Facebook to test first Open Compute racks

Open Rack solves a number of ongoing problems of traditional data center server racks

Facebook has taken delivery of the first set of innovative server racks it helped design, technology that the company hopes other organizations with large data centers will adopt.

The prototype racks represent some of the first significant tangible gear from a year-old multicompany effort, called the Open Compute Project, to drive down costs and improve data center hardware, namely by open sourcing the designs.

[ Also on InfoWorld: 5 storage servers battle for business; find out which one prevails in Test Center's NAS shoot-out. | Keep up on the day's tech news headlines with InfoWorld's Today's Headlines: Wrap Up newsletter. ]

"I'm embarrassed to say but it was kind of emotional to see the Open Rack" units, said Frank Frankovsky, Facebook vice president of hardware design and founding board member of the Open Compute Project. "We had been working on Open Rack for a long while."

In April 2011, Facebook launched the Open Compute Project, an initiative to apply the open-source software collaboration model to the world of data center hardware. With this project, buyers of data center equipment could collaborate to design products, or at least the specifications for products, that they would like to see. Vendors can then use these blueprints to build the equipment.

Motherboards, power supplies and electrical subsystems are among the equipment Open Compute is collaboratively designing. A number of manufacturers have signed on and volunteered engineer support, including Asus, Hewlett-Packard, AMD, and Supermicro.

Open Rack can be seen as a test case for this approach. Facebook plans to test the prototypes over the next few months, and, if they work as planned, the company will start using them in its data centers by early next year, Frankovsky said. "From 2013 forward, every rack we deploy in our data centers will be Open Rack," he said. Thanks to how the rack design is freely available under an open-source license, any manufacturer can produce these racks for Facebook or other customers.

At first glance, an Open Rack chassis may appear much like any other rack, though these prototypes carry a lot of thoughtful design.

Today, the most widely used racks in data centers are based on the EIA 310-D specification, which wasn't developed for holding computer equipment at all, Frankovsky pointed out. It actually was created during the 1950s to hold railroad signal relays.

How to Unlock Password Protected Memory Card of Nokia?

One of my friend told me that his Memory Card of his Phone had Locked with password but unfortunately he happened to forgot the password, and he asked me to tell him a trick to recover his forgotten password.I asked for the company of his phone , it was NOKIA. Finally  I got this amazing trick to get the lost passcode of his Mobile phone memory card.
Have you such a problem?, don’t worry I am going to tell a best and simple trick it can be done following some simple steps

Requirement: File explorer (Eg: FExplorer) You can download it from here.

How to Unlock MMC card:

1. Insert the Locked Memory Card into your phone but don’t access it through phone.
2. Run FExplorer (or any other explorer) and Open the path C:\system
3. Where you will find a file named mmcstore 
4. Rename that file as mmcstore.txt
5. Copy that file(mmcstore.txt) to your pc and open that file in Notepad.
6. You will find your password in that file.

MICROMAX Cup India and Srilanka Cricket Series Live at m.zengatv.com

Mobile users can watch India-Sri Lanka Micromax Cup Live (21 July – 07 August,2012) with ZengaTV’s mobile TV application. Mobile video streaming company Zenga TV has bagged exclusive rights to stream the series live through its mobile website m.zengatv.com. The rights also provide users the option to view the highlights, the entire match, view live scores or just the summary.


Viewers will be able to catch up on the coverage even 30 days after a match is played. There is nothing to pay and no software to download.

This India-Sri Lanka Micromax Cup comprises of 5 ODI’s and one T20 slated to start on July 21, 2012 in Sri Lanka. Zenga TV services are accessible across all leading mobile networks such as Idea, Vodafone, Airtel, Aircel, BSNL, MTNL, Reliance and Docomo. 


visit:m.zengatv.com<fromyour phone>
          zengatv.com<from your pc>

12 tips for using the Google Nexus 7 tablet

How to . . . Take a photo.

Sounds simple enough ... except there's no camera app by default on the Nexus 7. So that means the camera only activates when you're using an app that needs it, such as with a Skype video chat. However, you've got a couple of options to if you want to take a snapshot with the Nexus front-facing camera. One is to download the free Camera Launcher for Nexus 7 app from MoDaCo; another is to use the popular Instagram app, which was just updated for Nexus 7. Just remember that at 1.2M resolution, your photos will often be less than stunning; not to mention that it's tough to take a photo of anything besides yourself using a front-facing camera in a tablet form factor.

