Google Inc tried to partner with Facebook but was rejected, denying the search to the social network's trove of personal information, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said.
Schmidt did not specify which deal in particular he was referring but noted that Google's search could be improved with access to Facebook's data about Web surfers' friends and acquaintances.
"We tried very hard to become partner with Facebook," Schmidt said. "They were unwilling to do the deal," he added, noting that Facebook had traditionally partnered with Microsoft.
Schmidt, who was speaking at the D9 conference organized by the blog AllThingsD, also noted that Google had also recently renewed a partnership with Apple in which Google provides map technology featured in the iPhone.
A former Apple board member, Schmidt said their relationship had gotten "rough" as Google began to develop its Android smartphone operating system, although they remained good partners in certain businesses.
Schmidt, who ended his 10-year run as Google CEO in April and handed the reins to 38-year-old Google co-founder Larry Page, is among the more than a dozen tech industry executives slated to speak at the conference, taking place this week at an upscale resort in Southern California.
Among the other scheduled speakers are the chief executives of the Walt Disney Co, Hewlett-Packard, Twitter, Zynga, Groupon and Alibaba.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Clarify whether Sun TV benefited by pay-offs: BJP to Maran
Government on Tuesday faced fresh attack from the opposition on corruption when the BJP asked textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran to answer charges that his family-owned Sun TV Network was a beneficiary of pay-offs by a Malaysian company which benefited from equity sold by Aircel.
"There are new scandals in the UPA government everyday. A new scandal is on the verge of being exposed. The cupboard of corruption of the UPA is overflowing and more skeletons are dying to come out," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said reacting to a media report in this regard.
However, Congress washed its hands off the controversy surrounding Maran, the former telecom minister.
"If a question has been asked from the textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran, obviously he will be the best person to answer it," party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters in reply to a volley of questions on the issue.
Incidently, Maran had a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday night after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.
At the same time, Tewari indicated that irregularities, if any, during Maran's tenure could be looked into by the JPC which is looking into the 2G spectrum allocation scam. Tewari is also a member of the JPC.
Prasad alleged that during Maran's tenure as telecom minister, there were some financial anomalies which benefited companies owned by his family.
"We know Maran's family owns Sun TV network which also has direct-to-home (DTH) service. During his tenure as telecom minister, the FDI norm was changed and the telecom sector FDI norm was increased to 74 per cent. Aircel, a telecom company which only had a license for Tamil Nadu, later got license for 14 new areas," Prasad said.
Prasad maintained that instead of threatening the BJP, Maran should answer these queries with proper documentary proof.
He insisted that the consequences of the change in FDI are well-known.
"Earlier, the Prime Minister had said on October 26, 2009, that A Raja is innocent when the CBI had started the inquiry (into 2G spectrum allocation. We would request Manmohan Singh to learn from his past mistakes. Some questions are being raised. Please reply to them," Prasad said.
Prasad said if Maran had "misused his dominant position" as a minister, his actions would come under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He wondered why routing of slush money was increasingly being done by companies owned by DMK leaders, be it Kalaignar TV (in which Kanimozhi has a 20 per cent stake) or Sun Network.
Tewari, however, evaded a direct reply when asked when A Raja resigned after similar allegations why should Maran continue saying "I have said what I have to say".
Asked about the BJP demands on the Maran issue, Tewari said that the JPC which has been formed after the winter session of Parliament was washed out over the opposition demand, was having stakeholders from all political parties.
"I don't think the agenda of the JPC should be set through a press conference" was the brief refrain of Tewari when asked whether JPC should call Maran before it.
Meanwhile, Maran slapped a legal notice on Tehelka magazine over a report in this regard
"There are new scandals in the UPA government everyday. A new scandal is on the verge of being exposed. The cupboard of corruption of the UPA is overflowing and more skeletons are dying to come out," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said reacting to a media report in this regard.
However, Congress washed its hands off the controversy surrounding Maran, the former telecom minister.
"If a question has been asked from the textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran, obviously he will be the best person to answer it," party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters in reply to a volley of questions on the issue.
Incidently, Maran had a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday night after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.
At the same time, Tewari indicated that irregularities, if any, during Maran's tenure could be looked into by the JPC which is looking into the 2G spectrum allocation scam. Tewari is also a member of the JPC.
Prasad alleged that during Maran's tenure as telecom minister, there were some financial anomalies which benefited companies owned by his family.
"We know Maran's family owns Sun TV network which also has direct-to-home (DTH) service. During his tenure as telecom minister, the FDI norm was changed and the telecom sector FDI norm was increased to 74 per cent. Aircel, a telecom company which only had a license for Tamil Nadu, later got license for 14 new areas," Prasad said.
Prasad maintained that instead of threatening the BJP, Maran should answer these queries with proper documentary proof.
He insisted that the consequences of the change in FDI are well-known.
"Earlier, the Prime Minister had said on October 26, 2009, that A Raja is innocent when the CBI had started the inquiry (into 2G spectrum allocation. We would request Manmohan Singh to learn from his past mistakes. Some questions are being raised. Please reply to them," Prasad said.
Prasad said if Maran had "misused his dominant position" as a minister, his actions would come under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He wondered why routing of slush money was increasingly being done by companies owned by DMK leaders, be it Kalaignar TV (in which Kanimozhi has a 20 per cent stake) or Sun Network.
Tewari, however, evaded a direct reply when asked when A Raja resigned after similar allegations why should Maran continue saying "I have said what I have to say".
Asked about the BJP demands on the Maran issue, Tewari said that the JPC which has been formed after the winter session of Parliament was washed out over the opposition demand, was having stakeholders from all political parties.
"I don't think the agenda of the JPC should be set through a press conference" was the brief refrain of Tewari when asked whether JPC should call Maran before it.
Meanwhile, Maran slapped a legal notice on Tehelka magazine over a report in this regard
Can Intel's Ultrabook concept succeed?
During this week's Computex trade show in Taiwan, Intel announced plans to support a new laptop category it calls the Ultrabook. These laptops will highlight thin bodies, Intel CPUs, and possibly touch screens (or other tabletlike features), and are targeted to cost less than $1,000.
On the surface, this sounds like a plan for slightly less-expensive versions of the MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9, although even slightly under $1,000 is considered a premium price for a laptop.
This is actually Intel's second stab at this market. A year ago, Intel was pushing its consumer ultralow-voltage CPUs, or CULV, in an effort to help PC makers bring thinner laptops to consumers. These systems largely died on the vine, as the low-voltage versions of Intel's Core-series CPUs had disappointing performance without really boosting battery life all that much. Intel called those systems "ultrathin" laptops, but the concept never really caught on. Acer, for example, dropped the CULV chips for full-voltage ones in its slim TimelineX series.
Though thinner, more powerful laptops are always a laudable goal, is Intel's claim that by 2012 these new Ultrabook laptops will account for 40 percent of the laptop market realistic? Considering some of the most popular laptops on CNET are already reasonably thin (but not as thin as the Ultrabook promise of 0.8 inch) and cost well under $1,000, the Ultrabook may be another case of a solution in search of a problem. Recent examples of laptops that balance size, power, and price include Dell's $999 0.97-inch XPS 15z, Toshiba's $749 1.1-inch Portege R835, and HP's 1.2-inch, AMD-powered Pavilion dm1z.
Remember that Netbooks were largely an organic phenomenon--consumer demand for these small, low-cost machines forced PC makers to embrace the previously obscure category. A top-down pronouncement on what consumers want from companies looking to sell new hardware is a much tougher sell.
Will the Ultrabook break through as a new laptop category? Let us know what you think in our poll or in the comments section below.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20067553-1/can-intels-ultrabook-concept-succeed/#ixzz1NwzG3C7k
On the surface, this sounds like a plan for slightly less-expensive versions of the MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9, although even slightly under $1,000 is considered a premium price for a laptop.
This is actually Intel's second stab at this market. A year ago, Intel was pushing its consumer ultralow-voltage CPUs, or CULV, in an effort to help PC makers bring thinner laptops to consumers. These systems largely died on the vine, as the low-voltage versions of Intel's Core-series CPUs had disappointing performance without really boosting battery life all that much. Intel called those systems "ultrathin" laptops, but the concept never really caught on. Acer, for example, dropped the CULV chips for full-voltage ones in its slim TimelineX series.
Though thinner, more powerful laptops are always a laudable goal, is Intel's claim that by 2012 these new Ultrabook laptops will account for 40 percent of the laptop market realistic? Considering some of the most popular laptops on CNET are already reasonably thin (but not as thin as the Ultrabook promise of 0.8 inch) and cost well under $1,000, the Ultrabook may be another case of a solution in search of a problem. Recent examples of laptops that balance size, power, and price include Dell's $999 0.97-inch XPS 15z, Toshiba's $749 1.1-inch Portege R835, and HP's 1.2-inch, AMD-powered Pavilion dm1z.
Remember that Netbooks were largely an organic phenomenon--consumer demand for these small, low-cost machines forced PC makers to embrace the previously obscure category. A top-down pronouncement on what consumers want from companies looking to sell new hardware is a much tougher sell.
Will the Ultrabook break through as a new laptop category? Let us know what you think in our poll or in the comments section below.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20067553-1/can-intels-ultrabook-concept-succeed/#ixzz1NwzG3C7k
HTC Desire Android 2.3 update delayed again
The HTC Desire Android 2.3 update will not meet its end of May deadline, according to 3 Mobile.
A tweet from the numerical network apologises for the ongoing delays to the Desire Gingerbread update.
It reads, "Re HTC [Desire] 2.3: V[ery] sorry to say that HTC hasn't been able to meet the late May timings that were set. We're awaiting extra info, more news soon."
Delicious gingerbread
At first Three didn't know when the update would arrive, and then it reckoned late April, then early May, then the end of May and now… well, it probably should have stuck with its first answer.
It's not clear exactly what's to blame for the prolonged delay, but Three is obviously quite keen to pass the buck on to HTC, which is yet to comment.
Unofficial accounts suggest that HTC is now working to a deadline of the end of June, at which point HTC Desire owners should hopefully be able to enjoy the improved copy and paste, WebM video playback, the redesigned Android keyboard and better battery life that Android 2.3 should bring.
Read more: Click here
A tweet from the numerical network apologises for the ongoing delays to the Desire Gingerbread update.
It reads, "Re HTC [Desire] 2.3: V[ery] sorry to say that HTC hasn't been able to meet the late May timings that were set. We're awaiting extra info, more news soon."
Delicious gingerbread
At first Three didn't know when the update would arrive, and then it reckoned late April, then early May, then the end of May and now… well, it probably should have stuck with its first answer.
It's not clear exactly what's to blame for the prolonged delay, but Three is obviously quite keen to pass the buck on to HTC, which is yet to comment.
Unofficial accounts suggest that HTC is now working to a deadline of the end of June, at which point HTC Desire owners should hopefully be able to enjoy the improved copy and paste, WebM video playback, the redesigned Android keyboard and better battery life that Android 2.3 should bring.
Read more: Click here
Renault's second coming
The company plans to provide the Indian consumer a taste of its technological expertise
A year after French auto major Renault terminated its joint venture with homegrown automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), the company is back to prove its mettle in the world’s second fastest growing automobile market with its premium mid-size sedan Fluence
In its second coming – a solo foray this time – Renault has chalked out ambitious targets for itself. The company will roll out five models by the end of next year and plans to sell 100,000 units in the next three years. The feat, though not improbable, is a difficult one.
US-based automobile manufacturer General Motors, which recently toppled Toyota to become the largest selling car company globally, could achieve the numbers after 16 years.
The Logan, which Renault sold along with M&M for over five years, sold around 46,000 units. The fact that the car was preferred by cab operators in large numbers did not quite help the company’s cause in building a brand perception in India.
Marc Nassif, managing director of Renault India, recalls the Logan experience as a thing of the past. “We believe it is a fresh start for us and courtesy Logan, we are fully prepared and know this market a lot better. Logan did not deliver in terms of sales figures and profitability and that is obvious, but the learning curve has been steep and the results of it would be visible in Fluence and all our future products.”
The Fluence will be followed by premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) Koleos, a hatchback and two other cars Renault has planned to launch in India by end 2012. This time, the approach is simple – Renault will adopt a top-down strategy in launching products, provide the “Indian consumer a taste of its technological expertise”, and pay detailed attention to the overall ownership experience of the consumer.
Nassif elaborates: “There are two things which are requisite for success, the right product. And, we believe we have it. Secondly, we want to enhance the overall ownership experience of Renault cars – right from the moment we sell the cars, to hassle-free maintainence services and easy availability of spares. Each Renault dealership we set up will have one expert technician who has been trained for 43 days in France to help cater to customer needs better. Our performance will help us build brand awareness.”
Renault has 14 existing sales outlets and the company plans to reach out through 100 dealerships by end 2012. Sudhir Rao, deputy managing director, Renault India says: “This year we are not pushing volumes. We will lay foundations for the brand. By the end of next year when we have five cars on the road, segment-wise we would cover half of the market and geographically 90 per cent of the country.” The sales target for 2013 has been set at 100,000 units. By 2014 Renault is eyeing five per cent share in the Indian automobile industry.
Interestingly, Renault, which introduced the Fluence both in petrol and diesel fuel options last week (May 23), has priced the products such that the diesel variant is the entry-level car for the company. While Fluence (diesel) is priced at Rs 12.99 lakh, the petrol version is dearer at Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The petrol version has added features. Nearly 70 per cent of sales in the premium mid-size sedan segment come from diesel variants. At such aggressive pricing points, Renault is hopeful it would be able to bring in the numbers.
“We want to showcase our technology with the petrol model,” says Len Curran, vice-president (sales and marketing), Renault India. “Petrol is our flagship model but diesel is more value-oriented and will drive volumes for us.”
Nassif says: “India is one of the three key strategic markets for Renault’s international operations, besides Brazil and Russia. I see India climbing 20 spots to become the 11th largest country in sales contribution for Renault by 2016.”
Renault, along with its global alliance Nissan, will invest Rs 4,500 crore by 2015 at the Chennai facility. The unit will have a production capacity of 400,000 units per annum by mid next year. The French company is additionally considering setting up an engine plant at the facility.
A year after French auto major Renault terminated its joint venture with homegrown automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), the company is back to prove its mettle in the world’s second fastest growing automobile market with its premium mid-size sedan Fluence
In its second coming – a solo foray this time – Renault has chalked out ambitious targets for itself. The company will roll out five models by the end of next year and plans to sell 100,000 units in the next three years. The feat, though not improbable, is a difficult one.
US-based automobile manufacturer General Motors, which recently toppled Toyota to become the largest selling car company globally, could achieve the numbers after 16 years.
The Logan, which Renault sold along with M&M for over five years, sold around 46,000 units. The fact that the car was preferred by cab operators in large numbers did not quite help the company’s cause in building a brand perception in India.
Marc Nassif, managing director of Renault India, recalls the Logan experience as a thing of the past. “We believe it is a fresh start for us and courtesy Logan, we are fully prepared and know this market a lot better. Logan did not deliver in terms of sales figures and profitability and that is obvious, but the learning curve has been steep and the results of it would be visible in Fluence and all our future products.”
The Fluence will be followed by premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) Koleos, a hatchback and two other cars Renault has planned to launch in India by end 2012. This time, the approach is simple – Renault will adopt a top-down strategy in launching products, provide the “Indian consumer a taste of its technological expertise”, and pay detailed attention to the overall ownership experience of the consumer.
Nassif elaborates: “There are two things which are requisite for success, the right product. And, we believe we have it. Secondly, we want to enhance the overall ownership experience of Renault cars – right from the moment we sell the cars, to hassle-free maintainence services and easy availability of spares. Each Renault dealership we set up will have one expert technician who has been trained for 43 days in France to help cater to customer needs better. Our performance will help us build brand awareness.”
Renault has 14 existing sales outlets and the company plans to reach out through 100 dealerships by end 2012. Sudhir Rao, deputy managing director, Renault India says: “This year we are not pushing volumes. We will lay foundations for the brand. By the end of next year when we have five cars on the road, segment-wise we would cover half of the market and geographically 90 per cent of the country.” The sales target for 2013 has been set at 100,000 units. By 2014 Renault is eyeing five per cent share in the Indian automobile industry.
Interestingly, Renault, which introduced the Fluence both in petrol and diesel fuel options last week (May 23), has priced the products such that the diesel variant is the entry-level car for the company. While Fluence (diesel) is priced at Rs 12.99 lakh, the petrol version is dearer at Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The petrol version has added features. Nearly 70 per cent of sales in the premium mid-size sedan segment come from diesel variants. At such aggressive pricing points, Renault is hopeful it would be able to bring in the numbers.
“We want to showcase our technology with the petrol model,” says Len Curran, vice-president (sales and marketing), Renault India. “Petrol is our flagship model but diesel is more value-oriented and will drive volumes for us.”
