Apple has just released the second beta of iOS 6.1 to developers “build number 10B5105c”. This Beta includes several changes related to how developers can integrate Apple’s new mapping service in their apps and improvements to how boarding passes are handled in Passbook, and a few minor changes to Safari. » Apple Launched Second iOS 6.1 Beta For Developers

Apple has dished out 20 million Swiss francs ($21 million, 17 million euros) to compensate Swiss national rail operator SBB for using its famous clock design without permission, a Swiss daily reported Saturday. 9to5mac reports that the exact terms of the deal weren’t given but notes that the $21M figure represents about 10 cents per device if you figure 210M devices going to iOS 6. » Apple To Pay Swiss Rail $21 Million To Use The Iconic Clock Design

Strategy Analytics released a report estimating that Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone overtook the iPhone 4S for the top spot in global shipments in Q3 of 2012. “Samsung’s Galaxy S3 smartphone model shipped 18.0 million units worldwide during the third quarter of 2012. The Galaxy S3 captured an impressive 11 percent share of all smartphones shipped globally and it has become the world’s best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever.” » Samsung Galaxy S III To Top iPhone 4S In 3Q 2012 Worldwide Shipments

MacStories wrote that Apple has confirmed in an email sent to developers that iTunes Connect “the developer portal to manage applications to sell in the App Store” will be closed from December 21 to December 28. During this time, access to iTunes Connect and delivery of any apps or updates will not be available. » Apple To Shut Down iTunes Connect On Holiday December 21-28

Bloomberg reports that VirnetX has won a patent lawsuit against Apple in 2010 over virtual private networking (VPN) connectivity related to Apple’s FaceTime video calling feature and have been awarded a total of $368.2 million.

The VirnetX patents cover the use of a domain-name service to set up virtual private networks, through which a website owner can interact with customers in a secure way or an employee can work at home and get access to a company’s electronic files. VirnetX had sought $708 million in damages.

“For years Apple refused to pay fair value for the VirnetX patents,” Doug Cawley, a lawyer with McKool Smith in Dallas who represents VirnetX, said in closing arguments. “Apple says they don’t infringe. But Apple developers testified that they didn’t pay any attention to anyone’s patents when developing their system.”

MacRumors writes “The technology was developed as part of work conducted by defense company SAIC on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency, and VirnetX is a holding company created by former SAIC employees. VirnetX has indicated that it plans to seek a halt to continuing use of its technology by Apple, so it is unclear how the two parties will proceed toward a potential resolution that would keep FaceTime intact. ” » VirnetX Wins $368.2 Million Verdict Against Apple In VPN Patent Lawsuit

Over the last couple of months, a court case in the United Kingdom ordered Apple to post an acknowledgement on its website, newspapers and magazines acknowledging that Samsung did not infringe upon the protected iPad design with its line of Galaxy Tab devices. Apple did publish a statement saying that the Samsung Galaxy Tab was “not as cool” as the iPad and that Apple had won other cases against Samsung, however the court did not appreciate Apple’s additions to the required text and ordered Apple to publish a new statement. » Apple Posts Revised Samsung Apology On UK Website, But Hides It Below The Fold

Apple announced that it has sold three million iPads in just three days since the launch of its new iPad® mini and fourth generation iPad. Which is double the amount of the milestone of 1.5 million Wi-Fi only models sold for the third generation iPad. » Apple Sells Three Million iPad Minis & Fourth-Generation iPad 4 Devices In Opening Weekend