Take a snapshot of your screen. Want to save or share what's on your screen? Press the volume down and power keys for a couple of seconds and the Nexus 7 will snap an image of your screen. An icon for that image will then appear in your notification bar with an option to share it, so you don't need to flip back to the gallery to access it. (see images at left)

Use your face to unlock your tablet. Tired of having to swipe your screen to unlock it, yet you're keeping your tablet at home so don't need the security of a password or PIN? You can set up biometric face unlock in Settings -> Security -> Screen lock.

Get quicker access to Google Now. While there's no press-and-hold button to get to Google Now, you can swipe up from the bottom center of any screen to immediately head to the Google Now screen.

Voice activate search. Once the Google Now screen is open, if it's too onerous to tap the microphone button to speak a command, you can just say "Google" and the Google voice search input screen appears.

Learn what Google Now can and can't do. Google Now is pretty slick in fetching and parsing general information available on the Web: "Will it rain today?" "What's playing in the Framingham Premium cinema?" "Nearby Japanese restaurants?" "Translate 'Where is the nearest ATM' to Italian". It's also a really nice way to open websites without having to type in URLs or look through bookmarks. If I say "open computerworld.com" I head to the Computerworld homepage; "go to blogs dot computerworld dot com" sends me to our blogs front page.

However, it's not so useful in acting as a Siri-like personal assistant to manage your calendar -- in fact, as far as I can tell, it doesn't deal with your calendar at all, although it does set alarms. It will also send email for you by voice command, but you'll save yourself some frustration if you learn the preferred structure:

"Send email to subject message "

You can send an email to yourself with "Note to self ".

If you want an app that will set appointments, check your calendar and open apps, try the Assistant from Speaktoit. I've got mixed success having it check for upcoming appointments, since I use multiple Google calendars and it only looks at one. It does a reasonably good job of adding events as long as I remember to just say the phrase "add event" and then let it ask me questions about the event name and time (and make sure to say an ending time as well as start time, because it doesn't default to a particular length). Or, if you can remember the format "add event to it works all at once. However, if you say "add event to calendar," it thinks you want to add an appointment called "to calendar."

Also unlike Google Now, Assistant will open apps for you, which can be handy if you've got a lot of apps on multiple screens.

Create and use email shortcuts. Do you often write the same thing over and over in email responses? If so, you can store a number of different message texts and then call them from a menu. To set this up, click on the menu within the email app to get to Settings and then choose a specific account. You'll see an option for "Quick responses." Choose that and then "Create new," and then save what you've written.

To use one of your saved quick responses, click on the email menu while composing a message (it doesn't actually have to be a reply, it can be any email you're writing), choose Insert quick response and then tap the one you want.

Monitor battery use. Go to Settings -> Battery and you can see what apps and processes have been using the bulk of your battery life.

Rotate screen from portrait to landscape. My Nexus 7 arrived with screen rotation disabled, so I went to Settings -> Display ... but there was no way to enable rotation. It turns out that you've got to swipe down from the top bar to access the notification pulldown "shade," then tap the little icon with the lock and arrows around it.

Access the Nexus 7 manual. If you're an Android power user and quickly rearranged your Nexus 7 home screen away from its Kindle-Fire-like emphasis on purchased content, you might have missed the items already sitting in the included Play Books app: the Nexus 7 Guidebook. Load up Play Books and you'll find it.

New smartphone app allows sharing of mobile Internet access

Travelling and looking for Internet access? A new smartphone app allows users to share mobile Web access for free with other people nearby who have the same app.


Called Open Garden, the app forms a mesh network that enables each person connected to it to relay it to other users.
"Every smartphone is a computer and a router, so we thought it was the right time to interconnect all of these devices together to make general access more ubiquitous," said Micha Benoliel, co-founder and CEO of the San Francisco-based company Open Garden.


"As long as the devices are in proximity they recognize themselves seamlessly. If one device in the mesh has access to the Internet, then the other device can benefit from it," Benoliel added.
If a smartphone user with Open Garden is in a cafe or hotel and does not have access to Wi-Fi, but someone else does, the user can piggyback on the other person's connection.
Benoliel said the functionality could be especially useful for travelers eager to avoid hefty roaming charges.
"You can be traveling and arrive at an airport and instead of paying expensive roaming charges, you can just connect to someone in the airport who has Open Garden," he said.
When there is no direct Internet connection in the network, the app accesses the Web through links to other devices such as laptops or mobile phones. If the person whose connection is being shared leaves the network, the app automatically connects to the next best connection.
The app is available for Android devices, Windows and Mac. It works as a mesh network only if it has been installed by other people nearby to form the peer-to-peer connections.
Benoliel said the app can also be used to interconnect different devices, such as an iPhone and tablets, for free using the plan.
The company is working on features to help users limit who shares their Internet and data connections and how much data they want to allocate to the app.
In future versions, the company said users will be able to connect to social networks to specify desired network sharers.
Despite criticism from mobile carriers concerned about losing revenue, Benoliel said the app could benefit them by helping to decongest crowded 3G and 4G networks by offloading them to WiFi, where there is more capacity.

