Sunday, April 15, 2012

In a ruling delivered by Judge Andreas Voss at the Mannheim Regional Court, Germany, Motorola Mobility, reportedly scored success over rival Apple, thereby confirming an earlier ruling and effectively implementing a ban on the latter's iCloud and MobileMe services in the country. An earlier ruling in this respect had ended with the court being convinced that Apple had been using a patented technology, which automatically informs Apple customers about their new messages on their iPhones, iPods or iPads, and that it owes Motorola Mobility for that. Further in a statement delivered by a court spokesperson, it has been revealed that Apple still cannot use the push feature when in Germany and is liable to pay damages. The court, further asked Apple to provide them with information, so as to aid them in calculating the damages that were to be paid. Apple may have to pay damages According to a post by Foss Patents, the latest decision was a second one, since a default judgment had come through against Apple in early November. It added, "Apple's counsel didn't show up for the originally-scheduled trial in late October. After Apple objected to the default judgment, a second trial took place on February 3, 2012 (with all the lawyers). The default judgment related to the following two patents: an allegedly standard-essential patent: 1. EP (European Patent) 1010336 (B1) on a "method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system"; this is the European equivalent of U.S. Patent No. 6,359,898 2. a non-standard-essential push notification patent: EP (European Patent) 0847654 (B1) on a "multiple pager status synchronization system and method"; this is the European equivalent of U.S. Patent No. 5,754,119." Apple has been battling it out with Motorola Mobility for a while now, along with separate legal tangles with manufacturers, like Samsung, globally. According to reports, however, it has been stated that Apple disagrees with the German court ruling and would appeal. Around this time, last month, there were reports about both Apple and Motorola Mobility discussing at length the possibilities of having a cross-licensing deal, which if successful could even put an end to the long standing battle between the two companies. We, however are yet to hear about the developments on this fron


If you wake up on holidays or anniversaries, eager to see what the Google Doodle for that day looks like, and / or you have some doodle ideas of your own, then this new job posting by Google may just be your thing. Google, reportedly is on a lookout for graphic designers/ illustrators (doodlers), who would work with their creative team responsible for those creative doodles on the Google homepage. A brief job posting by Google,  reads like this -  "First impressions matter. Every day, hundreds of millions of online users visit the Google homepage. Yes, to search. But also, to be delighted, informed, and surprised (And maybe even to laugh a little). The Google Doodle makes this possible -- it's the change that is constant on Google.com. As a Product Graphic Designer/Illustrator, more commonly known as a "Doodler," you have the world's best platform to showcase your stylistic skills -- as well as your sense of humor, love of all things historical and imaginative artistry. From Jules Verne to Pac-Man, you have the reins to our brand and iconic logo and can run free with your innovative ideas. Go forth and doodle!

Google Doodles for Robert Doisneau
Google Doodles for Robert Doisneau



The Google Doodle has been around, entertaining Google-ers for a while now and was born in 1998, even before the company was even incorporated. The story goes like, Google founders Larry and Sergey decided to play with their corporate logo to indicate their attendance at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. The first doodle, featured a stick figure that was placed behind the second 'O' in the word Google. Google adds, "the revised logo was intended as a comical message to Google users that the founders were "out of office"". Till date, Google has 1,000 doodles that were put on their homepages across the world.

Those Googling today would see that Google has doodled for French photographer, Robert Doisneau. He was born on this day in 1912 in Gentilly, Val-de-Marne, Paris.  When he was 13, Doisneau enrolled himself at the École Estienne, a craft school and graduated from there in 1929 armed a diploma in  engraving and lithography. Doisneau had a humble, very shy beginning with photography; and it was only after a while of photographing cobble-stones that he managed to click children and adults. It was in late 1920s that he bagged a job as a draughtsman (lettering artist) in the advertising industry at Atelier Ullmann (Ullmann Studio), a creative graphics studio that specialised in the pharmaceutical industry. It was here, at Atelier Ullmann that Doisneau developed into a staff photographer after initially helping out as a camera assistant. He, however, soon quit the studio and advertising to take up job as an assistant with the modernist photographer André Vigneau.

