On The Radar

1. The end of an era

   Software patent booster to step down as head of patent office

   David Kappos overhauled the USPTO to deal with patent backlog.

   by Timothy B. Lee - Nov 28, 5:55 am UTC

2. A winning strategy?

   Seeking to head off Samsung argument, Apple shortens a patent term

   Samsung post-trial motion is a longshot in any case.

   by Joe Mullin - Nov 28, 12:05 am UTC

3. when it rains...

   Samsung faces two-front patent war as Ericsson files suit in Texas

   Cross-licensing agreement expires; Samsung says new rates are "extreme."

   by Joe Mullin - Nov 27, 8:40 pm UTC

4. Chopping block

   Apple fires manager of Maps team

   Richard Williamson is gone, now SVP Eddy Cue looks for replacement to fix its flaws.

   by Chris Foresman - Nov 27, 7:38 pm UTC

5. Patches

   Google's Android 4.2.1 update brings back December

   Rollout begins with Nexus 4 handsets and Nexus 10 tablets.

   by Florence Ion - Nov 27, 6:13 pm UTC

6. Siri gets her kicks on Route 66

   GM bringing Siri integration to 2013 Spark and Sonic compacts

   Chevy beats BMW, Mercedes to the punch on promised "Siri button."

   by Chris Foresman - Nov 27, 5:20 pm UTC

7. You will be assimilated

   Trolling Android app reviews now requires your real name

   If you want to post an Android app review, you'll need a public Google+ account.

   by Jon Brodkin - Nov 27, 4:24 pm UTC

8. In the nick of time

   New, thinner iMacs available on November 30

   27-inch models can be ordered, but they won't ship until some time in December.

   by Chris Foresman - Nov 27, 3:22 pm UTC

9. Ars Editor’s Picks The web worth reading.

   1. My open source cure for brain cancer CNN
   2. A bouquet of options: Higgs factory ideas bloom symmetry
   3. Two-tonne Witch computer gets a reboot BBC

10. hand em over

    Porn copyright troll sues Verizon, angry it won't cough up user names

    Verizon has objected to subpoenas in dozens of copyright-trolling porn cases.

    by Joe Mullin - Nov 27, 3:10 am UTC

11. OOPS

    Long Island cops probe how secret information became NYC confetti

    Nassau Co. says it is investigating how personal details of cops became public.

    by Cyrus Farivar - Nov 27, 2:15 am UTC

12. Long arm of the law

    Feds seize 101 domains for counterfeiting in “Cyber Monday” operation

    Buffalo man arrested for selling counterfeit Microsoft software on Craigslist.

    by Timothy B. Lee - Nov 26, 10:50 pm UTC

13. The Week's Top Stories

    1. The Oatmeal sued over trademark by “Oatmeal Studios”
    2. 64-bit Firefox for Windows should be prioritized, not suspended
    3. “Your criticisms are completely wrong”: Stallman on software patents, 20 years in
    4. iTunes through the ages
    5. A good Ultrabook, a bad tablet: the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 review
    6. Homeland Security spent $430M on radios its employees don't know how to use
    7. Linux Mint 14 released, leaves fresh taste in our mouths
    8. Shake, rattle, and roll: How we got a washing machine to text when it's done
    9. Wii U review update: Nintendo finally has a decent online experience
    10. How Team Obama's tech efficiency left Romney IT in dust

14. Wii have something to sell U

    Wii U first-week sales lag original Wii, but better than Xbox 360, PS3

    Reggie Fils-Aime: units "selling out immediately" once they hit store shelves.

    by Kyle Orland - Nov 26, 8:46 pm UTC

15. No LTE for you

    LG explains existence of LTE chip in Nexus 4

    Inclusion of LTE chip is really just a two-for-one deal.

    by Florence Ion - Nov 26, 8:22 pm UTC

16. SECURITY THROUGH OBSCURITY

    Hotel room burglars exploit critical flaw in electronic door locks

    Attacks affected some 4 million locks; company wants customers to cover repair costs.

