Photo: Stock.Xchng

It’s seems that the Apple iPad won’t cool down as it sells like hot cakes, and users are now looking to sue Apple over the iPad’s overheating which causes impromptu shut down. The lawsuit has been filed by Scott Cole & Associates on behalf of iPad users who they believe have been victim to false advertising as the device becomes unsafe and unusable once it overheats.

Overheating claims

The claims that the Apple iPad suffers from overheating were first brought to light immediately after the launch of the product where several users reported that the Apple device had shut down a few minutes after being used while exposed to direct sunlight. However, Apple did nothing to rectify the problem and will now see their legal problems mounting on top of the iPhone 4 lawsuit which apparently makes for a good iPod touch when held in one’s left hand.

A strong case

Photo: Apple

The lawsuit which has been brought against Apple is strongly worded and accuses the iPad maker of ‘false advertising’ on the basis that ‘the iPad was touted as a revolutionary invention – a product that Apple claimed could be used inside or outside and for purposes such as playing games and reading e-books’. However, ‘Books and board games don’t close up after a few minutes of use and require you to stick them in a refrigerator to cool off,’ according to lawyers from Scott Cole & Associates. The lawsuit refers to Apple as being common fraudsters and seeks ‘damages, including punitive damages, and restitution for the alleged false advertising scheme’.

It clearly seems that though Apple seem to be releasing devices which are ahead of our time, they should have taken a bit more time to check on the finer details allowing them to focus their attention on developing even better products instead of constantly finding themselves in the courtroom. Though this may just be a small oversight at the Apple labs, it’s not the first time and this may be signaling that something is not well at Apple.

Photo: Vodafone

Vodafone have recently announced they will be officially carrying the HTC Desire and HTC Legend in the UK starting this April.

Desirable and Legendary

Having been revealed at the Mobile World Conference earlier this year, the HTC Desire and HTC Legend have won accolades and praise from reviewers. Having reviewed the Legend recently, it’s clear that the praises are not without merit. So Vodafone carrying the HTC Legend and the HTC Desire could be a major sales coup for the company.

The pair of phones are also key entries in the Google Android lineup, which is still playing catch up with Apple’s iPhone and iPhone OS.

Subsidy and packages

Photo: HTC

While Vodafone has yet to reveal full details on packages and subsidy pricing, the company has both phones on its website right now, with the HTC Desire, specifically, dated for 1 April 2010.

The elephant in the room

For all the positivity surrounding its current lineup, HTC have one massive problem on their horizon: that Apple lawsuit. In a move that attacks Google’s Android more than anything else, HTC has become collateral damage as a result of being one of Android’s biggest partners. The lawsuit, which claims no less than 20 patents were infringed, could prove to be a major blow for the Taiwanese company.

Incredible

Photo: HTC

Recent leaks about the next phone, the HTC Incredible, have hit the Internet, but with official word of that device all but nonexistent, the HTC Desire and HTC Legend are the Taiwanese company’s flagship phones. And regardless of the Apple lawsuit, which is likely to go one for a long time, Vodafone users and HTC lovers alike will get to see what all the fuss is about in a little over two weeks.

Photo: Apple

The Nokia Apple lawsuit started when Nokia first sued Apple, who responded by countersuing Nokia, with both suits related to patent infringement technologies regarding their mobile phones business. Now Reuters points to 2012 as the start of the trial, confirming suspicions that the trial will be long and protracted.

Sequence of events

In October 2009 Nokia first initiated the Apple lawsuit, accusing the iPhone of patent infringement on 10 counts held by the Finnish company. On 11 December, Apple filed a countersuit claiming Nokia infringed 13 iPhone patents – later reduced to 9. Nokia would later file complaints with the ITC (International Trade Commission) claiming virtually all of Apple’s devices, ranging from the iPod to the iPhone and Mac, infringed on seven core Nokia patents. Apple soon followed suit by complaining to the ITC about Nokia on 15 January.

Framework Tech vs. Innovation

Photo: Nokia

The technology in question, albeit too technical to delve into here, is revelatory of the different phases the two companies are in. Nokia’s patent infringement allegations speak to technology that’s found in a large percentage of GSM phones, with other carriers licensing them, and the Steve Jobs led company’s refusal to license it, too, led to Nokia’s initial Apple lawsuit.

The product

Photo: Apple

While the focus is on the lawsuit, it seems reasonable to expect a product trail to lead to why these suits are being filed. With the iPhone, Apple has all but upended the smartphone market Nokia so long tried to lay claim to. The Finnish company’s failure to do so may have contributed to this lawsuit.

On the flipside, Nokia, who has recently admitted their N97 smartphone was a misfire, own core technologies that Apple may very well be infringing, giving them genuine claim. Outside of the N97 failure, Nokia’s standout phones include the N900, which has arguably the world’s best mobile browser, and the 5800 XPRESSMUSIC.