Apple Confirms iOS 12.1.2 Addresses Qualcomm Patents, Introduces New Force Closing App Animation in China

[MacRumors]

Apple on Monday released iOS 12.1.2 exclusively for iPhones. The software update fixes bugs related to eSIM activation on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max, and addresses an issue that could affect cellular connectivity in Turkey on those devices, according to Apple's release notes.

In China, as planned, iOS 12.1.2 also implements minor changes to address two Qualcomm patents that led to a Chinese court issuing a preliminary injunction on the iPhone 6s through iPhone X last week, according to Apple's release notes in Chinese. These changes were not mentioned in any other countries.

A translation of the iOS 12.1.2 release notes in China:

iOS 12.1.2 includes iPhone bug fixes. This update:

- Fixes bugs with eSIM activation for iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max
- Addresses an issue that could affect cellular connectivity in Turkey for iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max
- Introduces a new animation when force closing apps
- Updates share sheet for setting contact and wallpaper images

MacRumors uncovered a video on Weibo of the new animation for force closing apps on an iPhone running iOS 12.1.2 in China. Rather than moving up and off the screen when swiped closed, which looks familiar to Qualcomm's patent in China, apps now appear to shrink into themselves when swiped closed.

Video Credit: ??? / Weibo​

As noted on Twitter by our editor-in-chief Eric Slivka, it appears that Apple may have rushed the release of iOS 12.1.2 to address the Qualcomm patents and possibly other time-sensitive bug fixes. The update that was previously intended to be iOS 12.1.2 will likely be transitioning to become iOS 12.1.3.

iOS 12.1.2 is a 16C build, while the beta was a 16D build. Looks like Apple rushed out the release with emergency fixes/updates and will push back the original 12.1.2 to a 12.1.3 release. - Eric Slivka (@eslivka) December 17, 2018

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Qualcomm's chief lawyer Don Rosenberg said that Apple continues to "flout the legal system" by violating the preliminary injunction, which should have resulted in affected iPhones being unavailable for purchase in China, and by releasing misleading statements about the ruling.

Apple called Qualcomm's efforts "another desperate move by a company whose illegal practices are under investigation by regulators around the world," and said that "Apple and many other companies, consumers, and government will suffer truly irreparable harm" if an iPhone sales ban were to be upheld in China.

Article Link: Apple Confirms iOS 12.1.2 Addresses Qualcomm Patents, Introduces New Force Closing App Animation in China

 

[dan9700]

why is that new animation only for china?

 

[macduke]

Qualcomm's animation patent is almost as dumb as patenting round corners. Oh wait…

 

[Xytal]

Actually kind of like that animation more, honestly. It actually fits with the app shrinking back into itself when you go home (either via button or swipe).

 

[Stickrbox]

why is that new animation only for china?

Did you even read the article?

 

[HacKage]

2 updates to counter this Qualcomm patent in the space of a week, but of course they were guilty of infringing on it in the first place...

 

[adamdport]

The courts said "stop selling it" right? So even if they fix it, they're still violating the court order?

 

[dan9700]

I don't get it why does shutting app animation stop selling iPhones in china?

 

[Bornee35]

I don't get it why does shutting app animation stop selling iPhones in china?

Qualcomm, a company that does not produce mobile operating systems, managed to copyright the way an app appears to close in china. Literally a patent troll.

 

[Spoon!]

I don't get it why does shutting app animation stop selling iPhones in china?

Because pettiness.

 

[dannyyankou]

So iOS 12.1.3 beta 1 will be what 12.1.2 beta 2 would’ve been?

 

[dan9700]

Qualcomm, a company that does not produce mobile operating systems, managed to copyright the way an app appears to close in china. Literally a patent troll.

that's crazy omg

 

[Baymowe335]

Great patent, Qualcomm.

 

[Bacillus]

The courts said "stop selling it" right? So even if they fix it, they're still violating the court order?

If there are some wicked wireless technologies half-way licensed from Qualcomm that can be SW-annihilated - then why use it in the first place ?
Ooops sorry, we customers are too stupid to get informed

 

[jezbd1997]

why is that new animation only for china?

Read the article... as someone else said

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

What changed about the Share Sheet in the China?

 

[genovelle]

Great patent, Qualcomm.

They purchased both of the patents they used in this case, likely to weaponize them in this way.

 

[gnasher729]

Hadn't heard before that Qualcomm has a "preliminary injunction". In most countries, when you get a preliminary injunction but not a final one, and the preliminary injunction caused damage, you pay for the damage. And in most countries, you put the money for that damage into escrow.

 

[ggibson913]

It seems to me that Qualcomm is pursuing this series of suits because they are scared to death that someone else (Intel) will start making mobile chips and give them actual competition. Apple is big enough to take this attempted monopoly on.

 

[darksithpro]

So, Qualcomm... who doesn't make phones, or operating systems managed to patent the way you would close apps on a phone in a foreign country? Really? I could see legit stuff like CDMA technologies and modem stuff, but the patent stuff like this is just ridiculous.

 

[BarredOwl]

Not interested in any more slap-shod releases by the formerly great Apple.

 

[jezbd1997]

So, Qualcomm... who doesn't make phones, or operating systems managed to patent the way you would close apps on a phone in a foreign country? Really? I could see legit stuff like CDMA technologies and modem stuff, but the patent stuff like this is just ridiculous.

It’s getting really petty. Apple needs to settle this somehow

 

[ilikewhey]

It seems to me that Qualcomm is pursuing this series of suits because they are scared to death that someone else (Intel) will start making mobile chips and give them actual competition. Apple is big enough to take this attempted monopoly on.

intel alrdy making radio chips for apple and they are getting their butt kicked big time by qualcomm

 

[Diamond Dog]

why is that new animation only for china?

Why didn't you read the article?

 

[swingerofbirch]

Qualcomm, a company that does not produce mobile operating systems, managed to copyright the way an app appears to close in china. Literally a patent troll.

These are from the Palm operating system—which if you remember had a card system that looked and functioned nearly identically to the current iOS multi-tasking.

Qualcomm owns those Palm patents.
[doublepost=1545236001][/doublepost]

So, Qualcomm... who doesn't make phones, or operating systems managed to patent the way you would close apps on a phone in a foreign country? Really? I could see legit stuff like CDMA technologies and modem stuff, but the patent stuff like this is just ridiculous.

Apple could have bought the Palm patents if they had wanted. They really did copy the Palm interface (or independently came to a very similar conclusion).