5 things to know today …
1. Apple introduced a new iPhone, called the iPhone SE. The company said customers have been asking for a more powerful version of the 4-inch iPhone 5/5s, so the SE packs Apple’s A9 processor and M9 motion coprocessor into a 4-inch-screened phone. The SE is priced at $399 for the 16 gigabyte memory model and $499 for the 64 GB model. Preorders start March 24.
Apple also announced a smaller version of its iPad Pro. Priced at just $599, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is described by the company as “the ultimate PC replacement.”
2. Apple and the FBI are set to face off in court tomorrow in Riverside, California. The hearing will take place less than a 30-minute drive from San Bernardino, site of a recent terrorist attack that has an Apple device at the center of the Apple and FBI dispute. The U.S. government has ordered Apple to help the FBI access information on the iPhone that belonged to one of the shooters who opened fire on an office holiday party in San Bernardino. Apple has refused, saying compliance would jeopardize personal privacy and national security. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said he is prepared to take the fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
3. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear another high-profile case involving Apple. Samsung is still appealing part of a 2012 jury verdict that ultimately led to a $548 million award for Apple. The jury found Samsung infringed upon Apple patents, and now the Korean company is appealing the part of the verdict covering the physical design of the phone and home screen. Those account for almost $400 million of the total damages awarded, but more importantly for Samsung, a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court could help insulate the company from further patent infringement lawsuits related to hardware design features.
4. Lenovo is putting its own executives in charge of its mobile device businesses after purchasing Motorola Mobility from Google last year. Tablets will become part of the PC group, which will be led by Lenovo president Gianfranco Lanci. The mobile phone unit will be led by Xudong Chen and Aymar de Lencquesaing, according to Re/code. Former Motorola Mobility president Rick Osterloh is leaving Lenovo.
5. Two of the biggest U.S. hotel chains are merging in a move that will be closely watched by the makers of distributed antenna systems, who see hospitality as an increasingly important market. Marriott outbid China’s Anbang Insurance Group in the fight to buy Starwood Hotels, owner of the Sheraton, Westin and Ritz Carlton brands. Marriott will pay roughly $14 billion; the exact amount will depend upon the value of Marriott stock at the time of closing. The merger will create the world’s largest hotel chain, with 5,500 properties worldwide.
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