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Tag: Qualcomm

  • New Snapdragon 215 CPU designed for budget handsets goes official

    New Snapdragon 215 CPU designed for budget handsets goes official

    Qualcomm has announced its newest chip in the Snapdragon 200 series, the Snapdragon 215. The latest chipset is the successor to the Snapdragon 212 and is specifically designed for budget smartphones. Qualcomm said that Snapdragon 215 is targeted at budget smartphones priced in the range of $75-$120.

    According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 215 is the only chispet in its range to feature a 64-bit CPU and support for dual cameras. It also comes equipped with the Snapdragon X5 LTE modem to support Dual VoLTE.

    “We’re raising the bar for mass market devices and enabling experiences that were never before possible in the 2-series,” said Kedar Kondap, Vice President of Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, in a statement.

    The Snapdragon 215 is based on the new 64-bit architecture featuring four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at a maximum speed of 1.3GHz. Qualcomm claims it offers up to 50 percent faster performance over its predecessor.

    Besides, it also comes with Adreno 308 GPU that is rated to deliver up to 25 percent improvement in gaming performance compared to previous iteration. The new chipset also supports LPDDR3 RAM of up to 672 MHz and 3GB capacity. In addition, it comes with support for eMMC 4.5 and SD3.0 (UHS-I) storage.

    Elsewhere, the Snapdragon 215 supports a display of 720×1560 pixels having an aspect ratio of 19:5:9. It also features dual 12-bit image signal processors (ISPs) that allow suppport for dual rear cameras. For selfies, the chipset features a single front camera module with up to 13MP sensor. It’s also capable of recording videos up to 1080p and supports EVS (Ultra HD) voice calls.

    As far as connectivity goies, the new chipset comes with Snapdragon XT LTE modem alongside support for LTE Cat 4. It also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 ac with MU-MIMO, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS/A-GPS, OTDOA, GLONASS, and Beidou.

  • After China, Apple could face iPhone sales ban in Germany

    After China, Apple could face iPhone sales ban in Germany

    After China, a German court has now ruled that all iPhone models since the iPhone 5s are infringing upon a Qualcomm patent. A sales ban will be imposed on Apple if the company does not appeal the German court’s ruling.

    According to a report by Reuetrs, Qualcomm is seeking a ban on iPhone models that run Intel chips. The court ruled that iPhones which feature a combination of chips from Intel and Apple supplier Qorvo infringe upon one of Qualcomm’s patents related to envelope tracking, a feature which essentially allows smartphones to save battery while sending and receiving wireless signals.

    The judge ruled that Apple should stop selling all iPhones models that run Intel modems in Germany. In response to the court’s ruling, Apple, as expected, retaliated with a fierce reponse.

    “Qualcomm’s campaign is a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues between our companies. Their tactics, in the courts and in their everyday business, are harming innovation and harming consumers. Qualcomm insists on charging exorbitant fees based on work they didn’t do, and they are being investigated by governments all around the world for their behavior. We are of course disappointed by this verdict, and we plan to appeal,” said Apple in a statement for CNBC.

    Apple and Qualcomm are engaged in a similar legal battle in China. A Chinese court issued a ban on iPhone sales in the country for violating Qualcomm patents. Apple was found to be infringing upon two patents as per the Chinese court’s ruling. These include a patent for changing and reformatting the size and appearance of photographs, and one for managing apps when viewing, navigating and dismissing apps using a touchscreen.

  • Qualcomm now pursuing ban on iPhone XS and iPhone XR

    Qualcomm now pursuing ban on iPhone XS and iPhone XR

    The legal spat between Apple and Qualcomm goes on. Last week, a Chinese court issued an order to ban sales of all iPhone models in the country since the iPhone 6s upto the iPhone X. Now, it appears Qualcomm is seeking a ban on the newly launched iPhone XS and iPhone XR as well.

    In an interview with Bloomberg, Qualcomm’s general counsel Don Rosenberg stated that the only reason why the newly launched iPhone range were not impacted by the court’s ruling, is because they weren’t launched at the time of the appeal.

    “It affects older iPhones. It affects the iPhone 6s right through the X, and the only reason it doesn’t apply at the moment to the later devices is because when we brought the suit they didn’t exist. The new models will be coming very soon. We are already in the process of seeking an order covering the new models as well,” said Rosenberg.

    To recall, a Chinese court issued a ban on iPhone sales in the country for violating Qualcomm patents. Apple was found to be infringing upon two patents as per the Chinese court’s ruling. These include a patent for changing and reformatting the size and appearance of photographs, and one for managing apps when viewing, navigating and dismissing apps using a touchscreen.

    Apple still selling iPhones in China

    Following the court’s ruling, Apple announced it would address the issue with an iOS update, which began rolling out on Monday. However, Qualcomm says that Apple should take the court order seriously and stop selling iPhones in China.

