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To use NVIDIA's graphics technology, you've typically had to buy gadgets using NVIDIA chips -- good for the company's bottom line, but not for influencing the industry as a whole. The firm is expanding its ambition today with plans to license some of that technology on a broader scale. Beginning with the Kepler architecture, other firms can use NVIDIA's GPU cores and graphics-related patents for their own processors and chipsets. The deal could affect a wide range of hardware, but it mostly pits NVIDIA against the likes of Imagination Technologies: a system-on-chip designer could integrate a Logan-based GPU instead of the PowerVR series, for example. While it will be some time before third-party silicon ships with NVIDIA inside, it's already clear that the company's in-house design is now just one part of a larger strategy.
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Tablets, NVIDIA
Source: NVIDIA
Pandora has complained for years that royalties for internet-only radio stations are too steep. It may have found an end run around the problem, however: it just bought an FM radio station in South Dakota. The company's Chris Harrison argues that the deal will make ASCAP and music labels offer Pandora the same songwriting licenses that they do to rivals like iHeartRadio, which allegedly gets better terms through its traditional broadcasting roots. Opponents argue that Pandora is simply trying to dodge fair compensation through the buyout, although the streaming service claims to have been forced into more than one unfair rate hike with current licensing. Whatever the truth, Pandora is racing against the clock -- competition won't get any easier when built-in services like iTunes Radio are on the way.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Internet
Source: The Hill (1), (2)
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When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S 4 in March, there was a near-inescapable emphasis on face detection features. What we didn't know is just whose technology was making them possible. As it happens, it's not entirely Samsung's -- DigitalOptics has stepped forward to claim some of the responsibility. The California firm recently struck a multi-year licensing deal with Samsung to supply its Face Detection and Face Tracking software, which can detect pupils for interface features (think Smart Stay or Smart Pause) and keep tabs on photo subjects. DigitalOptics hasn't provided the exact details of its involvement in the GS4, let alone a roadmap, but it's safe to presume that Samsung isn't dropping its emphasis on camera-driven software anytime soon.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, Samsung
Source: DigitalOptics
Microsoft has insisted for years that companies building products based on Android and Chrome are treading on ground covered by its patent portfolio, and it's continuing to press that claim. Today it announced it's agreed to IP licensing terms with another device maker -- Foxconn parent Hon Hai. Perhaps best known for making many Apple products, the massive company manufactures more than 40 percent of consumer electronics devices in the world. According to the press release the deal covers patents for phones, tablets and TVs, and will result in Microsoft receiving royalty payments. We've already seen companies like HTC and LG choose to cut a deal over the technology, while Google-owned Motorola is continuing to fight. It's far too soon to know how those court battles will be resolved, but while the team in Redmond may not have caught up to Android in mobile market share, that doesn't mean it's not getting paid.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, Mobile, Microsoft, Google
Source: Microsoft
The longstanding disagreement between Google and MPEG LA is finally over, as the two parties have reached a licensing agreement for several patents covering video compression. As a quick refresher, MPEG LA owns the technology behind h.264, the current king of video codecs. Meanwhile, Google's own VP8 video codec is a part of its WebM standard, but MPEG LA cried foul, claiming that Google's technology was infringing. Apparently, the companies found common ground, and with the settlement in place, WebM is free from patent encumbrances and video producers can do what they do without fear of legal retribution.
Via: Phoronix
Barnes and Noble has just dealt up some good news for movie-loving owners of its Nook HD and HD+ slates, with the announcement of new licensing agreements with a host of studios. Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Relativity Media as well as National Geographic, Little Pim and Film Buff are all part of the new wave of additions to the Nook Video line-up. This means titles such as The Hunger Games, Mad Men, and the Twilight Movies will be available for rent or purchase starting today. Little Pim provides foreign language learning for kids, so there's something to expand the minds of the little ones too. This, combined with that UltraViolet integration and the odd item at the FCC suggests that Barnes & Noble is taking its media content offering more seriously than ever. We're certainly not complaining.
There were plenty of Office users none too pleased with Microsoft's recent decision to tie Office 2013 retail licenses to the PC they were originally installed on, and it looks like the company has been listening to them. Microsoft announced in a blog post today that it's changing the policy, and will now allow users to transfer the license if they get a new PC or the old one fails. The company says that it will update the actual license agreement included with the software in a future release, but makes it clear that the change is effective immediately. Of course, there are still some limitations. You can't transfer the license more than once every 90 days unless there's a hardware failure, and you still can't have the software on more than one computer at the same time. You can find the full text of the new license at the source link.
Filed under: Software, Microsoft
Via: The Next Web
Source: Microsoft Office News
Microsoft believes every Android device maker owes money for (reportedly) using its patents, and it's been striking a lot of matching royalty deals that mostly focus on phone designers. While there wasn't necessarily much doubt, we can confirm today that dedicated camera makers aren't exempt: Nikon just signed a similar deal. Although the terms are once again secret, the agreement will see Nikon pay Microsoft a royalty for "certain" cameras running Android, which likely involves the Coolpix S800c as well as any future shooters. In case you're wondering, Samsung's broader patent license deal already covers the Galaxy Camera. This new pact mostly gives Nikon equal treatment -- and shows that Microsoft casts a wide net.
Filed under: Cameras, Microsoft, Nikon
Source: Microsoft