Samsung and Apple just can’t keep their hands off each other. Both companies are locked in rigorous litigation in a variety of countries around the world. These companies don’t show any signs of backing down rather every other week we hear of lawsuits and counter-suits being filed. Apple is now going after Samsung in the USA as it seeks an injunction to ban Galaxy Nexus Sale in USA.

The Korean and the Cupertino California based company have quite a history of litigation against each other in the not so distant past. Apple started off by getting an injunction banning sale of Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia. Samsung’s case suffered a blow when it’s own lawyer could not differentiate between iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 at the hearing. Apple then moved a court in Germany to ban Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales there and was awarded the injunction. Samsung made minor tweaks to the tablet and then launched it again. Immediately after Apple released iPhone 4S, Samsung tried to ban its sales in Italy however the Italian court did not ban iPhone 4S sales. Now we have today’s fiasco in which Apple wants to ban sales of Samsung’s flagship Android smartphone in the United States.

Apple believes that the Galaxy Nexus infringes upon four of its patents, hence it has filed the motion for an injunction against it. Given the fact that Galaxy Nexus is powered by stock Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with no alterations done by Samsung, the complaint is much more focused on the software than the hardware. Google owns Android and has actively worked on production of Galaxy Nexus, so this new motion for injunction can also be considered as a jab to Google.

The four patents include a ‘data tapping’ patent which is linked to Siri’s search functionality. The second patent is about the legendary slide-to-unlock gesture. The other patents relate to how words are recommended automatically as soon as the user begins entering text.

Apple has already used the ‘data tapping’ patent to win an injunction against import of HTC devices. This ban will be enforced merely two months from now. Rest of the patents have yet to see legal action. However if Apple wins, this could be a serious blow to Google and the progress of Android operating system.

Well connected sources have revealed that Samsung is going to release Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3 for Galaxy S 2 on March 1. Previously the Korean manufacturer had confirmed that it would be rolling out the latest Android platform update to Galaxy S 2 and Galaxy Note in the first quarter of 2012.

Android 4.0 a.k.a Ice Cream Sandwich is the biggest update yet to Google’s signature mobile operating system. At this point in time not a lot of devices have officially received the Ice Cream Sandwich update. On the other hand various developers have already developed and released unofficial Ice Cream Sandwich ports for a variety of Android devices. Since these ports are third party developed, it is always best to steer clear of them because they’re not official and could potentially harm your device if not installed correctly.

The source reveals that Android 4.0.3 for Galaxy S 2 will be pushed out over-the-air, OTA is its most commonly known. Samsung KIES desktop software could also be used to download this update on Galaxy S 2. It goes without saying that this update is meant for international version of Galaxy S 2. Its obvious because in the US, Galaxy S 2 units are bound to carriers, and only the carriers push out firmware upgrades. These carriers take up a lot of time in testing a particular upgrade before pushing it out to subscribers. So Galaxy S 2 owners in the USA might have to wait a little more than March 1.

It has also been revealed that Samsung Galaxy Note will be getting Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update. According to the source, Galaxy Note will receive this update merely days after it is first rolled out to international variants of Galaxy S 2.

The Samsung Galaxy S 2 is a phenomenal smartphone. It is considered as a solid competitor against Apple’s iPhone. Samsung is already working on Galaxy S 3, which is going to be released possibly in May. Till then, Samsung can entice users to stick with its previous Galaxy smartphone by rolling out the anxiously awaited Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update.

There are quite a number of iOS games that have become household names around the world. Angry Birds, Cut The Rope, Doodle Jump & Pipe Roll are some of them. Recently a new and highly addictive game has taken the spotlight. Temple Run is an amazing game currently available only for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It has been learnt that Temple Run for Android is going to release on February 9, 2012.

Temple Run is currently the 3rd most popular app on iTunes App Store. It has ranked number one in the top 25 free apps category. The game boasts approximately 7 million users daily, and the number is growing with each passing day. The premise of this game is actually very simple. The player is on the run with vicious temple guards hot on the heels. Players try to collect as many coins throughout the game to buy power-ups. The game is entirely controlled by gestures which are used to jump, slide and turn. In-app purchases option is provided for those who wish to buy coin packs.

The gameplay sounds fairly easy but to be honest, it’s really not. Various gameplay aspects change throughout the session, including but not limited to rapid popping of obstacles and increase in speed from time to time. One has to play this game to grasp how addictive Temple Run is. Android users have long awaited the release of Temple Run for Android. A release was initially rumoured back in January but now the official release date has surfaced. Temple Run for Android will be released on February 9.

