Wikipedia turns 10, looking towards India

Six years of Facebook , four years of twitter. And ten years of the site you probably got that information from. Wikipedia, the San Francisco-based online encyclopedia which completes a decade on Saturday, has become the default stop for anyone searching for information on the net.

Currently receiving 410 million unique visitors a month, the fifth most in the world, it is aiming to hit the magic 1 billion figure in the next five years. Thats where India neatly fits into its plans. The Wikimedia foundations India chapter was officially recognised by the Karnataka government this week and among the 300 plus events scheduled to mark the ten years, more than 60 are in India.

Our main strategic focus right now is on India and other countries in the developing world. Massive numbers of people are starting to get connected to the Internet, mostly through mobile phones but also through traditional PCs, Sue Gardner, executive director, said in an interview earlier this week. When asked about Indias strengths and weaknesses as a contributor and user of Wikipedia, the chief global development officer of Wikimedia Foundation Barry Newstead, cited the commitment to freedom of speech, the fast growth of the Internet and the growing community of Indian volunteers as the major advantages.

These are particularly relevant advantages for Wikipedia which has chosen to not move its servers to China until its concerns over censorship are addressed. The challenges remain the large number of languages in use and the technical barriers they still face in terms of reading and writing on the net. To me, Wikipedia is a reflection of the potential of the internet. Wikipedia would simply not exist without it. We have also benefited immensely from the principles and values associated with the idea that knowledge should be free, he added.

It is ! this ide a, apart from its handiness as a starting point for research, that has won it many unflinching supporters. The online dictionary also steers clear of using advertising as a means to stay afloat. And it seems to be working. Its reliance as a not-for-profit organisation on donations from a community of readers, contributors and friends has led to the raising of $16 million in donations in 50 days in a recently-completed fund raising drive. At the heart of Wikipedias success is a human potential for altruism and collaboration. Hundreds of thousands of people have clicked edit and made Wikipedia a tiny bit better with each click. They do this without fanfare or recognition, but to share knowledge freely, Newstead said.

Concerns over accuracy have been the biggest stumbling block as principle of democratisation of content has sometimes trumped quality control. But for a site that relies on some 100,000 regular contributors who work for free and the general public to write and edit its articles in 270 languages, it has a reputation for getting things right more often than wrong. In fact, the journal Nature reported in 2006 its accuracy was close to that of Encyclopedia Britannica. With expansion plans in the offing, this is one area that will determine the extent of the sites success.

Anirudh Bhati, member, executive council of the Wikimedia India chapter and organiser of the celebrations in Delhi, said, We have received a very enthusiastic response to the tenth anniversary celebrations from people. In our interactive sessions as part of the anniversary we have tried to explain to people our policy of neutrality and that we are not here to do original research but gather facts from secondary reliable sources. As they say, the best things in life are always free. And may they continue to remain so.

Hewlett-Packard drafts plan, dismisses shake-up talk

NEW YORK: Hewlett-Packard Co is formulating what it calls a "bold" plan for its future under new chief executive Leo Apotheker, but dismissed a report that it would reshuffle its top executives.

The world's No. 1 U.S. computer maker, which has been roiled since the surprise exit of former CEO Mark Hurd in August, is expected to set out a new strategy soon, but the company said it would make the plan public in its own time.

Earlier on Friday, the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, published a report that H-P planned to invest more in its software, networking and storage businesses, while promoting a key executive to vice chairman.

"Speculation today about H-P is being passed off as fact and is not accurate," an H-P spokeswoman said in an e-mailed statement. "H-P is formulating a bold, solid plan for its future, a plan it will share with its employees, shareholders, customers and partners in due course, and certainly not in response to speculation."

The Journal report said Ann Livermore, the head of H-P's $57 billion enterprise business, would become vice chairman and a member of the board.

It said the enterprise business would then be split up, with executive vice presidents Dave Donatelli and Tom Hogan running the equipment and the services businesses respectively.

The report said Apotheker is working with members of H-P's board to draw up the plan, which could be made public around March to coincide with H-P's annual shareholders meeting.

The former head of German software company SAP, Apotheker took over as H-P's CEO in November. Hurd, who left under a cloud following a scandal involving a female contractor, is now an executive at rival Oracle Corp.

Phishing websites pocket $3 billion in China

NEW DELHI: Over 44 million personal computer users became victims of phishing websites in 2010, rendering a loss of three billion dollars in China, suggests a new report.

According to the report released by Beijing Rising Information Technology Co, one of China's top computer security service providers, 1.75 million phishing websites were detected in 2010, more than 10 times the number in 2009.

Phishing is the fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by pretending to be a reliable entity, reports the China Daily.

According to the report, online gamers and online banking customers were the worst hurt by phishing activities in 2010. The report cited a case in which an online banking user was cheated by phishing software called "super online banking Trojan".

Rising said the surge in phishing activities was partly due to the rapid development of China's e-commerce sector, which has resulted in a large amount of online capital flow.

Moreover, Su Huiyan, an e-commerce analyst with iResearch , an IT consultancy, said, "But security services and users' security awareness have not grown to keep pace with the development of e-commerce, leaving it vulnerable to computer viruses and phishing activities that undermine the development of e-commerce in China."

"Once they are tricked, some customers will lose their trust in e-commerce and stop shopping online forever," added Su.

Groupon now in India, Israel, S Africa; buys Indian co SoSasta

HOUSTON: Groupon, the Chicago-based, fast growing e-commerce website for bargain hunters, is expanding its foothold globally by making inroads in India, Israel and South Africa.

Groupon puts groups of shoppers in touch with companies prepared to offer bulk purchasing discounts. It allows transactions on collective buying principle, which activates deals only when a minimum number of people agree to buy them.

The company now has Groupon India , Groupon Israel and Groupon South Africa as part of its global network.

"Collective buying is in its infancy in India, Israel and South Africa and we see strong potential," said the company president and COO Rob Solomon , "Groupon is shaping the way local merchants market themselves in every corner of the world."

The e-transaction firm recently acquired SoSasta, a three -month-old e-commerce website with operations in 11 cities.

According to Solomon, SoSasta will become Groupon in brand and site design over the coming months and will serve deals in English in India.

Groupon that was started by chief executive Andrew Mason in 2008, employs more than 4,000 people worldwide and offers deals to more than 50 million subscribers in 40 countries.

The company turned down a $6 billion offer from Google in December. It is now in talks with six investment banks to come up with a public float in the coming months.

WikiLeaks pays US soldier $15,100 legal fee for leaks

LONDON: Whistle-blower website Wikileaks has donated $15,100 to the legal defence fund of the US soldier accused of providing it with the digital trove of secret diplomatic cables sent to and from American embassies across the globe.

