TechnoBuddy - Start here your technoday everyday!

ProgrammerFish - My new blog

2008-08-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

I have started a new blog named "ProgrammerFish", so I will be writing posts there instead of Technobuddy.

Visit now: www.programmerfish.com

SQL Server 2008, Arriving in July 31 2008?

2008-07-28T14:03:00.001-07:00

Microsoft SQL Server (a relational database management system that uses Transact-SQL as its primary query language) with the latest version Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP2 is rumored to release its new version MS SQL Server 2008 Code Name Katmai at July 31, 2008.

read more | digg story

Blog temporarily discontinued!

2007-12-31T08:25:00.001-08:00

I am sorry to announce that this blog is temporarily discontinued due to start of a new project. Being busy with that project I will not be able to continue it for some time. Also there are possibilities it is merged with sister companies for better prospective.

This blog will be re-started INSHAHALLAH in mid of February 2008 with a new look and better SEO with WordPress blog management tools and more attractive content.

I am thankful to all regular readers that spend their precious time visiting this blog. I request you to stay tuned and do visit this URL in mid of February 2008.

You are also requested to comment on this post to express your ideas that you want to share for the new version that will be available in February 2008. Express your likes and dislikes of this blog so that we can make it better in the next version

Thank you

nVIDIA GeForce 9 Series comes in March

2007-12-17T10:51:00.001-08:00

According to current plans, Nvidia plans to introduce its Geforce 9 series high end part codenamed G100 around march 2008.
We don’t know many details, but we do know that the chip should end up faster than two G92 D8E dual PCB card which is scheduled for launch in late January.
It will be on time to launch with G96 which is a mainstream part.

Source:
Fudzilla

Wateen Telecom Launches its Wi-Max Services For Home Users: Confusions and Cool things!

2007-12-17T10:45:00.001-08:00

Wateen finally launched its WI-FI broadband for home users on 16 December 2007.

This service was awaited so much with a lot of expectations. But the question is: is this what we waited for?

Wateen's web site has enough ajax to impress Pakistanis but still its pretty unclear about the services it provides. Most of stuff there is confusing! CEO is taking about about 'tadaaaa!' and 'wow' of his own company and a cluster of mixture of packages enough to confuse an average Pakistani reader. Plus there is written at end "All prices are exclusive of all taxes!". Come on Wateen guys, where are you standing? Why you want all people to call you? or visit you office? Why you have a website? is to display CEOs enthusiasm about its own company? ...Few pages are still under construction even after 4 months of delay.

Ok enough criticism. Coolest thing is "yeayyy we have WI-MAX in Pakistan!" and now we have one of the largest hotspot in the world-Thanks to Wateen :) ...And its as affordable as other Broadband Services

Vista's Security & Architecture Compromised & Busted?

2007-12-12T06:09:00.001-08:00

Govind Singh demonstrates a very scary thing he did with vista! If its true then Vista's Security & Architecture can be easily busted!

He says in his blog
"Though VISTA claims to be the most secure operating system amongst the Microsoft OS family, still there are serious flaws which Compromise, Collapse & Bust down the Microsoft VISTA Security and Architecture."

Watch the Video yourself and decide

First Moonlight port of Silverlight to Linux due in six months

2007-12-07T04:56:00.001-08:00

Miguel de Icaza, Vice President of Developer Platforms at Novell, said this week the first release of "Moonlight" -- Novell's port of Microsoft's Flash-competitor Silverlight to Linux -- should be done in another six months. De Icaza provided an update on that status of Moonlight during this week's XML 2007 conference. Moonlight 1.0 (which will not include support for Mono, Novell's port of .Net to Linux -- not surprising given that Silverlight 1.0 doesn't support .Net, either) is due in six months. Moonlight 1.1, which does include Mono support, is application-programming-interface (API) complete now, and will be ready shortly thereafter. Moonlight 2.0, which will be based on Silverlight 2.0 (the product formerly known as Silverlight 1.1) will be out six...

Read More

Source: ZDNet Blogs

Apple filing details multitasking touch-screen for mobile gaming

2007-12-07T04:49:00.001-08:00

Apple is always had less-than-enthusiastic stance towards gaming, so the company's latest patent filing seems a bit out of character, seeing as it details a multitasking touchscreen that would allow games to be played while still controlling other applications like media players. The system works be categorizing touch inputs and routing the data to the appropriate application -- a simple tap might go to the game, while a longer press might be sent to the media player. According to Apple, "the invention allows various applications to be integrated and used on devices that are not readily suitable for supporting multiple applications at the same time." Of course, there's no word on when we might see this make its way into an actual product, but if this means we might see games on the iPod touch and iPhone, bring it on.

Via Engadget

"Here comes another bubble"- my favorite video

2007-12-06T04:42:00.001-08:00

No comments! watch the video...it may change your life

Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta New Features

2007-12-04T12:06:00.001-08:00

These are the new features in WLM 9 (currently in pre-beta stage) that are posted around the web.

New features:

Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations up to four at once.
Signature sounds.
Per contact sounds.
SPAM Reporting.
Animated Display Pictures - supports animated .gif files as display pictures.
Link in Personal Status Message
URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list.

General improvements:

Behind the Scenes Changes
Architectural changes that modified how things work but shouldn’t have changed how things look.
Changes to sign-in, connectivity, presence, sending text IM’s, voice & video features.
Windows Live Contacts Server
wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts’ information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster.

Microsoft to make Vista harder to crack with SP1

2007-12-04T11:48:00.001-08:00

Microsoft will change the user experience of its automatic anti-piracy checks in Windows Vista and also make it harder for hackers to bypass the system in the first service pack for the OS due out early next year. Once Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is installed on a PC, that computer will no longer go into limited functionality mode if a user or administrator fails to activate Vista on that system in 30 days, or if the system fails Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation, which checks to see if a version of Vista is pirated or counterfeit. In Vista, WGA is called the Software Protection Program feature.

In limited functionality mode, a computer will shut down after 60 minutes and then allow only browser use. Now, instead of going into that mode, a version of Vista that has not been activated in 30 days will start up with a black screen and a dialogue box that gives users the choice of activating Vista now or later, said Alex Kochis, a group product manager at Microsoft.

Via Neowin
Read More

Nokia's "Comes with Music" free subscription service

2007-12-04T11:35:00.001-08:00

So here's the deal. Nokia just launched a "Comes with Music" program. No, not software, but a deal which allows you to buy a Nokia device with a year of unlimited, subscription access to "millions of tracks." Once the year is complete however, customers can keep all their downloaded music -- it doesn't disappear just because the subscription is over. What's the catch? Don't know yet. We know it's limited to Universal Music Group tracks for the time being but there's no mention of any fees, DRM, advertising, or other restrictions.
It's free for one year! All the Universal Music tracks you can download for 12 months can be yours. The offer doesn't begin until mid 2008, just as long as the deal doesn't fall apart by then.

Source: Engadget

Windows Mobile 6.1 gets pictured, detailed

2007-12-04T11:32:00.001-08:00

The Boygeniusreport has revealed 100 detailed pictures of Windows Mobile 6.1 running on Motorola Q9 with Wi-Fi. check out full Windows Mobile 6.1 gallery, and the new things we found!

Copy / Paste (finally!)

Domain Enroll in Settings (Enrolling in a domain will connect your device with company resources.)

New home screen (pan left and right to check out missed calls, notifications like email, sms, etc.)

Change Master Security Code

Added text input settings

Recent Programs when pressing Start menu

Threaded SMS!

When you compose an email, or SMS, and start typing the name of the contact in the "To:" field, the contact names finally pop up like Windows Mobile Professional!

Internet Explorer now lets you define a homepage, and also zoom in and out using a nice and clean interface

Click on over to our Windows Mobile 6.1 gallery!

Trojan Remover 6.6.5

2007-11-29T09:02:00.001-08:00

Trojan Remover was written to aid in the removal of Trojan Horses and Internet Worms when standard anti-virus software has either failed to detect the problem or is unable to effectively eliminate it. The majority of Virus and Trojan Scanners are well able to detect malicious Trojan Horses and Internet Worms but are not always very efficient in removing them once they have been triggered.Trojan Remover was written specifically to carry out such a removal without the user having to manually edit system files, including the Registry. The program also removes the additional system modifications some Trojans carry out which are ignored by other Virus and Trojan Scanners. You can download a free fully-working evaluation copy of Trojan Remover by clicking on the download link below. The program will work for a full 30 days, after which it will expire - registration costs $29.00.

Recent Changes/Improvements:

*Added new heuristic detection routine for Adware.NaviPromo files.

*Improved detection of usermode rootkitted files.

*Added routines to remove hidden registry keys/values during PC restart if they cannot be removed normally.

*Added information on whether UAC is enabled/disabled in Windows Vista/Server 2008.

Source:Neowin

Wii fit

2007-11-28T07:06:00.001-08:00

Well this is about Nintendo's home fitness thing named Wii fit, the only gaming console that keeps you healthy...Have a look at it

Wii fit trailer:

Wii Fit (known as Wii Fitness in EU territories) is an upcoming video game for the Wii console, currently in development by Nintendo. Previously revealed under the code name Wii Health Pack, it was announced under its current title at Nintendo's E3 press conference on July 11, 2007 by famed video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. At Nintendo's media briefing, it was demonstrated by Miyamoto himself, Reggie Fils-Aime and other participants. Like the rest of the Wii Series, Wii Fit will integrate Miis into its presentation and gameplay. The game is designed to function with the Wii Balance Board peripheral and is an example of exergaming. Wii Fit is set for release in Japan on December 1, 2007 for a price of 8,800 yen (roughly US$81). It will arrive in the United States and Europe sometime in early 2008.

Wii Fit will use a unique platform peripheral called the Wii Balance Board that can measure a user's body mass index and their center of gravity. The game will have about 40 different activities, including yoga poses, press ups, and other exercises. Furthermore, Wii Fit will allow its players to compare their fitness by using Wii Fit's own channel on the Wii Menu.

In a similar manner to the "Brain Age" calculated within Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!, Wii Fit will also track a user's "Wii Fitness Age".

Video Demonstration of Wii Fit at E3 Gamer conference:

Wii Fit was first revealed as Wii Health Pack, by Shigeru Miyamoto, during a conference in mid-September of 2006. Then described as a "way to help get families exercising together", the game idea had first been included in Miyamoto's original design document for the whole Wii Series, the entirety of which was scribbled down on a single sheet of paper.

Text Courtesy: Wikipedia

ooVoo 1.1.0.6

2007-11-27T08:59:00.001-08:00

ooVoo™ is a free application which uses state-of-the-art audio and video technology enabling you to meet over the Internet using live video. It's the closest thing to being there with your family, friends and people you meet with. You can participate in a video conversation one-on-one or with up to 6 participants using a standard computer (Pentium 4 1 GHz or higher) with just a web camera and headset (or microphone and speakers). The video and audio is of superb quality and only requires a standard broadband Internet connection (such as DSL or cable). You can see which contacts are online and easily call them for a live video conversation. The application is easy to use and also enables you to record and send video messages, chat with friends, and share files. Does it contain spyware? Absolutely not. What you see is what you get. No cookies. No spam. No spyware.

Download: ooVoo
View: Features
Link: Home Page

Source: Neowin

A light-powered toothbrush?

2007-11-27T08:11:00.001-08:00

Would you like to use a light-powered toothbrush which needs no toothpaste and no batteries? It’s already available in Japan and North America and it costs about $30. Its rod contains titanium dioxide that generates a plaque-removing electrochemical reaction. This ’solar’ toothbrush of the future ‘works by releasing electrons that then react with the saliva in the mouth and help to breakdown plaque.’ It just needs some light — so you’ll be able to wash your teeth in your garden or on your balcony. And as it has no batteries, this is a very eco-friendly device. It is currently tested today by 120 students at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, but it’s already available online.

You can see above how the light-powered Soladey toothbrush works. (Credit: Soladey-USA, on this page Here is a link to an ebven better graphical explanation from the New York Times. And you also might want to look at this short TV Commercial about this toothbrush.

Here are some more details provided by the Cosmetics Design Europe article. “The toothbrush is powered by light. When light hits the solar panel in the handle of the toothbrush electrons are released and delivered to the semiconductor head (titanium dioxide), explains the manufacturer. In addition, when light strikes the wet titanium dioxide head more electrons are released, which form a negatively charged fluid inside the mouth that can remove hydrogen ions from the plaque making it easier to break down, says the manufacturer. The toothbrush, therefore, cannot work in the dark. However, it takes the same amount of light as a solar-powered calculator, so that if the user can see their reflection in the mirror there is enough light to operate the brush.”

In “New brush could make toothpaste obsolete“, Janet French from CanWest News Service added that “University of Saskatchewan dentistry professor emeritus Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak are recruiting 120 teens willing to brush with a prototype light-powered toothbrush and sit in a dentist’s chair for a few extra inspections.” So far Komiyama saw a complete destruction of bacterial cells.

And in “Brushing Innovations, Built on Titanium,” Joyce Cohen, from the New York Times, provides additional technical details. “The brush, available at soladey-usa.com, relies on a property of titanium dioxide. It is photocatalytic, meaning that it causes chemical reactions in the presence of light. Light shining on the titanium dioxide rod in the brush’s handle generates negatively charged electrons, which steal positively charged ions from dental plaque, causing oxidation. Brushing creates a slurry of negatively charged saliva, which attracts and decomposes plaque.”

According to the New york Times, Donald C. Selmarten, a senior scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, thinks that the concept makes sense, but “has questions about the details — whether the wavelength of visible light is high enough to drive the reaction inside a dark mouth, and whether the resulting positive charge will actually remove plaque.”

This toothbrush is manufactured by Shiken Corporation of Osaka, Japan (page in Japanese) and available in North America from Soladey USA. And here are two questions you might ask about this toothbrush which are already answered in the Soladey FAQ section.Here is one: “Can Soladey be used with or without toothpaste? Yes, the ionic power of Soladey works with or without toothpaste. If you do want to use toothpaste, just make sure it doesn’t go all down the handle, blocking the light from getting to the light-sensitive rod. A strong light source is what makes Soladey most effective. If you wish to freshen your mouth we recommend using a natural mint rinse after brushing.”

