Settlement reached in e-book case, China passes US in smartphones and more

Here’s today’s top tech news stories.

• Microsoft Opens Registration for Imagine Cup 2013 – Microsoft has opened up registration for their student technology competition. Students 16 and older can partake in national events, looking to the worldwide competition. Via TechCrunch, more here.
• Samsung has seen a spike in smartphone sales this past week – Apparently Samsung sales spiked this past weekend. Customers seem to have hurried out to grab a Galaxy S3 right after the verdict. Via Forbes, more here.
• Windows Phone 8 has Kid’s Corner – this part of the OS will be tailored to young kids (or anyone) so they can’t get into your content. I would love a “guest” user for my Android devices and am sure I am not the only one. This will be a killer feature. Via The Verge, more here.
• Google’s Larry Page and Apple’s Tim Cook have been talking patents – clearly, they both realize that prolonged patent lawsuits are beneficial to few. Dirty laundry gets aired, appeals go on for years, and more. Microsoft was smart and struck licensing deals with major players, hopefully, they will as well. Via Droid-Life, more here.
• If you’re interested in the Galaxy Note 2, Phonearena has a Samsung Mobile video here.
• The Verge has a shot of the next Amazon Kindle Fire (here). Today, Amazon took down sales for the current Kindle Fire, and are announcing the next one in the coming week.
• IDC states that this year China will overtake the US as the biggest smartphone market – I’ve written before that a lot of Samsung’s smartphone success is in their ability to tap emerging markets. Most Chinese cannot afford Apple’s steep barrier to entry, and as China (and other emerging markets) wield more power, Android will become more commonplace. Via TechCrunch, more here.
• Much like in Windows X laptops/desktops, Ars Technica sees differentiation being key in the Windows RT marketplace – I’m not sure anyone will convince me to buy a Windows RT that is not the Microsoft Surface (especially at the alleged price of $200), but it will be interesting to see how OEMs compete and innovate with RT devices. Via Ars Technica, more here.

This post by RyanKamauff was first published at CTOvision.com.

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