Weekend Wrap-up: Apple Introduces CarPlay; Judge Won't Ban Samsung Devices in the U.S.

It’s Sunday, which means it’s once again time for our Weekly Wrap-up. If you’ve been out of the loop this past week, we’ll get you all caught up on the biggest happenings in the tech world. And the best part? If you’re not much of a reader, you can watch the video below and be just as caught up. Plus, you get to hear the soothing sound of Landon Robinson’s voice. That has to count for something, right?

Off we go.

Apple Introduces CarPlay: iOS for Your Automobile

We’ve been hearing about Apple’s potential move into the world of car electronics for quite some time, and now it’s finally happened. Apple showed off CarPlay last week at the Geneva Motor Show and has some pretty big name partners ready to use the technology in their new cars: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. That list will expand significantly later this year: Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Open, Peugeot-Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota will also jump into the CarPlay game. If you’re already using iOS in the car for Maps and music, CarPlay may be worth a look.

Judge Defies Apple, Won’t Ban Samsung Devices in the U.S.

Apple and Samsung’s court battle has been going on for quite some time, and things took an interesting turn this week. Apple has been pushing hard for Judge Lucy Koh to ban 23 Samsung devices from being sold in the U.S., citing patent infringement. Koh, however, denied Apple’s request, claiming that the company didn’t establish a good enough reason for why it was entitled to such an injunction. The ruling is obviously a big win for Samsung, as the company gets to keep selling its devices. Apple will likely regroup and take a different angle to make things difficult for Samsung. Long story short: the court battle will go on.

LG May Be Making the Nexus 6 and the Google Smartwatch

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? That’s the approach Google seems to be taking with its Nexus line of smartphones. After bouncing around from partner to partner earlier in the program’s life, Google has stuck with LG for the past two phones — the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 5. It appears LG is also getting the nod for the Nexus 6, but that’s not all; the company may also be helping Google create its entry into the smartwatch space. This is definitely something we’ll be keeping a close eye on over the coming weeks and months.

Microsoft Bringing Halo’s Cortana to Windows Phone 8

In a move that is likely to divide gamers (and not bother anyone else), Microsoft has decided that its smartphone virtual assistant and Siri competitor will be named after the famous AI from the Halo video game series: Cortana. Just as Cortana is the constant digital aid to Halo’s Master Chief during his missions, she will also help you stay on top of things in your far less exciting life. Wondering what the weather will be like today? Cortana is on it. Searching for a certain email in your inbox? Ask Cortana about it. The big question is, will Cortana sound the same as she does in the video game? We’ll have to wait and see.