Apple began removing another category of apps from its iPhone App Store. This time, it's not porn, it's Wi-Fi. They already removed porn apps, but now it's turned its feather duster on 'stumbler' applications that seek out available Wifi networks.
Right now the victims are apps with Wi-Fi stumbling features, such as Wifi-Where, yFy, and Sekai Camera. These are applications that can not only show the location of every nearby Wi-Fi hotspot based on information from an online directory, but also can dynamically add more listings based on what Wi-Fi access points the iPhone detects in the immediate vicinity. There's just one problem; that feature, dubbed "stumbling," is accomplished through the use of undocumented, private APIs. Their removal won't be debated as a the boob-ban though because Apple is on a little stronger footing this time, noting that the apps use undocumented, private APIs.
Apple's stumbler ban doesn't affect apps that only search from a directory like Wi-Fi Finder and Spots. Users can still search for hotspots using apps which take advantage of the iPhone's GPS capabilities – the ban only applies to those applications which actively search for a connection.
The reason isn't clear, but may be related to the fact that it is in certain circumstances and certain territories illegal to hook into an open Wifi connection – if you're using your neighbor's connection, for example.
Apple also Apple filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against HTC. Apple claims HTC infringed on 20 patents governing a range of technologies. It filed legal actions against the Taiwanese company Tuesday with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. District Court for Delaware.
Apple is asking the court to order HTC to pay unspecified damages and has requested that the International Trade Commission bar HTC from continuing to import the Nexus One and other phones into the United States.
"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours." said Steve Jobs.
Apple has named the patents in question, but it hasn't yet defined how its sees HTC violating these patents. The patents that Apple alleges HTC is infringing are related to the iPhone's graphical user interface, underlying hardware and software design. The company is asking for a permanent injunction, which would prevent HTC from importing and selling infringing devices in the United States. Apple also said it is seeking damages, but it did not specify an amount.
The indirect targets of Apple's lawsuit, of course, are Google and its Android operating system. Still, the suit doesn't fit cleanly into any of the above categories, because right now Apple, along with Blackberry maker Research in Motion, is top dog in the smartphone market.
Google however has defended HTC, which manufacturers the search engine's Nexus One. HTC manufacturers mobile devices for a number of third parties, but its recent introduction of the Nexus One for Google may be what caught Apple's attention. Like the iPhone, the Nexus One features a touch-screen, a built-in GPS, and downloadable applications.
The patents in question cover touch-screens, gesture recognition, scrolling, power management, and other technologies.
"We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it," Google said.
Apple is becoming increasingly aggressive in protecting what it believes is proprietary technology. The company sued Nokia in December, claiming the Finnish handset maker also infringed on iPhone patents. That case remains open.
It's interesting that Apple has chosen to target HTC in this suit and not other cell phone manufacturers, such as Motorola, Samsung Electronics, or Palm, which have also built phones similar to iPhone.
Apple likely chose HTC as its target for several reasons. HTC is a relatively small and young company when compared with some of its handset rivals, which means it has less money for a long legal battle. And it likely has fewer patents that can be used to countersue Apple. Another likely major reason that HTC was picked: it is currently Apple's biggest threat. HTC was the first handset maker to start making Android phones. HTC also manufactures about 80 percent of the phones that use the Windows Mobile software. And it will likely be the first handset maker to come out with a smartphone using the new Windows Phone 7 operating system, which is specifically designed for touch screen phones could pose a threat to the iPhone.
Analysts have praised HTC's phones as being technically strong, and, by all accounts, Google's Android operating system offers a powerful open-choice alternative to proprietary cell-phone software made not just by Apple, but also by Research In Motion and Microsoft.
The Taiwanese company's large revenue stream (about $4.5 billion in 2009) and nearly nonexistent U.S. patent portfolio probably helped persuade Apple that it is a perfect target. A search of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records shows that HTC has only been issued 25 utility patents.