Kodak is going through a hard time, after filing for bankruptcy and suing Samsung, the company has ushered in plans for 2012. Kodak will discontinue manufacture of all its point-and-shoots, pocket camcorders and digital photo frames. Production will end the first half of this year. The future for the company will hold printers, brand licensing, enterprise services and photo labs. For those who already own Kodak products will continue to get warranties and service.
Author: AdityaT
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Facebook, Google and other social media companies hearing today
A district court in Delhi will hear a civil suit on Monday against 20 social networking sites including Facebook, Google for posting objectionable content on the web. The websites were asked to remove all objectionable content and file a reply stating the measures taken to screen uploaded content. A criminal suit is also being heard in the Patiala house court on Monday, which had summoned representatives of websites including that of Google and Facebook.
Google and Facebook had appealed against the lower court’s proceedings in the Delhi High Court. Internet companies including Google and Facebook argued that they cannot develop a method to monitor defamatory or obscene material that’s been posted on their sites.
The issue relates to a constitutional issue of freedom of speech and expression and suppressing it was not possible as the right to freedom of speech in democratic India separates us from a totalitarian regime like China,”
-Google advocate NK Kaul
Facebook too had noted that it already has rules of blocking and removing content, whenever specific matters are brought to its notice. Both websites are challenging a trial court’s order to prosecute them. Google and Facebook had on January 16 told the Delhi HC that blocking them was not an option as a democratic India does not have a “totalitarian” regime like China.
We will keep you updated on the outcome of todays hearing.
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MNP to increase due to 2G Scam licensing issues
If you have not already read the report, its high time you know that, the Supreme Court of India and revoked and cancelled licenses of 122 telecom operators such as Idea Cellular, Uninor, Tata Teleservices, Loop Telecom and Videocon due to the 2G scam. This will give a huge rise to the use of Mobile number Portability by users who are on these networks.
Though in India people are not very committed to MNP as in West, it will still be used as an option by those for whom retaining their numbers is very important. MNP would certainly act as a useful aid
– Com First India – Mahesh Uppal
TRAI also had a say on the subject claiming the total number of users affected is 5 % of the total subscribers.
The move is likely to affect less than 5 percent of users as the current operators other than the ones whose licences have been cancelled control almost the rest of the market, Customers can always go to the operators of their choice (through MNP)”
–Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman J.S. Sarma
Even if the affected audience is only 5%, it actually amounts to a very large number if you consider the active subscriber list. Mobile number portability takes upto 14 days, in such a scenario users may find themselves without a way out.
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Request for preliminary ban on Galaxy Tab 10.1N and Galaxy Nexus Denied to Apple in German Court
German Court has denied the Preliminary ban on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Nexus, as requested by Apple on the basis of Touchscreen copyright infringement. The court declared the patent invalid due to the market presence of the same technology before the patent was granted. The court in Dusseldorf has yet to give its final decision on the ban of Galaxy Tab 10.1N, which may finally give us the expectancy of the said Tab.
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Facebook Files a US $ 5 Billion IPO, Trading this Spring
Social Networking site Facebook has filed for its Initial Public Offering , with a total value of US $ 5 Billion. The Website has a massive 483 Million active users on a daily basis, the company also took in 3.7 billion in revenue last year. Compared to giants like Google , the amount seems lowly.
Facebook made 12% of its revenues from Social networking game maker Zynga. Facebook is desperate to monetize their Mobile applications to benefit from the large chunk of mobile users.
We do not currently directly generate any meaningful revenue from the use of Facebook mobile products, and our ability to do so successfully is unproven.
Although the IPO has been filed and may interest the stock buyer, most experts are claiming this to be a NO-NO territory. The IPO which is only a small percentage of the company’s true value has been setup to earn Facebook a lot of money and not the buyer.
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Sony Launches a new range of Cybershot Cameras TX200v, WX50 and WX70 (PR)
Sony Has just launched three new cameras to add to their Cybershot Range. The DSC-TX200V has an 18.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 26mm 5x optical zoom lens, 1080/60p video capture and a 3.3-inch Xtra Fine TruBlack OLED touchscreen. Sony promises the BIONZ processor can reduce image and video noise considerably. The camera also has a very fast autofocus, and the best bits remain waterproof till 16 feet. The camera is also sealed and well protected from cold and dust.
TX200 
The other two cameras the WX50 and WX70 both pack a 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensors, 25mm 5x optical zoom lenses, 12 megapixel stills during video capture, and 1080/60i HD shooting. Sony has added the Camera effects that everyone loved in the NEX series of cameras. the WX50 has a 2.75inch screen whereas the WX70 has a 3 inch screen. Both cameras have a huh outdoor visibility touchscreen.
WX50 
WX70 
[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
SONY INTRODUCES NEW ASSORTMENT OF COMPACT, HIGH-POWERED CYBER-SHOT® CAMERAS
New Lineup Features High-Resolution Sensors, Enhanced Low-light Performance and Fast Auto-Focus
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2012 – Sony’s newest Cyber-shot® digital still cameras make it easy to capture beautiful memories anytime and anywhere.
Three new models include the DSC-TX200V model from the ultra-thin Cyber-shot T series and the DSC-WX70 and DSC-WX50 models from the stylish, traditionally designed W series, each featuring a high-resolution “Exmor R” CMOS sensor and an improved BIONZ™ image processor that together boost low light performance and enhance auto-focus speeds, among other benefits.
“We continue to innovate in the compact camera space, finding new ways to help consumers produce high-quality photos and videos as easily as possible, regardless of lighting conditions” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony Electronics.
“With new technologies designed to improve the overall imaging experience – including extended creativity, control and more – this new lineup of Cyber-shot cameras delivers impressive results with stylish, pocket-sized bodies.”
High-Resolution, High-Speed, High-Quality
The new TX200V camera features a newly developed 18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, the highest-resolution currently offered in the “point and shoot” market, and a new BIONZ™ processor, which work together to create images and video files with extremely low noise. The advanced model also offers lightning-fast AutoFocus speeds of approximately 0.13 seconds in daytime and 0.25 seconds in low-light situations (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions), helping to ensure you never miss the moment.Additionally, the TX200V Cyber-shot showcases a new beautiful, reinforced glass design with a large, 3.3-inch (8.3cm) Xtra Fine™ TruBlack OLED wide touch-screen. It is also water-proof (up to 5m or approx.16 feet), dust-proof and freeze-proof (up to 14oF), and features a “Photo Creativity” interface that lets users easily adjust creative settings to produce unique, custom-styled photos.
The new WX70 and WX50 models each are equipped with a high-resolution 16.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, with the WX70 featuring a 3.0-inch 921k dot LCD touch-screen and the WX50 featuring a slightly smaller 2.7-inch LCD screen.
All-Around Performance
Each of the new Cyber-shot cameras features a new “Extra High Sensitivity” technology, which minimizes unwanted noise in low-light shooting conditions. For consumers who want to get closer to their subjects without losing quality, these new models have “Clear Image Zoom” technology, which boosts optical zoom to 2x virtual capability (i.e. 5x optical zoom to 10x virtual zoom) at full camera resolution.The TX200V, WX70 and WX50 cameras also offer image stabilization during video and still shooting. Using technology borrowed from the Sony Handycam® lineup, the “Optical Steady Shot Active Mode” drastically reduces blurring caused by camera shake while on the move. All models can shoot video in Full HD resolution.
Additional notable features of the new lineup include nine “Picture Effect” options for expanded creativity, “Dual Record” capabilities, 3D shooting modes (3D Still Image, 3D Sweep Panorama and Sweep Multi Angle), fast shooting speeds (10 fps burst mode) and more.
Product Specs, Pricing and Availability
The new assortment of cameras and an expanded range of stylish accessories, including the new LCS-WM and LCS-THT soft carrying cases, will be available this March at Sony retail stores and online (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network. Detailed specs are below:
• The DSC-TX200V camera will be available in silver, red, and violet for approximately $500. Features include:
• 18.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
• 26mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom, 10x virtual zoom via “Clear Image Zoom” technology
• “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
• Lightning-fast AF speed of approximately 0.13 second in daylight, 0.25 seconds in low-light (speeds may vary based on shooting conditions)
• Beautiful, slim reinforced glass design with 3.3-inch (8.3cm) Xtra Fine™ Tru-Black OLED wide touch-screen
• Waterproof (up to 5m,16 feet), dustproof and freeze-proof (up to 14oF)
• Captures 13 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
• Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60p) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
• Photo Creativity interface and 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video• The DSC-WX70 camera will be available in silver, black, pink, violet and white for approximately $230. Features include:
• 16.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, 3.0-inch 921k dot LCD touch screen
• 25mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom, 10x virtual zoom via “Clear Image Zoom” technology
• “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
• Captures 12 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
• Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
• 9 total “Picture Effects” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs• The DSC-WX50 camera will be available in silver and black for approximately $200. Features include:
• 16.2 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, 2.7-inch LCD screen
• 25mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom, 10x virtual zoom via “Clear Image Zoom” technology
• “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities
• Captures 12 MP equivalent still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”
• Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i) and Optical SteadyShot Active Mode
• 9 total “Picture Effects” options, allowing for creative, custom styled photographs[/toggle]
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Apple is the largest Buyer of Semiconductors in the Worlds
Thanks to its massive numbers of devices sold, Apple is now the largest buyer of semiconductor chips in the world. According to a report by Gartner the company which was number 3 in 2010 , is now the largest in the world with a purchase of over 17 billion dollars. Up from the 12.8 billion in 2012, Apple saw a growth of one 34 %. Samsung stayed in the number two spot with a 9.2 percent increase in spending to $16.68 billion. Meanwhile HP dropped to third by buying only $16.62 billion worth of semiconductors.
[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Gartner Says Apple Became the Top Semiconductor Customer in 2011
Top 10 Original Equipment Manufacturers Represented $105.6 Billion of Semiconductor Demand, Accounting for 35 Percent of Total Semiconductor Chip Revenue in 2011
STAMFORD, Conn., January 24, 2012-Leading electronic equipment manufacturers remained the center of the semiconductor world in 2011, accounting for $105.6 billion of semiconductors on a design total available market (TAM) basis – 35 percent of semiconductor vendors’ worldwide chip revenue, according to Gartner, Inc. This represented a year-over-year increase of $1.8 billion, or 1.8 percent from 2010.
Design TAM represents the total silicon content in all products designed by a certain electronic equipment manufacturer or in a certain region, while purchasing TAM represents the total silicon content purchased directly by a certain electronic equipment manufacturer or in a certain region. Design TAM is a useful index for semiconductor vendors when they are considering how to allocate their sales or field application engineer resources by customer or region. Purchasing TAM is a useful index for semiconductor vendors when they are considering how to establish an efficient distribution network by customer or region.
“The major growth drivers in 2011 were smartphones, media tablets and solid-state drives (SSDs),” said Masatsune Yamaji, principal research analyst at Gartner. “Those companies that gained share in the smartphone market, such as Apple, Samsung Electronics and HTC, increased their semiconductor demand, while those who lost market share in this segment, such as Nokia and LG Electronics, decreased their semiconductor demand. Media tablets were also a growth driver for the semiconductor market throughout 2011.”
“Given the rapidly changing competitive structure of the IT and electronics industry, no semiconductor device vendor can afford just to monitor the requirements of the current market leaders,” Mr. Yamaji said. “Vendors need to be constantly looking for new market entrants who will, in turn, be tomorrow’s market leaders.”
Within the top 10 rankings, three companies were from the Americas, three from Asia/Pacific, three from Japan and one from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Apple led the market in 2011 (see Table 1), achieving significant growth, as it has done for the past five years. As a result, Apple became the biggest customer of semiconductor chip vendors in 2011, climbing two places in the ranking, from third in 2010.
Apple gained a much greater share of the smartphone market, and its media tablet business was also highly successful in 2011. While DRAM prices fell drastically in 2011, and many PC vendors decreased their total semiconductor demand accordingly, the success of the MacBook Air enabled Apple to increase semiconductor chip demand even in its PC business.
Mr. Yamaji said that as more brand-name companies are increasing their production outsourcing to original design manufacturers (ODMs) and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers, semiconductor procurement by ODMs and EMS providers has increased year over year. Currently, three of the top 10 purchasing TAM companies are so-called contract manufacturers.
“Semiconductor chip vendors must pay attention not just to the design TAM and purchasing TAM by company, but also by region,” said Mr. Yamaji. “This is the key to avoiding inappropriate sales resource allocation. They must keep an eye on design-win opportunities in the U.S., while also establishing a strong distribution network in China.”
*Note to Editors on Nokia and Sony
In the ranking table, two joint ventures are included as stand-alone firms, as they are independent buying centers: Sony Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks. They are still considered independent companies in this report. This means Nokia does not include the TAM of Nokia Siemens Networks, and Sony does not include the TAM of Sony Ericsson.Additional information is available in the report “Market Insight: Apple Led OEM, ODM and EMS Semiconductor Demand in 2011.” The report is available on the Gartner website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=1517414.[/toggle]
[Gartner]
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Indian War Comics digitized for Aakash Tab
Indian Army Chief V K Singh today launched the digital version of Indian War Comics (IWC), which will be available for users of upcoming version of Aakash tablet PC to be supplied by Datawind.
This particular idea itself is not only laudable, but I think each one of us must realise that there is something which will make tremendous difference,Those of you who have been lucky to read the Amar Chitra Katha and know what it did to you, to know your own history, I think these war comics are going to make a fantastic difference. Specially when they are loaded on to the Akash tablet”
– V K Singh
The comics will be available free of cost on both the Ubislate and Aakash TAB.
“We will put these comics on both Aakash and Ubislate tablets,”
-Datawind CEO Sunit Singh Tuli
These comics are really popular in their print form and will add to the tablet madness that has struck our country.
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Yummy : A 3D Printer that works on Chocolate
Imagine 3D printer is the first of its kind 3D printer, instead of meted plastic this printer can make 3D objects using molten chocolate in its syringes. 3D printing is the next step in the Industry especially with its advancements every day. Using a 3D printer to make items in chocolate could actually change to way people celebrate functions or festivals. The printer has other capabilities and in addition to chocolate, the syringes can also be filled with cheese, epoxy, silicone, and even concrete for those permanent casts.
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Wiki
3D printing is a phrase used to describe the process of creating three dimensional objects from digital file using a materials printer, in a manner similar to printing images on paper. The term is most closely associated with additive manufacturing technology, where an object is created by laying down successive layers of material. Recently the term is increasingly being used to describe all types of additive manufacturing processes, or even other types of rapid prototyping technology.
Since 2003 there has been large growth in the sale of 3D printers. Additionally, the cost of 3D printers has gone down.The technology also finds use in the fields of jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, and many others.
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[ED]
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MS- Paint literally used to make Music video for LMFAOs Party Rock Anthem
Have you ever thought of how music videos would be if they were actually made as per the words of the song. A youtube user puts his MS Paint skills to use to show you exactly how LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem would look if it was based on the words. The user also did “Look at me now” in one of his previous videos. Its actually quite creative yet its hilarious.
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Alienware launches X51 gaming mini PC , Dell to bring it to India
Alienware has just announced the X51 small factor gaming PC at a price of US $ 699 (or about Rs. 37000). The vertical or horizontal switchable Gaming mini, comes with a rotating Alienware logo and has decent specs. Core i3 and i5 options, a slot-loading optical drive optional Blu-ray. Up to 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. GPU options include a NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 graphics card or optional GTX 555. Power supplies however are outside the box and come in 240W or 330W.
The accent led can be changed from the control panel included with the Alienware Dashboard.
Alienware X51 Product Specifications:
- Intel Core i3 Dual Core (standard) and Intel Core i5 and i7 Quad Core Processor Options
- Intel H61 Express Chipset Architecture
- Mini-ITX Motherboard
- Powerful NVIDIA Graphics Card Options
- 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 (Standard)
- 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 555
- Configure with up to 8GB of DDR3 Memory (4GB Standard); 2x 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Slots
- Fast 7,200RPM 1TB Hard Drive
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
- Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
- Internal High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio with Waves MAXX Audio Software
- Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Wireless LAN (standard)
- USB 2.0 (6x); USB 3.0 (2x); Microphone In; Headphone/Speaker Out; HDMI 1.4 Output; RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet; Front, Rear and Center Speaker Ports; SPDIF Digital Output (TOSLINK); SPDIF Digital Output (Coax)
- Alienware 240 Watt Power Supply (Standard) or optional 330 Watt Power Supply
- Dual-orientation tower system dimensions: h: 13.5″ (343mm) x w: 3.74″ (95mm) x d: 12.52″ (318mm)
- Starting Weight: 12.1 lbs. (5.49 Kg.)
We have confirmed word from DELL INDIA that the product will be available in India in the coming months, specific dates or pricing is being worked out.
[Dell]
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BSNL plans to outsource Operation and Maintenance of 40,000 towers
State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) plans to outsource operation and maintenance (O&M) of its 40,000 telecom towers across the country.
BSNL has proposed to set up tower operating centres (TOCs) at each of its circles, a tender inviting comments from interested parties till January 23 has been issued by the company. A TOC would have a centralised web-based monitoring system and the access would be with BSNL.
According to BSNL officials this would cut costs down by 50% and therefore also free up the over worked and used up staff. This step may have come after the company recent financial situation. BSNL posted a loss of Rs 1,823 crore in financial year 2009-10 and about Rs 6,000 crore in 2010-11. Its revenue came down toRs 28,876 crore in 2010-11 fromRs 32,072 crore in 2009-10.
The contract would be valid for three years and would carry an extension for two years if required. The company hopes that private enterprise would improve overall performance from the company. Chairman and managing director R K Upadhyay had said it expected to get Rs 3,000 crore from this segment in the current financial year. The company is also hoping for an overall 15% increase in revenues from circle management and improvement.
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MSI launches new two new R7950/R7970-2PMD3GD5 over-voltage capable Graphics cards on AMD HD 7000 GPU
MSI has launched two new GPUs based on the new AMD 7000 HD platform, the R7970-2PMD3GD5 supports over voltage support through MSI’s Afterburner utility. The card comes with 3GB GDDR5 and supports all DirectX 11 titles on extremely high resolutions. Accorrding to MSI both the R7970-2PMD3GD5 and R7950-2PMD3GD5 have an ultra-long lifespan and are made with All Solid Capacitors.
Ports include DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4a connector along with Blu-ray 3D Stereo, “Deep Color” (for true natural color representation) and 7.1 High Bitrate audio to be presented on up-to six displays through AMD’s Eyefinity Technology.
Corp Highlights
- World’s 1st HD 7000 graphics card supporting GPU Overvoltage by MSI Afterburner.
- 3GB GDDR5 Memory provides better gaming and visual experience.
- All Solid Capacitors have 10 years ultra-long lifetime under full load.
- Up to 6 Displays is able to build multi-display surroundings easily.
- DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4a output support Blu-ray 3D stereo transmission format.
Specs
Model Name
V803 (MBA Board)
GPU
AMD Radeon HD 7970
Codename
Tahiti XT
Stream Processors
2048 units
Core Clock
925 MHz
Memory Clock
5500 MHz
Memory Size
3072MB GDDR5
Memory Bus
384 bits
Output
Mini DisplayPort x2 / HDMI / DVI-I
TDP
275 W
Card Dimension
280x110x38mm
Form Factor
ATX
DirectX
11
OpenGL
4.2
CrossFire
Y
Eyefinity
Y
AVIVO HD
Y
PowerPlay
Y
HDCP
Y
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Devs Break Nook Tablet bootloader – Android 4.0 gets installed
Developer Brandon Bennet (aka Nemith) has managed to get an early version of the Android 4.0-based CyanogenMod 9 up and running on the device, thanks to the previously broken bootloader.Other devs are able to boot the tablet off -a microSD card and some are even working on Ubuntu builds for it. Xda-Devolopers is very active in the android development portion of the Nook Tablet with such activities .
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Developers port CM9 to TouchPads, Owners rejoice!
The developers who initially bought Android to the touchpad have a glimpse of what is to come. The CM9 build for HP Touchpad is almost ready and the developer has released a video showing it off. There are still a few bugs in the system, like camera and video playback not working. But the dev assures everything else works smoothly. The video goes on to demonstrate that Angry Birds plays great on the Touchpad on ICS.
Check out the Video Below.
