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Download Google Chrome 5.0.342.1 with Geolocation Capabilities

2010-03-06T22:06:00.000+05:30

A few days after it introduced an update to its Beta channel, Google has made available for download a new testing release of the next major iteration of its open source browser. Google Chrome 5.0.342.1 is currently available for download for Windows, Mac, and Linux, bringing to the table new features that devs need to test-drive. An illustrative example in this regard is geolocation support in Chrome 5.0.
Google is playing catch-up with Mozilla, which already offers geolocation capabilities with Firefox. And, in fact, there are more similitudes between Chrome and Firefox in terms of allowing the browser to know and report the position of the end user worldwide. Essentially, both Google and Mozilla are leveraging the same Geolocation application programming interface. This, of course, goes a tad deeper, and is a matter of modern web standards support, in this particular respect, of HTML5 adoption. Among its many new features, HTML5 brings to the table a little something dubbed Browser GeoLocation. By leveraging the Geolocation application programming interface (API), websites are able to get exact location information from browsers, such as Firefox 3.5, 3.6 and later, and now Chrome 5. In fact, sites can determine the exact location of the user as long as an application with support for the Geolocation API is used in order to browse. Karen Grunberg, from the Google Chrome team, revealed that geolocation was disabled by default in Google Chrome 5.0.342.1. In order to enable it, testers need to change the way the browser is run with the addition of --enable-geolocation. The easiest way for early adopters to do this is by rightclicking the Chrome 5.0.342.1 shortcut on the desktop, selecting Properties and, under Target, modifying the default C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe to be C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe --enable-geolocation. At the same time, users need to be aware of the fact that only the Windows and Mac OS X (with the exception of version 10.6 for Mac) support Wifi-based location.

Intel's New Core vPro Processor

2010-02-08T00:04:00.000+05:30

Santa Clara, California-based Intel, the world's leading vendor of computer processors, announced today the debut of its new line of Core vPro processors, designed to meet the requirements of business users and power some of the upcoming business PCs. Based on Intel's latest Nehalem micro-architecture and the outfit's latest 32nm manufacturing process, the new CPUs will be paired with the Intel Q57 Express chipset, the 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection for notebooks and the 825780M Network Connection for desktop PCs.
“Businesses, particularly those that haven’t purchased PCs for several years, face a computing environment that no longer handles the applications many workers and IT are adopting,” said Rick Echevarria, vice president, Intel Architecture Group, and general manager, Business Client Platform Division. “The integration of intelligent performance along with smart security and cost-saving manageability features in the Intel Core vPro processor family provide IT and SMBs a no-compromise platform. We also are excited about how Intel vPro Technology gives IT the flexibility to look at client virtualization, consumerization and rich cloud applications.”Among the features that have been enabled with the release of the new processor family, Intel highlighted the Anti-Theft technology that business customers will make good use of. According to the company, the Intel AT 2.0 can enable encryption solutions that will disable access to cryptographic keys, blocking access to data, whenever a computer system is considered stolen. These AT 2.0-enabled systems will also feature a pre-OS message that is customizable.The technology also includes Intel's new Keyboard-Video-Mouse Remote Control (KVM Remote Control), available with dual-core Core i5 and Core i7 vPro processors, in addition to the Intel Remote Encryption Management, adding more value to the business PC. Systems that are expected to adopt Intel's latest technology will be available from a range of systems vendors, including names such as Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and Panasonic and others.

Vista SP2 Gets Automated Troubleshooting Services

2010-02-04T01:02:00.004+05:30

An online resource from Microsoft is designed to diagnose and repair Windows operating systems, including Windows Vista SP2. The Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services are set up to perform what the Redmond company refers to as common system maintenance tasks. Specifically, the Automated Troubleshooting Services will not only detect a range of maintenance problems, including broken desktop shortcuts, unused icons, disk volume errors, and incorrect system time display, but will also correct them automatically, requiring very little effort on behalf of the end users, beyond running the solution.
Microsoft enumerated some of the issues that the services deal with, including: “problems with desktop shortcuts and icons (shortcuts on the desktop don't work or are broken; desktop icons are broken or have not been used in 3 months; startup items don't work or are broken); System maintenance tasks (free up disk space by repairing disk volume errors such as bad sectors, lost clusters, cross-linked files and directory errors; free up disk space by removing error reports and troubleshooting history older than 1 month; set the correct system time and synchronize system clock with the time server) and the following errors: Windows update error 0x80072F8F and the item that this shortcut refers to has been deleted.”The Automated Troubleshooting Services are the result of steps taken by Microsoft in order to automate resolves delivered to end users through Microsoft KB articles. However, the web-based services are useless in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. The software giant indicated that the latest iteration of Windows client and server platforms came with the automated troubleshooting services included by default. “Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services scans your computer and detects the root causes of common problems, then automatically fixes the problems that it finds, and offers additional resources if the problem isn't fixed,” the company notes.

Color Changing Phone Skins in Development

2009-12-10T16:56:00.000+05:30

Mobile phones currently allow for a wide range of customizations to be applied to them. While the current personalization options users can enjoy range from downloading applications or themes for a handset to purchasing accessories or custom cases for the device, it seems that the future might bring something even more appealing: phone skins that can change color.

The guys over at Philips Research managed to develop a color e-paper technology that can deliver new personalization options when it comes to mobile devices. The color and appearance of the device can thus way be easily changed to match user's outfit, mood or environment through the simple push of a button. However, the company notes that one of the applications of this technology would be ‘e-wallpapers,’ and that it managed to come up with a less expensive and simplified version of the e-paper tech, namely with e-skins.

“The first applications using the technology could be e-skins for small devices such as MP3 players or cell phones. However, the technology is highly scalable.” Says Kars-Michiel Lenssen, principal scientist at Philips Research. “In the future it will be possible to use e-skins to bring new color and a new aura or ‘vibe’ to much larger equipment. Just as Philips’ Ambient Experience uses light and color to make hospital diagnostic rooms far more welcoming, a large e-skin could make the concept fit for the MRI or CT scanner itself, potentially putting patients more at ease.”

According to the company, the e-skins can offer a more subtle and more natural-looking personalization of devices, when compared to LEDs and OLEDs that can create different ambients through creating colorful lights. The e-skin technology, based on Philips’ work with e-paper, uses electrophoresis to control the motion of particles in suspension.

“If you create a pixel with colored particles in a clear suspension, applying an electric field perpendicular to the surface makes the particles migrate to the top of the pixel, turning it dark. This is the basis of monochrome e-paper used in e-book readers,” the company notes. When the field is applied parallel to the surface, colored particles spread across the pixel, and the company managed to control the number of particles that are spread, giving it this way the wanted nuance.

AOL Lost More than $160 Billion in Value in 10 Years

2009-12-10T16:51:00.002+05:30

AOL is on the verge of a long-awaited spin-off from Time Warner and will officially begin trading as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) later today. Shares have already begun trading, but AOL will officially be on its own in a few hours as the market opens. It's been a crazy decade for the company which was its worth drop massively, but it's now looking at the future and growth as content company with its eyes set on every niche market possible.

It marks the end of one the most tumultuous mergers in corporate history. It began almost ten years ago, at the height of the dot come bubble when AOL was riding high on its dial-up business and online proprieties. It was the biggest thing on the Internet at that moment and old media, Time Warner, wanted a piece of the seemingly never-ending pie. AOL was valued at $165 billion at that time, more than Google today, making the merger one of the biggest in history as well and the combined value of the newly formed AOL Time Warner giant was at $240 billion.

It didn't take long for frictions to begin between the execs at the two companies and coupled with the burst of the 'bubble' a very short while after that, it soon became apparent that it would be one of the biggest disasters in the history of mergers as well. Today the two companies have a combined value of less than $40 billion. AOL is valued at just $2.5 billion after many, many cuts and we'll have to see if even that wasn't overestimated depending on the market's reaction to the newly issued shares.

Still, the company is profitable at the moment, though revenue from its dial-up business, which, surprisingly or not, is still around, is dwindling and will have to be replaced by advertising revenue, something in short supply lately. AOL plans to ramp up content creation and has beefed up its editorial team with a lot of new hires. At the same time AOL is letting 2,500 people go as it tries to loose weight fast. It will be interesting to see if the latest plan to fill the Internet with 'targeted content', similar to what Demand Media and others are doing, very successfully it seems, will be enough to save it, but with Tim Armstrong at the helm AOL might just make it as long as it keeps its bearings straight.

Microsoft and CHT Form Cloud Alliance

2009-11-11T10:19:00.000+05:30

A strategic alliance inked by Microsoft and Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. (CHT) is designed to enable the latter to deliver services that span across the PC, mobile devices, and TV, both to businesses and to end users in Taiwan. According to the Redmond company, Simon Leung, corporate vice president, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region, and Shyue-Ching Lu, chairman and CEO of CHT, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) defining the future collaboration focused not only on Cloud services but also on software applications. The agreement involves SaaS (software as a service), PaaS (platform as a service) and IaaS (information as a service) cloud app, Microsoft explained.