The legal defence fund of Private Bradley Manning, charged with the disclosure of thousands of classified documents, has received the money from the website as part of its pledge to bear a substantial part of the financial burden of the soldier's defence, the Guardian reported.

Manning, who faces 52 years in prison, is expected to face a preliminary military procedure ahead of a court martial in March.

He was arrested last May in Iraq, where he was stationed on intelligence duties, and has been kept in solitary confinement for the last five months in a military jail in the US.

WikiLeaks' slow response in coming to the financial aid of its alleged source has long been a cause of frustration for his supporters.

In the past, the Bradley Manning Support Network has indicated that WikiLeaks had promised to pay up to $50,000 in legal fees, although that offer was reduced to $20,000 in December and the payment ended up being $15,000.

Part of the problem may be explained by WikiLeaks' own financial difficulties as a result of Visa, MasterCard and PayPal cutting off its accounts after pressure from the US government.

The support network calculates that the legal fund needs to have at least $115,000 to fight a vigorous defence. Including the WikiLeaks donation, it has collected more than $100,000.

Jeff Paterson , a member of the support network's steering committee, said the financial target had almost be! en met s o the focus of the campaign would switch from fund raising to publicising what the treatment of Manning, which he said was inhumane.

"Internationally, people are speaking out against the unjust imprisonment of Bradley Manning, who is accused of acting out of moral conviction," Paterson was quoted as saying.

Manning is being held in solitary confinement under a prevention of injury order despite having been cleared by a military psychologist earlier this year.

David House , a Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher who is allowed to visit Manning, has reported a steady deterioration in his condition.

The startling disclosure of over 250,000 embassy cables leaked recently caused major embarrassment to the US government.

Now, an iPhone app that can read minds!

LONDON: Experts have come up with a new application for the iPhone that has the ability to read minds.

The XWave enables users to control on-screen objects with their minds as well as train their brains to control attention spans and relaxation levels.

It works via a headset strapped around the user's forehead, plugging into the iPhone jack.

A state-of-the-art sensor within the device can then read the user's brainwaves through the skull, converting them into digital signals before displaying them in various colours on the iPhone screen.

And as the mind focuses on a particular task the graphics change, indicating the user's level of concentration or relaxation.

The device is the latest in the field of emerging mind-controlled games and devices.

Innovations giant PLX Devices developed the high-tech sensor using technology that has for years been used by doctors to treat epilepsy and seizures in patients.

However, PLX Devices founder and CEO Paul Lowchareonkul said it was a matter of time before such contraptions entered the mainstream.

"The human brain is the most powerful, complex thing in the universe, and for the first time, we're able to harness its amazing power and connect it to everyday technology. With the development of 3rd party apps, the potential for innovation is limitless," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

RIM gives India access to Messenger services

NEW DELHI: Blackberry maker Research in Motion said it has given Indian security agencies a key to enable access to its eponymous messenger and public email, but reiterated its inability to provide access to its corporate email services.

RIM has been involved in a three-year battle with Indian security agencies, which are demanding access to BlackBerry communications, citing national security threats.

The Canadian company, which was facing a January 31 deadline for the two services, however, denied that it had entered into any agreement with the Indian government regarding its enterprise email services, and said any suggestions that "it was somehow enabling, or planning to enable, access to data transmitted through BlackBerry Enterprise Services was both false and technologically infeasible".

ET had reported last week that RIM had provided encryption keys for its Messenger and Internet services, while adding the Canadian company had sought time till January 2013 to address security concerns associated with its corporate email services.

The Indian government is yet to take a call on RIM's stance on its corporate email services, which intelligence agencies fear could be used by terrorists, since these communications cannot be detected.

RIM reiterated that neither it nor wireless carriers on whose networks RIM's services are run have access to encryption keys to its corporate email services. "No changes can be made to the security architecture for BlackBerry Enterprise Server (corporate email) customers since, contrary to any rumors, the security architecture is the same around the world and RIM truly has no ability to provide its customers' encryption keys," the company said in its customer update.

The stakes are big for the Canadian ! smartpho ne maker, especially since India is one of its fastest-growing markets. A super secure corporate email has been RIM's unique selling point, which has made the BlackBerry service an instant hit with high-flier executives.

India has over a million BlackBerry users, although less than 400,000 subscribe to its email and messenger service.

Documents available with ET say that RIM, during a December 29 meeting with the home and telecom ministry officials and representatives from the intelligence agencies, had told the government that the latter can avail its secure corporate email or enterprise services from servers of its clients.

"With regard to interception and monitoring of BlackBerry Enterprise Service, the RIM representative suggested that interception and monitoring in readable format is possible at the BES server/mail located at the enterprise, which is availing the enterprise email services through BlackBerry platform," says the minutes of the December 29 meeting.

"RIM representative stated they can provide RIM infrastructure in India for BES services in a time frame of 18-24 months provided it is confirmed that the services will not be banned in India during the intervening period," the minutes of that meet, which were reviewed by ET added.

RIM has been buffeted by demands for access to its encrypted data from several countries worried about security and social mores. This week, RIM said it would filter pornographic internet content for BlackBerry users in Indonesia, following government pressure to restrict access to porn sites or face its browsing service being shut down.

Infosys results: Company expects Q4 revenue between Rs 7,157-Rs 7,230 cr

NEW DELHI: IT bellwether Infosys Technologies today said it expects revenues for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2011, to be in the range of Rs 7,157-Rs 7,230 crore.

Besides, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, the company anticipates the revenues to be between Rs 27,408-Rs 27,481 crore, a year-on-year growth of 8.9 per cent to 9.1 per cent, Infosys said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

"The company has given a conservative outlook on the revenue guidance for the Q4 and for the full year," CNI Research CMD Kishore P Ostwal told PTI.

The figure is an improvement from the earlier guidance of Rs 26,951 crore- Rs 27,165 crore in FY'2010 revenue, given by Infosys at the time of announcing its second quarter (Q2) results.

However, the country's second largest software vendor is still cautious in its forecast due to uncertain economic conditions in the US and European Union.

"The weaker economic recovery in developed markets coupled with high unemployment and risk of sovereign default (in the European Union) could impact the industry growth. We are closely working with our clients, as they finetune their strategies for the future," Infosys CEO and MD S Gopalakrishnan said.

The company, which announced its third quarter results today, reported a net profit growth of 14.17 per cent at Rs 1,780 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, which was less than the market expectations.

The consolidated revenue of the IT firm rose to Rs 7,106 crore against Rs 5,741 crore over the year-ago period.