    “It should’ve been taken a bite and it should take a bite of Apple sales right now in China. The order requires them to stop selling, stop offering for sale, and stop importing any devices between these model numbers I suggested,” further added Rosenberg.

    Despite the court’s ruling, Apple is still selling iPhone models in China. The Cupertino-based company says that the latest iOS 12.1.2 update addresses the alleged patent violations.

  • Apple plans to release iOS update to evade iPhone ban in China

    Apple plans to release iOS update to evade iPhone ban in China

    Apple plans to roll out an iOS update specifically to evade the ban imposed on iPhone sales in China. The Cupertino giant announced that the update directly addresses patent violations claim made by Qualcomm.

    Earlier this week, a Chinese court issued a ban on sale of all iPhone models in the country, since the iPhone 6s. The court found Apple to be infringing upon two separate Qualcomm patents.

    However, Apple says it won’t stop selling iPhones in China despite the alleged patent violation. The Cupertino giant claims that such patent-infringement claims are only limited to older versions of iOS, and the latest iOS update no longer breaches these patent claims.

    Apple is now reporteldy planning to roll out a software update next week, and it appears iPhones running older versions of iOS may be specifically targeted by the new update.

    “Based on the iPhone models we offer today in China, we believe we are in compliance. Early next week we will deliver a software update for iPhone users in China addressing the minor functionality of the two patents at issue in the case,” Apple said in a statement to Reuters.

    Specific details about the update remain slim for now, however, Apple is likley to reveal more information by next week when it rolls out the update.

    As per the ruling by Chinese court, iPhone models that breach Qualcomm patents include the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the iPhone 6s. That said, Qualcomm suggests it’s looking into more such patent infringement claims on the new iPhone Xs and iPhone Xr.

    The legal spat between Apple and Qualcomm goes on. And from the looks of it, we aren’t going to see the two tech giants come to a mutual agreement.

  • Apple files an appeal to reverse iPhone ban in China

    Apple files an appeal to reverse iPhone ban in China

    Apple has filed an appeal with a Chinese court to reverse the ban imposed on all iPhone models in the country since the iPhone 6s. The ban is essentially a part of the ongoing legal battle between Qualcomm and Apple.

    “Qualcomm’s effort to ban our products is another desperate move by a company whose illegal practices are under investigation by regulators around the world,” Apple said in a statement to CNBC.

    While Qualcomm stated in a press release that a Chinese court has issued two preliminary injunctions against Apple subsidiaries in the country. As per the order, Apple is supposed to halt ‘sale and offers for sale in China of the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X’.

    “Apple continues to benefit from our intellectual property while refusing to compensate us. These Court orders are further confirmation of the strength of Qualcomm’s vast patent portfolio. The injunctions require Apple to immediately stop infringing on two Qualcomm patents,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel, Qualcomm Incorporated.

    Apple was found to be infringing upon two patents as per the Chinese court’s ruling.

    These include a patent for changing and reformatting the size and appearance of photographs, and one for managing apps when viewing, navigating and dismissing apps using a touchscreen.

    Despite the court’s order, Apple insists it’ll keep selling iPhones in China. The Cupertino giant says it did not violate these patents and the ban goes beyond the scope of the two injunctions.

    “All iPhone models remain available for our customers in China. Qualcomm is asserting three patents they had never raised before, including one which has already been invalidated. We will pursue all our legal options through the courts,” said Apple.

    Apple and Qualcomm have been engaged in a rather fierce legal battle for the past few years. Both tech giants have sued each other in various courts in several countries across the globe.

  • Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 8cx chipset, world’s first 7nm PC platform

    Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 8cx chipset, world’s first 7nm PC platform

    Qualcomm has announced its Snapdragon 8cx compute chipset with 8-core Kyro CPU and Adreno 680 GPU. It’s the world’s first 7nm PC platform with support for DrectX 12 API. The company claims that Qualcomm’s Adreno 680 GPU offers 2x performance improvement and 60 percent improved power efficiency over its predecessor.

    “Together with the Qualcomm Kryo 495 CPU, our fastest yet, the Snapdragon 8cx is designed to deliver amazing graphics, powerful productivity, and multi-day battery life,” further added Qualcomm.

    The Snapdragon 8cx chipset also offers support for multi-gigabit LTE thanks to the integrated X24 LTE modem capable of churning out download speeds of up to 2Gbps.

    The chipset also comes with full hypervisor support, along with advanced crypto-security and Windows 10 Enterprise support, which allows users to properly secure sensitive information such as passwords, log-ins, and more.

    Besides, the Snapdragon 8cx also offers immersive graphics performance and HW accelaration for advanced video formats, with support for 4K HDR playback at 120 frames-per-second. In addition, the 8cx also supports high-fidelity and true surround sound using Qualcomm’s Aqstic Audio technology.

    Finally, the new chipset also comes with support for Microsoft’s DirectX 12 API along with advanced location features such as Low Power Geofencing and Tracking, Pedestrian Navigation, as Sensor-aided navigation.