Present at the MOU signing, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer commented that the two companies shared the same vision when it came down to delivering products and services set up to enhance user experience associated with mobile technologies. “We’re expanding the scope of our collaboration because CHT is a great partner in these efforts and because we are committed to working closely with companies in Taiwan to help strengthen the Taiwanese IT industry,” Ballmer revealed. When it comes down to SaaS, the software giant revealed that CHT would be the local partner which would serve Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) online services to customers.

In addition, by joining Microsoft in the Cloud, CHT also embraces the company’s upcoming Cloud platform. The PaaS aspect of the strategic alliance involves a CHT and Microsoft collaboration for the Windows Azure Platform Metro Early Adoption Program. Essentially, CHT will leverage Windows Azure for its own Cloud services. “Through this agreement, Microsoft and CHT will work together to deliver a new generation of seamless, connected experiences that bring the power of cloud computing to consumers and to business of all sizes here in Taiwan,” Ballmer added. “These efforts will include everything from the implementation of an optimized, dynamic datacenter to hosted services for businesses and new cloud-based services for consumers that span PCs, mobile phones and the television.” As a part of the IaaS deal between the two, CHT will be able to take advantage of the Microsoft Global Foundation Services and Dynamic Data Center Toolkit. Microsoft noted that, in this regard, CHT would offer optimized dynamic datacenter cloud services.

On top of this, CHT will also make sure that custom versions of Internet Explorer and Silverlight will be installed on its netbooks, in addition to Windows Gadgets for Windows 7. “We hope that our strategic alliance with Microsoft will result in a more convenient mobile experience for consumers,” Shyue-Ching revealed. “CHT has continuously enhanced our software applications and service scopes, and devoted ourselves to digital services including audio, video, information security and entertainment services. The combination of Microsoft’s innovative technologies and CHT’s resources is intended to accelerate the application of cloud technologies on actual services, bringing consumers convenient services and fresh user experiences."

Download Google Chrome 4.0 Beta - 400% More Performance over v1.0

2009-11-04T10:23:00.000+05:30

A new release of Google Chrome 4.0 is now available for download, full build string 4.0.223.16. Loyal to a Cloud-tailored mantra of simplicity and performance, Google has kicked up a notch its open source browser, revealing the first Beta development milestone of version 4.0. Ahead of the November 2nd launch of Google Chrome 4.0 Beta, version 4.0 was offered exclusively through the Mountain View search giant’s developer channel. This is no longer the case. With the unveiling of the Beta Build 4.0.223.16, Google is now offering Chrome 4.0 to the public.

However, not all users will be able to install the release. Version 4.0.223.16 is Windows only, Google informed, giving no indications as to any future plans to offer Chrome 4.0 for users of Linux and Mac OS X platforms as well. In this regard, early adopters looking to start test driving Google Chrome 4.0 Beta will need to do it on Windows XP SP2, and SP3, Vista RTM/SP1/SP2 and Windows 7.

“The Beta Channel is being updated to 4.0.223.16 which is our first Beta release for 4.0. This release includes many bug fixes and for the first time Bookmark Sync is enabled. Extensions are disabled until the final API changes arrive. Please use the dev channel for the latest extension API,” revealed Jonathan Conradt, Engineering Program Manager.

One aspect of Google Chrome’s evolution that is also characteristic of version 4.0 Beta, is the added horsepower introduced by the Mountain View search giant. Google’s Idan Avraham and Anton Muhin, Software Engineers, explained that Google Chrome 4.0 Beta delivers 400% more performance compared to Chrome 1.0, and 30% more over Chrome 3.0 Stable (according to Mozilla's Dromeao DOM Core Tests).

Google Chrome bookmark sync is a new feature introduced with version 4.0 Beta, with a self-explanatory moniker. Google Chrome 4.0 Beta allows users to synchronize bookmarks across multiple devices that are running v4.0 of the open source browser. The synchronization is done in the Google Cloud, more specifically, the XMPP-based servers for Google Talk.

100 million Need for Speed Games Have Been Sold to This Day

2009-10-22T23:15:00.001+05:30

1994 was the year in which the most popular racing game franchise was born. In that year, Electronic Arts released the first Need for Speed game for the 3DO console, but it would have never guessed just how much of an impact it would have. Right now, the game has gathered 14 sequels spread across 14 consoles. Today, these titles, along with the original, have sold over 100 million copies and make for the only racing game to ever reach this number. This milestone isn't a first achievement for Electronic Arts, as its Sims series has managed to cross the 100-million line as well.

All NFS games ever made have amounted to a total sales income of $2.7 billion, a number that exceeds the gross national product of some smaller countries. Of course, EA takes great pride in watching these crumbling territories from far above in its tower built of money and the dreams and hopes of developers. It also takes pride in many other achievements of some of its Need for Speed games. 2005 was the year of Need for Speed Most Wanted, as it sold 16 million copies worldwide and 3.9 million in the US. EA itself was the one that measured their global sales, while the localized ones were supervised by the NPD Group.As one could have expected, the 16 million copies were the top bar for sales, as far as a single title was concerned. The following installments in the series could not match up to Most Wanted, but that doesn't mean they didn't do very well on their own. In the US alone, Need for Speed: Carbon sold 3.2 million units, ProStreet 2.4 million and 1.4 million Need for Speed: Undercover copies landed in the hands of the American fans.

To try and relieve the glory of Most Wanted, Activision has two new games in the series planned for this year alone and another one coming fresh in 2010. Need for Speed Shift was launched in September on the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable and has gathered only 309,000 units across all platforms so far. With Nitro coming out on November 3 and Need for Speed World Online announced for next year, it seems like Most Wanted was a one-time hit

IBM and Canonical Team Up to Create Business-Oriented Desktop Software

2009-10-22T23:11:00.001+05:30

IBM and Canonical launched yesterday a software bundle targeted at companies that packs productivity applications along with underlying system infrastructure in a well-integrated product. For it the two software creators have stacked the IBM Client for Smart Work, a collaboration and productivity package that was released just a month ago, on top of Canonical's well-known Ubuntu Linux operating system.

This is more of a solution for companies seeking to move to a newer platform, but that don't want to incur the associated licensing and migration costs, or the hardware upgrades that are necessary for a Microsoft Windows 7 implementation, as Bib Picciano, general manager, IBM Lotus Software, explains: "If a company is a 'Windows shop,' at some point it will need to evaluate the significant costs of migrating its base to Microsoft's next desktop [...] American businesses have asked for a compelling alternative that can help them free up PC expenses to use for more strategic collaboration and business transformation projects.

"The software solution created by IBM and Canonical contains an office suite featuring word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications based on IBM Lotus Symphony, an e-mail client that is based on IBM Lotus Notes, the social networking and collaboration cloud-based tools provided by LotusLive.com and the underlying Ubuntu operating system. Alternatively, companies can opt to use the cloud-based LotusLive iNotes application instead of IBM Lotus Notes. Since the IBM Client for Smart Work is based on the Eclipse IDE and other pieces of open-source software, it can integrate with many other applications, giving companies the flexibility to use technologies of their choice and to preserve existing investments.Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu and Canonical CEO, said that "Canonical is proud to partner with IBM to help open up the American corporate desktop through Ubuntu. [...] IBM's smart client package running on Ubuntu will allow U.S. organizations the financial freedom to redistribute the costs of expensive software licenses into IT projects that will innovate and drive critical growth.

"Bob Sutor, vice president of Linux and Open Source, IBM Software, added: "Instead of positioning the IBM Client as a 'drop-in' replacement for the status-quo desktop, IBM is looking to create something better – focused on usability, openness, and security with a path to cloud computing – in market segments that make sense. [...] Linux as the basis of the desktop is a pragmatic choice and gives a nod to the likely future of the desktop as being open and often virtualized."Companies that are based in the United States of America can purchase the IBM Client for Smart Work from business partners such as Canonical, CSS Corp., Compariv, Mainline, Midas Networks, Red Hat, Virtual Bridges and ZSL.

Microsoft Launches Windows 7

2009-10-22T23:07:00.000+05:30

I have just finished watching the official worldwide launch event for Windows 7 streamed live over the web, featuring none other than Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, and let me tell you, Microsoft’s latest iteration of the Windows client stole the show by far. Undoubtedly the Redmond company will make available the Windows 7 launch video on-demand and I will make sure to share it with you because, trust me, you’ll want to see just what Microsoft and its OEM partners have in store for you. I will say this, Ballmer kept commenting amazing and unbelievable to a presentation of Windows 7 computers, and that’s as close to the Wow as you can get.