When Temple Run for iOS was released, the developers had priced it at $0.99. They soon dropped the price altogether and offered the app for free. It is expected that Temple Run for Android will follow this exact same model. Download link will be posted here on Webification once iMangi studios releases Temple Run for Android.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is going to be the next flagship Android smartphone. A new report reveals that Samsung Galaxy S III release date will be in May, while the company will tout it’s creation as the thinnest quadcore processor powered smartphone in the world.

Samsung has already released a statement regarding release event of Galaxy S III. The successor to Galaxy S II will be announced at an event that the Korean manufacturer itself will organize in the first half of 2012, presumably in May. The company has decided that they are not going to make an announcement at Mobile World Congress, where they announced Galaxy S II last year. However they will be announcing other new Android based devices at Mobile World Congress 2012.

ETNews of Korea has received several tips regarding Samsung’s upcoming flagship Android smartphone. It is rumoured that this device is going to be incredibly thin, measuring in at 7mm. Since it is going to be powered by a quadcore processor, Galaxy S III will then become the world’s thinnest quadcore smartphone, until some other manufacturer trumps Samsung. The company had also advertised Samsung Galaxy S II at the time of it’s release as the world’s slimmest dual-core smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S III is also reportedly going to house an 8 megapixel camera on the back and a 2 megapixel camera on the front. It is going to run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which happens to be the latest and the greatest update to Google’s Android platform. Detailed specifications are yet to be revealed.

Touting a device as the world’s thinnest quadcore smartphone may sound interesting, but it does raises some serious concerns. Will the company compromise battery life just to achieve this level of thinness? We know for a fact that users would prefer having better battery life instead of a super-thin smartphone. Samsung really knows how to develop it’s flagship Android smartphone, but let’s just hope that they don’t over-do it.

It has not been long since Google introduced PIN protection feature for Android Market. This feature is primarily there to stop your kids from downloading or purchasing apps without your knowledge or consent. The PIN protection feature is also pretty handy if one has friends that like buying a large number of apps just for the sake of playing a prank on you. On the face of it, PIN protection looks pretty solid and foolproof. The truth is, it’s really not.

Google’s Android mobile operating system has slowly and gradually been gaining popularity amongst global smartphone users. In fact that Android platform poses as the only real competitor to Apple’s domination of the smartphone industry. Currently Google is activating over 700,000 Android devices daily around the world and this number is soon going to be through the roof. Naturally Google has to come up with ways that keep its ever growing user base secure. The PIN protection feature Google added to Android Market is actually pretty easy to crack.

This loophole, per se, has been discovered by a Reddit user named hebl. He has been able to bypass Android Market PIN protection on his Desire HD. Once this has been bypassed apps can be downloaded without having to enter a PIN. The way to bypass it is really simple. From Home Screen press Menu button then tap on Settings followed by Applications then Manage Applications. Tap on All then Market and finally tap on Clear data. PIN protection has been neutralized.

So how will this problem be fixed? Given the fact that this issue has come to light on the internet, it is only a matter of time before Google rolls out an Android Market update that will take care of this loophole. Till then it is advised that you keep away your Android smartphone from prankster friends and your lively kids. It only takes an internet search to find out how to bypass Android Market PIN protection feature.

Samsung has finally confirmed that it intends to release the successor of hugely popular Galaxy S II in the coming months. The Korean manufacturer has revealed that Samsung Galaxy S III will be announced in the first half of 2012 at an event that is not going to be a part of Mobile World Congress.

Samsung has issued the following statement regarding Galaxy S III release date:

Samsung is looking forward to introducing and demonstrating exciting new mobile products at Mobile World Congress 2012.

The successor to the GALAXY S II smartphone will be unveiled at a separate Samsung-hosted event in the first half of the year, closer to commercial availability of the product.

Samsung stays committed to providing the best possible mobile experiences for customers around the world.

So this statement actually clears up a lot of previous rumours. First, Samsung won’t even announce Galaxy S III at Mobile World Congress later this month. They will announce some other devices, which no one will probably care about. It’s the Galaxy S III people are pumped up about, and Samsung will announce it at an event they themselves will host.

It is quite possible that Samsung has deferred announcement of Galaxy S III to an undecided date in the first half of 2012 due to the fact that Apple is gearing up to release its iPhone 5. Samsung’s flagship Android smartphone is considered as the only one true competitor of Apple’s insanely popular iPhone.

Whatever the case may be, Samsung Galaxy S III is going to pick up on the legacy of Galaxy S II. The latest flagship smartphone will tout a quadcore Tegra processor with 720p Super AMOLED HD display. The Galaxy S III will come with Android Ice Cream Sandwich. No details on pricing as yet, we just have to wait for Samsung to send out media invites.