Nassif says: “India is one of the three key strategic markets for Renault’s international operations, besides Brazil and Russia. I see India climbing 20 spots to become the 11th largest country in sales contribution for Renault by 2016.”
Renault, along with its global alliance Nissan, will invest Rs 4,500 crore by 2015 at the Chennai facility. The unit will have a production capacity of 400,000 units per annum by mid next year. The French company is additionally considering setting up an engine plant at the facility.
Renault's second coming
The company plans to provide the Indian consumer a taste of its technological expertise
A year after French auto major Renault terminated its joint venture with homegrown automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), the company is back to prove its mettle in the world’s second fastest growing automobile market with its premium mid-size sedan Fluence
In its second coming – a solo foray this time – Renault has chalked out ambitious targets for itself. The company will roll out five models by the end of next year and plans to sell 100,000 units in the next three years. The feat, though not improbable, is a difficult one.
US-based automobile manufacturer General Motors, which recently toppled Toyota to become the largest selling car company globally, could achieve the numbers after 16 years.
The Logan, which Renault sold along with M&M for over five years, sold around 46,000 units. The fact that the car was preferred by cab operators in large numbers did not quite help the company’s cause in building a brand perception in India.
Marc Nassif, managing director of Renault India, recalls the Logan experience as a thing of the past. “We believe it is a fresh start for us and courtesy Logan, we are fully prepared and know this market a lot better. Logan did not deliver in terms of sales figures and profitability and that is obvious, but the learning curve has been steep and the results of it would be visible in Fluence and all our future products.”
The Fluence will be followed by premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) Koleos, a hatchback and two other cars Renault has planned to launch in India by end 2012. This time, the approach is simple – Renault will adopt a top-down strategy in launching products, provide the “Indian consumer a taste of its technological expertise”, and pay detailed attention to the overall ownership experience of the consumer.
Nassif elaborates: “There are two things which are requisite for success, the right product. And, we believe we have it. Secondly, we want to enhance the overall ownership experience of Renault cars – right from the moment we sell the cars, to hassle-free maintainence services and easy availability of spares. Each Renault dealership we set up will have one expert technician who has been trained for 43 days in France to help cater to customer needs better. Our performance will help us build brand awareness.”
Renault has 14 existing sales outlets and the company plans to reach out through 100 dealerships by end 2012. Sudhir Rao, deputy managing director, Renault India says: “This year we are not pushing volumes. We will lay foundations for the brand. By the end of next year when we have five cars on the road, segment-wise we would cover half of the market and geographically 90 per cent of the country.” The sales target for 2013 has been set at 100,000 units. By 2014 Renault is eyeing five per cent share in the Indian automobile industry.
Interestingly, Renault, which introduced the Fluence both in petrol and diesel fuel options last week (May 23), has priced the products such that the diesel variant is the entry-level car for the company. While Fluence (diesel) is priced at Rs 12.99 lakh, the petrol version is dearer at Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The petrol version has added features. Nearly 70 per cent of sales in the premium mid-size sedan segment come from diesel variants. At such aggressive pricing points, Renault is hopeful it would be able to bring in the numbers.
“We want to showcase our technology with the petrol model,” says Len Curran, vice-president (sales and marketing), Renault India. “Petrol is our flagship model but diesel is more value-oriented and will drive volumes for us.”
Nassif says: “India is one of the three key strategic markets for Renault’s international operations, besides Brazil and Russia. I see India climbing 20 spots to become the 11th largest country in sales contribution for Renault by 2016.”
Renault, along with its global alliance Nissan, will invest Rs 4,500 crore by 2015 at the Chennai facility. The unit will have a production capacity of 400,000 units per annum by mid next year. The French company is additionally considering setting up an engine plant at the facility.
A year after French auto major Renault terminated its joint venture with homegrown automobile manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), the company is back to prove its mettle in the world’s second fastest growing automobile market with its premium mid-size sedan Fluence
In its second coming – a solo foray this time – Renault has chalked out ambitious targets for itself. The company will roll out five models by the end of next year and plans to sell 100,000 units in the next three years. The feat, though not improbable, is a difficult one.
US-based automobile manufacturer General Motors, which recently toppled Toyota to become the largest selling car company globally, could achieve the numbers after 16 years.
The Logan, which Renault sold along with M&M for over five years, sold around 46,000 units. The fact that the car was preferred by cab operators in large numbers did not quite help the company’s cause in building a brand perception in India.
Marc Nassif, managing director of Renault India, recalls the Logan experience as a thing of the past. “We believe it is a fresh start for us and courtesy Logan, we are fully prepared and know this market a lot better. Logan did not deliver in terms of sales figures and profitability and that is obvious, but the learning curve has been steep and the results of it would be visible in Fluence and all our future products.”
The Fluence will be followed by premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) Koleos, a hatchback and two other cars Renault has planned to launch in India by end 2012. This time, the approach is simple – Renault will adopt a top-down strategy in launching products, provide the “Indian consumer a taste of its technological expertise”, and pay detailed attention to the overall ownership experience of the consumer.
Nassif elaborates: “There are two things which are requisite for success, the right product. And, we believe we have it. Secondly, we want to enhance the overall ownership experience of Renault cars – right from the moment we sell the cars, to hassle-free maintainence services and easy availability of spares. Each Renault dealership we set up will have one expert technician who has been trained for 43 days in France to help cater to customer needs better. Our performance will help us build brand awareness.”
Renault has 14 existing sales outlets and the company plans to reach out through 100 dealerships by end 2012. Sudhir Rao, deputy managing director, Renault India says: “This year we are not pushing volumes. We will lay foundations for the brand. By the end of next year when we have five cars on the road, segment-wise we would cover half of the market and geographically 90 per cent of the country.” The sales target for 2013 has been set at 100,000 units. By 2014 Renault is eyeing five per cent share in the Indian automobile industry.
Interestingly, Renault, which introduced the Fluence both in petrol and diesel fuel options last week (May 23), has priced the products such that the diesel variant is the entry-level car for the company. While Fluence (diesel) is priced at Rs 12.99 lakh, the petrol version is dearer at Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The petrol version has added features. Nearly 70 per cent of sales in the premium mid-size sedan segment come from diesel variants. At such aggressive pricing points, Renault is hopeful it would be able to bring in the numbers.
“We want to showcase our technology with the petrol model,” says Len Curran, vice-president (sales and marketing), Renault India. “Petrol is our flagship model but diesel is more value-oriented and will drive volumes for us.”
Nassif says: “India is one of the three key strategic markets for Renault’s international operations, besides Brazil and Russia. I see India climbing 20 spots to become the 11th largest country in sales contribution for Renault by 2016.”
Renault, along with its global alliance Nissan, will invest Rs 4,500 crore by 2015 at the Chennai facility. The unit will have a production capacity of 400,000 units per annum by mid next year. The French company is additionally considering setting up an engine plant at the facility.
India to miss partial solar eclipse
Sky gazers in India will miss the year’s second partial solar eclipse Wednesday as it will not be visible in the country.
The partial solar eclipse begins Wednesday at sunrise in Siberia and northern China where the shadow first touches earth at 10.55 p.m. (Indian time).
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially obscures the Sun as viewed from an Earth location.
‘This eclipse will not be visible in India as it is happening late night for us,’ said a statement issued by the Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE).
SPACE is a scientific organisation working to spread space education.
People in eastern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina will witness it in totality, it said.
2011 has bought six opportunities to witness eclipses (four solar and two lunar eclipses).
The partial solar eclipse begins Wednesday at sunrise in Siberia and northern China where the shadow first touches earth at 10.55 p.m. (Indian time).
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially obscures the Sun as viewed from an Earth location.
‘This eclipse will not be visible in India as it is happening late night for us,’ said a statement issued by the Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE).
SPACE is a scientific organisation working to spread space education.
People in eastern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina will witness it in totality, it said.
2011 has bought six opportunities to witness eclipses (four solar and two lunar eclipses).
LulzSec hacked PBS; is Sony next?
A group known as LulzSec, or The Lulz Boat, is taking credit for hacking into the PBS “News Hour” Web site and posting an article claiming that rappers Tupac and Biggie Smalls are alive. (They are not.)
According to the group’s very active Twitter, the hack was retribution for the “Wikisecrets” episode of Frontline. The group tweeted @WikiLeaks, “We hope our hacking gave Bradley Manning a smile. That man deserves something nice,” referring to the U.S. soldier who allegedly leaked restricted materials to the organization.
Whirlpool, a member of LulzSec, confirmed the hack’s motive to Forbes Tuesday over Instant Message chat, saying that the documentary “painted a negative picture on WikiLeaks.” The hacker said he originally planned to “write about Obama choking to death on a marshmallow, but ... figured Tupac would be funnier.”
Now, the group seems to have moved on to hacking Sony Web sites — again.
LulzSec said on Twitter they are currently rolling out the next phase of “Sownage” — that’s Sony plus the word ownage — taunting the company with tweets including, “Hey @Sony, you know we're making off with a bunch of your internal stuff right now and you haven't even noticed? Slow and steady, guys.” They already claimed responsibility for an earlier hack on Sony Music Japan.
The group is apparently not responsible for the massive breach on Sony.com and the PlayStation Network, which possibly left about 70 million users’ credit card information vulnerable. But it did take credit for leaking the e-mail usernames and passwords of Fox Broadcasting employees and the names, e-mails and phone numbers of contestants from the upcoming American version of “The X Factor.”
As blogger Zennie62 pointed out, it appears that AT&T may be the group’s next target. This prediction comes courtesy of a May 17 tweet: “AT&T aren’t going to enjoy what The Lulz Boat is cooking.” But it doesn’t seem the group will stop there: “We’re hard at work. Multiple targets, vast lulz possibilities.”
This year alone, several high profile companies have been hacked. When Wikileaks’s founder Julian Assange was arrested in December, Anonymous hacked the Web sites of MasterCard, Visa and Paypal. The group leaked e-mails from a Bank of America employee in March.
So are all the LulzSec’s hacks done for a specific purpose, like the one on PBS? It doesn’t seem so.Whirlpool told Forbes the group’s “main goal is to spread entertainment,” with the PBS hack done partly for “lulz.” On question-and-answer Web site, Formspring, the group said their “goal is to spread fun, fun, fun!"
According to the group’s very active Twitter, the hack was retribution for the “Wikisecrets” episode of Frontline. The group tweeted @WikiLeaks, “We hope our hacking gave Bradley Manning a smile. That man deserves something nice,” referring to the U.S. soldier who allegedly leaked restricted materials to the organization.
Whirlpool, a member of LulzSec, confirmed the hack’s motive to Forbes Tuesday over Instant Message chat, saying that the documentary “painted a negative picture on WikiLeaks.” The hacker said he originally planned to “write about Obama choking to death on a marshmallow, but ... figured Tupac would be funnier.”
Now, the group seems to have moved on to hacking Sony Web sites — again.
LulzSec said on Twitter they are currently rolling out the next phase of “Sownage” — that’s Sony plus the word ownage — taunting the company with tweets including, “Hey @Sony, you know we're making off with a bunch of your internal stuff right now and you haven't even noticed? Slow and steady, guys.” They already claimed responsibility for an earlier hack on Sony Music Japan.
The group is apparently not responsible for the massive breach on Sony.com and the PlayStation Network, which possibly left about 70 million users’ credit card information vulnerable. But it did take credit for leaking the e-mail usernames and passwords of Fox Broadcasting employees and the names, e-mails and phone numbers of contestants from the upcoming American version of “The X Factor.”
As blogger Zennie62 pointed out, it appears that AT&T may be the group’s next target. This prediction comes courtesy of a May 17 tweet: “AT&T aren’t going to enjoy what The Lulz Boat is cooking.” But it doesn’t seem the group will stop there: “We’re hard at work. Multiple targets, vast lulz possibilities.”
This year alone, several high profile companies have been hacked. When Wikileaks’s founder Julian Assange was arrested in December, Anonymous hacked the Web sites of MasterCard, Visa and Paypal. The group leaked e-mails from a Bank of America employee in March.
So are all the LulzSec’s hacks done for a specific purpose, like the one on PBS? It doesn’t seem so.Whirlpool told Forbes the group’s “main goal is to spread entertainment,” with the PBS hack done partly for “lulz.” On question-and-answer Web site, Formspring, the group said their “goal is to spread fun, fun, fun!"
Sony: PlayStation Store back this week
By the end of the week, Sony says it will flip the switch to bring the rest of its PlayStation Network services, including the PlayStation Store, back online.
The company posted a blog on PlayStation.com late Monday saying that all PSN functionality will return to customers in the Americas, Europe, and some Asian countries, with the exception of Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Music Unlimited by Qriocity will also be back online later this week. Details about service restoration in those countries was not immediately available.
Some services, including the ability to watch previously downloaded movies and play online, were brought back two weeks ago after being offline since April 20. Sony was forced to completely shut down its gaming and entertainment network after a massive security breach saw more than 100 million customers' personal data exposed.
"We have been conducting additional testing and further security verification of our commerce functions in order to bring the PlayStation Network completely back online so that our fans can again enjoy the first class entertainment experience they have come to love," said Sony Executive Deputy Vice President Kazuo Hirai, in a statement. "We appreciate the patience and support shown during this time."
Sony turning PlayStation Store functionality back on also means customers are closer to being able to finally take advantage of promises made to them weeks ago. As a way of apologizing for the security breach, Sony has offered free content to PSN users, but without a PlayStation Store, there is no way to get that content. This means that soon PlayStation 3 owners can choose from among five video games and pick two to download for free and PlayStation Portable owners can choose two free games from among four. And at a time Sony chooses, PSN users will get one weekend of "select" free movie rentals.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20067531-260.html#ixzz1NwxNatTb
The company posted a blog on PlayStation.com late Monday saying that all PSN functionality will return to customers in the Americas, Europe, and some Asian countries, with the exception of Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Music Unlimited by Qriocity will also be back online later this week. Details about service restoration in those countries was not immediately available.
Some services, including the ability to watch previously downloaded movies and play online, were brought back two weeks ago after being offline since April 20. Sony was forced to completely shut down its gaming and entertainment network after a massive security breach saw more than 100 million customers' personal data exposed.
"We have been conducting additional testing and further security verification of our commerce functions in order to bring the PlayStation Network completely back online so that our fans can again enjoy the first class entertainment experience they have come to love," said Sony Executive Deputy Vice President Kazuo Hirai, in a statement. "We appreciate the patience and support shown during this time."
Sony turning PlayStation Store functionality back on also means customers are closer to being able to finally take advantage of promises made to them weeks ago. As a way of apologizing for the security breach, Sony has offered free content to PSN users, but without a PlayStation Store, there is no way to get that content. This means that soon PlayStation 3 owners can choose from among five video games and pick two to download for free and PlayStation Portable owners can choose two free games from among four. And at a time Sony chooses, PSN users will get one weekend of "select" free movie rentals.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20067531-260.html#ixzz1NwxNatTb
SBI Bank PO Recruitment May 2011– Know How
Know-How on State Bank of India – SBI Bank PO recruitment for 1000 posts PO among upcoming bank PO jobs, here are the answers for some of your questions asked frequently and doubts regarding SBI PO jobs.
Who can apply for this SBI PO recruitment
Those within 21 to 30 years of age and have completed graduation / degree in any streem, as on 01.05.2011 are eligible to apply.
I have scored 50% in degree. Is it possible for me to apply
A pass in degree is enough and no specific percentage has been mentioned by the bank. So if you have cleared graduation you are eligible to apply.
Can final years / waiting for results can apply for these PO jobs
The educational qualification should be as on 1.05.2011.Hence it is necessary for candidates to have a degree at the time of applying and the final year students or those who are waiting for results are not eligible.
I have appeared for SBI exams previously. Am I eligible for this PO recruitment
State Bank of India has limited the number of chances for a candidate to apply for its recruitment. While General & OBC have 4 and 7 chances, there is no such restriction for SC/ST. For example, if a person (general) has appeared for previous held PO recruitments in SBI (from 18.04.2010) then he / she is not eligible to apply now.
What are the items to be attached with the online application
As per new guidelines, your recent passport photo & signature must be scanned and sent along with the online application. Instructions on scanning and uploading them in detail are given in the SBI Bank PO recruitment notice.
I have applied and now when will i receive the call letter
According to SBI`s notice, call letters would be sent to eligible candidates by the month of July 18, 2011 & those who do not receive them, must contact the exam centre along with proof of payment and application printout.
Who can apply for this SBI PO recruitment
Those within 21 to 30 years of age and have completed graduation / degree in any streem, as on 01.05.2011 are eligible to apply.
I have scored 50% in degree. Is it possible for me to apply
A pass in degree is enough and no specific percentage has been mentioned by the bank. So if you have cleared graduation you are eligible to apply.
Can final years / waiting for results can apply for these PO jobs
The educational qualification should be as on 1.05.2011.Hence it is necessary for candidates to have a degree at the time of applying and the final year students or those who are waiting for results are not eligible.
I have appeared for SBI exams previously. Am I eligible for this PO recruitment
State Bank of India has limited the number of chances for a candidate to apply for its recruitment. While General & OBC have 4 and 7 chances, there is no such restriction for SC/ST. For example, if a person (general) has appeared for previous held PO recruitments in SBI (from 18.04.2010) then he / she is not eligible to apply now.
What are the items to be attached with the online application
As per new guidelines, your recent passport photo & signature must be scanned and sent along with the online application. Instructions on scanning and uploading them in detail are given in the SBI Bank PO recruitment notice.
I have applied and now when will i receive the call letter
According to SBI`s notice, call letters would be sent to eligible candidates by the month of July 18, 2011 & those who do not receive them, must contact the exam centre along with proof of payment and application printout.
Monday, May 30, 2011
India's longest tunnel will be ready by 2012
The rail link between Kashmir valley and the rest of the country will be completed by December 2012 once India's longest tunnel at 11 km - connecting Qazigund with Banihal - is constructed within a year.
The tunnel, one of the world's largest and deepest, will pierce through the Pir Panjal range below snowline, which stands like a wall between the Valley and Jammu.
The engineering marvel, named T80, is strategically important for the country since the only road link via the Jawahar Tunnel, which connects both the regions in the border state, is often blocked due to heavy snowfall.
"The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between the two regions," said Chahatey Ram , chief administrative officer of Northern Railway. "We are hopeful that Banihal-Qazigund rail link will be commissioned by December 2012," he added.
Hitesh Khanna, director (works) of IRCON, which is executing the project, said of the 11-km stretch, work has been completed in 10.40km. The distance between Banihal and Qazigund will be reduced to only 16km once the tunnel becomes operational, said R V Anand of IRCON.
Railways is also building an eight-feet wide service road along the T80 for any exigency.
The Banihal-Qazigund project is part of the Katra-Qazigund (129 km) venture, passing through hostile terrain of young Himalayas that are routinely posing geological surprises to the engineers. The inhospitable terrain has forced IRCON to construct 67.5km of access road to reach the project site, which has also helped in providing connectivity to around 35 villages.
Railways is using state-of-the-art Austrian tunnelling method to construct T80 that involves integration of surrounding soil formations into a ring-like support structure.
In 2002, then NDA government had announced a 345-km Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla railway line, the biggest mountain rail project since the Independence.
The 53-km Jammu-Udhampur section was opened to the public in 2005, and the 119-km Qazigund-Baramulla route has been operational since 2009.
At present, the 6.5km Karbude tunnel of the Konkan Railway is the longest tunnel in India.
The tunnel, one of the world's largest and deepest, will pierce through the Pir Panjal range below snowline, which stands like a wall between the Valley and Jammu.
The engineering marvel, named T80, is strategically important for the country since the only road link via the Jawahar Tunnel, which connects both the regions in the border state, is often blocked due to heavy snowfall.
"The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between the two regions," said Chahatey Ram , chief administrative officer of Northern Railway. "We are hopeful that Banihal-Qazigund rail link will be commissioned by December 2012," he added.
Hitesh Khanna, director (works) of IRCON, which is executing the project, said of the 11-km stretch, work has been completed in 10.40km. The distance between Banihal and Qazigund will be reduced to only 16km once the tunnel becomes operational, said R V Anand of IRCON.
Railways is also building an eight-feet wide service road along the T80 for any exigency.
The Banihal-Qazigund project is part of the Katra-Qazigund (129 km) venture, passing through hostile terrain of young Himalayas that are routinely posing geological surprises to the engineers. The inhospitable terrain has forced IRCON to construct 67.5km of access road to reach the project site, which has also helped in providing connectivity to around 35 villages.
Railways is using state-of-the-art Austrian tunnelling method to construct T80 that involves integration of surrounding soil formations into a ring-like support structure.
In 2002, then NDA government had announced a 345-km Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla railway line, the biggest mountain rail project since the Independence.
The 53-km Jammu-Udhampur section was opened to the public in 2005, and the 119-km Qazigund-Baramulla route has been operational since 2009.
At present, the 6.5km Karbude tunnel of the Konkan Railway is the longest tunnel in India.
Infosys to pay KV Kamath special fee of Rs 67 lakh
KV Kamath, the man who built India's second-largest bank, ICICI Bank, and who is now set to take over as non-executive chairman of India's second-largest IT exporter, Infosys, will be compensated with an additional fee of around Rs 67 lakh for his new responsibilities.
Mr Kamath, 63, is replacing NR Narayana Murthy , the visionary founder of Infosys, as he retires in August in one of the major transitions the software exporter has undergone in its 30-yearold history. The fee is more than twice of what he got as non-executive chairman and board member of ICICI Bank in 2010-11.
Mr Kamath received a total of Rs 30.6 lakh, including a sitting fee ofRs 10.6 lakh, in ICICI, where in addition to being on the board, he is also on a number of committees such as the customer service and fraud.
In Infosys, Mr Kamath earned Rs 56 lakh in commission as a director in 2010-11. The 'special fee' of $150,000, or Rs 67 lakh, for the non-executive chairman has been recommended by the compensation committee of Infosys, in addition to his board fees. "The nominations committee on April 30, 2011, recommended the appointment of KV Kamath as the non-executive chairman of the board of directors with effect from August 21, 2011.
In this connection, the (compensation) committee has discussed and recommended to the board that, while serving in this role, KV Kamath as the non-executive chairman of the board be entitled to a special fee of $150,000 (over and above the regular board fee) per year for chairmanship of the board," the company disclosed in its annual report. Mr Kamath, who also chairs the compensation committee, excused himself from these discussions.
He stands to get close to Rs 1.2 crore as fees for his duties as a director on the board and as the non-executive chairman of Infosys. An expert with a global firm, advising on board restructuring and compensation, said the fee being paid was in line with the current practice of paying professionals on the board a fee for utilising their special knowledge and experience beyond their role as board members.
"Organisations are no longer appointing people to the board without due thought. They are looking for people who can spend time with the company, share values, but not run the company," he said.
Mr Kamath, 63, is replacing NR Narayana Murthy , the visionary founder of Infosys, as he retires in August in one of the major transitions the software exporter has undergone in its 30-yearold history. The fee is more than twice of what he got as non-executive chairman and board member of ICICI Bank in 2010-11.
Mr Kamath received a total of Rs 30.6 lakh, including a sitting fee ofRs 10.6 lakh, in ICICI, where in addition to being on the board, he is also on a number of committees such as the customer service and fraud.
In Infosys, Mr Kamath earned Rs 56 lakh in commission as a director in 2010-11. The 'special fee' of $150,000, or Rs 67 lakh, for the non-executive chairman has been recommended by the compensation committee of Infosys, in addition to his board fees. "The nominations committee on April 30, 2011, recommended the appointment of KV Kamath as the non-executive chairman of the board of directors with effect from August 21, 2011.
In this connection, the (compensation) committee has discussed and recommended to the board that, while serving in this role, KV Kamath as the non-executive chairman of the board be entitled to a special fee of $150,000 (over and above the regular board fee) per year for chairmanship of the board," the company disclosed in its annual report. Mr Kamath, who also chairs the compensation committee, excused himself from these discussions.
He stands to get close to Rs 1.2 crore as fees for his duties as a director on the board and as the non-executive chairman of Infosys. An expert with a global firm, advising on board restructuring and compensation, said the fee being paid was in line with the current practice of paying professionals on the board a fee for utilising their special knowledge and experience beyond their role as board members.
"Organisations are no longer appointing people to the board without due thought. They are looking for people who can spend time with the company, share values, but not run the company," he said.
Infosys to set up separate company to create IT products
For many who see Infosys as conservative, this may come as a surprise. The company's new management under K V Kamath and S D Shibulal is planning to set up a separate company focused on IT products, platforms and intellectual property-driven solutions.
The $6-billion company has so far built its global reputation on providing IT services to international firms. The move to establish this new company represents a focused shift to a higher value business. Products are riskier to do, given that they can fail even after substantial investments . But the payoffs from successful products can be huge, as the likes of Microsoft , IBM and SAP have shown.
"We are discussing several options to set up this new company to house innovations ," Subhash Dhar, the head of business innovation at Infosys told TOI. One of these is to make an acquisition of an existing company that is involved in areas where Infosys is looking to innovate . These areas include fast growing practices such as cloud computing, mobility and sustainability.
The other option is to create a new company. Employees at Infosys who are already involved on the innovation side, which includes products and platforms, would move to this new firm.
Dhar said the new company would provide a start-up kind of environment. Product-driven companies require a culture and DNA that nurtures out-of-the-box thinking, the way start-ups do. This culture is very different from what prevails in large firms, which tend to get tied down by processes and bureaucratic procedures, and in IT servicefocused firms, which does not involve much risk-taking .
Siddharth Pai, MD of global sourcing advisory services firm TPI India , said Indian service providers had shown with core banking solutions that they can compete with the best product companies in the world (Infosys has a successful banking product called Finacle, and TCS has a successful one called Bancs). He said it is a natural progression for IT services companies to move to products. "The lines are blurring between product and services players. To remain competitive , it is essential to become a full services provider. It can help win long-term and stickier deals." Pai echoed Dhar's view that the two businesses are fundamentally different, and therefore a separate entity for products and platforms makes sense. Nasscom president Som Mittal said that clients are now demanding high-end solutions such as platforms and products from Indian IT service providers to drive greater value and efficiencies.
The Indian IT sector , he said, had moved up the value chain from providing basic application support to become domain experts. Mittal said that from the IT companies' perspective, such initiatives are also driven by the need for them to become more non-linear (do more with fewer employees) and become end-to-end service providers.
Dhar said that traditional IT services are getting commoditized , with pricing and margin pressures. "In order to bring in non-linearity and differentiation in a competitive environment, innovative products and platforms become vital."
The firm has begun the process of setting up a separate unit. Seven new positions at VP and AVP levels have just been created for products and platforms, four of which will be for innovations coming out of the banking & finance, manufacturing , retail, and energy and utilities segments. The other three will build product engineering , product management and commercialization teams for new innovations.
"We have not fully utilized several of our products and IP-led platform solutions. The plan is to monetize some of these opportunities as well as build future products and solutions under this new unit," said Dhar. This includes existing products like mobile application platform Flypp and healthcare product I Transform , as well as solutions built for areas like supply chain visibility. The banking product Finacle however will not be part of this unit since it is already well established.
The products and platforms effort is part of the 'Infosys 3.0' strategy under which it intends to transform from a technology solutions company to a business solutions firm. It recently structured the company under three service lines. The first is transformation , which includes 'Change-the-business' initiatives like package implementation and consulting. The second is business operations, which includes 'run-the-business ' initiatives like application development & maintenance, testing and BPO. And the third is innovation, including products and platforms.
The $6-billion company has so far built its global reputation on providing IT services to international firms. The move to establish this new company represents a focused shift to a higher value business. Products are riskier to do, given that they can fail even after substantial investments . But the payoffs from successful products can be huge, as the likes of Microsoft , IBM and SAP have shown.
"We are discussing several options to set up this new company to house innovations ," Subhash Dhar, the head of business innovation at Infosys told TOI. One of these is to make an acquisition of an existing company that is involved in areas where Infosys is looking to innovate . These areas include fast growing practices such as cloud computing, mobility and sustainability.
The other option is to create a new company. Employees at Infosys who are already involved on the innovation side, which includes products and platforms, would move to this new firm.
Dhar said the new company would provide a start-up kind of environment. Product-driven companies require a culture and DNA that nurtures out-of-the-box thinking, the way start-ups do. This culture is very different from what prevails in large firms, which tend to get tied down by processes and bureaucratic procedures, and in IT servicefocused firms, which does not involve much risk-taking .
Siddharth Pai, MD of global sourcing advisory services firm TPI India , said Indian service providers had shown with core banking solutions that they can compete with the best product companies in the world (Infosys has a successful banking product called Finacle, and TCS has a successful one called Bancs). He said it is a natural progression for IT services companies to move to products. "The lines are blurring between product and services players. To remain competitive , it is essential to become a full services provider. It can help win long-term and stickier deals." Pai echoed Dhar's view that the two businesses are fundamentally different, and therefore a separate entity for products and platforms makes sense. Nasscom president Som Mittal said that clients are now demanding high-end solutions such as platforms and products from Indian IT service providers to drive greater value and efficiencies.
The Indian IT sector , he said, had moved up the value chain from providing basic application support to become domain experts. Mittal said that from the IT companies' perspective, such initiatives are also driven by the need for them to become more non-linear (do more with fewer employees) and become end-to-end service providers.
Dhar said that traditional IT services are getting commoditized , with pricing and margin pressures. "In order to bring in non-linearity and differentiation in a competitive environment, innovative products and platforms become vital."
The firm has begun the process of setting up a separate unit. Seven new positions at VP and AVP levels have just been created for products and platforms, four of which will be for innovations coming out of the banking & finance, manufacturing , retail, and energy and utilities segments. The other three will build product engineering , product management and commercialization teams for new innovations.
"We have not fully utilized several of our products and IP-led platform solutions. The plan is to monetize some of these opportunities as well as build future products and solutions under this new unit," said Dhar. This includes existing products like mobile application platform Flypp and healthcare product I Transform , as well as solutions built for areas like supply chain visibility. The banking product Finacle however will not be part of this unit since it is already well established.
The products and platforms effort is part of the 'Infosys 3.0' strategy under which it intends to transform from a technology solutions company to a business solutions firm. It recently structured the company under three service lines. The first is transformation , which includes 'Change-the-business' initiatives like package implementation and consulting. The second is business operations, which includes 'run-the-business ' initiatives like application development & maintenance, testing and BPO. And the third is innovation, including products and platforms.
Delhi University launches Facebook page for students
With its helplines and open-days flooded with pre-admission queries, Delhi University today launched its Facebook page for students, giving them another avenue to sort out their questions, raise their grievances and offer suggestions.
At the first Open Day at the South campus, officials of the University were bombarded by a series of questions by curious students and concerned parents as they sought to clear their doubts about the new admission norms and other details and nuances of several courses.
Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh said at the institution's social networking profile, a link to which is available on the University's website, he will himself try to answer several of the queries posted by students.
Speaking to aspirants, the Vice Chancellor also advised them to opt for the subjects they actually have aptitude for rather than running after market trends.
"We are today launching our Facebook page, a dedicated email id is also in place. I'll do my best to personally answer several queries," he said.
The University officials said they are also making available the option of e-open days whereby presentations will be posted on the University website.
"We are also launching e-open days and e-brochures. This will help local students as they will not have to move around the city in the heat and also outstation students who can avail of the information benefits from their own cities," said Dean Students' Welfare J M Khurana.
At the first Open Day at the South campus, officials of the University were bombarded by a series of questions by curious students and concerned parents as they sought to clear their doubts about the new admission norms and other details and nuances of several courses.
Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh said at the institution's social networking profile, a link to which is available on the University's website, he will himself try to answer several of the queries posted by students.
Speaking to aspirants, the Vice Chancellor also advised them to opt for the subjects they actually have aptitude for rather than running after market trends.
"We are today launching our Facebook page, a dedicated email id is also in place. I'll do my best to personally answer several queries," he said.
The University officials said they are also making available the option of e-open days whereby presentations will be posted on the University website.
"We are also launching e-open days and e-brochures. This will help local students as they will not have to move around the city in the heat and also outstation students who can avail of the information benefits from their own cities," said Dean Students' Welfare J M Khurana.
Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 9 versions in 11 Indian languages
Microsoft released the latest version of Internet Explorer 9 in 11 Indian languages including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malyalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. Microsoft may well be a late entrant in this space behind Google Chrome and homegrown browser Epic that is built specially for the Indian market.
This is not the first time Microsoft is engaging with the Indian market. The company has a few India-specific tools like Indic language input tool, phonetic keyboard that has language support, and features such as email, instant messenger are also available in local languages.
Experts feel that this could increase Microsoft's prominence in the browser market but will do only that. "If Microsoft is looking at reaching the rural market and drive technology adoption, it is a good strategy but it will not lead to PC adoption. People are not going to buy a computer only based on local language offering. That won't happen," said Vishal Tripathi, principal research analyst, Gartner.
This is not the first time Microsoft is engaging with the Indian market. The company has a few India-specific tools like Indic language input tool, phonetic keyboard that has language support, and features such as email, instant messenger are also available in local languages.
Experts feel that this could increase Microsoft's prominence in the browser market but will do only that. "If Microsoft is looking at reaching the rural market and drive technology adoption, it is a good strategy but it will not lead to PC adoption. People are not going to buy a computer only based on local language offering. That won't happen," said Vishal Tripathi, principal research analyst, Gartner.
