Google has sent letters out to various standards organizations, including the IEEE, promising to honor MMI’s patent licensing policies after it completes its planned acquisition of the company. This includes honoring MMI’s maximum go-forward per-unit royalty rate of 2.25%. This is the same rate MMI is asking Apple to pay in order to lift the injunction on the iPhone and iPad 3G passed down in Germany. Apple has rejected this offer and is fighting it, claiming it’s unfair and contrary to the principles of FRAND licensing commitments. No matter the outcome of the Apple/Motorola dispute, Google will be honoring it once they take over.
Google continues to improve its social endeavor Google+. They’re constantly adding features to both the web app as well as their Android app. Yesterday, the Android app not only received a slew of features already present in the web app, but also saw “massive performance improvements.” I’ve never experienced any performance issues with the Google+ app, but if they want to add “massive improvements,” I’ll take ’em. The full list of changes in yesterday’s update includes:
Foursquare continues to update their popular check-in app for Android and just recently added some of the great features from their recent Explore on the web. The new Explore function provides smarter searching and allows users to change location as well as filter recommendations. Expanding further on these features, Foursquare adds:
It’s been quite some time since I heard anyone mention the name Vonage but it appears they are still alive and kicking. They’re looking to steal some of Skype’s mobile business by offering a new VOIP app for both Android and iOS that claims to offer international calling at 30% less the cost of Skype. Of course the biggest draw is the free app-to-app calling and texting as well as free calls to any Vonage number. Full features of the Vonage Mobile app include:
