California ready for self-driving cars by 2015

Self-Driving Cars Will Now Be A Reality In California As The Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Has Given A Green Signal For Such Cars.

According to the set of rules that have been initiated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the manufacturers must test, report, insure and register their self-driving automobiles to the state. The rules will go into effect in the month of September.

However, DMV states that these stipulations do not apply to the drivers but the manufacturers. According to the website of DMV, the department is expected to introduce more rules for customers by 1st January, 2015.

Car manufacturers should pass a special driving test. Moreover, they should be ready at any time to take full control of the autonomous car.

The DMV's website also states that manufacturers should have thorough knowledge of the technology, and must know all the requirements and rules of the state's vehicle code.

An expert on Business News Network has an opinion that automobile safety will progress with these new set of rules.

California is following the footsteps of Nevada State, which earlier sanctioned the testing of autonomous cars, and developed a special license plate for these vehicles.

Source:

www.delhidailynews.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 9:30 PM in automobile safety, autonomous car, Business News Network, California, developed, footsteps, Motor Vehicles, self-driving automobiles, self-driving cars, vehicles

Senate passes ‘kill switch’ law for smartphones sold in California

On Thursday, the state Senate approved a bill requiring cellphones sold in California to have “kill switches” that can make them inoperable if stolen.

Charlie Beck, LAPD Chief, and other law enforcement authorities supported Senate Bill 962 as a means to respond to increasing smartphone theft incidents.

In the past, the legislation had failed a Senate vote, but Senator Mark Leno agreed making amendments such as leaving out electronic tablets and delaying the date kill switches will be mandatory in new phones, from January to July 2015. This resulted to Microsoft and Apple dropping their opposition of the said bill. Moreover, five Democrats changed their votes to back the bill.

Charlie Beck, LAPD Chief, and other law enforcement authorities supported Senate Bill 962 as a means to respond to increasing smartphone theft incidents.

In the past, the legislation had failed a Senate vote, but Senator Mark Leno agreed making amendments such as leaving out electronic tablets and delaying the date kill switches will be mandatory in new phones, from January to July 2015. This resulted to Microsoft and Apple dropping their opposition of the said bill. Moreover, five Democrats changed their votes to back the bill.

Source:

www.techsonia.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 3:04 AM in Apple, California, Charlie Beck, electronic tablets, enator Mark Leno, LAPD Chief, Microsoft, new phones, Senate passes, smartphones sold

Apple Vs. Samsung Why Did Samsung Ask for Reduced Amount of Damages? -

Samsung Electronics has lowered the total amount of its damage claim after filing a counter-suit against Apple for patent violations. 

Samsung announced on April 22 (local time) that it withdrew its patent claim on Apple’s iPad in the current patent infringement case against Apple in the Northern District of California. The aggregate amount of the Korean tech giant’s damage claim has therefore decreased from US$6.94 million (7.2 billion won) to US$6.23 million (6.46 billion won). 

Previously, the largest Android phone maker demanded US$6.78 million, claiming that Apple’s FaceTime feature infringes on its video call patent. The amount was then lowered to US$6.07 million. However, the Korean firm’s US$158,400 patent claim related to the management of cameras and file folders remains the same. 

In response, Apple has decided to let expert witnesses testify that it did not infringe on the patents of its rival company. When a second patent infringement lawsuit started early in April, the US tech firm demanded that Samsung pay US$2.19 billion (2.27 trillion won) for the alleged infringements by the Korean company. 

The videotaped testimony of Google patent attorney James Maccoun that describes terms of the search engine company’s “Mobile Application Distribution Agreement” with Samsung and e-mail discussions was played for jurors on April 22. 

Under the agreement, the world’s largest smartphone vendor is required to install Google’s applications in Samsung phones, and the Internet giant is also obligated to defend and indemnify the Korean firm against claims pertaining to Samsung’s use of technology for Google’s Android operating system. According to e-mail discussions, the search engine giant may need to pay some of costs in the case. In the event that Samsung loses the case, Google may have to shoulder some of Samsung’s burden in damages. 

In general, these kinds of defense and indemnity clauses are concluded in the software license agreement. 

The jury is expected to deliberate the case after witness examinations on April 22 and 25, and closing arguments are finalized on April 28. Hence, the jury is likely to reach a verdict in the final week of April.

Source:
www.businesskorea.co.kr

Posted by Editorial Team on 12:48 AM in Apple, California, Damages, FaceTime, Korean, largest Android, Northern, patent violations, Samsung, withdrew

Microsoft to give upgraded Windows for free?

CALIFORNIA: As Microsoft plans to wind up Windows 8.1 operating system next month, the firm plans to announce a free version of Windows in a bid to persuade customers to upgrade to latest versions. 

A new version, called 'Windows with Bing', could be given away at a developers' conference in April, claimed media reports.

The firm is also rumoured to be considering dropping the price or even giving away its Windows Phone software. 

According to media reports, "Microsoft is currently experimenting with a free version of Windows 8.1 that could boost the number of people using the operating system."

Microsoft is building 'Windows 8.1 with Bing' - a version that would have key Microsoft apps and services. 

The firm has already made major changes to Windows 8 in a bid to make it more appealing to consumers.

Microsoft hopes the new system would make it easier for touchscreen users and is the same across Microsoft's phones, tablets and PCs.

"Let's make it easier to start applications in the way we are used to," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was quoted as saying in The Verge.

The firm would bring back the start button which can let you boot straight to the desktop, added med .. 

Ballmer also said the firm was not abandoning its start menu, adding that it was slowly beginning to attract app developers to Windows 8. 

News Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 3:25 AM in April, California, Microsoft, Microsoft's phones, new version, PCs, tablets, upgraded, Windows, Windows 8.1