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654 'Amazon' stories October 2010 - December 2013
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Amazon is the largest Internet company in the world. Originally started as an online book store, there is now almost nothing you can’t buy at amazon.com.

In addition to its ecommerce store, Amazon offers video streaming, music streaming, a publishing company and cloud services. It has also diversified into manufacturing its own branded consumer electronics products, ranging from Amazon Basics cables to Kindle ebook readers, Fire tablets and TV boxes and Echo speakers.

Amazon has its own intelligent assistant, Alexa. Created for its Echo range of smart speakers, Alexa is also supported by a wide range of third-party products, including speakers, TVs, printers, phones, laptops, cars and more. Over 100 million Alexa devices had been sold as of early 2019.

Amazon hits the iPad Air with a new commercial mocking Jony Ive

Avatar for David Beren Dec 1 2013 - 1:11 pm PT
38 Comments
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From 9to5Google:

Amazon has never shied away from quietly mocking Apple’s iPad and that’s why this new Kindle Fire HDX commercial (via Amazon YouTube) and its distinctly British voice has us laughing. Calling it the “magical new iPad Air” in proper British tongue, the commercial is offset with the American accented intro of the 8.9″ Kindle Fire HDX.


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9to5Toys Last Call: Apple Store style iPhone stand giveaway, Big savings on big HDTVs, Chromecast w/ free Play credit, GTA V/COD Ghosts, more

Avatar for Nov 26 2013 - 10:07 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Giveaway: Apple Store style NewPCgadgets acrylic iPhone stand ($30 value)

Sharp 50″ LED 120Hz 1080P HDTV LC-50LB150U: $400 shipped, 39″ Vizio/JVC 1080P, $300

Google Chromecast+$6 free Google Play credit: $33 (5% off)

Apps/Games:

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Black Friday:

New product announcements & reviews:

  • Xbox One midnight launch info, reviews from around the web
  • PlayStation 4 launches tonight at midnight, reviews from around the web
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9to5Toys Weekender: Logitech solar iPad keyboard case giveaway, Seagate 1TB portable HD $53, Klipsch/Harman Kardon ‘phones, more

Avatar for Nov 22 2013 - 10:06 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Giveaway: Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad 2/3/4 ($129 value)

Seagate Backup Plus 1TB USB 3.0 portable hard drive $53 shipped (Reg. $95)

Klipsch Image Rugged In-Ear Headphones $40, Harman Kardon Noise Isolating Headphones $35 shipped

The Karma WiFi Hotspot + 1GB Free Data + FREE Shipping $69 (Reg. $99)

Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 is the World’s Best-Selling and #1 Speech Recognition Software $99 (Reg. $200)

Other great deals from today:

  • New! Logitech UE Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker: $69 shipped
  • New! Linksys App-Enabled N750 Dual-Band Wireless-N Router Refurb. with Gigabit and USB $55 shipped
  • New! Westinghouse 46″ 1080p 120Hz LED-LCD HDTV $299 shipped

The best deals that are still alive:

Black Friday:

New product announcements & reviews:

  • Xbox One midnight launch info, reviews from around the web
  • PlayStation 4 launches tonight at midnight, reviews from around the web
  • The best gets better: reVOLT 12W + 12W Dual USB Car Charger for iPod, iPhone and iPad $30 shipped
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HBO GO for iOS picks up Chromecast support

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 21 2013 - 7:21 am PT
0 Comments

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9jA2km9TKM]

Google announced today Chromecast support for the HBO GO apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

This means HBO GO subscribers can now push content from their iOS Devices to their Chromecast-connected HDTVs. HBO GO casting is also available from the website from Chrome browser.

The actual Chromecast hardware is only $35 on Amazon (and if that’s not cheap enough, keep an eye on 9to5Toys for more deals) and offers a comparable experience in many ways to AirPlay on Apple TV. HBO subscribers can download and use the HBO GO apps at no additional charge from the App Store.
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Google Play Music finally hits iOS with a free month of All Access and programmable radio in 21 countries

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Nov 15 2013 - 8:00 am PT
33 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVukJXI5NXM]

After much anticipation, Google finally released its native Google Play Music app for iOS today. The All Access and Radio service was originally announced at Google IO in May with the promise that it would be ported to iOS devices a few weeks later. Then it was rumored last month. Well, today it is really here and Google was nice enough to give us a great look at the service yesterday (video above).

