The Apple vs. Samsung Trial Over Screen Size and Smartphone Technology Nears a Close

    A lawyer for Apple Inc. says Samsung Electronics Co. illegally tried to cash in on the success of the iPhone.  Apple says Samsung should pay $2.5 billion for ripping off its iPhone and iPad technology when Samsung marketed rival devices.  Samsung countersued for $399 million, claiming Apple Inc. used Samsung technology in making the iPhone and iPad.  The competing claims came during closing arguments at the multi-billion-dollar patent trial, after last minute talks between chief executives failed to resolve the dispute.  See also, www.wsj.com.

An Apple Sells For $374,500

     This Apple is the original computer board that would eventually make Apple Inc. the biggest company in the world.  When Apple II came out about a year later, it provided the now familiar computer case that we all know today (that houses circuit boards, power supply, fan sound card, video card, etc).  Apple II also included a monitor and keyboard.  Sotheby's auction house recently sold a working Apple I computer.  In 1976 when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were assembling these computers they retailed for $666.66.  The one at Sotheby's of New York went at auction for $374,500.  See full story, http://www.nytimes.com/.  

Pixelization Makes Some Look at Television's Decency

          Pixelization allows shows to skirt decency issues by blurring nudity. Pixelization uses modern editing equipment in the post production (after taping) phase of television.  The technique displays a certain area of a photograph or film footage at a much lower resolution, obscuring everything from license plate numbers to human faces when necessary.  When television makers use pixelization merely to increase ratings it pokes fun at the standards of what is considered decent, and underscores a longer debate about what should be allowable on television.  This issue recently reached the United States Supreme Court, when justices struck down fines for ABC and FOX, which had aired partial nudity and swear words.  The broader issue is, of course, how far networks can push the boundaries of their content.  See also, www.hollywoodreporter.com.

China's Miss World Would Like to Teach Music

     China's Yu Wenxia has been crowned the 2012 Miss World.  The 23-year-old, Yu Wenxia, is a music student who says, she wants to become a music teacher.  This is the second time Miss China has has been awarded the title.  The previous time was in 2007 when Zhang Zilin won the honor.  See also, www.nytimes.com.

We Accept Cash, Check, Credit Card, or Smartphone

     As smartphones have grown in popularity mobile payments have become such big business that the largest banks and credit card firms are partnering with wireless carriers, phone makers, and software developers to push the smartphone further into the center of global commerce.  More than a dozen merchants, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., Best Buy Co., and Sears Holdings Corp., say they are teaming up to develop their own walletless platform, including an app, that will enable tech-savvy customers to quickly pay for goods with their smartphones.  Electronic money is easier and quicker to process than cash or plastic, possibly making long lines a thing of the past.  See also, www.nytimes.com.

Some Stars Like Their Laundry Done Quickly, Not The Kardashians

   The Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes divorce took a matter of weeks to do.  Legal bickering means it is unlikely the Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries divorce, or annulment, will be granted before next year.   See also, www.variety.com.

Cell Phones Distracting The Office Environment

     The cell phone has forever changed the way we do things.  According to The Wireless Association's website, nearly a quarter of households have ditched traditional landline methods of calling, to go wireless. The cell phone is a miracle of modern technology, but sometimes it is a distraction in the workplace.  "It's really tough to have a meeting these days and hold everybody's attention", says David Lewis president of OperationsInc.  A meeting is not a closed, quiet, and focused environment, unless you ask for the cell phones at the door."  However, "if used properly, cell phones can be an excellent tool in the workplace, allowing for real time communication in several formats", says Brian Flynn vice-president of operations at Xtel Communications, Inc.  See also, www.ctia.org.

NBC Pre-empts Olympics For a Little Monkeying Around

     Sunday's package of  Olympic 2012 highlights yielded to a preview of a new NBC comedy called, "Animal Practice," which was then followed by a half-hour of local news.  When taped Olympic 2012 coverage came to a halt at 11 p.m.Eastern time, viewers were advised that the festivities would resume in one hour.  At midnight Eastern time, Ryan Seacrest greeted viewers who had chosen to stay tuned.  Many viewers wondered why the ceremony could not have been presented in one block, while only slightly delaying NBC's monkey business.  See also, www.nytimes.com.