Motorola

Motorola won't update three 4G phones to Ice Cream Sandwich

Bad news for owners of some Motorola Mobility smartphones released in 2011: the company will not upgrade them to the 2011 version of Android.

According to a post in the Google-owned company's forums, three smartphones from last year will not be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich:

Motorola Mobility continues to review how each device can deliver the very best experience possible, and at times, this can mean making tough choices - especially as it relates to Android software upgrades. Today, we need to let you know about some tough choices related to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades. … Read more

Top 5 iPhone 5 alternatives

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For the Apple-loyal, the iPhone 5 is practically an automatic purchase. But for the rest of you, it can't hurt to know what your options are.

A few weeks ago, CNET's Brian Bennett posted a roundup of the best iPhone 5 alternatives. It turns out that there are tons of excellent smartphones out there that can match (and in some ways surpass) Apple's iPhone 5. The above video collects Brian's top picks into a rated list.

So if you're wondering about your smartphone options, be sure … Read more

Court: Motorola can't enforce injunction against Microsoft

Google-owned Motorola Mobility won't be able to enforce a German court injunction against Microsoft in a patent dispute, after a federal appeals panel in San Francisco upheld a judge's order blocking the company from doing so.

Bloomberg reports that the three-judge panel said the order was properly tailored.

The two sides have been fighting for a couple of years over Microsoft's ability to sell software for Xbox and Windows products in Germany.

As our Mary Jo Foley reported earlier this year:

"Microsoft was granted an injunction and temporary restraining order against Motorola, which was … Read more

Oops! Anti-Apple Maps ad reveals Google Maps' own failing

Everyone knows that Apple is dealing with a firestorm of criticism over problems with its new iOS 6 Maps feature, but a new ad for Google-owned Motorola Mobility's Droid Razr may have crossed the line.

The ad, which appeared on September 21 on Motorola's Google+ site, shows a Razr alongside an iPhone 5, and reads, "Looking for 315 E 15th in Manhattan? Google Maps on Droid Razr M will get you there & not #iLost in Brooklyn."

The post shows the Razr displaying the proper address in the middle of a grid of Manhattan streets, while … Read more

The truth about iPhone 5's first weekend sales

commentary Apple supporters triumphantly cheered on the company after it sold 5 million iPhones over the weekend. Wall Street, however, was disappointed by the figure after seeing the long lines on Friday.

The correct reaction probably lies somewhere in the middle. Perhaps a polite golf clap?

For analysts, it was a classic case of hype feeding into the estimates, which ramped up to as high as 10 million for the first weekend, numbers that even a powerhouse like Apple couldn't hope to achieve.

"We find it unfortunate that some analysts continue to publish irresponsible estimates without taking into … Read more

Google's Motorola goes after Apple maps in new ad

How many fronts can a good war have?

An infinite number, if the bazooka fire around the iPhone 5 can be believed.

For Google's Motorola doesn't want to be left behind Samsung and Nokia, both of whom have already tried to mock Apple's new elongated marvel.

I am indebted to TechCrunch for coming upon a Motorola Google+ post (also on Motorola's Facebook page) that enjoys an ad with a mocking tone.

What reason could Motorola have to mock the iPhone 5? Why, it's the iOS 6 Maps app, of course. You know, the one that doesn't seem to quite get the locations right.… Read more

Verizon's fall plans include several new Android phones

In what's becoming a regular occurrence, Verizon's year-end roadmap has apparently found its way online, according to Phone Arena, tipping the Big Red's smartphone plans.

It should come as no surprise that there's a handful of Android on the horizon, including devices from no fewer than six hardware makers. Should the leaked details prove true, Verizon will soon have a little something for everyone.

First out of the gate will be the Samsung Stratosphere 2, which has been rumored to have a Super AMOLED Plus display, a sliding QWERTY keyboard, an 8-megapixel camera, and a dual-core … Read more

Samsung wins one in Apple patent-infringement case

Samsung today won an important ruling against Apple in Germany.

The Mannheim Regional Court ruled today that Samsung does not violate a patent Apple holds related to touchscreen functionality in mobile devices. According to the Korea Times, which was first to report on the judgement, the patent in question relates to the way a touchscreen interprets finger inputs.

Apple and Samsung have been waging a bitter patent battle all over the world. Neither company had gained an upper hand until last month when a jury in San Jose, Calif., charged Samsung with copying Apple's products. Over the next few … Read more

Microsoft wins patent ruling over Motorola in German court

A Munich court has ruled that Motorola Mobility, a division of Google, infringes a patent owned by Microsoft relating to software keyboards.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant can now enforce an injunction on Motorola devices that infringe on the patent, EU Patent No. EP1040406, described as a "soft input panel system and method."

The Google-owned smartphone hardware maker will now have to modify the Android operating system to remove the infringing technology from the device, or pay Microsoft a license fee to use the technology in Germany. If Microsoft enforces the injunction, it could … Read more