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New Blackberry devices are looking very very interesting.

Automated Assistant Patent

Engadget is reporting that Apple has now applied for a patent for an ‘Automated Assistant’  which sound a whole lot like Siri, here is the abstract from the US patent application:

“The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.” 

It looks like it was filed way back in June so it’ll be working its way through the system for the next little while. I am very curious to see if the patent goes through, it looks like it is specific in terms of the use of a conversational dialogue but I am still curious to see how this plays out for Google’s own Google Now. 

Blackberry 10

RIM is taking BB10 on tour with its Blackberry Jam tour and it showed off some awesome new tweaks to the public. Hopefully we will get to see the new handsets too, I personally would love to at least try one I think they look very forward thinking! Hit up the link to crackberry.com’s hands on!!

Blackberry 10

iPhone 5

Checked out the iPhone 5 today, it is a great looking piece of hardware, especially in comparison to the old one. The phone feels fake because it is so thin and light but the industrial design is impeccable. I am still very disappointed by how stale iOS feels and for that reason I do not think I could switch to the iPhone but it is one of the nicest looking phones out there that is undeniable.

Changing Lanes

In drafting the American constitution the US sought to fight centralized government and give more power to the people whereas Canadians sought to create a centralized government to bring together the vast land. In the present day the Canadian provinces are much more free than the individual States in the US while the central government in the US has gained very much a centralized role in the legal system.

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After so much teasing and non-commitment from Microsoft there is finally a date for the launch of Windows 8. This is the most exciting change to the Windows line since its inception. Microsoft has put all its chips in one basket and is pushing a unified brand strategy for both PC and Mobile spaces. Is this the start of the end for Apple and Androids recent dominance? When will Windows 8 Phone be launched? I for one can’t wait to see what happens with this strategy for Microsoft.

First Week of Classes

The first week of classes have been extremely good at easing us in to the study of law. The concepts and cases are straightforward and easy to read plus the profs have been excellent in understanding that we do not all ‘think like lawyers’ yet. The readings have been ok, mostly about 10-20 pages except for one 60 page behemoth that took forever. One of the hardest things to do in school is keep up with the readings so right now that is my goal…hopefully I can keep it as a priority. 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdIWKytq_q4?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=281]

This is why Apple is dominating the industry.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

Liveblog of the iPhone 5 launch

Liveblog of the iPhone 5 launch

I wish there were more readings

said - No Law Student Ever

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vqyfY7cZPk?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=374]

Amazing explanation of the Canadian political system! Rick Mercer is a Canadian Gem.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

O-Week

Well O-week is rounding up, lots of information delivered to us in a very short amount of time. The jest of it is that we are now part of the law profession and we must act accordingly. We are now responsible for our reputation in the community and must follow the professional rules of conduct set out by our regulating bar. This may not have been the most exciting week but it was very important and needed to set us along the right path as we become lawyers. Thanks to everyone that put together this week as it has been very informative though the people I’ve met have been the best part of the week.

The Apple v. Samsung trial that took place in California for the last few weeks has been THE tech trial of the year if not the decade. The trial was a clash of titans in the tech industry covering a broad spectrum of issues from bounce-back scrolling to the trade dress of Apple’s products. In the end the jury found overwhelmingly for Apple and in the light of the current system they made the right decision even if many people do not agree with the findings. In an interview with the team at the tech news website The Verge the foreman of the jury told Bryan Bishop that he believes that the courtroom is not the place to take a stand on current policies and that only ”through fair and heated debate and the use of logic that if a philosophy is wrong — such as the Patent and Trademark Office, as many are saying it’s sick, or it’s broken — if that is the case then it’s the court of popular opinion that makes the change.” I agree completely that the jury did it’s duty to the court by applying the current system to the facts presented in the case and applaud them for not attempting to force a change in an area most of them are not related to. I hope that lawmakers in the US see this case and realize that the patent system must change and that the length of time for these patents are far too long for the rate at which this industry changes.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-eYBZFEzf8?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

Amazing video from the past that we were shown in class to help explain the US legal system. 

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

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The new RAZR collection from Google’s new acquisition Motorola. The design aesthetic is definitely moving in the right direction but I still don’t understand why manufacturers still force their own versions of Android on the customer. Hopefully the rumours of 5 new Nexus devices turns out to be true this year.

The Inaugural Post

Welcome to my new blog. This is where I will be commenting on my experiences in law school for the next three years. During that time I will also be commenting on the tech industry as well as the legal issues that arise. I will also be attempting to hone my writing skills as I venture into the (new to me) forum of blogging.