Tag Archive for API

Facebook to fix email phone bug

July 4, 2012 admin Uncategorized


3 July 2012
Last updated at 11:41

Facebook screenshotThe mistake was prompted by Facebook altering details on its site to list @facebook.com email addresses by default

Facebook has promised to address complaints it was responsible for wiping email contacts in some users’ mobile phone address books, replacing them with @facebook.com listings.

The social network blamed the deletion of users’ contacts on a software bug.

The problem followed last week’s move to make Facebook’s own addresses visible by default on its website, hiding the ones originally listed.

Facebook said it was fixing the issue, promising it “will be resolved soon”.

The company was unable to confirm the scale of the bug, but reports by The Verge and CNN Money suggested users who had activated Facebook Contact Sync on Blackberry and Android phones, and devices running the beta versions of Apple’s iOS6 and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 had been affected.

Pulled contacts

The social network linked the issue to the application programming interface (API) at the heart of a tool designed to ensure that when its members amended their contact details, the changes would be made to their Facebook friends’ smartphone address books.

The software was designed to copy over its users’ “primary email addresses” – the ones they used to log into the social network.

However, a statement acknowledged that “for people on certain devices, a bug meant that the device was pulling the last email address added to the account rather than the primary address, resulting in @facebook.com addresses being pulled”.

Since Facebook’s synchronisation tool only synchronised email addresses that were visible on its site, and it had made third-party addresses invisible by default, pre-existing contacts were deleted as a result.

One company-watcher told the BBC the error risked angering users already annoyed by Facebook’s deliberate change to contact listings on its site.

“The gravity of changing personal data on users’ phones is much greater than just changing them on a cloud-based service or a website,” said Anthony Mullen, senior analyst at the tech consultants Forrester.

“The lesson here is Facebook should have offered a simple wizard walking people through the change showing what impact it would have rather than just letting it happen automatically.

“However, despite talk of a backlash it doesn’t seem these problems have been grave enough to have motivated users to quit the network.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18687044#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Judge backs Google over Oracle

June 1, 2012 admin Uncategorized


1 June 2012
Last updated at 14:13

Larry EllissonOracle’s chief executive, Larry Ellison, had sought about $1bn (£653m) in compensation from Google

A judge has dismissed Oracle’s key argument in a long-running copyright battle against Google.

The dispute centred over whether the Android-developer should be fined for using some of Oracle’s Java software components without paying it for a licence.

Oracle had sought up to $1bn (£653m) in compensation claiming Google was guilty of copyright infringement.

The ruling addresses an issue that had split a jury in a trial last month.

Google described the news as “a good day for collaboration and innovation”.

Oracle said it would “vigorously appeal the decision”.

API arguments

The case related to Google’s use of Oracle’s APIs (application programming interfaces). These had been used to let developers write Java-compatible code for its Android system.

APIs are used to let different parts of a program or operating system communicate with each other as well as permitting one application to share content with another.

While Oracle allows anyone to use its Java programming language for free, it had argued the same rule did not apply to related APIs.

Specifically it said Google should have paid a licence before “replicating the structure, sequence and organisation” of the code in 37 Java-related API packages.

‘Sweeping proposition’

In his ruling the judge noted that 97% of the lines of code used in the disputed packages had been rewritten by Google.

He said the case therefore depended on whether Oracle should be given ownership of “any and all ways to implement a function” based solely on the fact it had copyrighted one version.

In other words, that Oracle could copyright an idea rather than just the expression of an idea.

The judge noted that such a “sweeping proposition” had never been established in law, and thus ruled in Google’s favour.

However, he stressed that his decision had limited ramifications.

“This order does not hold that Java API packages are free for all to use without licence,” wrote Judge Alsup.

“It does not hold that the structure, sequence and organization of all computer programs may be stolen. Rather, it holds on the specific facts of this case, the particular elements replicated by Google were free for all to use under the Copyright Act.”

Unresolved

Ben Evans, who helps develop Java’s technical specifications as part of the Java Community Process Executive Committee, said he had mixed feelings about the ruling.

But he said the issue had still not been fully resolved and the US should follow a recent EU ruling which made it clear that the functionality of any computer program could not be protected by copyright.

“If this is the prevailing view in US law, it should be encoded so as to be compatible with EU law,” Mr Evans told the BBC.

“The technology industry has enough legal uncertainty without having major differences between two of the world’s major markets for software.

“There is a risk that platform developers will still feel pressured to create APIs that work in different ways risking the fragmentation of Java where programs written in the language could not be guaranteed to be compatible across Android, Windows, Linux and other operating systems.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18295255#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Java dispute’s unresolved issue

May 26, 2012 admin Uncategorized


24 May 2012
Last updated at 16:33


Ben EvansBy Ben Evans
London Java Community

Java logo

The Google-Oracle trial has been one of the most closely watched legal wrangles in the history of the technology industry.

One of the remarkable things about the case is the deep divisions that it exposed in the developer community.

This has certainly been the case within the London Java Community (LJC), a broad organisation with about 2,500 members, covering a diverse set of viewpoints within London’s Java ecosystem.