Shares of Infosys Technologies were trading at Rs 3,251.05 on BSE, down 3.67 per cent from the previous close.

China is the "technological enemy" of WikiLeaks: Assange

LONDON: China is the "technological enemy" of WikiLeaks and not the United States, according to Julian Assange , the founder of the whistle-blower website which is fighting a running battle to penetrate the aggressive and sophisticated Chinese censorship.

"China is the worst offender," when it comes to censorship, says the controversial Australian hacker, now on bail in Britain fighting attempts to extradite him to Sweden over claims of sexual assaults.

The "technological enemy" of WikiLeaks is not the US but China, 39-year-old Assange was quoted as saying in an interview.

"China has aggressive and sophisticated interception technology that places itself between every reader inside China and every information source outside China. We've been fighting a running battle to make sure we can get information through, and there are now all sorts of ways Chinese readers can get on to our site," he said.

China Internet czars censor any information deemed sensitive or damaging to the ruling Communist Party's grip on power. China's netizens have no access to WikiLeaks website after authorities blocked the site.

On Bradley Manning, the US soldier accused of leaking the diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks, Assange says: "I'd never heard his name before it was published in the press."

He argues that the US is trying to use Manning, currently detained in solitary confinement in the US, to build a case against him.

"Cracking Bradley Manning is the first step," he says. "The aim clearly is to break him and force a confession that he somehow conspired with me to harm the national security of the United States."

Such conspiracy would be impossible, Assange says. "WikiLeaks technology was desi! gned fro m the very beginning to make sure that we never knew the identities or names of people submitting material. We are as untraceable as we are uncensorable. That's the only way to assure sources they are protected," he said.

Assange's lawyers have warned that if he is extradited to America, he could face the death penalty for embarrassing the leaders of the US government .

Assange also claimed that he had files on media mogul Rupert Murdoch . If something happens to me or to WikiLeaks, 'insurance' files will be released," he warned.

The contents of these files are unknown, but, according to Assange, "[t]hey speak more of the same truth to power." It is not just government that should be worried about the content of these files, however. "There are 504 US embassy cables on one broadcasting organisation and there are cables on Murdoch and News Corp ," he said.

RIM says gives India solution for Messenger access

NEW DELHI: BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion said on Thursday it had given a solution ahead of a Jan 31 target date that enables Indian wireless carriers lawful access to consumer services including the BlackBerry Messenger, but excluding access to corporate emails.

"We also wish to underscore, once again, that this enablement of lawful access does not extend to BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which is essentially an enterprise VPN solution," the company said in a customer update referring to its corporate email server.

India had threatened to shut off corporate email and instant messenger services on BlackBerry unless it gains access to them, in a campaign driven by fears that unmonitored communication puts the country's security at risk.

But RIM averted a potential ban last year and the Indian government said last October that RIM had set up an interim arrangement for lawful interception of BlackBerry Messenger services and assured a final solution by end-January.

CSC outplays HCL, bags ArcelorMittal deal for $600 mn

BANGALORE: In one of the largest IT deals in the European market, the NYSE-listed technology services major Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) outbidded Indian software services player, HCL Technologies, to win an outosurcing contract from steelmaker ArcelorMittal, people involved with the transaction said on condition of anonymity.

The other majors in the running for this deal included global biggies HP , IBM and Capgemini while the only other Indian contender was Wipro Technologies. The contract from the worlds largest steelmaker is worth $600 million, spread over five years, and CSC will now work on consolidating ArcelorMittals IT infrastructure across Europe which would include maintaining the firms data centres.

Industry observers says CSC won over HCL in the last lap due to its geographical and cultural proximity which will make it easier and cost effective for the company to take on Arcelor Mittal employees on its rolls.

HCL is one of the few IT companies that is open to taking on employees from other companies on its rolls since it has experience. But the problem lies in the fact that it will be more expensive for HCL than for a company like CSC to implement, says Avinash Vashistha , CEO of advisory firm Tholons.

In Europe, where labour laws are strict, the pricing is quite different. And because of CSCs larger overseas presence, it can also deploy these employees for other projects which HCL will not be able to do, therefore making the whole process much more expensive for HCL, adds Vashistha. Another reason for CSC winning the bid, he feels, could be that CSC would have a portfolio of package solutions when it comes to developing new applications -- for the domain and the region -- but HCL would have to develop them specifically for! Arcelor Mittal.

CSC has large presence in India with over 25,000 employees. Some work from ArcelorMittals new contract is expected to be offshored to India. This is likely to result in savings of nearly 20-30% for the steel giant a person familiar with the transaction said. A large presence in India also helps a company like CSC compete better with Indian players.

Earlier, Wipro was being tipped as a front runner since it was already working with the worlds largest steelmaker. Wipro had signed a five-year contract with ArcelorMittal late last year to consolidate its messaging systems.

Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal has also worked with Indian players Mahindra Satyam and MindTree in the past. Brussels-based advisory firm Quantum Step was advising Arcelor Mittal on the deal. When contacted, however, the spokespeople declined comment.

HCL Technologies said they could not comment on this development since it was in the silent period ahead of its third-quarter results while email questions to ArcelorMittal and CSC went unanswered.

Labour laws in Europe have traditionally been anti-outsourcing and sending work to other destinations as also been something of a politically sensitive issue. ArcelorMittal has reportedly been engaging with some of the larger trade unions telling them that the move would involve transferring about 600 employees from its rolls. Unions, however, have been protesting this deal since it was finalised.

Experts say with increasing focus on greater efficiency and cost cutting, companies in Europe are gradually opening up to outsourcing and Indian IT players have increasingly been looking to Europe as a big growth opportunity. The market only accounts for about 20-25% of Indias total IT export revenues at present.

One! of the largest recent deals from the European market has been the 10-year contract from the UK government for administration of the state pension scheme awarded to TCS. The contract, awarded in November last year, was worth over $900 million.

Dell enters printer segment in India

MUMBAI: Completing its product portfolio, the US-based computer-maker Dell today entered into the printer vertical in India by launching a comprehensive range of products.

With the launch of these printers in India, we have added one more dimension to our portfolio and now offer more comprehensive solutions to our customers," Dell India Director Marketing, Consumer, Small and Medium Business (CSMB), P Krishnakumar told reporters here.

The range, which constitutes seven printers, will be available across the country by the month-end, he said, adding initially there will be service centres in 16 cities.

These printers will cater mainly to small and medium businesses as they will reduce the cost of print by providing increased reliability with comprehensive warranty and maintenance coverage, he said.

The printers, priced between Rs 6,500 and Rs 30,000, will be wholly imported and available through channel partners, Krishnakumar said.

