The iPod: A History of a game-changing device

At the end of January, Apple announced its Q1 figures, offering a breakdown in revenue, iPhone and iPad sales - as well as revealing a big drop in iPod sales.

The company sold 6 million iPod units in Q4 2013, which was down over 50% compared to the same quarter last year. That's not surprising given that the Cupertino-based company hasn't announced a new iPod model since September 2012. And then there's the competition that a humble MP3 player faces in a world dominated by ever-connected digital devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Even so, it's a device that changed the way people buy, consume and share music and it's one of the bestselling consumer tech products of all time. So we're sad to see it's on its last legs.

Read more: http://lifestyle.ph.msn.com/photos/the-ipod-a-history-of-a-game-changing-device-9

Apple wins court battle against Samsung

South Korea's Samsung on Thursday lost its latest claim in a long-running global copyright battle against bitter rival Apple, a surprise blow to the electronics giant in its home market.

A court rejected Samsung's claims that some Apple products had infringed on three of its patents covering messaging technology for mobile devices.

It's the first time a South Korean court has ruled against Samsung in its battle with Apple. Samsung described Thursday's ruling as "preliminary" and indicated it would continue its battle at home.

"We are disappointed by the court's decision. As Apple has continued to infringe our patented mobile technologies, we will continue to take the measures necessary to protect our intellectual property rights," Samsung said in a statement.

South Korea's Samsung on Thursday lost its latest claim in a long-running global copyright battle against bitter rival Apple, a surprise blow to the electronics giant in its home market

The ruling dealt a blow to Samsung's efforts to build its case over patents covering the designs and functions of smartphones.

How Did Wal-Mart's IPhone Discount Defeat Apple's Price Controls?

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) plans to sell the newest iterations of iPhones at a discount, a pricing strategy that Apple (AAPL) has managed to squash for years. The cheaper iPhone 5c will be sold at the world’s largest retailer for $79 along with a standard two-year service contract, 20 percent less than anywhere else in the U.S. The higher-end iPhone 5s will sell for $189, $10 cheaper than its typical sticker price with a service contract.

In the world of smartphone retail, this marks something of a breakthrough. Apple for decades has excelled at making sure the prices for its gadgets were as simple and as stripped down as the products themselves—a level of control achieved through a fairly aggressive combination of carrot and stick known as “price maintenance.”

Apple typically sets a minimum advertised price with retailers that isn’t a requirement but is a strong suggestion. The tech giant then promises to kick in a tidy financial incentive in the form of marketing dollars if the retailer keeps its gadget prices at that level or above. There have even been reports of Apple cutting off supplies to stores that strayed below the sticker-price threshold. The system ensures that small retailers won’t be undercut by big-box stores willing to squeeze margins or even take a loss. It also helps make sure every retailer is on a par with the prices in Apple’s own retail stores. VIDEO: AT&T, T-Mobile Offer iPhone 5C No Money Down Deals

iPhone Vs. iFone

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Apple's iPhone loses name battle with Mexico's iFone 

A Mexican telecommunications firm named iFone has declared victory in a trademark battle with Apple's iPhone, exposing the US company to a potential compensation payment. 

The Mexican firm said in a statement that a court denied Apple's bid to protect the iPhone name in a case that began in 2009, when iFone sued the California-based company because the similar-sounding names caused confusion. 

Apple introduced the iPhone to the Mexican market in 2007, four years after the Mexican telecom services and systems company says it registered the name iFone. 

"It is the third time that Apple loses and this demonstrates the legal truth: iFone is within its full right to use its brand," the statement said. 

The lawyer for iFone, Eduardo Gallart, was quoted as saying in Milenio newspaper on Saturday that Apple will have to compensate the Mexican company for the use of the iPhone name. 

 An amount has not been decided but Gallart said the law sets a floor rate of 40 percent of the sale price of a service that is found to have violated the rules. A message to Apple's media relations office was not returned. 

Source: yahoo.com

An Apple By The Window