But here is my preferred one. “Will any light source do? I’m not going to have to go outside to clean my teeth, am I? No, any light source will work, a fluorescent bathroom light, or a plain light bulb will do fine. Any natural or artificial light is all that’s needed. However, the better the light source is, and the more the titanium rod is in the light, the more effective Soladey is. Perfect your brushing habits by keeping the Titanium Rod in bright light as much as possible.’

Sources: Katie Bird, Cosmetics Design Europe, November 23, 2007; and various websites
Extracted from ZDnet blog

Windows Live Messenger ads!

2007-11-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Three cool WLM advertisements :)

Wateen's WI-Max: delayed

2007-11-25T01:53:00.001-08:00

Wateen is still not able to launch its WI-max service that was promised this month.

According Wateen's costumer support, main reason behind this delay is not laziness of the company but some legal issues that are pending to be resolved by the Govt. of Pakistan. As country is under state of emergency, many major issues are hanging in between and waiting to get resolved.

So there is no expected date for the launch of this service and no details of the tariff.

A Windows Vista launch show from History

2007-11-24T01:53:00.000-08:00

I just saw this video on youtube...its recodring from a famous Indian channel Star Plus. Its Windows Vista and Office 2007 launch...and its really wow!
I wish this happens in Pakistan too

New iPod Nano Clone PMP With Integrated Camera And Touch Screen

2007-11-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

The China-based manufacturer, ECNokia has recently released its new PMP (Portable Media Player) which designed like latest third-generation iPod Nano, just as what you see in the photo.

The Chinese iPod Nano clone features a large 2.4-inch TFT touch screen display, FM radio tuner, voice recording capability and an integrated 1.3 megapixel camera, sounds like better deal than Apple’s iPod Nano. The new ECNokia iPod Nano-like MP4 player which measures 90 x 60 x 3.5mm also includes a SD/MMC card slot (up to 2GB) to store your musics/videos. No words on its price and availability yet.

Source:
My Digital Life

MTV's new music game set to rock music industry

2007-11-23T10:44:00.000-08:00

FrMTV's Rock Band video game took the stage on Tuesday, a new entrant in the fast-growing genre of musical games that could boost the fortunes of the flagging music industry.

More a rock band simulator than a game, the title takes on the hit Guitar Hero series that has sold millions and become a cash cow for publisher Activision.

Many retailers opened their doors at midnight so gamers could plunk down $170 for a Rock Band bundle that includes the game software and controllers shaped like a guitar, drum set and microphone.

Rock Band is the headline act in Viacom unit MTV's plan to spend more than $500 million on games over the next two years as it expands beyond its traditional TV base.
Rock Band is the crowning achievement of Harmonix, a Boston-based game studio started by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students seeking to make the experience of playing music accessible to the masses.

A partnership with accessory maker Red Octane resulted in the hit formula of Guitar Hero, but the teams parted ways as Activision bought Red Octane while MTV picked up Harmonix.
"For the first time ever, we had the resources to really go for it," Harmonix head Alex Rigopulos said. "For us, it's a dream game. It's really sort of everything we've ever dreamed of doing."
It's a dream many gamers apparently share. The "band in a box" won an average rating of 95 on CNET Networks' Metacritic.com, which compiles reviews from different game sites and publications.

In Rock Band, four people can play together on guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Players hit buttons on the guitar or tap drums in sync with notes on-screen. Players can also sing along, karaoke-style. If notes are hit accurately, the song plays properly, and the band earns points.
Much as MTV's music videos transformed the industry in the early 1980s, industry executives and analysts said Rock Band may change the way people enjoy music. New songs will be available for download every week, with players able to tailor their game to their favorite genres or bands.

Just as musicians tested the novelty of downloads a few years ago by releasing songs online at the same time as on CD, MTV is working with labels to release playable versions of new tunes alongside their debuts in established formats.

"In 10 years, people are going to look at idly listening to music the same way as we look at watching a TV show in black and white," said Geoff Keighley, co-chair of the Game Critics Awards that named Rock Band the best game of the industry's annual trade show in July.
Game downloads are attractive to game makers and the music business because they are priced at about $2--double the cost of a song from an online store.

"I don't really expect it to be a huge source of income for the industry, but it is a positive story when they need one," said Billy Pidgeon, an analyst at market research firm IDC.

Activision Chief Executive Bobby Kotick said new songs for Guitar Hero will boost profit margins. Activision has sold more than half a million Guitar Hero song packs. That's only $3 million in revenue, but it's a highly profitable drop at a time when the overall music bucket is shrinking.

MTV, for its part, aspires to build an iTunes for games.
"We've moved from initial rounds of discussions with the labels to talking about how we can harness this platform to break new artists and to introduce new music from established artists," Paul DeGooyer, vice president of MTV Games, said in an interview.

The music business badly needs growth drivers. Downloads are expected to more than double over the next five years to $3.4 billion--more than a third of all music revenue--but that's partly because the industry is contracting, according to a report released Tuesday by JupiterResearch.

For all its grand plans, Rock Band is still playing the role of an upstart new act that must meet several challenges.

This year, the game is only available in $170 bundles that are nearly twice as expensive as "Guitar Hero." Individual instruments won't be offered until next year.
There is also the issue of availability. MTV said it would ship more than a million units this year, but Guitar Hero 3 sold 1.4 million units in its first six days on the market and is enjoying wider brand recognition.

Other game makers aren't expected to sit still, either.
Electronic Arts, which is distributing Rock Band under a three-year deal, may jump in with its own music game at some point. While EA books the revenue from each Rock Band sale, its share of profits is much lower than if it was publishing its own game.

Asked whether EA was working on its own game, EA Partners general manager David DeMartini praised Harmonix before telling Reuters, "That's not to say that we wouldn't, at some point, be involved in the genre, as this is a huge genre that hasn't reached full potential. We wouldn't rule anything out."

Source:
News.com

23andme introduces the first Personal Genome Service

2007-11-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

Anne Wojcicki, the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, hasto launched 23andme today— it appears they are already taking orders before though. The service, partially funded by Google, has set out to revolutionize how we look at ourselves in reference to the past, present and future. For $999 you will receive a complete DNA scan that reveals your ancestry, what your risk factor for developing certain diseases is, and will keep you up-to-date with the latest medical advancements that directly affect you.

If I had $999 to spend, I’m not sure I would do it yet though. I have no problems morally, or otherwise, sending my cheek swab to 23andme for analysis. I’m not even overly concerned with the price point. It’s the fear of what they are going to tell me about myself that scares the bejesus out of me. What they are offering isn’t too extreme, but it’s almost like knowing the exact date and time of your death — cool, but not for me.
It would be interesting to know how many people take the plunge on Monday — it’s a lot of money, but the information you get is potentially invaluable. What do you think? Would you be willing to send your DNA to a private company for analysis? If so, would you pay $999 for it?

Source:
based on article by Garett Rogers on ZDnet Blogs

The 20 (Mostly Free) Downloads You Can't Do Without

2007-11-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

You likely have plenty of software on your PC. But do you have the right software?
Any well-equipped system needs a basic software suite, a collection of tools that can keep your machine in working order and help it take care of everyday tasks--as well as some not-so-ordinary tasks. Since such software doesn't ship with your PC, for the most part, you'll have to accumulate it over time.

Which programs should you get? We've put together a suite of 20 must-have applications--the tools that will allow you to get the most out of your PC. We've included a wide variety of software, from security utilities to system cleaners to graphics tools. We've mixed some all-time favorites with some apps that you've probably never heard of. They all have one thing in common: You need them. Now. So read on and start downloading... [PC World suggests some very cool freeware that u cant resist to download]...click here for full article

Youtube To Launch HD Videos Soon

2007-11-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

The leading online video-sharing company, Youtube which has developed into a global phenomenon is currently testing HD video capabilities which aimed to enhance your Internet video-sharing experience, according to Youtube co-founder Steve Chen.

The new Youtube HD is expected to be available to everyone within 3 months.

New Zunes get unboxed, reviewed, and Microsoft firms up plans

2007-11-12T11:54:00.000-08:00

Well Zuneinites, the new models are primed and ready for store shelves tomorrow, but we've got first looks and reviews today. As Microsoft's new media players make their way into the hands of eager beavers across the internets, we're here for you, picking up the pieces and putting it all together. As it stands right now, we've got videos and reviews from a number of sources, including (but not limited) to: CNET, Zune Thoughts, and Zunerama. All of the sites currently have unboxing videos and / or reviews of the new units, and Zune Thoughts even has an informative video on some firmware update problems they discovered with the Zune 80. Some interesting Zune Marketplace info has also come out, including details that the DRM-free track cost will be $.99, or 79 Microsoft Points (the same as pricing on protected tracks). Additionally, we've received the official word from Microsoft on the Zune Originals, as well as all the confirmation you'll ever need that the Zune-bomb really does drop tomorrow. Hold on to your hats folks, it's going to be an exciting week.

Read -- CNET First Look: Zune (second generation, 80GB, black)

Read -- Zune Thoughts

Read -- Zunerama: Full Zune 2 coverage

Read -- Microsoft Unveils Device Customization via New Zune Originals Store, New Zune Players Available Tomorrow

Source:
Engadget

Intel launches world’s first 45nm processors

2007-11-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Intel extended its lead in microprocessors today by launching the world’s first 45nm microprocessors. Along with the new “Penryn” 45nm processors being launched today, Intel is also launching the “Seaburg” chipset designed for the HPC (High Performance Computing) chipset which is timed perfectly with this week’s supercomputing conference. Both the new processor and chipset will officially be called the 5400 series processor and chipset.

The new 5400 series processor is built on a brand new 45nm process using High-K dielectrics and dramatically cuts power consumption. Its key performance enhancements over the previous generation Intel 65nm processors are higher clock speeds, 50% more level-2 cache, enhanced SSE3, brand new SSE4 instruction set which can double the performance of video encoding, enhanced dividers. The following is a table of the new server and HPC workstation processors launched today. Note that the FSB 1600 models are designed for the new 5400 series chipset whereas the FSB 1333 and 1066 models will work on the existing 5300 series chipset which Intel launched back in mid 2006.

The new 5400 series chipset supports 128 MBs of Fully Buffered DDR2-800 whereas the older 5300 series chipset only supported Fully Buffered DDR2-667. The new chipset also features a 50% larger 24 MB snoop filter which allows for more efficient cache indexing.

Source: ZDNet Blogs

iPhone Firmware 1.1.2 Hacked Before Release

2007-11-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

When Apple announced the release of the iPhone for the UK, it also announced that iPhone and iPod touch firmware version 1.1.2 would be released at the same time. Released today, firmware 1.1.2 closes the TIFF vulnerability in mobile Safari that was used to jailbreak firmware 1.1.1. Confirmed by DailyTech, the TIFF vulnerability no longer works. However, despite Apple's effort to lockdown the iPhone and iPod touch, firmware 1.1.2 has already been jailbroken.

View: Full Story @ DailyTech

EA Donates Original SimCity to One Laptop Per Child

2007-11-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

Today Electronic Arts Inc. announced the company will donate the original SimCity™ — the blockbuster 1989 game credited with giving rise to the city-building game genre—to each computer in the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative. OLPC is a not-for-profit humanitarian effort to design, manufacture and distribute inexpensive laptops with the goal of giving every child in the world access to modern education. By gifting SimCity onto each OLPC laptop, EA is providing users with an entertaining way to engage with computers as well as help develop decision-making skills while honing creativity. This is the first time a major video game publisher has gifted a game to the world.

OLPC will begin distributing laptops in countries such as Uruguay, Peru, Mexico, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Haiti, Cambodia and India by the end of 2007. The idea to connect SimCity with OLPC came from internet pioneer, activist and OLPC advisor John Gilmore who knew the game’s history and recognized its potential relevance to the not-for-profit project. Not long after its 1989 release, SimCity became a phenomenon, winning more than 24 domestic and international awards. The game soon made its way into more than 10,000 classrooms as an educational tool and became part of the annual Future City Competition, a contest that still runs in seventh and eighth grade classrooms today.

Source: neowin

More about Google Phone

2007-11-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

GPhone will be powered by Android.

Android is an open source mobile phone platform based on the the Linux operating system and Java programming platform and developed by the Open Handset Alliance.[1] The release of the Android platform on 5 November, 2007 was announced with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 34 hardware, software and telecoms companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.When released, the Android platform will be made available under the Apache license.
PC world tells teh story with some Concept designs that popped up all over internet

Move over iPhone. The tech world is now drawing its attention to a rumored gPhone.
Reports are popping up everywhere that Google is shopping around prototypes of mobile phones. Confirmation came from a report from The Wall Street Journal. It reported Google has built prototype cell phones, to be mass-produced by multiple hardware manufacturers.

What might those phones look like? Just as iPhone prototypes began popping up on the Web (long before Apple made an official announcement), so are Google phone prototypes.

Don't expect anyone to guess correctly what a gPhone might look like. But that hasn't stopped designers from dreaming. Here are some images I rounded up on the Web of prototype Google phones (and one prototype iPhone) linking back to the sources where I found them.

Earlier this year IntoMobile and other Web sites posted this prototype Google phone.

Here is a sleek design from a UK-based gadget Web site called T3.

Lets wait to see what will Google bring to our mobile life!

Microsoft launches advertising campaign in UK: StartDoingMore.co.uk

2007-11-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

... and an especially designed website: StartDoingMore.co.uk has been prepared! Interestingly American version of this site is also available : StartDoingMore.com - but it looks completely different than the British version. Here is what Microsoft uses as unique selling points of Windows Mobile: Familiar Microsoft Software and Services With a Windows Mobile phone, your easy-to-use Microsoft software and services go wherever you go.

Microsoft Office Mobile
Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile
Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile
Windows Live for Windows Mobile

Windows Media Player Mobile Conclusion: competitors of Microsoft can create other operating systems for smartphones but in one area they will never be able to beat Microsoft: familiarity with Microsoft Software that is used in majority of Personal Computers worldwide. Cleary Windows Mobile division doesn't have such huge budget as some manufacturers, but Microsoft is starting to understand that the battle is not about mobile phone industry only but about everything!

Source:
Ms Mobiles

How to play XBOX Live through your Windows Mobile cell phone

2007-11-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is possible! Gaming fans had 10 XBOX 360 connected to XBOX Live service last weekend through a Windows Mobile phone... and they ordered a pizza at the same time (when playing, without the need to disconnect):

So how did I use a cell phone as my ISP? Windows has a neat little feature called Internet Connection Sharing. This does exactly what you'd think, it enables a PC to share it's internet connection with other local PCs, via a small local network, or even a crossover cable. Both PCs need to have ICS, so both need Windows, hence my need for Windows Mobile on the device. The Blackjack, when you think about it, is really more of a PC than a phone. It has a processor. It has memory. And it has storage, although not in the form of a hard drive, but flash storage. It also has an I/O system, and an OS. It has networking capabilities, both wired and wireless. It meets all the basic criteria of a PC. With the included software, you can sync it w/ your PC, and share data between the two. None of this is news to most folks.

What I did find to be surprising, both to myself and others, is that by "bridging" the connection that my PC uses (i.e. my Blackjack connected via USB) to my Local Connection (ie my Xbox 360 via ethernet) I could connect to XBL.

Read full Article Here

Source:
HushedCasket via MsMobile

Google to announce mobile platform Monday; target: iPhone?

2007-11-04T12:17:00.000-08:00

Google negotiators this weekend continue to hammer out agreements with wireless carriers, handset makers, software developers and hardware providers, as the company prepares to announce on Monday an ambitious platform for creating mobile applications. Although Google has declined to comment for months on its rumored move into the mobile space, sources said the company will make an announcement Monday at 11 a.m. EST, and that details of the plan are being finalized this weekend.

Google will announce an open source development platform for mobile applications that will contain a full set of components, including an operating system, a set of common APIs, a middleware layer, a customizable user interface and even a mobile browser, sources said. Instant messaging standard protocols will also be supported. The platform is intended to simplify the process of creating and deploying mobile applications, so that an application can be built once and be compatible with multiple phones. On the partner side, well over 30 industry heavyweights are already on board, including Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Nvidia, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, China Mobile, Telefonica, NTT DoCoMo, LG Electronics and HTC, the sources said.

Source:
Neowin

Researcher: Leopard's Firewall is a Mess

2007-11-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

The launch of Apple's newest OS, Leopard, has been, to say the least, tinged with negative press, what with reports of bluescreens due to third party applications and Java incompatibilities. On Friday, Rich Mogull, a security consultant and former Gartner analyst, added more fuel to the fire when he said "[Leopard's] firewall is a mess" after spending two days digging into the new firewall's capabilities. "It's a step back from Tiger's firewall. I was originally pretty bullish on Leopard's security, and I still am on the concepts, but the implementation makes most of its advances ineffective or unusable."

The firewall in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard uses a bare-bones interface -- earlier this week, Mogull called it "so simple as to be nearly useless" -- that offers users three options: allow all incoming connections, block all incoming connections, and set access for specific services and applications Unfortunately, the implementation seems fraught with problems. "'Block all' does seem to block actual connections," said Mogull, "but any shared ports are detected as 'open/filtered' on a port scan." And unless users turn on stealth, some services -- Bonjour, Apple's network-device-locating technology, is one -- are seen as open by scans, no matter what firewall setting is selected. Only by using "Block all" with stealth enabled are shared services actually invisible.

Those inconsistencies pale against the firewall's ability to break some applications without warning. When the "Set access" mode is turned on, the firewall digitally signs applications that the user allows access to incoming communication; although most firewalls will block a program from running if it detects change, such as an upgrade to a new version, Mogull discovered that Leopard takes it one step further, blocking applications that change at runtime. Skype, the popular VoIP software and instant messenger, is one such program. If the user has set the firewall to "Set access" and runs Skype, the icon will bounce a time or two on the dock, but not load. Nor does Leopard tell the user that Skype has failed or why it won't launch. Only the Mac OS X Console gives a clue, with a message such as: 11/2/07 9:47:51 AM [0x0-0x35035].com.skype.skype[399] Check 1 failed. Can't run Skype.

However, Mogull isn't all bad news. "Fortunately, all of this is fixable," he said. "Apple clearly was a little rushed, but they're moving in the right direction. It's our responsibility to keep on Apple to make sure they convert these concepts into actual implementations."

Source:
Neowin

Facebook Hack: Transfer and Add Friend Invites Sent to Alternative Email Address

2007-11-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Chances are over the cause of time you have used many email addresses to communicate with friends, such as those given by your school, college or company, or even some age-old e-mail addresses that you no longer used as you prefer new e-mail address as preference changes. It’s also highly likely you only want to register one Facebook account with your main email address so that you can connect with all your friends, ex or current coursemates, colleagues and family members from one place.So now what if you receive an invitation from somebody to add you as a friend on Facebook, however, the invitation request is sent to your other email address, which is not the email used to register Facebook. The cases like this is not unexpected, as your old or alternative email addressees different from the one in Facebook may reside in friends’ address books or contact list as Facebook retrieves the email to automatically send you invitation to join.

Hearing from friends especially some long lost or no contact friends is always a happy news. Problem is that when click on invitation to accept the add as friend request, you have to register a new Facebook account with that email in order to add the request sender as friend. Attempting to login to existing Facebook account to check for any new invitation will result in nil invite, and the invitation page loaded by link in email when logged in is lost or failed, and simply got redirect back to Facebook homepage without error mesage.
So how to transfer the invite sent to other mail address to the one registered in Facebook, and add the sender whose invite addressed to wrong email as friend? Facebook does not have a feature to allow users to add, define or associate alternative email address other than the main registered email, so that when somebody send invites to these addresses, it will automatically match to your profile. So Facebook has no mean to know that the another email is your alternative email, which also belongs to you and should link to your Facebook profile. So the workaround is to search for your friend who sent the invite to wrong address and request to add him or her to your Facebook profile instead.

The easy way is to search for friend’s first name, last name, or email address (this is another annoying part in invite received, as it won’t show the actual email address of the sender, so you have to dig your own address book) in Facebook. If you friend has common name such as David, Michael, James, John, Robert, Mary, Linda, Patricia, Smith, Johnson, Wilson, Jackson, Thomas, White, Moore, Davis, Martin and etc., the search results probably run into hundreds if not thousands of profiles in Facebook. If it’s impossible to find your friend by searching due to factor above, or another reason been your peer doesn’t put his or her real name in the profile, here’s another hack to easily locate his or her profile in Facebook.

The Facebook invitation URL sent to you in the email has the format similar to the following:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=XXXXXXXXX&k=YYYYYYYYYY&r&v=2

The XXXXXXXXX after the i variable is actually the Facebook user profile ID. With this information, you can visit straight away to the your friend’s profile by attaching the ID number (XXXXXXXXX) to the following URL of Facebook user profile location:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=XXXXXXXXX

Of course, XXXXXXXXX is just a mask and you should get the correct profile ID from the invitation email you received. Once the profile page is loaded, click on the Add as Friend button. Wait for your friend to accept you as his or her friend, and simply discard the invitation email you received.

Source:
MydigitalLife

"Time" declares iPhone as invention of the year

2007-11-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Oh! I am definetly surprised! iPhone is cool but there are better things invented this year. Apple's "love it," "hate it" or "hack it to pieces" iPhone is Time's "Invention Of the Year," !

Invention of the year that was unlocked by a 17-year-old teenager, needs $0.99 to set a ringtone of favorite song, can only be used legaly on AT&T network, expensive and has nothing to offer better than many other phones except its so called icandy interface and iPod music. Is it invention of year because more than 1.4 million iPhones were sold? ...does it helps to make our lives really better than before? (except playing with icons and listening to iPod quality Music). What about OLPC?

What Lev Grossman of Time wrote is ...

Stop. I mean, don't stop reading this, but stop thinking what you're about to think. Or, O.K., I'll think it for you:

The thing is hard to type on. It's too slow. It's too big. It doesn't have instant messaging. It's too expensive. (Or, no, wait, it's too cheap!) It doesn't support my work e-mail. It's locked to AT&T. Steve Jobs secretly hates puppies. And—all together now—we're sick of hearing about it! Yes, there's been a lot of hype written about the iPhone, and a lot of guff too. So much so that it seems weird to add more, after Danny Fanboy and Bobby McBlogger have had their day. But when that day is over, Apple's iPhone is still the best thing invented this year. Why? Five reasons:

1. The iPhone is prettyMost
high-tech companies don't take design seriously. They treat it as an afterthought. Window-dressing. But one of Jobs' basic insights about technology is that good design is actually as important as good technology. All the cool features in the world won't do you any good unless you can figure out how to use said features, and feel smart and attractive while doing it.
An example: look at what happens when you put the iPhone into "airplane" mode (i.e., no cell service, WiFi, etc.). A tiny little orange airplane zooms into the menu bar! Cute, you might say. But cute little touches like that are part of what makes the iPhone usable in a world of useless gadgets. It speaks your language. In the world of technology, surface really is depth.

2. It's touchy
feelyapple didn't invent the touchscreen. Apple didn't even reinvent it (Apple probably acquired its much hyped multitouch technology when it snapped up a company called Fingerworks in 2005). But Apple knew what to do with it. Apple's engineers used the touchscreen to innovate past the graphical user interface (which Apple helped pioneer with the Macintosh in the 1980s) to create a whole new kind of interface, a tactile one that gives users the illusion of actually physically manipulating data with their hands—flipping through album covers, clicking links, stretching and shrinking photographs with their fingers.

This is, as engineers say, nontrivial. It's part of a new way of relating to computers. Look at the success of the Nintendo Wii. Look at Microsoft's new Surface Computing division. Look at how Apple has propagated its touchscreen interface to the iPod line with the iPod Touch. Can it be long before we get an iMac Touch? A TouchBook? Touching is the new seeing.

3. It will make other phones better
jobs didn't write the code inside the iPhone. These days he doesn't dirty his fingers with 1's and 0's, if he ever really did. But he did negotiate the deal with AT&T to carry the iPhone. That's important: one reason so many cell phones are lame is that cell-phone-service providers hobble developers with lame rules about what they can and can't do. AT&T gave Apple unprecedented freedom to build the iPhone to its own specifications. Now other phone makers are jealous. They're demanding the same freedoms. That means better, more innovative phones for all.

4. It's not a phone, it's a platform
when apple made the iphone, it didn't throw together some cheap-o bare-bones firmware. It took OS X, its full-featured desktop operating system, and somehow squished it down to fit inside the iPhone's elegant glass-and-stainless-steel case. That makes the iPhone more than just a gadget. It's a genuine handheld, walk-around computer, the first device that really deserves the name. One of the big trends of 2007 was the idea that computing doesn't belong just in cyberspace, it needs to happen here, in the real world, where actual stuff happens. The iPhone gets applications like Google Maps out onto the street, where we really need them.

And this is just the beginning. Platforms are for building on. Last month, after a lot of throat-clearing, Apple decided to open up the iPhone, so that you—meaning people other than Apple employees—will be able to develop software for it too. Ever notice all that black blank space on the iPhone's desktop? It's about to fill up with lots of tiny, pretty, useful icons.

5. It is but the ghost of iPhones yet to come
the iphone has sold enough units—more than 1.4 million at press time—that it'll be around for a while, and with all that room to develop and its infinitely updatable, all-software interface, the iPhone is built to evolve. Look at the iPod of six years ago. That monochrome interface! That clunky touchwheel! It looks like something a caveman whittled from a piece of flint using another piece of flint. Now imagine something that's going to make the iPhone look that primitive. You'll have one in a few years. It'll be very cool. And it'll be even cheaper

Wateen Telecom's Wi-Max still pending to launch :@

2007-11-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

I called Wateen Telecom today (They said last month that they will launch Wi-Max after 30 October) and still they say it is delayed due to some technical reasons! :@ man! what are they doing? They are putting thier advertisements everywhere for a service that is being delayed and delayed. Since last 4 months, they are saying "we are expecting to launch it in this month!" And today they did same when I called them.

Thier website is showing off all the time
"With more than 10,000 registered customers in 20 days and the count still going strong ..."

But guyz where is the Service?... I am waiting for this service from last 4 months and using a slow internet connection hoping that I will upgrade soon with it!...its a frustration for highly intrested costumers of Wateen and some friends of mine ended up thier patience with an alternative broadband connection and they say they are not going to shift to Wateen's (even if it offers better) for next 6 Months.

Expectations for Wateen is to bring cheaper broadband rates with mobility. They are not revealing the Tariff to anyone...don't know wht they have in mind! I don't think so people will prefer an expensive wireless broadband connection over less expensive landline broadband

DirectX 10.1 in Windows Vista SP1 – The Evolution

2007-11-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

As Windows Vista brought to the table the exclusive DirectX 10, the first service pack for the operating system will evolve Microsoft's graphics technology to version 10.1. DirectX 10.1 is already available to over 12,000 testers via the first beta of Vista Service Pack 1, concomitantly with the official release of Build 6001.16659. Although the testing milestones of Vista, Windows Server 2008 and Windows XP SP3 Beta, are officially limited in terms of access, a hack is available designed to permit the download of Windows Vista SP1 Beta Build 6001.16659 straight from Microsoft, and simultaneously test drive DirectX 10.1.

However, Vista users have to understand that DirectX 10.1, as well as DirectX 10 is a technology intimately connected with the underlying graphics card, such as the upcoming ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series. According to an AMD whitepaper focused on the implementation of DirectX 10.1 in the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series, the latest application programming interface from Microsoft, manages to "unlock the state of the art in GPU technology."

Source: Neowin

Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta Free Download

2007-11-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

This new version has a whole new look and feel, along with some great new features that make it well worth the upgrade. Here’s a quick look at what’s new in Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta:

- A whole new look for your contact list. Keep it in detail view to see larger Avatar images for your friends, or switch to compact list view (in the Contacts menu). Plus, you can just hover and click to IM, SMS or call a friend.

- Brand new skins and emoticons! Click the dot near the top of your Messenger window to choose a skin, and check the emoticon menu for the new ones that were inspired by user entries in our Emoticontest earlier this year (more on our winners in a future post).