Looking forward, he said, apart from the personal computer segment, in which Dell holds the number one position, the company will focus on expanding its range of smart phones and tablets that fetches it incremental revenues.

ADSL forms JV with e-Cops for managed security services

NEW DELHI: The Mumbai-based IT services provider Allied Digital Services Ltd has announced setting up a joint venture with Singapore firm e-Cops to enter into managed security services business.

The company would hold a majority stake of 80 per cent in the joint venture while the remaining 20 per cent participating interest would be owned by the Singapore-based firm e-Cop, Allied Digital Services said in a statement.

E-Cop is the leading service provider of managed risk and information security services, it said.

"The JV's offerings can dispel security concerns prevalent in global enterprises regarding extensive deployment of Cloud Computing in enterprises," said Nitin Shah, chairman and managing director of ADSL.

The JV would give Allied Digital exclusive marketing rights in 20 countries, it said.

Fujitsu unveils 'world's first' glasses-free 3D PC

TOKYO: Japanese IT services giant Fujitsu on Wednesday unveiled what it calls the world's first desktop computer with a display that enables users to see 3D images without needing special glasses.

The Esprimo FH99/CM desktop PC, included in Fujitsu's new line-up of the FMV computer series, has its liquid crystal display covered by a conversion panel enabling viewers to see three dimensional images on the screen.

The company plans to launch the 3D PC on February 25 in Japan, eyeing later overseas launches.

Fujitsu has already launched 3D desktop computers that require viewers to wear special glasses.

"Without having to wear glasses, you can enjoy watching 3D images with others," said Fujitsu engineer Toshiro Ohbitsu. "You can share the excitement with family."

The computer enables users to record and watch television and edit images.

Last month, Toshiba launched in Japan what it calls the world's first television that allows viewers to see 3D images without special glasses, amid intensifying competition in the market as the technology gains momentum.

Many in the industry say 3D television demand is being held back by consumers' resistance to wearing glasses.

Tostitos for dipping? Sure, why not

From 1958 to 1961, Pepsi-Cola invited consumers to be sociable, have a Pepsi. Now, a brand sold by another division of PepsiCo is turning to social media as the centerpiece of an ambitious campaign.

The brand is Tostitos tortilla chips, one of the best sellers for the Frito-Lay unit of PepsiCo along with mainstays like Lays , Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles and Fritos. Tostitos chose halftime on Monday night of the college football Bowl Championship Series title game to introduce a campaign that is focused on reuniting consumers with relatives , friends, former teammates and lost romantic partners.

The campaign, called Tostitos Reunite America, is housed on a tab on the Tostitos Facebook page. It will be promoted through social media and public relations rather than a traditional advertising campaign with elements like television commercials or print advertisements .

The campaign is among many for a growing list of mainstream brands that are being presented through social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. It was not that long ago that it was uncommon for packaged foods like Tostitos to turn to social media. Today, a shopping basket full of brands from companies like Campbells Soup, Coca-Cola , ConAgra, Kraft, PepsiCo and Sara Lee are being hawked alongside automobiles, financial services and technology products.

The campaign grows from a persona developed for Tostitos by Frito-Lay and its agency, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco, which plays up the brands role in creating connections among consumers. That has been brought to life through other initiatives like a sponsorship this year and last of a football game, named the Tostitos Connect to Home Bowl, that is played in Iraq between U.S. troops and former college football stars.
During halftime of Monda! ys title game played between Auburn and Oregon in Glendale , Ariz. Tostitos arranged surprise reunions between some of those troops and their families.

The goal of the campaign is to establish Tostitos as a brand that brings people together through the power of technology, said Justin Lambeth , vice president for marketing at Frito-Lay in Plano , Texas.

Technology is a great enabler , Lambeth said. We can keep in touch with friends; were a text or tweet away.
But it can also divide us, he added, so the campaigns promise of arranging reunions in the real world ought to be appealing. Consumers are being invited to visit facebook.com/tostitos, where they will read a message declaring: Facebook is great. Face-to-face is even better. Tell us which Facebook friend or family member youre dying to reunite with. If youre picked, well set you up with a once-ina-lifetime reunion.

Lambeth said, Whether the issue is time, money or distance, we can make it happen. Frito-Lay is still deciding how many reunions it will finance, he added.

Consumers will be asked to upload video or film clips to the Tostitos Facebook page, making their case to be chosen for the reunions .

Were hoping for stories that should make you laugh, make you cry, Lambeth said, and motivate you to submit a story of your own.

The winner or winners will be determined by other consumers, he added, who will vote for their favorite submissions from among the clips.

Primarily, well look at popularity , Lambeth said, and well overlay a little bit of judgment to filter inappropriate content. There will be features enabling visitors to Facebook to watch the stories, share the stories and recommend the stories. There ! will als o be a send a gift feature by which they can send icons to their Facebook friends. One icon will bear the Tostitos reunite America theme. One is less commercial, reading, Lets reunite. Others are more generic , carrying thoughts like Me and you, Heres to us and Miss you!

Although Lambeth declined to discuss the cost of the campaign , campaigns that are concentrated in social media typically cost less usually, much less than campaigns replete with TV spots. According to Kantar Media , a unit of WPP, Frito-Lay spent $27.14 million to advertise Tostitos in major media in 2009. That was up 0.2 percent from 2008, when spending totaled $27.08 million, but down 40.2 percent from the $45.36 million spent in 2007. aj

Yahoo apes Google in 'search'

In an apparent move designed to meet the challenge posed by Google's new product Instant, that gives results as one types a word, Bangalore techies are working overtime to make Yahoo search smarter.

"The focus is to get more local and social," said Shouvick Mukherjee, chief executive officer (CEO) of Yahoo India research and development (R&D). "There are two kinds of people who search - those who browse to see what's up and those who know what they are looking for," Mukherjee said. "We capture their intent and give an all-round picture in the first page of search."

Web turns mind reader Simple search Rationale behind predictive searches is that people don't have the bandwidth for multiple searches. Following the launch of Google Instant gives results as one types a word Yahoo too aims for a smarter search engine. Getting personal Search engine Bing shows its American users sites and products that their Facebook pals 'like', making search more personal. Breaking it down Yahoo techies are trying to make sense of huge amounts of online content. They write codes to classify them enabling the engine to extract info. Ad mad The techies are also devising ways to match advertisements to search keywords, estimating probability of clicks on each ad

The result is what Yahoo techies call a 'bucket of options'. The rationale is that "people just don't have the bandwidth for multiple searches." Type 'Sachin' in a Yahoo page and you get the latest news about the cricketer, his commercial site, Facebook, Twitter, scores and images. A part of it comes from Yahoo's own content.

