GSM Mobile Phone Tracking System

GSM Mobile Phone Tracking System. Over the years, cell phone tracking has become much more easier, owing to various cell phone tracking devices, but the privacy issues regarding the technology are also mushrooming. It has become the biggest disadvantage of the system, wherein people oppose the technique, claiming that it hampers their privacy.

Global System for Mobile communications, popularly abbreviated as GSM, is a popular standard for mobile phones, used vastly across the world. According to the estimates made by the GSM Association, the promoter of GSM, 80% of the global market uses the GSM standard mobile phones. In GSM enabled mobile phones, the signaling and speech channels are digital and thus it is regarded as a Second Generation or 2G mobile phone system.

The GSM mobile phone tracking system, more often referred to as GSM localization, is a cell phone tracking system which uses the hyperbolic positioning process to determine the exact location of a GSM enabled cell phone, thus indirectly tracking its user. In hyperbolic positioning, a particular object is accurately located by computing the time difference in arrival of the signals that are emitted from the object to three or more receivers. There are three methods of GSM mobile phone tracking, viz. network based mobile phone tracking system, handset based mobile phone tracking system and hybrid mobile phone tracking system.

• Network Based GSM Mobile Phone Tracking System

In network based mobile phone tracking, the service providers network infrastructure is used to determine the exact location of the GSM enabled handset. The levels of accuracy in the network based techniques vary, with cell identification method being the least accurate and the triangulation method being the most accurate. Network based techniques can be implemented without intruding the private space of the person who is being tracked, which is its biggest advantage. This technique requires one to work closely with the service provider, as the process includes installation of various software and hardware in the network infrastructure. The cooperation needed from the service provider sometimes acts as the biggest challenge faced in this technique, which may require the help of legislation.

• Handset Based GSM Mobile Phone Tracking System

In the handset based technique, the location of the GSM enabled handset is determined by cell identification, strength of the signals and latitudinal and longitudinal demarcation, if the handset is equipped with GPS. The calculations are sent to the location server for precise information about the user's location. This technology requires the installation of a client software on the mobile phone, which acts as its biggest drawback, since it's difficult to install a software on a mobile phone without the user's consent. More importantly, the software has to be compatible with various operating systems. The technique works only on smart phones, which is again a major drawback in this cell phone tracking system.

• Hybrid GSM Mobile Phone Tracking System

A combination of various techniques used in network-based and handset-based methods is used for phone tracking in the hybrid GSM mobile phone tracking method. For instance, Assisted GPS uses both GPS as well as network data to determine the exact location of the user. Though this method gives the most accurate information, its advantages are sometimes overshadowed by the limitations and challenges faced by network-based and handset-based techniques, which together form the hybrid method.

Over the years, cell phone tracking has become much more easier, owing to various cell phone tracking devices, but the privacy issues regarding the technology are also mushrooming. It has become the biggest disadvantage of the system, wherein people oppose the technique, claiming that it hampers their privacy. In order to tackle these problems, to make it safe and suitable, the extent to which this technology can be used, has been demarcated by a legal framework. 

 

GSM Mobile Phone Tracking System

Microsoft Buy Skype

Microsoft  Buy Skype. The team also discuss an apparent schism within Anonymous, and examine the group's denial of an attack in which credit card details were stolen from Sony's PlayStation Network

This week Aleks Krotoski and Charles Arthur are joined by Tom Loosemore to analyse this week's biggest tech stories.

We begin with Microsoft's purchase of Skype for $8.5bn. At the time of recording, the deal was only expected, and so the team look back at Skype's 7 year life, and how it has changed hands in that time. Charles finds it hard to see why Microsoft needs the VoIP service - and predicts a hard time for it within their Redmond HQ.

Charles also takes a look at the latest sales figures of mobile phones in western Europe, and finds Nokia has been pushed into second place by Samsung and Apple in the handset and smartphone markets respectively. It's more bad news for Nokia, and neither Tom nor Charles can foresee a rosy future for Nokia - with Tom predicting fatal consequences for the company.

The team also discuss an apparent schism within Anonymous, and examine the group's denial of an attack in which credit card details were stolen from Sony's PlayStation Network. Aleks, Charles and Tom talk through the group's aims, ponder the ramifications of a split, and attempt to describe the structure and motivation of Anonymous - with mixed success.

And finally, Tom talks to us about his attempts to build a single, central government website which will deliver information and services from recommendations made by the UK's digital champion Martha Lane Fox. Tom explains what his aims are for Alphagov and what it has been like working on such a large project, and within a huge government bureaucracy.

Microsoft  Buy Skype

Sony Online Entertainment taken offline

 The SOE network is responsible for hosting games like DC Universe Online, EverQuest, and Free Realms – so you can imagine the magnitude of such a crime

Somebody needs to give Sony a break. After being attacked over a week ago, and only just starting to recover, Sony has a bout of bad news again. This time it isn’t the Sony PlayStation Network, but the Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) servers. The SOE servers were taken down earlier this morning, with Sony citing it was due to an intrusion.

Now, it has been reported that personal details and about 12,700 credit card numbers were stolen have been stolen from the SOE servers. The SOE network is responsible for hosting games like DC Universe Online, EverQuest, and Free Realms – so you can imagine the magnitude of such a crime. However a silver lining surrounds this dark cloud; the stolen details are claimed to be from the year 2007, which means most of the credit card info stolen should have been expired by now.

There’s no telling when SOE will be back up, so for folks looking forward to their MMO fixes will have to find an alternate hobby in the meantime. Stay tuned for more updates.

Sony Online Entertainment taken offline

StumbleUpon - Your Website Traffic

 

StumbleUpon allows you to add up to 200 friends to your contact list. For you this could mean 200 potential sales, not only initially, but also in the future. But make sure you don’t spam your contacts. Instead, think of them as associates. StumbleUpon offers an easy way for quick traffic-building. Just keep in mind that in order to make the most out of the site....

StumbleUpon - Your Website Traffic. Getting traffic for a new website can be difficult if you’re relying solely on search engines. This is because proper SEO requires a great deal of time and skill. And even then you still may not make it into the top 10 listings. So, what other alternatives are available? One of the best involves using StumbleUpon to generate traffic. Through this site webmasters can get their own following of visitors while boosting their Alexa rating. 

So, what exactly is StumbleUpon and why is it so useful for generating traffic? Basically, StumbleUpon is a social networking site where members bookmark or ‘stumble’ sites that are interesting to them. Other members see what sites got ‘stumbled’ by using StumbleUpon’s special toolbar. As they are surfing through the stumbled sites, they can give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down. 

To get your site in the StumbleUpon network, you will have to become a member and download their toolbar. From there, you will need to rate your sites. Make sure that index your sites in the appropriate category. Otherwise, your site might be seen as spam, and receive a ‘thumbs down’ by StumbleUpon visitors. Granted, you may get a few thumbs down even when you do things properly, but as long as your site is useful this shouldn’t happen too often. 

Once your site is submitted, you should start receiving traffic. However, be aware that this type of traffic may not covert in a lot of sales, since the users are passive visitors. They are not actively looking for information, like they would be on a search engine. So, you will have to include an extra incentive to drive interest to your offer. Most Internet marketers do this through opt-in pages. Through these pages visitors provide their email address, (or other information), in return for a freebie. This freebie could be an e-book or even a physical product. For example, if you’re operating an e-commerce store, you could give away one of your cheaper products. 

Anyway, with the information you obtain from the opt-in page, you could initiate email marketing or direct mail marketing. Through these forms of advertising, you establish more personal communication with your visitors. With this communication you increase the chances that you can acquire future sales. 

Speaking of personal communication, you can use this same train-of-thought with StumbleUpon’s social aspect. How is this so? Well, StumbleUpon allows you to add up to 200 friends to your contact list. For you this could mean 200 potential sales, not only initially, but also in the future. But make sure you don’t spam your contacts. Instead, think of them as associates. Approach them in a friendly manner, like you would someone at work or school. Once a relationship has been established, you can let them know about your site.

In conclusion, StumbleUpon offers an easy way for quick traffic-building. Just keep in mind that in order to make the most out of the site, you should make use of opt-in pages, rather than directly pointing visitors to your offer. Also, don’t forget to make friends while you’re stumbling. 

The 12 part E-course walks you through step by step on how to get the traffic coming to your site. This is traffic that you just put your time into, you don’t have to spend any money for it. 

 

StumbleUpon - Your Website Traffic

 

Microsoft files EU complaint against Google

Microsoft files EU complaint against Google. Google has consistently denied dominating the online search market and has contested individual allegations made against it. It said its behaviour was driven by the desire to give users of its search facilities the best results.

 

Microsoft has filed a formal complaint with European antitrust regulators about Google’s online search dominance in the region.

 

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel, said the software company had become “concerned by a broadening pattern of conduct aimed at stopping anyone else from creating a competitive alternative”.

He added: “We’ve therefore decided to join a large and growing number of companies registering their concerns about the European search market.”

In filing its complaint, Microsoft has joined its rivals in voicing their concerns with the European Union, which is investigating whether Google has violated the region’s antitrust laws and uses its dominance of web search to thwart competition.

“Our filing today focuses on a pattern of actions that Google has taken to entrench its dominance in the markets for online search and search advertising to the detriment of European consumers,” Mr Smith wrote in the blog post.

While Microsoft and partner Yahoo have about a quarter of the US search market and Google the rest, Google has almost 95 per cent of the market in Europe, according to Mr Smith, who cited data from regulators.

Google has consistently denied dominating the online search market and has contested individual allegations made against it. It said its behaviour was driven by the desire to give users of its search facilities the best results.

Microsoft files EU complaint against Google

Source : www.ft.com

Google Changes Algorithm for Low Quality Sites

Google Changes Algorithm for Low Quality Sites . Algorithmic changes are nothing out of the ordinary for Google. The company tweaks its algorithm several times per year, and many times the changes are not officially announced. The latest change is worthy of an announcement because it affects 11.8 percent of Google's queries.

In an attempt to offer its users better search results, Google has just implemented a significant change to its algorithm. The change will help boost the rankings of what are deemed to be high quality sites, and it will push low quality sites, such as content farms, further down the rankings.

Amit Singhal, a Google fellow, and Matt Cutts, a principal engineer who helps the search engine giant fight spam, announced the algorithmic improvement in a post on Google's blog. The change's main goal is to improve relevancy among search results for users. By rewarding high quality sites for their content and punishing low quality sites for their supposed lack of content, users can get more of what they are looking for without having to weed through irrelevant sites. Google considers high quality sites to be those that offer original content, in-depth analysis, research, and more.

Although the blog post did not name any specific websites, it is likely that content farms are its main target. Content farms produce short, low value articles that are created in response to popular search queries. One such site is eHow, which pays freelance writers small fees to produce short articles on a variety of subjects.

Many content farm articles achieved high search engine rankings in the past, but offered little actual value to visitors. Google sees these sites as a form of spam that clutters its results. Other sites, which post unoriginal content and even go as far as to copy content, are also targeted in the algorithm change. It is unknown exactly how long it will take for the ranking changes to actualize, but they should gradually appear.

Prior to officially changing its algorithm, Google announced the release of the Personal Blocklist extension for users of its Chrome browser. The extension allows users to block specific domains from appearing in search results, essentially creating a blacklist of unwanted sites. Personal Blocklist also allows users to provide Google with feedback and opinions on the blocked sites.

Google stated that it did not use the extension's feedback in making the algorithmic change, but there are some consistencies between the two. Approximately 84 percent of the most unpopular or blocked domains from Personal Blocklist have been negatively impacted since the change, which shows that it has worked in accordance with user opinion.

Algorithmic changes are nothing out of the ordinary for Google. The company tweaks its algorithm several times per year, and many times the changes are not officially announced. The latest change is worthy of an announcement because it affects 11.8 percent of Google's queries.

As of now, the change has only been implemented in the United States. Google does plan to make it global in the future, however. As time passes, it should be interesting to see how the change affects the Internet landscape. With any luck, the rewards of higher rankings given to quality sites should create an improvement in terms of the overall level of quality of online content.

For more on this topic, visit http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/finding-more-high-quality-sites-in.html. 

Google Changes Algorithm for Low Quality Sites

Redbox Android App

Redbox Android App “Redbox is a brand built on the word of mouth of our incredibly valued customers, which allows us to leverage our vast social media network to spread the word about new release movies and features, like the new redbox Android app and upgraded iPhone app,” Ms. Brennan said.

Redbox Android app makes finding nearby redbox kiosk locations, browsing titles with box art and reserving movies accessible via their Android-powered mobile devices.

The official redbox app, compatible with most Android devices—platform 1.6 and higher—is available as a free download in the Android Market.

Redbox iPhone 2.0 app
Since its debut in December 2009, the redbox iPhone app has been downloaded more than 2 million times.

