the future of mobile. The theme: “The year of the superphone and who will profit.” Now expanded to two days, MobileBeat 2010 will take place on July 12-13 at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Early-bird pricing is available until May 15. For complete conference details, or to apply for the MobileBeat Startup Competition, click here.
Companies: Apple, Google, HTC, microsoft
People: Horacio Gutierrez
Synaptics lets Linux gadgets give the iPad 10 fingers
Apple’s multitouch finger controls on the iPad have inspired a wave of copycat tablet computers that will be out later this year. Those copycats are likely to get help from touch-sensor company Synaptics, which is announcing today that it has created a Linux version of its multitouch sensor system.
The Synaptics Gesture Suite enables computer screens to recognize touches from up to 10 fingers at the same time. In the past, two-finger gestures, like pinching to zoom, were the norm on devices such as the iPhone. But using 10 fingers to control what happens on a screen is much more liberating for application designers. It enables apps such as finger painting, for instance, or playing a touchscreen game with multiple users at the same time.
Synaptics announced the same 10-finger gesture suite for Windows computers and other devices last year. It’s possible that the technology — or at least something like it — is being used in the Apple iPad (Apple doesn’t allow its suppliers to talk about components or subsystems inside Apple devices). But at the very least, the Synaptics Gesture Suite lets tablet computers running Windows 7 or Linux stay competitive with the iPad.
The extension of the suite to Linux will widen the variety of devices that can use multitouch screens, which are one of the coolest new user interfaces in computing devices and phones. This means that multitouch screens could be used in everything from small remote controls to netbooks, which are a hot-selling category of portable computers.
Synaptics isn’t saying who will use the technology yet. But give it time. Six months after an announcement like this, a new wave of devices usually hits the market. Synaptics, based in Santa Clara, Calif., says its technology has been used in more than 700 million devices since 1995.
Companies: Synaptics
CloudLinux OS
Cloud Linux Inc, an innovative, privately funded technology company serving the needs of web hosts and datacenters, announces it has been selected by Cartika, an industry innovator in cloud hosting services, to be the Linux Operating System (OS) platform for their new CartikaCloud initiative. This announcement is significant as it marks the first CloudLinux hosting partner, following its market debut less than 30 days ago. Cartika, who just announced its CartikaCloud service, selected CloudLinux because of their LVESM technology which allows CartikaCloud to deliver a new level of server stability and performance.
"Companies of all sizes deserve cutting-edge technology to continue to optimize their server investment, software applications and web-based productivity, "states Andrew Rouchotas, CEO of Cartika. "CloudLinux delivers new technology for new levels of server stability and performance."
Ubuntu 9.10
Canonical company says that Ubuntu 9.1 is ready. Canonical is a commercial sponsor of Ubuntu.
During Ubuntu 9.1 development (coded name Karmic Koala) delevopers concentrated on user interface, stability and OS productivity. Ubuntu 9.1 got updated management center and tubed web cam and wireless support.
Ubuntu 9.1 has integrated connection means to Ubuntu One online service. Addon quickly allows programmer to save time on routing work and pack their code for transmition via Ubuntu One service.
Ubuntu 9.1 has new graphical interface. There are OpenOffice.org 3.1.1, Mozilla Firefox 3.5 and Mozilla Thunderbird 2. Ubuntu 9.1 will be available for downloading on 29 October 2009. It can be installed on PC, laptops and netbooks.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4
Red Hat company released the final version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 - product for corporative sector. Now Red Hat Enterprise 5.4. has many updates and innovations. Such developers mark out KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and . Now "guest" OS can be: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and 2008, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3/4/5.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 platform is based on Linux 2.6.18 kernel. There are many updated drivers, SystemTap, compatibility with Intel Xeon 5500 processors. OS productivity was increased. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 is available now for downloading.