    by Dan Goodin - Nov 26, 7:55 pm UTC

17. Smile for the camera

    SCOTUS leaves in place ruling that protects right to record police

    Illinois law banning recording of police officers violates First Amendment.

    by Timothy B. Lee - Nov 26, 7:20 pm UTC

18. paging the child catcher

    Samsung looks, says it finds no child labor in its Chinese factories

    A labor watch group found seven workers under age 16.

    by Casey Johnston - Nov 26, 5:51 pm UTC

19. 3 out of 4 mobile shoppers agree

    iOS devices dominate mobile device online shopping stats

    Despite there being more Android users than iOs users.

    by Chris Foresman - Nov 26, 5:01 pm UTC

20. Implete domum tuam cum rebus

    The Dealmaster: Come Cyber Monday with us

    Big TVs, big chairs, big savings, big deal!

    by Lee Hutchinson - Nov 26, 3:50 pm UTC

21. Pi-ning for Minecraft

    Yes, the Raspberry Pi will run Minecraft

    "Minecraft: Pi Edition" coming soon, will be a free download.

    by Jon Brodkin - Nov 26, 2:47 pm UTC

22. Week in Review

    A dozen meaty articles you may have missed while feasting

    Ars reviews the Wii U and other gadgets before the holiday season starts.

    by Ars Staff - Nov 24, 3:00 pm UTC

23. No secrets here

    Apple ordered to disclose patent settlement with HTC

    Samsung's lawyers will get to see, but no one else.

    by Joe Mullin - Nov 23, 11:45 pm UTC

24. oatmeal v. oatmeal: still hungry?

    Oatmeal Studios pleads: We're the little guy, had to sue The Oatmeal

    The real Oatmeal: an innocent rabbit, whose legacy must be defended.

    by Joe Mullin - Nov 23, 8:35 pm UTC

25. Tag, you're out

    Texas school district's RFID tracking of students goes to court

    Sophomore is suing, claiming badges violate her religious freedom.

    by Sean Gallagher - Nov 23, 5:40 pm UTC

26. as I rained blows upon him...

    Open thread: Black Friday triumphs, tribulations, rants, resolutions

    Black Friday is here. Is the best way to win not to play?

    by Casey Johnston - Nov 23, 5:00 pm UTC

27. Emptionis amicos. Emptionis beatitudo.

    The Dealmaster, Black Friday edition: A plethora of awesome deals!

    We've got desktops, laptops, and some office furniture on which to set them.

    by Lee Hutchinson - Nov 23, 4:30 pm UTC

28. Some restrictions apply

    Nexus 4's LTE chip actually works, sort of

    LTE can be enabled using a hidden settings menu, but is very limited.

    by Andrew Cunningham - Nov 23, 3:45 pm UTC

29. .WHAT

    Governments register objections to .wtf, .islam and .baby TLDs

    Apparently, .wtf has an “overly negative or critical connotation.”

    by Philippa Warr, wired.co.uk - Nov 22, 2:15 pm UTC

30. Parlez-vous sécurité?

    French Fried: US allegedly hacked Sarkozy's office with Flame

    L'Express says members of Sarkozy's staff were targeted over Facebook.

    by Sean Gallagher - Nov 21, 9:10 pm UTC

31. You've been iFramed

    New Linux rootkit injects malicious HTML into Web servers

    Most likely the work of a less-skilled Russian hacker.

    by Sean Gallagher - Nov 21, 8:30 pm UTC

32. No intent, no foul

    Google won't be prosecuted over Street View in Germany

    Google has largely escaped prosecution for Wi-Fi data collection.

    by Joe Mullin - Nov 21, 7:25 pm UTC

33. High but not that high

    What's HTC paying Apple for patents? Not an “outrageous” $8 per phone

    It's a "very, very happy settlement," says HTC CEO Peter Chou.

    by Joe Mullin - Nov 21, 4:35 pm UTC

34. All your iMessage belong to you

    iOS 6 fixes bug that sent iMessages to stolen iPhones

    Rest assured: thieves won't get your texts—as long as you updated.

    by Chris Foresman - Nov 21, 4:25 pm UTC