Saturday, August 30, 2008

Who killed the iPhone in India

Samsung Omnia i900 


It has a 3.2-inch display and being a windows mobile phone, it offers a greater variety of softwares and games. It is packed with features like a 5 mega pixel camera, 8 GB / 16 GB internal memory, multi-touch, windows mobile 6.1 Pro etc. FM radio with RDS, geotagging, 3.5 mm audio jack, TouchWiz UI, optical joystick. It has flash and video recording. The audio quality is also excellent. It is a iphone look alike.

HTC Touch Diamond
It is easily the lightest and the thinnest windows mobile phone in the market. Taiwan-based HTC was the first company in India to launch a touchscreen phone. With Touch, HTC debuted touchscreen phones in India (officially). Key features include, a 2.8 inch VGA touchscreen display, 3.2 megapixel camera with an optical auto-focus lens, video calling capability and auto sensor screen pivoting.
It runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, comes with 4GB of internal storage with 256MB flash and 192MB RAM. Other features include Bluetooth with EDR, minUSB, integrated GPS and Wi-Fi.


Asus P320
Based on the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform, the P320 features GPS navigation, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi for Internet access, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It comes pre-loaded with ASUS Today suite that includes applications such as Time, Mail Box, Calendar, News, Weather and Music Player available to users via a single window.
Some other key features are a 2.6 inch TFT touchscreen with 65K color, 240 x 320 pixels resolution, OMAP 850 (Texas Instrument's Open Multimedia Application Platform) 200 MHz processor, 128MB Flash ROM + 64 MB DDR RAM and business applications. The phone boasts of 2 megapixel AF camera and microSD support.

Samsung TouchWIZ F480 
The phone, which made its India debut recently, has a 2.8-inch TFT LCD (240x320) touchscreen, integrated FM radio, multi-format video playback (MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, Real), MPEG4 video recording and editing functions.
The phone also comes with face detection technology, image stabiliser, CMOS video lens and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) features. There are also a few customisable features like Drag `n' Drop and Auto Smile Shot coupled with full touch navigation.
TouchWIZ F480 has a 5 megapixel auto-focus-LED Flash camera, equipped with 240MB of internal memory, which can be expanded up to 8GB. Positioned in the lifestyle segment, the phone come with a host of entertainment features and is compatible with GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA (7.2mbps) networks and functions on GSM 900/1800/1900, and WCDMA 2100 bands.

LG 1000 
Here's a touchscreen option for CDMA users, LG 1000 CDMA available on Reliance network. The Nokia Communicator look-alike features a 2.8-inch external touch sensitive LCD and an internal display of the same size along with a full QWERTY keyboard.
LG 10000's key features include a media player (playback for MPEG 4 formats), a 2 megapixel camera with video recorder, expandable memory up to 8GB and Office mail applications for corporate users access (Push mail through Microsoft Server, Pull mail - IMAP and POP3).
It also features a full HTML browser. Other media features include a voice recorder and dual stereo speakers. It also supports Bluetooth and external memory via microSD cards. 


The Nokia N96 
The most awaited phone of the lot. Available through pre-Booking. Though not a touchscreen phone, has everything you could ever expect from a phone. A superb 5 MP cam with auto focus and flash, video recording - VGA at 30 FPS, 16 GB internal memory, A-GPS, a DVB - H receiver, a dual ARM 9 CPU, 128 MB RAM, a brilliant 2.8″ 16M colour screen The most popular smart phone OS ever, it features the most user friendly interface.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Unique way to monetize your traffic

After reading this great blog post on several unique ways to monetize your blog I hit upon this idea.

Monetize your visitors through metacafe, revver, or best as a Youtube Partner which pays you for your uploaded videos on view count,etc. I mean, if your blog gets over 1000+ visitors per day, you can upload videos to these sites and embed the video on your blog. The visitors combined with your subscribers are going to hit the play button. This will increase your videos view count which will help your video to make it to the front page of these sites bringing more viewers and more revenue.

However, the video should be related to your blogs content. Eg. If you have a blog related to stock market trading, make and upload a video related to stock trading,etc.

Just imagine, how much (more!) money Perez Hilton would make. He is rumoured to have around 4 million unique vistors a day and as many subscribers. Even if, 25% hit the the videos play button he would earn a lot of money which would be a fortune for rest of us.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Who is the greatest of all Michaels ?

