Google Tried to Buy WhatsApp for $10 Billion!!!!!!

Facebook wasn't the only company looking to buy WhatsApp. Google apparently offered to buy the company for $10 billion, reports Fortune.

$10 billion. Two separate sources have told me that's how much Google (GOOG) offered to purchase WhatsApp. The bid did not come with promise of a board seat, unlike the Facebook agreement.

BBM for Android updated with Gingerbread (Android 2.3)support

Good news for blackberry users, BlackBerry has just updated the BBM for Android app with support for the older Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Japan's Rakuten Acquires Viber App for $900 Million!!!!

Rakuten Inc, one of the world’s largest Internet services companies, announced today its acquisition of pioneering messaging and VoIP company, Viber. Rakuten will acquire Viber for a total consideration of $900 million.

As people continue to shift from traditional content and communications platforms to mobile applications, Viber, one of the most popular mobile communications services worldwide with a rapidly growing global user base of 300 million registered users, perfectly complements Rakuten’s strategy in the digital space. As Rakuten aims to become the world’s No.1 Internet services company, this acquisition will enable Rakuten to penetrate new markets with multiple digital content offerings, in combination with its e-commerce and financial services platforms.

Facebook is Buying WhatsApp Messenger for $19 Billion!!!!

Facebook has announced that it's reached an agreement to acquire WhatsApp for a total of approximately $19 billion.

WhatsApp Messenger is a smartphone messenger available for iPhone and other smartphones that uses your 3G or WiFi (when available) to message with friends and family.

The transaction includes $4 billion in cash and approximately $12 billion worth of Facebook shares. The agreement also provides for an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp’s founders and employees that will vest over four years subsequent to closing.

Patent Trolls Have Sued Apple 92 Times in 3 Years

Apple has been sued 92 times in 3 years by patent trolls, making it the most targeted company, according to a statement filed with the FTC.

The remarks are in response to the Commission's request for public comments concerning its proposed collection of information pertaining to Patent Assertion Entities ("PAEs").

No firm has been targeted by PAEs more than Apple. Apple has litigated against PAEs 92 times in the past three years alone, and has received many more demands. Its experience confirms what many others have documented: although PAE activity is not necessarily harmful in theory, far too many PAEs exist only to extract undeserved royalties. As both a market leader and the PAEs' favorite target, Apple has a special interest in policies that discourage this behavior. Apple thanks the Commission for undertaking this important study, and respectfully submits these comments on the Commission's proposal.

Themer App Pulled From Google Play Store Following Apple Complaint

Themer, a popular Android customization app from MyColorScreen backed by half a million in seed funding, has been pulled from the Google Play store following a copyright complaint from Apple.

The developers told TechCrunch that Apple filed a complaint over a theme called 'Seven' which closely resembled iOS 7.

Apple's formal notice reads:

Apple Inc. is the sole and exclusive owner of the copyright in the original artwork for the app designs in its iOS 7 operating system. The foregoing application being distributed on Google Play intentionally includes unauthorized reproductions of Apple’s copyrighted apps, including its icon designs for Notes (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871602), Stocks (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871786), Newsstand (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871650), Maps (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871438), Camera (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871668), Photos (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871779), Settings (Copyright Reg. No. VA1871669) and other features. This application violates Apple’s copyrights, in addition to other Apple IP rights. (This app developer’s unauthorized reproduction of Apple’s multiple copyrights may be viewed in-app by first downloading and installing the app, allowing Themer to create widgets on one’s device, and loading the “Seven” theme from the list of the “Most Popular” category under the Browse Themes.)

Apple Pledges $100 Million in iPads, MacBooks, Other Products to Obama's ConnectED Initiative

President Obama has announced that Apple has pledged $100 million worth of iPads, MacBooks, and other products to schools across the country as part of his ConnectED initiative.

The ConnectED initiative aims to connect 99% of students to next-generation broadband and wireless technology within five years.

Obama announced contributions to the initiative from various tech companies in a recent speech.

Apple will donate $100 million worth of iPads, MacBooks, and other products to schools across the country. (Applause.) That’s an enormous commitment.