- New Flickr integration in the photo sharing feature. Easily share photos from your Flickr.com account, or save photos shared with you directly to Flickr.

- A new in-line media player that makes it easy to view maps, photos and videos from sites like Yahoo! Video and YouTube right in the IM window. No plug-ins needed, no extra downloads — it’s built right in. Just send a video, map or photo link to another friend who’s also on 9.0 to try it out.

- New features for voice calls. You can have your incoming Phone In or free PC calls forwarded to another number like your mobile, home or office phone, even if you’re signed out of Messenger (Phone Out account required). Plus there’s a new way to get voicemail. When someone leaves you a voicemail in Messenger, an email is sent to you with an MP3 of the voice message attached.

The new Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 also offers localized versions in six new markets: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India (Hindi), and Vietnam. With these additions, Yahoo! Messenger is available in 25 international markets.

Link:
Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta!

Source:
Yahoo Messenger Blog

Google Goes OpenSocial to Trump Facebook

2007-11-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Google will officially join the club of social software development platform providers Nov. 1, when it unveils a set of application programming interfaces that will allow programmers to write social applications that will work on LinkedIn, Friendster and other social networking sites.
OpenSocial is designed to help programmers build applications that reach more of the 400 million users of social networks than they would under the original open developer model, Google product manager Joe Kraus told eWEEK Oct. 31.

The Mountain View, Calif., search vendor's initiative is an answer to the launch of Facebook's highly successful developer platform, on top of which 7,000 applications have been built since the social networking site launched it May 24.

Google is going the extra mile by enabling programmers to write applications for multiple social networks under three APIs, which will offer access to a user's profile and their friends, and the ability to let their friends know that activities have taken place.
In this learn-once, write-anywhere scenario, developers can tailor their application to run on any Web site enabled by OpenSocial.

In addition to Google's own Orkut social site, roughly a dozen partners have signed up for OpenSocial, including LinkedIn, hi5.com, iLike, Friendster and Ning. All told, the sites comprise over 100 million users, or roughly double the Facebook user base.

The launch of OpenSocial fans the flames between Google and Facebook, which look like real rivals with each passing day. Google's move comes a week after Microsoft announced that it won an extension as the exclusive ad provider for Facebook, in which the Redmond, Wash., software giant also took a $240 million stake.

Via : eWeek

Jason D says about poor iPod touch battery life

2007-10-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

I’m always leary of manufactures claims of battery life, my rule of thumb is to cut what the manufacturer says in half.Apple claims that the iPod touch gets “up to” 22 hours of audio playback time and “up to” 5 hours of video playback time when fully charged according to Apple’s iPod touch Tech Specs page.

Many users have been complaining of significantly lower battery runtimes with the touch.

Here’s an example:
I purchased an iPod Touch (16 gig) last week. I have been waiting for iPhone service in my area, but waiting is painful.

I am really disappointed with the battery life and standard features of the iPod Touch. Battery life is totally unacceptable. After 3 to 4 hours of listening to podcasts I got the warning that 20% of the battery remained.

After a fully recharge I attempted to play a 2 hour movie (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). The touch made it through about 1 hour and 50 minutes then the battery crapped out. None of these times are close to Apple’s estimates and what some reviewers are indicating.

This particular reader disclosed that he ran iJailbrake on the iPod touch and installed some third-party applications–which could be the culprit, but I’m not sure.

Update: The reader quoted above clarifies the process of problems with his touch battery:

1. Ran iPod Touch as shipped from Factory for several days. Battery life terrible. 2 to 3 hours max when I got a message battery life was low.

2. Ran the iJailbreak hack and battery life was no better or worse.

3. Restored iPod Touch to default settings and used for another day. Less than an hour of listening to podcast (PowerPage Podcast), showed friend the features over lunch. Listened to remainder of said podcast and got the warning of less than 20% of battery life remaining.

4. Did a full recharge upon returning home. Disconnected from charger and started movie (Indiana Jones) got about 1 hour and 50 minutes when the iPod Touch turned off.

Source: ZDnetBlogs

LifeSize unveils low-cost HD video-conferencing solutions

2007-10-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

LifeSize Communications was the first company to release an HD conferencing solution which I covered at Interop Las Vegas spring 2005. Now at Interop fall 2007 in New York, it appears that LifeSize has again rocked the video conferencing world by releasing 720p HD products at half the price of competing 720p solutions. The LifeSize Express sells for less than $6K and is cheaper than many standard definition video conferencing solutions. The new LifeSize Telepresence solution can be built for a quarter of the cost of competing Video Telepresence solutions.

Pictured to the left is the newest low-cost LifeSize Express 720p HD video conferencing solution. It will ship tomorrow on 10/23/2007 and it has an MSRP of $5,999 which is nearly half the price of competing 720p HD conferencing solutions on the market. The LifeSize Express has dual-input capability and it has HDMI input and output which carries audio. The 720p codec in this model is limited to 1.5 mbps. The $5,999 price comes with microphone, remote, and camera.

Pictured above is the back of the LifeSize Express. At this time the HDMI ports which carry digital audio and video capability don’t have HDCP compatibility which means you won’t be able to input commercial HD DVD or Blu-ray video in to the system since they require HDCP copy protection. At this point in time that wasn’t really a priority and no other product on the market has HDCP protection either nor do they have the convenience of HDMI ports.

Pictured left is the new LifeSize Team MP product which ships tomorrow on 10/23/2007. It has an MSRP of $8,999 and it adds 4-way continuous presence multipoint capability and supports up to 2.5 mbps. At under $9000 the Team MP is about the same price as some competing standard definition video conferencing solutions. Like the Express system it also supports a single camera and single display.

Pictured left is the LifeSize Room system which has been the flagship product for LifeSize for a year. It supports up to 6-way continuous presence multipoint, VAS (Voice Activated Switching), and up to 5 mbps. This model supports dual camera and dual screen. Seen in the picture is a LifeSize IP phone which is powered by standard RJ45 802.3af POE (Power Over Ethernet) port. The smaller microphones shown with the LifeSize Express and Team MP are analog microphones that go in to the microphone jack.

Pictured above is the new LifeSize Conference solution which is essentially a “Telepresence” solution without the display and furniture. The solution is essentially two LifeSize Team MPs and one LifeSize Room system bound together by a controller. It is extremely disruptive to the Telepresence market space because it sells for an MSRP of $39,999 when competing Telepresence solutions sell for $200K which includes the furniture and displays.Since you can buy three 52″ flat panel LCD displays for $6K and some pretty nice custom furniture and video studio lighting for $14K which means you can build a LifeSize Telepresence solution for about $60K. As LifeSize CEO Craig Malloy explained it to me in a telephone conference today, you can build a house in Texas with the remaining $140K. In the

picture above you’re probably looking at $2000 of furniture and wall mounts and I can’t see why you would need anything more than this other than a brightly lit room which produces a much better picture quality. This gets you the same video Telepresence quality of systems costing 4 times more money.

Source:
ZDnet blogs

Nokia and Reuters develop an N95-based "Mobile Journalism Toolkit"

2007-10-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

The rise of the cameraphone has certainly changed the face of journalism, and old-guard wire service Reuters isn't about to get passed by -- the company has entered into a long-term partnership with Nokia to develop new mobile reporting technologies, and the two companies have recently completed trials of an N95-based "Mobile Journalism Tookit" that takes moblogging to a whole new level.

So what is in the Mobile Journalism Toolkit? First of all the phone. This is a Nokia N95 which now comes in three different versions. The original European version that we used for most of the trial (image on left). Then there is a the US edition which adds more memory and support for US carrier frequencies. Finally there is the news 8GB version which can store much more music and videos, and for our journalists more raw materials. The next part of the toolkit are the peripherals. A key component was the bluetooth keyboard that we used. This made it much easier to enter text-based stories in the field. For this we used the Nokia SU-8W (see image on left). This folds up and has a bracket to hold the phone. We also supplied a basic tripod to help in video interviews and a Sony microphone for directional audio recording and reducing background noise in interviews - this required a special adaptor plug that was made by Nokia for the project. Finally to deal with power issues we also used Power Monkeys, both basic and Explorer versions (see photo). The Explorer has a solar charging system which was particularly useful in Senegal

Link:
Reuters

Samsung reveals first 30-nm 64Gb NAND chip -- and a bit of skin

2007-10-24T12:35:00.001-07:00

We're not sure what's more impressive here: the fact that Samsung has produced the world's first 30nm-class 64Gb (bit, not byte!) NAND chip or that they're now roping defenseless product waifs into hawking their silicon wafers. Nevertheless, we're looking at a serious jump in density in just 10 months. A maximum of 16 of the new chips can be combined for cost-effective 128GB (byte, not bit!) MLC NAND-based flash cards used primarily for data storage. Sammy's faster SLC based flash cards will still be the preferred choice when speed is of the utmost priority and cost isn't an issue. As such, Samsung also announced a 32Gb SLC NAND chip based on the same SaDPT (Self-aligned double patterning technology) manufacturing process. Sadly, we'll have to wait until 2009 for production to begin. Still, he looks happy dontchathink?

Source: Mydigitallife

Western Union Cooperate With GSM Association To Launch Global Mobile Cash Transfer Services

2007-10-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

The US-based financial services and communications company, Western Union and GSM Association (GSMA) have jointly announced their plan to develop a system that would allow consumers to transfer money/cash across international borders via just a mobile phone. It’s a very cool and convenient commercial cash transfer service based on “Mobile Wallet” technology!“Mobile networks now cover more than 80 percent of the world’s population and 3 billion people1 have a mobile phone, creating an unprecedented opportunity to extend the benefits of financial services to the majority of the world’s families for the first time,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA. “Mobile money transfers are a key driver in the development of a potentially vast market for financial services delivered via the mobile phone.”

“Western Union has a long tradition of innovation,” said Western Union President and CEO Christina Gold. “Our focus on the mobile money transfer space is an important step in expanding the range of Western Union’s global services to a new category of consumers. Our brand, extensive network, and compliance capabilities, combined with the GSMA members’ market reach, uniquely positions Western Union in the mobile money transfer marketplace.”

The cool and useful global mobile cash transfer services from a team of Western Union and GSM Association is expected to be available in 35 GSMA operators or about 100 countries around the world from Q2 2008.

Source: MyDigitalLife

Microsoft indirectly announces next Windows Mobile version for the first time

2007-10-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

Apparently this new Windows Mobile version - probably 6.1 - will be released early next year (i.e. 2008) and it is needed to use "System Center Mobile Device Manager" server product. This new version of Windows Mobile has been publicly and explicitly mentioned for the first time during the webcast about the System Center Mobile Device Manager. By the way of this announcement also Samsung BlackJack II smartphone - with GPS (!) - has been announced. More info:

Responding to customer needs beyond mobile e-mail and calendaring, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, a new mobile-dedicated server solution that helps companies manage Windows Mobile phones similar to Windows-based laptops and PCs. With Mobile Device Manager, companies can deliver new applications to phones over the air as well as connect people via Mobile VPN (virtual private network) with security-enhanced access to critical data such as expense reports or customer information.

Microsoft, AT&T and Samsung also unveiled the Blackjack II, marking more than 30 Windows Mobile phones that have been announced this year. Available later this year exclusively through AT&T for as low as $149.99 (ERP), the Blackjack II is a new Windows Mobile 6 phone featuring GPS that will be updatable to support Mobile Device Manager. The AT&T Tilt and other Windows Mobile 6 smart devices to be introduced by AT&T later this year also will support Mobile Device Manager. Other recently launched phones in the U.S. are the HTC Advantage, Mogul by HTC, Touch by HTC, T-Mobile Wing, and from Verizon Wireless the Samsung SCH i760, Motorola Q Music 9m, SMT5800 and XV6800.

Click for More info

Source:
MsMobiles

Right word for PTCL

2007-10-23T12:52:00.001-07:00

I tried "Phone n Net" service of PTCL but It never connected. When number 131777777 is dialed a voice says
"your telephone service doesnt offer this service u have requested!"
...wht the...!!!
the FAQ's at PTCL's site already say "The Phone ‘n’ Net facility is pre activated on all PTCL telephone numbers. You just have to dial 13177777 to be connected to Internet."

But...?

Hina Aman (a colleague of mine) has discovered a right word for PTCL. Just turn on T9 (Dictionary) on your cell phone and type PTCL... U will get the right word (try it to laugh :D)

Free Download Manager (FDM)

2007-10-22T01:16:00.000-07:00

Free Download Manager (FDM) is a full-featured download accelerator and manager. Using this software product you can easily download a list of files and whole web sites from any remote server via HTTP, HTTPS and FTP. With FDM the downloading process will be as easy as never before. FDM is a light-weight, powerful and easy-to-use application. Also this software product is well-known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. FDM can function as a site manager, accelerator, site explorer and scheduler. FDM can resume broken downloads. So you needn't start the downloading process from the very beginning after casual interruption. You can resume unfinished download from the moment when it was interrupted. Also this program warns you if resuming isn't supported by the servers. It allows you to make a decision about the downloading. So with FDM you save your time and money. FDM allows adjusting traffic usage. So it provides you with an opportunity to browse web pages much faster if you use a low connection speed.

Notes:FDM Lite version requires less size and lacks some functions (BitTorrent support, video conversion and upload manager) that can be downloaded and installed as plugins later.

* FDM is now released under GNU GPL! *

Download: Free Download Manager 2.5 build 721 FDM Lite 2.5 Build 721

Source : Neowin

PTCL Introduces "Phone n Net": Dialup internet for everyone!

2007-10-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

PTCL has introduced "Phone n Net" services that has started offering dialup internet to all costumers

PTCL says

"Phone’n’Net offers lot more convenience and efficient services with no hassle of opening an account or buying scratch card forced usage, Prepaid services and so much other hassles.Whereas Phone’n’Net offers convenience at its best. If you want to use Internet just dial 13177777 and get connected. The usage will be billed through your telephone bill. It will be charged on per minute basis"

Following are features of this service

*Direct internet Access

*No scratch card needed

*Balance never finishes

*No Expiry or forced usage

*Don't have to pay up-front

*Flat rate of Rs. 0.10/min. (conditions apply). Hourly charges are Rs. 6/hour

*Code barring to restrict internet access

*Available on all landlines. Currently available in Khi, Lhr, Isb and coming soon across Pakistan.