All right!!! another Michael achieves greatness by winning 8 gold medals in one Olympics and 14 in all. But he joins a list of first name Michael who have also achieved greatness and have become legends.

The King of pop- Michael JACKSON:American superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958 and has been entertaining audiences nearly his entire life. His father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist but was forced to give up his musical ambitions following his marriage to Katherine (Scruse). Together they prodded their growing family's musical interests at home. By the early 60s the older boys Jackie, Tito and Jermaine had begun performing around the city; by 1964 Michael and Marlon had joined in.

A musical prodigy, Michael's singing and dancing talents were amazingly mature and he soon became the dominant voice and focus of "The Jackson 5." As a product of the 70s, the boys had emerged as one of the most accomplished black pop/soul vocal groups in music history, successfully evolving from a Temptations-like group act to a disco phenomenon.Solo success for Michael was inevitable, and by the 80s he had become infinitely more popular than his brotherly group. Record sales consistently orbited, culminating in the biggest-selling album of all time, "Thriller."

First solo artist to generate four top ten hits on the Billboard charts on one album with "Off the Wall."
First artist to generate seven top ten hits (USA) on one album with "Thriller."
Only artist in history to generate five #1 hits (USA) from one album with "Bad."
His 1982 album "Thriller" is the biggest selling album of all time, with confirmed sales of over 47 million copies worldwide.
His 1991 album "Dangerous" is second to "Thriller" as the biggest selling album of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
His 1987 album "BAD" is third to "Thriller" as the biggest selling album of all time, with 20 million copies sold worldwide.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 (as a solo artist).
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 (as a member of the Jackson 5)
Has sold 170 million albums worldwide.
Has sold over 300 million records worldwide.

Michael Schumacher: German ace Michael Schumacher is widely recognised as being the world's best ever racing driver. In 1995 Michael became the (at that time) youngest double Formula 1 World Champion (1994 and 1995 seasons) ever. He is also the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 World Champion. This phenomenal record speaks for itself. In 2003 he beat Juan Manuel Fangio's five championships from the 1950s, by taking his sixth! He has now retired from F1, at the end of the 2006 season.

The 2004 championship was secured by Michael before its conclusion, making it title number 7. He did it by finishing 2nd at Spa in Belgium, in Ferrari's 700th race, to accumulate enough points to seal the deal.

Michael also holds the F1 records for: most career wins (91), most wins in a season, most career pole positions, most points during a season (148 in 2004), most consecutive world championships (5), most consecutive race wins (2004), most podium finsihes (154), most laps leading, most fastest laps (76), plus several others!

Michael Phelps: The man of the moment. Michael Phelps went a perfect 8-for-8 in Beijing, breaking Mark Spitz's single-Games record for gold medals. He swam 17 times over nine days and broke the world record in four of his five individual swims. His three relay teams also set world marks. He had won six golds and two bronze in the Athens Olympics. So a total of 14 gold medals making him the greatest Olympian ever.




Michael Jordan: The greatest athlete of the 20th century in North America.
* Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
* Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)
* Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
* A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98)
* Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
* The 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)
* Entering 2002-03, ranked first in NBA history in scoring average (31.0 ppg), second in steals (2,391), fourth in points (30,652) and in field-goals made (11,513), fifth in free-throws made (7,061), sixth in field-goals attempted (23,010) and eighth in free-throws attempted (8,448)
* Closed the 1997-98 season as the Bulls' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (5,836), assists (5,012), steals, games (930), field-goals made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted (8,115)
* Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10)
* Shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93)
* Holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842)
* Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10) and attempted (10)
* Led the NBA in steals in 1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg) and 1992-93 (2.83 spg)
* Holds the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half (20 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most most free-throws attempted in one half (23 in the same game)
* Shares the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one quarter (14 against the Utah Jazz on 11/15/89 and against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most free-throws attempted in one quarter (23 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92)
* Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993)
* Entering the 2002-03 season, ranks as the all-time NBA Finals leader in three-pointers made (42), second in three-point attempts (114), third in points (1,176), fourth in steals (62), fifth in field-goals made (438), sixth in assists (209) and free-throws made (258), seventh in field-goals attempted (911) and eighth in free-throws attempted (320)
* Holds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg)
* Established an NBA Playoffs record with 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 5/20/86
* Entering the 2002-03 season ranks as the all-time NBA Playoffs leader in field-goals attempted (4,497), free-throws made (1,463) and attempted (1,766), second in steals (376) and field-goals made (2,188), fifth in assists (1,022), seventh in three-point attempts (446) and ninth in three-pointers made (148)
* Recorded two playoff career triple-doubles, both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93)
* Participated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times, and missed another due to injury
* Named the MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games
* All-time NBA All-Star Game leader in steals (35) and ranks second in field-goal attempts (206), third in points (242), fourth in scoring average (20.2 ppg), and eighth in assists (52)
* Notched the first triple-double in All-Star Game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland
* Won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, also participating in 1985
* Notched his 28th career triple-double, with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, against the Toronto Raptors on 4/14/97
* Returned from retirement against the Indiana Pacers on 3/19/95 and posted 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes

There are many more Michaels out there like Michael Ballack(soccer) ,clarke(cricket), etc. These are good players but have not achieved greatness like these four in their fields.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Lenovo slips out the new ThinkPad X301: new CPUs, 128GB SSD, still thin as hell


Lenovo today announced the ThinkPad X301 notebook PC, taking the thinnest and lightest full-function notebook in its class1, to new heights in performance. Like its predecessor, the industry-acclaimed ThinkPad X300 notebook, the ThinkPad X301 notebook offers cutting-edge features and technologies in a thin and light form starting at less than three pounds and one-inch thin. The notebook offers even greater storage capacity with choices of either 64 GB or new 128 GB solid state drive storage available in September. The ThinkPad X301 notebook provides on average nearly 20 percent better performance over the ThinkPad X300 notebook due to the latest DDR3 memory and the latest Intel Core 2 Duo ultra low volt processor2.

"Lenovo continues to push the technology envelope by giving road warriors the latest enhancements in solid state drive storage and digital display technologies with the new ThinkPad X301 notebook PC," said Sam Dusi, vice president, worldwide notebook product marketing, Lenovo. This announcement extends our commitment to blending ultraportability and functionality, and equipping today's business users with the most advanced, highest-performing computing tools.

New support for DisplayPort makes viewing high definition content easy and ideal for models with the ultra-thin DVD burner. With support for both DisplayPort and VGA, users can even watch high definition content on multiple displays. Designed for maximum options for wireless connectivity, the ThinkPad X301 notebook offers models with high-speed mobile broadband and WiFi to connect wirelessly to the Internet, and also with Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband technology to connect wirelessly to other devices. Lenovo offers improved uplink performance by up to 250 percent for models with AT&T mobile broadband over previous ThinkPad notebooks with AT&T mobile broadband4. Models supporting WiMAX will be available later this year. Additionally, GPS on notebook models with high speed mobile broadband5 allow travelers to more easily navigate to the office or airport.

The notebook also includes Lenovo's ThinkVantage Technologies, unique hardware-software tools designed to maximize user productivity. With Lenovo's improved Access Connections tool, users can navigate a user-friendly interface to easily find and access Internet and network connections. Also, Lenovo's improved Power Manager gives users more control over notebook functions to enable longer battery life.

The ThinkPad X301 notebook also continues Lenovo's focus on environmentally-responsible design. Its 13.3-inch LED backlit display, solid state drive storage and other energy-efficient technologies help make it rated Gold by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool. This designation adds to Lenovo's portfolio of Gold-rated ThinkPad notebook and ThinkCentre desktop PCs.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for models of the ThinkPad X301 notebook starts at approximately $2,599. The notebook will be available on August 26 through Lenovo Business Partners and www.lenovo.com

Gays in India seek British apology for law


Gay activists in India say they want Britain to apologize for introducing anti-sodomy laws that still makes homosexuality illegal there.

Organizers were to call for an apology during their first gay pride march Saturday in Mumbai. It is part of a campaign to abolish Section 377 of the Indian penal code outlawing "unnatural sexual offenses,"

Indian law, adopted when Britain ruled the country, calls for up to 10 years in prison for engaging in oral or anal sex, the newspaper reported. India has kept the law since gaining its independence in 1947.

Gay rights campaigners also argue that because Section 377 enshrines homophobia in India's legal systems it also legitimises the continued repression of gay men and women in wider Indian society.

