Topping tech headlines on Monday, a federal jury ruled that Google infringed upon the overall copyright structure of Oracle's Java software platform in the creation of the Android operating system used in smartphones and other mobile devices.
But the jury was unable to reach a decision on a key claim by Google regarding what the company called its fair use of 37 Oracle-owned Java APIs. After the verdict was reached in a San Francisco courtroom at about 11:30 a.m. PT, Google's attorneys asked for a mistrial on that particular question. For more on the case, see: Expert: Oracle-Google Copyright Verdict 'Terribly Inconclusive'.
Meanwhile, AT&T announced that it will start offering the Windows Phone-based Samsung Focus 2 on May 20 for $49.99. The Focus 2 features a 4-inch, Super AMOLED touch screen, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with HD 720p video capture, and a VGA front-facing camera. For more, see: Hands On With the Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T.
And in other news, Google has become the first company to receive a license to test its self-driving car on public roads, the Nevada DMV said Monday. The license plate will have a red background, with an infinity symbol on the left-hand side.
Also making headlines on Monday:
- Apple iOS 5.1.1 Released With iPad, iPhone Bug Fixes: Apple released a new version of iOS - version 5.1.1 - that fixes bugs on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
- Microsoft Offering $99 Xbox, Kinect Bundle With Subscription: Microsoft this week offered up an Xbox and Kinect bundle for $99 for those who subscribe to a two-year Xbox Live Gold Membership.
- Adobe Creative Suite 6 (CS6) Now Available: Adobe announced that Creative Suite 6 is now available, but before you buy, check out PCMag's full reviews.
- Disney Turns Your Body Into a Touch Screen: Disney Research has been investigating more complex uses for touch-based technology, and it landed on a system known as Touché.
- MasterCard's Wallet to Enable One-Click Shopping This Fall: MasterCard announced its digital wallet program, PayPass Wallet, which will let its cardholders and partners securely pay with phones or online.
- Cool Microsoft Research Takes Kinect to Another Level: The technology uses the human body as a sounding board for Kinect-like applications.
- HTC One V Coming This Summer to U.S.: On the heels of AT&T's launch of the HTC One X and T-Mobile's HTC One S, HTC confirmed that the HTC One V will be coming to "a variety of U.S. carriers" this summer.
- Google Extends Hangouts on Air Broadcasts to All: Hangouts on Air differ from normal Hangouts only in that the conversations are recorded.
- After Apple Store Protest, RIM Unveils 'Wake Up' Campaign: The big reveal that Research in Motion promised last week amidst its Apple Store "Wake Up" flash mob was unveiled, but it consisted mainly of a push to brand BlackBerry as a no-nonsense platform "for people who mean business."
- Apple Goes After iPhone5.com Domain: Apple filed a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) over ownership of the domain iPhone5.com.
- Verizon Unveils HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE: An update to HTC's popular Droid Incredible, the Incredible 4G LTE adds support for Verizon's 4G LTE network, along with Beats Audio support and advanced camera capabilities.