A search for a popular restaurant in Bangalore would yield a 'bucket' of reviews and social media entries. Soon it will include neighbourhood advertisements as well.

Predictive search is what Google Instant is all about, while Microsoft is aggressively entering the social networking space. Launched in September, Instant is based on the principle that people type slowly but read quickly. So type 'Manm' you get text and images of the Prime Minister.

Unveiled last year, search engine Bing is growing fast. In October it began showing its American users sites and products that their Facebook pals 'like', making search more personal. Now, working in a typical glass and chrome building in a tech park close to the old HAL airport, Yahoo techies are finding ways to beat competition. It is trying to make sense of unprecedented amounts of online content - blogs, photos, videos, and social and professional interactions - and make it relevant and cut-to-size.

They write codes to cluster Web pages and classify and rank them. This work enables the engine to automatically extract relevant information along with images and video.

The techies are also devising ways to match advertisements to search keywords, estimating probability of clicks on each ad. One of the technologies involved is the Vertex system aims to extract structured records from more randomly laid out pages. Professional editors then annotate sample pages and make laws for the search engine.

Based on these developments, a lot of user interface designing is done to make the searcher's first interaction easy, clear and clutter-free. Yahoo has tied up with Microsoft for help in more efficient web crawling using their search muscle. "Still in many aspects we still compete," Mukherjee said.

The competition is hotting up. Recently market research group comScore noted that while Google led the US search market in November with 66.2 per cent share, Yahoo followed with 16.4 per cent and Microsoft with 11.8 per cent. An earlier report by Nielson showed Bing overtaking Yahoo.

Stiff competition means Bangalore techies have busy times ahead.
Courtesy: Mail Today

The Empire Strikes Back

The new HTC HD7 sees HTC repeat the large display formula of the HD2, only this time with Windows Phone 7 running under the hood. The huge touchscreen with 480 x 800 resolution dominates the front with three touch buttons (home, back and search) below it, while the back nurses a 5 MP camera with dual LED with a kickstand placed over it. You can flick open the kickstand and rest the phone on it in landscape mode to watch videos if you wish. Made mainly of plastic, the HTC HD7 looks sleek enough and while it does not have the drop-dead good looks of the iPhone 4, those who look at it will definitely give it more than one look (although we did find the yellow shade around the camera a tad odd). The HD7 scores heavily in the specs department too, with a 1GHz processor, 16 GB onboard storage (not expandable, alas), 576 MB RAM, a host of sensors (compass, proximity sensor, etc.) and all the connectivity options (Bluetooth, GPS , Wi-Fi ) you could ask for.

But the biggest star of the show is perhaps Windows Phone 7. The tiles and hub interface throws menus totally out of the window (pun intended), looks very good indeed, and is extremely easy to use. You can switch from the homescreen to a complete list of applications on the phone by just swiping your finger to the right. And while Android and iPhone fans might point out that the OS has just one homescreen, the fact that it scrolls down seemingly endlessly, allowing you to place as many tiles as you wish on it, compensates !

The large display is terrific for browsing the Web and the overhauled Internet Explorer now serves up tabs too. As in most mobile versions of Windows, Windows Phone 7 too comes with a stack of software goodies, including a mobile version of MS Office, seamless connectivity to Skydrive (its online storage service), excellent push mail support, Bing search and maps, and a Zune app to play and transfer vide! os and m usic. Top that off with a superb People app that gets all your Facebook and other contacts in one place and also keeps you tuned in to Facebook updates by them, a marvellous onscreen keyboard (the best we have since the iPhone), excellent sound performance and you have every reason to believe that the HD7 is one of the best phones in town.

That it fails to live up to that tag is once again the fault of its OS. There is no multitasking , beyond the option to play music in the background, no cut and paste, and while Bluetooth is present, you cannot use it to transfer files, although the option to mail them and upload them directly to Skydrive exists. You have to use Zune to transfer music and video (reminiscent of being tied down to iTunes) and a far cry from the relative openness of both Android and Symbian. Round that off with a camera that is more often than not mediocre and battery life that struggles to see through a day and the HD7 starts looking very human indeed.

There is no doubt that using Windows Phone 7 is an absolute joy, but the absence of apps, especially in a phone that costs almost Rs 30,000 is inexcusable.

FEATURES

4.3-inch , 480 x 800 pixel capacitive display 1Ghz processor, 586MB RAM, Windows Phone 7 16GB storage, 5MP cam, Wi-Fi , GPS, 162 grams

Infosys lose margin edge as rivals catch up ahead of Q3 numbers

BANGALORE: After years of commanding up to 15% higher rates for outsourcing projects than domestic peers, Infosys Technologies now sees its premium pricing erode, raising concerns about whether Indias most profitable software company can sustain its high operating margins.

With customers such as BT and BP giving more work to fewer vendors at lower rates, it is becoming difficult for Infosys to sustain the profitability gap it used to have over bigger and aggressive rivals such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

During the second quarter ended September last year, TCS reported operating margins of 28%, quite close to Infosys 30% margin for the same period. In my mind, the premium pricing for us was between 10 and 15%. It would have come down a bit, but we still command premium. Today its definitely not 15%, SD Shibulal, COO of Infosys, said in an interview last month. The fact is that its a treadmill, and you have to keep at it, and thats where the aspiration comes in, he added.

Factors that got Infosys ahead of peers on pricing in the past will not take it ahead today. This is a departure from the past when Infosys drew on a combination of both volume growth and meaningful price rises to drive performance, JP Morgan analysts Viju K George and Nishit Jasani said in their report.

In many ways, Infosys relationship with large customers such as BT and Goldman Sachs helped it build its premium positioning in the past. However, during the past 2-3 years, when customers including BT started looking beyond just few vendors in order to further squeeze costs, that positioning was threatened. BT, for instance, is now working with both TCS and Wipro also.

Clearly, the challenge Infosys faces is more of inventing newe! r models and service lines to keep widening the gap with its peers. The only problem is that whatever distance you create, it keeps coming down, so you have to keep building that distance, Shibulal had said.

Infosys the first among tech majors to announce earnings every quarter will report results for the third quarter ended December on Thursday. Brokerage firms Citi and Kotak expect the top three Indian software exporters to register 5-7% sequential revenue growth. On the margin front, investors forecast TCS and Infosys to post 27-28% and 31-33% operating margin for the quarter ending December, respectively.

Infosys margins have come down from almost 35.5% during the December quarter of 2009. Kotak analysts expect the margins to drop to around 32% during the year to March, 2011.

