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Showing posts with label products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label products. Show all posts

Tatas overtake both Ambani groups together on market wealth

Jun 19, 2011

ratan-tata.jpg

Tatas may not be known for being on the stock-based rich lists, but changing market dynamics have led to the salt-to-software conglomerate overtaking the combined market wealth of the two Ambani groups put together.

The share prices have been tumbling in recent past for both the Reliance groups, led by the billionaire brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani, and the analysts put the blame on a string of controversies surrounding them for many months now.

On the other hand, a host of Tata group firms have grown stronger, in terms of stock market valuation, while shrugging off an overall bearish sentiments in the broader market and even some controversies related to them.

In the process, the stock market wealth of the entire Tata group has grown to close to Rs 4,40,000 crore -- highest for any corporate house and bigger than the combined figure of the two Ambani groups together at about Rs 3,67,000 crore.

This marks a sharp reversal of the things seen about an year ago, when Tatas were smaller than the Mukesh Ambani group alone. Tatas have about 30 listed companies, while the Mukesh Ambani group has only two.

As per the latest market value of individual groups, Tatas rank on the top, followed by Mukesh-led Reliance group at second position with about Rs 2,85,000 crore.

The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG), which ranked third after the Mukesh-led RIL group and Tatas a year ago, does not figure even among the top 10 groups now.

In the past one year, R-ADAG's market wealth has plunged by over Rs 60,000 crore to close to Rs 82,000 crore now.

The Mukesh-led group's valuation has also fallen by about Rs 73,000 crore, but that of Tatas has grown by more than Rs 1,00,000 crore in the same period.

The Tata companies that have added significant market wealth in the past one year include TCS , Tata Motors , Tata Steel , Titan, Tata Coffee , Tata Chemicals and Rallis.

On the other hand, all the companies of the two Ambani groups, barring the smallest of them Reliance Broadcast Network , have lost market value since July last year.

In the MDA group, Reliance Industries has lost about Rs 72,000 crore, while the only other listed firm Reliance Industrial Infra Ltd has also lost about Rs 650 crore.

Among ADAG firms, the losses are about Rs 21,000 crore for RCOM, about Rs 20,000 crore for R-Power, Rs 14,000 crore for R-Infra and over Rs 5,000 crore for Reliance Capital .

While the Reliance companies have been traditionally known as very aggressive when it comes to the stock market, Tatas have been mostly known as conservatives on this front.

Investors have historically preferred Reliance stocks for wealth creation, but situation is changing drastically as both Ambani groups are giving below-market returns.

Amid the dwindling investor interest in Reliance stocks, Tatas have not been the only beneficiaries but a whole lot of groups known to be professionally-run have also gained.

These include the likes of the Birla, Mahindra, HDFC, Adani, Bharti, L&T, Jindal and Bajaj groups, experts said.
"Reliance stocks are more controversial at the moment, whereas others like HDFC or Mahindra groups are not," Religare Securities Executive VP (Retail Research) Rajesh Jain said.

"Moreover, a weak stock is more prone to get affected by any negative news. That implies to RIL and ADAG stocks. RIL has underperformed the market in the past one year," he added.

Way2Wealth's Chief Operating Officer Ambareesh Baliga also said that it was negative set of news playing spoilsport for the ADAG stocks.

"For RIL, it was the lower gas production at the KG-D6 basin which has discouraged the investors," Baliga said.

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Complete list of IDEA 3G Cities/Towns

Jun 12, 2011

Idea Cellular, India’s 3rd Largest mobile operator launched 3G Services in India on 27th March 2011. Idea cellular secured 3G license for 11 circles in the Auctions – Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (E), Uttar Pradesh (W), Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Idea is planning to grow at the rate of 10 towns per day. Idea will cover 750 towns by mid 2011 and 4,000 towns by the end of FY12. As of now IDEA 3G is available in 90+ Cities/Towns

Here is complete list of IDEA 3G Cities/Towns

To find your city just press (control+f) and type your city name. if available your city name will be highlighted.

