03/12, 10:25am
NovelPoint tries to sue most PC builders
An unusually ambitious patent lawsuit filed late last week, and published Monday, is hoping to profit from the rest of the industry's work. Largely unknown NovelPoint Security LLC has sued 35 mostly major companies over two patents for a "method for limiting computer access to peripheral devices" and a "network security system allowing access" based on master tokens. The sweeping nature of the patent includes virtually every major PC and electronics builder, including Acer, Apple, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.
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06/30, 10:15am
Microsoft anti-Android patent deals targets Onkyo
Microsoft continued on its third straight day of trying to squeeze Android by landing a patent licensing deal for Onkyo's Android tablets. As with earlier deals this week with General Dynamics and Velocity Micro, Onkyo will pay royalties for every Android device it sells. The Japanese firm had no comment on the deal, most of whose terms remain secret.
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06/27, 9:50am
General Dynamics avoids Microsoft lawsuit threat
Rugged PC builder General Dynamics Itronix on Monday became the latest company pushed into signing a patent deal with Microsoft simply by choosing to use Android. The firm will pay Microsoft an unspecified amount in royalties for every device it makes running the Google OS. Although GDI doesn't make any Android devices yet, the company's Strategic Computing Solutions lead Mark Johnston has used the deal to tout Android as a superior alternative for some parts of his company's currently Windows-only lineup.
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03/16, 2:10pm
General Dynamics notebook
General Dynamics' sub-brand GD-Itronix has released its latest ultra-rugged notebook PC, the 13.3-inch GD8000. The company is claiming the Intel Core 2 Duo processor-powered PC is the toughest offering possible, as it exceeds the US military's MIL-STD 810F specifications for rugged design. While the spec calls for withstanding drops from three feet while off and consequently being able to boot up 26 times, GD-Itronix says its product can be dropped from an extra half-foot high when running and still boot up. The GD8000 also holds up to 30 gallons of water being sprayed at 40mph for four hours straight. The PC's die-cast magnesium chassis is built to withstand other hazards, such as dust and temperature extremes.
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