Friday, 14 October 2011

Microsoft Officially Closes Skype Deal

22:08 Abdul Waheed

Microsoft has officially announced that it has completed it’s deal to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion, a deal that was announced back in May 2011. Microsoft said that Skype will become a new business unit at Microsoft that will be headed by Tony Bates, currently the CEO of Skype. Bates will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, said the company statement. Skype will keep offering it’s complete line of products to millions of customers, however, in the long-term Microsoft is planning to integrate Skype with several other products to further penetrate the internet calling solution. “Skype is a phenomenal product and brand that is...


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Telenor Holds Awards Ceremony for Apps Developers

22:02 Abdul Waheed

Telenor Pakistan held an awards distribution ceremony here today for winners of its Apportunity competition. The competition invited Pakistani students and software developers to create applications (apps) in various categories. Prizes were given to developers of the most downloaded apps. Overall, the top two apps with highest number of downloads won iPads, whereas five Category winners were given smart phones. All competition entries won Rs 5,000 worth of air time. Speaking on the occasion, Usman Javed, Director Marketing Telenor Pakistan said: “Apportunity is all about encouraging young Pakistanis to create apps for the global market. Given an opportunity, our app developers can compete with the best in the world. Already the apps created by the winners have been downloaded thousands...


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Google Goes Hard on Pakistani Websites, Bans Hundreds of Adsense Accounts!

21:54 Abdul Waheed

We are getting reports that Google Adsense accounts of at least two dozen hundreds of Pakistani publishers got banned lately, while it is assumed that there are more un-reported cases. All publishers are apparently getting same email from Google, which is as following: Hello, We continually review all publishers according to our program policies (https://www.google.com/upport/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=48182&stc=aspe-3pp-en) and Terms and Conditions (https://www.google.com/adsense/localized-terms?&stc=aspe-3tc-en ). During a recent review of your account, our specialists found that it was not in compliance with our policies. LAYOUT ENCOURAGES ACCIDENTAL CLICKS: Publishers are not permitted to encourage users to click on Google ads in any way. This includes...


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HCL launches new ME X1, a low-cost Android tablet for Rs. 10,490

21:42 Abdul Waheed

  p { clear: none ! important; } HCL Infosystems Ltd has today launched its new ME-series tablet 'X1', priced aggressively at Rs. 10,490. The new X1 ME tablet runs on Android OS 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, and 512MB of RAM. The X1 has a seven-inch capacitive display with 800x480 pixels resolutions. It features a 2MP camera, 4GB of inbuilt storage that is expandable to 32GB via microSD. The device also supports HD video content and has a 3500 mAh battery. While the X1 ME tablet technically only supports Wi-Fi connectivity, it also has an option of 3G data...


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Tathva' 2011 begins Oct 20; features tech quizzes, air show, and lots more

21:38 Abdul Waheed

p { clear: none ! important; } The 2011 edition of Tathva, the annual techno-management fest organised by the National Institute of Technology, Calicut, is scheduled to be held from October 20-30. More than 40 events have been lined up for this year's fest, with a whopping Rs. 1.2 million cash prize on offer. The Tathva event, which flagged off as a Students’ National Technical Symposium (in the year 2000), is now considered to be one of the popular techno-management fests in the country. Tathva is a platform for students from all over the nation to exhibit their knowledge and skills....


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ViewSonic outs Android 2.3 tablet 'ViewPad 10e'; ViewPad 7e on its way to India

21:35 Abdul Waheed

ViewSonic has unveiled its new Android tablet 'ViewPad 10e', which is scheduled to be launched in the UK next month. ViewSonic's ViewPad 10e has a 9.7-inch display with 1024x768 resolution, similar to the TouchPad and iPad 2. The ViewPad 10e runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system instead of the tablet-specific Android HoneyComb OS. Besides, it is powered by a single-core 1GHz Cortex A8 processor and 512MB of RAM. The most notable feature of the new ViewSonic table is its thickness, which is just 9.1 mm. The ViewPad 10e comes with a 4GB of storage, expandable up to 32GB through microSD. The tablet also features a 1.3MP front-facing...


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Samsung to launch Android 4.0-based Nexus Prime on October 19

21:31 Abdul Waheed

Samsung is going to launch the first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich-based smartphone at an event in Hong Kong, scheduled to be held on October 19. Samsung was initially slated to launch the Samsung Nexus Prime, a.k.a. Galaxy Nexus at an event in San Diago on October 11 but later the company decided to postpone the event, as a mark of respect to Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs, who passed away recently.Without divulging the official name of the new smartphone, Samsung issued a statement saying, "We are unpacking our new Android phone in concurrence with Google."Following are the rumored specs of the Galaxy Nexus Prime: Display: 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.65 inches (~316 ppi pixel density) CPU: Dual-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, Samsung Exynos chipset Battery: Li-Ion 2050 mAh Camera: 5 MP, 2592x1936...