Sprint will provide free wireless service for up to 50,000 low-income high school students over the next four years, so their 21st century education isn’t confined to the classroom. (Applause.)

AT&T will donate over $100 million worth of wireless service to middle-school students, so that they can continue to do homework when they get home. (Applause.)

Sony Announces Intent to Sell Its VAIO PC Business to JIP

Sony has announced that it intends to sell its PC business currently operating under the VAIO brand to Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (JIP).

According to the company, it wants to concentrate on mobiles and tablets; rather than traditional PCs. Here's the announcement:

Following a comprehensive analysis of factors, including the drastic changes in the global PC industry, Sony's overall business portfolio and strategy, the need for continued support of Sony's valued VAIO customers, and future employment opportunities for personnel involved in the VAIO business, the Company has determined that concentrating its mobile product lineup on smartphones and tablets and transferring its PC business to a new company established by JIP is the optimal solution. Sony and JIP will now proceed with due diligence and negotiate detailed terms and conditions of the business transfer, targeting the conclusion of a definitive agreement by the end of March 2014. Following reevaluation of the product lineup, the new company is expected initially to concentrate on sales of consumer and corporate PCs in the Japanese market and seek to optimize its sales channels and scale of operations, while evaluating possible further geographic expansion.

Apple Has Bought Back $14 Billion of Its Shares in 2 Weeks, Acquired 21 Companies in 15 Months!!!!!

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company has bought back $14 billion of its own shares since reporting earnings on January 28th, reports the WSJ.

Mr. Cook said Apple was "surprised" by the 8% decline in its shares on Jan. 28, the day after it reported quarterly results, and wanted to be "aggressive" and "opportunistic." With the latest purchases, Mr. Cook said Apple had bought back more than $40 billion of its shares over the past 12 months, which Mr. Cook said was a record for any company over a similar span.

"It means that we are betting on Apple. It means that we are really confident on what we are doing and what we plan to do," said Cook, speaking in a conference room at the company's headquarters. "We're not just saying that. We're showing that with our actions."

Apple is planning to repurchase $60 billion of its own shares and will disclose 'updates' to its buyback program in March or April.

Samsung Unveils New Black Edition Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 mini

Samsung today introduced Black Edition versions of its Galaxy S4 and S4 mini.

Both the Galaxy S4 and S4 mini Black Editions sport a high-quality leather-like textured black back cover and bezel. This distinct and refined design provides consumers with a stylish Galaxy experience. In addition, Black Edition devices also come preloaded with a suite of eight dedicated wallpapers for both the home and lock screens as well as several new and exclusive ringtones. The Galaxy S4 and S4 mini Black Editions are sold in sleek black packaging complete with a set of black accessories including a power adapter, data cable and headphones.

Microsoft Board Names Satya Nadella as CEO, Bill Gates Steps Down as Chairman

Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Satya Nadella as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors effective immediately. Nadella previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group.

“During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella,” said Bill Gates, Microsoft’s Founder and Member of the Board of Directors. “Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.”

Windows 8.1 Update 1 gets leaked

We recently talked about the upcoming Update 1 for Windows 8.1 that was expected to arrive in March and bring with it several UI changes that would make Windows 8.1 more usable for keyboard and mouse users by avoiding the new Metro style start screen at launch and making the Metro-style apps behave a bit more like traditional desktop apps.

Student Burned After iPhone in Her Pocket Bursts Into Flames

A 13-year old student suffered first and second degree burns after the iPhone she had in her pants pocket burst into flames, reports ABC.

The eighth grader attended Kennebunk Middle School in Portland, Maine. While in class she heard a pop and smoke began billowing from her pants, school principal Jeff Rodman told ABC affiliate WMTW-TV.

How much did Google actually lose from Motorola

As a refresher – Lenovo bought Motorola Mobility from Google for $2.91 billion yesterday, which would make it around two and a half years since Google bought Moto for $12.5 billion in 2011.