Continue reading the main story

Background

On Thursday the jury was dismissed in the Google-Oracle trial after finding that the search giant had not infringed the database management firm’s Java patents.

However, the jurors had earlier been unable to resolve a separate issue related to Google’s use of Oracle’s APIs (application programming interfaces) to allow developers to write Java-compatible code for its Android system.

APIs let different parts of a programme communicate together as well as letting one application share content with another.

The jurors agreed Google had committed a breach of copyright, but were divided over the question of whether this was permissible under “fair use” rules.

The judge still needs to decide on the legal issues involved and there may be a retrial to determine the copyright issue.

Java underpins a good chunk of today’s software and IT around the globe. In purely commercial terms it is a foundation of a multi-billion pound global industry, and by many measures, is the most popular programming environment in the world.

This case therefore has the potential to affect a large number of people and businesses.

One point of view is that strong compatibility requirements provide a firm foundation for innovation.

Without them Java risks turning into a family of loosely related languages, which increases risk for everyone who deploys technology based on the Java ecosystem.

From this angle, Oracle had no choice but to try to prevent Google from fragmenting the platform.

An opposing view was that Google’s Android represented a significant innovation, and has unlocked an entirely new market, which Oracle unfairly tried to stifle.

Copyright clash

The dispute had run for years and relatively late in the day it took a somewhat surprising turn when Oracle tried to claim that the APIs that constitute the Java libraries were protected by copyright.

Larry EllisonOracle’s chief executive had sought about $1bn (£630m) in compensation

The implication was that Google were not legally entitled to produce an implementation of those interfaces.

This development represented a major escalation of the case.

If APIs were held to be copyrightable, this would have repercussions across the entire tech industry.

Many developers were concerned that this decision could lead to a chilling effect on the production of software, opening the door to a torrent of lawsuits – affecting firms of all sizes.

On the other hand, if APIs are not copyrightable, then this would allow significant freedom for companies to implement clones of existing technologies, without requiring full compatibility.

This could allow substantial innovation, but also has the risk that technology standards could be undermined.

The resulting externalities of increased testing costs and compatibility risk would be passed on to firms who want to deploy technology stacks covered by such a decision.

EU ruling

Whilst both possible decisions have risks and downsides associated with them, the continued lack of clarity is also a serious concern for both developers and consumers of software.

We feel that the issue of whether APIs are copyrightable is sufficiently far-reaching that it should be addressed as a point of law in its own right.

In this case, the European Union has made its position clear – on this side of the pond APIs are not copyrightable, and developers may produce a so-called “clean room” implementation of an API without running foul of copyright law.

Larry PageGoogle’s chief executive does not believe Oracle should be compensated for the use of its APIs

It remains to be seen how the US will tackle this issue.

It seems almost inevitable that the US courts will need to reach a position on the copyrightability of APIs.

Unresolved

This dispute is set to continue to dominate the tech press for quite some time to come.

The uncertainty with which developers have been living for some time is not going to go away, especially with regard to the API copyright question.

Google and Oracle appear to be dealing with a portion of the copyright issue (in terms of discussing damages). However, the ongoing worry for developers is now whether this case is really done or not.

Oracle of course has the right to appeal and so this chapter may not be closed yet.

Ben Evans is chief executive of JClarity – a Java-based software development company – and represents the London Java Community on the Java Community Process Executive Committee which develops standard technical specifications for the programming language.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18192110#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Deezer Launches "OPEN DEEZER"

May 3, 2012 admin Uncategorized


Click to view news release full screen



PARIS, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

For Worldwide Developers, to Enhance the Music Experience

Deezer today announces “OPEN DEEZER”, the easiest and broadest API access for developers to create innovative music streaming services, across all platforms, worldwide.

Deezer is eager to share, not only access to 15 million tracks and their metadata, but also to its user data and its full music streaming technology: no downloads required, ready-to-use plugins, and cross-platform compatibility. All platforms will be addressed via three SDKs: for Android, iOS and Web apps in Javascript.

Daniel Marhely, Founder and CTO of Deezer, said: “The Deezer Team has constantly been looking to stay ahead technologically: making the product browser-based rather than client-based, going straight for HTML5 and being first to market with streaming apps for Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and Sonos. But we know we don‘t have a monopoly on great ideas, and we are thrilled to enable developers worldwide to innovate with us. There is still so much we can create to enhance people’s music experience.”

The access to OPEN DEEZER has already been made available to Deezer’s early partners, including social networks (Facebook, Twitter, last.fm…), mobile telephony services (Orange, Belgacom, T-Mobile), high-end hi-fi systems manufacturers (Sonos, Logitech…), automotive industry manufacturers (Nissan, Parrot…). Independent developers have already started developing apps on the API including the mixing desk, etc.  To share its success, Deezer will reward developers with €9,99* for any new subscribers coming from their applications. (* One month Premium+ subscription).

In order to gather together the most talented developers worldwide, Deezer launches the first “Deezer Hackathon” Battles in Paris and Berlin.

Developers with great ideas and the skills to execute them will have a weekend to make fundamental changes in the way people interact with Music. The Deezer Hackathons will take place in Paris on May 25th – 27th, and Berlin on July 6th – 8th.