Doisneau is believed to have taken some of his best photographs in the post-war period. He soon returned to freelance photography and sold photographs to Life and other international magazines. He remained with Rapho agency throughout his working life. In 1948, he was even contracted by Vogue to work as a fashion photographer, but, a street photographer at heart that he was; Doisneau found himself capturing the streets of Paris on camera, whenever he found the time. But, it was in 1950 that he was to do the most recognizable work for Life and it was called - Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville (Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville), which essentially was a photo of a couple kissing in the busy streets of Paris. This photo went on to become an internationally recognised symbol of young love in Paris and the identity of the photographed couple remained hidden until 1992.

Doisneau died in 1994 and is buried in the cemetery at Raizeux beside his wife Pierrette.

Motorola Mobility scores a "push" e-mail win against Apple


In a ruling delivered by Judge Andreas Voss at the Mannheim Regional Court, Germany, Motorola Mobility, reportedly scored success over rival Apple, thereby confirming an earlier ruling and effectively implementing a ban on the latter's iCloud and MobileMe services in the country. An earlier ruling in this respect had ended with the court being convinced that Apple had been using a patented technology, which automatically informs Apple customers about their new messages on their iPhones, iPods or iPads, and that it owes Motorola Mobility for that. Further in a statement delivered by a court spokesperson, it has been revealed that Apple still cannot use the push feature when in Germany and is liable to pay damages. The court, further asked Apple to provide them with information, so as to aid them in calculating the damages that were to be paid. 
Another suite for the Apple
Apple may have to pay damages


According to a post by Foss Patents, the latest decision was a second one, since a default judgment had come through against Apple in early November. It added, "Apple's counsel didn't show up for the originally-scheduled trial in late October. After Apple objected to the default judgment, a second trial took place on February 3, 2012 (with all the lawyers). The default judgment related to the following two patents: an allegedly standard-essential patent:

1. EP (European Patent) 1010336 (B1) on a "method for performing a countdown function during a mobile-originated transfer for a packet radio system"; this is the European equivalent of U.S. Patent No. 6,359,898

2. a non-standard-essential push notification patent:
EP (European Patent) 0847654 (B1) on a "multiple pager status synchronization system and method"; this is the European equivalent of U.S. Patent No. 5,754,119."

Apple has been battling it out with Motorola Mobility for a while now, along with separate legal tangles with manufacturers, like Samsung, globally.  According to reports, however, it has been stated that Apple disagrees with the German court ruling and would appeal. Around this time, last month, there were reports about both Apple and Motorola Mobility discussing at length the possibilities of having a cross-licensing deal, which if successful could even put an end to the long standing battle between the two companies. We, however are yet to hear about the developments on this fron

ZOTAC launches ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus in India


ZOTAC International, a global innovator of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today redefines the mini-PC form factor with the extra small ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus mini-PC. The ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus is the world’s smallest PC capable of delivering a rich high-definition desktop computing experience. An AMD E-450 APU with Radeon HD 6320 graphics processing sits at the heart of the ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus to render beautiful Microsoft DirectX 11 graphics and playback stunning online and offline high-definition content. The completely new ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS chassis shrinks the ZBOX nano chassis by nearly 17-percent into a 106-milimeter box that is only 37-milimeters tall that can easily slip into a jacket pocket. ZOTAC has priced it at Rs.25,400. which is inclusive of all taxes. 
Honey, who shrunk the PC?
Honey, I shrunk the PC!


“Size matters when it comes to desktop systems. We are always trying to push full-featured systems into the smallest size possible,” says Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International. “Our new ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus shows that you can pack a complete high-definition capable desktop PC into a miniature form factor that conveniently fits in the smallest places.” Solid-state storage makes a ZBOX debut in the ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus with a 64GB mSATA SSD as the internal storage source for lightning-fast boot times and system responsiveness. External storage expansion is available via eSATA, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 ports and a Memory Stick and SDXC compatible memory card reader on the ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus. New high-amperage USB 2.0 ports enable the ZOTAC ZBOX nano XS AD11 Plus to easily charge the latest high-end smartphones and tablets while simultaneously transferring data. Integrated Gigabit Ethernet allows high-speed wired network transfers, while a USB 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter is bundled for users who desire wireless network connectivity.

Below are the detailed specifications of the ZBOX: 
  • AMD E-450 APU (1.65 GHz, dual-core)
  • AMD Radeon HD 6320 GPU
  • HDMI output
  • 2GB DDR3
  • 64GB mSATA SSD
  • 2 x SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports (back panel)
  • 2 x High-Speed USB 2.0 ports (back panel)
  • Combo eSATA / USB 2.0 port
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • USB 2.0 802.11n WiFi adapter included
  • 6-in-1 memory card reader (SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MS/MS Pro)
  • Combo analogue / mini-Optical S/PDIF output
  • Microphone input
  • Integrated IR receiver
  • Bundled MCE-compatible remote w/ USB IR receiver
  • Bundled VESA75/100 mount
  • AMD Steady Video technology
  • AMD Perfect Picture HD technology
  • AMD VISION Engine
  • Microsoft DirectX 11 technology

The new iPad vs iPad 2 - How much better is it?


It’s brilliant in every sense of the word. That’s the general consensus about the new iPad. Right. But has Apple really set a benchmark with the new iPad? Is it really ‘resolutionary’? Is the new iPad really a major improvement from the iPad 2? This and more has been delved into in our comparison feature. Let’s dive in.

Design and Build
Apple has managed to keep the design and the overall dimensions extremely similar between the two models. However, we did feel that the new iPad was slightly heavier in comparison and a quick glance at the spec sheet affirmed that. The iPad 2 (Wi-Fi + 3G) weighs in at 607 grams, while the new iPad (Wi-Fi + 4G) weighs 662 grams and though that might not make too much of a difference on paper, you’ll definitely feel the difference when you’ll hold it in your hand or pick it up. Also, the new iPad is 9.4mm thick, as compared to 8.8mm on the older one.
Looks identical!
Looks identical!


Besides these two minor differences, there’s not much that changes in the overall look between the two models and if you’re holding them next to each other, it’s going to be hard to find a difference between them.

Screen
The first major change comes in the form of the new gorgeous Retina display. With a resolution of 2048 x 1536, the display doesn’t go beyond the perceivable pixel count of the human eye (320ppi), which they achieved with the iPhone 4. Despite this, Apple is still branding the screen as a Retina display, since their argument is that one holds a tablet a lot further away while using it, as compared to the iPhone, so pixel count needn't be over 320ppi in order to achieve the same effect.
Striking difference when compared
Striking difference when compared


Our first sample image clearly shows the difference in the icons. When zoomed in, you can clearly see all the pixels on the iPad 2 compared to the new iPad. The new iPad is also a lot brighter, compared to the old one, so sunlight legibility is a tiny bit better and images and video appear more vivid.
No jaggies visible at all
No jaggies visible at all


The Retina display also makes a big difference when it comes to text, as there’s absolutely no jaggies around any of the letters and alphabets. This makes reading an eBook or web pages a lot easier and it just feels better as there’s less strain on the eyes. 


Performance
All those extra pixels crammed into this screen size demands some good processing power and Apple has complemented the new iPad well with the new A5X SoC. Despite the rumours about the new iPad having a quad-core CPU, they’ve stuck with the dual-core CPU, but bumped up the graphics (now quad-core), since that’s what really needed to be beefed up in order to render all those extra pixels, while still maintaining the buttery smooth UI. The difference is instantly noticeable when it comes to loading apps, switching between them or the loading time in games. The new iPad is a lot more responsive and feels snappy.
A more powerful SoC
A more powerful SoC


We ran a couple of benchmark apps to see how much of a difference there really is between the two. In iBenchmark Test, we ran the disk write test where the new iPad recorded a speed of 42.5 MB/s, as compared to 26.7 MB/s for the iPad 2. The read tests don’t show much of a difference with both clocking in at 182 MB/s. In the GLBenchmark app, we ran the GLBenchmark 2.1 Pro offscreen to gauge the difference between the two models and the new iPad clearly wins. It got a score of 12202 frames at 244 fps as compared to 7338 frames at 147 fps with the iPad 2. Interestingly, in the GLBenchmark 2.1 Egypt standard test, the iPad 2 gets a higher score than the new iPad. The newer model got a score of 3797 with 34 fps, as compared to 4354 with 38 fps on the older model.

Camera
The biggest improvement on the new iPad after the screen is the camera. Apples call it iSight, but what it is essentially is the same 5MP camera on the iPhone 4, but with slightly beefed up features, thanks to the more powerful processor. The 5MP autofocus camera features the same backside illumination sensor allowing it to capture a lot more detail even in poor lighting conditions. Thanks to the faster processor, the new iPad also supports 1080p video recording. Today, we’ll focus on the still images itself and compare the differences. You can have a look at the rest of the image comparisons in the gallery.
Captures colours very well
Captures colours very well


The difference is quite stark and you can easily see it even while capturing the image. The time taken to capture the image also feels snappier, not that the iPad 2 was slouchy in any way. 


Indoor shots with less ambient light are also a lot better. There’s very little noise in the dark areas and our subject (a very patient one, we may add) is clearly visible.

Verdict
The new iPad starts at a price of Rs.31,000 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model. Now if you already have the iPad 2 and don’t care about the camera or do any real productivity work, then the upgrading won’t make much sense. However, if you are in the market for a tablet, then we'd definitely recommend the new iPad for its brilliant screen, the best camera currently available on a tablet and the seamless user experience.

HTC Golf makes its debut in a leaked press image


The world is coming to grips with the greatness of the quad-core monster for HTC, which is the One X. The flagship handset was put through the rigors of our tests and it did a great job in our review as well. At the time of announcing the One X, HTC unveiled two other handsets as well, which are the One XL, One S and One V. Out of these three handsets that had been announced, two have already been launched in India and the One S is expected to touch our shores by next month. So far there are only four handsets from this series and if one thought that HTC was going to rest on their laurels for the time being; they should think again. As per an exclusive report by Pocketnow, an image has surfaced of another handset from the One series, which goes by the codename – HTC Golf.
The next One
The next One?


This upcoming handset will be a lower end model from the series and will be priced lower than any of the other handsets from this range of smartphones. As per the report, the smartphone, once announced will be called the Wildfire C, which will of course be a successor to the HTC Wildfire S. Besides the name and the price bracket that it will fall under, the website also details some of the specifications that can be expected to be found on the HTC Golf aka Wildfire C.

Here is a quick glance at what to expect from the HTC Golf aka Wildfire C:

  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Sense 4.0 UI
  • 3.5-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 320
  • Single-core CPU clocked at a speed of below 1GHz
  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB Internal memory
  • MicroSD card slot
  • 5MP rear camera
  • Front facing camera
  • Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Beats Audio

Apart from the above information, the handset will also feature two years of free Dropbox cloud storage to a capacity of 25GB. Let us know your reactions about the lower end handset from the One series in the comments section below.

Galaxy S III will look like


Samsung’s showing at the Mobile World Congress event held in Barcelona, earlier this year was rather bleak in comparison to the one by HTC. The company took to the stage and launched the One X, a quad-core monster, which has pretty much changed the game as far as smartphones go. At the event, Samsung was expected to steal the limelight by announcing their highly anticipated successor to the Galaxy S II; the Galaxy S III. However, prior to the event they stated that the device would be unveiled at a later date. Since then there have been numerous leaks regarding the specifications that the handset may possess. The biggest rumours surrounding the handset, however, are the ones speculating its appearance. An image had surfaced earlier, which appears to be an official press shot of the product displaying a white smartphone, along with the date May 22nd. However, one cannot say for certain if this is what the Galaxy S III will actually look like or if it rather is a tastefully made render by an enthused Samsung fan. The doubt regarding the Samsung Galaxy S III appears to have been lifted, albeit by a bit as a developer has provided a Polish website, OPDA a live image of what the person claims to be the Galaxy S III.
The first leaked image surfaces
The first leaked image surfaces


The image provided to the site shows the face of the smartphone sans the display, which is somewhat censored. However, from the image we can tell that it features the home button and a five column user interface, which is found on the Galaxy Nexus. There had been reports in the past that Samsung would be ditching the physical home button as it was not really required with the functionality of Ice Cream Sandwich. The operating software is expected to come with the device upon launch. Apart from that, the image shows us the front facing camera, however as of yet, we do not know at what resolution it will fire.

Here is a look at what the Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to feature:

  • Quad-core processor and on chip LTE
  • 4.8-inch AMOLED Plus Display with 16:9 Aspect ratio and an HD resolution (possibly 720p but could be higher)
  • 3G, Wi-Fi with DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct (Possibly)
  • 12 megapixel camera
  • Wireless charging
  • MHL for AV out
 
Let us know your reactions to the supposed design of the Samsung Galaxy S III in the comments section below.

Google fined for "deliberately impeding" investigation

When Google first revealed in 2010 that cars it was using to map streets were also sweeping up sensitive personal information from wireless home networks, it called the data collection a mistake. On Saturday, federal regulators charged that Google had "deliberately impeded and delayed" an investigation into the data collection and ordered a $25,000 fine on the search giant.

