TSMC making Apple’s next-gen A6 processors on trail

The most recent steps Apple has taken in its patent war against South Korean tech giant Samsung, involve suing Samsung in its backyard as well as reportedly searching for replacement chip suppliers to the company. The latter seems to be well on track, with Cupertino reportedly approaching a Taiwanese company to replace Samsung, who currently provides Apple with the 1 GHz dual-core A5 chip powering the iPad 2.

According to Reuters, Taiwan’s TSMC has started a trial manufacturing period for the next generation A6 processor for Apple. The publication quotes a “source familiar with the matter”, who also stated that the decision about TSMC obtaining the actual manufacturing orders for these processors rests upon its yield rate, or the amount of chips per batch that contain no defects.

Apple vs. HTC legal battle intensifies

Continuing with Apple, the Cupertino-based iPad and iPhone maker this week upped its legal efforts against Taiwanese smartphone and tablet maker HTC. Apple filed a patent lawsuit against HTC in March last year, to which HTC responded by filing an ITC complaint against Apple.

According to the Foss Patents tech blog, Apple filed another patent infringement complaint against HTC, listing a total of five patents, three of which also come up in its legal actions against HTC’s fellow Android mobile device manufacturer, Samsung.  

These patents deal with, amongst others, application programming interfaces (APIs) for scrolling operations, programmable tactile touch-screens and double-sided touch-sensitive panels, all of which also appear in its case against Samsung.  

DStv Mobile launches all-new Drifta USB

DStv Mobile has introduced the new Drifta USB, which, like the original Drifta, functions as a portable decoder. It allows users to connect to DVB-H broadcast mobile TV and access DStv Mobile content live on their PCs. This portable device is easy to install, as it connects directly to a PC via the USB port and doesn’t need to be paired with a device via Wi-Fi.

“It’s just a matter of loading the Drifta USB application onto your PC,” explained Mark Rayner, general manager of DStv Mobile South Africa. “After that, you simply plug the Drifta USB into your PC and launch the application; within seconds you can then enjoy DStv Mobile content.”

The company also announced the addition of popular content channel M-Net Series to the DStv Mobile bouquet, which boasts shows including CSI: Miami and The Good Wife. DStv Mobile Drifta USB is available at MultiChoice centres and select retailers for a recommended retail price of R399. Subscription is R36 per month and this service is available to DStv Premium subscribers at no extra cost.

Most companies restrict access to social networking says Kaspersky Lab

The ‘Global IT Security Risks’ survey conducted by Kaspersky Lab in partnership with B2B International, has shed light on the employee activities that companies most frequently restrict. Social networks are seen as one of the greatest security threats, as these, due to their popularity, have become one of the major channels of malware distribution.

Access to social networking is completely blocked in 53% of companies, whilst another 19% restrict this kind of user activity in some way or another. This made social networking the second most frequently banned activity after peer-to-peer file sharing. Other frequently restricted activities include online gaming, access to certain websites, video streaming and instant messaging services.

Vodacom ‘Goals for Miracles’ returns to help more cataract patients see

Vodacom has announced that it will once again be donating R150 000 for every goal scored by a local team, during the 2011 Vodacom Challenge soccer tournament, tanking place between 16 and 23 July. During this year’s Vodacom Challenge, Barclays Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) will be clashing with our local soccer rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates FC. The money that Vodacom will be donating will go towards facilitating free cataract surgeries to South Africans in need of it. “Proceeds generated from the campaign will be donated to various partner organisations across the country. The initial ‘Goals for Miracles’ campaign raised an amount of R450 000 and this year we are hoping to double that figure” said Mthobi Tyamzashe, Vodacom’s executive director for Corporate Social Investment.

A look at Symbian Anna

Nokia fans are looking forward to experiencing the Finnish manufacturer’s Symbian Anna mobile operating system (OS), that will power the forthcoming X7 and E6. It will also be operating on a selection of currently available Nokia smartphones such as the E7, C7 and N8 following an OS update during Q3 of this year. Nokia Australia has posted an introductory video to Symbian Anna that is posted below to enjoy.