3G Activation Guide for all networkes in india

AIRCEL 3G:
To activate 3G service on your SIM, you need to send a message, put that SIM in 3G phone, then send a MSG SMS start 3G to 121, wait for confirmation MSG and allow it to be activated and then select UMTS mode for 3G services.
Vodafone 3G:
To activate 3G service on your SIM, you need to send a message, place that SIM in 3G phone, then send a MSG SMS ACT 3G to 111, wait for confirmation MSG and allow it to be activated and then select UMTS mode for 3G services.
Airtel 3G:
To activate 3G service on your SIM, you need to send a message, put that SIM in 3G phone, then send a MSG SMS ACT 3G to 121, wait for confirmation MSG and allow it to be activated and then select UMTS mode for 3G services.
MTNL 3G:
To activate 3G service on your SIM, you need to send a message, place that SIM in 3G phone, then send a MSG SMS ACT 3G to 444, wait for confirmation MSG and allow it to be activated and then select UMTS mode for 3G services.
IDEA:
To activate 3G service on your SIM, you need to send a message, put that SIM in 3G phone, then send a MSG SMS ACT 3G to 12345 or 3G to 54777, wait for confirmation MSG and allow it to be activated and then select UMTS mode for 3G services.
Tata Docomo 3G:
To activate 3G service on your SIM, you need to send a message, place that SIM in 3G phone, then send a MSG SMS ACT 3G to 53333 OR 3GLIFE TO 53333, wait for confirmation MSG and allow it to be activated and then select UMTS mode for 3G services.
BSNL 3G:
To activate 3G service in your phone, send “Mobile Brand And Model” to 58355 and receive the settings soon.
Reliance 3G:
Reliance 3G can be activated by three ways such as fill up the form for applying online, or call at toll free number: 1800 100 3333, or send Email to: customerservice@relianceada.com.

Songs.PK - Download Cocktail 2012 Mp3 Songs,Free Music,Download Songs,Bollywood Sound Tracks,Hindi Songs

Songs.PK - Download Cocktail 2012 Mp3 Songs,Free Music,Download Songs,Bollywood Sound Tracks,Hindi Songs

Skyhook promises constant mobile location without battery drain

The company hopes better battery life will spur location-based innovation

Skyhook introduced on Wednesday a new version of its location engine for mobile apps that it said will allow smartphones to determine a user's location once a minute throughout the day without draining the battery

Skyhook's SDK interprets information about the Wi-Fi access points and cellular towers a smartphone has contacted and combines it with the phone's GPS interface to plot the device's current location. Skyhook has developed its own database of Wi-Fi and cellular locations.

Some location services query a server each time they update the user's location. Skyhook downloads compressed information about Wi-Fi access points and cell towers in a five- to ten-mile radius the first time a smartphone registers a particular location. As long as the user remains in that radius, the device can determine location without calling a server. Fewer server calls means longer battery life.

The SDK version launched Wednesday also reduces power use by optimizing how the software interacts with the hardware, including how the directory of Wi-Fi access points and cellular towers is stored, said founder and CEO Ted Morgan. Morgan was coy on the details, but said Skyhook was able to apply what it had learned about hardware through recent work with Sony to enable constant location services on its gaming consoles.

Skyhook hopes its battery-life achievement "will open up a whole new class of location apps," Morgan said in an email.

Developers have been reluctant to build apps that rely on constant location information because of the battery-life problem, he said.

Yet apps have begun to emerge that use location in innovative ways. Social apps can use up-to-the-minute location data to inform users when people they know or might like to meet are nearby. They might also notify the user of a discount at a nearby restaurant. Or, like the iOS Reminders app, they might generate notifications based on the user's location.

The latest SDK from Skyhook comes with one other novel feature: Constant location on a plane. Users who are connected to Wi-Fi on an airplane will now be able to track their own location rather than relying on the pilot. Skyhook had to tap different directories than those that work on land to be able to determine where a plane is, Morgan said.

Android is currently the only major operating system to make available to third-party developers the interfaces the SDK needs to work optimally, according to Morgan.

The Most Environmentally Friendly iPhone Speaker Ever

Bamboo is one of the most environmentally friendly materials. It is a fast-growing grass, is harder than many plastics and as strong as some metals. (It's used as building scaffolding and baseball bats in Asia). Electronics? Not so much. That speaker you bought has a lot of plastic in it that's going to be around long after you've tossed it.

Originally a crowd-funded Kickstarter project, the iBamboo speaker is an attempt at solving the environmental problems associated with electronic accessories and offer up a cool iPhone speaker dock at the same time. It's basically a resonator, which amplifies the sound from the iPhone's built-in speakers. Simple physics: No batteries, no plastics, no silicon.

And for $25, it's economically sustainable, too.

Open Mobile Alliance proposes standard 2D barcode handling system for mobile phones

OMA hopes the standard will will direct mobile phone users to websites more easily and enable interoperability across the 2D barcode market

The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) has developed a standard for handling 2D barcodes that it hopes will direct mobile phone users to websites more easily. By standardizing the specification for encoding, decoding, and resolution of 2D barcodes, OMA wants to stimulate the usage of the codes, it said.

Camera phone users can snap a picture of a two-dimensional barcode to access additional information on the Web about products promoted by retailers and advertisers. Using the 2D code saves the user opening a browser and typing in a URL or search terms to know more about a product. However, not all such barcodes store information in the same way, nor can they all be read using the same software today.

[ Get the best apps for your mobile device: InfoWorld picks the best iPad office apps, the best iPad specialty business apps, the best Android office apps, and the best Android specialty apps. | Keep up on key mobile developments and insights with the Mobile Edge blog andMobilize newsletter. ]

Consumer usage of two-dimensional bar codes in Japan grew exponentially once the three primary mobile operators there agreed on a common specification to read 2D barcodes, according to OMA. The QR-code was developed by the Japanese Denso Wave software company, and most Japanese phones now come with a built-in QR-reader. While the use of 2D bar codes is quite popular in Japan, adoption of the technology has been relatively slow in the United States, said OMA.

In June 2009, a survey of 800 Japanese people aged 10 to 49 conducted by NetAsia Research found that 76 percent of them had used a QR-code at least once, and the QR code users scanned an average of about five a month.

But two years later, a study by comScore found that only 6.2 percent of U.S. mobile phone users had scanned a 2D barcode in June 2011. In the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, 4.6 percent of all mobile phone users and 9.8 percent of smartphone owners had scanned a QR or barcode during the month, comScore found.

With its new standard, OMA wants to enable interoperability across the 2D barcode market, which is fragmented by non-standard formats. The current model is not scalable for the wide variety of retailers, advertisers, handset makers, and mobile operators that want to deploy mobile codes to promote their products and services, it said, adding that standardization can increase usage of 2D barcodes and simplify users' interactions with product information.

The standard comprises two different models. The first model is called a Direct Code, a code that is resolved on the handset using a pre-loaded or downloaded application. The code can invoke functions such as launching a browser, initiating a phone call, sending a text message, or storing contact information in the phone's address book. A network connection is not necessary for this format

Top 6 Free Tax Apps For Your Smartphone or Tablet

TurboTax SnapTax (iPhone, Android; free)Credit: Laptopmag.com

If you don't have children or dependents, make less than 100K a year, don't own real estate and have income rolling in only from W-2 forms, interest or unemployment, TurboTax SnapTax is the absolute easiest way to file your taxes electronically--as long as you've got an iPhone or Android smartphone.

The app essentially holds your hand through the process of submitting a 1040EZ form, even showing you how to rip your W-2 to get just the portion of the page that you need. Then, simply line up the frame and use your smartphone's camera to snap a photo. The app slurps your information, asks you a few painless questions and shoots everything over to the IRS.

While the app is free to download, it costs $20 to e-file. It's not a big change from last year's version, but this iteration gives you the option to try out the app without signing up for an account. Afterwards, it holds your information for an hour in case you want to go through with the process.

Firefox 14 contains vulnerability patches, security-related features

Mozilla published 14 security advisories for Firefox 14.0.1, five of which rated as critical

Version 14 of the Mozilla Firefox browser, released Tuesday, offers several new security-related features as well as patches for numerous vulnerabilities.

One of the critical advisories covers a vulnerability in the "javascript: URL" function that could allow attackers to bypass the JavaScript sandbox and execute malicious scripts with elevated privileges.

Another critical flaw patched in Firefox 14 could be exploited to bypass the browser's same-compartment security wrappers (SCSW) -- a security feature that prevents a Web page from executing code outside of its context.

A critical memory corruption issue stemming from the way the "JSDependentString::undepend" function converts dependent strings into fixed strings was also addressed. If left unpatched it could be exploited to crash the browser and possibly execute malicious code on the system.

The other two security advisories marked as critical cover six other memory corruption vulnerabilities located in various components that could also lead to the execution of arbitrary code.

The remaining nine advisories, four rated as high and four as moderate, address vulnerabilities that could facilitate cross-site scripting (XSS), clickjacking and phishing attacks, or could allow attackers to steal OAuth 2.0 access tokens and OpenID credentials, trick users into accepting a rogue SSL certificate, and conceal a malicious URL.

In addition to addressing numerous vulnerabilities, Firefox 14 also secures Google Web searches by enabling HTTPS for search queries initiated through the location bar, search box, or the right-click menu.

"We automatically make your Google searches secure in Firefox to protect your data from potentially prying eyes, like network administrators when you use public or shared WiFi networks," the Mozilla developers said in a blog post on Tuesday. "Google is currently the only search engine that allows Firefox to make your searches private, but we look forward to supporting additional search engines with this feature in the future."

Firefox 14 also comes with simplified URL bar favicons that make it easier for users to determine the level of connection security supported by different websites.

Non-HTTPS websites will have a grey globe icon displayed in front of their URL, HTTPS websites will have a grey lock icon displayed, while HTTPS websites that use an EV (Extended Validation) certificate will have a green lock icon together the name of the certificate's owner displayed in the URL bar.

Another security-related feature in Firefox 14 is the opt-in activation for plug-ins. Also known as "click to play," this feature requires user approval for the playback of plug-in based content like Flash or Java when it is enabled.

The feature is still a work in progress, so for now it can only be enabled by manually setting a flag in "about:config" -- it can't be turned on from the browser's "Options" dialog.

The non-security related features in Firefox 14 include full screen support for Mac OS X Lion, Awesome Bar auto-complete for typed URLs, and support for Pointer Lock API -- an application programming interface that will give Web apps and games better control over the mouse.

Google Nexus 7 hits British shops

Google’s new iPad rival, the Nexus 7, goes on sale on British high streets today, but nobody is expecting queues to match those that greet each new version of Apple’s best-selling tablet.

Asus, Google’s Taiwanese manufacturing partner, described the strategy as a “soft launch”. There is no release date as such and online retailers such as eBuyer have been taking orders and shipping the Nexus 7 to Britons since Friday.

Today the biggest remaining bricks and mortar electronics retailers, Currys and PC World, said they would start selling the device, in a test of whether it can become the first Android tablet to break into the mainstream. Efforts by third party manufacturers such as Samsung and Motorola, also sold at the big stores, have so far failed to loosen Apple’s grip on the market.

According to the analysts IDC, the iPad accounted for 68 per cent of sales in the first quarter of 2012. Even more concerning for Google, which created Android to drive mobile traffic to its main search engine business, there is evidence that Android tablets often go unused: 95 per cent of tablet web traffic comes from iPads.

That picture may account for Google's decision to risk alienating Android manufacturers by competing with them itself.

A spokesman for Google said it did not intend to follow Apple’s strategy of 'big bang' launches for the Nexus 7, which witness enthusiasts camped outside stores, sometimes for several nights.

Microsoft reveals new Office features for Windows Phone 8

The new version of Microsoft Office will be fully tailored to the Windows Phone 8 platform, allowing users to go between their computer and mobile seamlessly, according to a company blog post.

Revealing more detail about how the new suite will work on Microsoft’s latest mobile device, John Jendrezak, Partner Group Program Manager at the technology giant wrote that the ‘resume reading features’ in Office 2013, which let you carry on reading where you left off with settings intact will extend to the mobile device as well.

On Monday, Steve Ballmer, the chief executive of Microsoft, revealed apreview of Office 2013, which integrates comprehensively with the web, can edit PDFs and is built to use Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system for tablets and PCs.

Not due to launch until next year, Ballmer claimed the software was “a new generation that brings some of the same boldness and beauty that we’ve shown you in Windows 8 and Windows Phone”.

He added: “This is the most ambitious release of Microsoft Office that we’ve ever done”, and emphasised that it was aimed as much at students, busy families and consumers as it was aimed at businesses.”

Microsoft Office, used by more than a billion people and running on around 90 per cent of business PCs, is the single largest component of Microsoft’s revenue, bringing in more than $15 billion per year for the company.

Vodafone to deliver Android 4.0 for the Huawei G300

Vodafone has announced that it will bring Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) to the budget Huawei Ascend G300 smartphone.

Launched in April, the Huawei Ascend G300 is one of the cheapest Android phones on the UK market, costing just £100 on pay as you go. Customers will soon be able to upgrade their budget handset to Android 4.0 ICS, despite the phone having lower-end specifications than the HTC Desire HD.

Vodafone IT technical manager Kevin Ralph said, "It's the first time we've seen Ice Cream Sandwich on a Huawei, and the first time we've seen them do this kind of upgrade - so it's important we test everything and make sure the user will get the best experience."

It's unclear whether the G300 will get the entire Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich feature set, but we're expecting the update to bring a redesigned interface with resizable widgets, an enhanced web browser and improved power management.

Vodafone was unable to say when the update will appear, but its head of terminals technology, Chris May had revealed why the updating process often takes so long.

"Typically software and firmware now goes through a two-stage testing cycle," he said.

"After conducting a first round of tests we report back to suppliers with our recommendations for any improvements - and then we would expect to see that upgrade again before we could be confident that it meets the highest standards for our customers.

"Once we have tested and approved the upgrade it goes back to the manufacturer to review before being sent for approval by Google, in the case of Android.

"Once our testing's completed we're keen for the update to get through the remaining steps in the process smoothly and quickly so it's in our customers' hands sooner rather than later."

Unlocked Sony Xperia NXT smartphones now on sale in U.S.

Prices range from $299 to $559; all three models upgradeable to Android 4.0

 Sony began sales today of unlocked versions of its xperia NXT series of smartphones in the U.S., with prices ranging from $299.99 to $559.99.

The three Android 2.3 smartphones -- the Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U -- all work over HSPA and GSM networks, meaning they will function over AT&T and T-Mobile USA network channels.

Sony said all three phones are upgradeable to Android 4.0, known as Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). Sony said in May that the Xperia S was due for ICS at the end of June, with the other two following later in the year.

The Xperia S will sell for $559.99 unlocked; the Xperia P is $479.99 unlocked; and the Xperia U will be $299.99 unlocked. They are now being sold at U.S. Sony retail stores and on sony.com/NXT and at Newegg.com and other online retailers that Sony didn't name.

Sony didn't explain why it offered the phones unlocked. It is unusual for phone manufacturers to market unlocked phones separate from the subsidized prices offered by the carriers, although Google has done so with its Nexus line. Subsidized smartphones are typically sold by U.S. carriers at $200 to $250 with two-year service commitments.

Some buyers of unlocked phones in the U.S. will set up a data plan with a carrier along with an Internet voice-calling app that makes voice calls free or at an inexpensive rate. The carriers offer several pre-paid data plans that don't require a long-term commitment.

In its statement, Sony described the smartphones as "incorporating the best of Sony technology and premium entertainment" with easy connectivity. The three all have a "transparent element," a band of light that encircles the base of each phone that illuminates when receiving calls, texts and other notifications. That band also integrates antenna components that aren't visible.

Sony introduced the Xperia P and Xperia U in February, after announcing the Xperia S in January. The Experia S went on sale in Spain in February about the time Sony completed its buy out of Sony Ericsson.

The Xperia S comes in black or white with a 4.3-in. HD screen with 1280-x-720-pixel resolution, and a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera. It runs a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8260 Dual Core processor and is NFC-ready. It has 1GB of RAM and up to 32 GB of internal storage.

The mid-price Xperia P comes in silver, red or black and has a 4-in. display with 960-x-540-pixel resolution and an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera. It runs on a 1GHz STE U8500 dual-core processor and is NFC-ready. It comes with 1GB RAM with up to 16 GB of internal storage.

The low-price Xperia U comes in black or white and has a 3.5-in. screen, with 854-x-480-pixel resolution, and a 5-megapixel rear camera. It also has a 1GHz STE U8500 dual-core processor, and 512MB RAM with up to 8GB of internal storage.

How to be an IT social media star

Savvy IT leaders are using social media to better communicate with peers, employees and customers. You can too.

Computerworld - Social media outlets like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and blog networks give IT executives invaluable opportunities to network, improve company operations, learn from other thought leaders and become thought leaders themselves.

But the transparent, real-time nature of social media can be daunting. New channels seem to crop up every other week, and real PR disasters can result from the wrong kind of exposure. Even the savviest social media users are still charting their course in these exceptionally muddied waters.

How's an IT leader to cope? The sad fact is: many aren't. According to asurvey released this year by harmon.ie, a company that provides social software, only 10% of Fortune 250 CIOs are actually using social media themselves. A game-changing technology that is increasingly the communication norm for the masses is being delegated to junior staffers or ignored outright by the executives who drive tomorrow's IT ideas.

However, IT execs may be wising up to the importance of social media engagement. "I think [executive social media adoption] is steadily increasing," says Jeffrey Mann, VP for collaboration and social software at Gartner. "It's gone from 'What is this about?' or 'What does this have to do with us?' to 'How can we use it to drive innovation or break down barriers within our organization?'"

Computerworld set out to answer those questions for IT professionals looking to adopt or broaden a social media presence. Forget learning about hashtags or how to toggle your privacy settings; these are real strategies social IT leaders use every day to engage with customers, connect with industry leaders, manage internal operations and improve the company bottom line.

In short, these tips can help you go from IT executive to IT social media star

Apple kerfuffle prompts EPEAT to review thin laptops

The group will review its criteria for laptops and the ratings issued

IDG News Service - EPEAT has launched a review of ultra-thin and light laptops carrying its environmental ratings after Apple withdrew from and rejoined the organization last week.

Apple didn't explain the reasons behind either decision, but speculation has centered on construction methods used in its new Macbook Pro with retina display. One early model of the laptop was shown to use glue to secure the battery to the case.

"A lot of good questions have been raised," said Sarah O'Brien, director of outreach and communications for EPEAT, of the swell of media coverage of Apple's decisions. "As a result, we've launched surveillance of the whole group of ultra-light laptops."

The surveillance action is intended to check ratings across a broad number of similar products and is not targeted at a specific product or company, she said.

Companies are usually subject to an initial inspection to verify they adhere to EPEAT's criteria, but after that they typically police themselves once they have demonstrated they understand and adhere to the system. In an attempt to keep companies honest, EPEAT will occasionally audit a company's ratings, much like the tax authorities will sometimes audit a taxpayer.

The EPEAT criteria cover a number of areas that might be problematic if components are secured with glue, but they don't specifically ban its use, O'Brien said.

Section 4.3.1.7, for example, says: "All covered products shall not contain molded-in or glued-in metal inserts in plastic enclosures unless they are easy to remove."

"The whole migration to thin form factors is having a huge impact," said Barbara Kyle, national coordinator at the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. The group brings together organizations from across the U.S. that have a hand in the recycling and re-use of electronics products.

On Friday, Kyle wrote a blog post on the organization's website arguing that Apple's new Macbook Pro with retina display computers do not meet the EPEAT requirements.

"A lot of design changes we are seeing are having an impact in the area of product longevity," she said. "Manufacturers need to look at the design changes they need to make while maintaining their commitment to the environment."

While few consumers are thought to have taken apart the new laptop, one place that has is iFixit.com. The company specializes in repair of electronics and its product tear-downs are becoming as much a part of Apple launches as the long lines and hysteria.

How to Activate Loop GPRS/WAP

Recently I had bought a loop prepaid SIM card. The main reason for this was that, there was this 'Dus Ka Gang' offer going on. In it for upto 5 friends in your friends circle, you can call them for only 10p/min. When I went through its features, I found out that I had free WAP services till the 31st of October. Cool. I thought, why not use it then? So I called up the Loop Customer service, for the GPRS settings. They said something, but being the guy that I am, I didn't listen to them!

I heard something about going to their website, to take their settings. So I went there and entered the GPRS settings for my 6233 mobile. However it didn't work. :(

After days of trying I finally figured out, what I was doing wrong. Instead of GPRS, enter the WAP settings. Then the WAP on your phone should work. The issue is that Loop mobile doesn't provide free GPRS but free WAP!

Surf Internet On Airtel For Free !

Free GPRS setting for Airtel is very difficult to find these days. Everyone wants to surf internet on their mobile devices for free without paying a single penny ! Before providing you with the settings, let me tell you that please don't spam the comments section, if these settings dont work for you. These hacks are temporary one’s and may or may not work for you. Such type of hacks are regularly patched by programmers at AIRTEL (And that’s what they are paid for ! ).

Following are the settings that you need to input into your respective cell phone(s) :

APN : airtelfun.com
HOMEPAGE : http://www.google.co.in/xhtml
PROXY : 203.145.131.148
PORT : 80 or 8080

After changing the above mentioned settings, check your prepaid balance by dialing *123#. Now open up your (Default) browser and surf for a while. After a while, check your mobile balance (I hope the balance remains the same).

Why Windows 8 tablets won't threaten the iPad (or Android)

As much as today's tablets lack a strong office suite, they vastly outperform Windows 8 for usability

Windows 8 on touch tablets is only months away, with Windows 8 approaching its final version and Office 2013 also well under development. The combination of a real office productivity suite and a version of Windows that honors both the new world of touch and the legacy of traditional desktop computing should make a powerful combination that would invalidate the iPad and Android tablets.

That's Microsoft's hope, so it loaned InfoWorld a Samsung Slate with the latest Windows 8 and Office 2013 versions installed to let us put that hope to the test.

My colleague Serdar Yegulalp has looked in depth at the new Office, but primarily as a desktop productivity suite. Does an Office-equipped Windows 8 tablet work well in a tablet context? I've been experimenting with the combination for several days, and the answer is a decided no.

[ InfoWorld's Serdar Yegulalp takes a first look at Office 2013. | Get the best apps for your mobile device: InfoWorld picks the best iPad office apps, the best iPad specialty business apps, the best Android tablet office apps, and the best Android specialty apps. | Keep up on key mobile developments and insights with the Mobilize newsletter. ]

The bottom line is that Windows 8 is a tremendously awkward mishmash that honors few of the usability realities of a touch environment. It's true that neither iOS nor Android has anywhere near a strong competitor to Office available, upping the appeal of an Office-savvy tablet. But Windows 8 is so frustrating to use on tablets that it's hard to believe anyone will choose Windows 8 slates over iPads or Android tablets, even with the Office advantage. IT may want to make that choice for enterprises, to continue the familiar Windows monoculture, but it'll be a nonstarter with users.

Let me explain why Windows 8 tablets simply don't work well, at least not in their current form, and how to minimize the pain if you're forced to use one. Do keep in mind that both Windows 8 and Office 2013 are still in beta, so Microsoft could still fix their flaws. However, time is running out for Windows 8, which is expected to be sent to manufacturers in a few weeks for products to ship in October. Office 2013 is slated for early 2013, so refinements may still be possible.

Let me be clear: The problem is mainly Windows 8, not Office 2013 -- which is a crying shame because Office 2013 so far will be available only for Windows 7 and 8. Its only mobile outlet is the one you likely won't want.

A tablet UI that's hard to touch
If you don't have the latest touch tablets -- those specifically designed for Windows 8 -- don't bother getting Windows 8. It has trouble with on-disk BitLocker encryption with devices that don't have aTrusted Platform Module (TPM), a rare feature. Even worse, the work-around to enable encryption on a non-TPM device is painful. Many such devices don't have native Windows 8 drivers, so you can't use an onscreen or physical keyboard at startup, such as to enter safe mode or input your BitLocker password for the initial encryption.

I had that problem with a Samsung Slate from mid-2011, meaning I could not access corporate email from it. Windows 8 may run on older computers, but when it comes to tablets, Windows 8 really needs new devices designed specifically for it. The good news is that few people have bought Windows tablets, so most people won't have legacy tablets that pose questions about compatibility

TRAI Issues Quality of 2G, 3G and 4G Mobile Internet Service

TRAI has releases draft regulations on Standards of Quality of Service forMobile Data Services Regulations, 2012. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ) has released draft regulations on Standards of Quality of Service for Mobile Data Services Regulations, 2012.
The service providers are rolling out 3G services and these services are presently available in all the service areas. With the roll out of 3G and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) services, the growth rate in cellular mobile telephone service is poised for higher growth, compared to wire line internet users. Presently, there is no quality of service standards for the mobile data services.It is necessary to benchmark and monitor the quality of service offered by the service providers of mobile data services with various options open to the implementing agencies so
that the interests of consumers are protected. TRAI, therefore, decided to benchmark the quality of service parameters for mobile data services, so that the interests of consumers are protected. Accordingly,
the draft regulations have been prepared.
The comments of the stakeholders are solicited on the draft regulations on Standards of Quality of Service for mobile data services Regulations, 2012. Full text of the draft regulations is available on TRAI's website www.trai.gov.in

Trick to get your mobile Number for Idea, Vodafone, Airtel, Reliance, Aircel Docomo, Virgin, Videocon

Hi guys I would like to give you some of the simple ways to know your mobile Number for Idea, Vodafone, Airtel, Reliance, Aircel Docomo, Virgin, Videocon networks.Actually there is a number for each network those are listed below
Network Numbers
Idea .......................... *789#
Vodafone .................. *111*2#
Airtel ......................... *140*6575#
Reliance .................... *#1#
Aircel .................... *#1#
Docomo .................... *#1#
Virgin .................... *#1#
Videocon ................... *#1#

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Apple's next iPhone to have thinner screen - WSJ

REUTERS - Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) next iPhone will use a new technology that makes the smartphone's screen thinner, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

This is currently being manufactured by Asian component makers, Sharp Corp, Japan Display Inc and South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd who are mass producing the panels for the iPhone using so-called in-cell technology, WSJ said citing sources.

The adoption of in-cell technology means Taiwan's Wintek Corp and TPK Holding Co Ltd, which supplied the touch-panel layer of the iPhone 4S screen, did not get orders for the next iPhone, the paper said citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The technology integrates touch sensors into the LCD, making it unnecessary to have a separate touch-screen layer. The absence of the layer makes the screen thinner and the quality of displayed images would improve, said DisplaySearch analyst Hiroshi Hayase, the Journal reported.

Apple could not immediately be reached for comment outside regular U.S. business hours.