iPhone ‘Roundup’

So after sometime without a word from the giant ‘fruit company’, we were willing to go and take a look about what has been going recently, and in the process, making it an all-in-one ’roundup’.

Last time we talked about the eagerly awaited iPhone 5, it was about a possible unveiling date (see here), this time, the technology blog AllThingsD said Wednesday that the unveiling could be closer.

According to “sources close to the situation,” the iPhone 5 could be presented to the world on October 4, during an event in which Steve Jobs’ replacement, Tim Cook, would present it. It’s not sure whether Jobs will be there as well, but it may be down to his health to ‘make’ the decision.

So, more or less, a week earlier than was thought, although this could change at any time.

Yet, while Apple is continuing the side ‘business’ of taking out the competition in Europe, Android is proving to be a tough adversary, as the company InMobi released its “Mobile Insights Report: Global Edition, Quarter Ending August 2011,” according to which, Android would have had a massive growth and is continuing to do so.

What the numbers tell exactly are that Android’s popularity has grown by 1.7 share points to 17.9% share, replacing Symbian as the second highest performing mobile platform after Nokia OS, which on its part has been down 1.9% since May to 18.2%, making Android’s operating system the only one to experience growth in the top three.

“At this rate of growth, it may well take the number one slot before year-end. However, four of the top five handsets are Apple devices, and with iPhone 5 rumoured to be just around the corner, we may see a slight stall in Android’s march over the coming months,” said James Lamberti, VP Global Research & Marketing, InMobi.

Yet the latest and most intriguing/interesting news is another suit against Apple, although it doesn’t come from where you’d expect it, as it’s the Taiwanese chipmaker VIA Technologies that is responsible for it.

This lawsuit, amongst many other, is about two patents dealing with processor load sharing methods and instruction sets for conversion of integer and floating data point.

Not only is it VIA, but it’s subsidiaries are taking part as well, that includes CenTaur Technology and IP First LLC. VIA said that this infringement was willful from Apple, which would translate in high damage claims.

While Apple is taking out Samsung in Europe, VIA wants to take out Apple in the United States, seeking to ban the imports of iPads, iPhone 4, iPod touch and Apple TV products.

It’s been a hell of a week for Apple, we wonder how they’re going to get themselves out of this mess this time.

Source 1; Source 2; Source 3