DAILY TECH- 15 February 2013

DAILY TECH- 15 FEBRUARY 2013

Today’s Latest News

Nokia-Siemens sees flat growth for telecom sector in 2013

Telecom equipment maker Nokia Siemens Networks today said it sees a flat growth for the telecom sector this year as operators are increasingly facing financial pressures.

LG Optimus G Pro specs include 5.5 inch 1080p display, quad core processor

It is going to be a winner for the Korean tech giant. LG Optimus G Pro specs include 5.5 inch 1080p display, quad core processor

Micromax A116 Canvas HD starts retailing at Rs. 13,990; already sold-out

The long awaited Micromax A116 Canvas HD is now officially available for Rs. 13,990, exclusively via Snapdeal. The device will be delivered in 5 to 7 working days once ordered.

Audi S3 Sportback steps out for Geneva

How a cuppa could charge your phone: The battery booster powered by a hot cup of coffee

A mobile phone charger that can be powered by either a cold beer or a hot coffee has been unveiled.

Video of the Day:

Red Hat Linux 5.0 Step By Step Installation.

Must See Tricks 4 Computer(Click on Image)

Nokia-Siemens sees flat growth for telecom sector in 2013

Telecom equipment maker Nokia Siemens Networks today said it sees a flat growth for the telecom sector this year as operators are increasingly facing financial pressures.

"Strong growth rates now seem to be a difficult proposition. We see 2013 as a year of flat growth or may be there could be a slight improvement but overall it seems to be flat," Nokia Siemens Networks' (NSN) India Head Sandeep Girotra told reporters here.

Telecom operators are increasingly facing financial pressures and are responding with measures like network sharing, procurement joint ventures (JVs), he added.

Girotra added that 2013 would be more of a 3G year with investments centring around the technology.

On the financial viability of existing CDMA networks, he said, "There have been a lot of investments in CDMA so it is not possible stop it. NSN is looking at technologies that can help in evolving it into an LTE platform. We are working on such a thing."

On the company's restructuring, Girotra said such initiatives at NSN, the JV owned by Nokia Corp and Siemens AG, has started to bear fruits.

"Our net cash balance rose from just 12 million euro in December 2011 to 1.2 billion euro in December 2012. Also the total headcount has come down from 73,686 to 58,400 during the same period," he added.

That apart, NSN has a clear focus of becoming a product driven mobile broadband company, he said.

"We believe that mobile broadband is the sector of the future and will hold the market in the years to come. NSN will strategically concentrate its energies in this direction in further research and development," Girotra noted.

NSN also launched its first Service Management Capability Center (SMCC) in Noida in last year.

Nokia Siemens Networks Service Operations and Management portfolio offers operators different delivery models for end-to-end service management, which helps in improving customer experience and deliver a high-value differentiated service experience, he said.

Featured Technology Talk

HTC releases M7 video teaser ahead of official launch, HTC G2 spotted with Sense 5.0

It's no surprise that HTC is planning to launch its next flagship device pretty soon at upcoming events in New York and London on February 19. This fact is reiterated by a countdown timer running on the company's website that stands at 5 days, 11 hours and couple of minutes and seconds as of writing this post.

But that's not all. In the background, you can see flashes of the HTC device being teased. Though there isn't much information that you can gather out of the series of videos, but they certainly seem to be in line with the recently leaked image of the device. what still remains unclear is whether the device will be known as the M7 to the HTC One.

The recent image made available by @evleaks revealed that the device sports a thin bezel, identical speaker grills on the top and bottom, with the top also having two noise-cancellation microphones on the left and the front-facing camera on the right. The phone apparently features curved corners on what looks like an all-metal body. The image also showed the new Sense 5.0 UI, that has also been a victim of multiple leaks in the past.

Speaking of the sense 5.0 UI, Phone Arena has received an image of the HTC Sense 5.0 UI running on what seems to be the HTC G2. Looking at the image, the upcoming lower-end HTC G2 seems to reconfirm Sense 5′s new design. It looks clean and simplified like we've seen in the past.