So by using simple math, you get that Google has lost some $9.6 billion in that span right, only getting a rich patent portfolio to show for it? Adding the money Motorola drained from Google on a quarterly basis the figure is even over $10 cool billion. Well, not exactly. Some analysts are estimating the figure to be only half as big. Here are the numbers.

Microsoft acquires Gears of War franchise

Microsoft has acquired the Gears of War franchise from Epic Games (Unreal Engines, Unreal series, Gears of War series, Infinity Blade series) for an undisclosed amount.

Now that the series is owned by Microsoft, the software giant has assigned the young Black Tusk studio to develop the next generation Gears of War game. Naturally it will be an Xbox One exclusive.
Microsoft has assured the public it is at excellent terms with Epic and both companies will continue to work together.

Xbox One white and Titanfall edition leak

It seems Microsoft will be releasing two new variants of the Xbox One later this year. One of them will be a white variant of the current console, which is essentially the employee edition that was only given to, well, employees. The white console comes with a matching white controller. It is said to launch around October.

As expected Google maintains ownership of the vast majority of the Motorola Mobility patent portfolio, including current patent applications and invention disclosures. Lenovo will receive a license to these patents and other intellectual property. Additionally, Lenovo will receive over 2,000 patent assets, as well as the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio.

Android Powered 79% of Smartphones Shipped in 2013

Android powered 79% of smartphones shipping 2013, according to a new Canalys report.

Just shy of 1 billion handsets (998 million) shipped in full year 2013, a 44% increase on 2012. Android’s dominance grew with the platform running on 79% (785 million) of the devices shipped in 2013, up from 68% in 2012. Conversely, Apple’s iOS share fell from 20% to 15%, despite shipments increasing to 154 million. Microsoft saw a percentage point share rise to 3% as shipments increased 90% in 2013 to 32.1 million, driven by Nokia’s Lumia devices, and putting it ahead of BlackBerry, at 19.8 million. Samsung also performed strongly in 2013 and strengthened its position as the world’s leading smart phone vendor. Its market share jumped from 30% in 2012 to 32% in 2013. With Apple in second place, Huawei edged past Lenovo to claim third place, albeit by fewer than 5 million units.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, 292.8 million smartphones shipped. Apple gained some market share in Q4, rising from 13% to 17% sequentially. Samsung's market share was flat at 29% year over year, but down from 34% sequentially.

New Renderings of Proposed San Francisco Apple Store Feature Massive Sliding Glass Doors

New renderings of a proposed Apple Store in San Francisco feature two massive glass sliding doors over 44 feet tall and 23 feet wide, reports SocketSite.

Another set of renderings of the redesigned Post Street façade for Apple's proposed flagship store on Union Square which now features two full-height sliding glass doors, each measuring 23 feet wide and 44.5 feet tall, allowing the store to be opened to the street: Note the regular sized all-glass doors in the non-sliding bays (click to enlarge) which would act as the primary access points for the store when the full-height doors are closed.

Apple Faced With $840 Million Claim Over E-Books Price Fixing

Apple has been hit with a new damages claim of $840 million for conspiring to fix E-Book prices with publishers, leading to higher prices across the industry. The claim, which was filed Friday in New York, claims that Apple owes American E-Book customers a minimum of $280 million in damages. Steve Berman, an attorney representing consumers and 33 states, argues that E-Books prices rose 18.1 percent, equaling about $280 million in damages.

SwiftKey Note now available on iOS

Few days ago we talked about the SwiftKey Note app for iOS, which was leaked on Twitter. Now the app has been officially unveiled and is available for download for free on the iPhone and iPad.

SwiftKey Note is a simple note-taking app for your iOS device. But where it differs from other note-taking app is that it has its own custom keyboard, that uses the same algorithm as the SwiftKey keyboard on Android. This means you will get the same telepathic level of prediction and almost always accurate auto-correct system at your fingertips.

See the Motorola Moto G handle water like a champ

You’d never think that an affordable offering such as the Motorola Moto G with no IP rating or anything will survive being submerged under water for even a few second. When Motorola said it’s wrapping the insides of the phone with a water-resistant nano-coating, many though that’s more of a marketing trick, than anything else.