The finding, by the Federal Communications Commission, and the exasperated tone of the report were in marked contrast to the resolution of a separate inquiry two years ago. That investigation, by the Federal Trade Commission, accepted Google's explanation that it was "mortified by what happened" while collecting information for its Street View project, and its promise to impose internal controls.

But since then, the F.C.C. said, Google repeatedly failed to respond to requests for e-mails and other information and refused to identify the employees involved.

"Although a world leader in digital search capability, Google took the position that searching its employees' e-mail 'would be a time-consuming and burdensome task,' " the report said. The commission also noted that Google stymied its efforts to learn more about the data collection because its main architect, an engineer who was not identified, had invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
 
When the commission asked Google to identify those responsible for the program, Google "unilaterally determined that to do so would 'serve no useful purpose,' " according to the F.C.C. report.

The data collection, which took place over three years, was legal because the information was not encrypted, the F.C.C. ultimately determined.

A Google spokeswoman said Saturday that "we worked in good faith to answer the F.C.C.'s questions throughout the inquiry, and we're pleased that they have concluded that we complied with the law."

Google still has the data, which it said it has never looked at and has never used in its products or services. It said it intended to delete the information once regulators gave it permission. A spokeswoman did not immediately return an e-mail inquiry about whether the engineer on the project still worked for the company.

While Google's original intentions and actions with the project are still unclear, the commission's report and fine are likely to energize an ongoing debate about Internet privacy.

The more companies like Google and Facebook know about their users, the more attractive they are to advertisers, which drive the vast majority of their income. Google's introduction last month of a new privacy policy - one that allows more comprehensive tracking of its users' actions - provoked a firestorm of criticism.

That was only the latest privacy imbroglio the company found itself in the middle of. Some politicians are becoming skeptical. Senator Al Franken, a Democrat of Minnesota who is in charge of a subcommittee on privacy, said in a recent speech that companies like Google and Facebook accumulated data on users because "it's their whole business model."

"And you are not their client; you are their product," he added.

Earlier controversies generally focused on information that users willingly provided. With its Street View project, Google was taking data from people who did not even know that the company was literally outside the door, peering in.

European and Canadian regulators who have examined the data Google collected in the project in their own countries found that it included complete e-mail messages, instant messages, chat sessions, conversations between lovers, and Web addresses revealing sexual orientation, information that could be linked to specific street addresses.

When Google was repeatedly asked if it had searched for all responsive documents and provided complete and accurate answers to all the F.C.C.'s questions, it declined to respond, Michele Ellison, chief of the F.C.C.'s Enforcement Bureau, said in an interview.

Google ultimately provided the information requested under threat of subpoena.

The F.C.C. orders fines on companies for impeding investigations about once a year. The commission found that Google had violated provisions of the Communications Act of 1934. Of the $25,000 penalty, Ms. Ellison said, "It's an appropriate fine based on evidence that the investigation was deliberately impeded and our precedent." Google, which for the last year has been run by Larry Page, one of its founders, reported net income of $2.89 billion in the first quarter of 2012.

Scrutiny of Google's privacy policies is more intense in Europe, where the Street View issue first emerged, than it is in the United States. Last year, for example, France fined the company 100,000 euros, or about $140,000 at the time, for Street View privacy violations.

What Google was gathering as its cars drove up and down many thousands of streets is technically called payload data, which simply means the content of Internet communications, including e-mail. On April 27, 2010, responding to rumors about its Street View project, Google said it "does not collect or store payload data."

Two weeks later it acknowledged that was "incorrect," saying, "It's now clear we have been mistakenly collecting samples of payload data." In October 2010, it acknowledged that the data was more than fragments.

Google's response to the inquiry puzzled some experts.

"If it really was a mistake, you would expect the company to do everything possible to cooperate with the investigation," said Danny Sullivan of the blog Search Engine Land. "On the upside, it's reassuring that the F.C.C. itself believes Google had no plans to use the information."

The F.C.C. did not examine the actual data that Google collected, but its report quotes the investigation by the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes, the French data privacy regulator, as finding, for example, e-mails between married individuals seeking to have an affair. First names, e-mail addresses and physical addresses could all be discerned.

After reviewing all the information it could get from Google, the F.C.C. said it could not find a clear precedent to take enforcement action on the data collection. But then, it said, it still had "significant factual questions" about what really happened with the data and why it was collected in the first place.