The problem for Infosys has been accentuated by the fact that last years recession has brought cost back on the agenda for many customersthey still want the best, but are questioning every extra buck they have to pay for premium services.

Historical premiums, enjoyed in the past on certain accounts such as BT by Infosys may still exist, but stand considerably diminished today relative to where they stood. In other words, we do not see a case for pricing premium in favour of any one player in this industry, going forward, unless companies differentiate on clear parameters, the JP Morgan analysts said.

Rivals say as lines of differentiation between the top three Indian software exporters blur, the gaps would fade away. We have been catching up, and its no secret. Some customers have now realised that they were paying for brand, when in fact they should be paying for services being offered, said a senior executive at one of the top five Indian software exporters. We now work with at least two of large Infosys customers, he added.
Some customers are also questioning high margins enjoyed by vendors such as Infosys, as they struggle to cope with pressures of their business amid a jobless recovery in the US.

I know of at least 3-4 customer discussions during past few months where high margin of vendors was used as a tool to negotiate better, lower rates, said an outsourcing consultant based in the US who helps mid size customers plan their outsourcing strategy.

Analysts tracking TCS and Infosys say Indias biggest software exporter has been reducing wage costs, among other initiatives, to narrow its profitability gap with Infosys.

TCS strong margin performance through the last 3-4 quarters can be traced to a series of steps that began in early 2009. The key focus of margin defence has revolved around controlling the manpower costs, which form 75-80% of the total costs for Indian tech firms, CLSA analysts Bhavtosh Vajpayee and Nimish Joshi said in a report.

Other cost-cutting initiatives to increase margins include closing redundant offices. It (TCS) had four times as many offices as Infosys at one time - raising overhead costs, the CLSA analysts said.

On its part, Infosys still sees scope for premium pricing though this is being driven more by aspiration than anything else. The company is pushing harder to increase its revenues from newer areas that are not commoditised. Infosys plans to have a third of its total revenues coming from new services, including cloud computing and platform-based offerings, over the next few years, even as such engagements mean lower profitability to begin with.

The company has already started serving around four customers using these models of delivering services, and derives nearly 5% of its revenues from such services currently.

In a cloud comput! ing or p latform-based model, Infosys can serve multiple customers using same set of services developed for an existing customer such as Royal Philips Electronics.

But rivals TCS and Wipro are already offering similar services to customers who are seeking to lower their capital expenditure by adopting pay-as-you-go model.

Profitability is more about aspirations than anything else; you have to have high aspirations. Profitability is your cost of production and what a customer is willing to pay for it, the more unique you are, the more intellectual properties you have, customer would be willing to pay for it, said Shibulal.

Facebook overtakes Google in US

Facebook has toppled Google for the first time as the most visited site in the US for the year 2010, according to a study.

The social networking site was the most visited, with 8.9 per cent of all US visits between January and November 2010, according to Experian Hitwise, an online measurement service provider.

Facebook, which connects over 400 million people globally, moved to the top slot within a span of six years.

Google.com ranked second with about 7.2 per cent of all visits, followed by Yahoo! Mail (3.52 per cent), Yahoo! (3.30 per cent) and YouTube (2.65 per cent).

For the two consecutive years 2009 and 2008, Google.com dominated the most visited website space in the US, while News Corp's MySpace, which was at the top slot in 2007, is currently ranked at No.7.

Interestingly, if we combine all Google's properties like YouTube and email together, Google becomes the most visited site with 9.9 per cent of all the US visits between January and November 2010. Facebook follows at 8.9 per cent and Yahoo! and all of its properties ranked third at 8.1 per cent.

Others in the top list are MSN (sixth), MySpace (seventh), Mail Live (eighth), Yahoo! Search (ninth), and Bing (10th).

Besides, the top 10 websites accounted for 33 per cent of all US visits between January and November 2010, an increase of 12 per cent versus 2009.

Meanwhile, Experian Hitwise said that Facebook was the top-searched term overall.

Is your phone 3G enabled?

The much awaited 3G services in mobile telephony will change the way the cell phone is used in India. Beyond its basic work as a talk machine, the cell phone will enable entertainment and a whole lot of other experiences.

Most of the private telecom companies have 3G lined up, with Tata DOCOMO joining MTNL and BSNL as the first ones. To avail of the new offerings, your handset has to be capable of receiving 3G data.

Gadgets and Gizmos brings to you a consolidated list of the handets with 3G service, currently available in the market:

Nokia	Samsung	Sony Ericcson	Motorola	LG	HTC	Others
2730 Classic 6700 Classic 7230 3710 Fold 6700 Slide E52 E72 E63 5230 5235 N97 N97 Mini N900 C6 X5 E5 C7 N8	Metro 3G S5350 Monte S5620 Galaxy Spica Star Nano Jet II Star 3G Corby Pro Wave Omnia II Omnia HD Galaxy S Galaxy Tablet	W595 Elm Yari Aino Xperia X2 Satio Xperia X10 Cedar Zylo Vivaz Vivaz Pro Xperia X10 Mini Xperia X10 Mini Pro	BackFlip Charm Quench FlipOut Milestone XT720 Milestone	Cookie Plus BL 20 GW525 GT505 GW 550 GW620 BL 40 KM 900 Arena GM 730 Optimus One	Smart Touch II Wildfire HD Mini Hero Legend HD 2 Desire	Apple iPhone 3G S Dell XCD28 Dell XCD35 Dell Streak Garmin Asus G60 Garmin Asus M20 Garmin Asus M10 INQ Chat 3G

Nikon launches DSLR model D7000

After upgrading its entry level DSLR D3000 to the D3100, Nikon is quickly out with another camera that should gladden the hearts of the serious amateurs.

They have managed to squeeze in 16.2 MP in a small body-a sensor that is equivalent to the size of Nikon's bestseller D90.The new camera is called the D7000.

D7000 has the workings of an expert. It has a 39-point auto focus system which Nikon claims can track multiple objects in sight for the best and sharpest results.

A lot of picture scene modes are available in this camera and it can also shoot full HD videos at 24 frames per second. When fully charged, the photographer can take up to 1,050 shots. This one sells for Rs 89,950 with a 18-105mm kit lens.

RCom launches 3G in 4 cities

Almost a month after Tata Docomo officially launched its 3G services, now Reliance Communications has announced the launched of 3G services for its customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chandigarh. With the 3G license for 13 circles in hand, the company plans to roll-out the services by March 2011. The company is targeting a national footprint of Reliance 3G services through associations with other like minded, quality 3G licensees in the balance 9 telecom circles during the course of next year.