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Apple iOS 5 - First Impressions

21:25 Abdul Waheed

The much-awaited Apple iOS 5 has finally landed on our shining Apple devices. However, the big question is - is it worth the update? Let's find out. The update process First off, before you get the iOS 5 update, you will have to ensure that your iPhone, iPad or iPod is updated to the iOS 4.3.5 first. If you have done the update earlier, then no need to worry. If not, then be ready to walk down that longer path. Two important things you need to keep in mind here. First, if you are updating to the iOS 4.3.5, then the phone’s data will not be erased. However, before starting the iOS 5 download you will have to backup the data completely. This...


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KDE celebrates its 15th birthday

21:21 Abdul Waheed

Yes, 15 years ago today KDE was born, originally as "Kool Desktop Environment," then "K Desktop Environment", then after a number of confusing changes to what KDE means and stands for, we have simply KDE. KDE is now a community of people who dedicate their efforts to creating a better Linux desktop environment for all users. While the community celebrates today, they have had a number of big releases just recently, Plasma Active One , which just released a few days back on 9th, and ownCloud 2, which released on 11 th. Plasma Active One is the first release of KDE's Plasma Active shell that aims to make KDE tablet-ready....


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RAGE - Flawed but Fun

21:14 Abdul Waheed

Most gamers have a profound sense of respect for id Software since it is this Texan game development studio that popularized and nurtured the first person shooter genre with iconic games like Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein. After Doom 3 in 2004, id has been working hard on returning to their first person roots with RAGE, a shooter that’s been nearly seven years in the making. Is it worth the wait? Will it cement id once again as the undisputed kings of this genre? Read on to find out. As you boot RAGE up for the first time, comparisons with games like Fallout 3 and Borderlands that share similar post-apocalyptic scenarios will be inevitable....


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Karbonn A1 Review

21:11 Abdul Waheed

Android phones are getting cheaper by the day with a Micromax here and a Karbonn there ensuring that users don’t really have to pay big bucks to enjoy the Android experience. Earlier, we reviewed the Micromax A70 smartphone and that phone did impress us. Now, Karbonn has come up with their new entry level A1 Android smartphone and it’s even cheaper than the A70. But, is it worth your money? Let’s have a look.   The Karbonn A1 - quite cheap! Design and Build Quality The Karbonn A1 comes in an all-black candy bar form factor. The edges are rounded off and they fit nicely into your palm. The phone does appear quite small and light...


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Philips BDP5200 3D Blu-Ray Player Review

21:05 Abdul Waheed

During the festive season, one usually wants to upgrade their electronics to the latest technologies. Manufacturers in turn, also offer these electronics at discounted prices or as a bundle to sort all your purchasing needs in one go. Philips is one such manufacturer who have come up with an HDTV, 3D Blu-ray player and wireless keyboard combination that could attract consumers during the festive month. Today, we will be looking at the BDP5200 3D Blu-ray player, which boasts of some impressive features such as Internet TV capabilities, DivX playback, USB connectivity as well as full HD 3D Blu-ray playback. Read on to know if this player...


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Dell Alienware M14x notebook Review

21:03 Abdul Waheed

Dell’s Alienware series of gaming rigs have been a favourite amongst gamers for years, and it’s only recently that other companies like Asus and MSI have entered this segment, and are actually doing well we may add. Still, Alienware remains a household name in the gaming fraternity and no one has truly been able to beat them in terms of design and finesse. Till now, we had limited choices for Alienware notebooks in India and until recently we had just two models to choose from, the mighty M17x and the more portable M11x. Dell filled the void when they launched the M14x, which provides a perfect balance of performance and portability....


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Court scraps Apple's appeal to widen Galaxy Tab 10.1 ban

20:59 Abdul Waheed

Yesterday, an Australian court delivered its verdict on the ongoing Apple - Samsung tussle in the country in favour of the Cupertino-based, Apple. The decision meant that a temporary ban on the sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia will be levied. Galaxy Tab 10.1 has faced a sales ban in Australia According to a report in the Wall Street Journal,  Apple made further attempts to modify the text of the judgment to the effect that Samsung would have to give Apple an advance notice of all its new product releases and have restrictions on the launch of all of Samsung's future tablet devices. However this time, the court promptly...


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Google to gain from growing mobile focus: analysts

20:56 Abdul Waheed

Analysts cheered Google Inc's quarterly results and set a target of as much as $720 on the stock - suggesting a near 30 percent rise from current levels - and said the Internet search giant could emerge a "top mobile play." On Thursday, Google reported a 26-percent rise in third-quarter earnings - ahead of market estimates - helped by growing online ad market and sharper research focus. Accelerating revenue growth in Google's international business, particularly from emerging markets, and its mobile business contributed to the 28-percent increase in paid click growth, according to analysts. Riding strong BofA Merrill Lynch analysts...


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Samsung loses Dutch bid to ban Apple products

20:54 Abdul Waheed

A Dutch court on Friday turned down Samsung Electronics' request for an injunction against all of Apple's mobile products that use 3G telecommunications technology, denying it revenge over a similar move by Apple. The two technology giants have been locked in an acrimonious battle in 10 countries involving smartphones and tablets since April. Four patent infringement cases launched by Samsung against Apple were filed in the Netherlands alone. A court in The Hague on Friday dismissed Samsung's claims of patent infringement by Apple, scuppering its bid to ban the sale of iPhones and iPads in the Netherlands. It also rejected Apple's counterclaims...


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Apple's iPhone draws hordes again, powers shares

20:52 Abdul Waheed

Apple Inc's new iPhone debuted with a splash around the globe, spurring thousands to queue around city blocks and snap up the last gadget unveiled during co-founder Steve Jobs' life. Apple shares leaped 3 percent to close at a record after people thronged stores in Sydney, Tokyo, London, Paris, New York and San Francisco to get their hands on the iPhone 4S, ignoring criticism about the lack of a design revolution and reports of software glitches. Fans in Sydney, Tokyo, Frankfurt and London made sure Jobs, who died last week, remained part of the iPhone 4S launch, with flower, candle and photo shrines erected outside stores. A black-and-white...


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Will diaper case help Samsung in battle with Apple?

20:49 Abdul Waheed

A key battle in the smartphone patent wars may come down to underpants for toddlers. Well, at least, a case involving underpants for toddlers. In a large-scale patent war, winning a ban on the sales of a competitor's products is one of the ways companies try to extract leverage over their adversaries. That's exactly what Apple Inc is pursuing against Samsung Electronics Co in a patent war that includes more than 20 cases in 10 countries. Apple is seeking to block the sales of Samsung's smartphones and tablets around the world, claiming they infringe Apple's patents. Apple has scored preliminary injunctions against Samsung in Australia...


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Guns drawn in Activision, EA shooter game battle

20:47 Abdul Waheed

The two biggest U.S. companies in the video game industry are preparing for a gunfight. This holiday season, Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts will battle for supremacy in the $5 billion a year market for first-person shooter video games. Just two weeks apart, the two companies are releasing major sequels of games where players shoot weapons through the perspective of on-screen characters. EA is coming out with "Battlefield 3" on Oct. 25; Activision's "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" hits store shelves on Nov. 8. The first-person shooter game genre ranks as the industry's largest segment, according to video game research firm EEDAR. With...


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Get Gadgeted this Diwali for Rs. 25,000

20:45 Abdul Waheed

We show you what gadgets you can squeeze into a budget of Rs. 25,000 for this festive season's spending. p.dropcap:first-letter { font: 58px/40px arial; float: left; width: 1em; padding-top: 6px; padding-right: 5px; }.dropc { font: 58px/51px arial; float: left; padding: 0pt 3px 2px 0pt; } In our previous “Get Gadgeted” story we covered a range of devices we recommend under a stricter budget of Rs. 10,000. It’s time to take things up a notch so we’ve upped the ‘expense account’ to Rs. 25,000. Here are a bunch of goodies you can get yourself (or...


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Build your gaming rig for roughly 50k

20:42 Abdul Waheed

Rage, Battlefield 3, Serious Sam: BFE are just some of the great PC games to be released this month. p.dropcap:first-letter { font: 58px/40px arial; float: left; width: 1em; padding-top: 6px; padding-right: 5px; }.dropc { font: 58px/51px arial; float: left; padding: 0pt 3px 2px 0pt; } Rage, Battlefield 3, Serious Sam: BFE are just some of the great PC games to be released this month. Some of them are already here and like us, we’re sure there are many of you out there who want to play them. If you’re running a slightly outdated system based...


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