Fring, the Android and iOS-based IM client, has said this week that it has begun testing group video calling, a first for smartphones.

The feature is now in private beta.

Using Fring for group calling will allow four friends to talk simultaneously.

The screen will be cut into quarters.

More info via Fring: http://www.fring.com/blog/?p=2857

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A federal judge has overturned a $625.5 million verdict against Apple over patent violations this week.

The jury had ruled in favor of small tech company Mirror Worlds LLC and granted them one of the largest patent violation settlements, ever.

Says the judge:

Mirror Worlds may have painted an appealing picture for the jury, but failed to lay a solid foundation sufficient to support important elements it was required to establish under the law.

Last October a jury ruled that Apple had infringed on three patents relating to Cover Flow, Time Machine and Spotlight. Each of the techs are used on most Apple hardware.

Apple asked the judge to postpone enforcing the award since it objected to how the fines were calculated. The company applauded the decision to toss out the case.

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Google has pulled the popular Grooveshark music app from the Android Market, following accusations from the record labels that the service facilitates piracy.

When asked for comment, Google only said that it "removes apps from Android Market that violate [its] terms of service."

Apple removed the app from the iOS store last August after it received a complaint from the Universal Music Group.

Google is currently in the midst of speaking before the House Judiciary Committee, which is investigating whether the search giant aids piracy by offering AdSense to all sites, including those that offer pirated movies, music and more.

Grooveshark hosts over 6 million tracks.

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Jack Tretton, president of Sony Computer Entertainment of America has confirmed this week that the upcoming NGP (PSP2) may be delayed due to the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands in Japan and disrupted production for hundreds of companies.

Instead of being released in Asia, North America and Europe in September, Tretton says the company may have to release the device in just one region, delaying the release until 2012 for the other two major regions, due to the disaster.

Analysts immediately worried about what a delay would do to Sony, as Nintendo recently launched the 3DS gaming handheld in all major regions and Apple is expected to release its updated iPod Touch in September.

For controls, the updated handheld adds dual micro-analog sticks, giving gamers a feature they begged for on the original PSP.

The device has a massive 5-inch multi-touch OLED screen with 960×544 resolution, a multi-touch panel on the back and will run on a quad-core ARM cortex processor.

Sony has added tilt-sensitive SIXAXIS controls, standard and front-side cameras, GPS, an electric compass, Wi-Fi and 3G support, and access to Android gaming.

The NGP is expected to sell for $300, $50 more than the rival Nintendo 3DS.

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According to Digi, Apple shipped about 2.5 million iPad 2 in March, and that number is expected to double in the next quarter.

Says the source:

Sales of iPad 2 are running at a rate faster than its predecessor, and Apple took delivery of 2.4-2.6 million units in March. Apple is likely to take delivery of 4-4.3 million units a month, or a total of over 12 million units, of iPad 2 tablets in the second quarter.

The original iPad took 9 months to sell 15 million units meaning Apple expects its sequel to far outsell.

By comparison, the Motorola Xoom, with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, is rumored to have only sold 140,000 units.

Despite the devastating earthquake in Japan, the source says Japanese and other Asian touch panel makers are expanding their production to keep up with iPad demand.

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Forbes has reported today that Dell is planning a 10-inch Android tablet for release this summer.

Dell had planned a 10-inch Windows tablet, but that seems to be delayed until at least the fall.

The Android device could be available as soon as June.

Dell showed off a "dummy prototype" at CES in January and did not reveal any specs.

When it launches the unnamed Dell tablet will have to compete with the Motorola Xoom, the Samsung Galaxy 10.1, the Apple iPad 2 and the RIM PlayBook, among others.

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Netflix and Lionsgate have signed an exclusive syndication deal for the first four seasons of blockbuster hit "Mad Men," with the series being available for instant streaming starting July 27th.

All future seasons will be added after they conclude airing on AMC.

Liongate has said there will be 7 total seasons of Mad Men.

The deal is said to have cost Netflix about $1 million per episode for a total of $91 million for the 7 season deal.

Netflix is in a mad dash to add streaming content to its extremely popular 'Watch Instantly' service, adding CBS and Fox content and its own original programming over the last two months.

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The Dish Network has secured the winning bid in the race to buy up Blockbuster's assets, paying about $228 million after "certain adjustments" are made for available cash and inventory. The winning bid was actually $320 million.

Both companies expect the deal to close in the Q2.

Says Tom Cullen, executive vice president of Sales, Marketing and Programming for DISH Network:

With its more than 1,700 store locations, a highly recognizable brand and multiple methods of delivery, Blockbuster will complement our existing video offerings while presenting cross-marketing and service extension opportunities for DISH Network. While Blockbuster's business faces significant challenges, we look forward to working with its employees to re-establish Blockbuster's brand as a leader in video entertainment.

It is unclear what Dish will do with the remaining retail locations, but most expect it to shut down most of the stores and focus on the successful Blockbuster Express kiosks.

The company will also likely ramp up the video streaming service available on mobile devices and make it available alongside Dish subscriptions.

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According to Pacific Crest analyst James Faucette, Motorola Atrix and Xoom sales "have been disappointing."

While shipments remain decent, sell-through of the devices are very low, with the Atrix sales specifically being "well below forecast."

The analyst says the Atrix has been hurt by the cheap prices of the Apple 3GS ($49) and the HTC Inspire ($99). The Atrix, on the other hand, sells for $200 with contract.

Downgrading the company's revenue forecast from $13.7 billion to $12.2 billion, Faucette also warned investors that the company will need to "quickly adjust and refresh its product portfolio" if it wishes to remain relevant.

Neither Motorola nor market leader Apple have revealed the sales figures on their latest tablets, yet.

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