“With Windows 7, there’s never been a better time to be a PC,” Ballmer stated. “Together with our partners, we’re bringing more choice, flexibility and value to the market than ever before. With Windows 7, you’re sure to find a PC that fits your life.”

From what I have seen, Apple needs to go back to the drawing board and try another time. Windows 7 is an amazing operating system, but it simply doesn’t do justice to call it an OS. Because Windows 7 is more than a platform, it is an indispensable home or work accessory, that is, if you want the absolute best experience possible.

Microsoft is by no means kidding when it is advertising the development of Windows 7 as a collaborative process from the get go. It is clear that the Redmond company has perfected this product by collaborating closely with customers and partners. Over eight million testers and early adopters ran Windows 7 during development, making it the final result of the company’s largest testing effort to date.

“A project with the global customer reach of Windows can only be done as a team,” noted Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, speaking at a launch event in Tokyo. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions from customers, partners and developers around the world that helped make Windows 7 such a collaborative project.”

Whether you’re always on the go, whether you’re a hardcore gamer, an HD media aficionado, or if you just want a computer to act as a hub for your multi-PC home, there already is a Windows 7 machine tailored specifically to you needs. In the video embedded below you’ll be able to see Ballmer talking about the launch of Windows 7, Chris Liddell, chief financial officer, ringing the NASDAQ opening bell remotely, as well as additional content.

Google Ordered to Suspend Account of Innocent Gmail User

2009-09-30T17:57:00.001+05:30

A judge has ordered Google to suspend the account of a Gmail user and reveal details about their identity after a bank employee sent a document containing highly sensitive information to his e-mail address by mistake. According to law experts, the unusual ruling raises a lot of privacy and civil liberties questions.
Last week, we reported on Rocky Mountain Bank suing Google after an employee from its Wilson, Wyoming branch made a serious error that resulted in a privacy and security breach. Being asked by a customer to e-mail some loan statements to his representative, the bank clerk inadvertently attached a private document containing sensitive personal and financial information associated with 1,325 other accounts.However, not only did the employee attach a private document, but he also sent the e-mail to the wrong Gmail address. Upon discovering the incident, the bank officials contacted Google to ask for the identity of that account holder, but the Mountain View-based giant told them to get a subpoena.Out of alternatives, as no one replied to the subsequent e-mail sent at the address, the bank filed a case in the California Northern District Court. It asked for the case to be sealed in order to avoid generating possible unnecessary panic amongst its customers, but District Judge Ronald M. Whyte denied that request.The case took a new turn earlier this week when it was transferred from Judge Whyte to U.S. District Court Judge James Ware. Ware ruled in favor of the bank and ordered Google to deactivate the account that received the erroneously sent e-mail. Additionally, the company is also required to divulge the account holder's private information, even though they did nothing wrong.It will be interesting to see how Google handles this situation, as it claimed in the past that in such circumstances, it would first give the user a chance to file a counterclaim in court. Nevertheless, civil liberties advocates are edgy about this ruling, which they say violates the user's right to communicate."It's outrageous that the bank asked for this, and it's outrageous that the court granted it. What right does the bank have and go suspend the email account of a completely innocent person?" John Morris, general counsel at the Center for Democracy & Technology, commented on the situation for MediaPost. "Losing an email account is a big deal. It's very disconcerting to think that a judge could simply order my account deactivated," Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University, also noted.

Microsoft's 'Ballot Screen' Is Confusing Users

2009-09-30T17:50:00.001+05:30

Microsoft's proposal for a “ballot screen” that should be included on its operating systems sold within the European Union hasn't been received as well as expected, it seems. According to the Wall Street Journal, the proposal sees a lot of criticism from different parties, while the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS) has argued that users would be confused by the ballot screen concept.
Back in January 2009, the European Commission filed charges against Microsoft stating that the presence of Internet Explorer (IE) on Windows was violating antitrust regulations, and that the Redmond-based company should do something in this regard. What Microsoft proposed at that moment was to deliver its next client into the European Union without the web browser, and thus the Windows 7 E appeared.This proposal has not appealed to the Commission, and Microsoft came up with the ballot screen concept that should be included with the operating system, and which was supposed to offer users the possibility to choose from a range of competitive browsers. However, the ballot screen was to come to Windows if the IE was set as the default browser on the OS. According to the ballot screen proposal, users would be offered the possibility to download Mozilla's Firefox, Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome, and Opera's Opera solutions, with other browsers being added to the list as they emerge to the market and based on their performance. According to WSJ, ECIS now says that EU Windows users will be confused by the ballot browser.Thomas Vinje, an attorney and spokesman for the ECIS, said that the process of choosing another web browser would require “the user to confirm and answer threatening and confusing warnings and questions,” WSJ reports. Vinje also stated that “Microsoft has cunningly found a way to accept the commission's suggestion of a ballot screen, but to do so in a way that will be entirely ineffective.”Windows 7 is set to become available for purchase starting with October 22, and users are supposed to receive an update with the ballot screen either starting with that date or two weeks after the commission rules. However, given the new issues that have been brought to the table by ECIS, the deal might get delayed. Windows XP and Vista users should receive the update three to six months after the plan is approved.

VIA Supports Windows 7-Based Windows Embedded Standard 2011

2009-09-30T17:47:00.000+05:30

Since early this year, when Microsoft first announced the debut of its next-generation Windows 7 operating system in Beta stage, there have been speculations regarding the hardware support of the much-anticipated OS. One of the most interesting rumors claimed that Microsoft would roll out a version of its new Windows 7 OS, to support the ARM processor microarchitecture, which would consequently provide OEMs with a choice for building new computer system designs, featuring an ARM processor and the much-anticipated OS. On that note, VIA Technologies has announced today that it will support the Windows Embedded Standard 2011 across its range of processor platforms.
“Windows Embedded Standard 2011 will breathe new life into the next-generation of VIA-powered specialized devices,” said Daniel Wu, vice president, VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Windows Embedded Standard 2011 will extend the Windows user experience to specialized devices and provide enhanced functionality, networking capabilities, improved security and reliability to a range of embedded segments.”VIA makes its own x86 processor platforms, which are generally designed for small-sized, ultraportable computer systems that deliver a reduced power consumption and better pricing, when compared to competitive products. The newly announced support for the Windows 7-based Embedded Standard 2011 can only benefit OEMs, which will have the opportunity to design various computer systems powered by VIA's processors.“Microsoft Windows Embedded is happy to continue our work with long-term partner VIA to develop innovative technologies that meet the needs of embedded developers,” said John Boladian, marketing director, Windows Embedded, Asia Pacific & Greater China, Microsoft. “We look forward to extending the Windows 7 user experience to VIA-powered embedded devices. The use of Windows Embedded Standard 2011 will reduce platform development costs, but also meet the demand for enhanced functionalities, improved user experiences and connectivity among today's rapidly growing specialized devices.”Announced at the beginning of September, this year, the new Windows Embedded Standard 2011 has been designed for 64-bit processors and is focused on enabling support for Windows Aero user interface, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Touch (including multi-gesture touch interfaces and context-aware applications) and Windows Flip 3D navigation.

Dell Officially Debuts the Latitude Z 600

2009-09-30T17:44:00.001+05:30

Round Rock, Texas-based Dell, one of the world's leading vendors of portable and desktop computer systems, has announced the debut of its new line of business-oriented laptops, the much-anticipated Latitude Z-series. Boasting a thin and light design, the new laptop has been specifically designed for business consumers, featuring Intel's Core 2 Duo processor and a number of unique features that make the new Latitude Z 600 model a machine to keep an open eye for.
According to available specifications, the new Latitude Z-series combines an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with a 16-inch display that is capable of supporting a resolution of 1600 by 900 pixels. There's a large multitouch touchpad, a 2MP webcam, backlit keyboard and an interesting EdgeTouch sensor that has been integrated into the backlit screen bezel. This feature enables the end-user to browse through some of his favorite applications, which are displayed on a quick launch bar for apps.
However, for today's business users, who mostly rely on their Blackberry for checking mails and browsing the Internet, Dell has included another interesting feature, which it has dubbed Latitude ON. The technology is essentially based on a dedicated low-voltage ARM processor, the Texas Instruments' OMAP 3430, which enables users to boot to a slimmed-down version of a Linux operating system. A similar technology has been integrated into some of the most popular netbooks on the market and is called Instant-On. The Latitude ON makes little exception from the rule and will enable business users to check their emails, browse the Internet through a Firefox-based Internet browser (with no Flash support) and take advantage of a better battery life.The Latitude Z 600 has also been featured with a UWB radio to support a wireless base dock (which is also an interesting accessory Dell will roll out in November), designed to provide a DVI and USB connectors, but also to allow users to wirelessly charge the laptop.Unfortunately, all of the above haven't exactly been designed for the business-conscious user, as the price tag of the Latitude Z-series laptop is expected to start at around US$2,000+.

NVIDIA Said to Detail Next-Generation Cards Today

2009-09-30T17:43:00.000+05:30

One of the most anticipated launches this year has to be NVIDIA's next generation of DX 11-compatible graphics cards, which the graphics chip maker has been rumored to be working on for some time now. A number of rumors have surfaced on the Internet, related to said GPU, but the majority of details are yet to emerge. However, according to one of the most recent reports that have recently surfaced, the Santa Clara,
California-based graphics chip maker is preparing to provide us with some details on the forthcoming GPU, internally codenamed Fermi.The details are allegedly going to be made public during today's GPU Technology Conference, held between September 30 and October 2, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California. The keynote for the first day belongs to Jen-Hsun Huang, the company's CEO and founding member, who is expected to deliver the much-anticipated details regarding his company's new line of desktop graphic cards, according to a recent news-article on Fudzilla.There have been many reports on the Internet lately, regarding the upcoming GeForce lineup, but everything is pretty much speculation, as NVIDIA has been very tight-lipped regarding the new GPU. According to some rumors, the new cards should surface sometime before the end of this year, or as early as next year, but everything could be clearer after today's conference.NVIDIA needs to regain the number one spot in the high-performance segment, after AMD has successfully introduced its latest line of Radeon HD 58xx series of cards, which have been featured with a 40nm GPU and support for Microsoft's DirectX 11 API, as well as a number of performance improvements that make AMD's latest GPU surpass that of NVIDIA's line of GT200-based cards, in terms of performance and features delivered.

Windows 7's XP Mode Requires 2 GB RAM

2009-09-30T17:36:00.000+05:30

In fact, Microsoft is claiming that XPM provides near perfect Windows XP compatibility within Windows 7 – so that takes care of one of the raison d'etre for the old OS.
The speed and light(er) weight factor of Windows XP, however, won’t be maintained as you’ll need a fairly decent machine to run XP Mode. The system requirements to run XP Mode are beefier than those to run Windows 7 (which should run on any recent netbook).
According to a report from Cnet, a minimum of 2 GB RAM is needed for XP Mode. And as we detailed last week, XP Mode will utilize and require virtualization technologies in recent processors from both AMD and Intel, such as Intel's VT.
Not all modern processors support virtualization, even if from the same generation. For example, only certain Core 2 Duo chips feature the technology. Hopefully Microsoft will release more specific hardware requirements for XP Mode soon.
Microsoft will include a full license of Windows XP SP3 with every copy of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate for use with XP Mode.

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS a.k.a. Lucid Lynx

2009-09-24T00:49:00.001+05:30

Mark Shuttleworth, the father of the popular Ubuntu operating system and CEO of Canonical, officially announced yesterday evening (September 22nd) the goals for the next version of Ubuntu. Dubbed Lucid Lynx, Ubuntu 10.04 will be the third LTS (Long Term Support) release and it will ship on April 29th, 2010. "Two years ago we announced the second LTS release, and what we hoped would become a standard practice of making LTS releases on a predictable two-year schedule, overlayed on our existing six-month schedule of desktop and server releases. We are now giving a name to the next Ubuntu LTS: The Lucid Lynx." - Mark Shuttleworth said in the official announcement. For those of you who don't know, the LTS releases of Ubuntu are maintained for 5 years on the server and 3 years on the desktop.
For the Lucid Lynx, the development team will focus their efforts on quality and stability! The main plans are to make Ubuntu 10.04 a bug-free operating system and bring quality improvements to the user interface, boot and installation experience and top-notch hardware support. Another essential goal for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx) will be to improve the startup speed to a 10 second boot! In the next video, Mark Shuttleworth talks about the goals of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS..."Ubuntu 10.04 LTS will be a round dozen Ubuntu releases. 12 great cycles, from a great community that continues to devote itself to the goal of bringing the best stable free software to an audience of people who don’t think of themselves as computer specialists – and shouldn’t have to, either. It’s a wonderful privilege to be part of making it happen. That should put a tuft on your ears." - Mark Shuttleworth added, as a conclusion to the Lucid Lynx announcement.Ubuntu 10.04 LTS will be the 12th release of the Ubuntu operating system. But, until then, we have another version that should catch our attention and invade our computers, Ubuntu 9.10 (dubbed Karmic Koala), which will be released on October 29th.About Ubuntu:Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for your desktop or server, with a fast and easy install, regular releases, a tight selection of excellent packages installed by default, every other package you can imagine available from the network, and professional technical support from Canonical Ltd and hundreds of other companies around the world

NVIDIA Tegra Devices Coming from Acer and Lenovo, Report Claims

2009-09-22T22:34:00.001+05:30

Santa Clara, California-based NVIDIA has been actively promoting its Tegra chip for a while now, but, despite the chip maker's efforts, Tegra-powered devices have, so far, been hard to find. However, according to a recent rumor that has surfaced on the Internet, the chip maker might have landed a couple of important design wins from two of the world's leading PC vendors, namely Acer and Lenovo. Both companies are known for having collaborated with NVIDIA on some of their latest computer systems, the Aspire Revo and the IdeaPad S12, respectively.
According to a recent report on Shanzhai.com, citing a 'reliable' source, both Lenovo and Acer have been recently planning the launch of new netbooks that will be based on NVIDIA's Tegra platform. Even better, it appears that the said devices could be rolled out with the much-hyped Google Chrome operating system as early as this month. Unfortunately, there are no specific details regarding the specifications of the said devices, other than the aforementioned processing platform and the operating system.It's still early to say if the rumors are going to be trusted, but, if so, this will represent a significant break for NVIDIA, which has been trying to expand its product portfolio from the traditional market for high-performance graphics cards. Tegra is a platform that combines a low-power ARM processor with an NVIDIA graphics chip, enabling PC vendors to develop HD, video-ready, low-power devices. What is even more interesting is the rumor about the Google Chrome OS, which isn't expected to be featured on devices until sometime next year, according to the Mountain View, California-based search giant.It will be interesting to see if the two PC makers will actually be rolling out the said Tegra devices, in which case NVIDIA will be dealing with a new market segment that will likely compete with the netbook segment and the large series of Wintel netbooks.

Bing Grows for the Third Month Straight

2009-09-22T22:32:00.001+05:30

Bing has been launched for less than four months now and Microsoft is already planning Bing 2.0. But until then the “1.0” version seems to be doing just fine. Whether it's because of the new features and overall improved search experience or the $100 million ad money Microsoft poured into an all-out marketing campaign, Bing seems to be somewhat of a success with three consecutive months of consistent growth, culminating with August when it reached 9.3 percent of the search market share according to data from comScore.
The share is a 0.4 percent point increase over the previous month, when it managed to attract 8.9 percent of the searches, and an even bigger jump from June when it had only 8 percent of the market. The growth represents a 16 percent increase in market share since May, the month before Bing was launched. The new numbers are in line with previous data released by Nielsen, which pegged the revamped search engine at 10.7 percent of the search market. For the other players things are relatively calm, with Google losing a fraction, going from 64.7 percent of the searches in July to 64.4 percent last month. Since May Google has lost less than 1 percent points, dropping from 65 percent that month. Yahoo maintained its position with a flat 19.3 percent while Ask.com also held to its 3.9 percent and AOL dropped 0.1 percent points to 3.0 percent. While Google still enjoys a very solid lead, even against Microsoft and Yahoo combined, Bing actually grew faster in absolute numbers with a 31.9 percent increase in its overall search volume year over year compared to Google's 21.6 percent and Yahoo's 16.8 percent. While, by itself, Bing's growth is pretty substantial, it's going to have to do a lot better if it actually wants to have a chance to challenge Google anytime soon. Still, if it can keep up the momentum in the short term and manage a healthy merger with Yahoo search in the long term, Microsoft may actually have a shot at acquiring a significant portion of the market.