*You will be able to connect from any PTCL landline number. The only difference is that the charges will be billed to that number from which you connected to internet.

*Only one call will be charged as per PTCL rules for 131 number.(Thats cool :D)

Settings:

Phone number: 13177777
Login: ptcl

Password:ptcl

For more details:
PTCL Phone n net

Samsung shows water-powered Mobile Phone batteries

2007-10-18T04:51:00.000-07:00

In 2010 your mobile phone may be powered by water. During the 2007 Korea Electronics Show. Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced that it has developed a micro-fuel cell and hydrogen generator that runs on H2O.And it even showed a working prototype of the new "Micro Fuel Cell" which works with the Korean version of the Samsung SGH-i600 (I wouldn't mind to test it as well). According to Samsung, the micro-fuel cell can generate up to three watts of electricity which is enough to be used in mobile devices. The new fuel cell could power a handset for 10 hours (talk time, standby time?), twice as long as rechargeable batteries.

"When the handset is turned on, metal and water in the phone react to produce hydrogen gas," explained Oh Yong-soo, vice president of Samsung Electro-Mechanics' research center. "The gas is then supplied to the fuel cell where it reacts with oxygen in the air to generate power. Other fuel cells need methanol to produce hydrogen, while Samsung's needs only water."

"If the user uses the phone for four hours a day on average, they would have to change the hydrogen cartridge about every five days," Oh said. "Later handsets will be developed that don't need the hydrogen cartridges to be changed, and would only need to be filled with water."

According to Oh, the water-powered handsets are expected to hit the market by 2010.

Source: the::UnWired

Release of .NET Compact Framework for Symbian imminent

2007-10-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

Symbian Smartphone Show starts next week (October 16-17, 2007) in London, EU, and while most announcements there will not be related to Windows Mobile, this one is! With .NET Compact Framework for Symbian that is being developed by Red Five Labs company from South Africa, it will be possible to run .NET applications for Windows Mobile also inside of Symbian phones. The compatibility level however is probably only .NET CF 1.1 or 1.0 (while current Windows Mobile has .NET CF 2.0 pre-installed in ROM) and unfortunately still no download is available... to prove that this whole software is not just a vaporware...

Information fromn Red Five Labs follows.

* * * * *

Red Five Labs to announce the launch of the public beta program for Net60, the first-ever commercial .NET Compact Framework implementation for S60 devices

Red Five Labs, is to announce the beta release of Net60, its ground breaking implementation of the .NET Compact Framework running on S60 3rd edition devices.

Net60 enables managed Windows Mobile applications to run unchanged on S60 devices. Using C# and Visual Basic .NET in Visual Studio, developers can now use the .NET Compact Framework environment to build applications for Symbian devices.

This beta release is intended for System Integrators and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who are interested in exploring the possibilities of Net60 ahead of the commercial release. User feedback is highly encouraged.

For download instructions, beta release notes, known issues and to learn more about the product, please visit the beta page at http://www.redfivelabs.com/content/download.aspx

For live demonstrations, please visit us on Symbian Smartphone Show stand number 55. To arrange a meeting at the show with Red Five Labs' CEO Dusan Babich, please contact press@redfivelabs.com.

Source: MSMobiles

Google increases Gmail storage

2007-10-18T04:21:00.001-07:00

Google has announced that the free online storage for Gmail will increase gradually in the next days.

As of October 23th, users will get 4321MB of storage, and from January 4th next year, will see 6283MB of storage.

After that users will receive 3.3MB every day, which is apparently 10 times larger than the current rate of growth.

Google Apps mail accounts will have the same quota as standard Gmail accounts, while Google Apps Premier Edition will have 25GB mail accounts, compared to 2GB and 10GB previously.

"In April 2005, we started increasing Gmail storage as part of our "Infinity+1" storage plan. At that time, we realized we'd never reach infinity, but we promised to keep giving Gmail users more space as we were able," says the Gmail Blog.

Yahoo and Microsoft have recently increased the online storage they offer, so it appears as if Google, once the market leader in the area, has moved to catch up.

source:
Pocket-lint

OS X v10.5 Leopard Available October 26, Pre-order Today!

2007-10-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

Back in April, Apple announced a delay from June to October for the next version of its operating system due to needs of the iPhone program. Well, October has finally arrived. The company says that OS X v10.5, which is now expected to ship on October 26, contains over 300 new features and “installs easily, and works with the software and accessories you already have.” Some of the highlighted features include a revamped desktop, a new Finder which includes Cover Flow technology, Quick Look which gives full-scale previews of documents before opening them and Time Machine which creates incremental backups of files.

A single-user license costs just $129.00 direct from Apple while a five-user license will set you back just $199.00. Customers who pre-order OS X v10.5 today from Apple are guaranteed to have their copy on their doorstep on October 26.

Source: DailyTech

Any Audio Converter

2007-10-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

Any Audio Converter is designed for extracting audios from videos and converting audios between popular formats, such as WMV, MP4, WAV, WMA, OGG, AAC, MP3, M4A, MP2, etc. With Any Audio Converter, you can convert audio between MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC and OGG as well as video files including AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, ASF, etc to popular audio files, e.g. convert MP4 to MP3.The user-friendly interface of Any Audio Converter lets you add and convert any unprotected audios and videos to MP3, WMA, AAC and OGG easily. Most work can be done automatically with a few mouse clicks. All conversions are very easy to handle with super fast speed. You can convert many files in batches regardless of their source formats. Any Audio Converter also supports playback of all the audio files with its built-in player. If you want to convert wma to mp3, convert mp3 to AAC, convert MP4 to MP3 or if you need to save a sound segment from VIDEO for some reasons, Any Audio Converter is exactly what you are looking for.

Selected Features:

* Friendly user interface and easy to use
* Support all popular audio formats
* Extract audio from AVI, WMV, ASF, MPEG, MPG to MP3, WMA, OGG.
* Extract audio from videos in super fast speed* Lossless sound quality
* Offer multithreading and batch conversion
* Fast conversion speed is beyond your imagination.

System Requirements:
* Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista
* DirectX 8.0 Runtime or higher
* Pentium 300 MHz or better
* 128M or more RAM

Download Any Audio Converter 1.02 freeware

Links:
Any Audio Converter homepage
Screen Shot

Source:
Neowin

Microsofts gets patient for it's new Mobile User Interface

2007-10-15T00:47:00.000-07:00

Evey patient is an innovation so its a new innovation from Microsoft, the new UI for Windows Mobile!

The Windows Mobile touchscreen interface is ready for single-hand use, the United States Patent and Trademark Office yesterday unveiled a patent which was given to Microsoft (Application Number: 11/765,684). Title of the patent: "Extensible Filtered Lists for Mobile Device User Interface" which is about systems and methods for providing an improved user interface for mobile devices (smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like are explicitly stated in the patent specification). Access to data and services from multiple software applications can be provided through a group or list of items. Each group or list can include multiple items, which can be associated with data or tasks from multiple applications.

Briefly described, the provided subject matter concerns an improved user interface for mobile devices such as smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like. Selected data and services provided by multiple software applications can be accessed through a group or list of items. Each group or list can include multiple items that provide access to data or tasks from multiple applications. For example, a list centered around a user's current day can include items corresponding to meetings scheduled for that day using a calendar application, E-Mail received on that day through an E-Mail application, and a weather forecast for the day provided by a weather service application. Many WM users believe that interface can be made more user friendly so this new patient is step towards an easier and innovative Mobile User Interface.

Source: Theunwired

Eid Mubarak!

2007-10-15T00:17:00.000-07:00

Eid-ul-Fitar Mubarak from Technobuddy. Wishing you a very very happy Eid day and a pray for all who are not amoung us this Eid, May Allah bless us all!

On this occasion we must not forget the poor and hungry, we must help them to enjoy the most blessing and happy event of nature. Allah loves those who love thier fellow men and real happiness is in helping others to celebrate and celebrate among them.

I wish everyday in my life is like Eid mornings! Its a real pleasure and coolness to eyes waking up for fajar prayers at Eid morning. Once again Eid Mubarak!

E-Card/Image Source: Sakkal

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Beta released analysis (The final SP)

2007-10-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Its not that unofficial one that fools people to be real service pack. The official Service Pack 3 Beta is officially here now. As Microsoft said it will say bye bye to Windows XP in 2008 to promote Windows Vista, so this is the last official Service Pack for Windows XP.

This release, also shipped as windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.exe, is 334.2 megabytes and has been made available to tier-one Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1 beta testers

It contains only patches and hotfixes most of them backported from Windows Vista:

New Windows Product Activation model: no need to enter product key during setup.
Network Access Protection modules and policies have been brought to XP after being one of the more-well-received features in Windows Vista.
New Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module - the Windows XP SP3 kernel now includes an entire module that provides easy access to multiple cryptographic algorithms and is available for use in kernel-mode drivers and services.
New “Black Hole Router” detection - Windows XP SP3 can detect and protect against rogue routers that are discarding data.

Windows XP SP3 is compatible with all versions of Windows x86, included Embedded, Fundamentals, Start, Professional, Media Center, and Home Editions.

Windows XP SP3 now contains 1,073 patches/hotfixes, not including those in previous service packs. Of the 1,073 included updates, 114 are for security-related issues. The remainder are updates to performance & reliability, bugfixes, improvements to kernel-mode driver modules, and many BSOD fixes.

As with Service Pack 2, these include both previously publicly-available updates (whether through support.microsoft.com or via Windows Update) as well as any and all privately-redistributed updates for select customers or partners with specific problems/scenarios

Reference:
NeoSmart blog

Use PHP in Visual Studio 2005

2007-10-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

IPhp is one of the most popular languages for developing web applications. In fact, the Php community has the largest pool of rich open source applications, frameworks and resources to make your development life easier. VS.Php lets those who enjoy using Visual Studio use their favorite IDE for Php development. VS.Php also provides many unique features by leveraging the Visual Studio IDE like Php/Javascript debugging.

VS.Php is a Php integrated development environment based on Visual Studio. With VS.Php you can design, develop, debug and deploy Php applications within the Visual Studio IDE. VS.Php key features are around providing rich Php and Smarty editing capabilities as well as its ability to debug Php scripts locally as well as remotely.

VS.Php offers a set of productivity features designed to improve productivity. The new 2.3 release offers many improvements around working on remote projects including remote access, importing and improved deployment.

link:
Php IDE - VS.Php for Visual Studio 2005

Zune 30 will be updated to all features of new Zunes (unlike Apple do)

2007-10-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has taken a fresh approach in updating its mp3 lineup. They are not actually trying to replace the original Zune (called as Zune 30) but are actually adding new variety to their lineup. Now what does this actually means is that the current zune owners who bought Zune 30 will get all the new features (yes all of them) of Zune 4, Zune 8 and Zune 80 through a firmware upgrade. This is something which Apple has failed to deliver for their loyal iPod users. Whenever a new iPod was released, the older versions didn't get any new updates or the features of the newer models which left their loyal users with no option but to spend more bucks and get the new device.

In what I consider to be a classy move, Microsoft is imbuing each Zune device with exactly the same features. (And yes, this includes the original Zune 30, which will require a software update.) So if you have bought a Zune last year doesn't mean you're out of luck. What a concept.

Updates for Zune 30 will include:

>The new improved user interface.

>Ability to sync with Windows Vista PCs via WiFi.

>New desktop Zune software.

>Zune Community Site (a.k.a "Zune Social") to create dynamic Zune Cards and share their playlists etc. with fellow zuners.

Microsoft will also keep on selling Zune 30 along with their new lineup come this November.

The pricing for all four models will break down as follows:

Zune 4 - $149
Zune 8 - $199
Zune 30 - $199
Zune 80 - $249

...its great! Apple never provides updates for old iPods when new iPods arrive

Source :
Microsoft Wow blog

Ig Nobel Award Winners Announced

2007-10-07T02:45:00.002-07:00

Every year, we salute a select and elite group of scientists, artists, writers, and peace activists who, through extraordinary accomplishment, have bettered humanity. These...are not those people. Instead, the Ig Nobel Prize, a parody of the Nobel Prize, is awarded to the zanier side of science, things which, according to the founders of the Ig Nobel Prize, "make people laugh and then make them think." This year's winners have been announced, and highlights include:
Medicine: Brian Witcombe of Gloucester, UK, and Dan Meyer of Antioch, Tennessee, USA, for their penetrating medical report "Sword Swallowing and Its Side Effects." Apparently the most common side effect is "sore throat."

Chemistry: Mayu Yamamoto of the International Medical Center of Japan, for developing a way to extract vanillin -- vanilla fragrance and flavoring -- from cow dung. I was going to say something funny about this, but there's really not much more you can do.

Linguistics: Juan Manuel Toro, Josep B. Trobalon and Núria Sebastián-Gallés, of Universitat de Barcelona, for showing that rats sometimes cannot tell the difference between a person speaking Japanese backwards and a person speaking Dutch backwards.

Peace: The Air Force Wright Laboratory, Dayton, Ohio, USA, for instigating research & development on a chemical weapon -- the so-called "gay bomb" -- that will make enemy soldiers become sexually irresistible to each other. That's certainly another way to look at the concept of a flaming bomb.

Economics-: Kuo Cheng Hsieh, of Taichung, Taiwan, for patenting a device, in the year 2001, that catches bank robbers by dropping a net over them. An absolute captivating report, I assure you.

And, last, but not least, Aviation: Patricia V. Agostino, Santiago A. Plano and Diego A. Golombek of Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Argentina, for their discovery that Viagra aids jetlag recovery in hamsters. It must've been a very stimulating study for these poor rodents.

...about Peace, I am confused about why a noble prize for this?

Full list:
Improperable resesarch

Source:
In-House

.net open source!

2007-10-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

A great step taken, Microsoft just anounced that Visual Studio 2008 will come with viewable source libraries of .net 3.5 frame work. The source code will be released under the Microsoft Reference License (MS-RL).

