http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/ Technology Digital en-us Copyright 2012 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:04:39 +0530 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification The AP Stylebook, which is considered as a journalist’s bible has recently announced moving towards “email” as the preferred form, after years of using “e-mail.” The hyphen is officially dead. At least for this particular word.

Well a stickler for a set of standards and being criticized for the same, AP takes some action over upgrading the writing style of certain key words and for its own good.

So the 2011 AP Stylebook carries some prominent changes to its entries, including: "e-mail" to "email," "smart phone" to "smartphone" and "cell phone" to "cellphone," to name just a few.

The move follows the AP Stylebook’s decision to change “Web site” to “website” last year.

Since then the recently much more progressive organization also published a set of 42 guidelines and definitions for social media.

“Language evolves. Today we change AP style from e-mail to email, no hyphen. Our editors will announce it at #ACES2011 today,” tweeted AP Stylebook.
But other e-terms like e-book, e-business, e-commerce etc., still carry the hyphen.

Another noteworthy change is "Kolkata," an Indian city formerly known as Calcutta.

The online version of the AP Stylebook is up-to-date, and is available right now. Print edition of 2011 AP Stylebook is expected to arrive in Spring 2011.


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/e-mail-finally-email-ap-stylebook http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/e-mail-finally-email-ap-stylebook 42 guidelines AP AP Stylebook Associated Press definitions for social media e-mail email no hypen set of standards stickler Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:04:39 +0530 Facebook has acquired Israeli startup Snaptu, a creator of simple mobile applications for feature phones, for an estimated $70 million.

What is Snaptu?

It's a startup that makes apps for mobile phones. Specifically, Snaptu has been busy as of late working with Facebook and other partners to launch slimmed-down mobile applications of their respective sites.

The four-year-old company, is based in London and has offices in Silicon Valley in the US and Tel Avi. Snaptu’s technology is designed to bring web service such as Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn to almost any phone through a series of applications it has designed. The company’s Java-based apps replicate many of the features of smartphone apps, but make them accessible to the millions of people that don’t own a smartphone.

In fact, Facebook tapped Snaptu earlier this year to create its feature phone app, which provides an almost smartphone-like experience that includes contact syncing and a homescreen that will be familiar to users of the social network’s iPhone and Android applications. One of the reasons Facebook chose Snaptu is because its technology works on more than 2,500 different mobile devices.

“We soon decided that working as part of the Facebook team offered the best opportunity to keep accelerating the pace of our product development,” Snaptu said in blog post. “And joining Facebook means we can make an even bigger impact on the world.”

Facebook has said that mobile is its top priority in 2011. The addition of Snaptu will aid its expansion in developing countries where the mobile phone is often the user’s computer and smartphones are less affordable.


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/sectors/online/facebook-buys-snaptu-expand-its-mobile-business http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/sectors/online/facebook-buys-snaptu-expand-its-mobile-business Android applications facebook global mobile phone market iphone LinkedIn mobile applications smartphones Snaptu Tel Avi twitter Mon, 21 Mar 2011 01:39:36 +0530 iPhone or Android users can save their places on restaurant wait lists by scanning a QR code at the door. This new concept is called as WalkIN.

It’s a one-week-old startup that shared the top prize in the StartupBus grand finale and is on its way to becoming a legitimate company.

The idea is a brain child of nine guys who successfully launched a startup in 48 hours on a bus and this idea is walking away from SXSW Interactive a big winner.

The WalkIN experience is straightforward. Consumers use an iPhone or Android app to scan a QR code to reserve their place on the wait list. Merchants manage the queue via an iOS or HTML5 app, adjust wait times and manually add new guests to the list.

The first version of WalkIN launched at SXSW is QR code-only, but the founders now realize they need to add an SMS option to the service to reach all consumers.

The StartupBus environment helped make WalkIN a winning idea, says co-founder Bhavin Shah. “It was magic that was occurring,” he says. Team members naturally gravitated towards each other and worked harmoniously, circumstances that helped the nine guys evolve their ideas rapidly, beating out their competitors across the six-bus fleet, reports Mashable.

Those excited by WalkIN’s promise to keep their place in the line should temper their enthusiasm for a more few weeks. Being just days old, WalkIN ins’t accessible to consumers just yet, though Shah explains that this will soon change. The startup is already talking to a handful of restaurants in New York, San Francisco and Sydney who are interested in testing the service in the coming weeks.

WalkIN’s idea is not entirely new, and there’s a smattering of competition in the virtual line space. But, with other startups such as Textaurant securing funding and no clear standout that owns the local merchant side of the equation, there’s plenty of opportunity here.

The young startup has fielded investment offers of its own, but has turned them down. WalkIN is going through a transition phase, according to Shah. Its unusual origins mean that team members must individually determine whether they want to pursue this full-time or keep their day jobs, he says.

The fact that the concept was appreciated and acknowledged enough so that it could enter the real-world environment is commendable.The team’s first order of business is to add new features, get merchants signed on and improve the overall user experience of the apps.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/sectors/health/hate-being-restaurant-wait-list-scan-qr-code http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/sectors/health/hate-being-restaurant-wait-list-scan-qr-code QR Code Restaurant Wait List StartupBus SXSW Textaurant WalkIN Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:11:58 +0530
Steve Jobs, founder and chief executive of Apple computers, reportedly named the company after The Beatles' label apparently because he is a massive Beatles fan.

The Beatles' estate took a dim view however, and various cases have been filed over the years over who has rights to the name.

When Apple launched its iTunes service, the Beatles were notable by their absence, due to the ongoing dispute.

Jobs, Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono finally patched-up their differences in December. More than five million Beatles downloads have been made since the full Beatles catalogue finally became available on iTunes.

Now Apple computers is attempting to trademark the logos used on the Beatles albums and stickers used on the centres of vinyl records via the European Union's Trademark Office.

Apple has requested that the trademark for the former Apple Corps logo extend coverage to "computer hardware, online social networking services, mobile phones," as well as including broader categories such as musical instruments, games, clothing, advertising, education and broadcasting.

According to a report earlier this year, the royalty split for The Beatles "could be more lucrative" than for other artists. Sources claim that the unique licensing deal between Apple and Apple Corps allows Apple to directly pay royalties to The Beatles and Sony/ATV instead of treating digital download sales as a retail sale and paying royalties to record label EMI.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/apple-may-finally-get-use-beatles-logo http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/apple-may-finally-get-use-beatles-logo Apple computers Apple Corps Apple Corps logo Apple logos Apple name Beatles Beatles downloads Beatles' estate European Union's Trademark Office iTunes vinyl records Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:20:15 +0530 Following one of the biggest launches in consumer electronics history, Kinect for Xbox 360 continued its momentum in 2011 reaching 10 million Kinect sensors sold worldwide to date. Not only were sensor sales an overwhelming success, but Kinect drove significant game sales with more than 10 million standalone Kinect games sold worldwide to date.

Guinness World Records: Kinect for Xbox 360 is Fastest Selling Consumer Electronics Device

In a nod to the recent sales success of Kinect, Guinness World Records has officially named Kinect for Xbox 360 the fastest selling consumer electronics device.
Considering the fact that each Kinect comes with a game and so of course MS has sold 10 million titles! It may not be surprising news but there’s some correction here: that's 10 million standalone games sold, and while a 1:1 tie ratio is hardly approaching PS2 territory it's certainly better than many had expected.

Kinect, which costs $150 and can be purchased alone or with an Xbox 360 console, lets people control games, play movies and operate other features by moving around and speaking.

What more Xbox 360 players are going to see "more and more" core Kinect games revealed in the future, as interest from developers "spikes".

There are many [hardcore games] coming," Kevin Unangst, Senior producer of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business said.


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/microsoft-creates-record-selling-10-million-kinect-games http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/microsoft-creates-record-selling-10-million-kinect-games 10 Million Kinect consumer electronics device Guinness World Records Kinect Kinect Games Kinect games sold Microsoft creates a record Xbox 360 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:31:20 +0530
On Monday, a consortium of Japanese companies announced they would be partnering up to install 10,000 electric chargers at vending machine sites by the end of the year. Eventually, says vending machine manufacturer Forking Co., the machines themselves might incorporate the chargers. Forking currently owns over one million vending machines across Japan.

Whether you're in a Buddhist monastery or a botanical garden you're never far from a cold bottle of Pocari Sweat or Gokuri Apple. Soon Japanese drivers will never be far from a place to charge their EV, either. Forking Company, which oversees 1.2 million vending machines across Japan, is going to start working with Panasonic to deploy chargers for electric vehicles along with those machines. It's a potentially perfect solution, since these stations already having power and, often, connectivity. Over the next 12 months the plan is to deploy 10,000 such chargers.

The consortium includes Forking Co., a major vending machine operator, and Panasonic Electric Works which will develop and produce electric vehicle chargers with rivals.

Forking has business ties with companies which own a combined 1.2 million vending machines across Japan, or about a half of the national total, company official Reiko Kobayashi said.

Charging machines "will be installed where beverage vending machines already exist or together with new ones. There are various options," she said.

While such vending machines don’t resonate in the US as well as they do in Japan, the idea represents an interesting conversion of consumer choices and EV potential.

As plug-in vehicles will require a lot more charging compared to filling conventional vehicles with gasoline, making charging almost dynamic is the kind of approach that could simplify the process, while also increasing EV cost-effectiveness. For instance, with wireless plug-in charging capabilities, a plug-in vehicle driver in Japan could charge their plug-in without any effort doing something they’d do regardless of the kind of vehicle driven.