Microsoft Steps Further into Parallel Computing with ISC Purchase

2009-09-22T22:29:00.001+05:30

Redmond-based software company Microsoft has recently added a new item on its acquisition list, the Interactive Supercomputing (ISC) company, which is focused on delivering parallel-computing solutions to desktop machines so as to enable end users to benefit from access to high-performance computing. According to the company, the purchase of ISC's technology assets should enable it to make further advancements into its work on parallel computing and high performance computing.
Kyril Faeno, general manager, High Performance & Parallel Computing Technologies at Microsoft, stated in a blog post that a team of experts on parallel and high performance computing, led by Bill Blake, CEO of ISC, would join forces with Microsoft's team at the New England Research & Development Center in Cambridge, MA. According to Faeno, who seems to be quite enthusiastic about the new acquisition, the two teams should be able to work together to “greatly improve the capability, performance, and accessibility of parallel computing and HPC technologies.”“This move represents our ongoing commitment to parallel computing and high performance computing (HPC) and will bring together complementary technologies that will help simplify the complexity and difficulty of expressing problems that can be parallelized. ISC’s products and technology enable faster prototyping, iteration, and deployment of large-scale parallel solutions, which is well aligned with our vision of making high performance computing and parallel computing easier, both on the desktop and in the cluster,” Kyril Faeno stated. At the same time, the Microsoft representative also stated that the software giant already started the work on integrating ISC technologies into the company's future products, and that more details on how things would move ahead would be unveiled during the following months. For the time being, however, Microsoft plans on providing support for ISC’s current Star-P customers. Star-P, reports PEHub, which brought news on the purchase since Monday, is described as a “technical computing software that enables users to code computing problems on their desktops using familiar mathematical software such as MATLAB and Python, and run them instantly and interactively on parallel high-performance computers (HPCs).”

Changes to Google Docs hint at GDrive release

2009-09-21T09:21:00.000+05:30

The sharp eyes over at the Google Operating System blog noticed that Google quietly changed some wording in Google Docs from "PDFs" to "files." While small, this could signal that Google Docs may soon support the viewing and editing of other file types, and possibly double as an online storage service--like the fabled GDrive.
Google has long-allowed users to upload PDFs to Docs. These could be viewed in Google's online viewer, but not edited. However, the service would not allow other items such as photos and videos to be imported, despite Google offering other products like Picasa and YouTube that would accept these files.
Google began an overhaul of its Docs service late last week, and noted that it was putting in some small changes ahead of a much larger release which was just around the corner. Some of these changes included the addition of special search modifiers that would let users more easily hone searches for their files. Many of these came from Google's search engine and Gmail.
If, in fact, Google Docs allows users to upload other file types for viewing and re-downloading from other locations, it's still a long way from the promise of an integrated, cloud-based storage system. All signs of a GDrive from Google have pointed toward a software component that will allow users to access their Google storage as if it were a local hard disk. Google is also expected to release the service in advance of its Chrome OS, which will make heavy use of files that are stored in the cloud.

Twitter to raise funding at $1 billion valuation?

2009-09-21T09:17:00.000+05:30

Twitter is attempting to raise funding at a $1 billion valuation, according to a TechCrunch post Wednesday.

The blog cited unnamed sources claiming that Twitter CEO Evan Williams announced the valuation in a recent meeting. According to TechCrunch's sources, Twitter plans to raise about $50 million during the financing round. The company has already raised about $55 million in funding.
Twitter hasn't immediately responded to requests for comment.
In February, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone announced in a blog post that his company raised approximately $35 million in a Series C round of funding led by Benchmark and Institutional Venture Partners. At the time, it was reported that Twitter's valuation for the round was about $250 million. Assuming that both reports are true, Twitter is contending that it's now worth four times as much as it was just seven months ago.
Of course, determining the real value of a company is a subjective practice. And most times, those figures change rapidly as economic factors impact the company's operation.
Twitter, which has yet to turn a profit, still hasn't implemented a profit-making business model. That could have a major impact on its valuation, regardless of the figure.
That said, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone said in an interview with VentureBeat last month that his company will implement a revenue model by the end of the year. He wouldn't dig too deep into details, but he did say it would incorporate paid accounts for businesses that want to use the platform for marketing and customer relations.
But just how those paid accounts will impact Twitter's growing user base is up for debate. Will companies go elsewhere to promote their brands? Will they pay Twitter's fees? All that can impact the company's real value.
So as Twitter possibly heads into another round of funding, it's important to remember that valuations are fluid numbers that are easily changed. It's also important to note that so far, Twitter hasn't confirmed that $1 billion valuation. So maintain some skepticism, as we do, until we hear from Twitter

Your Google docs Soon in search results?

2009-09-21T09:12:00.001+05:30

Users of Google Docs and Spreadsheets accustomed to publicly publishing their documents might want to rethink exactly how publicly available they want to them to be.
Google on Thursday wrote in a blog post that "in about two weeks, we will be launching a change for published docs. The change will allow published docs that are linked to from a public Web site to be crawled and indexed, which means they can appear in search results you see on Google.com and other search engines...This is a very exciting change, as your published docs linked to from public Web sites will reach a much wider audience of people."
"Marie" of Google was quick to note that the crawling for search results "only applies to docs which you explicitly publish using the 'Publish as Web page' or 'Publish/embed' option, and which are linked to from a publicly crawled Web page" (documents for which users choose only to "allow anyone with the link to view" will not get crawled, she wrote, adding that users can unpublish documents they wish to remain uncrawled).
Some users of the search giant's suite of online productivity applications expressed concerns about the plan, suggesting better labeling of potentially crawlable documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. For example, how would you know definitively if a publicly crawled Web page has linked to your published document? Is the only way to ensure that your published document does not ultimately show up in search results to actually unpublish it?
As noted by The Register, "Google Apps master view does not tell you which docs are publicly published and which aren't." While it may well be obvious to most users how publicly available their Google documents are--and many of those published documents may well be intended to be as publicly available as possible--this seems to be another area where Google needs to find the right balance between transparency and data accessibility

Lenovo Debuts the IdeaCentre Q700 HTPC

2009-08-13T18:36:00.000+05:30

Desktops have certainly seen better days, when computer users were actually more interested in buying a desktop computer system than one of the latest portable or ultraportable PCs. However, leading players in the PC market continue to adapt their product lines to the latest requirements of consumers, releasing new desktop systems that address those specific requirements. On that note, Lenovo seems to believe that there's increasing
demand for HTPCs, which is why it has just introduced the new IdeaCentre Q series, a line of desktop PCs designed to provide users with a rich multimedia experience in the comfort of their own home.In a market that has certainly seen its share of Atom-based systems, Lenovo comes with the new IdeaCentre Q series, which has been designed to take advantage of a faster Intel processor, namely the Pentium E5200 CPU, clocked at a cool speed of 2.5GHz. In addition, the system can be equipped with up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM and provides users with a choice for a 320GB or 640GB hard drive. In addition, unlike some low-power nettops available on the market, the Q700, one of the first systems to debut with the new series, has been packed with an integrated DVD burner.
There's no included display, but the system's graphics will be handled by Intel's own GMA X4500 integrated graphics chip, ready to provide users with support for a true HD graphics solution. In addition, it has been equipped with a stylish and slim chassis that can effectively cool down the internal components, while also making Lenovo's HTPC fit for almost every working environment.Lenovo's IdeaCentre Q700 HTPC is backed by a one-year warranty and is scheduled to arrive with a Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium operating system. Price wise, you are looking at a PC that starts at US$449, close to the price tag of many nettops on the market.

Flash Cookies Used to Track User Behavior

2009-08-13T18:33:00.000+05:30

Unknown to the general public, Adobe Flash uses local cookies to store various types of user sensitive information. This was the conclusion of a study supported by TRUST (Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technologies) and conducted by various US universities.Most people already know that Internet cookies are used to store personal data after accessing a website, but fewer are aware that Adobe Flash has been doing the same thing as well. Even more dangerous is the fact that Flash cookies seem to resurrect after being deleted, as the study has shown in various tests.
This issue poses a big problem in cases were sensitive data was sent through a Flash interface. In many cases, if Flash cookies are involved, it may be possible that some personal information was left behind, and will continue to linger on the same computer. If the user accesses that same website again, that data may be used without permission or without the user being aware of it.Thus, many websites could and probably are tracking user behavior, building profiles and accessing sensitive personal data without authorization. In many ways, a simple Flash component displayed on a page could lead to the creation of a Flash cookie on the user's computer.Unlike HTTP cookies, Flash cookies don't have any expiration date by default, storing 25 times more data than a regular HTTP cookie. To make it more difficult to track them, Flash cookies aren't even stored in the same place as HTTP cookies, and are not integrated into browser security settings.For those interested in turning Flash cookies off, this can be done from an Adobe settings applet hosted on this page. The study has also shown that user privacy has already been broken by major websites, since most of them use Flash cookies. From all, advertising companies have been using the most complex and intrusive sets of cookies, storing and building customer profiles. This kind of information is very important for online advertisers to detect the number of unique visitors of a website that displays a certain ad campaign, since all revenues and payments are done proportionally with the number of unique visitors.Companies like ClearSpring, Iesnare, InterClick, ScanScout, SpecificClick, QuantCast, VideoEgg and Vizu have been creating and using these kinds of Flash cookies.More curious is the fact that from the website pool used in the research, only four of them had listed in their privacy policy the usage of Flash to store private content or a tracking mechanism.Study research team: Lauren Thomas, Ashkan Soltani, Shannon Canty, Quentin Mayo and Chris Jay Hoofnagle.

