Apple's request to block Samsung Galaxy tablet, phone sales in the US is denied

As the legal drama between Apple and Samsung drags on around the world, US District Court Judge has rejected Apple's request to block the sales of Galaxy devices. Reuters reports the ruling came out late Friday, with the judge deciding "It is not clear that an injunction on Samsung's accused devices would prevent Apple from being irreparably harmed,". This isn't the first rejection for the folks from Cupertino either, after a request to speed up the trial was also denied back in July. The case itself will of course go on, but this means you'll still be able to get your hands on those Galaxy Tabs, Galaxy S IIs, and the like in the meantime.

Update: While Apple has yet to comment on the ruling, Samsung has issued an official statement which you can check out after the break.
Samsung:

Samsung welcomes today's ruling denying Apple's request for a preliminary injunction. This ruling confirms our long-held view that Apple's arguments lack merit. In particular, the court has recognized that Samsung has raised substantial questions about the validity of certain Apple design patents. We are confident that we can demonstrate the distinctiveness of Samsung's mobile devices when the case goes to trial next year. We will continue to assert our intellectual property rights and defend against Apple's claims to ensure our continued ability to provide innovative mobile products to consumers.

Samsung Electronics announces 'Optical Sensor in Pixel' LCD Panel

Samsung Electronics has announced that it has begun the mass production of its 40-inch 'Optical Sensor in Pixel' LCD panels, which feature highly advanced optical sensors, in November, this year. The Optical Sensor in Pixel LCD panel detects reflected images of an object on the panel using Infrared sensors that are built into the panel. With optical sensor in each pixel of the panel, the new panel can assess touch sensitivity compared to existing touch panels, with added accuracy.

Samsung and Microsoft's SUR40 (Image Courtesy - Engadget)

Using image sensing technology, the Optical Sensor in Pixel panel can detect more than 50 touch points, simultaneously and can display images with Full HD resolution and wide-angle viewing. All of the input functions of a keyboard, mouse or scanner can be carried out on the panel itself. It can be installed in a variety of applications, including table top and wall-mounted types and the tempered glass is strong enough to withstand external loads over 80 kilograms.

As the panel can perform touch and multi-touch sensing and image display simultaneously, it represents a new paradigm for interactive communication, compared to the one-way communication of today's kiosk touch panels.

Samsung's 'optical sensing per pixel' technology can perform accurate image sensing without interrupting the image signals displayed on the panel, so it should be well received by many types of professional consultants, including stock brokers and financial analysts. Also, it can be handily used in eDesk applications for schools or business conference rooms.

The Optical Sensor in Pixel LCD panel has been installed in Samsung’s SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, a table-type PC product, co-developed by Samsung Electronics and Microsoft. The SUR40 has been available for pre-order, since last month.

RIM, Nokia assure absence of Carrier IQ on their phones

Only yesterday, we reported and subsequently introduced you to the misdeeds of Carrier IQ - one of the leading providers of mobile Intelligence solutions in the wireless industry, who were accused of snooping into the private details of the users' smartphones, an accusation, which they accepted. Now, an official post by RIM assures users that those using BlackBerry smartphones needn't worry about any rootkit programs by Carrier IQ. 

Just as reports about the supposed Carrier IQ interventions on several smartphones began making rounds, RIM issued a statement saying, "RIM can attest that it does not pre-install the CarrierIQ application on BlackBerry smartphones and has never done so. Furthermore, RIM does not authorize its carrier partners to install the CarrierIQ application on BlackBerry smartphones before sales or distribution and has never done so. RIM also did not develop or commission the development of the CarrierIQ application, nor is RIM involved in any way in the testing, promotion, or distribution of the CarrierIQ application." A Nokia spokesperson via a tweet stated that, "CarrierIQ has not shipped products for Nokia devices."

The accusations, which trickled in yesterday revealed that Android smartphones and iPhones were the ones suspectedly infected by the rootkit programs. Worryingly though, it has been learnt that Carrier IQ works closely with handset manufacturers, so irrespective of whether you’ve bought the phone on contract, you may have this rootkit in your phone.

Apple unsuccessful in securing U.S ban for Samsung products

Apple may have had a successful run in Australia, but looks like it ran out of luck at home. Over the past week, we have been inundated with reports of the lawsuit proceedings between friends-turned-foes, Apple and Samsung in Australia. Here, Apple emerged victorious, at least so far, after it managed to successfully keep Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 off shelves.

Battle rages on.. 

Now, an attempt to convince U.S. District Judge, Lucy Koh to block Samsung's smartphones and tablets from selling in the U.S. went awry, confirms Reuters. The judge refused to accept Apple's request, thereby meting out a severe blow to the Cupertino-based company's ambitions. 

Blocking out Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia has been the last big development in this respect. The two technology giants have been at loggerheads and have been suing and counter-suing each other in several crucial global markets. 

RIM to bear $485 million charges for low PlayBook sales

Reports over the past months have made it clear that PlayBook, RIM's ambitious step at tablets did not quite perform the way its makers expected it to. In fact, just a couple of months ago, we had reported about several units of the PlayBook tablet were lying untouched in RIM's inventory, all bearing testimony to the fact that sales of the tablet have not been upto the mark. Now, an official post on the company's blog states that RIM has agreed to bear charges of this loss, which amount to a mind boggling $485 million, roughly $360 million after tax with respect to the inventory valuation of BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

The post further reads that, "As previously disclosed, RIM has a high level of BlackBerry PlayBook inventory. The Company now believes that an increase in promotional activity is required to drive sell-through to end customers.  This is due to several factors, including recent shifts in the competitive dynamics of the tablet market and a delay in the release of the PlayBook OS 2.0 software. As a result, RIM will record a provision that reflects the current market environment and allows it to expand upon the aggressive level of promotional activity recently employed by the Company in order to drive PlayBook adoption around the world."

However, not everything worked against RIM's favour. Earlier in the week, we had reported about Best Buy declaring that they officially sold out all online units of the PlayBook tablet, even the factory refurbished units after the company shaved off the original pricing - $199.99 and $299.99 for the 16GB and 32GB models for the Black Friday promotions.

While the picture looks grim now, RIM's Co-CEO, Mike Lazaridis, stated that, "RIM is committed to the BlackBerry PlayBook and believes the tablet market is still in its infancy. Although a number of factors have led to the need for an inventory provision in the third quarter, we believe the PlayBook, which will be further enhanced with the upcoming PlayBook OS 2.0 software, is a compelling tablet for consumers that also offers unique security and manageability features for the enterprise."