Reliance 3G will offer a bouquet of services including video calling, Mobile TV, Video streaming and applications on superfast speed. For this, the company has tied up with Nokia for devices; Facebook, Nokia and Ericsson for applications; Universal Music for content and Motricity for the Web Portal.

"The launch of Reliance 3G is an integral part of our Vision 2015 of creating a "Wirefree India" built upon the 'affordable 3G for All' platform. Personalization of services, simplification of Tariffs and a Content Rich Portfolio on the 'Best in Class' 3G Wireless Network will enable Reliance customers to get a much superior 3G service experience, significantly differentiated from others in the marketplace ", said Syed Safawi, CEO - Wireless Business, Reliance Communications.

With applications available for as less as Re 1 on the application store, there are various data plans offered for pre-paid and post-paid subscribers. There are various monthly data plans varying from Rs 100 for 100 MB, Rs 399 for 500 MB, Rs 649 for 1GB, Rs 899 for 3GB, Rs 1,499 for 10 GB and Rs 2,100 for 21GB. Apart from a single channel, Mobile TV is also available in packs of up to 15 channels with a daily and monthly rental of Rs 25 and Rs 150 respectively. Unfortunately, video calls are not accessible on Reliance 3G as the company awaits approval from the government.

3G Combo Bundles: Postpaid:
Monthly Rental	Rs 199	Rs 499	Rs 2499
Voice Minutes	300	1000	6000
SMS	50	600	6000
Data	50 MB	100 MB

Prepaid:
Pack Price	Rs 299	Rs 699
Voice Minutes	300	600
SMS	100	600
Data	200 MB	500 MB

Read more such stories on Gadgets and Gizmos

ViewSonic unveils Viewpad 7 and 10

2010 saw the emergence of the tablet, a trend that is likely to create the biggest buzz in the coming year. After the release of some tablets in India, two more have come from Viewsonic.

On Wednesday, the company launched the Viewpad 7 and Viewpad 10, priced respectively at Rs 32,000 and Rs 38,000. Both the tags are higher than most tablets available in the market.

However, Viewsonic provided many things that others haven't. To start with the 10 inch Viewpad has an Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor, yes the same processor the netbooks use.

This model also has the dual boot capability, switching between Windows 7 Home Premium and Android operating system. The 7-inch Viewpad looks identical to the Olivepad and it seems like both were manufactured in the same factory. However, the Viewpad 7 does feel fast and it has more pre-installed applications. Build-wise the Viewpad feels better too.

Toshiba launches USB 3.0 device

If you have been waiting for long to experience USB 3.0 speed, you now have an option at hand.

Toshiba has announced its Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drive product lineup in India. Coming in two capacities - 500 GB & 1 TB - the drives are compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.

Each Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drive includes an internal shock sensor and ramp loading technology to help keep the drive safe. It also has NTI� Backup Now EZ™ software which scans the system and recommends the best coverage for computer.

There is also a restore button that helps one recover a file or folder. If a user chooses to boot to Canvio 3.0 Portable Hard Drive, it will restore all the files saved on the computer. The backup files can be secured with password-protected data encryption to help prevent unauthorised access.

Seagate ships 'green' desktop HDD

At the time when the whole world is talking about going green, Seagate has taken the step forward and announced the availability of a green desktop hard drive.

At a press conference in Delhi, they announced the Barracuda Green hard drive, an eco-friendly 3.5-inch desktop drive for low-power personal computers, multi-drive home networking systems and external PC storage.

This drive is not only green but it also combines the industry's highest spin speed (5900 RPM) with Seagate's SmartAlignâ„¢ technology for seamless transition to 4K sector desktop hard drives.

While speaking about these drives, Mr Rajesh Khurana, Seagate country manager for India and SAARC said, "Not only do Barracuda Green drives offer environmental improvements in power consumption and material usage, but these drives are also among the first hard drives from Seagate to offer SmartAlignâ„¢ technology."

"This is important because the industry is transitioning to 4K sector formatting called Advanced Format to improve capacities and maintain strong error correction. However, the transition to Advanced Format without SmartAlignâ„¢ technology can be complex and require additional integration steps and software utilities to avoid performance degradation. SmartAlign technology removes these concerns and makes this transition virtually invisible for our customers."

The Barracuda Green hard drive, offered in capacities of 2TB, 1.5TB and 1TB, is now shipping to the worldwide distribution channel.

Nokia sues Apple again

Finnish cell phone maker Nokia has slapped fresh lawsuits against Apple, alleging violation of patents related to iPhone and iPad, among other products, in three countries.

Nokia on Thursday said it has filed lawsuits in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

"These (the latest lawsuits) actions add 13 further Nokia patents to the 24 already asserted against Apple in the US International Trade Commission and the Delaware and Wisconsin Federal courts," Nokia's Vice-President (Intellectual Property) Paul Melin said in a statement.

The move comes at a time when Nokia is making efforts all out to garner more share in the fast-growing smartphone market, currently dominated by Apple.

According to the Finnish major, Apple's many products, including iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, violate patents related to touch user interface, on-device application stores, antenna structures and chipsets, among others.

Lawsuits filed in the UK and Germany cover four and 12 patents, respectively. Nokia has sued Apple in the Netherlands, alleging violation of two patents.

"The Nokia inventions protected by these patents include several which enable compelling user experiences. For example, using a wiping gesture on a touch screen to navigate content, or enabling access to constantly changing services with an on-device app store, both filed more than ten years before the launch of the iPhone," Melin noted.

The company has apparently invested 40 billion euros in research and development activities in the last two decades.

Cybercrime thrives on smartphones

Smartphones are fast becoming a lifestyle statement and a greater number of users are opting for these sleek devices. However, this trend has left technology experts worried over cyber security as these devices remain vulnerable to various security threats.

According to data by IDC, over 10 billion non-PC devices connect to the Internet today and that number is expected to grow to almost 20 billion by 2014. IT consultancy firm Gartner predicts that smartphone shipments would surpass that of desktop PCs by the end of 2011.

"Smart phones are increasingly prevalent and adept at handling more tasks, including trading stocks, paying bills and making purchases online," Gaurav Kanwal, country sales manager (consumer products and solutions), Symantec, told Mail Today.

Phoney issues Data says 10 bn non-PC devices connect to Net which will grow to 20 bn by 2014. Phones are used for many things like paying bills & trading Data shows that all cyber attacks have a financial impact People avoid loading security products on phones Smartphone shipments to surpass desktop PCs by 2011-end 90 per cent of all cyber attacks on phones come via applications. So, be careful while downloading these Smart use Keep your phone password protected Be careful while using certain features like bluetooth Enable security features on your smartphone

"As we go beyond the PC to experience the benefits of the Internet, we need to stay ahead of cybercriminals in these new environments. Today, Internet users require security across any device that can connect to the Internet," Kanwal said.