HTC-G2-Sense-5.jpgNews of the HTC G2 first appeared alongside the M7's confirmation from CEO Peter Chou. The HTC G2 is expected to be an entry-level device with a 3.5-inch screen with HVGA display, 512MB RAM and a 5-megapixel camera. This smartphone is touted to have a 1GHz processor and run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

LG Optimus G Pro specs include 5.5 inch 1080p display, quad core processor

It is going to be a winner for the Korean tech giant. LG Optimus G Pro specs include 5.5 inch 1080p display, quad core processor

Soon after the release of a trio of Optimus L-Series II of budget phones, LG has unveiled its flagship phone for the year, the Optimus G Pro. It’s LG’s direct foe to the new series of FullHD handsets from major mobile makers. Though surfacing it officially, LG has kept silence over many aspects of the device. It has just noted that the device would mount a 5.5-inch 1080p display and a quad core processor. The company hasn’t even mentioned the technologies used for screen and the processor.

“Curiously, LG released almost no specs for the smartphone, save for the presence of the impressive 5.5-inch 1080p display and a quad-core CPU of unknown make,” says GSMArena. Rumors have been saying that the device would come with a large FHD display. Being a heavy smartphone, the device wouldn’t only aim at Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but all other FHD phones. Well, the new line of smartphones has come up with quality FHD displays and other wealthy specs under the cover.

The upcoming Optimus G Pro has a wonderful look, indeed. LG has used a curved glass covering for the device to create a 2.5D effect. Its form is also nice with a very thin bezel on sides, a curved and longer physical home button and a thin body. However, for making a glance at it, you will have to wait for few more days. LG will be putting the device on display at the forthcoming Mobile World Congress 2013 in Spain.

As it was noted above, LG hasn’t published the entire specs of its flagship for the 2013. But, it hasn’t been a barrier for rumor mills to lay down their predictions. As per rumors, the new device is an upgraded model of the company’s Optimus G, which also gave birth for Google Nexus 4 last year. Its successor was said to come with 5.5-inch full HD IPS-LCD display and LG has already confirmed its display size. The processor onboard the handset would be a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon with 2GB RAM.

The new LG phone is further expected to tout a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera respectively for images and video chats. The software that will possibly run the device would be Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. But, there is also a chance that it would get Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Currently, this software is only available on Google Nexus devices. But, the LG phone may be one of the first gadgets to get the particular version, which is known for features like multiple account setup facility and more.

Under the hood, the G Pro might have 32GB internal memory. Bean and 4G LTE radio built-in. Better memory is also the need of the hour. Along with the option for 32GB, the handset may also offer microSD slot for expanding memory further using external sticks. A massive 3,140mAh battery will be yet another possible impressive thing with the gadget.

Micromax A116 Canvas HD starts retailing at Rs. 13,990; already sold-out

The long awaited Micromax A116 Canvas HD is now officially available for Rs. 13,990, exclusively via Snapdeal. The device will be delivered in 5 to 7 working days once ordered.

The Micromax A116 Canvas HD is officially available this Valentine’s Day for Rs. 13,990, and the device will be delivered to users in 5 to 7 working days, via Snapdeal (for now, exclusively).

As of writing this article, the new quad-core device from Micromax was already sold out, but you can try your luck here. In terms of specifications, the A116 Canvas HD is a powerhouse. To start with, it has a 5-inch IPS display with a 1280x720 pixel resolution. Under the hood, it has a 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek MT 6589 processor along with 1GB of RAM. It also shows off a PowerVR SGX5 GPU. The A116 boasts of dual-SIM capabilities. It has 4GB built-in storage expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card. The rear of the device houses an 8MP camera where as the front has a 0.3MP shooter for video chatting. It also has a 2100mAh battery.

The Micromax A116 Canvas HD smartphone is the first smartphone from Micromax’s stable to run on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgradable to Android 4.2 JB.

TECHNOLOGY

"If a program manipulates a large amount of data, it does so in a small number of ways."

Nokia Announces Dual-SIM Asha 310

Nokia announced a new dual-SIM phone in their Asha range. The Nokia Asha 310 will come with the capability to add 2 SIM cards while other specs stay the same as the predecessor Asha 309.

The Nokai Asha 310 will come with a 3-inch LCD display and a host of apps from the Nokia Ovi store. The phone has a basic 2 MP rear end camera and no front camera. The internal memory is 20 MB which can be expanded up to 32 GB using the external MicroSD card slot. Nokia Asha 310 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The SIM cards are easily swappable and can be changed without having to power off the phone. Also, the phone can easily store profiles of up to 5 SIM cards.

The phone is a budget phone and is priced at a little over Rs 5000. The phone will be available in three colours: Black, White and Golden. Nokia Asha 310 is expected to be available in Asian markets before the first Quarter of FY 13 ends.

Famous Scientist

Sameera Moussa

Sameera Moussa was an Egyptian nuclear scientist who held a doctorate in atomic radiation and worked to make the medical use of nuclear technology affordable to all. She organized the Atomic Energy for Peace Conference and sponsored a call for setting an international conference under the banner "Atom for Peace".

Sameera Moussa was born in Egypt in Gharbia Governorate in 1917. Her mother went through a fierce battle against cancer. After her mother's death, her father moved with his daughter Sameera to Cairo and invested his money in a small hotel in the El-Hussein region. At the insistence of her father, Sameera attended Kaser El-Shok Primary School, one of the oldest schools in Cairo. After she completed her primary education, she joined the Banat El-Ashraf School, which was built and managed by Nabawya Moussa, the famous political activist.

Despite the fact that Sameera got high grades in her Secondary education, she insisted on joining the Faculty of Sciences at Cairo University. In 1939, Sameera Moussa obtained a B.Sc. in radiology with First Class Honours after researching the effects of X-ray radiation on various materials. Dr. Moustafa Mousharafa, the first dean of the faculty, believed in his student enough to help her become a remarkable lecturer at the faculty. Afterwards, she became the first Assistant Professor at the same faculty and the first woman to hold a university post, being the first to obtain a Ph.D. degree in atomic radiation.

Sameera Moussa believed in "Atoms for Peace" and said "I'll make nuclear treatment as available and as cheap as Aspirin". She worked hard for this purpose and throughout her intensive research, she came up with a historic equation that would help break the atoms of cheap metals such as copper, paving the way for a cheap nuclear bomb.

Sameera Moussa received a scholarship from the Fullbright Atomic Program in order to be acquainted with the modern research facilities at California University. In recognition of her pioneering nuclear research, she was given permission to visit the secret US atomic facilities. The visit raised vehement debate in the United States Academic and Scientific circles since Sameera was the first "alien" to have access to such facilities.

Audi S3 Sportback steps out for Geneva

Audi has lifted the veil on the second-generation S3 Sportback, revealing the new performance hatchback in a series of official photographs ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show in early March. Audi will sell the A3 sedan in the U.S. market in 2014. Other versions of the A3 will be considered for sale here, but a spokesman wouldn't elaborate.

As expected, Ingolstadt's keenly awaited five-door hatch adopts the same engine and gearbox combination as its three-door sibling revealed last September, endowing it with higher levels of performance and greater overall efficiency.

The S3 Sportback is planned to go on sale across Europe in September.

But with added competition in the form of the BMW M135i hatchback and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, it faces stiff competition in the premium performance-hatchback market.

Power hails from the latest evolution of Audi's widely used EA888 engine. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection unit kicks out 296 hp, providing it with a specific power output of 148 hp per liter. Torque peaks at 280 lb-ft on a band of revs from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm.

The new engine is described as Audi's most advanced four-cylinder production-car engine to date. It runs 1.2 bar of turbocharger boost pressure, twin-counter-balancing rotation shafts, a two-stage valve-lift system with 30 degrees of camshaft adjustment on the inlet side and 60 degrees on the exhaust side, a new injection system to deliver fuel to each cylinder depending on throttle load and a 6,800-rpm redline. It's also claimed to weigh 11 pounds less than the engine it replaces.

As with its predecessor, the S3 Sportback receives a standard six-speed manual gearbox and Haldex style multi-plate-clutch all-wheel-drive system. A six-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox with remote steering wheel-mounted shift paddles continues to be available as an option.