Andhra Pradesh
Akiveedu
Amalapuram
Choutuppal
Hyderabad
Jaggaiahpet
Kamareddy
Machilipatnam
Narsapur
Palakol
Tadepalligudem
Vizag
Vijayawada

Maharashtra & Goa

Alandi
Dehu RD
Nagpur
Nashik
Pune
PCMC
Talegaon

Himachal Pradesh

Baddi Dharamshala Shimla Mandi Sunder Nagar

Haryana

Ambala
Bhiwani
Charkhidadri 
Dharuhera
Gohana
Fatehabad
Hansi
Hissar
Jhajjar
Jind
Kurukshetra
Karnal
Kaithal
Meham
Mahendergarh
Narwana 
Panipat
Rohtak
Rewari
Sonipat
Shahbad
Sirsa
Tohana
Yamunanagar

  Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal
Raipur
Gwalior 
Ujjain
Indore Jabalpur

Gujarat

Ahmedabad Baroda Gandhinagar Surat

UP West and Uttrakhand

Agra
Aligarh
Anoopsher
Auriaya

Badaun
Baggauripur
Baghpat
Bareilly

Bazdoraha
Bazpur
Bhagwanpurind
Chandpur

Choudhrpur
Dasna
Dehradun
Deoband

Dibiyapur
Dineshpur
Doiwala
Etawah

Etmadpur
Ferozabad
Funvalley
Gadarpur

Ghasipura
Gularbhoj
Haldwani
Haridwar

Hathras
Ip4 ind area hrd
Jaganthpur
Jahangirabad

Jasbhawanipur
Jaspur
Kashipur
Khatauli

Kiratpur
Kitchha
Kspigl
Kspvishwanth

Lalpur
Lalpurbaksar
Lawad
Mansurpurmuzz

Meerut
Mehtosh mod
Modinagar
Muradmainapu

Muradnager
Muzvelna
Muzzfarnagar
Nahal

Nanakmattha
Naraura
Nawabganj
Nehtaur

Peerumadra
Pilakua
Puranpur
Roorkee

Rrkmhwdkaln
Rrkraipur
Rudrapur
Saharanpur

Saraswatimdicl
Shersherkot
Shikohabad
Sirsaganj

Sisana
Sitarganj
Sultanpur
Tundla

Villdarau
Villpatrampur

 

UP East
Allahabad
Azamgarh
Jhans
Sitapuri
Kanpur Lucknow

Kerala

Achanambalam
Adat
Adoor
Adoorengg-colg

Alimukku
Alleppey Town
Aluva
Amabalamughal

Ariyallur
Aroor
Athavanad
Avinsserry

Ayanikad
Beypore
Bhavans Hill
Bmnagar

C K Para
Calicut Town
Carborandum
Chaliyam

Chattiparamba
Chelambra
Chelari
Chemmad

Chemmankadavu
Chenadamkulambu
Chengamanad
Cheppanam

Cherani
Chernellor
Cherthala
Chettuva

Choondy
Cochin Town
Deavthiyal
Edavannakad

Edayar
Eloor
Enamavu
Engandiyoor

Ezhukone
Ezhukone Rly Stn
Ferok
Imminiparambu

Nedumangad

Kadalundi
Kadampuzha
Kadungapuram
Kakkanad

Kalamassery
Kalarikod
Kallar
Kangarappady

Kanjipura
Kanjiranchira
Karathode
Karathodu Town

Karuvassery
Kavungal
Kavungappara
Kelankavu

Kinassery
Kizhakketherivu
Kodinji
Kodoor

Kolazhy
Komalapuram
Kottackal
Kottamugal

Kottarakara
Kumbalangy
Kundaithode
Kundoor

Kunnathangadi
Kunnathupalam
Kurukathani
Kuruva

Kuttipala
Kuttumassery
Kuzhippuramkavala
Kuzhuvelipady

Makkaraparampu
Malappuram
Malippuram
Mangod

Manjali
Manjeri
Mannuthy
Marathakara

Mayithara
Moodadi
Moorkanikkara
Mukkilpeedika

Mukonil
Mulavukad
Mullassery
Muppathadam

Naduvattom
Nannambra
Narukara
Nayarambalam

Nedupuzha
Neduvathur
Njarakkal
Olapeedika

Olarikkara
Padaparamba
Padivattom West
Palazhipala

Panangangara
Panayikulam
Pang
Pantharangadi

Pantheerankavu
Parangimoochikkal
Parappanagadi
Paravattani

Paropady
Pathadipalam
Pathirapally
Pattarnadakav

Payyoli
Payyoliangadi
Peringanadu
Piravanthur

Pisharikkavu
Pokulangara
Poochatty
Pookode

Pta-ezhamkulam
Pullazhi
Pulpatta
Punalur

Puranattukara
Puthanathani
Puthenpeedika
Puthiyangadi

Puthumala
Puthuvypu
Putur
Puzhakkatteri

Quilandy
Ramanatukara
Randathani
Subrahmanyapuram

Thalikulam
Thenjipalam
Thevekkal
Thikkodi

Thiruvankulam
Thiruvankulam South
Tholicode
Thottumugham

Thripanachi
Thrithallur
Thumboli
Thuvakkad

Tirurangadi
Trichur Town
Tripayar
Tripunithara

Ullanam
Uragam
Vadakkadathukavu
Vadakkangara

Vadanapally
Valiyora
Vallarpadam
Vallikunnu

Valluvambaram
Varapuzha
Velliparamba
Vengidangu

Vengra
Venniyur
Vylathur
Trivandrum

To activate 3G SMS 3G to 54777 (toll free)

We keep Updating this post as soon as new cities/towns are added!!

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Maradona and Mallika Sherawat inaugrates Chemmanur International Jewellers in Dubai

Jun 11, 2011


Chaos struck when Maradona and Bollywood's Mallika Sherawat came to open a new branch of Chemmanur International Jewellers at the Karama Center, Dubai.

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Nokia Launches Mobile Money Services in Pune and Chandigarh

nokia mobile money Nokia, a global leader in the mobile telecommunications industry and YES BANK, India’s new-age private sector Bank, today commercially launched innovative mobile payments platform in Pune (Maharashtra) and Chandigarh to facilitate customer convenience and encourage financial inclusion in India.

The Yes Bank Mobile Money Services powered  by Nokia will allow its mobile phone users to transfer money to another person by using the person’s mobile phone number and also Top-up the prepaid card of any mobile services or pay postpaid mobile/land line and utility bills as well as cashless shopping.

The Mobile Money Service pilot project was announced in February in Pune for selected customers. After the successful test, now the services are commercially available to all Yes Bank and Nokia customers wherein they can pay for shopping and Utility bills through direct from their Nokia mobile phones.

Initially the Mobile Money Services are available in Pune and Chandigarh city.To avail the services Nokia customer may visit any Nokia priority dealer or Yes Bank’s branches at Bhandarkar Road, Hinjewadi and Kondhave Khurd in Pune city and Sector 9 C in Chandigarh. Nokia also introduces toll free helpline number 1800-3000-1122 to assist its customer on Mobile Money services.

D Shivakumar, VP and Managing Director, Nokia India said “Mobile Money Services by YES BANK is based on Obopay’s payments platform and designed to work in partnership with mobile network operators and banks, involving distributors and merchants in a dynamic ecosystem, to seamlessly provide new services. YES BANK is our first partner in India to bring this service to market.”

Commenting on the Mobile Money Services, Rana Kapoor, Founder/Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK said, “We are privileged to partner global technology leaders Nokia and Obopay, in introducing Mobile Money Services in India. This initiative will provide consumers with greater ‘Anytime Anywhere’ convenience and will be a significant milestone on the path of financial inclusion as stated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The mobile banking services will be made available to a wider consumer base by leveraging off Nokia’s vast retail network towards attaining YES BANK’s stated objective of providing consumers with a Superior Service Experience through use of creative technologies.

The Mobile Mobile Money services presently support selected handset as follows: Nokia 3110c, 3110e, 3120c, 3250, 3500C, 3555, 3600, 3610, 3610a, 5130XM, 5200, 5220XM, 5300XM, 5310XM, 5320XM, 5500Sport, 5610XM, 5700XM, 6085, 6086, 6110Navigator, 6120c, 6120c 2G, 6121c, 6124c, 6212c, 6210, 6210s, 6220c, 6260, 6263, 6290,6300, 6301, 6300 BT, 6300i, 6500S, 6500c, 6700, 6555, 6600fold, 6600slide, 7210Supernova, 7310Supernova, 7373, 7390,7500Prism, 7510Supernova, 8800Arte, 8800Arte Gold, 8800Carbon Arte, E50, E51, E60, E61, E61i, E62, E63, E65, E66, E70, E71, E90, N70 N71, N72 N73, N75, N76, N77, N78, N80, N81, N82, N85, N86 8MP, N90, N91, N92, N93, N93i, N95.

Nokia 2690, 2700c, 2710Nav, 2730c, 3208c, 3710fold, 3720c, 5330MobTV, 5630XM, 5730XM, 6303c, 6303i, 6350, 6600i slide, 6700Slide, 6710Navigator, 6720c, 6730c, 6750mural, 7020, 7230, 7610S, E52, E55, E62, E71x, E72, E75, N79, N96, C5, E5, X2, and X3.

nokia mobile money

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Nokia unveils dual-SIM phones in Rajasthan

Jun 9, 2011

Finnish mobile handset company Nokia today unveiled its two new dual-SIM phones in Rajasthan.The new phones Nokia X1-01 and Nokia C2-00, made in India, offer the most convenient and intuitive experience available for switching between SIM cards without compromising on features and fun, the company said.

The phones offer smarter multiple SIM management like the easy swap, 32GB expandable memory capability which is the largest in category and enhanced music capabilities, a company official said at the launch."Nokia X1-01 and Nokia C2-00 will be available here for Rs 2000 and Rs 3000 respectively," he added.

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GeeMail – Better Desktop Client for Google Mail Based on Adobe AIR

GeeMail is recently launched Adobe AIR based application which allows you to access your Google Mail or simply GMail account from your Desktop only. It interface is also matched to the original GMail account Interfaces.

However, this application is the best to read your mails on Desktop without opening your browser.

GeeMail Application gives you the same Interface as of the GMail account. So, no need to learn new Interfaces and search for anything. Just use it like a normal GMail account.

The best feature of this application is that it is available for all the major Operating Systems like Mac, Windows and Linux, as Adobe AIR runs on most of the OSs.

GeeMail has everything in place which is required to access your gmail. You don’t need to configure POP and IMAP settings like traditional email clients.

It gives a fantastic feature of offline support. Even if you are offline, compose your email, click “Send” and forget about it. GeeMail is network aware; the next time it detects Internet connection, your email is sent right away!

extra_geemail1 geemail

Download GeeMail Application

You will need to download Adobe Air for running Geemail.

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New Features in Apple's new mobile OS, iOS5

           apple ios5 steve jobs

Apple CEO Steve Jobs took centrestage at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco to unveil the next version of the company's mobile operating system iOS.
The new iOS, iOS5 OS 5, adds more than 200 features, according to the company.
Here's looking into 10 of the biggest new features in iOS 5.

 

Notification CenterNotification Center

The new notification feature in iOS 5 will bring all alerts like new email, texts, friend requests at one place. The notifications, which can be accessed by swiping down from the top of screen, also include stocks and weather notifications.
Notification alerts will appear at the top of the phone. Users will have the option to ignore them or view them immediately.

 

imessageiMessage

Just like the BlackBerry Messenger, Apple has created a new group messaging service for iOS users. With iMessage, users can send messages over Wi-Fi or 3G. Built into the messages app, iMessage will enable users to send text, photos, videos, contacts, and group messages between iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Users will also be able to track messages with delivery receipts and see when someone is typing.

 

NewsstandNewsstand

iOS 5 will get a new feature called NewsStand, which is designed to help users purchase and organise newspaper and magazine subscriptions on their iPad, iPhone or iPod.
Similar to iBooks, Newsstand works like a folder that allows users to access their favorite publications into a central place with a bookshelf app icon.

 

remindersReminders

For all your to-dos, Apple has added a new feature called Reminders in iOS5. Reminders will let users organise their 'do not forget list,' complete with due dates and locations.
Since Reminders can be location based, users will get an alert as soon as they land at the location for which they have fixed a reminder. Reminders will also work with iCal, Outlook, and iCloud, so it will automatically update on all devices and calendars.

