The Microsoft Tax is official: Samsung will pay royalties for each Android phone or tablet it sells

Samsung finally caved. The Korean giant agreed to pay Microsoft royalties for each and every Android-powered tablet or smartphone it sells. This then is the day that the Microsoft Tax has become official. Unlike the (in)famous Apple Tax, which is just a way of saying that Apple products are more expensive than the competition, the Microsoft Tax is fueled by the company's patents and is something that very soon will hit every company that makes any kind of hardware that runs Android.

Last year, HTC did what Samsung is doing now and signaled a rather grim future for Android device manufacturers.

Unwired View, The Microsoft Tax is official: Samsung will pay royalties for each Android phone or tablet it sells

Porsche 911 found to be Frankfurt favorite

The coverage coming out of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was filled with vehicles that run the gamut of the automotive spectrum, but one vehicle in particular caught the eyes of journalists and readers alike. The 2012 Porsche 911 was the darling of the Frankfurt show, and the data backs it up. According to browsing and social media data compiled by UK company Kantar Media Precis, the new 911 was the most (virtually) talked about machine in attendance.

Autoblog, Porsche 911 found to be Frankfurt favorite

Panasonic: No GH3 camera this year

Micro Four-Thirds cameras are starting to catch on, namely due to their quality and interchangeable lens which has managed to blur the line between compact cameras and DSLRs. This has resulted in manufacturers aggressively pushing out their cameras, and with the Panasonic GH2 released last year, it's only normal that we should be able to expect an update or refresh to the GH series this year, but for Panasonic GH3 hopefuls, it does not appear to be the case. According to Panasonic who spoke to TechRadar, the company has confirmed that there will be no upgrade to the Panasonic GH2 this year.

Ubergizmo, Panasonic: No GH3 camera this year

Confirmed : iPhone Launch At Apple Conference On 4th October!

Apple has already started rolling out press invitations to select parties. The invitation depicts the date and time as 4th October and 10 A.M Pacific Time respectively. It's also punch-lined as "Let's talk iPhone", which clearly suggests that the next-generation iPhone will be unveiled on the same day. Apple's new CEO Tim Cooks is expected to take the centre stage and deliver his keynote address. He will also be unveiling the next-generation iPhone(s) to the media.

Technology Nerd, Confirmed : iPhone Launch At Apple Conference On 4th October!

Amazon Kindle family portrait

And golly, don't they look proud. On the left, the new $99 Kindle Touch. On the right, the new $79 Kindle. And, in the middle, the $199 Kindle Fire tablet.





Engadget, Amazon Kindle family portrait

Penclic Mouse Coming to North America

One of the most common complaints when using a mouse is that it makes your wrist hurt in the long run. A Sweden-based company named Prestige International tries to defy the norm by going old-school with its approach in computer navigation. The Penclic Mouse is shaped like a pen, works and feels like it as well. The pen grip put your wrist and forearm in a relaxed position while utilizing the device with more advanced precision compared with traditional computer mice.
The Penclic Mouse features a laser sensor, five buttons, and a scroll wheel.

Gadget.com

See also:
itnews, Penclic Mouse Coming to North America

Amazon Kindle Fire hands-on!

We just saw the Amazon Kindle Fire in person, and it really is about as close as it comes to a BlackBerry PlayBook as far as the exterior goes. It's nearly identical save for the Amazon branding, and the lack of a camera and microphone. The touch panel and screen are the same, and the exterior casing is almost an exact replica. As far as the software, Amazon's heavily-customized Android OS looks to be just perfect for what Amazon intend for users to do with this tablet - watch movies, read books, play music, browse the web and spend money on Amazon services.





Boy Genius Report, Amazon Kindle Fire hands-on!