This week is filled with furor and speculation over the decision in Samsung. The big question is whether this decision hurts Samsung, Android, Google, or Apple in the end. My gut says none of the above, but we’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, Apple and Google appear to be negotiating patents, which could be a first-step in mending some broken fences, especially in light of Motorola Mobility’s attack. Let’s hope. In other news, here’s what’s going on:
- Samsung doesn’t seem phased by the $1 billion-plus verdict. It released its second-generation phone-let, the Galaxy Note II. The Galaxy Note was a semi-popular device, so this looks to add to that popularity. Personally, there’s too much going on (though you save having to carry two devices), that I can’t handle the device.
- US sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet began on August 30. Samsung has a few tablets in the market, and this one will probably meet those same marks.
- One of my favorite apps is Pandora, and I’m particularly fond of the “Lullaby” station, which features a series of calming, sit-by-the-fire-and-relax songs. Pandora is also making waves in the stock market, as shares rose recently, and the company earned $109 million in revenue. See, Pandora found a way to make money, why can’t Facebook?
- Mrs. The Droid Lawyer upgraded her phone. I pushed her to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S III, for which I now regret because I secretly covet. This is a sweet phone, and I’m jealous of the design and some of her features. I’m especially jealous of the NFC (near-field communication, not the NFL conference). Here’s a video showing how to enable NFC on the Samsung Galaxy S III. It’s a similar method for other NFC-enabled devices.
- Some of the Android devices coming from Sony are sharp. This week the company unveiled several new phones and tablets, including the one used by James Bond in the upcoming movie, Skyfall. By the way, how much do you love Daniel Craig as James Bond. Classic Sean Connery look and feel, with 21st century effects.
- If you need to expand your Android apps horizon, be sure to check out Google Play’s recommended ones just for you. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of work needed to make the apps you want, with the apps they’re recommending. Most of the ones fed to me have hardly been worth a snuff.
- If you’re in the market for a new tablet, check out this break-down of 2012′s best. My personal favorite: the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity. Personally, the number 1, Google Nexus 7, probably doesn’t work for attorneys looking for productivity from their tablet. At 10.1 inches, even “standard” screens are too small to work with. At 7 inches, impossible.
- I’m anxiously awaiting my Jelly Bean update for the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity. Until that time though, I’m scouring and devouring all the information I can about Android 4.1′s features, functions, and “how-tos.” Here’s a great post on some of the top 8 best features in Android 4.1.
- Attorney at Work is a great blog to read, if you’re not already. This week, Joseph Bahgat published this feature about using Evernote. Since most attorneys are, or at least should be, using Evernote, the post is a great “getting started” article.
- iPhone and Android fanboys (can the same author be a “fanboys?”) battled each other over at Network World over the top five reasons Android users would switch to Apple’s iPhone 5, and vice versa. If you’ve read this post or this one, you know it’s not likely.
- If you’re not thoroughly bored with the patent wars discussions around the web, or you want some extra reading, try this post by University of Chicago Law School professor Randy Picker. It’s very enlightening (don’t read late at night unless you have insomnia).
- And finally, from the YouTube vault, I give you a hands-on video of the TomTom navigation app set to release in October. One thing TomTom has that Waze is missing, is the speed of the road you’re travelling on. Otherwise, spoiler alert, not much better than Waze:
