December 13, 2010 in Technology by AK Dubey

Reliance 3G tariff plans announced; joins the 3G competition

RCom has become another telecom operator to roll its 3G service as it launched on Monday its affordable 3G services in the four cities of the country. With the launch of this service, Reliance Communications has become the first operator to offer 3G services to the customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chandigarh.

As per report of the sources, President and CEO of RCom Syed Safawi have announced before the media that the company is likely to cover all the 13 circles by the end of this fiscal year. He also added that the 3G services offered by RCom will offer features such as video-calling, mobile TV, video streaming and applications access at super-fast speeds on a wide variety of both mobile phone and personal computing devices.

In the so called affordable tariff, the 3G USB Data card for 3G 7.2 Mbps will cost Rs 2,599 and for 3G 21 Mbps will cost Rs 4,499.Te company has also told that the 3G mobile broadband data will start from Rs 100 for 100 MB to up to Rs 2,100 for 21 GB per month.

Some trial packs for prepaid have been announced which will cost Rs 20 for 25 MB 1-day pack and Rs 98 for 125 MB 1-week pack. The prepaid bundles include 200 MB data for Rs 299 and 500 MB data for Rs 699 for 30 day validity, the company said.

Reliance Comm., controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani, spent $1.9 billion in winning 3G radio airwaves for 13 of India’s 22 telecoms zones in an auction this year, which saw bids coming far higher than expected.

December 9, 2010 in Technology by Ramesh Chandan

MasterCard site hacked by hackers in Wikileaks ‘vengeance’

It had been bitter experience for MasterCard to deny and cease the taking donations to Wikileaks. Recently the website of reputed informational credit card MasterCard has been hacked and partially paralysed by unknown group of hackers as a payback to its denial.
It has been reported that, expectedly, a group of hackers naming themselves Anonymous had planned out a DDOS (“disturbed denial of service”) attack on the site and frozen the service.

Reportedly, on Monday MasterCard announced that it would not process donation to the whistle-blowing illegal sites like Wikileaks.
As per report of sources, the group of hackers had been targeting all those firms who had cut their ties with Wikileaks and the Anonymous had already targeted Swiss Bank Post-Finance and frozen after it decided to cease Wikileaks payment. The report further added that the Anonymous group had pledged to target Paypal, which had also ceased transaction payment to the Wikileaks.

It has been expected that EveryDNS.net, which recently suspended dealings with Wikileaks, Amazon, which broke its ties with Wikileaks, and Visa, which also has ceased processing to Wikileaks could be the next target to Anonymous.

The action was confirmed on Twitter by user @Anon_Operator, who later twitted that they were glad to tell us that http://www.mastercard.com/ was down and it was confirmed.

MasterCard spokesperson Chris Monterio has recently informed that site suspended dealing with the Wikileaks because MasterCard rule prohibited to deal with the customer indulge in illegal conduct.

December 9, 2010 in Technology by Prem Anand

Lotus merges with Renault F1 team for 2011 season

Group Lotus finally entered into deal with Renault by buying the remaining Renault shares and hence announced that it will be ‘Lotus Renault GP’ in the 2011 season.

As per report of the sources, Renault was left with a 25% shareholding in the team in 2010 after selling the remainder to private investment group Genii Capital. Those shares have been sold to Genii and will be then taken by Lotus Cars, which is owned by Proton. The move means there will be two F1 teams in 2011 with Lotus in their name.

Lotus Renault GP will race in the traditional black-and-gold livery in an agreement until the end of the 2017 season.

The cars produced by Lotus Renault will still be called Renaults – changing that would need the permission of all the other F1 teams.
In a statement made by Renault today, it clarified that the Lotus Renault GP cars will race in a new interpretation of the iconic black and gold colours that were last used when Lotus and Renault joined forces in the 1980s.

Further, it said that Renault will continue the support of the team with which it won the world championships in 2005 and 2006 as a supplier of engines and technological and engineering expertise.

Lotus returned to F1 in 2010 after a 16-year absence with Group Lotus leasing the name to Tony Fernandes’ Lotus Racing .Moreover, Fernandes plans to rebrand as Team Lotus for next season and is pursuing a case through London’s High Court to keep the right to use the name.

December 9, 2010 in Technology by Ramesh Chandan

Sony PS3 (PlayStation 3) Firmware 3.55 to be released

After the reports of Sony PS3 firmware being hacked, Sony has released an update – the Sony PS3 Firmware 3.55. The update doesn’t add any new functionality but it is reported to be a quick-fix for the security vulnerability in the previous release.

According to Sony, “A new PS3 system software update, v3.55, will be released soon. This is a minor update that adds a security patch”. The blog post on the new Sony PS3 Firmware update can be found on the Playstation Blog.

For Best Deals on Sony PS3: Click Here
To get deal alerts, Follow us @DealUpdates

Sony PS3 is one of the top wish-list of Christmas 2010 and the hottest selling versions include the PS3 160GB and the PS3 320GB which are being sold at Amazon for $294.99 and $399 respectively.

December 8, 2010 in Technology by R Biswas

Google and Motorola joint venture to launch Android 3 with I-pad

The joint venture of Google, the giant in the world of web technology and Motorola, one of the renowned electronics company is going to launch the next version of Android with the I-pad named Honeycomb, Android 3. The recent version is of Android operating system will also support mobile apart from tablets.

In a press conference, Google’s Andy Rubin said that the Honeycomb had a dual-core Nvidia processor and the tablet also supported video chat. During the press conference Mr Andy did not say much about the tablet but he implicitly indicated that the tablet had a least one camera and the size of screen about 10 inch.

The tablet is laced with several incredible features, the tablet is supported with Google Maps for Mobile 5.0 and it allows for offline use of Google Maps. In addition to local maps Google will also cache navigation direction for offline users.

Reportedly, the Maps 5.0 also adds 3D view point and also makes users capable of enjoying the sights of buildings and landscape of 100 different cities across the world.

Mr Andy also informed that the Android 3 was basically designed to operate on tablet platform and designed in such a way that it could take the advantage of the wide screen of tablet.

The CEO of Motorola has announced that the two versions, 7 inch and 10 inch tablet would be available at the market by 2010. However, the price tags would be unveiled later on, he further added.

December 8, 2010 in Technology by Ramesh Chandan

Google Samsung joint venture to launch Nexus S smart phone

Samsung Electronics, the giant of the electronics world has recently announced to launch the Nexus S smartphone with the joint venture of Google, the world’s biggest search engine. The Nexus S will be supported with the latest version of Android operating system, Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

The smart phone is equipped with several eccentric characteristics along with the stunning feature of NFC (Near Field Communication), which allows user to read information from object like stickers and posters with the help of embedded NFC capabilities.

The gorgeous handset is having a 4-inch AMOLED display. The Nexus S is laced with 2 cameras, one front camera for video calls and a 5MP rear camera. The phone is equipped with the 1GHz Arm microprocessor made by Samsung which provides faster speed than normal handsets.

The handset also includes 16 GB of internal memory, a gyroscope, which will provide a better gaming experience and apart from these the mobile’s camera and multimedia systems are designed in such a way that it can shoot 720p high definition video.

Reportedly, the Google and Samsung said that Android 2.3 Gingerbread was the latest and the fastest version of Android’s operating system which would provide a new interface and an improved keyboard with multitouch support. Report further said that the new OS supported NFC and VOIP calling and also included Google applications.

The smartphone provides 3G supportability for communication over HDSPA and HSPUA.

The smartphone will hit the US and UK markets by December and will available at $529.

December 6, 2010 in Technology by Ramesh Chandan

Kindle 3 G Wi-Fi and Kindle DX Wireless sale gears up, sold out in Canada

One of the most popular electronic eBook readers, Kindle 3 G Wi-Fi and Kindle DX Wireless sale gears up prior to the Christmas, creating a bit of shortage in some of the best selling regions like Canada. According to a report, the Amazon Kindle went out of stock in Canada and Canadians will not be able to order Kindle until the Christmas season is over.

Fortunately, this is not the case yet for Amazon US but the sale figures have been reportedly gearing up this shopping season. US shoppers can still get the Kindle 3G Wireless or the Kindle DX from the Amazon Kindle Store.

Commenting on the “sold-out”, Amazon.com spokesperson Stephanie Mantello reportedly told the reporters that “Due to strong customer demand, Kindle for Canada is temporarily sold out”.

This may not be good for the Kindle since it is already losing some of its market share to Apple iPad. According to a report, the Apple iPad is slowly gaining the market share and has doubled in the past few months.

December 6, 2010 in Technology by Ramesh Chandan

Mark Zuckerberg unveils new profile page for Facebook

On Sunday night, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg revealed the latest changes made in the profile page of the most popular social networking site in a high profile public appearance in an interview with Lesley Stahl of ’60 minutes’.

In than interview that continued for 60 minutes nearly, Zuckerberg shared a lot of information with public including the possibility of the launch of a Facebook IPO, its wealth, online privacy, his portrayal in the movie based on his life “The Social Network” and last but not the least the changes made on users profile page to make it more interactive.

Earlier Sunday, Facebook in its blog had announced about the profile-page changes which highlights on photos and give users new ways to describe themselves. Besides spotlighting photos, the new layout adds other features, such as allowing users to list important people in their lives and to detail the history of their relationships with friends.

Moreover, Facebook has assured that the users are definitely going to like these changes and won’t revolt against the changes as they did against a change made earlier this year.

However, after the initial survey made through online poll by Mashable, the Facebook user’s views were split. Of the 2,400 people who had responded by early Sunday evening, about 29 percent said they loved it. About 16 percent said they hated it and 15 percent said they preferred the old version.

The redesign is that latest effort by Facebook to consolidate its grip on the social networking space and increasingly become people’s default destination on the Internet.

December 6, 2010 in Technology by AK Dubey

Amazon Kindle may be hit by Google Editions

Google Editions, which is expected to hit the US market really soon, is also expected to hit the Amazon Kindle. The Google Editions is expected to be released in the International Market a little later, around the first quarter of 2011.

According to Google spokesman, the company is being very thorough with the product as the project is a complex one. With the launch of this new Google Editions, users can directly buy the book from Google and its affiliated networks.

• More on Google Editions
• More on Amazon Kindle (Latest Version: 3G Wireless)

According to a report, the Google Editions can create a big time competition with other already established e-book readers like Amazon Kindle and even iPad.

December 6, 2010 in Technology by AK Dubey

Sony Bravia Offer: Amazon offering free 3D Kit with Sony HDTV Bravia

As a part of the Amazon Deal Season, the online store is offering a Free 3D Deluxe Starter Kit with a select range of Sony LED 3D HDTV, including the Sony BRAVIA KDL55NX810 55-Inch which comes 3D-Ready, which is one of the hottest selling product of this week in the HDTV section.

Apart from the free 3D Deluxe Starter Kit offer, you can also qualify for a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card if you sign up for the Dish Network.

Please refer the Amazon Sony Bravia 3D Offer page for the details and the applicable restrictions on the offer.

Amazon has recently started many new deals to help online shoppers save money during this peak shopping season. A few of the deals include the “Top Holiday”, “Amazon Mom” and “17 Days of Deals in Video Games”. The Top Holiday Deal is in fact an extension of the Black Friday Week Deals and features the most popular Amazon Lightning Deals Series.

Following the deals and discount trend, many other popular online stores are also offering similar deals and this trend is expected to continue till the last of this month.

December 5, 2010 in Technology by AK Dubey

PS3 160GB Deals & Discount: Amazon Special offer on PlayStation 3

Great news for those who were waiting for the PS3 160 GB Deals. Amazon has launched a Special Offer on PlayStation 3 160GB called the “Amazon Family Bundle” where you get a $25 bonus of promotional credit toward the purchase of any physical item from the Amazon Video Games store. The offer is limited and available on a “one offer per household” scheme.

The PS3 160 GB is now available for $299.99, which comes with the Amazon Family Bundle offer. The new deal on the Playstation 3 by the Amazon seems to be attracting a lot of customer.

To check out the offer, visit the Amazon PS3 160GB Offer Page.

With the PS3 160 GB deal, Amazon is also featuring another offer called the “17 Days of Deals in Video Games. This is sure a great season for the gamers out there.

Amazon.com is one of the leading online stores which featured a lot of other discounts and deals this festive season. Amazon has featured many great deals since the Black Friday and it is expected to feature even more lucrative deals in the coming Christmas weeks.

December 4, 2010 in Technology by M Chakraborty

Micromax launches Android handset A60, at 6,999

After Dell, Micromax Informatics, an emerging mobile handset company has recently launched Android, a mobile operating system developed by the joint venture of Google and Open Handset Alliance (OHA), based handset, A60 Andro. The handset is equipped with several peculiar functions along with the stunning feature of Android operating system supported.

The key feature of the gorgeous handset is that it is just affordable. The mobile is available at the market price of Rs 6,999. The newly launched handset is laced with 2.8 inch resistive full touch screen and it runs on Android 2.1 Elcairs operating system. A60 Andro has accelerator sensor which allow users to show off your content in portrait or landscape orientation with every turn

Apart from specific Android operating system supported feature, the handset is also equipped with several alluring characteristics like the mobile has a fine quality camera of 3.2 MP, inbuilt memory of 150MB which is expandable up to 32 GB with the help of memory card and fine digital display screen.

Apart from the general functions like FM radio, Bluetooth, GPS, dual SIM supportability and 1280 Lithium-ion battery the handset is laced with microprocessor of frequency 600MZH, which will provide high rate internal data transfer, and Wi-Fi supportability.

Due to its Android operating system supportability, it allows user to download over 70,000 mobile applications like games, music, music player, and location based services.

Rapidly dominating Micromax Informatics promoting the mobile as ’My First Andro’.

December 3, 2010 in Technology by Ramesh Chandan

Nokia to install server in India, a nightmare for BlackBerry

Nokia, the world biggest mobile handset company has recently announced to install a server in India in such a way that the security agencies can lawfully interrupt its email and message services. The latest announcement by Nokia seems to be appearing like the nightmare to BlackBerry, which, on contrary, doesn’t allow the security agencies to intercept the emails and messages of its user.

It has been reported that, Mr D Shivakumar, Nokia India Vice President and Managing Director, spoke to the Home Secretary G. K. Pillai on Thursday and handed over the letter saying that the company had confirmed with all the requirements suggested by the enforcement agencies.

However, the company assured its customers that their privacy would be protected without violating the legal obligations. The message by the company to its customer also added that as a responsible citizen, we would follow all the local law and regulations those were required by the government authorities.

As per report of the company, Nokia Messaging is a push mail service that aggregates current email account of subscriber on mobile handset. The service almost only put the pages of information available through the internet and directs it to the respective mobile handset.

Shivakumar letter to Mr Pillai says that the tool provided real time intercept of contents and it also facilitated location of the mobile phone device generating emails or messages.

It has been considered that the new server by Nokia will compel the BlackBerry to follow the protocol of Indian security agencies.

December 2, 2010 in Technology by R Biswas

Google to launch e-book store

Google, the world’s biggest search engine is going to launch an eccentric application ‘an e-book store’ named Google Edition by the end of this year. The peculiar application will help browsing and previewing the books on web.

The luring application ‘Google Edition’ will make user capable of reading and browsing books from any browser skipping the requirement of dedicated e-reading devices, which means any computer, tablet or a smartphone with a browser would be capable of accessing the e-books.

Speaking to the media persons, Scott Douglas, Google project manager director, said that the new application, which had essentially been planned to launch in the summer, had recently overcome the technical and legal obstacles and was ready to launch.

Mr. Douglas further added that because of the complexity of the project they were not willing to bring something into market which was not thorough.

It has been reported that, in recent weeks, Google has begun to bidding contracts to independent booksellers, which are supposed to play a vital role in Google Edition. Several publishers said that they were pretty much excited about the contract and they were exchanging files with Google- a sign that had to be launch, added the publishers.

Reportedly, Google executives said that their plan was to scan 150 million books across the world so the book could be made accessible to the users.

The Google Edition is really going to be a nightmare to Amazon.com because using Google edition would be more convenient to user than Amazon.com provided service.