Windows 7 Maximum Supported RAM - 192 GB RAM

2009-08-13T18:15:00.000+05:30

Windows 7 has got a little bump in terms of the maximum limit of random access memory supported by the operating system in comparison to its precursor. If Windows Vista could deal with only 128 GB of RAM, customers will be able to add an additional 64 GB of system memory on computers running Windows 7. That’s right, Windows 7 is capable of playing nice with no less than 192 GB of RAM. But of course that there is a catch. Users will need to run certain editions of the latest Windows client platform from Microsoft in order to be able to feed as much as 192 GB of system memory to the operating system.
Do not expect to pass the 4 GB limit with the 32-bit flavors of Windows 7. In this regard, x86 Windows 7 doesn’t differentiate between SKUs. It really doesn’t matter if users run the Home Basic or the Ultimate edition of 32-bit Windows 7, as the maximum supported RAM limit is 4GB. Still, Windows 7 won’t be able to use the entire 4 GB. Fact is that, just as previous 32-bit Windows releases, including Vista and Windows XP, Windows 7’s address space is limited to 4 GB. In 4 GB the operating system will need to accommodate all the hardware components available, thus making it impossible to address 4 GB of RAM. Instead, 32-bit Windows 7 will only go as high as 3.2 to 3.5 GB of RAM out of a total of 4 GB. The situation is a tad different when it comes down to 64-bit Windows 7. In this case there is a discrepancy in terms of SKUs. X64 Windows 7 Home Basic can only deal with a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. I don’t know if any of you remember this, but the same was the case with Windows Vista Home Basic. However, Microsoft has increased the maximum RAM supported by x64 Windows 7 Home Premium. If for Vista, Home Premium was stuck at 16 GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium can go as high as 192 GB. But Home Premium is not alone. As you might have guessed, the high-end edition of Windows 7, as well as its counterpart for Volume Licensing customers, also supports a total of 192 GB of RAM without issues. This is in fact the biggest advantage by far of 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium, Enterprise and Ultimate SKUs, namely that users will be able to leverage system resources, and particular system memory, beyond what the 32-bit editions are capable of supporting

AMD Finally Rolls Out the 3.4GHz Phenom II X4 965 BE

2009-08-13T18:04:00.001+05:30

Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices, the world's second largest vendor of computer processors, has announced today the launch of its latest desktop computer processor, part of the company's growing line of Phenom II CPUs. The highly anticipated Phenom II X4 965 is part of the chip maker's Black Edition series of high-performance processors, meaning that it has been designed as a choice for computer enthusiasts and gamers, providing them with an increased clock speed and the same features as the company's previous flagship model, the Phenom II X4 955.

The launch of the new CPU has been expected for some time now, as the model has been leaked on the Internet on several occasions, making an appearance in various AMD product roadmaps or other sources. As far as technical specifications go, the new CPU isn't very far from its previously released counterpart, the aforementioned Phenom II X4 955. However, users will be able to take advantage of an increased clock speed, factory-set at an impressive 3.4GHz, a 45nm-based quad-core architecture, 8MB of cache and a 2GHz HT Link.As it's part of AMD's line of Black Edition processors, the new chip has been designed for computer enthusiasts, meaning that it can provide support for some overclocking, taking the CPU's core speed to increased frequencies. In addition, thanks to the more efficient 45nm manufacturing process, the new processor can deliver an impressive performance boost over the company's previous generation of high-end Phenom chips, but with lower power requirements.AMD's latest Black Edition processor is compatible with both socket AM2+ and AM3 motherboards, providing users with a choice for an affordable upgrade of their AMD-based desktop system. As far as prices go, the new processor is expected to hit the retail channel for US$245

Switch to Ubuntu Today

2009-08-13T17:59:00.001+05:30

Canonical has announced today in a press release that it will offer new support services for both individual and small businesses, which will ease the transition to the popular Ubuntu operating system, from Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh. Ubuntu is a 100% free and open-source Linux OS for both desktop and server platforms, with millions of users around the globe. With these support services offered by Canonical, users can take now take full advantage of the Ubuntu OS. They will include support for installations, desktop configuration and general assistance (see below for details about each package).
Steve George, director of Canonical's Corporate Services division says: "Canonical's Desktop Support Services provides an easy, inexpensive way to get Ubuntu up and running in the home, home office and small business - reaching the vast majority of computer users. [...] With our team supporting them, Ubuntu is ideal for people who just want their computer to work, where the goal is to get up and running with no fuss, focusing on the things they want to accomplish."Canonical's Desktop Support Services includes three packages: Starter, Advanced and Professional:- The Starter Desktop Service offers support for installations and basic configuration and functionality of the Ubuntu system, like creating various documents, playing audio and video streams, using various applications or setting up the Internet. The package's price starts from 34.73 Pound Sterling (GBP) + VAT;- The Advanced Desktop Service offers support for power users who need help or assistance for migrating documents or settings from a Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh operating system. Advanced installations, personnel accounting and desktop publishing are also covered by this offering. The package's price starts from 72.62 Pound Sterling (GBP) + VAT;- The Professional Desktop Service offers support for experienced users who already use Ubuntu as their main operating system, but need help with network installations, various applications support, advanced productivity, advanced system administration and more. The package's price starts from 138.03 Pound Sterling (GBP) + VAT.All three offerings described above include:
- Live phone support 9x5
- Email support
- Security upgrades
- Product upgrades
- Duration: 1 year or 3 years

Google Chrome OS: a five-step guide to the new operating system

2009-07-25T20:03:00.001+05:30

1. What is Google Chrome OS?
It is a computer operating system, based around the Google Chrome browser, which is aimed at speeding up process across more powerful computers.
The company said the software will be "fast" and "lightweight", with minimal bells and whistles "to stay out of your way", much like its search engine and browser. It is being designed to help users get onto the web within a few seconds of logging on.
Google is trying to alleviate some of the frustration inherent in Windows-based computers, such as slow loading times, computer viruses and complicated hardware installation. It hopes to achieve this by making the first operating system for the cloud generation – meaning the majority of the system’s work will be going through the web rather than on the computer.
2. When will it launch?
Google has predicted people will be able to buy the first Google Chrome OS powered netbooks by the second half of 2010.
However, because the system will be open sourced, like Chrome the browser, Google will be making the code available to developers later this year.
A Google spokesperson said: “We have a lot of work to do, and we’re definitely going to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish this vision.”
Sundar Pichai, vice president Product Management and Linus Upson, engineering director, jointly wrote on the official Google blog: “Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010.
“Because we're already talking to partners about the project, and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.”
3. How much will it cost?
As the system will be based on Linux and it’s open-source, it is largely expected Google Chrome OS will be free.
Google will monetise the service as it gains share with corporate partnerships but to consumers, it should be totally free of charge.
4. What devices will it be available on?
Google says it is in talks with all netbook manufacturers and therefore it is likely that most models, such as Samsung and Sony, will offer the software immediately post launch.
5. What advantages does Google Chrome OS have over Microsoft’s Windows?
There are two major advantages:
i) As the system is web-based it will offer users total integration with the internet and as more and more applications become web-based, the computer experience would be increasingly seamless.
ii) It is widely expected to be a free service, whereas Microsoft charges different amounts for its various versions of Windows.

Google Latitude released for iPhone

2009-07-25T19:53:00.001+05:30

The software has already been available on other handsets for several months, including those running Google’s Android operating system, as well as BlackBerrys and Symbian S60 devices.
However, the iPhone version of Google Latitude is browser-based, rather than a stand-alone application. It uses the iPhone’s Safari web browser to pinpoint the users location and then broadcast that to groups of friends online.

“We worked closely with Apple to bring Latitude to the iPhone in a way Apple thought would be best for iPhone users,” said Mat Balez, a product manager at Google, in the company’s blog. “After we developed a Latitude application for the iPhone, Apple requested we release Latitude as a web application in order to avoid confusion with Maps on the iPhone, which uses Google to serve maps tiles.”
Latitude plots the position of mobile users by finding out which phone masts or wireless internet hot spots they are close to. This technique, known as triangulation, has long been possible and is used in court cases to place a defendant at the scene of a crime.
Anyone who signs up to the service will be able to use the Google Maps application on their phone to see an icon representing themselves and their position on a map of the nearby area. They can write a “status update” to tell the world what they are doing.
They can then invite other people in their contacts book to join in, and if they agree the user will also be able to see their friend’s whereabouts on the map. Clicking on the friend’s icon will allow a user to call them, or send an email or text message.
Anyone who signs up to Latitude can also choose to hide their position at any time, from all friends or just selected ones, and can choose just to reveal their general whereabouts in the country rather than an exact map reference.
However, the service has raised privacy concerns. Simon Davies, the director of Privacy International, said: “Although this will be seen as cool technology by a lot of people, it’s going to be a privacy minefield. Google needs to think through some fundamental security and privacy problems.”
Google has stressed that privacy will be protected as mobile users must give their express permission for their location to be divulged to friends.

