JUDGE DENIES SAMSUNG RIGHT TO SEE UNRELEASED iPHONE AND iPAD

According to FOSS Patents, a judge in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California has ruled that Samsung cannot view Apple’s next-generation iPad and iPhone products.

The whole debacle started when Apple began accusing Samsung of creating copycat products and demanded the Korean firm to produce its next-generation devices inside a court room. The court took Apple’s side and Samsung was forced to show Apple the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, and DROID Charge.

In an effort to prepare for further legal battles with Apple, Samsung wanted the same access to Apple’s next generation products.

For now, that won’t happen. The reasoning behind the judge’s decision appears to be that Samsung had already showed off its products to members of the press and others. Apple, as usual, has kept its products close to the vest.

COURT ORDERS SAMSUNG TO GIVE APPLE ACCESS TO UNRELEASED PRODUCTS

Samsung has been ordered by a federal judge to grant Apple access to a number of unreleased tablets and smartphones as part of an ongoing patent dispute. Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung last month, accusing the Korean consumer electronics giant of infringing on a variety of Apple patents and trademarks. “Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products,” Apple said in a court filing.

Last week, a judge gave Samsung 30 days to deliver five of its forthcoming devices, the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, and DROID Charge, to Apple so the Cupertino-based company can determine whether or not it wishes to request an early injunction. “Apple has demonstrated good cause for some, limited expedited discovery,” said San Jose federal judge Lucy Koh. “While Apple has not yet filed a motion for preliminary injunction, courts have found that expedited discovery may be justified to allow a plaintiff to determine whether to seek an early injunction.”

Samsung argued that the devices have not yet been released so granting Apple access to them would be inappropriate, but Koh dismissed the arguments, citing the fact that Samsung is already advertising the devices and giving samples to members of the press.

AMAZON PRICING MOTOROLA BIONIC AT $149

It looks like Amazon plans to be aggressive when pricing several upcoming handsets that will combine to form a new wave of next-generation Android phones. Last week, we reported that the Motorola ATRIX 4G and the Samsung Infuse 4G, both due to launch soon from AT&T, would be available for $149.99 from the popular online discount retail right out of the gate. Today, enthusiast blog Droid Life reports that Amazon will be offering the same pricing on Verizon Wireless’ upcoming next-generation smartphone, the Motorola DROID BIONIC. A screen shot of the DROID BIONIC’s product page shows the $149.99 contract price alongside a $599.99 full retail price. They page has since been pulled from Amazon’s website, but expect it to show up again soon.