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HTC EVO 4G LTE and One X Have Custom ROMs to Work Around Apple Patents

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The HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE are still being held by Customs for potentially infringing Apple patents, but the phones already have custom Android ROMs to work around those patents.

According to The Verge, HTC shipped both the U.S. version of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE with custom Android ROMs that work around the “data tapping” Apple patent. The Apple patent in question deals with making phone numbers and email addresses clickable links that will launch the phone and email apps, respectively.

The International Trade Commission found that HTC’s Messaging app, the stock Android messaging app, and the stock Android browser infringe on the Apple patents.

In the International version of the One X, those links behave normally. Tapping on a highlighted email address or phone number will simply launch the respective application. The U.S. versions don’t operate in the same way.

In the U.S. One X and EVO 4G LTE, HTC added a new settings screen, instead. Clicking on an email address or phone number will bring up a dialog menu asking users which app they want to load. After choosing the default action, the phone opens the user’s chosen app.

The workaround could be enough for Customs to say the phones don’t infringe on Apple’s patents, but the agency can take as much time as it needs to decide. Unfortunately, Customs is known for being a very secretive organization, so if it finds the phones do infringe on Apple’s patents, we may never know exactly why.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Neal

    05/18/2012 at 10:56 pm

    I find it kind of pitiful that a simple function as touching the screen has turned into an outrage, and more than likely ticking off a lot of people who are anxiously waiting for their new cell phone. All in all it’s a low blow to HTC and it’s hard work from Apple to undermine it’s business and halt their income slightly, potentially pushing customers to not want the phone. All because Apple has a wet diaper and a case of butt hurt because iPhones are becoming obsolete.
    Boo hoo Apple, cry me a river, and whipe it away with the BILLIONS of dollars you get away with every year from selling products that aren’t yours and profiteering out it, and if you don’t know what I mean, for all you iPhone users, look at your Apps list that YOU paid for and all your songs that YOU paid for, and ask yourselves, how much effort did Apple put into making these apps and that music that you enjoy.
    Point in case. Apple is just butt hurt.

    • Kenny

      05/20/2012 at 7:09 am

      Wow you took the words right out of my mouth!!

  2. TheRookie

    05/20/2012 at 8:12 am

    You guys are right on point. Apple has created a cult of followers that will form lines a day before a product launch just to dish out some cash for a product that is inferior to the competition. Whatever floats their boat but I certainly don’t want a phone that every other person has. When the competition is stiff, and Apple realizes that marketing is not innovation, they sue. Apple has become way too greedy, and is impeding innovation.

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