Everyone will be able to download the .NET Framework source libraries via a standalone install (allowing to use any text editor to browse it locally). We will also provide integrated debugging support of it within VS 2008.

References/Links:
ASP Blog entry

Zune 2

2007-10-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

Microsoft tells about new Zunes 2 that will hit stores in mid November.

There will be an 80GB hard drive model, similar to the original Zune models, but packing a larger 3.2-inch QVGA screen, and a slimmer case design.

Smaller 4GB and 8GB flash-based models are also on the way to go compete effectively with the iPod Nano. All three new models are with the 4GB retailing for $149, the 8GB for $199 and the 80GB for just $249.

Additional details which have surfaced include automatic sync-over-WiFi capability (Apple, are you listening?), and a DRM-free music store (surprise!) As an added bonus to Zune early adopters, the original model (now known as the “Zune 30″) will get a firmware update to match the features of the newer models.

Additionaol information reaveals that the new zune has automatic sync-over-WiFi capability and a DRM-free music store

As an added bonus to Zune early adopters, the original model (now known as the “Zune 30″) will get a firmware update to match the features of the newer models.

Links:
Microsoft official Press release
Zune Website

Waiting for Wateen

2007-10-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Its so much delayed. First they said it would be in start of September, then they said in the end of September and now they are saying in end of October.

I really want Wi-Max! I am using dialup from last month because I am waiting for Wateen and its delaying!... People hope Wateen will bring great price cuts in broadboand. They are not reavealing their tariff but hopes are with them as they said about it.

And I think comming of Wateen in market has made other broadband companies to drop thier rates. As PTCL is showing off thier DSL and claiming amazing rates.

So Wateen, we are waiting for you. Hope you are not further delayed

Link:
Wateen Telecom

Portable Firefox

2007-10-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Biggest frustration using lab computers in most universities is limitation of access granted by the server administrator. Especially when using a web browser. When someone needs to install ActiveX controls or plugins in a web browser then access isn’t granted. It’s a common problem and it limits access of web browsing. Important plugins like Adobe Flash player are very much needed while surfing the web.

I just found a great solution for removing the limits for web browsing anywhere on Microsoft Windows, Mac OSX and Linux (with Wine only). Its Firefox potable!

Now no one can stop you using Flash player 9 and silverlight anywhere! :D

Features:

Extension-Friendly Launcher - Firefox Portable Launcher 1.0.8 is now included by default. It will alter the paths to any extensions you install to work relative to the program package.

Default Profile - A default profile exists within the firefox directory.

No Default Browser Check - Firefox won't check to see if it is the default browser on startup.

Download Prompt - Firefox will ask where to save download

Download History Cleared - Download history is cleared on exit.

Browser History Disabled - The history has been disabled to decrease disk size and the number of writes to the disk, increasing disk life.

Form Info Saving Disabled - Information from forms is not saved.

No Disk Cache - The browser disk cache has been disabled to decrease disk size and the number of writes to the disk, increasing disk life

Links:
Portable Firefox website

Microsoft launches "Cool Hotmail" in India

2007-10-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

Whether you call Bombay thier home, or Bangalore. Whether your favorite star is Hrithik, SRK or anyone else! Whether you call yourself cool or hot! Whether you like junk or sportics! or if you have class of thier own! Its here for them.

Microsoft brings coolhotmail for India. Now no more same pintch for everyone. Everyone can have its own style represented by his/her e-mail address. You can have a unique e-mail address that flly represents you personality like yourname@clubashwariya.com, yourname@globicallyunique.in, yourname@iamwhatiam.in and much more. There are 141 to choose from. It will be really cool if Microsoft launches something like this for Pakistan too.

Check it out!

Link:
Coolhotmail

The new Live Search 2.0

2007-09-27T11:52:00.001-07:00

Seeking to narrow the gap with Google, Microsoft Corp unveiled a retooled Web search service that aims to deliver more relevant results and combines text, video and other information onto a single page. Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, said Windows Live search is now on an even technology footing with offerings from rival search engines after years of playing catch-up since it started developing its own Web search in 2003.

Its new presentation is in line with an industry trend to step beyond traditional text links, with unified search results that offer Web sites, news, pictures and video on one page. Rivals Google Inc and Ask.com made similar changes this year, and Yahoo Inc is moving in that direction.

"Microsoft is realistic. It doesn't think it's going to wake up tomorrow and overtake Google," said Allen Weiner, an analyst at research firm Gartner. "Right now, Microsoft wants to establish itself more firmly with its existing users."

Source:
Reuters
Link:
Windows Live Search

Startup Transforms Windows Desktop Into Panoramic Display

2007-09-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

360desktop extends your Windows® desktop as a user generated, photo-panoramic space and delivers a personalized web, free of the browser, into a virtually unlimited desktop.

Grab all of your favorite web apps and content — web widgets, RSS feeds, AJAX start pages, or any part of any web page — and make them available any time, in an expanded photo-panoramic desktop.

You can Choose from any number of cool 360's and spin your desktop for almost unlimited desktop space, Personalize your desktop with stunning panoramas and photo-montage 360's and stick on web widgets, or any part of any web page, Import images from Flickr, MySpace, Photobucket and more, to create 360's online and embed any web content for multimedia 360mashups and Share any 360 as a 360widget on your favorite social space, such as Facebook, MySpace, Blogger, Friendster, LiveJournal, WordPress and more.

Links:
360Desktop
Apply for beta testing 360Desktop

Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate now available

2007-09-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Windows Server 2008 operating system, now available for download.

Now customers and partners can download and test-drive the latest development version of Windows Server 2008 for themselves.

Link : Windows Server 2008

Windows DreamScene released!

2007-09-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

"In early July, I wrote about The Ultimate Team’s intention to ship the remaining promised Ultimate Extras (DreamScene and the remaining Language Packs) by the end of the summer. Unfortunately summer never really came to Seattle this year—so we missed our cue. That being said, we are pleased to announce that Windows DreamScene is now available"

Barry GoffeDirector, Windows Vista UltimateMicrosoft Corporation

Finaly...awaited by all ultimate users...is finaly released. Don't know wht made MS so long to release it.

Link: windowsultimate.com

PTCL applying call charges after every 15 minutes on dialup internet

2007-09-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

PTCL has anounced to apply call charges after every 15 minutes once dialup is connected. Previously just one call was charged on every dialup connnection.

People all over Pakistan are protesting against this decision. Minimam dialup charges are now Rs 10 per hour that were previously Rs 2 per hour.

According to my opinion, this decision is made to discourage massive dialup users and diverting them to get a broadband connection (which is still nto affordable by all users)

The $100 laptop is now the $188 laptop

2007-09-15T04:30:00.000-07:00

Leaders of the non-profit One Laptop Per Child that was spun out of Massachusetts Institute of Technology have acknowledged that the devices are now slated to cost $188 when mass production begins this fall. The last announced price was $176 and $100 was touted as a long-term goal. Spokesman George Snell blamed the latest increase on a variety of factors, including currency fluctuations and rising costs of such components as nickel and silicon. He said the project was committed to keeping the price from rising above $190. The laptops are being made by Taiwan's Quanta Computer Incorporated, the world's leading manufacturer of portable computers.

One Laptop Per Child says it has commitments for at least 3 million of its rugged "XO" computers; among the nations that have shown interest are Brazil, Libya, Thailand and Uruguay. While less than $200 for an innovative, wireless-enabled, hand-powered laptop is a relative bargain, a price nearly twice than what was promised could make it harder for OLPC to sign up international governments as customers. Those governments are expected to give the computers to children for them to keep and tinker with, which the project's founders believe will cause critical thinking and creativity to blossom.

Krazzer (a member of neowin.net forums) posted a very valid comment on this post at neowin.net that I would like to include in this post:

"Or you could go to any of these major laptop sellers and pay at most $200 more and get a computer that can actually handle todays software.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=1905
http://www.usanotebook.com/computer_laptop...ale2.php?id=169http://www.laptopoutlet.com/tote80lapii3.html
http://www.laptopoutlet.com/dein70lapii31.html

Sure $200 might be a ton of money to some of these familes but why not save up another $200 and get a computer that the whole family can use, and actually has potential to teach them something that could get them a real job.And of course some people may not have electricity so the hand crank is pretty much the only option.Frankly, I think these computers are going to hurt more than they help, but time will tell.

Source : CNN and Neowin

399$ cellphone and you can't set a song as ringtone for free

2007-09-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Apple iPhone introduced a stupid idea (as most people say) on the launch of iPod that iPhone users have to pay $0.99 if they want to set thier favorite song as ringtone.

Crackers cracked this stupidity but Apple has released an update to iTunes that blocks users from creating free custom ringtones and then syncing them to an iPhone. Despite Apple's best efforts to thwart users, a workaround has already been found and posted to the Internet. A method of using iTunes to create ringtones for the iPhone using songs not purchased from the iTunes Store was first posted by Macrumors.com on Friday. Users confirmed after installing iTunes 7.4.1 last night that the method no longer worked.

However, an Engadget post on Saturday details a workaround for the update, again allowing the free ringtones to be synced to the iPhone

Windows Vista Business for $149 (half price) - unlimited expiry

2007-09-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

We have two Windows Vista Business genuine product keys(Not from the imagine cup, they are with unlimited expiry).

As we don't need them any more so we have thought of selling them on 50% price off. If you want to save money on this version of Windows, then contact us

email : support@razor-studios.com

Free Genuine Windows Vista Business, Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 for educational purposes till August 2008

2007-09-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

I just discovered everyone registering for imagine cup 2008 is getting free genuine software from Microsoft that includes Windows Vista Business, Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 and more.

The software is available for download with Geniune serial numbers. And the hilarious thing is anyone can register for imagine cup for free! So it means eveyone can get this software for free. I cant understand why Microsoft is distrubuting away like this but its true.

Officialy software is for educational purposes only (for those who are participating in imagine cup 2008) adn it will expire when the Round 1 of imagine cup ends (August 2008 expected)

When asked Michael Sean form WGA (Windows Geniune Advantage) Department about this, he said

"it was being discussed internally in the company and that they might soon put some restrictions. He also said tht those liscenses could only be used for the max of 1 yr.. they will expire after that"

Lets see how long it lasts

Link: http://www.imaginecup.com/

Apple introduces new iPod Nano, iPod Classic and iPod Touch

2007-09-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs Introduced some new ranges of Apple's iPod that are exciting

iPod nano with video support:
The iPod nano has been upgraded to add video support with 24 hours audio and 5 hours video Battery Life.
Cost:
4 GB version costs $149
8 GB version costs $199

iPod Classic:
A thicker model than nano but with more power has storage of upto 160GB and 40 hours audio and 7 hours video battery life.

Cost:
80 GB model costs $249
160GB model costs $349

iPod Touch:
It's the most exciting phone! iPod Touch looks like iPhone and has 8mm thickness with 3.5 LCD screen. Has multi touch screen interface (like iPhone) and also wi-fi. User can stream YouTube videos and browse internet through wi-fi.

It has 22 hours audio and 5 hour video battery life.

Cost:
8 GB model costs $299
16 GB model costs $399

Imagine Cup Virtual Party Tonight! 18:00 GMT at Second life

2007-09-04T04:09:00.000-07:00

The Imagine Cup Gallery is now live in Second Life is showcasing 21 of the Software Design teams and their applications from Europe, the Middle East and Africa before they head off to Korea to compete in the Worldwide Finals. So why not come along and meet the teams, check out their presentations and videos or even hang out at the Korean bar and pavilion. Plus we’re also giving away some great Xbox 360 consoles and games!

Visit : http://imaginecup.com/Community/forums/t/3663.aspx

Microsoft Surface Parody

2007-08-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

"Instead of playing with you kids, you can watch a video of them playing themselves...if ur mom has $10,000 laying around her house and she has nothing to do with...they can get one too and you can send her a post card...thats the power of microsoft surface!" lol

This video Paradoy of Microsoft Surface is soo funny! watch it yourself

Video demonstration of Sony's sugar powered battery

2007-08-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Some Sugar spice and anything thats nice! :P
Sony demonstrated how the sugar powered battery works. This battery is going to replace lithium batteries in future as a clean energy solution.

Its a video by ITworld.com on youtube ( The only one I found on youtube). You can also watch another published by PC World here.

Apple's iPhone unlocked by a 17 years old teenager!

2007-08-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

A 17 years old teenager unlocks the Apple iPhone and is using on T-Mobile's network, in New York.

The iPhone was officialy released to be used on AT&T connection only but three separate hacks that fully unlock the Apple iPhone from AT&T surfaced, two of them claiming to be software-only.

Best documented was a hack by George Hotz, 17, of Glen Rock, N.J.

With a little soldering, a lot of command-line computing and about two hours of time, Hotz was able to switch an iPhone over to T-Mobile, which he documented in detail in a YouTube video and on his blog.

The point emerges...is this product designed so unsecure?. Apple and AT&T are not having a good time with this product.

Hotz is selling one hacked iPhone on eBay, mostly to recoup costs from his summer-long project. Another hacker donated an iPhone to experiment with, which is now a mess of parts and wires, and Hotz needs to buy him a new one. Hotz is keeping a third.

As of 5 p.m. EDT Friday, bidding was over $4,500! wow! The bidding will end on 30th August.

View complete story on FOXNews

Links:
ebay bid
Hotz blog (detail about unlockign the iPhone)

Sony Develops 'Bio Battery' Generating Electricity from Sugar

2007-08-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sony (on 23 August 2007) announced the development of a bio battery that generates electricity from carbohydrates (sugar) utilizing enzymes as its catalyst, through the application of power generation principles found in living organisms

Test cells of this bio battery have achieved power output of 50 mW, currently the world's highest level for passive-type bio batteries. The output of these test cells is sufficient to power music play back on a memory-type Walkman.

In order to realize the world's highest power output, Sony developed a system of breaking down sugar to generate electricity that involves efficiently immobilizing enzymes and the mediator (electronic conduction materials) while retaining the activity of the enzymes at the anode. Sony also developed a new cathode structure which efficiently supplies oxygen to the electrode while ensuring that the appropriate water content is maintained. Optimizing the electrolyte for these two technologies has enabled these power output levels to be reached.