That kind of simplicity could be game-changing.

But batteries are going to continue to be too expensive for average consumers for many years, even decades, without considerable technological advances, advances that will probably require a technology beyond lithium according to the consensus. However, something like dynamic charging could enable electric cars to utilize much smaller battery packs, keeping vehicle costs more in line with conventional vehicles.

Looks like vending machines alone probably aren’t enough to create such dynamic charging, but they seem a step in the right direction, especially in dense cities like Tokyo, Japan.


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/vending-machines-will-electrically-charge-your-cars http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/vending-machines-will-electrically-charge-your-cars Charging machines electric vehicle chargers Electric vehicles Forking Co Japanese companies Panasonic Electric vending machines Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:16:15 +0530 The Social media giants like the Facebook and Twitter have come alive with reactions, prayers and timely updates of the catastrophic earthquake that struck Japan on Friday. It caused widespread power outages, fires and a severe tsunami that was reported to be up to 10 meters high in places.

Soon after the news of the 8.9-magnitude quake surfaced, the microblogging site Twitter was flooded with reactions to the catastrophe.The users posted images of the damage caused by the earthquake even before the mainstream media could give the world a glimpse of the aftereffects.

The reaction on Twitter, quickly becoming the go-to service in emergencies, was immediate and intense. Less than an hour after the quake, with the country’s phone system knocked out, the number of tweets coming from Tokyo were topping 1,200 per minute, according to Tweet-o-Meter.

#PrayforJapan, #Tsunami, Tokya Disneyland, Sendai, Fukushima and related terms reigned the Trending Topics list as the tweeps expressed their shock and condolences.

Twitter users also shared the tsunami’s estimated times of arrival on U.S. shores — before an official government tsunami warning went into effect. The wave was expected to hit Hawaii first, at roughly 3am local time.

There’s also a link, Japanese version of its People Finder, posted on the twitter for loved ones who have been separated.

Many celebrities also shared news, information and offered their best wishes to those caught up in the earthquake and tsunami.

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne passed on his best wishes to those involved in the tragedy, tweeting: "Just heard about japan - another terrible tragedy.. Our hearts go out to all of you who have been effected - so sad..."

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield tweeted: "To my followers in Japan and everyone else caught up in yet another natural disaster, thinking of you. Stay safe."

On the social networking site, Facebook, numerous pages, communities and open groups cropped up.

"Let's just pray for Japan through this time of crisis. Care & Love," reads the description of an Open Group, called 'Pray for Japan (8.9 Earthquake aftermath)'. A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) page, Japan 2011 Earthquake Tsunami Victims - R.I.P, with an encouraging tag line 'We are with you!", is among the other pages seeing active participation.

Footage of the disaster has also emerged on the popular video sharing website Youtube.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/japanese-quake-and-tsunami/twitter-facebook-flooded-reactions-japanese-quake-and-tsunami http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/japanese-quake-and-tsunami/twitter-facebook-flooded-reactions-japanese-quake-and-tsunami 8.9-magnitude quake earthquake aftermath facebook Fukushima go-to service Japan 2011 Tsunami Japanese quake and tsunami mainstream media People Finder quake and tsunami in Japan Sendai Social Media Tokyo Disneyland Tsunami Victims Tweet-o-Meter twitter Twitter users Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:38:17 +0530
Well, this new technology which is already making a splash at the CeBIT, the world's biggest high-tech fair, uses a series of infrared cameras that register the movements of your hand and instantly transmit them to a large screen in the shop window.

The shopper stands about a metre (yard) away from the glass and simply points to the desired dress, hat, bag or shoes.

Instantly a menu appears showing the item in 3D, along with crucial retail information such as the sizes available, colours -- and of course, price.

With another brief wave of the hand, the user can rotate the item in 3D, change the colour and scroll through similar products.

Once you decide the product, make the payment by placing a smartphone against the glass.

"It's secure, easy and of course 24/7," said Paul Chojecki, project manager at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute, which developed the technology.

One of the main advantages over touch screen technology is that the user does not need to input personal data that could be visible to passers-by, he said, predicting it would soon become everyday practice.

"It's the same as with touch screens," he said. "At first, everyone thought it was strange, now everyone does it."

Another advantage of this system over touch screen technology is that it is much more hygienic as there is no contact with the glass.

Chojecki said you could be buying things with your finger sooner than you might think. "I would say in two years, this technology will be fairly widespread. A few big stores have already expressed an interest.




]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/window-shopping-made-more-easier-new-technology http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/window-shopping-made-more-easier-new-technology 3D CeBIT Germany's Fraunhofer Institute infrared cameras touch screen technology Window shopping Sat, 05 Mar 2011 09:42:15 +0530 Research In Motion is planning to bring its BlackBerry Messenger app and service to Android, and eventually to iOS as well.

It is a high possibility that the company might make the software free to all users and there’s also a possibility that RIM may end up charging users a one-time fee or even a recurring fee for access to its BBM service on third-party platforms.

BGR claimed that RIM is making the choice to port the software because of frustration that it is being passed by other instant-message apps on the two other platforms, which are eliminating RIM's ability to own the category. It's unclear, however, whether eliminating those multimedia capabilities will achieve this.

RIM will offer stripped down versions of the BBM. That way, Android and iOS users can communicate with practically anyone who has a smartphone using BBM, but they might not be able to share photos, location, or videos.

Users who want the full BlackBerry Messenger experience will still need a BlackBerry smartphone to get it. At the same time, RIM could own the entire messaging app category on every major smartphone OS platform and could potentially draw new users in.

For now, Android is definitely a go and it may launch some time this year. RIM chose Android first because of the fact that it could develop and integrate something like this much easier with an open platform. However, it’s unclear when but the BBM may certainly come to iOS version at some point.


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/third-party-platforms/android-and-ios-will-soon-get-blackberry-messenger http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/third-party-platforms/android-and-ios-will-soon-get-blackberry-messenger Android and iOS Android OS Apple iOS BBM service BlackBerry Messenger Research in Motion RIM third-party platforms Fri, 04 Mar 2011 01:13:17 +0530 Amidst Standing Ovation and much excitement, a thin but energetic Steve Jobs made a surprise return to the spotlight on Wednesday, taking the stage to unveil Apple Inc's new iPad.

Jobs made his presentation in the hall full of journalists and analysts from across the world who were probably happier seeing him on stage than iPad2.

The Silicon Valley legend rested all speculations yesterday about his health by making an appearance, in trademark turtleneck and jeans at the event.

Jobs has been out on medical leave since late January leaving the investors and his fans in a doubt over the future of Apple.

Striding back and forth across the stage at the Yerba Buena Center, Jobs spoke passionately about the iPad 2's features, as the current Apple Head, Tim Cook looked on.

"We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss today," Jobs told a packed auditorium in San Francisco with his characteristic flair and energy.

A relaxed-looking Jobs lingered near the theater stage for more than 20 minutes after the show wrapped up, chatting amiably with acquaintances and Apple employees.

The iPad 2 goes on sale at AT&T Inc and Verizon Wireless, and at $499 is about $100 cheaper than Motorola Mobility's Xoom. Its shares slid 4 percent.

The iPad ships March 11 in the United States and March 25 in 26 more countries.

The iPad, along with the iPhone, is expected to fuel Apple's growth over the next several years. The two product lines already make up more than half the company's revenue.

Apple's products tend to be priced at a premium to its rivals, but the iPad has been priced aggressively low versus the competition, both to dominate the market and because the company can leverage its own retail network and pre-bought manufacturing capacity.

Jobs, who has been treated for a rare form of pancreatic cancer, remains on medical leave for an undisclosed condition.

"Steve Jobs is the most important asset for Apple without a doubt and that's why investors are so curious about whether he will remain and continue to have an impact," said Robert Lutts, chief investment officer at Cabot Money Management.

"The stock went up after his appearance but not as much as it normally would if Apple had a fully healthy CEO,” he adds.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/steve-jobs-makes-ipad-2-launch-memorable http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/steve-jobs-makes-ipad-2-launch-memorable Apple's iPad 2 Launch iGod Sanfrancisco event Steve Jobs at iPad 2 launch Yerba Buena Center Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:12:52 +0530
Some of the new iOS 4.3 features are:
• Double the JavaScript performance of the Safari web browser by Nitro JavaScript engine.

• Personal hotspot feature that works over Wi-Fi too for up to three connected devices. Available for the iPhone 4 only.

• iTunes Home sharing, that lets you play content from desktop iTunes over WiFi, no sync needed.

• AirPlay features from the betas -- including the ability for App Store apps to share audio and video.

• And an iPad toggle of choosing the function of the hardware mute/lock key.

• There's also those rumored iOS versions of Photo Booth and FaceTime for the new cameras.

The iOS 4.3 is coming to the original iPad, the iPod Touches the iPhone 3GS and the GSM version of the iPhone 4 on 11 March.

iOS 4.3 might be lacking some of the spark that we’ve seen from previous Apple releases — but remember, Apple will likely unveil the next major version of iOS alongside the next iPhone this June.

In the interim, iOS 4.3 will give developers and users more functionality to an already solid OS.




]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/sectors/software/after-ipad-2-apple-announces-ios-43 http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/sectors/software/after-ipad-2-apple-announces-ios-43 AirPlay Apple iPad 2 hotspot iOS 4.3 Nitro JavaScript engine Safari web browser Thu, 03 Mar 2011 03:55:45 +0530
Apple is testing a new type of lock screen on the iPhone, similar to the gesture-based lock screen on Android phones called ‘Apple Connect’ application, according to the reports and screenshots provided by an Apple insider to 9to5mac.

The screen is based on a 3-by-3 dot grid, and the user must swipe the dots in a correct sequence to unlock the device.

Functionally, it’s just the same as on Android: a user sets up a pattern of swipes between the nine dots, that are used instead of a PIN code or password to unlock the app. “Use as many strokes as you want in your gesture” the tutorial screen suggests, with a progress bar to show if the pattern is long enough to satisfy Apple’s security paranoia.

However, there’s no word on whether they’ll be opening up the gesture system to use by general developers, or indeed adding it as an alternative to the current iOS lock screen. Instead, it is likely to be used internally, for example, in the apps used by Apple retail store employees.

As 9to5Mac speculates, this new lock screen will never reach the hands of the consumers.

Now that doesn’t seem fair.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/apple-connect/apple-developing-android-lock-screen-iphone http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/apple-connect/apple-developing-android-lock-screen-iphone 3-by-3 dot grid Android like Lock Screen Apple Connect gesture-based lock screen iOS lock screen Lock screen app Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:44:46 +0530
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan attended the opening ceremony of the CeBIT IT fair in Hanover, central Germany, Feb. 28, 2011, as Turkey is this year's CeBIT partner country.

The idea for partner countries is to show off ICT wares and skills to the largest IT gathering in Europe. This year's partner country is Turkey, last year's was Spain, and when California was the partner in 2009, then governor Arnold Schwarzenneger made the trek to Hannover.

CEBIT has been around for two decades and while it took a big hit during the global financial crisis the numbers for the 2011 show have been more promising with exhibitor numbers slightly up from just over 4100 last year to more than 4200 this year from 70 countries.

Opening the show, Hannover Lord Mayor Stephan Weil said the world economy was recovering from the turbulence. "Some people are talking about a new boom I hope this fair not only confirms this trend but strengthens it."

"We are back," said August-Wilhelm Scheer, the president of the German Association for ICT and New Media (BITKOM). Speaking of ICT resurgence in Europe and the rest of the world, Mr Scheer said: "The order books are full. The mood is better than it has been for several years."

In his CEBIT speech the Turkish prime minister honed in on the visa problem as stifling for his country's entrepreneurs trying to deal with Germany.

"Germany is a fan of security but we might have to become more flexible," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the visa problem and promised to have a chat about it over dinner.

Cloud comupting took the center stage at the world's leading information and communication technology expo CeBIT that opened here Monday.

With the theme of "Work and Life with the Cloud," the annual "Davos of high-tech" underway in the German city was dominated by cloud computing, a package of technologies aimed at minimizing software installation on local computers and storing data online through various servers.

this year's expo "partner country" represented by some 100 Turkish companies.

Cloud computing's prominence at the expo reflects its market potential, said expo organizers. According to market research data, global revenues for cloud services are expected to reach 68.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2010, up 16.6 percent year on year. By 2014, the revenue would reach 148.8 billion dollars.

Other hot topics during the CeBIT are no-glasses 3D technology, modular systems for disaster control and high-speed internet.

Organizers divided the trade fair into four platforms to lure different target groups -
• "CeBIT pro" – Which will showcase professional solutions for business operations.
• "CeBIT live" – Which aims to catch private consumers' eyes through smart design.
• "CeBIT lab" – Which will explore the commercial potential of scientists' fresh ideas.
• "CeBIT gov" – Which will focus on IT systems in modernizing public administration.

IBM chairman and CEO Sam Palmisano began his opening ceremony speech with a compliment to German ICT firms such as SAP.

"We welcome a 100 billion dollar German company in IT but please don't be in a hurry. We prefer competing with Americans,” he said.

Mr Palmisano then took the opportunity to push IBM's current marketing themes during his speech at the CEBIT opening ceremony.

"The planet isn't just instrumented -- it's also interconnected. There are 4 billion mobile phone subscribers and 2 billion people on the internet -- but soon a trillion intelligent systems and objects will be able to speak to one another."

Talking about IBM's analytics product area, he said "Through advanced analytics and even more powerful systems we can turn that data into insight. We can see often for the first time what is actually happening in our energy systems supply chains, healthcare networks and cities.”

Meanwhile, the expo will hold a high-level international forum called "CeBIT Global Conferences 2011." Over 30 world-class speakers will discuss the trends and new challenges of the digital market, under the theme of "The power of creativity and innovation." Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International, and Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, are among the keynote speakers.

"CeBIT 2011 is the heart of the digital world and will show how rapidly the pulse of the IT industry is beating," said Ernst Raue of Deutsche Messe, the organizers of the conference.

The CeBIT, first held in 1986, is open to the public from March 1 to 5.

While Turkey is the partner for CEBIT Hannover, Germany will be the partner country for the CEBIT show in Sydney which opens May 31where more than 25 German tech companies will exhibit at CeBIT Australia.

A high-powered trade and political delegation will also attend with the aim of furthering trade and bilateral relations between the two countries beyond the ICT industry.


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/ict/cebit-world-s-largest-tech-fest-opens-germany http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/tags/ict/cebit-world-s-largest-tech-fest-opens-germany BM chairman and CEO CeBIT CeBIT Australia CeBIT Global Conferences 2011 CEBIT Hannover Chancellor Angela Merkel Ford Motor Company German Association Hannover ICT Microsoft International New Media (BITKOM) Tayyip Erdogan Turkish prime minister Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:29:48 +0530 Jonathan Ive, Apple‘s senior vice president of industrial design is apparently looking to leave Cupertino and move back to his home country of England.

Jony Ive as he is called by his friends received a "golden handcuffs" option grant in 2008, which he was able to buy for £7 million three years ago as an incentive to stay with the company. That’s now worth $30 million, and if he sold that stock, his combined net worth would be $128 million.

With the three-year term coming to a close, it looks like people are starting to wonder whether it will lead to Ive reconsidering where he bases himself.

According to the Times of London and the Daily Mail, has been “at loggerheads” with the Apple board about the amount of time he spends in the UK, where he would like for his two children to go to school.

An anonymous pal of Ives was quoted as saying, “unfortunately he is just too valuable to Apple and they told him in no uncertain terms that if he headed back to England he would not be able to sustain his position with them.”

Why is Ive so important?

The 44-year-old designer is the head of the industrial design team that created most of Apple’s iconic products. He’s known as the driving force behind the design of the iPod, iPhone, today’s iPad and the upcoming iPad 2, all the MacBooks and the iMac, among others.

Last July, Fortune magazine named him the smartest designer in the technology industry.

Apple is already in news for its succession plan, given the illness of Steve Jobs so this latest story about Ive could be another upcoming obstacle for Apple.
However, an Apple spokesperson told the Times of London that any claims of Ive wanting to move to England are “speculation.”

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/apple-s-lead-designer-jonathan-ive-planning-quit http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/apple-s-lead-designer-jonathan-ive-planning-quit design of the iPod golden handcuffs head of the industrial design incentive to stay with the company iPhone and iPad Jonathan Ive Jony Ive planning to quit smartest designer Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:03:20 +0530
But Christopher Nolan's film "Inception," took the cake this year. And it’s well worth discussing about the Movie and the technology on the same platform. The film is credited with the dual feat of being both technologically impressive and thematically brainy. No wonder, it took home the Visual Effects award Sunday night at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

It was up against "Alice in Wonderland," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One," "Hereafter," and "Iron Man 2." More specifically, the award went to the visual effects crew for "Inception," Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, and Peter Bebb.

The fact that Nolan himself had not been nominated for Best Director was considered by many film fans to have been one of the academy’s major oversights. But Visual Effects was the fourth win of the night for "Inception": It earlier took home Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Cinematography.

Cnet reports that the Visual Effects category was kicked off, appropriately enough, with a holograph-like re-creation of a vintage Oscars telecast hosted by the late Bob Hope, and announced by actors Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr., who co-starred in last year's aesthetically sensational rendition of "Sherlock Holmes." Downey also starred in one of this year's nominees, "Iron Man 2."




]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/oscars-impressed-digital-innovation-inception http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/oscars-impressed-digital-innovation-inception 83rd Annual Academy Awards Achievement in Visual Effects Christopher Nolan Digital innovation in Inception Inception Oscars The Academy Visual Effects award Visual Effects category Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:25:15 +0530 Professor Raúl Rojas, leader of the project named AutoNOMOS at Freie Universität Berlin, and a team of researchers, have developed a computer system that utilizes sensors that enable drivers to steer their vehicle with their thoughts. Okkk… Now that is some technological innovation.

The AutoNOMOS project aims to study the technology for the "autonomous vehicles of the future."

How does “Driving with Thoughts” work?

Rojas and his team were able to create a driving system based on human thoughts by using new commercially available sensors which measure brain waves. The sensors record electroencephalograms (EEG) to be more precise.

Before applying the technology to an actual vehicle, scientists used the sensors to measure people’s brain waves and allowed them to move a virtual cube in various directions using their thoughts.

Test subjects were asked to think of four different driving-related situations, such as "brake" or "turn right." Through this process, subjects were able to "train" the computer to decipher bioelectrical wave patterns sent from the brain and learned to apply them to the actual command.

An interface was then developed to connect the sensors to a computer-controlled vehicle, where the computer used the information it learned to read the driver's thoughts and steer the vehicle accordingly.

"In our test runs, a driver equipped with EEG sensors was able to control the car with no problem - there was only a slight delay between the envisaged commands and the response of the car," said Rojas.

This system was tested at the former Tempelhof Airport.

Rojas and his team took the computer-controlled system out for a second test run and found that the EEG sensors were able to interpret the driver's brain waves to direct the vehicle appropriately at intersections. The vehicle also drove "largely automatically" during the second test run.

If you want to have a glimpse of this “Brain Driver,” have a look at this YouTube video.

All said, this technology may face quite a few reservations. Though it may seem like a very James Bond innovation but it may be scarier at the same time considering the fact that a normal mind doesn’t have control over its thoughts…



]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/your-thoughts-and-not-steering-wheel-will-drive-your-car http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/your-thoughts-and-not-steering-wheel-will-drive-your-car AutoNOMOS autonomous vehicles bioelectrical wave patterns Brain Driver computer-controlled vehicle driving system EEG EEG sensors electroencephalograms Freie Universität Berlin Tempelhof Airport virtual cube Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:17:48 +0530
The White House released a statement that said this was part of President Obama’s plan to “win the future” by the government helping to promote American innovation, new research and development, education and energy.

The President met with 12 of the most important tech company leaders, including Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, Apple founder Steve Jobs, Google head Eric Schmidt, Twitter founder Dick Costolo, yahoo's Carol Bartz, Cisco Systems' John Chambers and Netflix chief Reed Hastings.

The group convened at the home of John Doerr, a partner at venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins, just outside of San Francisco.

"The president specifically discussed his proposals to invest in research and development and expand incentives for companies to grow and hire," said Jay Carney, press secretary of the White House.

The U.S. leader believes technology and innovation will help to develop economic competitiveness and create jobs. Earlier this week the White House released its budget, including billions of dollars for new R&D spending.

The Points discussed:

• The dinner was part of a larger national discussion on how the tech and mobile industries can boost the economy with job growth and exports.

• President Obama also revealed a measure that will allow companies to claim all business investing as an expense in 2011, which should encourage companies to innovate.

• The President specifically discussed his proposals to invest in research and development and expand incentives for companies to grow and hire, along with his goal of doubling exports over five years to support millions of American jobs.

• The President aims to increase spending on high-tech initiatives like high speed internet and education in science and engineering.

• The group also discussed the importance of new investments in education and the new White House initiative “Startup America”, a partnership with the private sector aimed at supporting new startups and small businesses.

• There was also a lot of discussion about ways to encourage people to study science, technology, engineering and math, and to go into STEM fields.

Innovation and hustle has certainly helped the U.S. to gain the lead in mobile technology. Over the last year, Apple and Google seized the lead from European and Asian companies like Nokia and Sony Ericsson by pioneering smartphone ecosystems, which combine devices, online markets, apps, content and services as an integrated package.

The President has also recently focused on measures expanding broader aspects of technology in the U.S., including an initiative to expand wireless and broadband access to underserved rural areas in the country, as well as free up air spectrum by encouraging broadcasters to sell off their government-owned airwaves to wireless providers.

Obama also plans to appoint Otellini to a panel of experts set up to offer the administration advice on creating jobs.

President Obama also recently revealed a measure that will allow companies to claim all business investing as an expense in 2011, which should encourage companies to innovate.

"I am convinced that if we out build, out innovate and out educate as well as out hustle the rest of the world the jobs and industries of our time will take root here in the U.S.," said the President earlier this week. "Our people will prosper and our country succeed."


]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/what-did-obama-discuss-jobs-zuckerberg http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/what-did-obama-discuss-jobs-zuckerberg American innovation Apple founder Carol Bartz cisco systems Dick Costolo doubling exports over five years Eric Schmidt expand wireless and broadband access Facebook chief executive Google head government-owned airwaves John Chambers John Doerr Kleiner Perkins Mark Zuckerberg mobile industries Netflix chief new White House initiative President Barack Obama press secretary of the White House Reed Hastings smartphone ecosystems startup america STEM fields Steve Jobs twitter founder U.S. tech elite win the future Yahoo Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:45:01 +0530 Now explore the deep blue sea all by yourself with the Ego Compact Semi Submarine.

Why is this called a semi-submarine? The entire boat is not submerged, it is part submerged and part above the water.

So the users get the benefits of a boat and yet once the crew goes down below they are in a mini submarine. Isn’t that cool?

Raonhaje`s EGO compact semi submarine was launched at the Miami boat show, at the Miami Beach convention centre. It is driven like a car, so it is easy for the users to get behind the wheel and get going. The controls are simple, there is a steering wheel, accelerator pedal and the whole thing is powered by battery, a full charge will last around six to ten hours depending on how the EGO compact semi submarine is driven.

The windows are made from a special acrylic material that are most often used in aquariums, allowing for maximum transparency and pressurization. Other notable features include and LCD monitoring system, a waterproof HAD CCD camera, and a VHF Marine two way radio.

You can expect the EGO to come in a variety of flavors like lime green or French rose.

It’s electric powered which means it’s going to be quiet and eco-friendly and at full speed (~5 knots) you can expect to get about 4 hours of cruising time on a 6-10 hour charge. Take things a bit more leisurely and you can expect to squeeze about 8 hours out of its 12 x 8-volt batteries.

Now that is a deadly combination of Beauty with Ego!

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/ego-semi-submarine-quite-boost-your-ego http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/ego-semi-submarine-quite-boost-your-ego benefits of a boat EGO compact semi submarine Ego semi submarine electric powered Miami boat show part submerged pressurization Raonhaje Semi submarine Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:31:50 +0530 The store is rumored to be opening in New York's Grand Central Terminal, in what will be Apple's largest retail space to date.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Apple retail, and Apple wants to make a big splash.

Currently, the Apple’s largest retail store is located in Covent Garden, London and occupies an area of 40,000 square foot, 16,000 of which is publicly accessible.
The new store will be bigger than the Covent Garden store.

 The Grand Central Terminal already hosts over 100 retailers, located on three levels across 130,000 square feet.

Apple’s retail operation so far has been a spectacular success, helping fuel the company’s explosive growth and creating shops that make twice as much money as Tiffany & Co.

Apple isn’t expected to take one of the traditional retail spaces, but will locate right in the terminal.

The store already has a name: Apple Store, Grand Central, according to a source close the company and may open in the fall, likely early September. The source said Apple will be making an internal announcement within the next month or so.

Cult of Mac reports that its source indicated Apple would need to remove walls to create its retail space so that it can accommodate the 700,000 most heading for trains or subway, 250,000 of which come to see the Vanderbilt Hall or eat at the 35 restaurants, including the historic Oyster Bar on the lower level.

Apple already operates four super-popular stores in Manhattan. The largest is the spectacular glass-fronted store on the Upper West Side. The busiest is the famous glass cube on Fifth Avenue. The Fifth Ave. store is only a mile away from Grand Central. In fact, the mad crowds at Fifth Ave. is the reason Apple wants another store so close

Apple is also rumoured to be updating its Palo Alto and Paris stores and opening a new store in Amsterdam this year.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/apple-set-open-its-biggest-store-yet http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/apple-set-open-its-biggest-store-yet 10th anniverssary of Apple retail Apple store Apple's largest store Apple's retail operation Covent Garden store Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:12:07 +0530 President Obama is expected to meet with Silicon Valley’s highest-profile executives on Thursday in San Francisco, including Apple's Steve Jobs, Google's Eric Schmidt, and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, according to an ABC News report.

Obama would make an appearance somewhere in the area on Thursday for meetings with "business leaders in technology and innovation," but it's unclear whether any of the meetings or appearances will be open to the public or media.

Obama is spending part of Thursday and Friday on the West Coast. The White House says Thursday's session will focus on creating jobs. It will also be promoting the topics like American innovation and the president's stated commitment to new investments in research and development, education and clean energy according to a White House official. On Friday, Obama travels to Hillsboro, Ore., to visit Intel Corp. to draw attention to the role of education in preparing Americans for new high-tech jobs.

The White House says the meeting is part of the president's ongoing dialogue with the business leaders to talk about how to get the economy moving forward.

Obama has paid visits to Silicon Valley before, having most recently attended a fund-raising dinner at Google's Marisa Mayer's house in Palo Alto and a meeting with Jobs. Schmidt is also a member of the president's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The president has cited Facebook as an example of innovation that will drive future growth. “We’re the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook,” he said in his Jan. 25 State of the Union address. “In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It is how we make our living.”

Social media has played a big part in Obama’s presidency, and it has also played a huge role in international politics recently.

While Obama may get the title for being the most tech-savvy president, he isn’t the most popular on Facebook. That goes to Lady Gaga, who has some 28 million Facebook followers. Obama has just over 18 million.

]]> http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/obama-meet-facebook-apple-and-google-s-heads http://www.technology-digital.com/news_archive/industry-focus/technology/obama-meet-facebook-apple-and-google-s-heads ABC News report American innovation Apple's Steve Jobs Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg fund-raising dinner Google's Eric Schmidt Google's Marisa Mayer's house new investments in research and development President Obama president's ongoing dialogue Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:52:27 +0530