Experts say that with increasing uses of phones for varied purposes even the risk has multiplied. According to Kanwal, people generally assume that that only their PCs and laptops are vulnerable to digital dangers, which is a wrong perception. The truth is that while technology is making giant leaps in enriching our lifestyles, cybercriminals are not far behind.

"As devices grow more sophisticated, attackers will hone in on them and they will become a leading source of confidential data loss. Similarly, the issues of fraud, scams and family safety typically follow any device that connects to the Internet," Kanwal said.

"Cybercriminals are getting smarter, more sophisticated and savvier about the variety of devices that can potentially be compromised to steal personal information or spread malicious wares," he added.

Considering the fact that India has over 636 million people who currently subscribe to mobile services, cybercriminals already have a largely unsecured playing field.

The Symantec State of Enterprise Security Survey 2010 revealed that each of the cyber attacks mounted on Indian enterprises in 2009 had a financial impact, with 100 per cent of the surveyed organisations reporting a loss of revenue and 81 per cent reporting a direct financial cost.

The company has launched Norton Mobile Security for Android (currently in beta) that allows users to remotely disable their mobile device if it is lost, stolen or its SIM card removed. "This prevents thieves from using it or accessing private information. Users can even remotely delete all of their personal information so cybercriminals can't use it to steal their identity or money. Norton Mobile Security also lets users block unwanted calls and text messages," Kanwal said.

Also, for Symbian and Window mobile devices, Symantec partnered with Bharti Airtel to offer Norton Smartphone Security for Airtel's mobile customers in India. Norton Smartphone Security on Airtel Live offers anti-virus, anti-spam for SMS and firewall services.
Courtesy: Mail Today

China gets new search engine

After taming Google into submission, China has launched a new search engine of its own to make foray into its 420 million strong net users' market, a move believed to be aimed at taking firm control of the web media.

Known as 'Goso.cn', China's very own search engine has been launched by the country's largest newspaper the 'Peoples Daily', which is the official daily of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

The state-run media already holds sway over the country where the flow of information is tightly controlled, and the move to introduce its own search engine signifies its aim to take control of the web media as well.

The move came as blog news is catching up fast, posing a direct challenge to the hold of official media in the country.

Google was involved in a face-off with the Chinese government in March this year, after it shut down its Chinese search engine and re-routed mainland users to its uncensored site in Hong Kong, protesting cyber attacks.

Google, which resisted attempts of censorship for many months, later gave in and got its license to operate in China renewed only after it agreed to abide by all restrictions.

Months later, the country's largest newspaper has launched a news search engine - which came after six months of trial operations - state-run English dailies China Daily and Global Times reported.

The launch of the "People Search Engine" is part of authorities' efforts to enhance the CPC international communication capacity, Zhang Yannong, president of People's Daily, said.

Given the fact that most of the rules and regulations of the information industry were set by foreign companies, and that several countries view development of the Internet as part of their national strategies, China must develop a search engine with independent technology, thus creating a good Internet environment for 420 million,China Daily quoted a "netizen" as saying.

"The search engine is an Internet tool that obviously has ideological characteristics," he said.

Deng Yaping, general manager of Goso Network Limited, said the new product is a vertical search engine that integrates news, news forums, pictures, blogs, videos and micro blogs.

Since its renewal, Google operated on a low profile in China and Google Earth Maps did not even take part in the bidding, leaving the floor open to mostly local competitors.

China has already launched its own version of earth maps which showed Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet.

Goso.cn is expected to go after local search engine Baidu.com, which expanded it operations taking full advantage of Google's problems.

Yahoo may lay off 650 employees

Internet major Yahoo is planning to cut 650 jobs or about five per cent of its total workforce, says a media report.

"Yahoo, the beleaguered Web portal, plans to cut up to 650 jobs as soon as Tuesday," The New York Times reported citing a source.

The planned cuts, representing up to 5 per cent of the overall workforce of 14,100 employees, are aimed at Yahoo's products unit, the report noted.

The product group, which designs and builds consumer and advertising services, is led by Blake Irving, a former Microsoft executive, who was hired by Bartz eight months ago.

According to the publication, Yahoo spokesperson Kim Rubey declined to comment about the issue.

The layoffs come as Carol A Bartz, Yahoo's chief executive, tries to reduce costs amid sluggish growth in Yahoo's online advertising business. They would be the latest in a series of purges at the company over the last few years.

Bartz is trying to reinvigorate Yahoo, which has suffered from years of excessive bureaucracy and lack of innovation.

The company failed to capitalize on social networking - a niche now dominated by Facebook - and lost its battle with Google in search.

To cut costs, Bartz handed over Yahoo's search engine and related advertising system to one-time rival Microsoft. She also teamed with third parties to handle Yahoo's dating, job listings and real estate area.

Meanwhile, Bartz has tried to build on Yahoo's strengths by adding editorial staff to its media properties and inviting amateurs to contribute news articles.

Dell launches new notebook

Dell has come out with a brand new notebook that has a new processor as its brain.

M101Z makes use of the AMD Athlon II Neo dual core mobile processor and ATI integrated graphics. Its 11.6 inch WLED screen can display games and movies in high definition.

Aimed at homemakers and students, this notebook arrives in an array of designs and colours. To help them further, this notebook can stay awake for over 6 hours.

For storage it has a 320 GB hard drive, 1.3 MP camera for video chatting, Ethernet and Wi-Fi support for internet access. Windows 7 home basic is the native operating system for this machine priced at Rs 20,900.

Was Nokia's N8 a dud or a hit?

The launch of Nokia's new N8 created a buzz, not because it was the greatest smart to come out in 2010, but because everyone seemed to have an opinion on it.

Wonderful, said some, of the smartphone that runs on the new Symbian ^3 operating system. Rot, said its detractors. G&G itself found the mobile phone a very good machine. But the non-availability of handset in the market in recent days seemed to indicate that Nokia had withdrawn the phone from production due to buyer reluctance.

Indeed, rumours were rife that the N8 had been a disaster. However, a report of Finnish research firm Inderes clearly says that Nokia managed to ship close to four million N8 handsets till date. The Inderes report says that the phone has been a success in India, Finland, United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

Inderes has also declared that the N8 constituted a close competition to the Apple iPhone 4 and the Samsung Galaxy S, by far the best smartphones of the year. Launched in the third quarter of 2010 abroad and in the fourth quarter in India, the N8 is the first smartphone to operate on the upgraded Symbian 3 OS.