Samsung drags iPad mini, 4th gen iPad and HTC settlement into patent wars

Samsung has just added the iPad mini and 4th gen iPad to its list of infringing iDevices in its legal battle against Apple. Having added the iPhone 5 to the mix of products that Sammy claim step on its intellectually property earlier, the Korean tech-behemoth took the ‘while we’re at it approach’, adding the latest two devices in a court filing. 

According to The Verge, Apple's 7.9-inch tablet and Lightning Port laden iPad have been bundled under the accusations applied to the iPod Touch and iPad lines. Seen as a time-saving effort, Samsung’s move makes sense given a current lawsuit already covers technology at play in these devices - namely to do with speakers and audio ports.

Expected to go to trial in 2013, this is just another chapter in the painstaking plight of both technology giants to trounce the other, legal-style. Meanwhile, Samsung has also wangled a hands-on first-look with the Apple/HTC settlement, pipping us all to the post - well done Samsung.

With Apple having thrown the Galaxy Nexus and S3 into its list of infringing hardware, this is by no means a one sided race and after Samsung's defeat earlier this year, we're hardly surprised both are still playing hardball.