 

twitterTwitter

With iOS 5, the micro-blogging site Twitter will become the default social network on Apple devices.
Apple has teamed up with Twitter to allow iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users to tweet photos, maps, websites and other items directly from within the iOS 5.
Once signed into Settings, users can tweet directly from Safari, Photos, Camera, YouTube, or Maps.

 

photo editingPhoto editing

The new iOS 5 promises basic photo editing functions like cropping, rotating, red eye reduction and photo enhancements. Users will also be able to organise their photos in albums right on the device.

 

 

 

safari reader

Safari Reader

With iOS 5, Apple has added improved Web-browsing features to Safari. The Safari Reader displays Web articles sans ads or clutter. There is also a Reading List which will let users bookmark articles.
On iPad, there will be full tab browsing which will keep track of multiple Web pages and switch between them with ease.

 

 

cameraCamera

The iOS 5 also adds new features to the camera app. A shortcut in iOS 5 will allow users to use camera, even bypassing the lock code. This means the camera app can be opened right from the lock screen.
Users can compose a frame using grid lines, pinch-to-zoom gestures and single-tap focus. For snapping pictures, users can now use the volume up button.

 

 

mailMail

iOS 5 will bring some new features to Mail app too. The app will now allow formatting of text using bold, italic, or underlined fonts. Users can create indents in the text of message and can drag to rearrange names in address fields.
The app will flag important messages.

 

 

 

all wirelessAll wireless

Wireless syncing is here. With iOS 5, users can activate and set up their device wirelessly. This means users will not require a computer to connect to iTunes. With Apple's new service iCloud, users can back up and restore their devices automatically.

 

 

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First look: Apples iOS 5 PC Free setup, keyboard s...

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First look: Apples iOS 5 PC Free setup, keyboard shortcuts

Jun 7, 2011

Apple's iOS 5 allows for PC Free setup over iCloud and new custom keyboard shortcuts. AppleInsider offers a first look at the developer build of iOS 5.     
Apple CEO Steve Jobs and fellow executives unveiled iOS 5, the next major update to iOS, on Monday at the Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco. The software update includes 200 new features, such as an updated Notification Center and a new messaging service exclusively for iOS users..
"Perhaps iOS 5’s paramount feature is that it’s built to seamlessly work with iCloud in the Post PC revolution that Apple is leading," Jobs said during the WWDC keynote. People familiar with the matter report that the PC Free setup feature has been enabled in the beta version of iOS 5. Apple now provides three ways to set up an iPhone: Set Up as new iPhone, Restore from iCloud Backup, Restore from iTunes.
ios5-110607-3
Customers without a valid Apple ID can register for a free email address from iCloud. Apple's freeiCloud service will support daily backups over Wi-Fi. Users can simply plugin their devices to a wall charger and the a backup will be initiated. iCloud offers 5GB of free storage for mail documents and backup, which doesn't count music, apps, books purchased from Apple.
ios5-110607-4
Restoring from an iCloud backup is as easy as connecting the device to Wi-Fi and entering an Apple ID and password. According to Apple, "your personal data -- along with your purchased music, apps, and books from iTunes -- will appear on your devices. As if they'd always been there."
ios5-110607-5
A new Reminders app has been added to iOS 5, as well as a Newsstand app for managing newspaper and magazine subscriptions. Apple also appears to have separated the iPod function into Music and Videos sections.
ios5-110607-6
iOS 5 now offers custom keyboard shortcuts that can be added under Keyboard settings. Apple has also added support for a split screen keyboard.
ios5-110607-2
Developers report that iMessage does not appear to be fully finished, though a FaceTime button has been added to the top of a message view. As previously reported, Apple has added system-levelintegration with Twitter. According to reports, Tweets can be sent from Apple's native apps, websites in Safari and photos in the Camera app via the sharing pane.
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Sony warns of almost 25 million extra user detail theft

May 3, 2011

A further 25 million gamers have had their personal details stolen as a result of security breaches at Sony

. Sony warns of almost 25 million extra user detail theft

As well as the Playstation Network, which has been down since 20 April, the company has now taken its Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) service offline.

It said credit card details and other personal information have been taken from an "outdated database".
Last week, Sony admitted that the personal details of 77m Playstation users may have been stolen by hackers.

Since the breach was revealed, shares in Sony have dropped by 4% amid calls for the company's CEO Howard Stringer to stand down over the crisis.


'Cyber attack'
In a message to its customers, Sony said: "We had previously believed that SOE customer data had not been obtained in the cyber-attacks on the company."

However, it added that "on 1 May we concluded that SOE account information may have been stolen".
Sony was quoted by the Associated Press (AP) news agency as saying that the latest incident occurred on 16 and 17 April.

This was earlier than the larger Playstation user security breach, which occured on 20 April.
Sony admitted the scale of the problem to users on 27 April.

This new attack goes beyond users of Playstation hardware, affecting PC and Facebook gamers - potentially an additional 25 million people.

Sony said that names, home addresses, e-mail addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and gender information was taken.

Additionally, direct debit details of around 10,700 customers in Austria, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany were stolen, as were the credit or debit card details of some 12,700 non-US customers.
Broader investigation

Sony explained that the information included card numbers and expiry dates, but said that it was taken from a 2007 database which was securely encrypted.

The company added: "There is no evidence that our main credit card database was compromised. It is in a completely separate and secured environment."

Spokeswoman Taina Rodriguez told AP that there was no evidence as yet that the stolen information had been used for illicit financial gain.

However, in its statement, Sony has warned customers to be aware of any contact via e-mail, telephone or postal services purporting to be official Sony correspondence.

"Sony will not contact you in any way, including by e-mail, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information.

"If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking. When SOE's services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that you log on and change your password."

It warned customers who may use the same passwords for other services to change them immediately.
The suspension of SOE, which is based in San Diego, California, left multiplayer games including DC Universe and Facebook-based Fortune League unavailable.

"We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily," the company said.

"In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down, effective immediately," it added.
Powering up?

The company had previously said that it would get the Playstation Network up-and-running again this week.
It has also promised assistance for users who have been affected by the hack.

"We will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs.

"The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in regions in which such programs are commonly utilised."

On Sunday, top Sony executive and head of the Playstation unit Kazuo Hirai led an apology for the attacks.
"We apologise deeply for causing great unease and trouble to our users," he said.

"These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security."

It said users would soon see a phased re-introduction of gaming, movie and music download services.

Users on paid services will be granted 30 days of additional time on their subscriptions, along with one day for each day the system is down.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your continued patience and feedback," the company said.
Read more ...

Apple sues Samsung over iPhone, iPad design

Apr 20, 2011

samsung galaxy and apple ipadApple Inc. (AAPL) sued Samsung Electronics Co. alleging that the electronics maker’s Galaxy phones and tablet computers infringe patents and the trademarked look of the iPhone and iPad.

Galaxy products use Google's Android operating system, the lawsuit says, which directly competes with Apple's mobile software. However, Apple's claims against Samsung focus on Galaxy's design features, such as the look of its screen icons.

Samsung is infringing patents related to the way the Galaxy devices operate, including the use of hand gestures on the screen, as well as patents on the color and rectangular shape of the iPhone and iPad, Apple said in a complaint filed April 15 in federal court in Oakland, California. The Galaxy phones and tablet, which use Google Inc. Android software, were specifically designed to copy Apple products, Apple said.

 
iphone 

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, alleges Samsung violated Apple's patents and trademarks.
"This kind of blatant copying is wrong," Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said in a statement.
A Samsung representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

John Jackson, an analyst with CCS Insight, said Samsung is essentially Apple's only real tablet competitor at this stage.

"It's clear that they do not intend to let Apple run away with the category," Jackson said.

Apple is one participant in a web of litigation among phone makers and software firms over who owns the patents used in smartphones. For instance, Nokia has sued Apple, which in turn sued handset maker HTC Corp.

U.S. International Trade Commission staff, at a hearing on Monday, recommended that HTC and Nokia shouldn't be found liable for infringing Apple's patents relating to smartphones.

ITC staff acts on behalf of the public and its recommendations aren't binding.

In its lawsuit against Samsung, Apple noted that earlier versions of Samsung smart phones did not embody the same combination of Apple's designs.

"Even the icons in earlier versions of the Samsung smart phones looked different because they had a variety of shapes -- and did not appear as a field of square icons with rounded corners," the lawsuit said.
Apple is bringing 16 claims against Samsung, including unjust enrichment, trademark infringement and 10 patent claims.

“What’s of concern is that you can see the strategic relationship between Samsung and Apple getting worse of late,” said Kim Young Chan, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp. “As Samsung pushes ahead with its handset and tablet business, Apple is trying to keep Samsung in check.”

Steve Dowling, a spokesman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, said the company needed to protect its intellectual property.

Blatant Copying
“It’s no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging,” he said. “This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

Samsung shares dropped 0.7 percent to 861,000 won at 12:44 p.m. in Seoul trading, poised for a fourth consecutive day of decline. The shares have tumbled 9.4 percent this year compared with a 2.9 percent gain for Apple on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

“Samsung’s development of core technologies and strengthening our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success,” said Titus Kim, a spokesman for Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung. “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property.”

Apple Vs Google
Apple and Google are competing for supremacy in the growing market for smartphones and tablets. Google’s Android operating system -- used by Samsung, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. and other companies -- will account for 39.5 percent of global smartphone shipments this year, compared with 15.7 percent for Apple, according to market research firm IDC.

The iPad dominates the tablet market, accounting for about two-thirds of sales this year, according to Gartner Inc.

“Apple is going to be very aggressive in protecting intellectual property and the fact that they may be a supplier doesn’t factor in to a decision to go after any competitor that they may think violates its intellectual property,” said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies Inc., a technology consulting firm in Campbell, California.

Scrolling, Pinching, Zooming
Apple claims Samsung is infringing seven patents related to the way the devices understand user gestures, including selecting, scrolling, pinching and zooming, according to the complaint, and three patents on the design, including the flat black face of the iPhone and iPad.

Samsung also is accused of copying the on-screen icons, as well as trademarks for certain icons, including green boxes with phones or a sunflower for photos. Apple also claims the packaging is copied.

“Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple’s innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple’s valuable intellectual property rights,” Apple said in the complaint.

Apple is seeking a court order to block further use of its patents and trademarks, along with cash compensation and “reasonable funds for future corrective advertising.”

The case is the latest legal dispute between technology companies over the growing market for smartphones. Apple is involved in a patent fight with Motorola Mobility Holdings, as is Microsoft Corp.

Apple lawyers are also arguing before a federal trade panel in Washington that another Android user, HTC Corp. (2498), is infringing other patents.

The case is Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., 11-cv- 01846, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (Oakland).
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The kind ones!

Feb 3, 2011



Avery 6578 Permanent white durable i.d. labels for laser printers, 2 x 2-5/8, 750/pack
Product warning labels show just how much the manufacturers care for us
Madhumita Gupta

‘Remove baby before folding’ – on a pram. ‘Warning: May contain nuts’ – on a packet of nuts. ‘Open packet, eat nuts’ – yes, again on a packet of nuts. ‘Do not use for drying pets’ – in the manual for a microwave oven. ‘For indoor and outdoor use only’ – on a string of Chinese fairy lights, and so on and so forth. Not one of these product warnings is a figment of my imagination, but before you start frothing at the mouth at them for taking us to be blockheads, look at their side of the picture. Mums and dads are busy beings, what if they forget? What if the people haven't paid attention to what they are buying? What if they don't know what to do with the packet? What if you can't stand to see your dripping pet shivering in the cold and try to dry him out in seconds? And what if you think the fairy lights are some sort of exotic Chinese neckpieces? You see? 
Would you blame the fast food biggie's caution in printing a 'Hot contents inside' warning in big letters after burning its fingers by paying big bucks in damages in some of the 700 serious injuries its hot coffee had caused?
If not to avoid litigation, at times, the reason behind stating the obvious is pure milk of human kindness, a fellow feeling worth emulating.
Take the walnut pack which i bought yesterday. It had '100% Natural!' written on it in bright green. "Is there any other kind?" hubby sniggered. What he doesn't see is that how do you know if there isn't an artificial kind? How thoughtful of the company to let us know that the walnut we are consuming is natural. The sign on a popular hair colour box is the soul of concern for consumers; 'Do not use as an ice cream topping'. One could very well do that, especially when the model on the box looks good enough to eat! But the one which created a lump in my throat was this one on a hairdryer; 'Do not use while taking a shower'.
 Do you realise that the manufacturer foresaw our penchant for multi-tasking? He knew one might think of washing and drying hair together to save precious time if not life. Had there been a Nobel prize for 'Life-saver of the year', he would've been the top contender for it.
We really shouldn't overlook the far-sightedness of these noble souls. One gem on a disposable razor said, 'Do not use this product during an earthquake'. Could anybody but the composer of the warning foresee that an earthquake means a disaster, a disaster means TV crews and one has to look presentable on TV? Of course, shaving would and should be the first thing on a person's mind during an earthquake!
At times, preventing us from looking like fools may also be the reason behind the warnings. The other day i caught my elderly aunt staring glumly at a strip of sleeping pills with, 'Warning: May cause drowsiness' on it. Obvious? A first rate fool you'd feel if you took it for a good night's sleep and ended up only drowsy!
A current advertisement of a popular brand of chewing gum on TV shows people switching the moon on and off by flicking open or shut the 'new' flick-open pack. A line below says 'An imaginary interpretation'. And i, for one, find it perfectly logical – one doesn't know how many of the viewers may still believe in the rhyme they learnt at momma's knees, 'Chanda mama door ke', and try to do the same as the people in the advertisement.

My point is, look for the deep thought before condemning the caring souls.


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Amazing Facts: Coffee & Caffeine !!

Feb 2, 2011




Coffee & Caffeine
A cup of drip brewed coffee has about 115 milligrams of caffeine, an espresso (and percolated coffee) about 80mg, while instant coffee has about 65mg of caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is not totally caffeine free, containing about 3mg of caffeine. A 8oz can of Coca-Cola has about 23mg of caffeine, Pepsi Cola 25mg, Mountain Dew 36mg, and TAB 31mg. Tea has about 40mg of caffeine, while an ounce of chocolate contains about 20mg.

The first Espresso machine was introduced in 1822 by the French, but it was the Italians who perfected and distributed it.

Coffee business

Coffee is the world’s most popular stimulant: 4 out of 5 Americans drink it, consuming more than 400 million cups a day. Consumption in Scandinavian countries is more than 12kg (26lb) per capita. With more than 25 million people employed in the industry, coffee is one of the largest trade industries in the world.

a coffee cupAlthough coffee is believed to have been grown near the Red Sea since the 7th century, an Arabian author of the 15th century, Shehabeddin Ben, wrote that Ethiopians enjoyed coffee ever since anyone could remember. By the 16th centuries, coffee plants were found throughout the Yemen region of Arabia. After a Turkish ambassador introduced it to the court of Louis XIV in 1669, Europeans quickly acquired a taste for it. A few years later, the Dutch introduced coffee into Java. In 1714, the Frenchman Desclieux planted a single cutting of a coffee tree on the island of Martinique. Plantations soon grew from French Guiana to Brazil and Central America. Today, coffee is planted in moist regions around the world.

Instant coffee was invented in 1906 by Mr. G. Washington, an Englishman living in Guatemala.



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Amazing Facts about Bicycle

Jan 29, 2011



Bicycle - amazing facts

Pacific Stratus Men's Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)There are about a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as motorcars. Almost 400 million bicycles are in China. Every year some 50 million bicycles - and 20 million cars - are produced.

Although Leonardo da Vinci drew some rough sketches of a contraption that looked like a bicycle, the Frenchman De Sivrac built the first bicycle-type vehicle in 1690. It was referred to as a hobbyhorse. However, it did not have pedals. Those were added in 1840 by a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who is credited with inventing the real bicycle.

On a penny-farthing bicycle, one pedal gave the wheel one turn. A lot of pedaling was needed to get around! With the advent of gears, bicycles could move as fast as cars.

Air-filled tyres were used on bicycles before they were used on motorcars.

The bicycle as we know it today - with two wheels of the same size - looks almost exactly the same as one from 1900.

The first five-seat bicycle, the quindem, was built in 1940.
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