????除了速度和可靠的網絡，消費者還要求獲得更長的電池續航時間。雖然要同時實現強大的性能和長時間電池續航能力一直是一項挑戰，高通（Qualcomm）和英偉達（Nvidia）等領先芯片制造商在4核處理器領域正在取得更大進展，這些4核處理器可以安裝到LTE智能手機中。舉例來說，三星的Galaxy S III就使用了高通的4核Snapdragon處理器 ，同時提供4G LTE連接，雖然目前只能在亞洲和歐洲的部分地區使用。毫不奇怪，這樣一款杰出產品包含了大量專利。

????依托于這類科技，很多專利研究機構在對科技公司的專利組合進行評估，就像用其他指標對公司進行評估一樣。盡管不同的研究機構給出的排名不盡相同，全球專利研究平臺Article One Partners的數據顯示，高通和諾基亞在擁有最多關鍵LTE專利方面排名居首，三星和LG則緊隨其后。

????曠日持久的蘋果-三星專利之爭可能已經決出一時的勝負。然而，隨后的專利爭端還將延續。TechIPm的李認為，蘋果-三星專利之爭將進一步夯實專利在重塑智能手機市場價值鏈過程中的作用。但另一方面，Strategy Analytics的沙赫也表示，專利變得如此炙手可熱也才短短兩年的時間。盡管意見不一，但LTE仍然很可能會成為高科技領域引發下一個熱點的亮點。

????姜藝媛是駐首爾記者，負責報道IT新聞和韓國初創企業。她的Twitter賬號為 @yewon。

????In addition to speed and reliable networks, consumers are demanding longer battery life. Although achieving both strong performance and long-lasting power has been the challenge, the leading chipset makers like Qualcomm (QCOM) and Nvidia (NVDA) are becoming more advanced with quad-core processors that can be integrated into LTE-capable smartphones. For example, Samsung's Galaxy S III runs on Qualcomm's quad-core Snapdragon processor and offers a 4G LTE connection, although only in parts of Asia and Europe for now. Not surprisingly, the technical wizardry to pull this off is heavily patented.

????Based on technologies like these, many patent research firms are actually rating tech companies by their patent portfolios as much as anything else. Although the list varies by different surveying firms, according to Article One Partners, Qualcomm and Nokia ranked the top with the most essential LTE patents, followed by Samsung and LG.

????The drawn-out Apple-Samsung patent saga may be an one-time showdown. Its aftermath is sure to last. Lee with TechIPm argues the epic battle will help further cement the role of patents in reshaping the value chains in the smartphone markets. On the other hand, it's only been in the last two years that patents have become a such hot button issue, says Shah with Strategy Analytics. Differences of opinion notwithstanding, LTE could very well be the next headline-creating flash point in high-tech.

????Yewon Kang is a Seoul-based journalist covering IT news and startups in Korea. Follow her Twitter @yewon.