The best project will be selected by a world class Committee and awarded for their contribution to the enhancement of the music experience.

The winners will have the chance to win a limited edition “Nissan JUKE DEEZER” car.

Axel Dauchez, CEO of Deezer, said:  “There are no longer any geographical limits or technological barriers for innovation in Music.”

To participate in the DEEZER Hackathons, please follow the links:

Paris: http://bemyapp.com/deezer/

Berlin : deezerberlin.eventbrite.com

To get more information, please follow these links:

http://developers.deezer.com

http://www.twitter.com/deezerDevs 

http://www.facebook.com/deezerDevs

About Deezer:

Created by Daniel Marhely in 2006, Deezer is a market leader in music streaming; 20 million people worldwide use the service in 49 territories. Deezer’s users can enjoy new music discoveries every day via unlimited streaming from a great catalogue of over 15 million tracks. Deezer’s music services do not rely on software downloads and are available on PC/Mac, all smartphones and many connected devices.

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Article source: http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/deezer-launches-open-deezer-149963765.html

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Oracle-Google trial under way

April 16, 2012 admin Uncategorized


16 April 2012
Last updated at 18:44


By Leo Kelion
Technology reporter

Models show off Android phonesAndroid powers a wide range of phones from Sharp, Samsung, LG, Sony and others

Oracle’s claim that Google violated several of its patents and copyrights has gone to trial in San Francisco.

In one of the biggest such tech lawsuits to date Oracle is claiming about $1bn (£630m) in compensation.

The Java developer claims Google’s Android system infringes intellectual property rights relating to the programming language.

The judge warned both companies that sensitive financial details about each company would be made public.

“This is a public trial,” US District Judge William Alsup said.

In a court filing made on Sunday, Oracle said it expected its chief executive officer Larry Ellison and Google CEO Larry Page to be among its first witnesses.

‘Write once, run anywhere’

Software engineers have warned the case could set a worrying precedent.

Java was first released in 1995 and allows software to be run across computer platforms, rather than just being limited to one type of operating system.

Oracle – a business hardware and software provider – inherited the intellectual properties when it took over Java’s original developer, Sun Microsystems, in 2009.

The language is used by many business applications as well as other software, such as the video game Minecraft, on PCs.

Oracle argues that by using its intellectual property, and then giving Android away for free, Google undermined the possibility of it licensing Java to mobile phone makers.

It adds: “Because Android exploits Java but is not fully compatible with it, Android represents Sun’s, and now Oracle’s, nightmare: an incompatible forking of the Java platform, which undermines the fundamental ‘write once, run anywhere’ premise of Java that is so critical to its value and appeal.”

Interfaces

Much of the case does not centre on Google’s use of Java itself – which is free for anyone to use without licence – but rather the Android-maker’s use of 37 APIs (application programming interfaces) which allow developers to write Java-compatible code.

Google Play storeApps in Google’s Play might need to be recoded if it loses the case

APIs allow different parts of a programme to communicate together as well as letting one application share content with another.

“APIs are the glue that allows computer programs to talk to each other – in this case Android apps use them to access the phone’s features like its screen and memory,” said Dan Crow, chief technology officer at Songkick and a former Google tech team leader.

“If Oracle wins the case and APIs are held to be copyrighted, then in theory, virtually every application – on Android, Mac OS, Windows, iPhone or any other platform – has to be at least re-released under new licence terms,” told the BBC.

“This could result in many applications being withdrawn until their legality is resolved.”

‘Deaf, dumb and blind’

Oracle alleges that 103,400 lines of its API specifications appeared on Android’s developer website.

“The APIs represent years of creative design,” Oracle said in a filed court document.

“Other than a few classes, Google was not required to copy the selection, organisation, and structure of the APIs to be compatible with the Java programming language.”

However, Google argues that the technologies involved should not be covered by copyright law.

“Without the APIs, the Java programming language is deaf, dumb and blind,” its lawyers have claimed.

“In addition, witnesses at trial will testify that developers expect the APIs to be available when they program in the Java programming language.”

Oracle also alleges that Google has infringed two of its patents relating to a data processing enhancement and a method to generate executable code.

API anger

Larry EllisonLarry Ellison’s Oracle bought Sun Microsystems 14 years after it first released Java

If Oracle wins the API copyright claims it could force Google to alter Android – a move likely to mean independent software developers would also have to recode apps designed for the platform.

But engineers say they have more fundamental concerns about the precedent that could be set in what is already a lawsuit-prone industry.

“The lives of developers would be much more complex,” Simon Phipps, an ex-Sun employee, blogged for the Infoworld news site.

“Complexity and confusion would return to a world where they have largely been expunged, bringing fear, uncertainty, and doubt back into open source software development.”

Malcolm Barclay, an independent developer of travel apps for iPhones, told the BBC: “It would be utterly ridiculous to think that using an API could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of an open platform.

“It would not be practical to go under the hood of each API to see if someone was going to sue you over using it.

“It would be the equivalent of buying a music CD and suddenly finding someone wanted to charge you for listening to track 10.”

Oracle would not comment on the developers’ claims.

The trial is expected to last eight weeks.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17705873#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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