Today’s mobile news roundup features Apple being accused of stealing technology, Android Jelly Bean ready to be modified, and Microsoft licensing more Android and Chrome devices.

Apple accused of stealing noise cancellation technology

Noise Free Wireless filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc. accusing the iPhone maker and Audience of stealing their noise cancellation technology.  According to the court filing submitted by Noise Free, in 2007, they approached Apple and presented their noise cancellation technology, which they intended to be a part of the first iPhone.  The two companies held meetings, agreed to hold shared information confidential and continued meeting throughout 2008.  In their meetings, Noise Free claims that they provided Apple with highly confidential items, including a user guide, fully operational circuit board, fully operational phone mockup and documentation for the technology in late 2008.  Apple allegedly conducted a series of unauthorized tests that enabled them to extract Noise Free’s proprietary and confidential object code and replicated the technology.  Apple then ceased communication and in 2010, filed a patent for “User-specific noise suppression for voice quality improvements,” whose authors were allegedly present during the Apple-Noise Free meetings.  Noise Free claims that the iPhone 4 and 4S and the three generations of iPads infringed their technology.

In other Apple news, the iPhone maker is said to be concerned about the security of mobile payments, and that’s why they haven’t launched their own mobile payment scheme like Google.  Fret not, fanbois, of course Apple will launch their own mobile payment system in the near future.  According to sources, Apple will launch Passbook, their version of mobile wallet, by autumn when the iOS 6 launches.

Android Jelly Bean released to developers

Google already released the source code for Android 4.1 a.k.a. Jelly Bean to third party developers so they can do with it whatever they please.

“Proprietary binaries are available for Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus. Nexus S and Xoom will follow,” Google technical lead Jean-Baptiste Queru wrote in a forum for the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

Unfortunately, we don’t expect Jelly Bean to roll out anytime soon.

Microsoft licensed Coby and Aluratek

Microsoft licensed two more companies under a revenue-sharing agreement: Coby Electronics, a maker of Internet TVs, tablets, and other consumer electronics, and Aluratek.  The licensing agreement provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Coby’s products running the Android or Chrome platform, while the patent agreement with Aluratek offers coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for Aluratek’s e-readers and tablets running the Android or Chrome platform.  Microsoft gets royalties from the two companies, but declined to offer any information about the licensing agreement.  Last year, Microsoft was able to get licensing agreements from Compal Electronics, Samsung, Quanta, HTC, and other ODMs using Google’s Android platform on their devices.