IBM Sees Strong Earnings for 2009 Despite Q2 Revenue Drop

2009-07-25T19:40:00.000+05:30

IBM reported an increase in earnings during the second quarter of 2009 and said it expects strong earnings for the entire year despite a drop in revenue for the quarter.
A continuing shift away from product sales toward solution sales and ever-better control of expenses led to the earnings increase and a promise to make earnings for all of 2009 exceed the earnings reported for 2008.
IBM Thursday reported revenue for the second quarter of 2009 ended June 30 of $23.3 billion, down 13 percent compared with $26.8 billion in the second quarter of 2008.
However, IBM earned a total of $3.1 billion, up 12 percent over the $2.8 billion reported during the second quarter of 2008. The company earned $2.32 per share, up 18 percent compared with the $1.98 per share earnings it reported last year.
The second-quarter earnings caused IBM to revise its estimated earnings for all of 2009 to $9.70 per share, up 50 cents from IBM's previous guidance of $9.20 per share, said Mark Loughridge, Senior VP and CFO of IBM.
This compares with earnings per share of $8.93 recorded for all of 2008.
Loughridge said IBM's earnings performance, strong during the current economic downturn, will get stronger when IT spending rises.
"Our model delivered increased margins when revenue growth was a headwind," he said. "We expect margins to do better when revenue becomes a tailwind."
Revenue from the Americas was $9.9 billion, down 9 percent compared with last year. Revenue fell across nearly all key industry segments except public sector, where revenue was flat, Loughridge said. Revenue in the communications sector fell 11 percent vs. the second quarter of 2008, while revenue from financial services was down 14 percent, general business was down 14 percent, distribution was down 16 percent and industrial was down 23 percent.
IBM reported $14.0 billion in global services revenue, down about 5 percent compared with last year.
Software revenue fell 7 percent over last year. While WebSphere sales were up 8 percent year-to-year, sales of information management software fell 4 percent, Tivoli sales fell 2 percent, Lotus sales fell 14 percent and Rational sales fell 2 percent.
However, Loughridge said, Tivoli storage software revenue rose 16 percent over last year thanks to strength in the virtualization market.
On the hardware side, IBM saw its server and storage revenue fall a combined 26 percent over last year. This included a 39 percent drop in System z revenue, a 13 percent drop in System p, a 22 percent drop in System x, a 20 percent drop in storage and a 41 percent drop in retail store solutions.
Loughridge said the year-to-year comparison was tough because of the strength of IBM's second-quarter 2008 sales.
However, he said IBM increased its market share for System p and System x servers and expects to maintain market share for storage going forward. He also said IBM expects both revenue and profit for its systems and technology segment to show year-to-year growth by the fourth quarter.

World’s First 256GB USB Drive Launched

2009-07-25T19:38:00.000+05:30

Kingston has rolled out what it calls the world’s first 256GB USB flash drive. Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost on Vista-based systems, the DataTraveler 300 comes with a password protect feature and features a capless design.

“The product is ideal for netbook users who want to extend the limited capacity of their machines. It can also be used by business consumers who work with large databases, or even designers who need to transfer large design files from one place to another,” said Nathan Su, Flash Memory Sales Director, APAC Region, Kingston.

The product comes with 5-year warranty and is immediately available in India with Kingston’s distributors HCL, Tech Pacific, and Transtek Infoways

Acer Aspire One Netbook is Getting Hotter This Summer

2009-07-19T23:45:00.003+05:30

Acer Netbooks Available with 8.9 or 10.1 Inch DisplaysBefore my contract ended at my last employer, my supervisor wanted everyone on the team to lug their desktops down to one conference room, which he affectionately designated as "The War Room."Instead of loading a tower and a 17-inch monitor onto my chair and wheeling the whole system downstairs, I simply grabbed my Acer 8.9-inch netbook and walked down to the conference room.After connecting to the company network via the built-in Ethernet port, I was able to access my desktop remotely and perform all the duties necessary to complete the task at hand. Over the course of the next 12 hours, my disbelieving supervisor kept criticizing my netbook, wondering how I could get anything done on that tiny screen. At the end of the day, he finally conceded that the Acer Aspire One had a very clear screen and could handle the workload.For business applications like mine, the 8.9-inch screen is okay, but the 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One might have kept my boss off my back for most of the day. Acer Aspire One FeaturesEfficiency is the watchword with the Acer Aspire One, which has an array of features that include the following:
• Three USB ports. This makes it easy to connect a USB mouse or a couple of flash drives.
• 160 GB hard drive. My Acer came equipped with a robust 160 GB hard drive, but some models have a more modest 120 GB drive.
• 3 or 6-cell batteries. On a full charge, a 3-cell battery can keep the netbook running for up to 3 hours, but the 6-cell battery will let the Acer Aspire One run as long as 7 hours, depending on what kinds of applications you are running.
• 1 GB RAM. A bit conservative on the memory, the Aspire One typically comes with 1 GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to 1.5 with an optional memory card.

Dell Studio One 19: Bringing Desktops Back from Oblivion

2009-07-19T23:31:00.002+05:30

Dell, Sony, Apple and Others Offer Attractive Alternatives to LaptopsAccording to market research firm iSuppli, laptop unit sales topped desktops for the first time ever in the third quarter of 2008. Matthew Wilkins, an iSuppli analyst said, "Momentum has been building in the laptop market for some
Time, so it's not a complete surprise that shipments have surpassed those of desktops." He went on to say, "However, this marks a major event in the PC market because it marks the start of the age of the notebook. The notebook is no longer a tool only for the business market, or a computer for the well-off consumer; it's now a computer for everyman."Lower Priced Laptops and NetbooksAffordable laptops like the Acer Aspire One now make owning a portable PC possible even for the financially challenged. For example, Walmart offers Acer's 10" netbook for $279 to $398 depending on location. Even though some desktop manufacturers now offer lower-cost systems, PC sales continue to decline. Obviously, as far a computers are concerned size does matter. Are clunky, space-hogging desktops on their way out? PC manufacturers like Dell seem to have the answer to that question. Like the all-in-one units inspired by the iMac and Hewlett-Packard's TouchSmart PCs, the Dell Studio One 19 packs an entire system into a slim, touch-screen monitor that virtually eliminates cables. The Dell Studio One 19 currently runs Microsoft Vista, but when Windows 7 arrives, it's impressive touch-control features will make larger desktop monitors like the Studio One much more functional than tiny netbook or laptop displays.Dell Studio One 19 Desktop SpecsThe Dell Studio One 19 is quiet, gorgeous and priced moderately with units starting around $699 on the Dell website. Available features include an 18.5" HD widescreen display, a TV tuner, wireless keyboard and mouse, 4 color fabric trim options (very cool), Intel Core2 Quad processors, built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam and microphone, NVIDIA graphics, 7-in-1 media card reader, 6 USB drives, 2GB-4GB RAM, a 320GB-750GB hard drive, and built-in speakers.

Easily Preventing Data Theft Via USB pen Drives

2009-07-19T23:24:00.002+05:30

A registry entry puts a stop to write access for USB drives. For it to work in Windows XP, at least Service Pack 2 needs to be installed. Start the registry editor with 'Start Run', 'reg edit' and 'OK'. Under Vista, type 'reg edit'
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in the search field in the start menu and press [Enter]. In both cases, you need to log in through a user account with administrator rights.Open the 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Current Control Set \ Control \ Storage Device Policies' key in the tree structure of the editor. If this does not exist, create it with 'Edit New Key'. Now right-click on the free space towards the right side of the window and select the 'New DWORD value' or 'DWORD Value (32 bit)' context command. This time, overwrite the name suggested by Windows with 'Write Protect'. Open the new entry and set its value to '1' in the 'Edit DWORD Value (32 bit)' dialog box. Subsequently confirm these changes with 'OK' and exit the registry editor using 'File Exit'. Finally, restart the computer to activate the write protection function.NOTE: If you want to allow data to be copied to a USB drive in the future again, change the value of the 'Write Protect' key in the registry editor to '0'.Integrating instantaneous thumbnail in the context menuYou prefer working with the List or Details displays in Windows Explorer rather than with the thumb nails view, but you still want to have a comfortable preview alternative when it comes to image files.

Making a text file with system information

2009-06-30T10:20:00.000+05:30

The computer is doing stupid things, so you quickly call up the service hotline. They want information about the system's configuration. The process of gathering this information is tiresome, time-consuming and full of errors.