Sugar is a naturally occurring energy source produced by plants through photosynthesis. It is therefore regenerative, and can be found in most areas of the earth, underlining the potential for sugar-based bio batteries as an ecologically-friendly energy device of the future.

Sony is going to continue its development of immobilization systems, electrode composition and other technologies in order to further enhance power output and durability, with the aim of realizing practical applications for these bio batteries in the future.

The research results presented here have been accepted as an academic paper at the 234th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition in Boston, MA USA, and were announced yesterday.

The bio battery mechanism:
The newly developed bio battery incorporates an anode consisting of sugar-digesting enzymes and mediator, and a cathode comprising oxygen-reducing enzymes and mediator, either side of a cellophane separator. The anode extracts electrons and hydrogen ions from the sugar(glucose) through enzymatic oxidation as follows:

Glucose -> Gluconolactone + 2 H+ + 2 e-

The hydrogen ion migrates to the cathode through the separator. Once at the cathode, the hydrogen ions and electrons absorb oxygen from the air to produce water:

(1/2) O2 + 2 H+ + 2 e- -> H2O

Through this process of electrochemical reaction, the electrons pass through the outer circuit to generate electricity.

Source: physorg

Microsoft introduces animated search engine

2007-08-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Microsoft today announced the availability of Tafiti, a Silverlight-based search tool on top of Microsoft's Live Search engine. Tafiti, which means "do research" in Swahili, enhances searching on the web by allowing users to store and share search results across multiple queries and sessions. This is accomplished by using "shelfs" to store one or more search results simply by dragging the search result onto one of five shelf spaces. Shelfs can then be stored for future use, or can be emailed or blogged about with ease.

Tafiti includes a carousel to simplify the organization of returned search results. By rotating the carousel, one can access search results from the web, images, news, RSS feeds, or books. Tafiti also supports a Tree View where by search results are placed on the limbs of a tree which can be rotated and zoomed as necessary to visualize the search result.

Source : MSDN Blogs

Need help from my readers

2007-08-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

My dear readers...I am standing in mid of something so I realy need your opinions... Please answer my question in the following link if you can

http://qna.live.com/ShowQuestion.aspx?qid=302ECCCD1EEC46FD85C9DF1B09DAD76C

I will be very thankful of you.

Brad Wardell speaks about 5 mistakes Microsoft made with Windows Vista

2007-08-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Windows Vista has kind of gotten a bum rap. Some of the rap is deserved -- Microsoft shipped it too early. But for the most part, the rap is carried on by vocal techies who just like to poop on things because they think criticizing things makes them appear more knowledgeable. Talking to a techie about the quality of mainstream software is a lot like talking to a film school graduate about the quality of mainstream movies. Sure, you might have liked Pirates of the Caribbean but talk to a film snob and it's the 7th sign of the Apocalypse. So how good is Windows Vista? The answer is, pretty good. Far better than Windows XP. But I can think of 5 big mistakes Microsoft made that has taken a window out of its sails. Let me outline those 5 mistakes Microsoft made with the Windows Vista launch and talk about how Microsoft might be able to keep Windows Vista from being a sequel to Windows ME.

#1 The UAC. The User Account Control in Windows Vista is a feature that appears to have been designed by a marketing committee. Some casual computer user decided that the way to make other casual users think that Windows Vista was "secure" was to have more prompts. A lot more prompts. And so, even a power user (i.e. early adopters) logged on as an administrator is going to find themselves being prompted regularly. They can turn it off but that defeats the entire purpose of having better security.

The result: Power users turn it off and casual users learn to ignore the myriad of repetitive dialogs.

Solution: Have the UAC be a lot smarter. A simple "Always give permission to continue for this action" checkbox at the bottom of the dialog would be nice. It's bad enough that changing the IP address on Vista requires 5 clicks to get to (versus 2 in Windows XP) but it adds a 6th click to get past the UAC.

#2 Windows Vista was shipped before drivers were ready. This, combined with item #1 are probably responsible for the majority of the negative vibe Windows Vista has received. As a practical matter, the first usable beta of Windows Vista wasn't made available until 4 or so months before Windows Vista shipped (or merely 1 month before "gold". This meant that many drivers, video drivers in particular, weren't ready. But for all those people who have a finicky scanner or Air card or other specialty peripheral had to be guinea pigs.

The result: Early adopters were stung with problematic behavior and a lack of drivers which caused frustration that they shared a lot with others.

Solution: This is mostly dealt with now (as of July 26th for nVidia users for instance). But when one considers how much reputation damage this caused Microsoft should really give more care in the future. Release a stable public beta long enough before going gold so that developers can provide adequate support.

#3 The new Start menu. Love the new Start Search. Kudos. Don't love the Start menu navigation which wants to exist in a fixed window. The example screenshot shows Microsoft's own apps being cut off. For those of us who liked to seriously organize our Start menu items into categories and such, this new start menu option is a huge pain.

Solution: Make the All Programs button behavior an option between the classic expanding menu or the new menu container.

#4 Unbelievably bad desktop performance. Another item that really hurt the initial impression of Windows Vista was how horrible basic desktop operations like copying and zipping were. A user would be copying a handful of files and would get this dialog trying to estimate how long the copy should take. Here's your answer: less than a second! At least, that's what it should have taken. Instead, the estimating time dialog would take a few seconds and then the copy would take a second or two. This sort of thing on routine file copying and moving made Windows Vista feel like a pig.

Solution: Service Pack 1 is supposed to address this sort of thing more thoroughly but the good news is that Microsoft did officially release some patches that improves desktop performance significantly.

#5 Upgrade Pricing is a joke. I wonder what color the sky is on planet Microsoft. Because on planet Microsoft, the Xbox 360 is $350 which not only includes the OS (with Media Center), a 20 Gigabyte Hard drive and other goodies, but at the same time Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade lists for $160. Sure, it's not a truly fair comparison (console makers get a piece of revenue from console games) but the point is still valid. One might get the impression that Microsoft has a monopoly in the PC OS market but does not in the console market. The big problem is that Microsoft's marketing never made the case for what you are actually getting for that $160. I like Windows Vista. I think it's a big improvement over Windows XP. And when I buy a computer, I am glad Windows Vista comes with it. But upgrading my existing computers? The incredibly stingy "Family Discount" (which has expired) wasn't even close to justifying upgrading machines to Vista. Maybe there is $160 in value buried in Windows Vista Home Premium but Microsoft's marketing didn't make the case. And I can't find it -- especially when you combine it with the above issues. This wasn't a problem with Windows XP. Windows XP was blatantly better than Windows ME/98 and it was noticeably better than Windows 2000 (which only had a tiny share of the market compared to 98/ME). As a result, 7 months later, Windows Vista has less than 10% of the market. By contrast, I remember watching Windows XP's launch and the migration to Windows XP was pretty swift.

Solution: No solution. They aren't likely to lower pricing any time soon. Once Service Pack 1 has been integrated into the OEM versions (the ones that ship with new PCs) you'll see nearly everyone opting for Windows Vista on a new machine while older machines continue with Windows XP.

Conclusions: I could go on with numerous other items like the terrible icon handling, the fact that development tools weren't ready for prime time, that Microsoft's marketing efforts were seemingly handled by non-technical people (I mean, really, Flip3D is actually one of the first things mentioned on the Windows Vista home page -- how deep are you digging to find compelling features when a fairly useless task switcher is your money shot?), all have contributed to the negative buzz around Windows Vista. Which is a shame because Windows Vista is really very good. On a scale from 1 to 10, if Windows 98 was a 4, Windows ME a 3, Windows 2000 a 6 and Windows XP a 7 then Windows Vista is easily an 8. It's a worthy and significant upgrade. It deserves a good reputation. Hopefully, Microsoft can get Service Pack 1 out sooner rather than later and address as best they can the issues that many people have brought up.

Source: neowin

ITCN Asia aftermath

2007-08-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

The biggest IT event of South Asia, the ITCN Asia was held in Karachi, Pakistan from 9-11 August. I was there on last two days in the exhibition but I missed the very important conferences because of my university classes in morning. I had the corporate passes for conferences on first two days but the thing i didn't like was they weren't allowing visitors without National Identity Cards even if they have corporate passes. Visitor's without NIC were allowed only on 3rd day I also didn't had my NIC (I am 18! and will be 19 INSHAHALLAH after 9 days, m too lazy to get an NIC :P) but i got in because of my friend who was in the reception team. Three halls were full but there wasn't much crowd as compared to last ITCN in 2006. It had nothing much to offer a person at student level or just a home user but it had allot for businessmen. Following is a smal review of the ITCN Asia

Dany discount coupons:

Dany (www.dany1.com ), makers of peripherals distributed free coupon cards, each card with many coupons was offering discount for Rs 6,700/- with at least discount of Rs 300/- to Rs 500/- on 15 different products. The cupons are valid for 30 authorized dealer shops across city!
Discount at AGN computers stall: AGN computers were offering discounts on all their products (I don't remember the exact percentage). They weren't selling the products there, the discount was applicable from 9th August to 13 August on the AGN outlet. So I thought it was the good time to get a WMC compatible TV tuner card that I was planing to buy so I got it on discount! I may also write the review of that TV tuner card

Wateen Telecom's wi-max From the day I visited Wateen's telecom's stall, my MSN PM is "I want wi-max" :p . Wateen Telecom, a Warid company has made Karachi one of the World's Largest wireless hot spot city. Its first time in Pakistan that w-max internet connection, upto speed of 2MBPS has started. They have plans to launch it for public this month. And what I expect is the affordable, cehaper than Land line DSL. I talked to the sales agent about rates, he said they haven't revealed them yet. While talking to two different sales persons on Wateen Telecom's stall, I asked both of them about their expectation of rates. One said "I think the price of 256K connection will start from Rs 500 with unlimited volume" (its so cheap!) and the other said "The technology is wi-max! so it will be expensive that landlines DSL" (I hope he's wrong). Lets see whats the tariff when its available to public.

BusyPak infotech:
A small software house was selling an accounting software for Rs 99/- I purchased it because it looked a little attractive there, I was in hurry so I didn't saw the demonstration of that on the stall. It seemed to be developed in Visual Basic, it isn't compatible with my Windows Vista Ultimate...I tried it on Windows XP Professional. The interface was dull, unattractive and understandable to use. It had so many development and designing flaws that even a student developer like me takes care of them while programming. The worse was the background picture of the MDI application was not vector edged and was just designed for 14'' display, and on my 19'' display it was just like a 640X480 image in upper left corner of screen .The about section of that application says its developed in India, don't know why they were selling such a low quality software in Pakistan.

No attractive internet hours packages for dial up users:
I didn't found any attractive packages for dial up users. In last ITCN exhibitions, there were many.

PTCL DSL:

PTCL dropped rates of their DSL connection by 30 percent. So the PTCL stall was an attractive spot for DSL subscribers as their lowest package starts from Rs 1000/- per month

Board of Information Technology Sindh:
Board of Information Technology Sindh was offering call center training course in Rs 5000/- who's real cost is (as they say) about Rs 45,000/-. So its a very good call center agent training program for promotion of outsourcing of telemarketing

-------------------------

Event was good but not as much attractive as it was expected

Links
http://www.itcnasia.com/

Dark time apologies!

2007-08-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

A darkage for my blog...from 13-16 August! I wasn't able to blog. I realy felt bad when my internet connection was brokendown and there was not any other alternative. I experienced bad customer service! everytime i call my desi cable net operator he says everthing will be alrite in an hour but it went on for 4 days. I didn't even had modem (my mistake) to use dialup and heavy rainfall in Karachi blocked roads to where i can get a good quality modem (I got it now!). Im waiting for Wateen Telecom's wi-max connection, no wires no tention.

I had many things to say in that days to my readers, i had to cover ITCN Asia, Wateen's Wi-Max, Windows Media Center's Live TV , Personal review of Microsoft Zune and much more. I will continue to write that all from now. Hope u all enjoy my blog.

Microsoft drops Xbox 360 prices by $US50

2007-08-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Model with 20GB hard drive drops to $US349 starting today, Madden NFL 08 to launch August 14.
The recent $US100 price drop by Sony from its PlayStation3 console has already had the desired effect for consumers with Microsoft succumbing to the pressure to offer a reduction of its own.
The software giant has done that dropping the prices of all Xbox 360 models by $US50, coinciding with the release of Madden NFL ’08 due August 14.

That brings the price of the standard 20GB console down to $US349, the basic Core model down to $US279 and the 120GB-equipped Xbox 360 Elite to $US449.

Microsoft also expects big business from its upcoming Halo 3 release with plans to offer a limited edition green-and-gold finish Xbox 360 in September for $US399. The kit will features a matching wireless controller, Xbox 360 20GB model, headset, Play and Charge kit and other extras.
“The fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of Xbox 360,” said Mitch Koch, corporate vice president, Global Retail Sales and Marketing Group, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “On the eve of the best holiday games lineup ever and the launch of ‘Madden NFL 08,’ there has never been a better time to jump into Xbox 360.”

All of the major console manufacturers are lining to grab a slice of the US holiday action as new price drops and greater competition come into effect.

Microsoft has already fired its first salvo with the price drop plus the news that market research firm NPD Group found that 6.1 games are sold to every Xbox 360, the highest game takeup rate for any console according to its latest June 2007 figures.

Source: Techlogg

Elton John Wants To Shut Down the Internet

2007-08-05T01:49:00.000-07:00

POP legend Sir Elton John wants the internet CLOSED DOWN.Never one to keep his opinions to himself, the Rocket Man has waded into cyberspace with all guns blazing.

He claims it is destroying good music, saying:

“The internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff. Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK but it doesn’t bode well for long-term artistic vision. It’s just a means to an end. We’re talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that’s not going to happen with people blogging on the internet. I mean, get out there — communicate. Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet. Let’s get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging. I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. There’s too much technology available. I’m sure, as far as music goes, it would be much more interesting than it is today.”

Multi-millionaire Elton, who turned 60 earlier this year, has admitted in the past that he is a bit behind the times.