Google, Microsoft to test Apple's tablet dominance
Google and Microsoft's attempts to loosen Apple's grip on the booming tablet-computer market will be put to the test this week as PC makers unveil new models at the Computex trade show in Taipei. Investors and analysts will be looking to see if Google's Android operating system can match the popularity of the iPad, while Microsoft may preview its next Windows platform for tablets a year after Apple's first offering hit store shelves.
"Investors want to know which tablet is better, which has the best price-performance , and when the non iPad camp is going to get going ," said Angela Hsiang, an analyst at KGI Securities in Taipei. "Previously, people couldn't actually see the products .
At Computex, we'll be able to touch and use them." Acer and Asustek Computer, which upended the computer market when they showed low-cost netbooks at Computex in 2007 and 2008, will demonstrate new tablets featuring Google's Android this week. The operator of the world's most popular search engine and Microsoft will both send executives to the event to meet with reporters and update companies on their plans.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, and ARM Holdings , whose chip designs are used by Qualcomm and Nvidia to run tablets, will also try to convince manufacturers that their products are the best as the desktop and notebook markets slow. Global shipments of tablets will climb to 215 million units in 2015 from 17 million last year, Toni Sacconaghi, a New York-based analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, wrote in a May 26 report.
Fifteen percent of all tablets will cannibalize the sale of consumer PCs, reducing computer-sales growth by 2% annually between 2010 and 2015, Sacconaghi wrote. Competition from new entrants will cut Apple's share of the tablet market to 50% next year, iSuppli said on April 21, from almost 100% when the Cupertino, California-based company began selling the iPad in June.
"Investors want to know which tablet is better, which has the best price-performance , and when the non iPad camp is going to get going ," said Angela Hsiang, an analyst at KGI Securities in Taipei. "Previously, people couldn't actually see the products .
At Computex, we'll be able to touch and use them." Acer and Asustek Computer, which upended the computer market when they showed low-cost netbooks at Computex in 2007 and 2008, will demonstrate new tablets featuring Google's Android this week. The operator of the world's most popular search engine and Microsoft will both send executives to the event to meet with reporters and update companies on their plans.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, and ARM Holdings , whose chip designs are used by Qualcomm and Nvidia to run tablets, will also try to convince manufacturers that their products are the best as the desktop and notebook markets slow. Global shipments of tablets will climb to 215 million units in 2015 from 17 million last year, Toni Sacconaghi, a New York-based analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, wrote in a May 26 report.
Fifteen percent of all tablets will cannibalize the sale of consumer PCs, reducing computer-sales growth by 2% annually between 2010 and 2015, Sacconaghi wrote. Competition from new entrants will cut Apple's share of the tablet market to 50% next year, iSuppli said on April 21, from almost 100% when the Cupertino, California-based company began selling the iPad in June.
Apple may unveil ‘digital lockers’ for tunes
Compared with buying e-books, building a digital music collection is a hassle. E-books zip directly to reading devices like the Kindle and Nook and are backed up “in the cloud” — on the servers of Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. A digital song, on the other hand, is typically downloaded to a PC and must then be manually transferred to an iPod or mobile phone. If you lose your Kindle, you can always download an e-book again; if the PC crashes or the iPod falls into the bathtub, the song goes down with it.
Moving music to the cloud has been an elusive goal for big tech companies and their music industry counterparts, until now.
In the past two months, Amazon and Google have unveiled cloud music services, albeit to mixed reviews and indifference from consumers. These new services let users upload their music collections into so-called digital lockers on the Internet and stream the songs they own to a variety of devices. Both are limited, because neither Google nor Amazon could reach an accommodation with music labels. Label executives say they are negotiating aggressively to make sure they profit from the shift to the cloud. It may be the last opportunity to stem rampant piracy and years of plummeting sales.
Apple, the reigning heavyweight of the music business, may have solved this cloud conundrum. It has reached agreements with three of the four major music labels and is close to reaching terms with the fourth, Universal Music, according to people with knowledge of these deals.
The company could preview its cloud plans as early as June at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. The music industry will be watching to see whether Steve Jobs & Co. have discovered a way to quell the deep anxieties of the music biz while creating a flexible, easy-to-use service that isn’t too expensive.
“With a big enough checkbook, anyone can get a deal with the record labels,” says Michael Robertson, founder of an unlicensed cloud music locker called Mp3tunes, which is embroiled in a lawsuit with EMI. “The question is whether Apple’s cloud music service will be consumer-friendly.”
Apple declined to comment.
Apple’s music service, which Engadget and other tech blogs are already calling iCloud, might well represent the future of recorded music. Armed with licenses from the music labels and publishers, Apple will be able to scan customers’ digital music libraries in iTunes and quickly mirror their collections on its own servers, say three people briefed on the talks. Users of the service will then be able to stream their songs and albums directly to PCs, iPhones, iPads, and perhaps one day even cars. And the music industry gets a chance at the next best thing after selling CDs: monthly subscription fees.
“We will come to a point in the not-so-distant future when we’ll look back on the 99-cent download as anachronistic as cassette tapes or 8-tracks,” says Ross Crupnick, a music analyst at NPD Group.
While it may be a huge shift, it won’t be free. Apple no doubt has paid dearly for any cloud music licenses, and it’s unclear how much of those costs it will eat or pass on to consumers.
Moving music to the cloud has been an elusive goal for big tech companies and their music industry counterparts, until now.
In the past two months, Amazon and Google have unveiled cloud music services, albeit to mixed reviews and indifference from consumers. These new services let users upload their music collections into so-called digital lockers on the Internet and stream the songs they own to a variety of devices. Both are limited, because neither Google nor Amazon could reach an accommodation with music labels. Label executives say they are negotiating aggressively to make sure they profit from the shift to the cloud. It may be the last opportunity to stem rampant piracy and years of plummeting sales.
Apple, the reigning heavyweight of the music business, may have solved this cloud conundrum. It has reached agreements with three of the four major music labels and is close to reaching terms with the fourth, Universal Music, according to people with knowledge of these deals.
The company could preview its cloud plans as early as June at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. The music industry will be watching to see whether Steve Jobs & Co. have discovered a way to quell the deep anxieties of the music biz while creating a flexible, easy-to-use service that isn’t too expensive.
“With a big enough checkbook, anyone can get a deal with the record labels,” says Michael Robertson, founder of an unlicensed cloud music locker called Mp3tunes, which is embroiled in a lawsuit with EMI. “The question is whether Apple’s cloud music service will be consumer-friendly.”
Apple declined to comment.
Apple’s music service, which Engadget and other tech blogs are already calling iCloud, might well represent the future of recorded music. Armed with licenses from the music labels and publishers, Apple will be able to scan customers’ digital music libraries in iTunes and quickly mirror their collections on its own servers, say three people briefed on the talks. Users of the service will then be able to stream their songs and albums directly to PCs, iPhones, iPads, and perhaps one day even cars. And the music industry gets a chance at the next best thing after selling CDs: monthly subscription fees.
“We will come to a point in the not-so-distant future when we’ll look back on the 99-cent download as anachronistic as cassette tapes or 8-tracks,” says Ross Crupnick, a music analyst at NPD Group.
While it may be a huge shift, it won’t be free. Apple no doubt has paid dearly for any cloud music licenses, and it’s unclear how much of those costs it will eat or pass on to consumers.
2G scam: Vinod Rai appears before JPC today
The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Vinod Rai, today appeared before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the 2G spectrum scam to explain how the Government auditor quantified the losses in the spectrum allocation at Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
Mr Rai was asked to brief the Committee, chaired by the Congress leader, Mr P.C. Chacko, on the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum during 1998 to 2009.
The CAG, in a report to Parliament last year, had pegged the presumptive loss to the exchequer on 2G spectrum allocation at Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
The findings triggered a political storm and subsequent events led to the resignation of the then Telecom Minister, Mr A. Raja.
The Telecom Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, had dubbed “utterly erroneous and without any basis” the estimated loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore, arrived at by the CAG on account of 2G spectrum allocation.
According to the CBI charge-sheet in the 2G spectrum allocation case, the loss to the exchequer is pegged at Rs 30,984 crore.
Earlier this year, Mr Rai had made a similar presentation before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on how he arrived at the figure.
PAC examines the CAG reports and tables its findings to Parliament.
Mr Rai was asked to brief the Committee, chaired by the Congress leader, Mr P.C. Chacko, on the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum during 1998 to 2009.
The CAG, in a report to Parliament last year, had pegged the presumptive loss to the exchequer on 2G spectrum allocation at Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
The findings triggered a political storm and subsequent events led to the resignation of the then Telecom Minister, Mr A. Raja.
The Telecom Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, had dubbed “utterly erroneous and without any basis” the estimated loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore, arrived at by the CAG on account of 2G spectrum allocation.
According to the CBI charge-sheet in the 2G spectrum allocation case, the loss to the exchequer is pegged at Rs 30,984 crore.
Earlier this year, Mr Rai had made a similar presentation before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on how he arrived at the figure.
PAC examines the CAG reports and tables its findings to Parliament.
Samsung Galaxy S II I9101 spotted in the wild, could be the NFC 1
Another version of the Samsung's Galaxy S II has leaked, this time in a bunch of blurry photos. It goes under I9101 model name and looks just like the I9100 Galaxy S II. It could be the NFC version that's supposed to ship in June to UK and other select markets to support the introduction of NFC services.
For all we know, in addition to the original I9100 Galaxy S II smartphone, Samsung is preparing two more rumored versions to expand its market expansion. The first one is the I9103, which should be based on the Tegra2 chipset, while the other one is the NFC-capable Galaxy S II.
Since we know nothing about the I9101, we suppose it should be the NFC-enabled Galaxy S II. The forum user who posted the pictures claims the device is stuck on the boot screen, so there is no information on its specs.
Anyway, at least we know there is another Galaxy S II on the way and we guess it should be announced soon.
For all we know, in addition to the original I9100 Galaxy S II smartphone, Samsung is preparing two more rumored versions to expand its market expansion. The first one is the I9103, which should be based on the Tegra2 chipset, while the other one is the NFC-capable Galaxy S II.
Since we know nothing about the I9101, we suppose it should be the NFC-enabled Galaxy S II. The forum user who posted the pictures claims the device is stuck on the boot screen, so there is no information on its specs.
Anyway, at least we know there is another Galaxy S II on the way and we guess it should be announced soon.
Samsung Galaxy S II, fastest selling smartphone in Korea
The Samsung Galaxy S II has already been blazing a trail in its homeland of South Korea, but its just passed another impressive landmark. It had already surpassed all previous pre-orders for Samsung in Korea and had doubled that of the iPhone 4.
Now, in its first month alone its sold over 1 million units which makes it the fastest selling smartphone ever in Korea. It's predecessor the Galaxy S took a full 70 days to hit that magic number and the S II promised great things early on when it passed 100,000 units by day three, doubled that by day eight and hit half a million in two weeks.
Part of the S II's one-upmanship over iPhone 4 came about as the Galaxy S II didn't suffer carrier support problems. KT were originally the only carrier for the iPhone until this month when SK picked it up as well. Despite this, it's still a great success for Samsung and one they no doubt hope to reproduce elsewhere with their S II family in the US and the S II's availability across Europe.
Now, in its first month alone its sold over 1 million units which makes it the fastest selling smartphone ever in Korea. It's predecessor the Galaxy S took a full 70 days to hit that magic number and the S II promised great things early on when it passed 100,000 units by day three, doubled that by day eight and hit half a million in two weeks.
Part of the S II's one-upmanship over iPhone 4 came about as the Galaxy S II didn't suffer carrier support problems. KT were originally the only carrier for the iPhone until this month when SK picked it up as well. Despite this, it's still a great success for Samsung and one they no doubt hope to reproduce elsewhere with their S II family in the US and the S II's availability across Europe.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 gets an update, not the one you expected
Sony Ericsson has just released another update for its Xperia X10 former flagship. It’s not the Gingerbread release everyone was hoping for, but it seems to be a pretty major one nonetheless. There are plenty of changes brought and all early adopters claim to notice a substantial improvement in performance.
The update is version number is 2.1.B.0.1 and it seems to boost screen responsiveness and general performance with the effects being most prominent in Timescape. There’s also a new baseband in the package, which reportedly benefits signal strength and in-call sound quality. Switching between 2G and 3G networks is now said to be faster and initiating a call takes shorter time.
Some have noticed a change in battery life for the better (but then others claim that it’s worse) and there’s now voice search integration just about anywhere where you can need it – search bar, browser etc.
A pretty major change is the system-wide availability of multi-touch. The X10 got official multi-touch support with its previous update, but that only worked in some of the apps.
On the visual side of things Sony Ericsson introduced minor tweaks to the notification area, dialer pad and status bar. New animations have also appeared around the interface and they seem to be smoother than before.
Hackers will be pleased to know that the rooting solution from previous ROMs is compatible with this new one, so you won’t be losing control over your system by updating.
So what are you waiting for – go check out if the update has become officially available to your area. If it hasn’t you can always follow the source link to the XDA-developers forum, where you can find instructions on how to flash it manually. Mind you, you should only do this if you really know what you are doing.
Some have noticed a change in battery life for the better (but then others claim that it’s worse) and there’s now voice search integration just about anywhere where you can need it – search bar, browser etc.
A pretty major change is the system-wide availability of multi-touch. The X10 got official multi-touch support with its previous update, but that only worked in some of the apps.
On the visual side of things Sony Ericsson introduced minor tweaks to the notification area, dialer pad and status bar. New animations have also appeared around the interface and they seem to be smoother than before.
Hackers will be pleased to know that the rooting solution from previous ROMs is compatible with this new one, so you won’t be losing control over your system by updating.
So what are you waiting for – go check out if the update has become officially available to your area. If it hasn’t you can always follow the source link to the XDA-developers forum, where you can find instructions on how to flash it manually. Mind you, you should only do this if you really know what you are doing.
Dropbox Partners With Softbank, Sony Ericsson for Global Growth
Dropbox Inc., the Web storage provider with 25 million users, signed deals with mobile carrier Softbank Corp. (9984) and handset maker Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB to attract more customers in Asia and Europe.
The agreement means Dropbox’s file-sharing application will be preloaded on two phones running on Softbank’s network in Japan in early June, said Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, head of mobile business development at Dropbox, in an interview. Sony Ericsson is building the app into devices that will be sold in 10 countries in Europe and Asia.
The partnerships are the first for San Francisco-based Dropbox, a startup whose app has surged in popularity as consumers turn to smartphones to take pictures, create videos and listen to music. The app lets users store and access their content from any computer, phone or tablet with a Web connection.
“Whenever you do anything that can be stored, consumed or shared, we want to become part of that,” said Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, who joined the company in January. “We’re working with the guys who are moving the fastest.”
Terms of the partnerships aren’t being disclosed. Softbank and Sony Ericsson will be promoting the app in stores and commercials, while also training sales staff so they can demonstrate it to customers.
Dropbox’s app is currently available as a free download on Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone and iPad, devices running Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android operating system and on Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM)’s BlackBerry smartphones. The company expects to sign marketing and distribution deals later this year with U.S. carriers and manufacturers.
Freemium Pricing
Founded in 2007 by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi, Dropbox uses a tiered-pricing model, called freemium, giving away the basic app and charging users who want more space. The free version comes with 2 gigabytes of storage, enough for thousands of documents or hundreds of photos. Beyond that, Dropbox sells as much as 50 gigabytes and 100 gigabytes for $9.99 a month and $19.99 a month, respectively.
Dropbox said last month that more than 25 million people are using the service, a sixfold increase from January 2010. It competes with Box.net, an Internet-storage company that raised $48 million in February from investors including Andreessen Horowitz. Box.net, based in Palo Alto, California, has almost 6 million users.
With the Softbank partnership, Dropbox will come automatically loaded on two Android phones in Japan, one with a 3-D screen manufactured by Sharp Corp. Tokyo-based Softbank, Japan’s third-largest wireless carrier, will be promoting the devices in about 7,000 stores in Japan.
Softbank Price Break
In addition to the two free gigabytes that come with the app, Softbank is adding 50 percent more at no charge, the Tokyo- based company said in an e-mail.
Sony Ericsson, the London-based mobile-phone venture of Sony Corp. and Ericsson AB, is selling Android phones with the Dropbox app pre-installed in countries including the U.K., Denmark, Australia and Indonesia, starting today.
Chief Executive Officer Bert Nordberg said in March that the company is aiming to expand its global share of Android handsets to at least 25 percent from 14 percent at the beginning of this year.
Sony Ericsson has similar partnerships, where it promotes apps from Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc. and Foursquare Labs Inc., said Calum MacDougall, Sony Ericsson’s London-based head of Web service partnership.
‘Entertaining Smartphones’
“Dropbox is something that is an exciting and rapidly growing service,” MacDougall said in an interview. “To have the most entertaining smartphones, we need to find partner brands that consumers are using.”
Dropbox was initially funded by Y Combinator, the Mountain View, California-based startup incubator, and then raised $7.2 million from Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners. It now has about 55 employees.
Bryan Schreier, a partner at Sequoia and Dropbox board member, said he’s an avid user of the product in addition to being an investor. For his kids’ birthday parties, he sets up folders that enable everyone involved to take photos and shoot video from their phones and upload the files immediately.
“In real time we’re building a shared photo album that people can access on the Web anywhere,” Schreier said in an interview from his office in Menlo Park, California. “It’s an awesome experience.”
The agreement means Dropbox’s file-sharing application will be preloaded on two phones running on Softbank’s network in Japan in early June, said Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, head of mobile business development at Dropbox, in an interview. Sony Ericsson is building the app into devices that will be sold in 10 countries in Europe and Asia.
The partnerships are the first for San Francisco-based Dropbox, a startup whose app has surged in popularity as consumers turn to smartphones to take pictures, create videos and listen to music. The app lets users store and access their content from any computer, phone or tablet with a Web connection.
“Whenever you do anything that can be stored, consumed or shared, we want to become part of that,” said Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, who joined the company in January. “We’re working with the guys who are moving the fastest.”
Terms of the partnerships aren’t being disclosed. Softbank and Sony Ericsson will be promoting the app in stores and commercials, while also training sales staff so they can demonstrate it to customers.
Dropbox’s app is currently available as a free download on Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone and iPad, devices running Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android operating system and on Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM)’s BlackBerry smartphones. The company expects to sign marketing and distribution deals later this year with U.S. carriers and manufacturers.
Freemium Pricing
Founded in 2007 by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi, Dropbox uses a tiered-pricing model, called freemium, giving away the basic app and charging users who want more space. The free version comes with 2 gigabytes of storage, enough for thousands of documents or hundreds of photos. Beyond that, Dropbox sells as much as 50 gigabytes and 100 gigabytes for $9.99 a month and $19.99 a month, respectively.
Dropbox said last month that more than 25 million people are using the service, a sixfold increase from January 2010. It competes with Box.net, an Internet-storage company that raised $48 million in February from investors including Andreessen Horowitz. Box.net, based in Palo Alto, California, has almost 6 million users.
With the Softbank partnership, Dropbox will come automatically loaded on two Android phones in Japan, one with a 3-D screen manufactured by Sharp Corp. Tokyo-based Softbank, Japan’s third-largest wireless carrier, will be promoting the devices in about 7,000 stores in Japan.
Softbank Price Break
In addition to the two free gigabytes that come with the app, Softbank is adding 50 percent more at no charge, the Tokyo- based company said in an e-mail.
Sony Ericsson, the London-based mobile-phone venture of Sony Corp. and Ericsson AB, is selling Android phones with the Dropbox app pre-installed in countries including the U.K., Denmark, Australia and Indonesia, starting today.
Chief Executive Officer Bert Nordberg said in March that the company is aiming to expand its global share of Android handsets to at least 25 percent from 14 percent at the beginning of this year.
Sony Ericsson has similar partnerships, where it promotes apps from Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc. and Foursquare Labs Inc., said Calum MacDougall, Sony Ericsson’s London-based head of Web service partnership.
‘Entertaining Smartphones’
“Dropbox is something that is an exciting and rapidly growing service,” MacDougall said in an interview. “To have the most entertaining smartphones, we need to find partner brands that consumers are using.”
Dropbox was initially funded by Y Combinator, the Mountain View, California-based startup incubator, and then raised $7.2 million from Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners. It now has about 55 employees.
Bryan Schreier, a partner at Sequoia and Dropbox board member, said he’s an avid user of the product in addition to being an investor. For his kids’ birthday parties, he sets up folders that enable everyone involved to take photos and shoot video from their phones and upload the files immediately.
“In real time we’re building a shared photo album that people can access on the Web anywhere,” Schreier said in an interview from his office in Menlo Park, California. “It’s an awesome experience.”
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Google Wallet Security Has a Weakness
Google unveiled details of Google Wallet this week. Google Wallet is an ambitious mobile payment plan designed to let your Android smartphone be your wallet, but you should consider very carefully just how secure your credit card data will be in Google Wallet.
Don't get me wrong, Google understands the inherent security risks of storing credit card information, and it has gone to great lengths to ensure sensitive data is protected in every way possible. But, at the end of the security chain is an "authorized" Android app, and that is the Achilles heel of Google Wallet security.
The Wallet app could be the weak link in Google Wallet security.Consider the whole system, and the steps of the process. On the processing end, you really have nothing to worry about. The NFC technology used by Google is not any different than the wireless signals used in many credit and debit cards, or gas station swipe-to-pay systems now.
I can already tap properly-equipped payment terminals--like those at most McDonald's--to make payments with my Chase Bank debit card, so doing the same thing with my smartphone wouldn't be any less secure per se. On the back end, the processing and storage of my credit card information is still being protected by the PCI-DSS (payment card industry data security standards) rules that govern such things.
That credit card data is also stored on the Android smartphone. But, Android smartphones equipped for NFC mobile payments have a separate chip to store the sensitive credit card data. The credit card information is encrypted and the chip itself is tamper proof. Seems secure enough, even if a thief has physical possession of the smartphone.
Then comes the weak link--the Android app. Here too, Google has done its part and developed a system that relies on a PIN from the user to open the app or initiate a transaction using Google Wallet. That alone represents one weak point in the Google Wallet security. Have you seen the kinds of passwords people use because they can't be bothered to remember something more complex? How many Google Wallet PINs will end up being "1111", or "1234", or something equally trivial to guess?
But, even with a strong PIN in place, if there is one Android app that can access the encrypted credit card data and process payments, then it is possible for malicious developers to create other apps, or spoof the Google Wallet app somehow to access that sensitive data as well.
Jimmy Shah, mobile security researcher at McAfee Labs, points out in a blog post that the secure chip that stores the credit card information uses assymetric encryption for authentication--implying that the Google Wallet app contains the key necessary to authenticate and access the data, and that attackers can hack or reverse-engineer the Wallet app to extract that key.
Shah says, "The next step would be to create a malicious application that emulates the official Wallet app to fool the "secure element" chip into giving up your credentials. From here, the attacker can collect account information for sale or for attempts at cloning the data to new NFC cards."
On an iPhone this might be less of a concern because of the walled garden approach and the fact that iPhone apps have to get past the Apple gatekeepers first. But, with the "open" environment of Android, and all of the various unofficial Android app marketplaces out there, distributing a malicious app capable of cracking Google Wallet might not be too difficult.
I am not trying to suggest that Google Wallet is completely insecure, or scare you away from using it. I am still looking forward to the day when mobile payments using a smartphone becomes a mainstream method of doing business. But, I do think you need to be aware of the potential security holes in the system so you can exercise an appropriate level of caution when using Google Wallet.
Don't get me wrong, Google understands the inherent security risks of storing credit card information, and it has gone to great lengths to ensure sensitive data is protected in every way possible. But, at the end of the security chain is an "authorized" Android app, and that is the Achilles heel of Google Wallet security.
The Wallet app could be the weak link in Google Wallet security.Consider the whole system, and the steps of the process. On the processing end, you really have nothing to worry about. The NFC technology used by Google is not any different than the wireless signals used in many credit and debit cards, or gas station swipe-to-pay systems now.
I can already tap properly-equipped payment terminals--like those at most McDonald's--to make payments with my Chase Bank debit card, so doing the same thing with my smartphone wouldn't be any less secure per se. On the back end, the processing and storage of my credit card information is still being protected by the PCI-DSS (payment card industry data security standards) rules that govern such things.
That credit card data is also stored on the Android smartphone. But, Android smartphones equipped for NFC mobile payments have a separate chip to store the sensitive credit card data. The credit card information is encrypted and the chip itself is tamper proof. Seems secure enough, even if a thief has physical possession of the smartphone.
Then comes the weak link--the Android app. Here too, Google has done its part and developed a system that relies on a PIN from the user to open the app or initiate a transaction using Google Wallet. That alone represents one weak point in the Google Wallet security. Have you seen the kinds of passwords people use because they can't be bothered to remember something more complex? How many Google Wallet PINs will end up being "1111", or "1234", or something equally trivial to guess?
But, even with a strong PIN in place, if there is one Android app that can access the encrypted credit card data and process payments, then it is possible for malicious developers to create other apps, or spoof the Google Wallet app somehow to access that sensitive data as well.
Jimmy Shah, mobile security researcher at McAfee Labs, points out in a blog post that the secure chip that stores the credit card information uses assymetric encryption for authentication--implying that the Google Wallet app contains the key necessary to authenticate and access the data, and that attackers can hack or reverse-engineer the Wallet app to extract that key.
Shah says, "The next step would be to create a malicious application that emulates the official Wallet app to fool the "secure element" chip into giving up your credentials. From here, the attacker can collect account information for sale or for attempts at cloning the data to new NFC cards."
On an iPhone this might be less of a concern because of the walled garden approach and the fact that iPhone apps have to get past the Apple gatekeepers first. But, with the "open" environment of Android, and all of the various unofficial Android app marketplaces out there, distributing a malicious app capable of cracking Google Wallet might not be too difficult.
I am not trying to suggest that Google Wallet is completely insecure, or scare you away from using it. I am still looking forward to the day when mobile payments using a smartphone becomes a mainstream method of doing business. But, I do think you need to be aware of the potential security holes in the system so you can exercise an appropriate level of caution when using Google Wallet.
Google Pulls Yongzh's Emulator Apps Off Android Market
The no-man's land of software development. Video game console and handheld manufacturers don't like 'em but, legally, there's only so much they can do against them.
Well, be it the result of manufacturer complaints or other issues, Google has taken a heavy hand against one of the Android emulation scene's brightest stars. The company has suspended the Android developer account for Yongzh, otherwise known as Yong Zhang. He's the creator of the popular "-oid" series of android emulation apps, including Nesoid, Snesoid, N64oid, and Gameboid, to name a few.
According to Zhang, his developer account has been officially removed from Google's Android Market and all his apps have been deleted. This was allegedly Zhang's primary moneymaker. Though he's since moved his emulation apps over to the third-party market SlideME, he's listed them all as free downloads. Zhang says that the apps will stay free for a bit of time as prior purchasers migrate over to the new app store—presumably so that they can receive the latest updates for the emulators as Zhang releases them.
So what got Zhang the boot? Or, rather, who? Neither Zhang nor Google have commented on the primary source of the complaints against the developer's emulator apps. While most speculate that one of the Big Three are behind the purge–Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft–there's also speculation that Zhang allegedly violated the open source licenses for projects that parts of his programs were derived from.
Depending on the terms of the licensing, Zhang could have likely still charged money for his applications. He would have probably had to release the source code for anything he created, however–violating this principle would open Zhang's apps up for takedown requests.
If one of the manufactures went after Zhang, it's likely more an issue of trademark than of the legality of an emulator itself. Sony has previously lost lawsuits against emulator developers when the company attempted to argue that the software was itself illegal (based on various claims).
Following the company's two big losses after it went after PlayStation emulators Bleem! And Connectix Virtual Game Station, Sony has found more success in pursuing claims of trademark infringement against emulator developers instead of outright illegality. For example, the company was successfully able to pull the PlayStation emulator "PSX4Droid" off the Android Market, likely the result of the use of the company's trademarked "PSX" acronym within the app's title.
And don't forget: While emulators might be legal to download (in some cases), the corresponding ROM files—copies of a game's core data–are themselves illegal to download! Hey, we didn't say it wasn't confusing... as Zhang himself is likely learning right now.
Well, be it the result of manufacturer complaints or other issues, Google has taken a heavy hand against one of the Android emulation scene's brightest stars. The company has suspended the Android developer account for Yongzh, otherwise known as Yong Zhang. He's the creator of the popular "-oid" series of android emulation apps, including Nesoid, Snesoid, N64oid, and Gameboid, to name a few.
According to Zhang, his developer account has been officially removed from Google's Android Market and all his apps have been deleted. This was allegedly Zhang's primary moneymaker. Though he's since moved his emulation apps over to the third-party market SlideME, he's listed them all as free downloads. Zhang says that the apps will stay free for a bit of time as prior purchasers migrate over to the new app store—presumably so that they can receive the latest updates for the emulators as Zhang releases them.
So what got Zhang the boot? Or, rather, who? Neither Zhang nor Google have commented on the primary source of the complaints against the developer's emulator apps. While most speculate that one of the Big Three are behind the purge–Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft–there's also speculation that Zhang allegedly violated the open source licenses for projects that parts of his programs were derived from.
Depending on the terms of the licensing, Zhang could have likely still charged money for his applications. He would have probably had to release the source code for anything he created, however–violating this principle would open Zhang's apps up for takedown requests.
If one of the manufactures went after Zhang, it's likely more an issue of trademark than of the legality of an emulator itself. Sony has previously lost lawsuits against emulator developers when the company attempted to argue that the software was itself illegal (based on various claims).
Following the company's two big losses after it went after PlayStation emulators Bleem! And Connectix Virtual Game Station, Sony has found more success in pursuing claims of trademark infringement against emulator developers instead of outright illegality. For example, the company was successfully able to pull the PlayStation emulator "PSX4Droid" off the Android Market, likely the result of the use of the company's trademarked "PSX" acronym within the app's title.
And don't forget: While emulators might be legal to download (in some cases), the corresponding ROM files—copies of a game's core data–are themselves illegal to download! Hey, we didn't say it wasn't confusing... as Zhang himself is likely learning right now.
Rivals likely to reach for Google's "Wallet"
NEW YORK — With the announcement of "Google Wallet" the Internet giant became the first player to dash into a future where people use smartphones as credit cards, but rivals are expected to cut its lead short.
EBay quickly threw up a hurdle in the form of a lawsuit accusing Google of building the mobile payments platform with trade secrets swiped from the online auction titan's PayPal financial transactions unit.
Apple, Amazon.com, eBay and Facebook are each believed to be working on ways to let people use smartphones to pay for items or services but Google was the first to introduce such a system, in the form of "Google Wallet."
At this point, the move is largely symbolic. A test version of the system will go to live in coming months in just two US cities, New York and San Francisco.
Google Wallet will work with Android-powered phones like Google's Nexus S equipped with near-field-communication (NFC) chips, serviced by US telecom Sprint and only at merchants that have partnered with Google for the launch.
Google partners on the mobile payment platform include major chains such as Macy's, Subway sandwiches, and American Eagle Outfitters clothing shops.
For Justin Post, financial analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, being first into the market with Wallet positions the California Internet firm as an early leader in mobile payments.
"Google Wallet has big ambitions but also faces great obstacles, but (its operating system for mobile) Android and location-based search are key assets that could help launch the ecosystem," he said.
Within hours of the unveiling of Wallet on Thursday, eBay and PayPal filed a lawsuit charging that Google tapped into the online financial transaction service's know-how for the mobile payments project.
PayPal spent three years trying to work out a deal in which it would handle payments for Android smartphones, only to see Google scuttle the talks and hire PayPal lead negotiator Osama Bedier, according to court documents.
"Silicon Valley was built on the ability of individuals to use their knowledge and expertise to seek better employment opportunities, an idea recognized by both California law and public policy," a Google spokesman told AFP.
"We respect trade secrets, and will defend ourselves against these claims."
Bedier worked at the eBay-owned online financial services unit as a vice president of platform, mobile, and new ventures until being hired in January by Google.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster saw the lawsuit as "a sign that (PayPal and eBay) are nervous that they have big players coming after them."
Boston University professor of law Michael Meurer shared two possible theories based on the apparent merits of the freshly-filed lawsuit.
Bedier is either a bad guy who stole trade secrets or PayPal "is a bit desperate, sees that Google is going to enter their market in a big way and will try to do whatever it can to delay Google," Meurer theorized.
Even if the lawsuit fails, the litigation can disrupt Google's momentum as executives and engineers spend time testifying and PayPal perhaps tries to get the court to stall the service until matters are resolved.
No matter how the case plays out, Google can expect to see other Internet titans enter the mobile payments arena.
"It's nice to be first to market...but it's going to be a ramp-up and there are going to be different approaches to this," said PeekYou website founder Michael Hussey, who keeps watch on the Internet economy.
"Amazon is going to want something I'm sure...Apple definitely has got to do something," he continued.
Apple's beloved iPhones are already compatible with Square software for accepting credit card payments and rumors building ahead of an Apple developers conference in June include talk that the smartphones may get NFC chips.
Apple gadget fans already trust the California company with financial information and are in the habit of shopping at iTunes and the App Store.
Internet retail powerhouse Amazon is also, understandably, in a strong position to add a smartphone payments platform to its service.
Globally popular online social network Facebook has been improving smartphone features and weaving deals at local shops into its platform, making the ability to consummate transactions a natural next step.
EBay quickly threw up a hurdle in the form of a lawsuit accusing Google of building the mobile payments platform with trade secrets swiped from the online auction titan's PayPal financial transactions unit.
Apple, Amazon.com, eBay and Facebook are each believed to be working on ways to let people use smartphones to pay for items or services but Google was the first to introduce such a system, in the form of "Google Wallet."
At this point, the move is largely symbolic. A test version of the system will go to live in coming months in just two US cities, New York and San Francisco.
Google Wallet will work with Android-powered phones like Google's Nexus S equipped with near-field-communication (NFC) chips, serviced by US telecom Sprint and only at merchants that have partnered with Google for the launch.
Google partners on the mobile payment platform include major chains such as Macy's, Subway sandwiches, and American Eagle Outfitters clothing shops.
For Justin Post, financial analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, being first into the market with Wallet positions the California Internet firm as an early leader in mobile payments.
"Google Wallet has big ambitions but also faces great obstacles, but (its operating system for mobile) Android and location-based search are key assets that could help launch the ecosystem," he said.
Within hours of the unveiling of Wallet on Thursday, eBay and PayPal filed a lawsuit charging that Google tapped into the online financial transaction service's know-how for the mobile payments project.
PayPal spent three years trying to work out a deal in which it would handle payments for Android smartphones, only to see Google scuttle the talks and hire PayPal lead negotiator Osama Bedier, according to court documents.
"Silicon Valley was built on the ability of individuals to use their knowledge and expertise to seek better employment opportunities, an idea recognized by both California law and public policy," a Google spokesman told AFP.
"We respect trade secrets, and will defend ourselves against these claims."
Bedier worked at the eBay-owned online financial services unit as a vice president of platform, mobile, and new ventures until being hired in January by Google.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster saw the lawsuit as "a sign that (PayPal and eBay) are nervous that they have big players coming after them."
Boston University professor of law Michael Meurer shared two possible theories based on the apparent merits of the freshly-filed lawsuit.
Bedier is either a bad guy who stole trade secrets or PayPal "is a bit desperate, sees that Google is going to enter their market in a big way and will try to do whatever it can to delay Google," Meurer theorized.
Even if the lawsuit fails, the litigation can disrupt Google's momentum as executives and engineers spend time testifying and PayPal perhaps tries to get the court to stall the service until matters are resolved.
No matter how the case plays out, Google can expect to see other Internet titans enter the mobile payments arena.
"It's nice to be first to market...but it's going to be a ramp-up and there are going to be different approaches to this," said PeekYou website founder Michael Hussey, who keeps watch on the Internet economy.
"Amazon is going to want something I'm sure...Apple definitely has got to do something," he continued.
Apple's beloved iPhones are already compatible with Square software for accepting credit card payments and rumors building ahead of an Apple developers conference in June include talk that the smartphones may get NFC chips.
Apple gadget fans already trust the California company with financial information and are in the habit of shopping at iTunes and the App Store.
Internet retail powerhouse Amazon is also, understandably, in a strong position to add a smartphone payments platform to its service.
Globally popular online social network Facebook has been improving smartphone features and weaving deals at local shops into its platform, making the ability to consummate transactions a natural next step.
Intel to Map Plans for $200 Million, 10,000 Seniors Health Study
Intel Corp. will help fund work on a proposal for a $200 million study of technology used to provide in-home care for seniors, Eric Dishman, an Intel fellow and director of health innovation, said in an interview.
The study will examine use of technology by 10,000 seniors, Dishman said. Intel is looking for partners that can put up funding for the proposal and the study, and will complete a proposal outlining the study this year, he said.
As part of a five- to 10-year endeavor, researchers plan to use sensors, Web-connected computers and other devices to capture data about seniors’ daily activities, such as when they take medicine and how quickly they move about the house. The purpose is to prove that the technology can track cognitive and physical decline and to understand how technology can help providers better care for seniors in home settings, rather than hospitals and other facilities where care costs have skyrocketed in recent years. The market for so-called aging-in-place technology is expected to surge. Global revenues from home monitoring of patients with diseases like diabetes and cardiac arrhythmia should rise to $16.6 billion in 2015, from $11 billion last year, according to Swedish consultant Berg Insight.
“There are likely to be more older people who’ll need assistance living at home,” Andre Malm, senior analyst at Berg, said in an interview. “It’s a way to improve quality of living for patients who want to live at home. What’s needed is good, independent research” to prove that at-home technologies work. The number of Americans aged 65 or older will rise to 72.1 million by 2030, up from 39.6 million in 2009, according to Administration on Aging.
One goal is to prove that at-home technologies can be useful in early detection of diseases, and alerting caregivers to emergencies such as falls, Dishman said. “I am sure we’ll figure out ways to increase fall prevention and reduce depression,” he said. Computers might remind consumers with Alzheimer’s, for instance, what they discussed during a previous conversation. A door sensor may notify a caregiver that a senior hasn’t gone outside for four days.
“You can address a problem sooner, before it becomes clinical,” Paul Crawford, director of health product research for Intel Labs, said in an interview. “Intel is trying to bring independent living into the digital age. It’s in analog age now.” Crawford and Jeff Kaye, a professor at Oregon Health & Science University, are leading the work on the proposal. The study is expected to be administered by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.
The study may begin as early as 2012, if additional funds are secured, Dishman said. His SILvR (Senior Independent Living Research) Initiative study could cost $200 million over 10 years, and would eventually track some 10,000 households with seniors, he said. The exact cost of the study will be determined this year.
Potential backers of the proposal work include The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Science Foundation, Dishman said. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which provides funding for public health projects, is “intrigued by the idea,” Paul Tarini, senior program officer at the foundation, said in an interview. The organization has talked with Intel about the study and is now awaiting a funding proposal.
Intel makes chips and software used in at-home care. The company and GE Corp. formed a joint venture focused on telehealth and independent living technologies in August.
Intel has invested in senior healthcare technologies for 12 years, funding more than 100 university grants, Dishman said.
Once the proposal is completed by year-end, Intel will push U.S. and European Union authorities to fund the study, Dishman said. Intel has also talked with White House officials, including Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, and is pushing for the study to become a presidential election issue in 2012, he said.
“It’s too expensive even for Intel to single-handedly produce the clinical and financial evidence that these technologies detect diseases and lower costs,” Dishman said. “Even competitors need to come together and co-invest.”
The study will examine use of technology by 10,000 seniors, Dishman said. Intel is looking for partners that can put up funding for the proposal and the study, and will complete a proposal outlining the study this year, he said.
As part of a five- to 10-year endeavor, researchers plan to use sensors, Web-connected computers and other devices to capture data about seniors’ daily activities, such as when they take medicine and how quickly they move about the house. The purpose is to prove that the technology can track cognitive and physical decline and to understand how technology can help providers better care for seniors in home settings, rather than hospitals and other facilities where care costs have skyrocketed in recent years. The market for so-called aging-in-place technology is expected to surge. Global revenues from home monitoring of patients with diseases like diabetes and cardiac arrhythmia should rise to $16.6 billion in 2015, from $11 billion last year, according to Swedish consultant Berg Insight.
“There are likely to be more older people who’ll need assistance living at home,” Andre Malm, senior analyst at Berg, said in an interview. “It’s a way to improve quality of living for patients who want to live at home. What’s needed is good, independent research” to prove that at-home technologies work. The number of Americans aged 65 or older will rise to 72.1 million by 2030, up from 39.6 million in 2009, according to Administration on Aging.
One goal is to prove that at-home technologies can be useful in early detection of diseases, and alerting caregivers to emergencies such as falls, Dishman said. “I am sure we’ll figure out ways to increase fall prevention and reduce depression,” he said. Computers might remind consumers with Alzheimer’s, for instance, what they discussed during a previous conversation. A door sensor may notify a caregiver that a senior hasn’t gone outside for four days.
“You can address a problem sooner, before it becomes clinical,” Paul Crawford, director of health product research for Intel Labs, said in an interview. “Intel is trying to bring independent living into the digital age. It’s in analog age now.” Crawford and Jeff Kaye, a professor at Oregon Health & Science University, are leading the work on the proposal. The study is expected to be administered by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.
The study may begin as early as 2012, if additional funds are secured, Dishman said. His SILvR (Senior Independent Living Research) Initiative study could cost $200 million over 10 years, and would eventually track some 10,000 households with seniors, he said. The exact cost of the study will be determined this year.
Potential backers of the proposal work include The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Science Foundation, Dishman said. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which provides funding for public health projects, is “intrigued by the idea,” Paul Tarini, senior program officer at the foundation, said in an interview. The organization has talked with Intel about the study and is now awaiting a funding proposal.
Intel makes chips and software used in at-home care. The company and GE Corp. formed a joint venture focused on telehealth and independent living technologies in August.
Intel has invested in senior healthcare technologies for 12 years, funding more than 100 university grants, Dishman said.
Once the proposal is completed by year-end, Intel will push U.S. and European Union authorities to fund the study, Dishman said. Intel has also talked with White House officials, including Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, and is pushing for the study to become a presidential election issue in 2012, he said.
“It’s too expensive even for Intel to single-handedly produce the clinical and financial evidence that these technologies detect diseases and lower costs,” Dishman said. “Even competitors need to come together and co-invest.”
Microsoft Is Said to Plan Preview of Windows Tablet Software
Microsoft Corp. will preview its Windows operating system designed for tablet computers in demonstrations planned for next week, according to three people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
The company will showcase the software’s touch-screen interface running on hardware with an Nvidia Corp. Tegra chip, said the people, who declined to be identified because the plans are confidential. Windows President Steven Sinofsky is scheduled to present at the All Things D conference, while Vice President Steve Guggenheimer will address the Computex show in Taipei.
Microsoft is rushing to adapt Windows to better support devices that can compete with Apple Inc.’s iPad, which dominates the tablet market. The new operating system won’t be out until next year, people familiar with the plans said in March. Still, the company is eager to show it is moving forward, seeking to generate demand among computer makers and chip suppliers.
Nvidia’s Tegra microprocessor is based on the ARM Holdings Plc technology that dominates the smartphone market. ARM-based chips are also used in the iPad and tablets that run Google Inc.’s Android operating system.
Mark Martin, a spokesman for Microsoft, declined to comment. The company’s shares rose 48 cents, or 2 percent, to $24.67 at 4 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Nvidia gained 46 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $18.82.
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said earlier this week that machines with the new operating system, which he referred to as Windows 8, would be released in 2012.
‘In a Race’
Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, later retracted the comments, claiming they were a misstatement. The company is scrambling to expand Windows to computing devices such as phones and tablets, Ballmer said in a speech in New Delhi today.
“We are in a race,” he said. “We are not doing that badly, frankly. We are doing pretty well in that race. But the race is on to continue to push Windows to a variety of new form factors.”
Apple sold 4.69 million iPads in the most recent quarter, for a total of 19.5 million since the device’s April 2010 release. If the next version of Windows does come out on tablets in 2012, Apple will likely be selling its third generation of iPad hardware by then, according to Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at researcher Gartner Inc.
While Microsoft works on the new Windows software, sales in the operating-system business are taking a hit as some consumers choose iPads instead of less-expensive netbook computers that run Windows.
PC Shipments Slip
Consumer personal-computer shipments dropped 8 percent in the quarter, Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein said last month. Sales of netbooks plunged 40 percent, partially because of defections to tablet computers, he said.
That helped make last quarter the second in a row in which Windows revenue fell short of analyst estimates.
The demonstration may be a boon to Nvidia, a maker of graphics processors for PCs, which is trying to break into the market for tablet computer chips with Tegra. Most tablets are now built with mobile-phone processors made by Texas Instruments Inc., Qualcomm Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.
Intel Corp., whose processors lead in PCs, has been unable to parlay that dominance into design wins in phones and tablets.
Technology website WinRumors reported earlier that Microsoft will demonstrate the tablet software design at All Things D, which is being held in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
The company will showcase the software’s touch-screen interface running on hardware with an Nvidia Corp. Tegra chip, said the people, who declined to be identified because the plans are confidential. Windows President Steven Sinofsky is scheduled to present at the All Things D conference, while Vice President Steve Guggenheimer will address the Computex show in Taipei.
Microsoft is rushing to adapt Windows to better support devices that can compete with Apple Inc.’s iPad, which dominates the tablet market. The new operating system won’t be out until next year, people familiar with the plans said in March. Still, the company is eager to show it is moving forward, seeking to generate demand among computer makers and chip suppliers.
Nvidia’s Tegra microprocessor is based on the ARM Holdings Plc technology that dominates the smartphone market. ARM-based chips are also used in the iPad and tablets that run Google Inc.’s Android operating system.
Mark Martin, a spokesman for Microsoft, declined to comment. The company’s shares rose 48 cents, or 2 percent, to $24.67 at 4 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Nvidia gained 46 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $18.82.
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said earlier this week that machines with the new operating system, which he referred to as Windows 8, would be released in 2012.
‘In a Race’
Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, later retracted the comments, claiming they were a misstatement. The company is scrambling to expand Windows to computing devices such as phones and tablets, Ballmer said in a speech in New Delhi today.
“We are in a race,” he said. “We are not doing that badly, frankly. We are doing pretty well in that race. But the race is on to continue to push Windows to a variety of new form factors.”
Apple sold 4.69 million iPads in the most recent quarter, for a total of 19.5 million since the device’s April 2010 release. If the next version of Windows does come out on tablets in 2012, Apple will likely be selling its third generation of iPad hardware by then, according to Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at researcher Gartner Inc.
While Microsoft works on the new Windows software, sales in the operating-system business are taking a hit as some consumers choose iPads instead of less-expensive netbook computers that run Windows.
PC Shipments Slip
Consumer personal-computer shipments dropped 8 percent in the quarter, Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein said last month. Sales of netbooks plunged 40 percent, partially because of defections to tablet computers, he said.
That helped make last quarter the second in a row in which Windows revenue fell short of analyst estimates.
The demonstration may be a boon to Nvidia, a maker of graphics processors for PCs, which is trying to break into the market for tablet computer chips with Tegra. Most tablets are now built with mobile-phone processors made by Texas Instruments Inc., Qualcomm Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co.
Intel Corp., whose processors lead in PCs, has been unable to parlay that dominance into design wins in phones and tablets.
Technology website WinRumors reported earlier that Microsoft will demonstrate the tablet software design at All Things D, which is being held in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Zylog Systems Ltd. Recommends Final Dividend
Zylog Systems Ltd. announced that the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of INR8 per share (80% on face value of INR10) on the Equity Shares of the Company subject to approval of the Shareholders in the Annual General Meeting.
Datamatics Technologies Ltd Recommends Final Dividend
Datamatics Technologies Ltd announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on May 27, 2011, inter alia, has recommended a final dividend at 15% i.e. INR0.75 per share to the shareholders for the year ended March 31, 2011.
Compucom Software Ltd Recommends Final Dividend; Appoints Bhubneshwer Sharma To Act As CEO
Compucom Software Ltd announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on May 27, 2011, inter alia, has recommended dividend @ 15% i.e. INR0.30 per equity share of INR2 each as the final dividend for the financial year ended March 31, 2011. Board also Approved the appointment of Mr. Bhubneshwer Sharma, Manager (Accounts) to act as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company.
Former Wipro Joint CEO Girish Paranjpe To Head Bloom Energy Intl
Bloom Energy, a Silicon Valley-based provider of breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology which produces clean, reliable and affordable onsite power, has roped in Girish Paranjpe, former joint CEO of Wipro, India's third biggest software exporter.
Paranjpe has joined as the Managing Director of Bloom Energy International and will report to KR Sridhar, principal co-founder and CEO of Bloom Energy, the energy storage company said in a statement.
As part of his role, Paranjpe will be responsible for developing the global market for Bloom Energy. He will also focus on creating new solutions around the Bloom Energy Server and the flagship Bloom Electrons' offering. In an effort to ensure that clean energy reaches millions around the world, Paranjpe will lead Bloom Energy's initiative to partner with energy industry innovators, as well as leading solution and infrastructure providers.
Because of its compact fuel cells which can generate electricity with low carbon emissions, Bloom Energy is one of the most hyped companies among Silicon Valley’s growing roster of green start-ups. The new company, with more than $100 million in funding from Credit Suisse Group and Silicon Valley Bank, receives federal grants for up to 30 per cent of what it spends on the fuel cells.
Founded by Indian-born KR Sridhar, a former director at NASA, Bloom Energy offers modular electricity generating boxes which convert fuel cells into electricity. Globally, eBay and Google are among some of the high profile customers already using Bloom Boxes. Now, the company plans to tap into newer markets and increase its footprint.
Announcing Paranjpe's appointment, KR Sridhar said, "We are extremely happy to have Girish on board. Bloom Energy today is at an inflection point, having developed and proven the technology in California. It is now time to expand our markets. Girish will help us start the journey of taking the promise of Bloom’s technology to the global marketplace. I am confident that Girish will build a strong worldwide organisation that will make a significant impact on distributed generation solutions."
Commenting on his new role, Girish Paranjpe said, "The opportunity with Bloom is quite exciting for multiple reasons. Bloom's ability to generate clean, reliable and affordable baseload power is unique, and its technology will have a far-reaching impact for businesses and society. Throughout the world, both developed and emerging countries are looking for breakthrough alternatives to fulfil growing electricity needs. Bloom is at the cusp of a new beginning and there is an opportunity for me to do something significant, similar to what I did as part of the IT industry. Initially, we will enter a select few geographies, yet to be finalised, which have the following key attributes – unmet customer needs, the right policy environment, support for the right infrastructure and strategic like-minded domestic partners."
Prior to joining Bloom Energy International, Paranjpe was the co-CEO of Wipro’s IT business and was an executive director on the board of Wipro Ltd. He jointly carried the responsibility for strategy and operations at Wipro’s IT business. Paranjpe also represented Wipro and the IT industry in various public forums including the prime minister’s task force on information technology, NASSCOM and at leading global business schools.
On January 20, Bloom announced a new payment option which would help it generate power at competitive prices on a large scale. A programme called Bloom Electrons offers 10-year contracts for metered electricity at 5 per cent to 20 per cent below the grid rate in California. Before Bloom's new payment method, customers had to pay $700,000-plus for a unit which provides 100 KW of electricity (about what 100 US homes may use). Founded in 2001, Bloom Energy is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and claims that it is changing the way the world generates and consumes energy.
Paranjpe has joined as the Managing Director of Bloom Energy International and will report to KR Sridhar, principal co-founder and CEO of Bloom Energy, the energy storage company said in a statement.
As part of his role, Paranjpe will be responsible for developing the global market for Bloom Energy. He will also focus on creating new solutions around the Bloom Energy Server and the flagship Bloom Electrons' offering. In an effort to ensure that clean energy reaches millions around the world, Paranjpe will lead Bloom Energy's initiative to partner with energy industry innovators, as well as leading solution and infrastructure providers.
Because of its compact fuel cells which can generate electricity with low carbon emissions, Bloom Energy is one of the most hyped companies among Silicon Valley’s growing roster of green start-ups. The new company, with more than $100 million in funding from Credit Suisse Group and Silicon Valley Bank, receives federal grants for up to 30 per cent of what it spends on the fuel cells.
Founded by Indian-born KR Sridhar, a former director at NASA, Bloom Energy offers modular electricity generating boxes which convert fuel cells into electricity. Globally, eBay and Google are among some of the high profile customers already using Bloom Boxes. Now, the company plans to tap into newer markets and increase its footprint.
Announcing Paranjpe's appointment, KR Sridhar said, "We are extremely happy to have Girish on board. Bloom Energy today is at an inflection point, having developed and proven the technology in California. It is now time to expand our markets. Girish will help us start the journey of taking the promise of Bloom’s technology to the global marketplace. I am confident that Girish will build a strong worldwide organisation that will make a significant impact on distributed generation solutions."
Commenting on his new role, Girish Paranjpe said, "The opportunity with Bloom is quite exciting for multiple reasons. Bloom's ability to generate clean, reliable and affordable baseload power is unique, and its technology will have a far-reaching impact for businesses and society. Throughout the world, both developed and emerging countries are looking for breakthrough alternatives to fulfil growing electricity needs. Bloom is at the cusp of a new beginning and there is an opportunity for me to do something significant, similar to what I did as part of the IT industry. Initially, we will enter a select few geographies, yet to be finalised, which have the following key attributes – unmet customer needs, the right policy environment, support for the right infrastructure and strategic like-minded domestic partners."
Prior to joining Bloom Energy International, Paranjpe was the co-CEO of Wipro’s IT business and was an executive director on the board of Wipro Ltd. He jointly carried the responsibility for strategy and operations at Wipro’s IT business. Paranjpe also represented Wipro and the IT industry in various public forums including the prime minister’s task force on information technology, NASSCOM and at leading global business schools.
On January 20, Bloom announced a new payment option which would help it generate power at competitive prices on a large scale. A programme called Bloom Electrons offers 10-year contracts for metered electricity at 5 per cent to 20 per cent below the grid rate in California. Before Bloom's new payment method, customers had to pay $700,000-plus for a unit which provides 100 KW of electricity (about what 100 US homes may use). Founded in 2001, Bloom Energy is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and claims that it is changing the way the world generates and consumes energy.
Sony Ericsson needs Sony firepower for Android war
Last year the 10-year-old venture set itself the ambitious target of capturing the market for Google's Android platform, the world's most popular smartphone software, in order to rake in returns from the fast-growing and profitable market.
But to reach its goal, Sony Ericsson needs a dynamic owner with deep pockets and multimedia assets. Its brand is languishing by comparison with Apple Inc, whose iPhones and iPads have wowed gadget-hungry consumers.
A full takeover of the venture with Sweden's Ericsson would boost Sony's overall offering, which includes content, gaming devices, consumer electronics and even tablet computers, but is still missing its own smartphones.
"Sony has not seemed interested so far in making such a move, but now the full offering story is very, very 'in', and Sony might be looking at Apple and thinking they could come up with a similar offering," Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said.
Sony and Ericsson's 50:50 venture -- formed in 2001 -- thrived after its breakthrough with Walkman music phones and Cybershot cameraphones, both of which leveraged Sony's brands.
But it lost out to leaner rivals at the cheaper end, and its share of total handset sales dropped to just 3 percent from more than 9 percent at its height.
Now, Sony Ericsson is pinning its hopes on a switch in focus to smartphones, the fastest-growing part of the mobile market, and particularly phones powered by Android.
It is making some progress and turned a net profit of 90 million euros ($127 million) last year, after a booking a loss of 836 million euros in 2009.
JAPANESE COMPLICATIONS
In order to snare new customers, Sony Ericsson needs access to Sony's popular content. This includes PlayStation, a music catalogue including artists Justin Timberlake and Bob Dylan, and movies and TV shows like popular U.S. comedy "Seinfeld".
It has taken steps in that direction already. It recently rolled out the Xperia Play smartphone which gives users access to PlayStation games.
But its product was late and expensive and is being undermined by parent Sony, which is rolling out other products in direct competition.
Sony recently launched a tablet computer that runs on Android software, as well as an own-brand portable gaming device. It also plans to franchise PlayStation to other phone makers.
Nobuo Kurahashi of Mizuo Investors' Securities said it made far more sense for Sony to roll Sony Ericsson into its strategy rather than competing with it.
"Having Sony Ericsson phones involved (separately) could make it harder for Sony to achieve its goals," Kurahashi said.
"Having ... the whole thing under their control could well make it easier to build their network strategy."
But it won't be easy, with Sony distracted by headaches elsewhere. This week, Sony said it would make a $3.2 billion net loss for the fiscal year that ended March 31 due to the effects of March's earthquake in Japan.
The company had already been struggling, outmanoeuvred by Apple in portable music and Samsung in flat-screen TVs and challenged by Nintendo and Microsoft in the battle for dominance of video game consoles.
It also faces a massive undertaking to recover customer trust after hackers accessed client data from its online gaming platform in April.
"Given the enormity of Sony's current challenges, a move for Sony Ericsson in the short term seems unlikely," said CCS Insight analyst Geoff Blaber.
SILENT SWEDISH PARTNER
The impetus may come instead from partner Ericsson, which could push Sony to buy it out if their joint venture continues to fade in relevance.
Sony Ericsson finally turned a profit last year, but that may not last, given the odds currently stacked against it.
"I think it (Sony Ericsson) is already fairly irrelevant in the market in terms of volumes and even value market share," said WestLB's Thomas Langer.
However, Ericsson has no urgent need for the 1 billion to 2.5 billion euros some analysts reckon half of Sony Ericsson's equity is worth, based on its revenues of 6.3 billion euros.
Debt would not be an issue, since the venture had net debt of only 5 million euros at the end of March.
Meanwhile, Ericsson's own core business is soaring as telecom operators raise spending to boost capacity in networks choked by smartphone customers.
It has also made joint ventures part of its targets for the 2010-2013 period, possibly signalling no sale is on the cards.
Even if Sony Ericsson does sort out its ownership issues, the going will be tough.
The smartphone market is growing fast, with shipments nearly doubling year on year in the first quarter to 100 million handsets, according to IDC's mobile phone tracker report.
But competition for a larger slice of the pie is fierce, and Sony Ericsson will not only have to battle deep-pocketed, larger rivals like Samsung Electronics , but also nimbler Asian players such as HTC, China's ZTE and Huawei.
Sony Ericsson has 9 percent of the market for smartphones running on Android software, compared with 26 percent for Samsung, according to researcher Strategy Analytics.
Eight analysts polled by Reuters all thought Sony Ericsson would likely miss its target of becoming the biggest seller of Android.
Some say that makes it all the more important for Sony to take stronger ownership.
"Sony needs a mobile presence, and Sony Ericsson needs Sony content and services. This can arguably only be achieved if Sony takes control of the joint venture," said CCS Insight's Blaber.
But to reach its goal, Sony Ericsson needs a dynamic owner with deep pockets and multimedia assets. Its brand is languishing by comparison with Apple Inc, whose iPhones and iPads have wowed gadget-hungry consumers.
A full takeover of the venture with Sweden's Ericsson would boost Sony's overall offering, which includes content, gaming devices, consumer electronics and even tablet computers, but is still missing its own smartphones.
"Sony has not seemed interested so far in making such a move, but now the full offering story is very, very 'in', and Sony might be looking at Apple and thinking they could come up with a similar offering," Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said.
Sony and Ericsson's 50:50 venture -- formed in 2001 -- thrived after its breakthrough with Walkman music phones and Cybershot cameraphones, both of which leveraged Sony's brands.
But it lost out to leaner rivals at the cheaper end, and its share of total handset sales dropped to just 3 percent from more than 9 percent at its height.
Now, Sony Ericsson is pinning its hopes on a switch in focus to smartphones, the fastest-growing part of the mobile market, and particularly phones powered by Android.
It is making some progress and turned a net profit of 90 million euros ($127 million) last year, after a booking a loss of 836 million euros in 2009.
JAPANESE COMPLICATIONS
In order to snare new customers, Sony Ericsson needs access to Sony's popular content. This includes PlayStation, a music catalogue including artists Justin Timberlake and Bob Dylan, and movies and TV shows like popular U.S. comedy "Seinfeld".
It has taken steps in that direction already. It recently rolled out the Xperia Play smartphone which gives users access to PlayStation games.
But its product was late and expensive and is being undermined by parent Sony, which is rolling out other products in direct competition.
Sony recently launched a tablet computer that runs on Android software, as well as an own-brand portable gaming device. It also plans to franchise PlayStation to other phone makers.
Nobuo Kurahashi of Mizuo Investors' Securities said it made far more sense for Sony to roll Sony Ericsson into its strategy rather than competing with it.
"Having Sony Ericsson phones involved (separately) could make it harder for Sony to achieve its goals," Kurahashi said.
"Having ... the whole thing under their control could well make it easier to build their network strategy."
But it won't be easy, with Sony distracted by headaches elsewhere. This week, Sony said it would make a $3.2 billion net loss for the fiscal year that ended March 31 due to the effects of March's earthquake in Japan.
The company had already been struggling, outmanoeuvred by Apple in portable music and Samsung in flat-screen TVs and challenged by Nintendo and Microsoft in the battle for dominance of video game consoles.
It also faces a massive undertaking to recover customer trust after hackers accessed client data from its online gaming platform in April.
"Given the enormity of Sony's current challenges, a move for Sony Ericsson in the short term seems unlikely," said CCS Insight analyst Geoff Blaber.
SILENT SWEDISH PARTNER
The impetus may come instead from partner Ericsson, which could push Sony to buy it out if their joint venture continues to fade in relevance.
Sony Ericsson finally turned a profit last year, but that may not last, given the odds currently stacked against it.
"I think it (Sony Ericsson) is already fairly irrelevant in the market in terms of volumes and even value market share," said WestLB's Thomas Langer.
However, Ericsson has no urgent need for the 1 billion to 2.5 billion euros some analysts reckon half of Sony Ericsson's equity is worth, based on its revenues of 6.3 billion euros.
Debt would not be an issue, since the venture had net debt of only 5 million euros at the end of March.
Meanwhile, Ericsson's own core business is soaring as telecom operators raise spending to boost capacity in networks choked by smartphone customers.
It has also made joint ventures part of its targets for the 2010-2013 period, possibly signalling no sale is on the cards.
Even if Sony Ericsson does sort out its ownership issues, the going will be tough.
The smartphone market is growing fast, with shipments nearly doubling year on year in the first quarter to 100 million handsets, according to IDC's mobile phone tracker report.
But competition for a larger slice of the pie is fierce, and Sony Ericsson will not only have to battle deep-pocketed, larger rivals like Samsung Electronics , but also nimbler Asian players such as HTC, China's ZTE and Huawei.
Sony Ericsson has 9 percent of the market for smartphones running on Android software, compared with 26 percent for Samsung, according to researcher Strategy Analytics.
Eight analysts polled by Reuters all thought Sony Ericsson would likely miss its target of becoming the biggest seller of Android.
Some say that makes it all the more important for Sony to take stronger ownership.
"Sony needs a mobile presence, and Sony Ericsson needs Sony content and services. This can arguably only be achieved if Sony takes control of the joint venture," said CCS Insight's Blaber.
Google Versus Facebook: Following the Money
If you’ve been disconcerted by the news that Facebook was conducting a smear campaign against Google, perhaps a little look at the financials might clear up a few key points.
Both companies have already been in fierce competition for online ad dollars for a few years. Google makes the majority of its income from search ad programs like AdWords and AdSense, but as the incumbent in online advertising, it has to watch its back very carefully.
Facebook’s ad revenue hit an impressive $1.86 billion for 2010, and the site may account for as much as one-third of display ad impressions. For 2011, Facebook is expected to bring in $4.05 billion in advertising revenues worldwide, $2.19 billion of which will come from the U.S. market.
Also, given Google’s recent launch of +1 ? a half social, half traffic-generating web search feature ? Facebook might be feeling even more pressure to make sure users are wary of the tool and less likely to use it without overthinking it. After all +1 is a Facebook Like competitor. And both +1 and Likes can generate valuable data used in ad targeting. So if Facebook can convince the web-surfing world that Google is negligent about user privacy, +1 won’t be as valuable as Google might otherwise hope.
Ultimately, these two corporations are not making web apps for the pure joy of protecting user privacy; they’re in it to make money. And if Facebook can grab a bigger piece of that pie, it certainly will.
Both companies have already been in fierce competition for online ad dollars for a few years. Google makes the majority of its income from search ad programs like AdWords and AdSense, but as the incumbent in online advertising, it has to watch its back very carefully.
Facebook’s ad revenue hit an impressive $1.86 billion for 2010, and the site may account for as much as one-third of display ad impressions. For 2011, Facebook is expected to bring in $4.05 billion in advertising revenues worldwide, $2.19 billion of which will come from the U.S. market.
Also, given Google’s recent launch of +1 ? a half social, half traffic-generating web search feature ? Facebook might be feeling even more pressure to make sure users are wary of the tool and less likely to use it without overthinking it. After all +1 is a Facebook Like competitor. And both +1 and Likes can generate valuable data used in ad targeting. So if Facebook can convince the web-surfing world that Google is negligent about user privacy, +1 won’t be as valuable as Google might otherwise hope.
Ultimately, these two corporations are not making web apps for the pure joy of protecting user privacy; they’re in it to make money. And if Facebook can grab a bigger piece of that pie, it certainly will.
IBM briefly topped Microsoft in market value..
IBM briefly topped Microsoft in market value on Wall Street to become the second-largest technology company after Apple.But IBM shares lost 0.25 percent to close at $170.16, giving the New York-based company known as 'Big Blue' a market capitalization of $206.1 billion.
Microsoft shares shed 0.91 percent to close at $24.49, giving the US software giant a market capitalization of $206.5 billion.
During mid-day trading, however, IBM shares hit a high of $171.15 and the company topped Microsoft in market value at one point.
Apple, maker of the Macintosh computer, the iPod, iPhone and iPad, dethroned Microsoft in market capitalization in May of last year to become the largest US technology company in terms of market value.
IBM announced meanwhile that it is investing an additional $100 million in data analytics and unveiled new software and services to help clients manage large amounts of data.
'The volume and velocity of information is generated at a record pace,' Steve Mills, senior vice president of IBM Software and Systems, said in a statement.
'This is magnified by new forms of data coming from social networking and the explosion of mobile devices,' Mills said.
'Through our extensive capabilities in business and technology expertise, IBM is best positioned to help clients not only extract meaningful insight, but enable them to respond at the same rate at which the data arrives.'
Microsoft shares shed 0.91 percent to close at $24.49, giving the US software giant a market capitalization of $206.5 billion.
During mid-day trading, however, IBM shares hit a high of $171.15 and the company topped Microsoft in market value at one point.
Apple, maker of the Macintosh computer, the iPod, iPhone and iPad, dethroned Microsoft in market capitalization in May of last year to become the largest US technology company in terms of market value.
IBM announced meanwhile that it is investing an additional $100 million in data analytics and unveiled new software and services to help clients manage large amounts of data.
'The volume and velocity of information is generated at a record pace,' Steve Mills, senior vice president of IBM Software and Systems, said in a statement.
'This is magnified by new forms of data coming from social networking and the explosion of mobile devices,' Mills said.
'Through our extensive capabilities in business and technology expertise, IBM is best positioned to help clients not only extract meaningful insight, but enable them to respond at the same rate at which the data arrives.'
Cloud Computing and the 10X Effect
As a rule of thumb, systems can grow ten times under their current architecture or paradigm, and then they must be re-architected. This 10X effect causes old technologies to become obsolete, new ones to emerge and underlies the massive shift to cloud computing.
It was the '80s when the last major computing infrastructure paradigm shift happened. It was the introduction of the client server for designing business applications in the new way. Those applications typically ran on x86 computers – aka PCs.
Then, came the internet in the '90s and the 'client' part of this design changed completely. Applications were being accessed through web browsers rather than having them runn on a desktop PC. Now is the time when we are being witnesses to the 'server' side of client/server which is being disrupted and replaced by cloud computing.
It was the '80s when the last major computing infrastructure paradigm shift happened. It was the introduction of the client server for designing business applications in the new way. Those applications typically ran on x86 computers – aka PCs.
Then, came the internet in the '90s and the 'client' part of this design changed completely. Applications were being accessed through web browsers rather than having them runn on a desktop PC. Now is the time when we are being witnesses to the 'server' side of client/server which is being disrupted and replaced by cloud computing.
US Tablet pricing to get attractive
Mobile service providers are reworking charges for wireless connections on tablet computers to lure in customers put off by costly fees. Carriers see tablets like Apple Inc's iPad as key to revenue growth. But high prices for the devices and more fees on top of phone plans are seen pushing consumers to bypass the cellular network and rely on free Wi-Fi services.
This is expected to result in a drop in the percentage of tablets supporting cellular, potentially making operators less relevant as tablet distributors than electronics stores.
'The tablet's more natural point of sale is retail,' Nvidia Chief Executive Jen-Hsun Huang told the Reuters Global Technology Summit this week. 'The question is whether carriers will find a reason to bundle tablets with other services and create a subsidy model that is really appealing.'
Today, carriers limit cellular Web use on tablets by charging for each gigabyte (GB) of data downloaded. For example, Verizon Wireless charges $20 per gigabyte and AT&T Inc charges $25 for two. Sprint Nextel subsidizes tablets but charges more per gigabyte and requires long-term contracts.
Such arrangements will gradually result in more consumers opting for Wi-Fi-only tablets, according to iSuppli, which sees sales of tablets with cellular connections falling as low as 30 per cent of the total in 2015 from about 60 per cent in 2010.
This is expected to result in a drop in the percentage of tablets supporting cellular, potentially making operators less relevant as tablet distributors than electronics stores.
'The tablet's more natural point of sale is retail,' Nvidia Chief Executive Jen-Hsun Huang told the Reuters Global Technology Summit this week. 'The question is whether carriers will find a reason to bundle tablets with other services and create a subsidy model that is really appealing.'
Today, carriers limit cellular Web use on tablets by charging for each gigabyte (GB) of data downloaded. For example, Verizon Wireless charges $20 per gigabyte and AT&T Inc charges $25 for two. Sprint Nextel subsidizes tablets but charges more per gigabyte and requires long-term contracts.
Such arrangements will gradually result in more consumers opting for Wi-Fi-only tablets, according to iSuppli, which sees sales of tablets with cellular connections falling as low as 30 per cent of the total in 2015 from about 60 per cent in 2010.
Apple's new iPad 2 displays are hackable with a few gestures
An Apple Store Manager relayed to us that the new iPad 2 displays are able to turn into “normal iPads” with a few swipes in secret combination. To find out if true, I went to the Soho store and tried it out. Yep, it works. The button still doesn’t work so it is easy to get yourself stuck – like in Email Setup below:
I’m not going to post the gesture combination unless it hits the web but it does exist and Store managers know it.
Anyway, the moral of the story: Those are normal iPad 2s under the glass, even though they have different part numbers.
I’m not going to post the gesture combination unless it hits the web but it does exist and Store managers know it.
Anyway, the moral of the story: Those are normal iPad 2s under the glass, even though they have different part numbers.
Yahoo rolls out new email service
It's taken its time, but Yahoo is finally getting its revamped mail service out of beta, giving its 284 million users social network integration, faster search and more.
With social networking sites increasingly becoming many people's preferred means of communication, the new version allows Facebook and Twitter updates to be posted directly from within Yahoo's email boxes through a reply bar. It's also possible to chat with friends who are logged into Facebook directly from Yahoo Mail.
There's also a prioritization feature placing a user's most frequent contacts at the top of the list, and the ability to search IM and SMS conversations as well as emails.
The company claims that the new version is also much faster than its predecessor.
"This is the largest redesign of Yahoo Mail in six years, and we rebuilt it with a focus on performance to make it at least two times faster than previous versions of Yahoo Mail," it says. "In addition, we upgraded our spam technology to ensure that you aren’t receiving unwanted messages."
Other new features include inbox customization - because a pretty inbox is just so important - and an app called YouSendIt, designed to make sending large files quicker and easier. The company says it can deal with attachments of up to 100MB.
The new version has been in beta since October, but will now be rolled out worldwide over the next few weeks. Yahoo needs it: although it still has more users than Gmail, Gmail's catching up rapidly.
With social networking sites increasingly becoming many people's preferred means of communication, the new version allows Facebook and Twitter updates to be posted directly from within Yahoo's email boxes through a reply bar. It's also possible to chat with friends who are logged into Facebook directly from Yahoo Mail.
There's also a prioritization feature placing a user's most frequent contacts at the top of the list, and the ability to search IM and SMS conversations as well as emails.
The company claims that the new version is also much faster than its predecessor.
"This is the largest redesign of Yahoo Mail in six years, and we rebuilt it with a focus on performance to make it at least two times faster than previous versions of Yahoo Mail," it says. "In addition, we upgraded our spam technology to ensure that you aren’t receiving unwanted messages."
Other new features include inbox customization - because a pretty inbox is just so important - and an app called YouSendIt, designed to make sending large files quicker and easier. The company says it can deal with attachments of up to 100MB.
The new version has been in beta since October, but will now be rolled out worldwide over the next few weeks. Yahoo needs it: although it still has more users than Gmail, Gmail's catching up rapidly.
Google to launch mobile payments system
Google Inc will launch a mobile payment system on Thursday, in the latest bid to help consumers pay at the checkout with smartphones instead of traditional credit cards. Google will work with MasterCard Inc, the world's second-largest credit and debit card processing network, to launch the system, the source told Reuters.
The world's largest Internet search engine has been working with MasterCard and Citigroup Inc to develop a mobile payments system, the Wall Street Journal reported in March.
Citigroup did not immediately respond to requests for comment and MasterCard declined to comment.
Shoppers abroad, especially in Asia, can already wave cellphones at the check-out counter to pay for everything from groceries to gasoline.
Mobile phone operators, banks, technology companies and card processing networks Visa Inc and MasterCard are vying to gain a foothold in the still-small but high-potential U.S. mobile payments market.
Google has invited reporters to attend a 'partner event' on Thursday in New York to demonstrate what it called its 'latest innovations.'
It plans to unveil a mobile payments system that will run on the Google Android operating system and will be available on phones from Sprint Nextel Corp, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
The world's largest Internet search engine has been working with MasterCard and Citigroup Inc to develop a mobile payments system, the Wall Street Journal reported in March.
Citigroup did not immediately respond to requests for comment and MasterCard declined to comment.
Shoppers abroad, especially in Asia, can already wave cellphones at the check-out counter to pay for everything from groceries to gasoline.
Mobile phone operators, banks, technology companies and card processing networks Visa Inc and MasterCard are vying to gain a foothold in the still-small but high-potential U.S. mobile payments market.
Google has invited reporters to attend a 'partner event' on Thursday in New York to demonstrate what it called its 'latest innovations.'
It plans to unveil a mobile payments system that will run on the Google Android operating system and will be available on phones from Sprint Nextel Corp, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
Google launches Street View in Bangalore
Amid concerns of privacy in Europe and several western countries, Google launched its popular but controversial mapping service Street View, in India's technology hub Bangalore. This will allow users to view pedestrian-level photos of streets and houses.
Google said on Thursday that it has started capturing images of Indian streets which will later allow users to view panoramic images of streets across the country the 'street view' feature on Google Maps. For starters, cars and three wheelers, mounted with high resolution cameras will begin driving and taking street level photographs of public locations around Bangalore , top Google executive said at a press conference here on Thursday.
'We are announcing the street view in India. You will start seeing Google cars on the streets collecting imagery and then over time, it will be launched online on Google maps,' said Vinay Goel , Product Head, Google India .
Street View is a popular feature of Google Maps which is now used in more than 27 countries. With street view, users can virtually explore and navigate a neighborhood through panoramic street-level images. Besides cars, specially designed three-wheel pedi-cabs, called Google Trike with camera system mounted on top , will start gathering images from selected locations such as the Nrityagram Dance Village over the next few weeks.
The company's move comes at a time when the Indian government is becoming more and more conscious of privacy laws. In a recent amendment to the existing Information Technology Act, India has added many clauses that protects sensitive information of the citizen. Privacy advocates criticised the feature in the United States where it was first launched in 2007. After Google admitted that it collected wi-fi payload data by mistake using the street view cars, lot of bad press and protests followed. Google has stopped collecting wi-fi data.
Google said on Thursday that it has started capturing images of Indian streets which will later allow users to view panoramic images of streets across the country the 'street view' feature on Google Maps. For starters, cars and three wheelers, mounted with high resolution cameras will begin driving and taking street level photographs of public locations around Bangalore , top Google executive said at a press conference here on Thursday.
'We are announcing the street view in India. You will start seeing Google cars on the streets collecting imagery and then over time, it will be launched online on Google maps,' said Vinay Goel , Product Head, Google India .
Street View is a popular feature of Google Maps which is now used in more than 27 countries. With street view, users can virtually explore and navigate a neighborhood through panoramic street-level images. Besides cars, specially designed three-wheel pedi-cabs, called Google Trike with camera system mounted on top , will start gathering images from selected locations such as the Nrityagram Dance Village over the next few weeks.
The company's move comes at a time when the Indian government is becoming more and more conscious of privacy laws. In a recent amendment to the existing Information Technology Act, India has added many clauses that protects sensitive information of the citizen. Privacy advocates criticised the feature in the United States where it was first launched in 2007. After Google admitted that it collected wi-fi payload data by mistake using the street view cars, lot of bad press and protests followed. Google has stopped collecting wi-fi data.
Google co picks Intel chips for small cell range
Ubiquisys, a technology start-up backed by Google, has picked Intel's processors to boost computing power in its small base stations, which help operators to meet demand from surging mobile data consumption.
The new offering -- which will also use chips fromTexas Instruments -- will reach the market in 2012.
UK-based Ubiquisys is one of the top firms in the new market for small cells, low-power base stations for 3G mobile phone networks that offload some of the traffic from operators networks and improve indoor coverage at a comparatively low cost.
Intel's processors will bring computing power to telecommunications networks -- close to consumers, cutting need for back and forth data traffic, Ubiquisys said.
With smartphone prices dropping fast and the use of video on phones proliferating, most telecom operators around the world have been struggling with network capacity and many have started to use small cells to open up the airwaves.
Research firm Mobile Experts expects the market for such small cells -- open for public to use -- to reach 7 million units in 2013 and grow to 15.5 million by 2016.
The devices are plugged into broadband internet connections like wireless Internet base stations and allow users to make calls or use data services with their regular mobile phones.
Ubiquisys's main rivals are Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei. In addition to Google, Ubiquisys's owners include Accel Partners and T-Mobile's venture fund.
The new offering -- which will also use chips fromTexas Instruments -- will reach the market in 2012.
UK-based Ubiquisys is one of the top firms in the new market for small cells, low-power base stations for 3G mobile phone networks that offload some of the traffic from operators networks and improve indoor coverage at a comparatively low cost.
Intel's processors will bring computing power to telecommunications networks -- close to consumers, cutting need for back and forth data traffic, Ubiquisys said.
With smartphone prices dropping fast and the use of video on phones proliferating, most telecom operators around the world have been struggling with network capacity and many have started to use small cells to open up the airwaves.
Research firm Mobile Experts expects the market for such small cells -- open for public to use -- to reach 7 million units in 2013 and grow to 15.5 million by 2016.
The devices are plugged into broadband internet connections like wireless Internet base stations and allow users to make calls or use data services with their regular mobile phones.
Ubiquisys's main rivals are Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei. In addition to Google, Ubiquisys's owners include Accel Partners and T-Mobile's venture fund.
Nokia to launch first Windows Phone this year
Nokia has planned to launch its first smartphone using Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 at the end of the year, according to Taiwan's Commercial Times, which did not identify a source.
The newspaper also said Taiwanese handset contract maker Compal Communications was the sole company to receive orders for Nokia's Window phones and would start shipment in the fourth quarter.
Two models of Window phones were on Nokia's plan -- one with a full touchscreen and another sleek one with a keypad.
The world's largest handset maker announced in February it would use Microsoft's Windows phone software in all of its smartphones, and said it would start volume shipments of these smartphones in 2012.
The newspaper also said Taiwanese handset contract maker Compal Communications was the sole company to receive orders for Nokia's Window phones and would start shipment in the fourth quarter.
Two models of Window phones were on Nokia's plan -- one with a full touchscreen and another sleek one with a keypad.
The world's largest handset maker announced in February it would use Microsoft's Windows phone software in all of its smartphones, and said it would start volume shipments of these smartphones in 2012.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
‘Velayudham’ updates
‘Velayudham’ that is directed by Jayam Raja stars Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay, Genelia, Hansika and Saranya Mohan in the lead roles. The grapevine abuzz is that Saranya Mohan plays Vijay’s, that is, Velayudham’s sister in this movie.
We had earlier told you that Hansika Motwani will be playing a typical Tamil ponnu who is very possessive about Vijay in this movie. The tunes for this typical mass commercial entertainer have been scored by Vijay Antony.
Now the latest is that Genelia tweeted to her fans about the climax scene, stating the climax shoot is on and is massive. She also tweeted that the shoot is highly important to the director.
‘Velayudham’s stunt master, Tom Delmar in an exclusive interview had mentioned about massive stunt scenes involved in the movie. Tom Delmar had also told IG that there’s an exclusive action scene by Vijay over a train, helicopter trashes, train explosions and a lot more in store for Ilaya Thalapathi’s fans in this flick.
We can now connect on those dotted lines through Genelia’s tweet, can’t we?
We had earlier told you that Hansika Motwani will be playing a typical Tamil ponnu who is very possessive about Vijay in this movie. The tunes for this typical mass commercial entertainer have been scored by Vijay Antony.
Now the latest is that Genelia tweeted to her fans about the climax scene, stating the climax shoot is on and is massive. She also tweeted that the shoot is highly important to the director.
‘Velayudham’s stunt master, Tom Delmar in an exclusive interview had mentioned about massive stunt scenes involved in the movie. Tom Delmar had also told IG that there’s an exclusive action scene by Vijay over a train, helicopter trashes, train explosions and a lot more in store for Ilaya Thalapathi’s fans in this flick.
We can now connect on those dotted lines through Genelia’s tweet, can’t we?
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Ippadiyum Oru Kadal-2 Promotional
This is the first look of the much awaited sequel of Ippadiyum Oru kadhal.This is a one minute video which is a compliation of the film potraying one main dimension of the sequel - Celebration
Cast of Promotional
Arvin Subramanian
Vijay Venu
Prasanth Selvarasu kumar
Divya Murali
Shreya Shankar
Yuvaraj b
Rahul Venkatraman
Prashanth G Sekar
Editing - Arvind Elango
Music - V2 Vijay and Vicky
Sound Programming - Vishal Chandrasekar
Stylist - T.H.Sujanyan
Cinematography - Arjun Rajkumar
Moral Support - Vignesh Kumar
Concept, Lyrics - Arvin Subramanian
Direction - Prashanth G Sekar
Promotions, Support - Hariharan Naidu (Simbu Central)
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