Let Windows compile the required information for you: In Windows XP, open the command prompt of the operating system by entering 'cmd.exe' through 'Start Run' , and click 'OK'. In Windows Vista , you can enter the commands directly in the search field of the start menu.

In the command prompt, type 'Systeminfo.exe' and confirm with [Enter]. The program lists the operating system configuration including the service packs. A description of the possible parameters is avilable with the command 'Systeminfo.exe /?'. The output of the program can be copied to a text file and you can give it any name of your choice. This file contains all important information needed during a support query, but apart from the user name, no other personal data is included. for example, to store the information in a file called 'Systeminfo > C:\systeminfo.txt' and confirm with [Enter]. If the file does not exist, Windows creates it automatically. Oterwise, the operating system overwrites it without prompting.

Tata and Reliance both launch 3.1 Mbps mobile access

2009-06-28T12:45:00.000+05:30

Broadband plans in india have been well below international standards for years, but Tata Teleservices has shaken things up by announcing a new network that will offer customers 100 mbps speeds. Details are still sketchy, but what we know is that the service will be called Power Launcher and will use Tata's wireline network and Ethernet rather than the DSL lines currently running to most homes. The 100 Mbps service is priced at 10,500 per month for retail customers (with a 10 percent discount for students) with 30 GB of downloads free and Rs 0.30 charged per extra MB. No other speed tiers and no unlimited usage plans have been announced yet. Power Launcher will first roll out in Mumbai as part of Tata's Digital Mumbai vision plan, and in other cities afterwards.

Meanwhile, both Tata and Reliance are shaking things up on the mobile front, announcing new dongles that support speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps, Reliance's device, dubbed Netconnect Broadband+ is priced at Rs.3,500 and plans start at Rs 299 per month for pay-as-you-go usage billing (Rs 2 per MB downloaded). Unlimited download plans are also on offer, priced at Rs 1099 for coverage in one city and Rs 1750 for nationwide roaming, but are subject to a 10 GB per month "fair use" download cap. Tata's competing service is called Photon+ and will be offered with plans for individuals, businesses, SoHo and students. The device costs Rs 3,600 and plans begin from Rs 299 per month. Photon+ will also be offered with a Wi-Fi router, allowing users to set up a personal hotspot for their homes or offices.

Getting the deactivated Task Manager back to work

2009-06-27T12:49:00.000+05:30

You have logged into a user account with administrator rights. However, if you try to open the Task Manager using[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[del], you get the message "The Task Manager has been disabled by the Administrator".

If you are using Windows xp Professional, open the group Policy Editor with 'Start | Run', type 'gpedit.msc' and click 'OK'. open 'Administrative Templates | System |Ctrl + Alt +del Options' under 'User Configuration' on the left side of the window. Now double-click 'Remove Task Manager' in the right hand side of the window and adjust the setting to 'Disabled'.

With Windows XP Home, you will need to open the registry editor and navigate to the 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Polices\System' key. Now open the 'DisableTaskMgr' entry by double-clicking in the right side of the window. Change its 'Value' to '0' and confirm the same with 'OK'. NOTE:(After this action , run an up-to--date virus scanner and antispyware tool to scan your system for malicious software without fail, because the Task Manager can also be deactivated for the administrator due to viruses or other pests trying to hide themselves.)

Deleting blocked files in Windows Explorer

2009-06-27T11:30:00.000+05:30

Sometimes it is just not possible to delete a file. Windows Explorer refuses access to the file with an error message which says, for instance, that other programs are currently using the file. The same happens even after you restart the computer.
This demands some manual work: close all running programs as well as the icons in the system tray. Now open the prompt using 'Start| Run', type 'cmd' and click on 'OK'. Subsequently open the Task Manager with the keyboard shortcut [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del]. Now select the 'explorer.exe' entry from the list in the 'Processes' tab and click 'End Process'. Use the command prompt and navigate to the directory where the file is located using DOS commands. For example, if the stubborn document 'Resume.Doc' is in 'D:\Files\Documents', switch to this path by entering 'd:' in the command prompt and type the following 'cd file\documents'. it might now be possible t delete the file using the command 'del resume.doc'. If it still does not work, you will need to reset the 'Write Protection','Hidden' and 'System' file attributes before using the 'del' command.
Type the following command in the command prompt to reset the attributes of the file:'attrib -r -h -s resume.doc'. You can now use the 'del' command to delete the stubborn file. After you are done, bring up the task manager and click on 'File | New task' and enter 'explorer.exe'. You can now close the task manager and begin working as usual.

Amul Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva-Sherif

2009-06-27T10:54:00.000+05:30

'Amul Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva', the first-ever dances reality show on Vijay TV has provided a great platform for all the talented dancers across the state. Launched during August 2008, the show began its hunt across Tamilnadu and thousands of active contestants from Kovai, Tiruchi, Madurai and Chennai participated in this prestigious show.
he four finalists - Prem Gopal, Sherif, Nanda and Manojkumar have already received great appreciation from the nations best dance master's ever like Dance Sundaram Master, Saroj Khan, Puliyur Saroja, Raguram Master, Master Johny, Ashok Raja, Cool Jeyanth and the legend - Prabhu Dheva himself, the show has received many accolades so far.
The show has been graced by many popular artists like Sneha, Gayatri Raguram, Lakshmi Rai, Sada, Shobhana, Gawthami, Pooja, Aachi Manorama, Simbu, Shyam, Santhanu, Jeeva, Arya, Vishnu Varadhan, Jeyam Ravi, Bharath and many other popular faces from the film fraternity have judged the contestants' performances so far in the show.
The show was start with Natya Puyal Shobana. Next the MEGA DANCE MASTER "Prabhu Dheva" dance with four finalists. I think It is the first Time for Prabu Dheva contintously Dance with four Min. All the participants give a.
Finally MEGA DANCE MASTER "Prabhu Dheva" announce The winner is sherif and he got TEN lakh for first prize. Other participants gets also prize for its well dance.

Airtel launches cheap PC with online storage and internet access plans

2009-06-25T20:57:00.000+05:30

Airtel has launched a unique offering which might help spread computing amongst low-income families. The device is a cloud-based solution, meaning that its Windows-based operating system and applications as well as 10 GB of file storage space are hosted online. The company claims the product will never become obsolete, since the software can be upgraded on the server side. The Net PC comes with a choice of internet access plans ranging from Rs 699 per month to Rs 1,99 per month, while the device itself will cost Rs 7,999.

iPhone and Mac tablet rumors keep getting stronger

2009-06-25T20:34:00.000+05:30

Speculation is growing about the next generation iPhone, widely expected to be announced at this year's Apple Worldwide Developers conference in June. A number of sources have reported similar specifications, leading to the assumption that they are correct. The new iPhone is expected to have a matte rubberized back and no chrome ring around the front. The camera is excepted to be bumped up to 3.2 MP and video recording is finally to be supported. The new models will use OLED screens, which will help improve battery life. An integrated digital compass will work in concert with the GPS system and accelerometer to determine not only where you are, but which direction you're facing when you take a photo. This info can then be used to provide a whole new level of location -aware services such as tourist information or advertising. The price points should remain constant, but capacities will increase to 16 and 32 GB.
Meanwhile, rumors of the impending launch of a Mac tablet also refuse to die down. While no specific configuration details are being cited, sources seem to be certain that Apple will launch a device with a 10-inch multi-touch screen running something similar to the iPhone and iPod touch's version of OS X.

Remove the Language Bar

2009-06-25T13:20:00.000+05:30

You know that little thing near the clock, the one with the question mark in the yellow circle? That's called the "Language Bar". Even if you take the toolbar off the taskbar, it will come back every time you start an Office application, you need to do this to not see that little nag called the "Language Bar" again:

1. Click"Start", then "Control Panel".

2. Hit "Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options", then "Regional and Language Options".

3. Press "Languages" tab, then "Details" button.

4. Choose "Language Bar" button at bottom, and then uncheck "Show the language bar on the desktop".

5. Press "OK" and the Language Bar will be gone.

Change Drive Letters in Windows XP

2009-06-25T12:52:00.000+05:30

When you add drivers to your computer,such as an extra hard drive, a cd drive, or a storage device, windows automatically assigns letters to them. However, you might want to change the drive letter.

To be able to change the drive letter, right click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'. Under computer Management, select 'Disk Management'. The right pane of the window you will see a list of drives with 'CD-ROM' drives listed at the bottom of the pane.

Now, right click the drive or device that needs to be changed and select 'Change drive letters and paths'. Click 'Change', select 'Assign; the following drive letter and select the drive letter that needs to be assigned. Click on 'OK' once done.(Note: You will not be able to change the the boot drive or system drive letters, since many windows based programs have references to it.)