Steve Jobs ordered to answer questions in iTunes-related antitrust case

A federal judge has ordered Apple CEO Steve Jobs to submit to questioning relating to a 2004 iPod software update which rendered content purchased from competing digital music store Harmony inoperable on the device.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been ordered by a federal judge to submit to questioning in an antitrust case which alleges that the tech company iTunes service constitutes a music downloading monopoly. The order comes from U.S. Magistrate Judge Howard R. Lloyd, who is overseeing the proceedings on a complaint that was taken to the courts back in 2005, Bloomberg reports.
The plaintiff’s legal team must abide by a number of court-imposed restrictions; Jobs’ deposition may not exceed two hours and questions must be limited to issues surrounding software changes Apple made in October 2004 that prevented music purchased from RealNetworks, Inc. from working with the iPod MP3 player. The Seattle-based iTunes competitor announced in July 2004 that music purchased from its Harmony online store would work with the popular Apple media players. Five days later, a new iPod software update was revealed with tweaks Apple’s FairPlay — the proprietary software used to encode iTunes content — that would prevent RealNetworks content from working.
“The court finds that Jobs has unique, non-repetitive, firsthand knowledge about the issues at the center of the dispute over RealNetworks software,” Lloyd wrote in his order.
The lawsuit started in 2005 when iTunes customer Thomas Slattery filed a complaint following the FairPlay update, claiming that Apple illegally limited the competition by locking iPod users into being iTunes customers as well. The scope of the case was originally much larger, though issues surrounding Apple’s refusal to license FairPlay for third-party use and its decision to use the software to link iTunes with the iPod were dismissed in a 2009 ruling. As a result, Lloyd specifically ordered the plaintiff’s lawyers to keep their questions focused on the 2004 software update and its implications.
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Xperia arc - hands on video

A couple of weeks ago, we offered you a first look at the Xperia arc (pre-release version). Now we show you how the final version looks & feels like - in our detailed hands on.


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Xperia neo - hands on, live pics and cam samples

Xperia neo is another addition to the Xperia familiy. We have tons of live pics, a first look video and cam samples for you ready - right after the break.Sony Ericsson's line up for the MWC consists of several additions to the Xperia family. The Xperia arc which has been announced a couple of weeks ago already is the successor for the X10. Xperia neo can be considered as the update to the Vivaz, which has been available in the market for quite some time now.
We also see a streamlining of operating systems: Sony Ericsson announced a couple of months ago that it would take a break from (read: abandon :) ) the Symbian OS platform. While Vivaz was running on the latter OS, the Xperia neo is powered by Android 2.3. It is actually the identical version that is also working under the hood of the arc.
Generally, the neo and the arc share most of their features - for example the 8.1 MP EXMOR R sensor or the Bravia Mobile Engine.
Generally, we found the handling of the Xperia neo easier compared to the arc, for a simple reason: size. As we already mentioned, the display size of the Xperia arc is at the max regarding usability. The neo is small enough for comfortable one-handed operation. Obviously, this comes at the price of a smaller screen.
For the rest of it, we leave you with some first look impressions on video, including a size comparison with the Xperia pro and the arc. In addition, there is an extensive live picture gallery, and last but not least, some sample pictures shot with the neo in different lighting conditions.
Xperia neo on video:


Xperia neo: cam interface


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Xperia PLAY - unboxing video

A lot of people are excited for the first "true" gaming phone - see what comes in the box in our exclusive unboxing video!

Today, we are proud to be able to provide you with another unboxing video. This time, we take you on a tour showing you what you can expect in the box of the Xperia PLAY. This is the first mobile phone carrying the "Playstation certified" label, and it runs the latest Android version 2.3 (Gingerbread).
The phone comes in two color variations, black and white.
In the box are the following items (we guess subject to the various markets, so don't be disappointed if your box will hold different stuff):
Xperia PLAYHeadphonesBatteryGreenheart charger with USB charging cableManual with high level descriptions8GB SD micro card (in the phone already)
Before we head over to the video, a couple of links if you want to get to know the Xperia PLAY better:
The PLAY will be available towards the end of March - again, depending on the market, we assume. And now enjoy the video!






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