Apple-Samsung

Apple, Samsung gobble all 2012 handset profits, and then some

Apple and Samsung are still at it.

The two companies again dominated the handset industry's profits, according to Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley. They generated 101 percent of profits in the fourth quarter, he estimates, and 103 percent in the calendar year.

"Given the current competitive dynamics, we believe Apple and Samsung will maintain dominant value share during Q1/13 with share gains for Samsung versus Apple expected in Q1/13," Walkley noted.

This trend has been going on for quite some time and reflects the struggles of other handset vendors. Many have been posting losses … Read more

Court rejects Apple request for fast-track appeal for Samsung ban

Apple's request to fast-track a sales ban on Samsung products has been rejected by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

As Reuters reports, the iPad and iPhone maker yesterday lost its bid to rush the appeals process. It must now wait for a three-judge panel review of the appeal before potentially reaching the full court.

Apple is appealing the U.S. District Court's rejection of a permanent injunction on certain Samsung products following Apple's victory last year in its high-profile patent battle that resulted in a $1.05 billion award to Apple in damages.

During Apple'… Read more

Court nixes Apple's re-try at a Samsung Galaxy Nexus ban

Apple has whiffed again in its attempt to get a court to ban Samsung products in the U.S.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., said it will stand by an earlier ruling rejecting Apple's request to ban U.S. sales of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone. Apple had asked the court to reconsider its earlier decision.

The move is the latest blow to Apple's long-running battle with Android handset makers. Apple and Samsung have been embroiled in litigation for months, each accusing the other of patent infringement. Apple won a big victory last year, … Read more

Apple, Samsung get knocked down a peg

Apple isn't the only one feeling the heat despite a blow-out quarter; Samsung is seemingly getting punished for its success too.

Both companies have been posting explosive growth in recent quarters and generating the bulk of the mobile industry's profits. While Apple's net income was relatively flat in its fiscal first quarter, its sales still grew 18 percent. And Samsung last night said its fourth-quarter profit soared 76 percent as its sales jumped 19 percent.

For any other company, those sorts of results would be cheered. But for Apple and Samsung, record-breaking quarters just aren't enough. … Read more

ITC decides to review Apple complaint against Samsung

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) decided yesterday to review a ruling made by an administrative law judge in the ongoing patent-infringement saga between Apple and Samsung.

Judge Thomas Pender in October ruled that Samsung had violated one of Apple's iPhone design patents, as well as three software feature patents, in some of its mobile products. Two other patents brought before the judge by Apple were found to have not been violated by Samsung.

In a memo published yesterday (PDF), the ITC announced that it will review the ruling passed down by Judge Pender. The organization said that … Read more

Samsung tops Apple in another metric -- top chip buyer

Samsung surpassed Apple to become the world's biggest semiconductor buyer in 2012, a new report from Gartner said.

The tech research firm, which evaluated the total available market for chip purchases, found Samsung bought 8 percent, or $23.9 billion, of all chips this year. That's up 29 percent from the previous year and reflects Samsung's soaring mobile device sales.

Apple, by comparison, purchased 7.2 percent, or $21.4 billion, of the semiconductors sold last year. That's up 14 percent from 2011 but not enough to maintain Apple's position as the top semiconductor customer. … Read more

iPhone snags its highest U.S. market share ever, says report

Apple has scored a victory in the U.S. with its biggest market share ever, according to data out today from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

Looking at the 12 weeks ending November 25, the research firm pegged Apple's U.S. smartphone share at 53.3 percent, thanks in part to strong sales of the iPhone 5. That number was up from 35.8 percent a year prior. And it's likely to grow.

"Apple has reached a major milestone in the U.S. by passing the 50 percent share mark for the first time, with further gains expected to … Read more

EU set to charge Samsung in antitrust case -- report

The European Union is expected to file an antitrust case against Samsung very soon.

According to Reuters, which spoke with the European Union competition chief Joaquin Almunia, his office will "issue a statement of objections very soon" against Samsung. Almunia didn't say what would be included in those objections, but the move follows a year-long investigation into Samsung's patent practices.

The European Commission -- the executive arm of the EU -- announced in November 2011 that it had launched a preliminary investigation into Samsung's patent policies. Just two months later, the Commission announced a formal investigation into whether Samsung had used wireless patents as an anticompetitive tool, … Read more

AT&T brings 4G LTE to five more cities, but still lags Verizon

AT&T said today that it has brought its faster 4G LTE network to five more cities, as well as expanded coverage in a few major cities.

Green Bay, Wis.; Springfield, Mass.; Tucson, Ariz.; Melbourne, Fla.; and Oxford, Miss. are the newest additions to AT&T's LTE network. That brings the total to 125 cities.

Customers in Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York, and Salt Lake City should all benefit from better coverage as well.

The faster connection enabled by a 4G LTE network has been a chief selling point for the carriers this year. Verizon, however, has … Read more