Today’s mobile roundup fetures Samsung’s blocked bid for Apple product injunction, fanbois preparing for the new iPad to hit shelves, Nokia’s upcoming tablet, and more.

Samsung

Samsung was denied by a Hague court to pursue their injunction against Apple for infringing standards-essential patents.

“The Dutch court said on Wednesday it cannot be said that Apple didn’t comply with the clauses on FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms, so Apple is allowed to sell their products (in Netherlands) but that also means Apple should negotiate with Samsung on royalties,” said Samsung Electronics’ spokesman James Chung.

Samsung is also awaiting the result of European Commission’s investigation as to whether or not they are complying with the terms of FRAND in using their wireless patents known as “standards-essential.”

When asked for a comment, Apple’s Korea spokesman Steve Park stated that “it’s no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware, to the user interface and even the packaging.  We need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

18 Firms Sued

Eighteen companies were sued by 13 individuals in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas earlier this week for allegedly distributing privacy-invading mobile applications.

“The defendants — several of the world’s largest and most influential technology and social networking companies — have unfortunately made, distributed and sold mobile software applications that, once installed on a wireless mobile device, surreptitiously harvest, upload and illegally steal the owner’s address book data without the owner’s knowledge or consent,” the lawsuit alleged.

The suits are the latest in a string of developments popping up around consumer safety and privacy, a topic of importance for mobile users in particular.  The wave of malware and unknowing data use has led to a surge in security monitoring apps, such as those from AllClear and Lookout.

Apple

Apple’s new iPad will officially go on sale tomorrow, March 16.  And while some have already reserved their gadgets online, others are already gearing up in preparation for the long lines at local Apple Stores.  Many fanbois are such experts in the waiting game that they’ve come up with a few tips for first time buyers.

Here are some of the tips we’ve compiled:

• Go for Apple Stores in remote areas since those will have less people waiting in line.
• Call ahead to know what time people could actually lineup.
• Check the weather before camping out so you’ll know if you need to bring a jacket, an umbrella, or sunscreen.
• Check early if there are already people waiting in line and if there are, get ready to camp out.
• When camping out, don’t forget to bring a comfy chair or stool, gadgets to keep you entertained as well as power backups. Also bring snacks, drinks, a book in case you gadgets’ juice gets drained, and other things to help you pass the time.
• Bring a buddy along so when you go for a bathroom break someone will keep the line for you or befriend the people in line so you won’t lose your place.
• Look for siphoning clerks from other nearby shops selling the new iPad like AT&T and Verizon stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart.  It will cut your waiting time.
• And if you’re working, it’s better to take a vacation day off than file for a sick leave and risk being seen standing in line waiting to buy the latest iPad.

Nokia

Nokia design chief Marko Ahtisaari dropped the bomb that the Finnish company is indeed working on a tablet.

Ahtisaari was quoted saying, “We are working on it.”

But a spokesman for Nokia tried to dismiss what Ahtisaari stated by saying, “We continue to eye the tablet space with interest, but have made no specific announcements.”

Clearwire

Clearwire Corporation, the wireless internet service provider, has added Leap Wireless International Inc. (LEAP) as their second wholesale customer as they transition from WiMAX technology to 4G/LTE.  The deal will supplement Leap’s 4G technology for over five years.

“Leap is another milestone and it’s not going to stop here,” Erik Prusch, Clearwire’s CEO, said in an interview.

AT&T

AT&T is now certified for disaster preparedness by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The company is the first wireless carrier to be certified by the DHS’ voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Program (PS-Prep) to assess and validate organizations’ business continuity and preparedness capabilities.

The DHS’ certification means that in the event of any disaster, the carrier will be able to resume network traffic, field customer calls and queries, and service the communities in which it operates.

“AT&T has a long-standing commitment to business continuity and disaster preparedness,” John Stankey, chief strategy officer for AT&T, said in a statement. “The strength of our continuity program coupled with our industry-leading Global Network Operations Center helps us and our customers effectively continue operations during and after emergencies.”