The Grammy award-winner was once quoted as saying:

“I am the biggest technophobe of all time. I don’t have a mobile phone or an iPod or anything. I am such a Luddite when it comes to making music. All I can do is write at the piano.”

Sales of Elton’s last album The Captain & The Kid were disappointing — it barely shifted 100,000 copies. And in the past Sir Elt has opposed illegal downloading of his music from the net. But the flamboyant singer has embraced the web in other ways. The 60th birthday concert Sir Elton played to a 20,000-strong crowd at New York’s Madison Square Garden was streamed live over the internet. The singer also announced earlier this year that his entire back catalogue of albums would be made available for digital download. The internet has played a huge role in kick-starting the careers of some of Britain’s best new talent. Sandi Thom shot to fame after broadcasting webcam concerts from her London basement flat, while both the Arctic Monkeys and Lily Allen acknowledge the part played by the web in their success. But Elton also complained about the quality of music being released. He said:

“In the early Seventies there were at least ten albums released every week that were fantastic. Now you’re lucky to find ten albums a year of that quality. And there are more albums released each week now than there were then.”

I guess that’s what Sir Elt would call a net loss . . .

Source : The Sun

Warid Free 50 minutes are not free actualy

2007-08-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

I received an sms on my Warid number that was

"Special offer! Now get daily 50 FREE MINUTES! This offer is on ALL Warid Numbers from 9am-5pm. To activate sms "Zem2a" to 5060. Daily Charges 15+tax"

I was very excited so i immediately subscribed to the promotion. Its worthy but the fact is its not free. Its just way of marketing! i say the worst way! Its like same as if a greengrocer says that "Special offer! Give me Rs 15 and get 1 KG potatoes for free!" ha! man its the most worse way of marketing! I called Warid helpline and asked why they said its free and didn't enclosed the details is the SMS they said about...that I cant make a call or send an SMS if I don't have Rs 20 or more in my account, and why i was hanged up for 6 minutes (it was very early actually, there are times when we are hanged up for 15 minutes). She showed some rudeness, I became a little rude to because of her reaction...then she said "Sorry sir I can't help you! Thankyou for calling Warid costumer service, ALLAH HAFIZ! Bye " and line off!

After a survey, among the lowest call rates offered by three companies Jazz, Telenor and Warid, Warid stands as the most expensive who says "Free 50 minutes!".

Check out the following list of lowest call rates offered by three competitors.

Warid Zem: Rs 0.30* per minute (Form 8am to 5pm,50 minutes only! and balance must be atleast Rs 20 or you wont be able to call or even sms )

Jazz Ladies First: Rs 0.08* per minute (Form 11pm to 7am)

Telenor djuice: Rs 0.07* per minute (From 12am to 5am)

*Excluding Tax that is 20%

Clearly Warid Zem is the most expensive and most limited, Telenor djuice is the most affordable and Jazz ladies First just behind.

Call for Rs 4 per hour from your djuice!

2007-08-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

More heat on! more cheaper call rates! the low down of call rates is also
adapted now by Telenor.

Man! these days we have the lowest call rates!

djuice offers call rates as low as Rs 4 per hour, its valid for all friends and family numbers from 12 am to 8 am everyday.

Visit djuice website for further details: www.djuice.com.pk

Free 50 minutes everyday From Warid

2007-08-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

As heat is on in competition that was started by Jazz Ladies First offering Rs 5 per hour air time. Waridtel and Telenor also have very attractive packages

Warid presents an attractive promotion customers. Now Warid ZEM customers can get daily 50 FREE MINUTES on all Warid Numbers.

With a daily charge of Rs 15 + tax‚ customers can avail 50 free minutes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Subscribers can also enjoy 250 free SMS/MMS in addition to the 50 free on-net minutes at a daily charge of Rs. 20 + tax

Visit : www.waridtel.com

Microsoft Cuts Vista Price By Over 50% in China

2007-08-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has more than halved the retail price of its Vista operating system in China.
The Home Basic edition dropped from $201 (1,521 yuan) to $66, and the Home Premium package dropped from $238 to $118. The move was effective as of Wednesday.
The price cut is the company's latest effort to tackle the rampant software piracy in China, according to The Wall Street Journal. The theory is that if legitimate software costs less, people will be less likely to turn to pirated versions. Microsoft had sold 60 million Windows Vista licenses globally by the end of June, including 20 million copies sold since mid-May, the company said last month.

Source: Cnet

YouTube promises copyright filters by September.

2007-07-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

Since last year, Youtube has received hundreds of thousands of take down requests from content providers and royalty groups. The largest of those is the 100,000 video take down request from Viacom that later evolved into a $1bn lawsuit. So they are now showing their seriousness to built up copyright filters on the world's largest video sharing website.

According to the Associated Press, Youtube attorney Philip S. Beck told a New York court that the system would be in place "hopefully in September".

The system would reportedly use digital fingerprinting technology to compare user-submitted videos to copyrighted materials and filter out violations.

The giant Youtube competitor Soapbox on MSN by Microsoft has already put finger-printing on their website.

Links :

www.youtube.com
soapbox.msn.com

The Imagine cup 2007 heat is on! someone is also there from Pakistan!

2007-07-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

The most awaited and my favorite event is finally to be held in Korea. Thats Microsoft Imagine Cup 2007 South Korea that will be commenced from August 5-11 2007. 111 teams and 372 finalists from all over the world are expected to travel to Seoul to compete.

This year Pakistan is also participating in the Software development category and the team thats participating is "AVRiL"(That sounds like Avril Lavigne :p), it stands for Automatic Video Recording for Lectures, and this team is from LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences). AVRiL are winners of Imagine cup Pakistan 2007, Lets see what they can do at world level.

They say about their project:

"Do you believe that quality education is a privilege of only a few at the top universities? What do you do when you miss classes? Do you value the power of instruction? Do you think distance learning programs are over-priced? What about being able to review only a particular topic right before the exam without having to replay the whole lecture. --- Ever thought of the most effective and ready method to reproduce the classroom experience for the masses? Are you sick of boring static lecture videos? Or do you get distracted when they hire a professional crew instead? ...The aim of the project is to fully automate the video recording of lectures so there is no need to hire special camera men or a direction crew. Due to its extremely low day-to-day costs it finds many applications in the area of video archiving, lecture review, and in distance learning programmes."

Wish you Best of luck AVRiL!

Watch their project promo:

Links:
Microsoft Imagine cup
Team AVRiL on Imagine Cup
AVRiL Homepage

A Poll on Facebook about Instant Messaging.

2007-07-29T02:07:00.000-07:00

Just surfing on facebook, I came to this pole about "what is your primary instant messaging client?" voted by 1000 facebook users all over world(i know its not a big...). Facebook is a network started for universities that is now used as a place for socializing all over world (Most users are from USA). The poll is interesting because it is conducted on a network that is , kind of, educational and decent , and represents an image that may be found same all over USA if this survey is done country wide with more people answering the poll.

American Online Messenger stands first with a very little difference from Windows Live/ MSN messenger and all others are so far away, yes AOL and Windows Live are hottest in USA.

check the full report on Facebook

Jazz Ladies First : call as low as Rs 5 per hour! but not for ever!

2007-07-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Mobilink-Jazz is famous for being among the first GSM mobile services provider in Pakistan. Mobilink Jazz is favorite connection for those who want maximum coverage all over Pakistan as it covers 5000+ cities, towns, and villages across country but many don't prefer it because of considering their rates for prepaid packages unsuitable for them. But they are offering something special for women now. Its Jazz- Ladies First connection. the coolest thing in it is the lowest call rates ever offered! yes its as low as Rs 5/- per hour! (0.083$ per hour). (The package is for ladies but men can also get it! )

They say

"Women around the globe love to talk for hours on end, and Jazz understands this need to the fullest, thus introducing its brand new revolutionary offer, where you can talk for as low as Rs. 5 / hour! This enticing new offer is surely every woman's dream come true, bringing forth a product that will now satiate their desire to talk more and more for hours."

They are attracting women to talk more and more, without worrying of call rates, and its their market strategy to temporarily fulfill the women's desire to talk more on phone and stick to phone for long hours. It must not be forgotten its a limited time offer. So we can say that its an attraction to grab users and most advertisement readers are skimmers; they don't notice the detail of this offer as it is not clearly mentioned in advertisements and remained unaware its a limited time offer. But its good in a sense that the new Jazz-ladies First SIM's cost is very little, so very much affordable and one afford to throw away the SIM after taking advantage of this limited time offer.

Mobilink Pakistan revenue for the last year was 250.2 million USD. The company has lost revenue in past few years as the competition has increased in the telecom market.

For details of package visit:
Jazz Ladies first homepage

Jazz Ladies first TV advertisement:

Samsung develops world’s first LCD panel using DisplayPort

2007-07-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

Samsung has developed the world’s first LCD panel using the next-generation video interface – DisplayPort. Sanctioned by VESA (the Video Electronics Standards Association), DisplayPort will serve as a replacement for DVI, LVDS and eventually VGA. By using a transmission speed more than double that of today’s interfaces, Samsung’s new LCD only requires a single DisplayPort interface, instead of the two DVI (Digital Visual Interface) ports now used. For Samsung’s new 30-inch LCD, the DisplayPort interface transmits graphics data at a total data rate of 10.8Gbps. This speed enables 2560x1600 resolution without any color smear. In a joint undertaking with Genesis Microchip Inc. Samsung developed its 30” panel using a new four-lane, 2.7Gbps/lane interface chip.

The interface technology processes 2560x1600 pixels of graphics data at up to 10 bits of color depth or 1.07 billion colors, a feat that would normally require at least three DVI or four LVDS interface chips.Samsung’s new 30” LCD also offers the company’s proprietary Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) liquid crystal technology for 180° viewing angle, and 300nits brightness. Mass production of the Samsung 30-inch panel is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2008.

Source: Samsung Press Center

Harry Potter appears leaked at Bittorrent

2007-07-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

Pictures of every single page of JK Rowling's latest book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," appear to be available on BitTorrent days before the book goes on sale. According to the Web site TorrentFreak.com (which is down right now) the book is available as two files from BitTorrent.

PC World confirmed a book that appears to be "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is available. I looked at the first ten pages of the apparent book and if it is a fraud it's a very convincing one.
The posting comes days before the book goes on sale 12:01 A.M. July 21.

The download of the apparent pirated version of the book is made up of 759 poor-quality JPEG images. The pages are pictures (not pages scanned with a flatbed scanner) of the book lying open on rug with a hand holding the spine of the book open.

Source: PCWorld

@live.com address registration

2007-07-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

[Note: the @live.com registration hack is't available now. Windows Live has fixed the flaw, the following article was posted when hack was available.]

@live.com address registration is not officialy launched to public by Windows Live. There was once when some java script code was entered on addressbar of hotmail registration page and we were able to make @live.com ids. But the bug was later fixed my Windows Live team.

I found a way on liveside.com to make @live.com thats working right now. If you want @live.com id then try it before its fixed by Windows Live team.

Go to www.hotmail.com, click on Sign up, and choose a free account, as before.
Now, you will be taken to a signup page that shows an @hotmail.com domain for your email address.
Go to the address bar, make hmnewuser.aspx read newuser.aspx and look along until you see &hm=1, after removing that hit enter.
Your @hotmail magically becomes @live.

So, for example,

https://signup.live.com/hmnewuser.aspx?mkt=en-us&revipc=US&ts=3967950&sh=62Zm&hm=1&ru=http%3a%2f%2fmail.live.com%2f%3fnewuser%3dyes&rx=http%3a%2f%2fget.live.com%2fmail%2foverview&rollrs=04&lic=1

becomes

https://signup.live.com/newuser.aspx?mkt=en-us&revipc=US&ts=3967973&sh=P1iS&ru=http%3a%2f%2fmail.live.com%2f%3fnewuser%3dyes&rx=http%3a%2f%2fget.live.com%2fmail%2foverview&rollrs=04&lic=1

source/credit : Liveside

Snack Silverlight and Blend tutorials for hungry designers

2007-07-16T01:53:00.000-07:00

nibbles are short tutorials to teach you about a specific thing at a time. They claim that its for those who need a snack of a tutorial to grab it and that are often frustrated by hard tutorials. Nibbles present easy tutorials for Microsoft Silverlight and Expression Blend designers. nibbles is itself made on Microsoft Silverlight and is currently in beta stage.

Check it! out you will love it!:

http://www.nibblestutorials.net/

50 Silverlight Applications

2007-07-16T01:28:00.000-07:00

As Microsoft Silverlight is making its way to open new levels of creativity for designers and developers. It is great to see many Silverlight applications in the world wide web. Following is the links to many cool Silverlight applications of the world wide web.

If you have Silverlight installed in you computer then try and view the links below to watch out what Microsoft has got in its new flash competitor the Microsoft Silverlight.

or Install it now:
Windows install / Mac install

50 Silverlight applications:

2D Physics Simulation	Grand Piano	Silverlight Mind Map
3D Teapot Demo	Infragistics Controls Demo	Silverlight Pad
Amazon Search Visualization	JavaScript / .NET Chess	Silverlight Playground
AOL Social Mail Gadget	Laugh-o-Sphere	Silverlight Rocks
Binary Clock	LiveStation	SilverNibbles
Browser Poker	Matrix Digital Rain	Smalltalk on Silverlight
Bubble Factory	Michael's Journal	Sprawl
Bubblemark	Office Ribbon	Surface Prototype
Comic Book Viewer	Photopoints Gallery	SVG to Silverlight Converter
Destroy All Invaders	Popfly	Telerik RadControls 3D Cube
Digger	Python Console	Verlet Integration Algorithm
Disco Dance Floor	Reflecting Graph	Windows Journal-to-Silverlight Converter
Dr Greenthumb	Reflector for Silverlight	Windows Vista Simulator
Dr Popper	Roxio Buzz	XamlWebPad
GlyphMap	Sierpinski Triangle	XPS Viewer
GOA WinForms Demo	Silverlight Airlines Demo	Zero Gravity
Gradient Animations	Silverlight Chess Game Replay

Note: Links may be broken anytime because they are hosted on number of places so no gurantee

Source: MSDN blogs