Clothed in a body that extensively uses aluminum, the Audi is claimed to possess a curb weight that undercuts the second-generation model by an impressive 154 pounds, coming in at 3,186 pounds.

How a cuppa could charge your phone: The battery booster powered by a hot cup of coffee

A mobile phone charger that can be powered by either a cold beer or a hot coffee has been unveiled.

The Epiphany One Puck, which doubles as a drinks coaster, connects to a phone with a USB cable.

It has two sides, one red, one blue.

Owners use the red side as a drinks coaster to place a hot drink on it, and the blue side as for a cooling drink such as a beer.

It uses something called a Stirling engine to turn heat into energy.
US company Epiphany Labs, based in New Castle, Pennsylvania, has built a working prototype and hopes to have it on the market early in 2014.

The company is still vague on just how long it takes for the device to charge up a phone because there are a lot of variables at play, including how hot or cold the source is.

Any source of heat that can fit on the Puck will work.

It works best with something that's very warm like a steaming cup of tea or coffee or very cold like a well chilled beer or soft drink.

Epiphany is aiming to raise £63,000 on fund raising website Kickstarter to turn the prototype into a gadget that can be mass-manufactured.

'We added "onE" Puck not only to imply that it is the one solution to this problem, but also to go with our ongoing theme that Epiphany has onE vision for onE world that we all share.

'The onE Puck is a neat gizmo for cell phone users, but the implications of this project are much farther reaching than just cell phones.

'Once we have this project off the ground, we'll get to work on larger scale versions of the onE Puck that will provide inexpensive power to households and villages using nothing but waste heat as the energy input.

Tips to make your browser secure

MUNICH: Web browsers are the key to the internet. Without them the internet is an impenetrable black box.

Browsers may be among the most commonly used applications, but they also offer the greatest number of attack options for dangerous content on the net.To keep viruses, worms and other malware away from your computer when surfing,it's crucial to configure your browser for security.

The firewall on a DSL router is a good first step for protecting the computer during surfing, says Marco Rinne from the computer portal chip.de. But that doesn't hold true if your browser is out of date: “Internet Explorer 6 and 7 or Firefox 2 no longer satisfy current security standards,” he says. For optimal protection, he therefore urgesusers to keep theirbrowsers updated.

There are numeroussecurity tools already present in Firefox and Internet Explorer. The pop-up blocker,for example, prevents more than justannoying ads. It alsothrottles other windows that can be used to sneak malicious software onto PCs. Phishing filters protect personal dataagainst theft.

Firefox offers additional configurationoptions underthe Settings item in the Security tab of the Options dialog box: thisincludes the ability to block risky or forgedwebsites.It's also a good idea to prohibit websites from installing add-ons on their own. Similar settings are possible under Internet Explorer in the Security tab of the Internet Options dialog box, accessible from the Tools menu.

Computer owners should also activate all options for warning against attacks, advises Markus Linnemann, managing director of the Institute for Internet Security (ifis) at the Polytechnic University of Gelsenkirchen in Germany. This applies in particular to warnings about suspicious content to be displayed using ActiveX, Flash, or JavaScript.

A King Cobra is the biggest of all poisonous snakes and can grow to over 4 metres (13 feet) long

Cartoon of Technology

Google doodle celebrates Valentine's Day and George Ferris' 154th birthday

Google today posts an interesting doodle on its home page to celebrate Valentine's Day and 154th birthday of George Ferris, creator of the original Ferris wheels.

Google doodle celebrates Valentine's Day and George Ferris' 154th birthday

Google today celebrates the festival of love, Valentine's Day and what would have been 154th birth anniversary of George Ferris with an animated and interactive two-in-one doodle on its home page.

Born on February 14, 1859, George Ferris was an American engineer who is known for designing and constructing the far-famed Ferris Wheel. Read more about George Ferris here.

The commemorating doodle features two Ferris wheels with a fairground backdrop. On clicking the search icon on the doodle, users are directed to search results for George Ferris, featuring Google's Knowledge Graph panel.'

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes."