Consortium including Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony snags Nortel patents for $4.5 billion

News that Google had competition for a bundle of patents being sold by bankrupt Nortel Networks surfaced a week ago and now it's official; a consortium of companies including Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony won the multi-day auction with a bid of $4.5 billion. According to Reuters, RIM contributed $770 million to the effort while Ericsson is on the hook for $340 million when the deal closes, which is expected to be in the third quarter of this year. What they'll do with the over 6,000 patents and patent applications covering everything from wireless to optical to semiconductors isn't immediately clear, but what won't happen is Google using them as leverage to stave off the patent trolling hordes. Before any of that happens, the sale has to clear US and Canadian courts which is why a joint hearing has been scheduled for July 11th, so expect plenty of words -- and probably a few more cross licensing agreements -- from the involved parties by then.

Continue reading Consortium including Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony snags Nortel patents for $4.5 billion

Consortium including Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony snags Nortel patents for $4.5 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GMC showroom app tells you where to pick up your dream SUV, doesn’t help with down payment

Ever felt the need to customize vehicles and search dealer inventory, right from the comfort of your smartphone? Us neither, but here's the General with another app to whet our appetites. While certainly not the first of its kind, the GMC showroom app for iOS (coming soon to Android), allows you to specify drive-type, trim, and both exterior / interior colors. Once content with your selections, you're shown nearby dealers carrying exact replicas of your magnificent taste. Unfortunately for us, the app makes no mention of the closest EN-V. If SUVs are you're thing, however, have a peep at the free app at the source link below.

Continue reading GMC showroom app tells you where to pick up your dream SUV, doesn't help with down payment

GMC showroom app tells you where to pick up your dream SUV, doesn't help with down payment originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories’ builds a 555 chip you can rest your feet on

A 555 timer chip may be pretty versatile as far as integrated circuits go, but when it comes to helping you take a load off, well, it's a little... small. The opposite is true of this version built by the folks at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, however, which makes up for what it lacks in transistors and silicon with some first class foot-resting abilities. Best of all, the lab has provided a complete guide for building your own -- that includes the use of a CNC machine and laser etching, although it could also be built the old fashioned way pretty easily (or scaled up to coffee table size, for that matter) if you're so inclined. Hit the source link below for all the details.

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories' builds a 555 chip you can rest your feet on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edge HD2 Mini PC is an HTPC that hides behind your TV

When it comes to home theater PCs, size matters -- and it doesn't get too much smaller than Sapphire's original Edge HD mini PC, pictured above. In fact, Sapphire saw no reason to fiddle with the Edge's diminutive form factor when designing the HD2, and instead poured itself into improving the HTPC's specs. Not only is the updated mini-rig small enough to mount behind your HDTV, but it also packs a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Atom, 2GB RAM, and a 320GB hard drive. All this (and 1080p VGA / HDMI out, of course) at 30W, "20 times less power than a typical desktop PC," according to Sapphire. No word on price (or pics, for that matter), but feel free to jump past the break for an official press release with full specifications.

Continue reading Edge HD2 Mini PC is an HTPC that hides behind your TV

Edge HD2 Mini PC is an HTPC that hides behind your TV originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google says less is more: Gmail and Google Calendar to sport a more spartan look

Does Gmail's current look seem chaotic and claustrophobic to you? Are you overwhelmed by the myriad mailing options, labels, and chat windows? We aren't either, but apparently Google sees things differently, and has an interface overhaul planned that'll simplify things in your webmail world. It looks like the spacious and simple design language from Google + will carry over to all the web services proffered by the gang in Mountain View. For now, it's available as a couple of simplistic skins to be tried on in the Themes tab of your Gmail settings, with more permanent changes rolling out in the coming months. Google Calendar is slated for a stripped-down wardrobe in the next few days as well, with El Goog promising more cosmetic and functional changes for both services later this summer. In the meantime, the company's looking for feedback on its new interface so it can fix any issues folks find. We want your opinions, too, so tell us what you think of Google's new threads in the comments below.

Google says less is more: Gmail and Google Calendar to sport a more spartan look originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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