When they innovate ,first it comes here

Sanyo Xacti E1, World’s First Waterproof Camcorder

2009-08-12T11:25:00.001-07:00

Sanyo’s Xacti E1, the world’s first waterproof camcorder and digital still camera, is on display at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The Xacti E1, which has a six megapixel still camera, won the 2008 CES best innovation award for digital imaging.

Screen shots of Google Chrome OS – Leaked Photos

2009-08-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

Screen shots of Google Chrome OS – Leaked Photos

An anonymous person spread these images.He is claiming these are actual images of Chrome OS.

Twitter, Facebook attack targeted one user

2009-08-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

A Georgian blogger with accounts on Twitter, Facebook, LiveJournal, and Google's Blogger and YouTube was targeted in a denial-of-service attack that led to the sitewide outage at Twitter and problems at the other sites on Thursday, according to a Facebook executive.

The blogger, who uses the account name "Cyxymu," (the name of a town in the Republic of Georgia) had accounts on all of the different sites that were attacked at the same time, Max Kelly, chief security officer at Facebook, told CNET News.

"It was a simultaneous attack across a number of properties targeting him to keep his voice from being heard," Kelly said. "We're actively investigating the source of the attacks, and we hope to be able to find out the individuals involved in the back end and to take action against them, if we can."

Cyxymu LiveJournal account on cached version of Google.

(Credit: LiveJournal)

Kelly declined to speculate on who was behind the attack, but he said: "You have to ask who would benefit the most from doing this and think about what those people are doing and the disregard for the rest of the users and the Internet."

Twitter was down for several hours beginning early Thursday morning, and it suffered periodic slowness and time-outs throughout the day.

Cyxymu's LiveJournal page wasn't accessible, but a cached version showed that it was updated on Thursday with a message about the denial-of-service, or DoS, attacks on his accounts on the United States-based sites. "Now it's obvious it's a special attack against me and Georgians," said the message, in Russian.

The site also apologized for a spam e-mail attack in which the sender was spoofed and made to look like the e-mails were sent by him. Screenshots are shown. It's unclear whether or how the spam attack is related to the DoS attacks.

In the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on the sites, computers that have been compromised by viruses or other malware are instructed by the attacker's computer to visit the specific Web sites all at the same time and repeatedly. The barrage of connection requests overwhelms the target sites, making it so that legitimate Web traffic can't get through.

Such coordinated attacks require the efforts of tens of thousands or more of hijacked computers, which together form a botnet. Spammers send e-mails with malicious attachments or URLs to millions of people to create botnets. Criminals also can lease existing botnets for specific campaigns for as little as 5 cents to 10 cents per bot.

A Facebook representative dismissed a theory that the attack was triggered by a spam campaign in which e-mails had links to the sites. It's unlikely that there would be enough recipients--all clicking on the URLs at the same time--to bring a site down, he said. There was a spam campaign that directed people to Cyxymu's accounts, but it wasn't the cause of the DoS, he said.

"The people who are coordinating this attack, the criminals, are definitely determined and using a lot of resources," Kelly said. "If they're asking our infrastructure to generate hundreds of pages a second, that's a lot of pages our users can't see."

Facebook and Google were able to minimize any impact to their sites, including Blogger, YouTube, and Google Sites, a free Web site service. Facebook even managed to keep the Cyxymu account accessible to Web surfers from that region, Kelly said, though it was inaccessible to people in other geographic areas, including San Francisco.

This was the first coordinated attack on the sites, and all the companies involved were working closely on the investigation, he said. "My team and the teams that are working together at all these companies are doing a really good job very quickly, and I'm proud and happy," he said.

Twitter and LiveJournal did not immediately return e-mails and calls seeking comment.

A Google representative offered this statement: "We are aware that a handful of non-Google sites were impacted by a DoS attack this morning and are in contact with some affected companies to help investigate this attack. Google systems prevented substantive impact to our services."

Political conflicts between Russia and its former republic spilled online last year with DoS attacks and Web site defacements going in both directions.

How to Make Cheap Night Vision Goggles

2009-08-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Human beings are not blessed with the ability to see much in the dark but cheap night vision goggles can help individuals to see in the dark. Most probably "night vision goggles" are expensive but luckily there are some designs made for the average person to buy.

The first thing you think of when you see the words night vision is a spy or action movie you have seen, in which someone straps on a pair of night-vision goggles to find someone else in a dark building on a moonless night.

You may think that can we really see the things in the dark? The answer is positive. With the proper night-vision equipment, you can see a person standing over 200 yards (183 m) away on a moonless, cloudy night! Night vision can work in two very different ways, depending on the tec

hnology used. A night vision device is an optical instrument that allows images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness. They are most often used by the military and law enforcement agencies and are also avail

able to civilian users. You can see here the image of Night Vision Device.

You can read here how to make night vision goggles and then you can try to make night vision goggles for your own. The invention of night vision devices and goggles is possible due to invention of the image intensifier tube. The image intensifier is a tube that is able to convert photons in to electrons and is able to amplify even minute quantities of light making it possible to see in the darkness.

There is another type of night vision goggles, which uses thermal imaging to make night vision possible. This kind of night vision goggles use the heat of electro-magnetic radiation, which is emitted by most objects, be they living or non-living. Because of this, thermal imaging night vision goggles are able to use these heat signatures in order to display an image of the object. Read more information for making Night Vision Goggles.

Acer aspire 5738 laptop

2009-08-10T09:56:00.001-07:00

Acer aspire 5738 laptop | Acer aspire 5738 laptop Price review

Acer Company released its latest laptop with new features. The New Acer aspire 5738 is a 15.6 inch display laptop backup with 7-8 hours battery. Acer aspire 5738 laptop Priced Rs.40, 000 in India. But selling price is different in the area of India. Acer Aspire has been powered by Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor.

1366 x 768 pixel high resolution supports 15.6" LCD Cinecrystal wide screen display watching films. The Latest Acer aspire 5738 provide many facilities and Extra features. It's weight is only 2.8kg. We can get the sure ticket to high different cinematic fun and powerful mobile performance. The Aspire 5738 exciting action, realistic audio and rich visuals play like a true theater.

iPhone

2009-08-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

3G iphone

3G iPhone

Free BlackBerry Bold 9000 Theme Download

2009-08-10T09:52:00.001-07:00

New Free BlackBerry Bold 9000 Theme Download: I feel now as if the theme for the BlackBerry Bold are less, recently found a free BlackBerry Bold theme on EVeek website, it looks good, I do not know how to practice the kind of effect, if you are interested in, then you can use to download.

Download this BlackBerry Bold Theme Now!

New Google G2 GPS Cell Phone

2009-08-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

New Google G2 GPS Cell Phone: HTC Touch HD will be the second paragraph of the Google Android phone may be called G2. Before HTC designed G1 Although the use of large-size touch-screen design, but it can not be compared with the iPhone.

Insiders say, Google G2 will be a number of indicators and functions beyond the iPhone. Touch HD size 115 × 62.8 × 12 mm. Volume of 86 cubic centimeters, 3.8 inches screen. Resolution of up to 480 × 800. Built-in 5,000,000 pixels CMOS sensor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the use of the G1 network towers to locate the way into a GPS positioning. let us look forward to the arrival of the era of mobile google!

Google G2 Picture

New Samsung Reclaim Eco-Friendly Cell Phone

2009-08-09T10:29:00.001-07:00

New Samsung Reclaim Eco-Friendly Cell Phone: It is reported that Samsung and Sprint together launched a eco-friendly cell phone: Samsung Reclaim, the plastic part of this cell phone is produced from corn, and non-PVC component.
New Samsung Phones – Samsung Reclaim Eco-Friendly Phone Picture

Samsung Reclaim use of the slider QWERTY keyboard design, built-in 2 megapixels camera, support for Bluetooth 2.0, GPS and 32GB of memory card expansion. This cell phone has two color choices, Sprint plans to official sell this cell phone in August 16, after signed two years contract that the price of 50 U.S. dollars.

New Nokia RX-51 Tablet Picture

2009-08-09T10:28:00.001-07:00

New Nokia Phones – New Nokia RX-51 Tablet Picture

Nokia RX-51 tablet supports quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE and tri-band WCDMA (850/1700/2100) networks, support for Bluetooth + EDR, Wi-Fi and FM Transmitter.

Samsung i7500

2009-08-09T10:23:00.001-07:00

New Samsung Galaxy Has Passed FCC Testing: Samsung i7500 is a Android system smartphones, this cell phone is already listed in Germany, and recently there is news that this code-named “Galaxy” cell phone has already passed U.S. FCC testing.
New Samsung Phones - New Samsung Galaxy Cell Phone Pictures

Samsung Galaxy (i7500) using a straight design and body thickness of only 11.9mm, this cell phone is equipped with a 3.2 inches HVGA touch screen, built-in 5 megapixels AF camera, multimedia player and the Android 1.5 OS, support for quad-band GSM and UMTS / HSPA networks, support MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV video formats and MP3, AAC, AAC +, e-AAC +, WMA, RA audio formats.

Samsung Galaxy (i7500) is equipped with a Qualcomm 528MHz MSM7200A CPU, built-in 8GB memory, support for 32GB microSD expansion, support for 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi as well as Google services.

The iPhone as Designed By Leonardo da Vinci

2009-08-09T10:16:00.001-07:00

This is one of the coolest iPhone t-shirts I've ever seen—apart from ours: The iPhone as designed by Leonardo da Vinci or some cuckoo Victorian scientist. They have a pretty-pretty hand screen-printed poster too:

Apple set to launch 'iTablet'

2009-08-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Apple set to launch 'iTablet'

Reports suggest Apple has plans to release an internet-enabled portable computer capable of playing music and movies before Christmas.

According to the The Financial Times, the portable tablet, nicknamed the 'iTablet' by industry watchers, features a touch-sensitive screen that could measure up to 10 inches diagonally.

Like Apple's iPod Touch, the iTablet will be able to connect to the web and to the Apple store, where consumers will be able to purchase a range of media including music, movies and games.

Apple has remained characteristically tight-lipped about a possible launch, but last week Apple's chief operating officer Tim Cook said the company is working on something "very innovative".

Many industry insiders expect the iTablet to have the ability to read documents and books, giving Apple a product to rival Amazon's Kindle.

It was reported earlier this month that the
Amazon Kindle would be coming to the UK by Christmas.

Despite big backing in the past, portable tablets have failed to become a hit with consumers.

Microsoft's Windows tablet flopped when it launched in 2004.

However, Apple, which has been massively successful in marketing portable devices to the public, will be hoping to turn this around.

The entertainment industry is pinning its hopes on new technology, such as the Kindle and iTablet, to revitalise sales of music and books.

Sony Ericsson C905 Cybershot: the mobile with 8 megapixels

2009-01-06T02:25:00.001-08:00

Mobile phones are moving into digital cameras. Or vice versa. The Sony Ericsson is a splendid mobile phone. But as the name Cyber-shot suggest, it is also a splendid digital camera.

At one time some photographers went around saying four megapixels was enough. Perhaps that is true for someone who always frames the shot to within a small percent. But not true for most amateurs who shoot and then improve the shot in editing. For that you need all the resolution you can get and eight megapixels is very handy. If you crop a picture by half, what you have is the same resolution as a shot on a four megapixel camera.

The Sony Ericsson C905 has been around for a few months and although it is not inexpensive — something under, but not a lot under, $600 — you can look at it as a seriously good camera and a good mobile phone.

Yes, it is a little heavy at 136 grams but paste a mobile to a digital camera and you will probably come in something close to that.

The mobile — which we should get out of the way early for this is about digital cameras — is good for texting as it has a slide-out keyboard. It is a question of taste. There are those who are very comfortable with the iPhone on-screen keyboard. And there are those who prefer a keyboard, no matter how minute, with real keys.

Note that this Sony Ericsson also has GPS built in so it is possible, with the right geo-tag software, to have a place as well as a date and technical details stamp on any picture you take. Finally, on the phone side this is available not just in the United States but also in Australia and the UK — probably other places as well — and the price seems to be settled as something just under $600.

Now to the camera part.

This dual machine takes better pictures than any other mobile phone/digital camera combination currently on the market. Being number one in a sector is never easy and it is London to a brick that many others will be trying to knock the Sony Ericsson out of that spot. No sign of anyone doing so up until now.

The Sony-Ericsson has a built-in flash which is probably a must-have feature for some users. More importantly it has built-in features which will improve the shot even thought this requires some adjustment in thinking on the part of the user.

Take the feature that is called BestPic. It give you seven chances to capture the magic moment. It takes three images as you press the button, plus the image you think your are getting and there another three afterwards. Keep the pictures you want, bin the rest.

It has auto focus which homes in on the subject in the center of the screen which may not be approved by purists but works very well for most shots.

Instead of waiting until you are working with the picture in, say, PhotoShop on your computer you can use a built-in program called Photofix to improve pictures by adjusting brightness, light and contrast.

There is anti-blur software built in and Sony Ericsson claims you can leave your tripod at home. In fact, this is not the sort of device you would be using with a tripod so that addition will probably prove very useful.

It comes equipped with a 2GB memory stick which might, to advantage, be considerably larger capacity. Which is not a great problem.

There are probably other features which could not be accessed in the time it was available. But this is a very complete digital camera and will handle most situations.

In a sense this device shows us one of the ways of the future. Whereas the iPhone concentrates on the phone part and bungs in a fairly low resolution camera to round it out. The Sony Ericsson C905 Cybershot concentrates on both.

It is truly a superior mobile phone in that it has a keyboard and handles every kind of connectivity. And it is a most wonderful digital camera working at a resolution that currently leaves its competition for dead.

Airtel launches new BlackBerry

2009-01-06T02:23:00.000-08:00

Airtel and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone in India. Priced at Rs.21990 the smartphone is now available at Airtel authorized channels nationally.

In addition to the power Blackberry platform offers, the new phone packs a wide range of features including spacious keyboard into a sleek flip design, a company press release said.

“The BlackBerry Pearl Flip is a powerful, compact smartphone equipped to deliver a wide range of applications,” said Sanjay Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer, Mobile Services, Airtel. "This continues to reinforce our commitment to enhance and deliver the best communication experience to our users with the latest BlackBerry smartphones from Airtel.”

AMD to Intro 45nm Desktop CPUs in Q3

2009-01-06T02:21:00.000-08:00

AMD to Intro 45nm Desktop CPUs in Q3

Techtree News Staff, Jan 06, 2009 1259 hrs IST

The six new additions to AMD's business and consumer class lineup comprises dual-core, triple-core and quad-core processors

AMD will add six 45nm process desktop processors in Q3 this year, Digitimes reported, citing sources at motherboard manufacturers. These processors will join AMD's business and consumer class lineup.

The new 45nm business class processors will include dual-core, triple-core and quad-core processors. The dual-core processors have Athlon X2 B23 running at 2.9GHz clock-speed with 2MB cache and X2 B21 running at 2.7GHz with 2MB cache.

The triple-core processors will add Phenom II X3 B71 running at 2.6GHz clock-speed with 7.5MB cache and Phenom II X3 B73 running at 2.8GHz clock-speed with 7.5MB cache.

While the quad-core series will add Phenom II X4 B91 running at 2.6GHz clock-speed with 8MB cache and Phenom II X4 B93 running at 2.8GHz clock-speed with 8MB cache.

Last month we got AMD's 45nm desktop CPU compilation, which is expected to be launched at CES 2009.

No official word is available since AMD refuses to comment on unannounced products.

It pays to steal a phone in India

2008-12-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

The ban on mobile phones that have no identification number, also called International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI number, is too little, too late. Even now, anyone in India can steal a phone, or buy and use a stolen mobile.

Slideshow of the day: Cute X-Mas gifts

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in a directive, has blocked phones that do not have an IMEI number. The 15-digit IMEI number is unique to every mobile handset, and even some satellite phones. You can usually see it by typing *#06# on most branded phones.

This would mean that 25 million users of cheap Chinese knock-offs - that don't have IMEI numbers - might get disconnected on January 6, or March 31 if that gets extended. (If this directive had come two years ago, we wouldn't have to worry about millions of affected users.)

Chinese mobiles used as terror tools

First, about 26/11. Maybe the terrorists did use Chinese phones. It makes little difference. The bigger issue was that they used legitimate SIM cards, bought with fake identity papers.

Second, some irony. While 25 million users of cheap Chinese handsets, most having bought them in good faith and without knowledge of IMEI numbers, will get disconnected, millions of cellphone thieves and their customers will continue with phones without fear of persecution by police or service provider.

The industry has developed software that can be uploaded to a phone, giving it a unique IMEI number, if it doesn't already have one. The software is being tested.

‘IT spend in logistics may touch Rs 1,000 cr’

But at some point, perhaps March 31, the IMEI-less users would have to be blocked. Still, they would have got advance warning, and time to act. Telcos can SMS them reminders: it's easy to pick out the ones without IMEI numbers from caller data records.

A second idea: Let the government use this opportunity to come up with a citizen ID. Use Rs 300 crore from the money collected for the Universal Service Obligation fund from all telcos for this.

The problem is the very few organisations that can drive such citizen projects, like the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), do not have the time. So government agencies like the Election Commission, the ITO and food and civil supplies will continue with a dozen different citizen identities, wasting billions.

But the IMEI-less phone is not the only or even the main issue. As long as regular branded phones (with IMEI numbers) get stolen and re-used without trouble, terrorists can buy them much cheaper than the IMEI-free clone phones.

Because service providers are so reluctant to go after a thief, or a customer who bought a stolen phone, it's really quite safe to steal a phone in India.

Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) members' track record in tracking IMEI is poor.

Google staff get G1 phone instead of cash bonus

A Wikipedia entry says this of the IMEI number: "It's used by the GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network. The owner whose phone is stolen can call his network provider and instruct it to block the phone using its IMEI number."

That is, if you lose your phone, you could call your network provider and it could block that IMEI number so it cannot be used with any other SIM card, or flag it as "hot".

'Could' is the operative word. Actually, the provider won't. Its stance is: "We do not want to harass a customer who has bought a second-hand phone in good faith". Even if that phone is stolen.

Can you imagine that applying to cars? You buy a stolen car, and the authorities say, oh, poor fellow, let him keep it, he bought it in good faith?

Now, telcos might say the phone could be used on any other network, but in this day of roaming interconnect and settlement, tackling that is no big deal. A credit card company does not tell you that a lost card will be blocked only if the thief uses it on 'their network'.

Oh, and an Airtel or a Vodafone will not block a stolen phone even on their own network, unless they're pressured by the police.

If you thought things would be easier with CDMA (code division multiple access) providers, where there are no SIM cards to change, it's actually worse. Tata Indicom refused to block a very poor painter's phone, which was stolen; he finally had to change the number he had got printed on his card. He went through a police report, but no luck. I tried to help him, but couldn't budge Tata Indicom.

This, then, is the bigger danger, but the one that is easier to tackle.

IT giants look at Bhutan for investment

The good news is that the police have begun to act on FIRs (first information reports) filed on stolen handsets. I know of a case in Delhi where a handset was recovered in a few days through the IMEI number. The bad news is that less than one in 10 phone thefts gets even reported, let alone an FIR registered.

So if directed by the police to track a stolen handset, the telecom companies can do it.

On March 31, 2009, they should block not only the IMEI-free handsets but also stolen handsets, after reporting theft (when a handset reported stolen turns up with another SIM card number, they can report that, before blocking it.)

And the COAI should create a database for stolen handsets that would get blocked, at least in India.

Self-regulation? I must be dreaming. So I hope the DoT issues the diktat to block stolen handsets along with IMEI-free handsets. This will put the squeeze on the grey market, on thieves, and, in a small way, on terror.

Apple launches new iPod series for festive season in India

2008-12-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Apple has announced that it has introduced a new range of iPods in India to coincide with the festive season. The new range varies from the 1GB iPod Shuffle starting at Rs2,300 to a 32GB iPod Touch at Rs21,100.

THe iPod Nano is now available in eight colours such as silver, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, and black, it also sports a curved aluminum enclosure.

It comes wit the option of an 8GB or 16GB flash drive and holds up to 2,000 or 4,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format.

When fully charged, music playback time is up to 24 hours and video playback time up to 4 hours.

The second generation iPod Touch is smaller and lighter and features a thin contoured metal design, a 3.5-inch widescreen glass display, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi wireless networking, integrated volume control buttons, built-in speaker and accelerometer and other advanced sensors.

It has options of 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB flash drive and can hold up to 1,750, 3,500, or 7,000 songs respectively in 128-Kbps AAC format and hold up to 10 hours, 20 hours, or 40 hours of video and when fully charged.

The Touch has a music playback time up to 36 hours and video playback up to 6 hours.

The 120GB iPod Classic, with up to 36 hours of audio playback time and a 2.5-inch color displaycan store up to 30,000 songs, 150 hours of video, 25000 photos, or any in combination.

It has a music playback time up to 36 hours when fully charged and video playback time of up to 6 hours.

ISRO all set for Chandrayan II in 2012, Mars mission in 2013

2008-12-24T07:54:00.000-08:00

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for its second moon mission `Chandrayaan II' and space scientists plan to send a robot to moon in 2012, followed by a spacecraft to Mars in 2013.

ISRO will also sent a man to space astride a Russian spaceship the same year, its chairman G Madhavan Nair said.

Besides, ISRO has lined up a slew of missions, which also include landing a spacecraft on an asteroid and sending a probe to fly past a comet, the ISRO chief told reporters at a function organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to felicitate the members of the Chandrayaan I team.

''Chandrayaan II, the design is complete, we hope by 2012, we will be ready for the launch,'' Madhavan Nair said.

The launch of Chandrayaan-II, approved by the government will include a rover that will land on the moon. It will map a three-dimensional atlas of the moon, and analyse the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.

India hopes to send an astronaut into space by 2013 and a manned mission to the moon by 2020.

India, which started its space programme in 1963, now account for around 16 satellites currently in earth orbit

India also has the world's largest constellation of seven earth-observation satellites, which is being used for telecommunications, TV broadcasting, earth observation, weather forecasting, remote education and healthcare.

Nair, however, said the mission to Mars is still at a conceptual stage and ISRO expects to finalise plans by next year, with take-off in 2013.b He said the same Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) will be used to launch the probe to Mars.

BPL Mobile launches campaign to curb ‘drinking & driving’

2008-12-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

BPL Mobile announced the launch of its ‘Reach Home safely’ message campaign which curbs the menace of people drinking and than driving. The Mumbai-based operator’s campaign also puts across the point that it is better to be driven than to risk drinking and driving. Upon calling 9773865256 mobile subscribers, irrespective of their operator, can opt to be driven by a chauffer from Party Hard Drivers.

The operator is running the campaign for third year in a row and says it is in line with the campaign launched earlier in association with IMIMobile and Mumbai Police to curb the practice and identify repeat offenders through use of SMS channel.

Samsung Launches MPower Series of CDMA Handsets

2008-12-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

Samsung has introduced its MPower series of CDMA phones - MPower 569 and MPower 309.

The MPower series has the capability to interoperate on Reliance Mobile, Tata Indicom and Virgin Mobile. The MPower phones adapt to the network settings of the respective service provider on change of the SIM card, says the company.

Both the new phones support high-speed wireless data of up to 153kbps. The phones also perform the function of data cards on connection to laptops through Bluetooth or data cable, thereby eliminating the need for purchase of separate data cards by the consumers.

The M569 is a multimedia-enabled phone with 2 megapixel camera, FM Recording on Micro SD Card, has expandable memory up to 4GB, Bluetooth with stereo headset function, equalizer and surround sound, video recording and MMS support, 2.1-inch color LCD screen and document viewer.

The M309 comes with 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth enabled with stereo headset function, supports MicroSD card up to 4GB, offers video recording and MMS support and 1.9-inch TFT screen.

Both M569 and M309 phones have the Mobile tracker feature to ensure that the phones can be traced in case of theft.

M569 is priced at Rs 9,900, while M309 is priced at Rs. 6,300.

Nokia Maps under fire for showing Kashmir as part of Pakistan

2008-12-24T07:47:00.000-08:00

New Delhi, Dec 24, 2008: Nokia Maps came under fire for showing Kashmir as part of Pakistan. The largest mobile handset manufacturer in the world that controls around half mobile handset market in the country was attacked for showing the disputed Kashmir region as Pakistani territory.

Nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) activists torched a large Nokia showroom in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

In Jabalpur a large number of BJP activists gathered in the city and burnt down the mobile handset shop.

Apple To Be The Real Winner This Holiday Season!

2008-12-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

Apple gadgets are in great demand this Christmas, as US consumers shop for slighter, affordable and versatile electronics.

Whereas the Consumer Electronics Association forecasts flat fourth-quarter sales as compared with last year’s sales, market analysts report Apple stores have been the busiest among electronics retailers.

iPods, previously responsible for 40-50% of Apple’s 4th quarter earnings, are selling in large numbers.

Google reported that after Nintendo’s Wii games console and Wii Fit game, iPod touch is its most- searched-for product in its list.

On the other hand, the Lycos search engine has ‘iPod’ as its top search.

The bestseller list of Amazon electronics includes six iPods in its top 20, comprising all 3 editions of the touch. The most popular is the lowest-priced 8Gb edition, which still costs $230.

However, vice-president of Mobile Strategy at Jupitermedia Michael Gartenberg, says that this is not disheartening cash-strapped consumers.

“In a down economy, people can be willing to spend more on a premium product because they don’t want to make the mistake of buying something that doesn't meet their expectations or provide long-term value,” he says.

Apple has been promoting the touch’s capabilities afar music and video, with advertisements showing its features as a games console and a mini-computer.

It has derived a benefit from the 10,000 applications made for the iPhone and touch, with downloads from the company’s Apple Store now surpassing 300m.

Mr. Gartenberg says, “The iPod touch is being positioned as a product that can do multiple things. That gives it that strong value proposition of having lots of capabilities at one price point.”

The most recent edition of the touch can make calls using wi-fi, giving it potentialities closer to the iPhone.

Andy Hargreaves, analyst at Pacific Crest Securities, says it is expanding the market beyond the iPhone.

“It takes the market to kids - all of a sudden your 12-year-old wants one, and you can do it without paying the $70- a-month fee.”

Moreover, Apple may sell a cheaper iPhone at Wal-Mart stores by next year.

Analysts also report strong sales of the iPod nano and a new line of Macbooks, including a $999 version.

The new product declarations are usually made at the Macworld show during January but Apple cut expectations last week by saying Steve Jobs, chief executive, would not make his usual keynote speech and this would be the last time Apple exhibited at the show.

Audi announces special pricing, offers for India

2008-12-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced a special offer for its customers – a zero percent financing rate and an extended four years warranty for the Audi A6 range in India. The Audi A6 range includes four variants - 2.8 FSI, 3.2 FSI quattro, 2.7 TDI and 3.0 TDI quattro.

The Audi A6 package includes providing finance on a rate of 0% for Audi customers and an extended warranty of two years in addition to the normal two years warranty. This means a 4 year warranty for the customers of the Audi A6 model range. The extended warranty will include all items which are covered in the initial two-year manufacturer warranty.

Commenting on the special package Mr. Benoit Tiers, Managing Director
Audi India said: “We like to provide our customers with maximum benefits and ensure that they get the best value and service from us. The Audi A6 is one of Audi's most successful exclusive models in India and this initiative will enhance the customer value of the car.”

Audi India also announced recently a price reduction for its homologated models available in India fully passing the revision of excise duty and central value added tax (Cenvat) to the customers. The price of the Audi A6 saw a reduction of INR 1,51,000.

The entire Audi model range in India consisting of the Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, the new Audi A4, Audi TT and the recently launched super sports car Audi R8 is available at twelve dealerships across the country: in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata.

AUDI AG develops and produces cars for the luxury car segment worldwide. The company achieved its twelfth consecutive record year in 2007, with 964,151 cars sold and a revenue of 33,617 million Euros and profit before tax of 2,915 million Euros, the company attained its best figures ever. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more that 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Lamborghini S.p.A in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi employs more than 54,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan.

Authorized Dealer Showrooms:

Audi Ahmedabad - Rudra-Path, S.G. Road, Ahmedabad
Audi Bangalore - Survey No. 6/1, Beratana Agrahara, 15th KM, Hosur Main Road
Audi Chandigarh - Plot No. 171, Industrial Area, Phase I
Audi Delhi - F 85, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase I
Audi Gurgaon - Orchid Centre, Sector – 54, Golf Course Road
Audi Hyderabad - 8-2-684/A, Road No.12, Banjara Hills
Audi Pune - Pro1 Business Centre, Plot No. 395 + 396, Senapati Bapat Road, Shivajinagar
Audi Mumbai - 81, Dr. Annie Besant Road

Authorized Dealer Sales Office:
Audi Chennai, Audi Kochi, Audi Kolkata, Audi Ludhiana

Intex IN 3030, the Rugged Music Phone

2008-12-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

The Intex IN 3030 is all set to strike a chord with mobile users who expect to have a music mobile phone which can endure tough use. This phone which is resistant to water, sweat & dust, offers features such as a FM radio, audio player, voice and audio recording. The phone is aimed at consumers whose lifestyle involves lot of traveling, rugged and sporting activities and also for farmers, fishermen, factory and construction workers, etc.- who normally use the phone with sweaty and dusty hands.

The Intex IN 3030 conforms to the Japanese JIS (IPX grade 5) standard for water resistance. The electronic circuitry is protected by a special film and all the joints are sealed by rubber gaskets. As a result, the phone can withstand dust, moisture and water splashes. The phone is also designed to perform at extreme temperatures and high humidity.

Other features included in the phones are mobile tracker, expandable memory up to 1 GB, etc. The handset has been launched at a special introductory price of Rs. 3500.

See-Through' Touchscreen A Relief For Fat Fingers

2008-12-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Most of us love to flaunt electronic devices that has shrinked well in size. But, how do you handle its operation with your over sized fingers. Patrick Baudisch and his student Gerry Chu from the University of Toronto have come to the rescue of customers who love touchscreen devices and are gifted with fat fingers.

A "see-through" prototype device called NanoTouch is the solution to the "fat finger" problem, which makes it hard to hit small targets on a touchscreen device because the finger hides what the user aims for.

Patrick Baudisch and Gerry Chu have revealed that their prototype has a six-centimetre screen and a touch pad of the same size on the back, which can detect the touch or press of a finger, allowing the user to move a tiny cursor around and click and drag with it.

The researchers say that when the user touches the interface on the back, an image of a finger appears behind the icons on the screen and moves around in sync with the user''s finger, almost as if the device were transparent. According to them, a small active spot marked on the finger''s end is used to interact with buttons onscreen.

With a view to completing the illusion, the team have made the device in such a manner that the fingertip turns white as if pressed against a sheet of glass when the user presses on the touchpad. The researchers have revealed that targets just 1.8 millimetres across appeared to be easy to hit in user tests on NanoTouch.

Targets on conventional touch-screen devices such as the iPhone are at least twice that size, they add. Baudisch says that the precision achieved by his team paves the way for truly tiny devices with screens as small as a centimetre across.

This precision paves way for tiny devices, with screens as small as a centimetre across that are still easy to use. Further user tests with NanoTouch simulated those smaller devices by reducing the active area of the screen. Even a screen just 8 mm across will be easy to use. However, displaying information on such small screens will need some new approaches, the researcher said.

"We are particularly excited about rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) as a means for compressing data into small spaces," New Scientist magazine quoted him as saying.

Stephen Brewster, a computer interface expert at the University of Glasgow in the UK, said that the NanoTouch prototype was "compelling".

"Touch screens are the interaction surface of the moment, but they do have their drawbacks. Occlusion by the finger is a real problem. Patrick has a nice approach to solving it. (Now) we can start to design really small devices such as interactive watches that have really good interactions," he said.

The NanoTouch prototype will be presented at the Computer and Human Interaction conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in April 2009.

Japanese Group Asks Google to Stop Map Service

2008-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

A group of Japanese lawyers and professors asked on Friday that Google stop providing detailed street-level images of Japanese cities on the Internet, saying they violated privacy rights. Google's Street View offers ground-level, 360-degree views of streets in 12 Japanese cities and is also offered for some 50 cities in the United States and certain areas in Europe.

TOKYO (Reuters)—A group of Japanese lawyers and professors asked on Friday that Google stop providing detailed street-level images of Japanese cities on the Internet, saying they violated privacy rights.

Google's Street View offers ground-level, 360-degree views of streets in 12 Japanese cities and is also offered for some 50 cities in the United States and certain areas in Europe.

The service allows Web users to drive down a street, in a virtual sense, using their mouse to adjust views of roadside scenery.

"We strongly suspect that what Google has been doing deeply violates a basic right that humans have," Yasuhiko Tajima, a professor of constitutional law at Sophia University in Tokyo, told Reuters by telephone.

"It is necessary to warn society that an IT giant is openly violating privacy rights, which are important rights that the citizens have, through this service."

The Campaign Against Surveillance Society, a Japanese civilian group that Tajima heads, wants Google to stop providing its Street View service of Japanese cities and delete all saved images.

Google's office in Tokyo was unable to comment immediately.

Privacy concerns about Google's service have grown in Japanese media, especially after some people discovered their images on Street View.

Similar concerns have been raised in other parts of the world, including the United States and Europe.

In one case, a woman was shown sunbathing and in another a man was pictured exiting a strip club in San Francisco.

In March, Google said it would comply with a Pentagon request to remove some online images from Street View over fears they posed a security threat to U.S. military bases.

Web-based Google Maps and a related computer-based service called Google Earth have drawn criticism from a variety of countries for providing images of sensitive locations, such as military bases or potential targets of terror attacks.

Why you shouldn't buy a netbook for Christmas

2008-12-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

Price wise, there really isn't much to talk about when it comes to netbooks. Both in terms of pricing and hardware, most are closely matched, so we'll keep this roundup brief. More and more vendors are entering the netbook market, but offering few innovative products to distinguish them from the competition. There are no real bargains when it comes to netbooks, no models nearing EOL, no obsolete hardware, as almost all are based on the same platform.

Vendors failed to meet the promise of a cheap, ultraportable machine. We might even go so far to say they've failed miserably, as the cheapest netbook currently available in Europe, the Eee 701, still costs €199. There's no point in getting one, as €20 extra will get you an Eee 900 or an Aspire One A110L. Both have 8.9-inch screens, an 8GB SSD, but the Eee has 1GB of memory, while the Aspire One has 512.

If an 8GB SSD won't cut it for you, and you need some serious storage, MSI's Wind U90 offers an 80GB hard drive for €255. So, these are 8.9-inch units, but we always crave more screen acreage, and considering most 10-inch netbooks offer a bigger screen in the same chassis as 8.9-inch models, they're probably the best choice at the moment.

The cheapest netbook with a 10-inch screen comes from Datacask, and at €278 its Jupiter 1014a probably offers the best value for money in the segment. It's not a pretty sight, but it costs €50 less than a similarly speced Wind or Eee PC. Most 10-inch netbooks retail for €335+, and it's up to you really. The hardware is almost identical, so is the price, and you'll probably make up your mind on looks or brand alone.

Now for some stylish ones, although there are very few of those around. One of the latest ones to appear is HP's Mini 701EG, a very good looking machine priced at €380. It's not meant to be an overpriced fashion item, but we're mentioning anyway, as it looks a lot better than mose cheaper units. It has a 60GB hard drive, so you can't say it offers great value for money. Asus has the business oriented N10 to offer, and it costs €439. The N10 isn't an Eee, so it doesn't have that ugly sticker, and it was developed by an entirely different team of engineers than Eee series machines.

Asus also has the stylish Eee S101 to offer, and it's a beauty. The only downside is that, at €600, it's just too expensive. The trouble is, sooner or later you will run into someone with an Asus U1F, a proper ultra-portable notebook with a dual-core CPU, 11.1-inch screen and an €899 price tag. The encounter will surely make you feel inadequate, pathetic, and you'll end up spending the €300 price difference on counseling.

Bottom line, netbooks are still overpriced for our liking and you can expect good deals on current models only when their replacements start showing up, not before CES. If you can, wait.

Private operators cry foul over BSNL WiMax services

2008-12-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

WiMax operators in India have cried foul over the allotment of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum to state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

WiMax Forum, the representative body of WiMax operators, alleged that BSNL had deployed its WiMax services on the frequency division duplex (FDD)-based spectrum band, which does not conform to international standards for WiMax technology. This renders it obsolete and prevents other operators from deploying superior technologies like time division duplex (TDD) on the same band, it has said.

“Both technologies cannot co-exist, therefore if BSNL deploys its services in the FDD mode, it will not be possible for other operators to operate on superior technology,” said CS Rao, chairman, WiMax Forum. He added that this might prove detrimental to the business interests of BSNL as well since its network would not be able to co-exist with that of other operators.

“The interesting point is that the vendor (US-based Soma Networks) which is providing equipment to BSNL for its WiMax network in the three states has registration for TDD as well. Therefore, it can be upgraded,” he added. The forum has asked the government to look into the issue to prevent any monopoly and “ensure a level-playing field”.

BSNL officials declined to comment on the issue.

The forum also asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to treat BWA services on a par with 3G. The industry body urged the government to increase the validity of the BWA licence for 20 years, the same as in the case of 3G, instead of 15 years.

The forum also sought easier rollout obligations for the successful bidders of BWA spectrum.

While the licensee to whom 3G spectrum is allocated has to cover at least 50 per cent of the district headquarters within five years of the effective date — of which at least 15 per cent should be rural short distance charging areas (SDCA) — BWA operators have to cover at least 50 per cent of the rural SDCAs within five years of the effective date.

Interestingly, telecom operators had raised the issue of a level playing field with the DoT opposing the difference in the reserve price for BWA against 3G spectrum. The reserve price of BWA spectrum stands at Rs 1,010 crore, which is half that of 3G spectrum.

Makeover for Apple's Mighty Mouse?

2008-12-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

Is it time for Apple's Mighty Mouse to get a tune-up?

That's the question many people on the Internet are asking as MacBlogz has published images of what it expects Apple to do with the multibutton mouse. Extrapolating from Apple's patents on multitouch, MacBlogz's prototype features a sleek profile and aluminum body.

This mockup shows one vision of the Mighty Mouse's future.

(Credit: MacBlogz)

The report notes that a 2007 patent application calls for an "arbitrary shaped grippable member" that would utilize positioning and multitouch detection to interpret a user's movement. Basically, it appears that the button would be replaced by a multitouch trackpad. "In essence, it would act as one seamless area from which a user could scroll and pan by dragging a finger over the device's surface," the report says.

The prototype's aluminum body is drawn from a parallel with the iMac and MacBook, which have shed their white, plastic shell for aluminum. The change in materials would also eliminate the build-up of gunk on the edges, the blog post suggests.

As far as shape goes, the prototype's lower profile would be "more versatile for complex gestures," while maintaining enough height to accommodate its batteries.

The mouse may be still be in the dream stage, but it's one Apple users would embrace.

Legal Struggle: Chinese Phones in India

2008-12-22T11:32:00.000-08:00

Legal Struggle: Chinese Phones in India

Techtree News Staff, Dec 22, 2008 1321 hrs IST

The IMEI is an identification number that is unique to each GSM handset, which it is legally bound to have

Over 25 million Chinese handset users can heave a sigh of relief as the government mulls over a plan to legalize these IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number lacking handsets being used all over India.

Unbranded Chinese handsets, which have become a rage among the lower middle class, have found themselves on the wrong side of the law following reports that these handsets were being used in terrorist activities. The handsets used by terrorists usually do not have IMEI numbers that every GSM cell phone is legally bound to have. The IMEI is an identification number that is unique to each GSM handset -- in most countries a legal prerequisite for handsets to operate.

In India, in recent years, we have seen an explosive growth in the mobile telephony sector. Apart from handsets from mainstream manufacturers, Chinese phones - many of them spurious, with little or no R&D going into their production - started flooding the market. While most Chinese handsets have IMEI numbers, many do not, and it is these handsets that the government has targeted. In a recent directive, the Government had asked all telcom companies to cut off services to all handsets that lack an IMEI number. The last date to implement this directive is January 6, 2009.

However, according to a recent Economic Times the Government is planning to extend the deadline until March 31, 2009, as the industry has developed a software that can assign an IMEI number to these phones with the help of a software update. In October, the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) had asked companies to store IMEI numbers in their Equipment Identity Register (EIR) databases. EIR is used to ensure that calls made from a stolen handset having a unique IMEI can be traced and blocked - rendering it useless. The same technology can be used to identify cell phones that lack an IMEI or just have a couple of zeroes for the IMEI number to effectively bar calls from such handsets. Post the diktat, the COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) is planning to approach the government to seek an extension until the the IMEI assigning software can be added into phones via the update.

The issues under consideration are the large user base for these phones and the fact that the handsets would be rendered useless after implementation of the directive, resulting in a loss to its innocent owners. The COAI is planning a drive to make people aware about the dangers of using a non-IMEI handset and about the software update that is expected to cost Rs. 100 per phone, which is a nominal amount considering it can save a phone from becoming useless.

The telcom companies also claim that they need some more time to install the software since the EIR equipment has to be imported. They have also asked the government to direct the customs authorities to ban the import of such handsets into the country.

What do you think? Do we need to ban Chinese phones completely or do we need to legalize these handsets as they claim to offer great value for money for the budget conscious user?

Intel Core i7 launched worldwide

2008-11-19T00:51:00.000-08:00

Based on a completely new architecture, the Core i7 processors are markedly different from their predecessors and have many advantages over them

It is here; the Intel Core 17 processors have finally been launched worldwide. As part of the worldwide launch there was also a lavishly arranged function here in Mumbai at the Taj President on Tuesday.

Prakash Bagri, Director - Marketing, Intel South Asia said, "Intel has delivered the fastest desktop processor on Earth to the most demanding users on Earth, the ones who are using their PCs for video, gaming and music. When you couple, what is Intel's biggest leap in chip design, with other incredible innovations like Intel's solid state drives, the Core i7 processor has refined the computer of tomorrow".

Based on a completely new architecture, the Core i7 processors are markedly different from their predecessors and have many advantages over them. There is the increased parallelism with the processor being capable of executing 33% more concurrent micro-ops simultaneously.

There is also the faster unaligned cache access and faster synchronization primitives. Intel has also implemented a new 2nd level branch predictor to avoid situations when execution units stand idle. Yet another improvement is the cache sub-system that has been redesigned from scratch.

There is a 2nd level 512 entry translation look-aside buffer (TLB) in addition to the 1st level TLB to reduce the TLB miss rate. In addition to this, there is also three-level cache hierarchy: 64KB L1 (32KB for data and 32KB for instructions), 256 KB L2 cache per core, 8 MB L3 cache (2 MP per core) shared by all cores. This is different from what Intel used to do until now - all cache on the processor.

The Core i7 processor also marks an end of the legendary FSB (Front Side Bus). These processors feature the new Quick Path Interconnect (QPI) bus, which is Intel's answer to AMD's Hypertransport 3.0 and a three channel memory controller supporting 1066 MHz DDR3 memory is present on-chip.

Multi-threading technology (similar to hyper-threading of the NetBurst architecture processors) is also featured on these CPUs with SSE 4.2 instructions. These are capable of handling up to eight software threads on four processor cores. With a TDP rated at 130 W, these also have energy-saving features and you can shut down unwanted cores to reduce power consumption.

Turbo Boost technology allows the cores to bump up the clock speeds when deemed necessary. This quad-core chip is manufactured using the 45nm process, sporting 731 million transistors.

Combined with the Intel X58 chipset-based motherboards with LGA1366 socket, these are incompatible with older motherboards. Currently, these can only be used with motherboards based on the Intel X58 chipset.

Intel has released three different models of the Core i7 - all quad core variants with hyper-threading :

* Core i7 920 clocked at 2.66 GHz priced at $284 (approximately Rs.14,063),

* Core i7 940 clocked at 2.66 GHz priced at $562 (approximately Rs.27,830),

* Core i7 965 XE (Extreme Edition) clocked at 3.2 GHz priced at $999 (approximately Rs.49,470)

(Prices are per unit in lots of 1000)

Asus Launches Affordable Motherboard

2008-11-17T04:50:00.000-08:00

Asus today launched a new motherboard that is high on features but low on cost. The value-for-money motherboard P5KPL-AM/PS is priced modestly at Rs 2,975 plus taxes, and boasts features like Anti-Surge Protection technology that protects the motherboard from voltage fluctuations, built-in 5000hr VRM (voltage regulator module), and support for 45nm Intel chips.

The Anti-Surge Protection technology provides for over-voltage and short circuit protection and power-good signal generation. Anti-Surge Protection continually monitors voltage levels of 5V, 12V, and 3V in real-time to deliver over-voltage and short circuit protection. If and when one of these supply voltage levels are either more or less than the specified normal operation voltage levels, Anti-Surge Protection will switch off the power to protect the motherboard and the CPU.

Other features include up to 1600FSB, 8 USB 2.0 ports, 2 DIMM memory slots (max. up to 4GB), Intel GMA 3100 graphics onboard, Crashfree BIOS, EZ Flash, Q-Fan, 2 PCI express slots, 4 SATA ports, and onboard LAN and audio.

Dell Mini 12 Hits UK

2008-11-17T04:43:00.000-08:00

Dell already announced the Mini 12 but only now is the 12.1in system available to buy.

Specs sit as such then:

12.1in 1,280 x 800 screen
1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 CPU
1GB DDR2 RAM
80GB hard drive
Windows Vista Home Basic Edition
25.5mm thick, 1.25Kg
3-cell 24WHr battery

The use of an Atom CPU with a mere 1GB of RAM to play with means I can't help but think Vista is going to struggle slightly. A Linux system is expected to come later, so it's not all bad news though.

The Mini 12 costs £429 which is a bit steep for a netbook especially with this spec. However, I'm inclined to agree with Asus President and CEO Jerry Shen and limit the netbook classification to sub-10.2in systems.

If considered as a small, low-powered and above all portable notebook, then, the Mini 12 could be a lot more attractive. I wouldn't want one myself, but I can definitely see the appeal and I don't doubt Dell will shift a fair few systems.

Nokia E71 tailored for business movers

2008-11-17T04:39:00.000-08:00

It fits perfectly well into your palm and comes across as a smart, trendy mobile phone. But that’s not its only claim to fame. Nokia E71 is a
smartphone from the E-series range, a Series 60 third edition, second generation Feature Pack 1, device with a QWERTY keyboard targeting business users
worldwide.

One look, and I found the phone — trim and fitted with a full keyboard — a tad crammed, with so many tiny buttons (read keys) jostling for space. But the impression ends the moment you start pressing the keys. The buttons come full-on your fingers and offer a great typing speed — re-stating the obvious: Nokia E71 is impeccably tailored for business movers, with fast and easy access to messaging

, including your business and personal mail, without the complexity.

The build quality of the phone, with steel frames, is solid and is well equipped. It also has a decent a 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera and LED flash that is probably comparable to one that we can find on E90 which means it is not the best camera out there but still it is a pretty good deal for a business-related phone. Of course, there is an also Wi-Fi and the built-in GPS feature.

What’s more interesting, the phone has two home screens, meaning thereby that the two home screens let you choose between work and leisure modes. You can also choose application shortcuts to suit your schedule with message notifications on or off. One thing that’d strike you the moment you use the phone is the great application speed. In fact, switching between applications seems real easy if you have such a high-performing phone as Nokia E71. The other pluses include integrated and assisted GPS, and FM radio 87.5-108 MHz with visual radio.

But what’s definitely missing in this smartphone is a good resolution screen. The 2.4 inch QVGA display leaves much to be desired Rs 22,949.

Windows Live Gets A Whole Lot More Social

2008-11-14T06:23:00.000-08:00

Microsoft’s new direction for the services of its online Windows Live will bring several new features meant to bring the format closer to the one found on social-networking Web sites. Users will soon be able to share photos with their friends and also add links to other pages such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

At this point, according to Microsoft’s estimates, Windows Live has more than 460 million users, which are expected to benefit from these new options. The new What’s New feed will allow users to bring in third-party sites like the ones mentioned above and also Photobucket and Flickr. All the information about their profiles, updates, new photos and other actions will be available on the Windows Live network, letting friends know what’s new.

Microsoft announced that it will begin distribution for the improved Windows Live to customers in the United States "over the coming weeks and globally in 54 countries by early next year."

"We're now at the point where we can go beyond soloed communication tools that don't work together -- and start to integrate the best of them," said Windows Live general manger Brian Hall, adding that "We're taking a huge step forward in providing an integrated personal communication service."

The company will release another new set of tools, called Windows Live Essentials, meant to connect the users’ PCs and their online content stored on Windows Live. The tools are designed to help users manage their e-mail and calendars, even when offline, and also to create blogs, more easily tag and post their photos.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1a Phone To Hit US Market On Nov 28

2008-11-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson has made announcement about the launching of its much-awaited Xperia X1a phone, which will hit US market on November 28.

The phone will be available through the Sony Style stores, which have already started receiving pre-orders from Thursday (November 13).

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1a, which is focused more on lifestyle of a consumer, features a brilliant 3.0-inch 16-bit color TFT touchscreen with a full QWERTY keyboard.

The prettiest phone to arrive in the market sports a 3.2 megapixel camera with 30FPS video recording with a bright flash for videos and photos.

Based on the Windows Mobile platform, the Xperia X1a comes with a 256 MB SDRAM and 400 MB of onboard memory with support for microSD card.

The XPERIA will have 400MB of internal memory, which is expandable to 32GB.

Moreover, the phone with sleek arc-slider design weighs just 145 grams and supports both Quad-band GSM and HSPA networks, and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 for connectivity.

The other goodies include 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, USB 2.0, wireless LAN 802.11b/g, EDGE and quad-band GSM, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, and HSCSD.

The phone would cost $799.99 for the unlocked version.

New windows to make its ways next year

2008-11-02T01:16:00.000-07:00

Big news for the Microsoft fans, Microsoft will be bringing Windows 7 formerly (codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna), the next version of Microsoft Windows and the successor to Windows Vista. According to the Windows boss Steve Sinofsky, this new version of windows could run on systems with just 1GB of RAM.

Windows 7 first appreance was at a conference in Los Angeles. Its looks quite similar to windows vista but according to microsoft this will be a much improved version. The system will be faster and easier to use and it will support new generation of multitouch screens similar to Apple’s iPhone. Well microsoft have already announced about the web based version of office so lets keep our figers closed until the this window gets opened.

Google has joined Openid Movement

2008-10-30T06:15:00.000-07:00

Now a days as the internet revolution is at its highest ,more and more new websites are coming and of course ,we the user of these services need to create an account in all these websites to get access.Every website has its own login data and they asked for password ,but have you ever thought registering on each and every website and then logging back with different passwords is like proving your identity again and again.So here comes the solution that is being launched by google ,or we can say it has provided privileges to open id community.

Now person having google account can login to different websites with this email only ,this is called federated login.One of the companies using this new service is www.zoho.com. Raju Vegesna at ZoHo says that “We now offer all our users the ability to login to ZoHo using their Google Account to avoid the need to create yet another login and password.”

The initial version of the API will use the OpenID 2.0 protocol to enable websites to validate the identity of a Google Account user, including the optional ability to request the user’s e-mail address.

Critical security patch for windows

2008-10-27T04:25:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has released a rare emergency security patch due to a new vulnerability found in the Remote Procedure Call or RPC, this flaw allows a hacker to remotely control your PC from any location and allows him to run any malicious code on your machine. This problem or vulnerability is found to be on Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Xp and Windows Server 2003. This is a very serious problem and I urge all those who use the following mentioned operating system, to immediately update your windows using the Windows Auto Update to apply this security patch.

Yahoo has announced the release of Yahoo publisher Network (Beta)

2008-10-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

From last few months yahoo was developing solutions for small-medium size publisher and here is the result from one of the giants of internet Yahoo.

They have launched yahoo publisher network in the U.S for small and medium size publishers,currently it is available through invitation only as it is in beta state and yahoo is working to refines the new platform where publisher can easily signup and access new revenue sources and enhanced yahoo! content through yahoo self-serve platform.

Yahoo had done a lot of work throughout alpha phase of YPN to make it more feasible for advertisers and publishers.Publishers had expressed a need for more accessible customer services and in view of all these needs yahoo will offer publishers new sources of revenue, starting with our Content Match contextual advertising product, and one-stop access to unique Yahoo! products, such as “Add to My Yahoo!” buttons and Yahoo!’s Y!Q beta. The Yahoo! Publisher Network self-serve beta will also offer phone and email customer service and in the coming weeks, will feature ad targeting capabilities to publishers. And that’s just the beginning.

So just wait for another internet revolution from the internet giant yahoo.