Mobile software

USPTO nixes Apple patent used in victory over Samsung

Apple might have some trouble on its hands.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) yesterday ruled that all twenty claims included in Apple's so-called "rubber-banding" patent are invalid, according to Foss Patents' Florian Mueller, who first discovered the rejection. Following that ruling, Samsung quickly filed a motion with Judge Lucy Koh, informing her of the USPTO's decision.

The rubber-banding patent, known on the USPTO site as "List scrolling and document translation, scaling, and rotation on a touch-screen display," is broad in its scope. The patent describes a "rubber band" effect … Read more

Create binders full of women with your Android device

The newly released Photo Punch app for Android lets you cut figures out of one photo and add them to another. Here, we show you how to use the app to create funny and whimsical photos for sharing with your friends across the Interwebs.

Step 1: Download and install Photo Punch for Android It's free, and available now on Google Play.

Step 2: Create a Punch Shot A Punch Shot is essentially a cut-out foreground element from a photo, which you paste onto a different photo. In our example, your Punch Shot will be of a woman, while your … Read more

Google Calendar app finally hits Google Play

Finally, starting today, the greater Android community can download the official Google Calendar app straight from Google Play. Previously available only on select devices like the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus, the official calendar app provides a robust hub for managing all of your calendars, including those associated with different Google accounts.

With today's release the app also gets a few feature updates, including a "snooze" function, predefined messages to quickly notify event attendees of your status, pinch-to-zoom in and out of single-day view, and a home time zone setting. Also, you can now review events up … Read more

Color finally waves white flag; plans to shut down, report says

Color, a mightily hyped mobile application that tried for more than a year to gain a loyal fan base, has finally decided to close its doors, according to a report.

The company yesterday sent an e-mail to employees saying that its board and shareholders last week decided to "wind down the company," Venturebeat is reporting, citing a source. That e-mail, which was not published in its entirety, didn't say when the company will officially shut down its operation, but it did ask employees to immediately cancel "any existing commitments."

Color made a splash last yearRead more

iOS 6 jailbreak gets full, built-in support for Cydia store

A hacking group has updated its iOS jailbreak, Redsn0w, with full support for an unauthorized app store and the ability to re-restore a device to an older version of Apple's mobile operating system.

The updated Redsn0w jailbreak hit the Web yesterday, enabling iOS 6 users to get full access to the third-party application store Cydia. Previously, Redsn0w users were forced to install Cydia manually. Now, they will find the app marketplace -- which includes programs that are not authorized for Apple's official App Store -- built in.

The hacking group, which calls itself the iPhone Dev-Team, announced its iOS 6 jailbreak less than a day after the latest Apple operating system launchedRead more

Groupon targets restaurateurs with new iPad app Breadcrumb

Apple's iPad is now home to a Groupon application designed for restaurants.

Dubbed Breadcrumb, the application is meant to include everything a restaurant would need to handle transactions. The application includes menus, allowing servers to input a person's order and send it off to the kitchen. In addition, restaurant owners will be able to manage their tables to see what's open, how many people are sitting at a table, and so on.

According to Groupon, Breadcrumb is designed to replace the current point-of-sale products restaurants are already using. So, in addition to the application, Breadcrumb supports cash … Read more

Sprint eyes vanity numbers with $3-a-month StarStar initiative

Sprint customers will now be able to have their own vanity numbers.

The mobile carrier has announced a partnership with Zoove that will now allow its customers to have their own StarStar numbers. According to Sprint, customers can choose their names, personal handles, or other tags, and set them as their StarStar Me numbers.

StarStar is run by Zoove, which has heretofore delivered its services to companies. Zoove's CEO Joe Gillespie previously served as executive vice president of CBS Interactive, CNET's parent company.

Upon picking a handle, a company's customers can text or call it by entering … Read more

TomTom Android app won't support Galaxy S3, Nexus 7 -- yet

TomTom today launched its flagship Navigation for Android application. But there's one problem: it won't work on some of the top Android devices today.

The new app, which is available in the Google Play store, includes full offline support and free use of the maps over its lifetime. According to TomTom, the program includes live traffic information and locations of speed cameras to help users avoid hefty fines. The application supports turn-by-turn guidance, of course, and calls out street names while providing lane guidance.

Given those features, some users might jump at the chance to try out the … Read more

Google, LG to debut Android 4.2 next month, report says

Google will announce a new Android version next month, according to a new report.

At some point in November, Google will co-host an event with LG where it will unveil Android 4.2, according to blog Android And Me, citing a source. The Android tracker says that LG will take the opportunity to show off its Optimus G Nexus, a device that will be based on the previously announced Optimus G, but will run the latest operating system.

LG unveiled the Optimus G last month. The device comes with a host of impressive specs, including a 4.7-inch WXGA screen, … Read more

Apple's Passbook gets some love from Airbnb, Eventbrite, McDonald's

Apple's Passbook isn't the most supported application out there, but it's starting to get some love.

McDonald's is among a few companies now offering support for Apple's new Passbook application. Dubbed McDo France, the application allows people to place an order and pay for it from their iPhone. From there, users receive a QR code that can be scanned at 45 McDonald's restaurants in France.

In addition, both Eventbrite and Airbnb recently updated their apps with Passbook functionality. Now, Eventbrite users who purchased tickets to local events will be able to add them to … Read more