More Amazon drone plans revealed
Amazon’s anticipated drone delivery service, once slated as just a pipe dream, appears to be a step closer to fruition with the U.S. Patent Office releasing a report detailing how the drone system might look.
For example, the drones will be able to share information with each other about weather and traffic conditions, as well as pinpointing the exact location of the package recipient by utilizing the person’s smartphone data.
It has taken the U.S. Patent Office over eight months to approve the system, with Amazon filing the patent in September 2014. The e-commerce giant’s drone delivery plans put more pressure on a slow moving U.S. Federal Aviation Authority that has been criticized for lagging behind other nations in allowing for more research and development to be conducted in the aviation space.
Some of the other information released involves the capability of drones to adapt their routes in real-time based on a variety of factors. While the concept seems more fleshed out than many thought, the world’s second largest e-commerce company still has a long way to go before it’s revolutionary delivery service will become a reality.
Ericsson sues Apple
Swedish telecommunication maker Ericsson, who has tussled with Apple in the U.S. over tech licensing issues, has now taken its legal action to Europe, filing lawsuits in the U.K., Germany, and the Netherlands.
Ericsson owns more than 35,000 patents, with the particular ones in question covering technologies used in accessing apps and video streaming on handheld devices.
“Our technology is used in many features and functionality of today’s communication devices,” said Kasim Alfalahi, Ericsson’s head of intellectual property in a statement. Alfalahi also said “Apple continues to profit from Ericsson’s technology without having a valid licence in place.”
Last year, a similar dispute ended with Korean giant Samsung paying $650 million to Ericsson along with royalties to end a licensing dispute. Current estimates have Apple paying Ericsson up to $725 million should the courts rule in the Swedish company’s favor.
Oculus Rift release announced
Oculus VR finally gave users a concrete timeline for the release of the Oculus headset Rift: within the first three months of 2016.
Bought by Facebook in 2014 for $2 billion, Oculus VR has since been slated to lead the headset race. But the competition is also emerging, with HTC’s helmet Vive set to be released this year and PlayStation’s Morpheus also projected for a release in the first six months of 2016.
Oculus VR might not have the advantage it once boasted, experts say. “All the hype around virtual reality grew up around Oculus over the last two years, and not to come to market before what is looking like a compelling proposition from HTC represents a moderate surrendering of the initiative,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, head of games at the IHS Technology consultancy.
Despite what happens with the competitors, consumers will benefit with regards to choice when entering the era of virtual reality.