Samsung, Apple Patent Trial Begins; Outlook.com Launches; Hulu Plus on Apple TV

Topping tech headlines on Tuesday: the Samsung, Apple case got underway, Microsoft launched Outlook.com, and Hulu Plus came to Apple TV.

The landmark patent case between Apple and Samsung topped tech headlines on Tuesday as both sides addressed the jury for the first time. Apple argued that its “magical” designs deserve protection while Samsung countered that it is also an innovator.

Before Apple and Samsung presented their opening arguments, however, Judge Lucy Koh agreed to exclude some of Samsung’s evidence. Samsung reportedly got in trouble for revealing that bit of information to the press, though.

Stay tuned to PCMag for all the details about the trial as they emerge. In the meantime, check out the early iPhone and iPad prototypes disclosed in Samsung’s filing, as well as Apple vs. Samsung: Every Patent Tells a Story.

In other patent news, Microsoft on Tuesday insisted that it was open to a patent settlement with Google’s Motorola Mobility. But there are conditions.

Meanwhile, Microsoft on Tuesday launched a new Web-based email service, Outlook.com, which includes a new, simplified interface. For more, see PCMag’s review of Outlook.com.

In other news, Apple began pushing out the Hulu Plus channel to Apple TVs across the U.S. Users should see the new Hulu Plus app on their Apple TV home screen without having to download an update, though some may need to reboot the streaming media box for the app to appear. Apple has been steadily adding new apps to the streaming media box, giving users more of a reason to cut the cord from their traditional cable TV packages.

Also making headlines on Tuesday:

• Google Delays Launch of Nexus Q Media Hub: Google has delayed the consumer rollout of its Nexus Q media hub in order to make improvements to the device.
• Journalist’s Twitter Account Restored Amidst Olympics Controversy: Twitter restored the account of journalist Guy Adams, who had his feed suspended on Sunday for tweeting the email address of an NBC Sports executive.
• Verizon Wireless Settles FCC Tethering Complaint for $1.25 Million: Verizon Wireless was fined $1.25 million on Tuesday over allegations that it restricted customer access to tethering apps.
• Years Late and Millions Over Budget, FBI’s Sentinel Finally On Line: Since 9/11, the FBI has prioritized scrapping paperwork for an electronic case management system and it finally got turned on earlier this month.
• PokerStars to Pay Out $731 Million to Settle U.S. Suit: Two of the online poker companies charged by U.S. authorities in last year’s crackdown on the operators of the three biggest online poker businesses will pay $731 million to settle the resulting civil suit, Forbes reported.
• Amazon Cloud Player Gets ‘Scan and Match’ Technology: Amazon updated its Cloud Player platform with several new features, including scan and match technology, which brings a “fast and easy way for customers to get their music from their computers to the cloud,” the online retailer said.
• Final Fantasy III Coming to Ouya Android Console: Final Fantasy III will be a launch title for the Android-based Ouya game console, the company and game maker Square Enix confirmed today.
• Verizon Targets Smartphone Beginners With Pantech Marauder: Verizon is appealing to customers who have yet to jump on the smartphone bandwagon, with Thursday’s exclusive release of the dual-interface QWERTY Pantech Marauder smartphone.
• Google Maps Now Shows Planned NYC Subway Changes: Google Maps will now display planned service changes for New York City subways.
• Google Acquires Social Media Platform Wildfire: Google is pushing its social media presence a little further, with the help of newly acquired social media management firm Wildfire.
• Samsung Unveils Music Hub Subscription Service for Galaxy S III: The all-encompassing music service will run $9.99 per month and debut on the Galaxy S III.
• 80 Percent of Facebook Ad Clicks Came From Bots, Firm Says: A New York-based startup is ditching Facebook after it discovered some questionable activity on the social network’s ad platform.

By Angela Moscaritolo, PCMag