A draft copy of the statement accuses Britain of exporting homophobia during the 19th century when colonial administrators began enforcing Victorian laws and morals on their Indian subjects. It reads: "We call on the British Government to apologise for the immense suffering that has resulted from their imposition of Section 377. And we call on the Indian government to abandon this abhorrent alien legacy of the Raj that should have left our shores when the British did."

Gay rights activists argue that Hindu, Buddhist and early Muslim cultures on the subcontinent had a long history of tolerance towards same-sex relationships.

Friday, August 15, 2008

The fastest man to overshadow all

Michael Phelps gold winning streak will be out of limelight for a while as Men's 100 meters sprint is about to take place. He will be the most talked about person and admired,too. After all this might,arguably, be the oldest game of the world.

This is not to undermine the effort and the triumphs of the other champions, "but the fastest man in the world" is a breed apart evoking shock and awe and admiration.

The 100 m race not just symbolises love for sport but also the acme of achievement in sport. Nothing can quite capture the magic and meaning of human endeavour than this race where athletes train for 10 years while the result is out in less than 10 seconds.

After Ben Johnson was stripped of the gold he won after he finished first at Seoul olympics 1988 , the 100 meter athletes have been on the radar of the anti-doping officials.

But the 100m sprint has never lost it's appeal. This year we have got the most anticipated games in our hand. It will be Powell vs Bolt vs Gay and of course there can be an upset.

I am a Heath Ledger fan


OK. I didn't know who Heath Ledger was till I saw the story that he is dead on front page of Digg. I went to see The Dark Knight last Tuesday.(finally)Whew I was blown by Ledger's performance. The Joker which he portrayed made me shiver. I thought what if all the terrorist where as funny,mean and cruel as he is??? Thankfully it was just a movie.

Also see Dark Knight Records

The Dark Knight records

1 - LARGEST NUMBER OF OPENING THEATRES WITH 4,366 (MORE THAN THE 4,362 DEBUT THEATRES OF PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END IN 2007).

2 - BIGGEST MIDNIGHT PREVIEW GROSS WITH $18.489 MILLION IN 3,040 THEATRES (BEATS STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH AND ITS $16.9 MILLION IN 2,915 THEATRES IN 2005).

3 - BIGGEST IMAX MIDNIGHT PREVIEWS SET AN NEW RECORD WITH $640,000 (INCLUDED IN THE $18.489 MILLION PREVIEW NUMBER).

4 - BIGGEST SINGLE-DAY GROSS IN BOX-OFFICE HISTORY WITH $67.850 MILLION (BESTS THE $59,841,919 SET BY SPIDER-MAN 3 IN 2007).

5 - BIGGEST OPENING WEEKEND GROSS IN BOX OFFICE HISTORY WITH $155.340 MILLION (BESTS THE $151,116 MILLION SET BY SPIDER-MAN 3 IN 2007).

6 - BIGGEST OPENING WEEKEND GROSS FOR AN IMAX RELEASE IN BOX OFFICE HISTORY WITH $6,214,061 MILLION IN 94 THEATRES WITH $66,107 PER THEATRE. (BESTS THE $4.7 MILLION SET BY SPIDER-MAN 3 IN 2007.) IMAX SHOWING AT FULL CAPACITY $1.9 MILLION ON SATURDAY ALONE.

7 - BIGGEST OPENING WEEKEND OF 2008 WITH $151.340 (BEATS INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL'S $101.137 MILLION FROM MAY 23-25, 2008)

8 - BIGGEST JULY OPENING EVER (BEATS PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST'S $135,634,554 ON JULY 7, 2006).

But even then there are reports that it won't catch up with the Tiatanic.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

India to sue Google, Yahoo & Microsoft for sex selection ads

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre, Google India, Yahoo India and Microsoft Corporation on a petition seeking a ban on popular online search engines promoting sex selection techniques.

A three-Judge Bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices P. Sathasivam and J.M. Panchal issued notice on a writ petition filed by Dr. Sabu Mathew George highlighting the violation of Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act by the websites.

Counsel Sanjay Parikh submitted that despite bringing the websites to the notice of the departments concerned, no steps were taken to block them. He said the petition was filed for full and effective implementation of the Act.

He sought a direction to the Centre to block all websites, including those of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, that violated the Act.

Dr. George wanted a direction to the Centre to take punitive and deterrent action against these three companies.

It is funny that even though Google's adwords policy does not allows this
advertising when ads are targeted to India, it still shows up.

It is banned because of selective abortion for past centuries have resulted in dip in girl population. The sex ratio in many parts is almost 900 to 1000 men.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Evolution of Windows

"Windows is a flop!" When version 1.01 made it's appearance at the end of 1985, no one wanted it. Apple threatened to take legal action for using Macintosh features like the menu bar, program windows, drop down menus and mouse support.
At that time Apple was IT giant while Microsoft a small fish. However, after IBM machines started dominating the markets so did Microsoft's Operating System DOS. It tasted success with version 2.0. Microsoft later switched from 16 bits OS and DOS platform to more stable 32 bits and NT kernel. Windows 95 introduced the concept of task bar and start menu.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Difference between diferent video related Adsense product

AdSense for video
AdSense for video allows publishers with video content to earn revenue using relevant, non-intrusive ad placements from Google's extensive advertiser network. Video content will display both InVideo overlay and text overlay ads.

At this time, AdSense for video is in Beta may only be implemented for pages and videos that are in English with traffic primarily from the United States. If you're interested in participating, learn about the requirements, then fill out our interest form.

Adsense video ads
Click-to-play video ads are a new type of ad available for sites in the Google network, including AdSense sites. They're available in several ad formats and will be shown only if a publisher is opted in to image ads for one of the supported ad formats.

When a video ad is served to a page, it will be displayed as a static opening image. Once the user clicks the play button or the opening image, the video will begin playing within the ad space. If the user clicks the display URL at the bottom of the ad, or clicks the ad while it's playing, the user will automatically be taken to the advertiser's website. Users can control the volume and can replay the video if they choose; the video will not automatically replay.

Adsense Video units
Video units are a new way to enrich your site content -- and earn more -- with relevant video from YouTube partners on an embedded, customizable video player. When you place a video unit on your site, you can choose the video content in several ways: by picking content categories, by select individual content providers, or by having video automatically targeted to your site content.

The videos you display will be monetized with relevant ads, too. The video unit displays companion and text overlay ads that are highly targeted and non-intrusive. Plus, to help integrate video units into your site further, you can also customize the color scheme and layout of the video unit.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Getting out of debt

Being in debt is bad enough. Not managing it well is worse.
The first principle towards settling your debt and moving towards a debt-free existence (however distant it may sound) is in prioritising your debt.
What you must hold on to and what you must clear as soon as possible is the first step towards debt management.
In this article, we will tell you how you can reach that blissful state. Start by asking (and answering) these four questions.

1. Are you getting any tax benefits on the loan?
A home loan and an education loan come with tax benefits.

2. Is the rate of interest very high?
Logically, the one with the highest rate of interest is the one that should be cleared quickly.
Two types of loans that should be cleared as soon as possible are personal loans and credit card loans.
The interest rate on these loans is the highest. On credit cards, it amounts to around 24% per annum (at 2% per month). A personal loan should be around 18% onwards.
Even if you get the personal loan at a discount, it would be around 14% per annum.
Interest-free or low interest rate loans from friends and family are the ones you can hold on to, if it will not cause a rift in your relationship.

3. Which are the loans that you can close?
This one will be tough because you have taken a loan to own something.
Sure, you may lose face. But no one is going to come and bail you out. It is better for you to make some smart moves on your own.
Let's say you took a loan to buy a swank car and now realise that you have bitten more than you can chew. In that case, sell the car and close the loan.
You can always buy a car later once you have settled all your debt.

4. Can you switch the loan?
If the rate of interest on your loan is high, you can switch it to a financier who will charge you a lower rate of interest.
Credit cards do this and call it a balance transfer. Say you are paying 2% or 2.25% per month on your card. You can go in for another credit card. They will pay back the bank and transfer your loan onto the new card. For the first six months, they will give you a lower interest rate. Say 1.5% or 1.75% per month.

The sbove steps will help you get out of debt.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Google docs down

When I login to Google docs I am unable click on top navigation bar which contains "new", "upload",etc and sidebar which has "all items",etc. Due to this I am unable to create new docs.

Monday, August 4, 2008

How to upload Videos to youtube quickly

If you upload videos to Youtube and other video sharing sites then this software will help you a lot. This is video format converting software. You can convert heavy mpg and mp3 files into flv. My 23.7 mb mpg video was converted into 1.06 mb flv video by it. More information visit Lifehacker.