Google’s music ecosystem differs greatly from Apple’s and more closely resembles Spotify or Amazon with a focus on the Cloud. On Macs and PCs you can use it through a browser with an interface that is remarkably robust for a webpage, but obviously not quite as responsive as iTunes, especially with local music.

Play millions of songs, instantly, on any device, including all the music you’ve ever bought…from anywhere.

Google’s Music is in the Cloud (mostly) so you can seamlessly move from device to device, though there is a 5 app limit (but no limit on devices with web browser access). You can upload 20,000 songs for free, create playlists and share with friends, listen to your music anywhere there is a web browser or iOS/Android device. Kind of a no-brainer…
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9to5Toys Last Call: Best Apple Black Friday deals (so far), Spigen iPhone 5/5s case giveaway, ZAGGkeys Pro iPad keyboard $50, more

Avatar for Nov 12 2013 - 10:03 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Best Buy & Walmart Black Friday ads bring the year’s best Apple deals

Giveaway: 2-Pack Spigen iPhone 5/5s cases, make your iPhone gold!

ZAGGkeys PRO Bluetooth iPad keyboard $50 shipped (Reg. $100)


Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Black Friday:

New product announcements & reviews:

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9to5Toys Last Call: RAVPower 10400mAh power bank $26, Kindle Matchbook, Battlefield 4 $43, FREE apps, more

Avatar for Oct 29 2013 - 9:59 am PT
0 Comments

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

RAVPower Element 10400mAh (that’s about 4 iPad Air charges) external power bank $26 shipped (Reg. $36)

Amazon launches Kindle Matchbook, offering Kindle versions of print books for $3 or less

50% off Final Fantasy IV for iOS, Battlefield 4 $43, Rayman Jungle Run $1, iOS freebies, more

In-ear headphone deals: Logitech 500vm $33, MEElectronics M9P $10 / Sport-Fi M6P $23


Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Mac software bundles:

  • The SuperStacked Mac Bundle: Over $3,000 Worth Of Premium Developer & Designer Tools – $49 today, but price increases everyday it’s on sale.

New product announcements & reviews:

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Amazon listing may be hinting at new Apple TV at 22nd Oct event

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 18 2013 - 4:09 am PT
2 Comments

Amazon’s French and German sites are currently showing the Apple TV as out of stock, with availability “from 23 October,” lending a small amount of weight to suggestions that a new Apple TV will be one of the announcements at Apple’s launch event the day before.

As Engadget notes, Amazon listings are not the most reliable of indicators, as stock levels change all the time for all kinds of reasons, but the availability date is at least an interesting coincidence.

We’ll of course have full coverage on the day.

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Anti-bullying focused app, book donating sales to charity this month

Avatar for Sarah Guarino Oct 6 2013 - 10:09 am PT
1 Comment

This month is National Bullying Prevention Month and creators of an anti-bullying Kindle e-book and an iOS app are hoping to raise $100,000 through their sales during October and donate the revenue to several anti-bullying charities. The charities include Bullying UK, Stomp out Bullying, the Pacer Center and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.


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Amazon’s Apple TV-competitor on for the holidays, will allow for gaming & other apps

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 3 2013 - 10:59 am PT
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This morning  we reported that Amazon had trademarked FireTube, and the trademark could serve as a name for the company’s long-rumored TV product. Now, the WSJ follows up by claiming said device is on Amazon’s roadmap for the holiday season. Here are some of the details on the device:

  • Will compete with the Roku and Apple TV
  • Will stream Amazon Prime content
  • Will run third-party media apps and gaming content
  • Amazon is working on a dedicated remote for the device, but it could also be controlled via smartphone/tablet apps

Of course, the device could be shelved at the last minute, but given the uptake in reports about an Amazon TV device, today’s trademark discovery, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s want to expand his company’s hardware portfolio, it seems likely that the device truly is in the imminent Amazon product pipeline.


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Amazon ‘Firetube’ to take on Apple TV and Chromecast for living room supremacy?

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Oct 3 2013 - 6:26 am PT
2 Comments

It appears that Amazon’s long-rumored TV product may be called ‘Firetube’ according to recent Trademarks filed in the US and Canada. There are, of course, rumors of an Amazon TV that stretch back quite awhile. Lots of rumors. Bloomberg thinks Fall 2013 is the planned launch window. That’s right now.

As for Amazon on iOS products, Amazon has pushed out a lot of updates, including Airplay last month, but noticeably absent is an Apple TV app.  Currently, the best way to watch Amazon content directly on a TV is through a Roku box or Google TV.

Head over to 9to5Google for the full story. 
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Amazon brings its GameCircle to iOS developers, promises cross platform game/achievement tracking

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Sep 19 2013 - 10:26 am PT
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If you are a a developer and want to cross platform your game play, Amazon today announced that it had made its (not a copy of GameCenter) GameCircle available to iOS developers.

Amazon GameCircle and Whispersync for Games is live on iOS and Android!  You can store game data in the AWS Cloud so players don’t lose their game progress, high scores, or achievements when switching between devices.  We know programming for multiple platforms is standard practice for many developers—iOS support has been a frequent feature request—so we’re excited to make GameCircle available on a whole new class of devices. GameCircle and Whispersync are free for you and your players.  Plus, when you integrate GameCircle achievements, you automatically get access to Achievement Reports as well. These reports help you get a better understanding of how players interact with your game so you can make sure they’re having a great experience.

Download the SDK from the Mobile App Distribution Portal, where you’ll also find full documentation.

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Amazon Mobile for iOS adds push notifications for shipments, deals and subscription activity

Avatar for Scott Buscemi Sep 17 2013 - 4:55 pm PT
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It’s building up to be a great day for Amazon iOS users. After Amazon Instant Video added AirPlay support this morning, the company has updated their Amazon Mobile app with push notifications for shipments (when they’re sent and when they have arrived), deals, and subscribe & save activity.

What’s New in Version 3.0.0

New for iPad:
• Use the new sort and filter experience on iPad to quickly find what you’re looking for

New for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
• New notifications make it easier for you to stay on top of your upcoming shipments, Subscribe and Save orders, as well as Deals of the Day
• Bug fixes

The app still has an “antique” non-iOS 7 look, but the push notification options are definitely welcome. Amazon’s relationship with the App Store has been quite shaky to say the least. Apple began a lawsuit against Amazon for using the company’s “App Store” trademark, although that was later dropped. In addition, Amazon does not sell ebooks through the Kindle App Store app since they do not want Apple to take a 30% slice. Customers can make regular retail purchases through the free Amazon Mobile app, though.

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Amazon issues “required” iOS Kindle app update to install prior to iOS 7

Avatar for Mike Beasley Sep 8 2013 - 2:36 pm PT
0 Comments

Amazon’s Kindle for iOS app got an update today to prepare for iOS 7’s upcoming release. According to the change log, the update is required before users update to iOS 7. Failure to install the new version of the app prior to updating to iOS 7 could cause users to have to login again and re-download their books.

While this issue isn’t as signficant as losing all of your Google Authenticator tokens, it could be a bit of an annoyance for users to have to re-download their reading material.

The Kindle update is available on the App Store now.

Using Steve Jobs email as evidence, DOJ says Apple changed in-app purchase policy to retaliate against Amazon

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2013 - 9:16 am PT
3 Comments
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As first spotted by GigaOm, the US Department of Justice has submitted a revised remedy proposal in the ongoing ebook case that previously found Apple guilty of conspiring with publishers to control ebook pricing. While much of the proposal remains the same as the proposal it first submitted at the beginning of this month, the report points out that the DOJ has added more information and a Steve Jobs email as an exhibit showing that Apple changed its in-app purchasing policies specifically “to retaliate against Amazon for competitive conduct that Apple disapproved of.”

While referencing the email above in which Steve Jobs and Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller discuss forcing Amazon to go through Apple’s payment system, the DOJ claims Apple “misrepresented the factual circumstances” since it allows other retailers to bypass its 30% cut:
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9to5Toys Last Call: Save up to 60% on SanDisk SD/USB memory products, $30 Western Digital dual-band N router, 20% off iTunes cards, apps/games, more

Avatar for Aug 14 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
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From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to round up the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s Featured deals:

SOLD OUT Amazon 60% off SanDisk SD/USB memory sale: 16GB: $10, 32GB: $17, 64GB: $32

Western Digital My Net N750 HD Dual-Band Router w/ USB connectivity $30 shipped (Reg. $90)


Apple Deals:

The Steve Jobs Video Bundle: Lectures On The Man, His Legacy & The Future Of Technology $15

Other great deals we love:

Portable Storage Deals:

    • Western Digital 1TB My Passport $59
    • Western Digital 2TB My Passport $100
    • Seagate Backup Plus 1TB USB 3.0 $60
    • Seagate Expansion 4TB USB 3.0 $140
    • Toshiba Canvio 760GB USB 3.0 $50

Get the most money for your iPhone before trade-in values plummet ahead of Sept. 10 event

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 13 2013 - 12:46 pm PT
12 Comments
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Update: Gazelle has announced an extended 50-day price lock window. That will give you until October 15th to send your iPhone in, but you’ll have to lock in your price before Apple’s September 10th event to take advantage.

With the unveiling of a next-generation iPhone expected on September 10th, it’s once again time to start thinking about trade-in options for your current device. While iPhones typically hold their resale value much better than competing devices, previous iPhone models historically experience a big drop in trade-in value in the 3-4 weeks leading up to an iPhone announcement. That’s highlighted in the chart above showing average decline in selling prices for previous gen iPhones leading up to the iPhone 5 launch.

With reliable reports of the next-gen iPhone coming early next month (no word on if that means the rumored iPhone 5S, 5C, or both), now is the time to get the most for your iPhone if you plan on upgrading when Apple’s new device finally becomes available. Apple is testing its own trade-in program that should launch in the coming months, but until then we’ve put together a chart showing where to get the most out of your device today:
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DOJ proposes settlement in Apple ebook price fixing case: end current agreements, link to other stores

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 2 2013 - 6:58 am PT
12 Comments
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After reaching settlements with just about every publisher involved in the long-running Apple/Amazon e-book price fixing case, The United States Department of Justice today published its proposal to end the case with Apple after finding the company guilty of conspiring to fix ebook prices during trial earlier this month:

“The court found that Apple’s illegal conduct deprived consumers of the benefits of e-book price competition and forced them to pay substantially higher prices,” said Bill Baer, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.  “Under the department’s proposed order, Apple’s illegal conduct will cease and Apple and its senior executives will be prevented from conspiring to thwart competition in the future.”

Among the key points in the proposal:
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9to5Toys Last Call: Save up to $400 off 15″ Retina MacBook Pro + Free Apple TV, app deals galore, Hulu Plus / Amazon Prime free trial offers, more

Avatar for Aug 1 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
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From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to round up the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Also check out the latest 9to5Mac Happy Hour to hear the latest 9to5Toys segment. During the show, there’s a mention of $50 video conversion software currently available for free and the VPN service proXPN.com available at a 20% discount.

Today’s Featured deals:

Save up to $400 off 15″ Retina MacBook Pros + Free Apple TV at Best Buy

iOS App Deals:

Bad Piggies: FREE, XCOM Enemy Unknown: $15, freebies, more

Readdle iOS Apps up to 70% off: Calendars+: $2, PDF Expert: $5, Printer Pro: $2, more

Trial Offers:

Free 2 month Hulu Plus trial for new customers

Get a free $10 gift card when you sign-up for an Amazon Prime membership

Other great deals we love:

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IMDb iOS app adds ability to purchase movie tickets, Amazon integration for DVDs & Blu-rays, & enhanced bios

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 15 2013 - 11:03 am PT
0 Comments

IMBb has released a big update today to its iPhone and iPad app, adding the the ability to purchase movie tickets directly from within the app and much more. The feature is initially only available to users in the U.S. and can be accessed directly through a “Showtimes & Tickets” section on listings for movies currently in theatres.

Also included in today’s update is integration with the Amazon Mobile app for one tap purchasing of DVDs & Blu-rays from Amazon:

Want to buy a movie or TV show on DVD or Blu-ray? “Search via Amazon Mobile” to the rescue. Requires that you have the Amazon Mobile app, but we provide a handy link if you don’t have it yet.

IMBd has added even more celebrity bio pages in today’s update and iPhone users now have “one-tap access to the full cast/full filmography.” The updated app also includes a few other UI enhancements and bug fixes listed below:

What’s New in Version 3.3

iPad and iPhone
* “Tickets, please!” You can now conveniently purchase movie tickets via the IMDb App (currently US-only).
* More bios for celebrities you know and love as well as for up-and-comers.
* Want to buy a movie or TV show on DVD or Blu-ray? “Search via Amazon Mobile” to the rescue. Requires that you have the Amazon Mobile app, but we provide a handy link if you don’t have it yet.
* Also, did you know you can tap the “Coming Soon” bar above the title on upcoming movies to add the release date as an event to your calendar?
* Bug fixes. Nasty tricksy bugsies. We hates them!

iPhone
* We heard you. By popular demand, we’ve updated the movie and celebrity pages to include one-tap access to the full cast/full filmography (which, yes, scrolls vertically).
* You’ll see that cute little Watchlist flag almost everywhere now. Tap it to add movies and shows to your Watchlist (and tap-and-hold to add to your other lists as well).

This will be the last update that supports iOS 5. Future updates will require iOS 6 and above.

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68% off Sony storage at Amazon: 32GB SD card: $17, 1TB USB3 portable HD: $70, more

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Jul 12 2013 - 3:06 am PT
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From 9to5Toys.com:

Click to enlarge

Amazon’s Gold Box today is up to 68% off Sony storage products. Standouts include:

  • 1TB USB3-powered portable Hard Drive: $69.99 shipped
  • 1.5TB USB3-powered portable Hard Drive: $99.99 shipped
  • 64GB SDHC 40MB/S SD Card :$37.99
  • 32GB SDHC 40MB/S SD Card :$17.49
  • 16GB SDHC 40MB/S SD Card :$9.99
  • Speedy 40MB/s MicroSD cards: 32GB: $21.99, 16GB: $11.99
  • More as pictured above.

Apple abandons App Store trademark case against Amazon

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 10:48 am PT
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Apple’s long-running lawsuit against Amazon for its use of the “App Store” trademark might finally be coming to an end as Reuters reports a judge has dismissed the case at the request of the companies. The report claims U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in California dismissed the case “after Apple issued to Amazon a covenant not to sue, eliminating the need for Amazon to pursue a related counterclaim.”

“We no longer see a need to pursue our case,” Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said. “With more than 900,000 apps and 50 billion downloads, customers know where they can purchase their favorite apps.”

A spokesperson for Amazon said “This was a decision by Apple to unilaterally abandon the case, and leave Amazon free to use ‘appstore’.
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Boston University files lawsuit against Apple for patent infringement

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 3 2013 - 7:03 am PT
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According to a report from the BostonHerald, Boston University is the latest to sue Apple for patent infringement claiming several Apple products use technology covered by its 1997 patent for highly insulating monocrystalline gallium nitride thin films. The university filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts yesterday listing Apple’s iPhone 5, iPad, and MacBook Air as infringing devices.

“Defendant’s acts of infringement have caused and will continue to cause substantial and irreparable damage to the University,” BU alleges in its complaint.

The highly technical patent, which can be viewed on the USPTO’s website, was originally awarded in 1997 and lists computer engineering professor Theodore D. Moustakas as its inventor. BostonHerald notes that the university has also used the patent in cases against Samsung and Amazon, and “plans to illustrate that at least one other company pays a licensing fee to use the component in question” during its case with Apple:
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