Redbox has enhanced the app to provide additional content and faster connection speeds.

The enhanced app features movie box art and loads up to 50 percent faster to make renting movies on-the-move a snap.

The app is available for free upgrade in the iPhone App Store.

Consumers can login to the redbox iPhone or Android app using their redbox.com account, which is linked to their credit card.

When they arrive at a redbox kiosk, they touch “Online Reservation Pickup” and swipe their credit card to check out.

To find the nearest redbox location, consumers can visit http://www.redbox.com or text the keyword “redbox” to the short code 50101 from a mobile phone.

Currently, redbox does not have a mobile-optimized version of redbox.com.

“Redbox is a brand built on the word of mouth of our incredibly valued customers, which allows us to leverage our vast social media network to spread the word about new release movies and features, like the new redbox Android app and upgraded iPhone app,” Ms. Brennan said.

“Within about an hour of announcing the Android app launch to our Facebook community, the post received more than 550 likes and 180 comments,” she said.

Redbox Android App

Top 10 Android Apps - New York Times

Top 10 Android Apps.... Glympse (free; open the app, hit a couple of buttons and Glympse lets a friend temporarily track your location); Angry Birds (free; not as slick as the iPhone version); Weather Channel (free; offers better forecasts than your phone’s standard weather app); Epicurious (free.....

Android users have it even worse. Although there are fewer apps to peruse (around 100,000 at last count), the Android Market is a nightmare to navigate compared with the iTunes App Store. 

Yes, even though Google is the master of search, its Android Market’s search feature is less effective than Apple’s. The Market also has no answer for the App Store’s “Staff Favorites,” “Essentials” or “New and Noteworthy” selections, which pull good apps to the front of the catalog. 

But that’s why I’m here. Android users, I here by present 10 indispensable apps and then some. (This list and other lists of favorite apps can be found at http://nyti.ms/fKliAm.) 

Some apps on my list are unique to Android, even though app developers still seem to develop for iPhone first. Oh, and the best part about the list? Almost all the apps are free. 

Let’s start with Google, which created the Android operating system. The company may do a poor job with the Market, but it creates — and, more to the point, it gives away — stellar software for Android devices. 

Google Search (free) is a huge time saver, thanks to the voice-search function. (Ask it for Wikipedia entries and it fetches. Speak the name of a retailer and it finds the nearest location.) And Google Maps (also free) is a big money saver, since it provides the same turn-by-turn navigation features you would have to pay $10 a month for on other phone platforms. 

But since those apps come standard on every Android device I’ve ever seen, let’s skip those and get to the ones you’d have to seek out in the Android Market. 

GOOGLE SHOPPER (FREE) this app can save you hundreds of dollars by helping you find better prices nearby or online. Scan a bar code and the app takes it from there. If the scan doesn’t work, you can speak the product’s name and the app finds the product. 

GOOGLE SKY MAP (FREE) Some serious eye candy that you’ll want to activate on the next cloudless night. Point your device toward the heavens and Sky Map puts a label on every celestial body you see — and some you can’t. 

REMOTEDROID (FREE) Turns your phone into a wireless trackpad and mouse. You might not want to use the tiny keypad to input text, but if your computer lacks a trackpad — or if you’d like to liberate your trackpad from its spot — this will make your day. 

CARDIOTRAINER (FREE) Arguably better than any fitness app on the iPhone, CardioTrainer is an Android-only program that tracks your fitness regimen and calorie consumption. It includes a music management feature to keep your workout tunes fresh. 

SOUNDHOUND (FREE AND $5) It’s Android’s best showoff app after Sky Map. Open SoundHound and it identifies nearly any song — even some you hum. It also finds lyrics and YouTube videos of song performances. The $5 version lets you identify an unlimited number of tunes. Users of the free version get five songs a month. 

EVERNOTE (FREE) Can’t afford a personal assistant? This will help. Evernote is a mobile notepad that synchronizes with desktop and browser software (also free). Use your smartphone to take a photo, record a voice memo or jot down a note, and the next time you open Evernote on your desktop computer, your mobile notes appear (and vice versa). The free version stores a fair amount of information, but $45 a year buys unlimited storage. 

URBANSPOON (FREE) Great for those with empty stomachs, full wallets and no ideas. Spin Urbanspoon’s slot machine and it offers restaurant suggestions. You can also choose certain attributes — like moderate prices and bistro food — and selections appear. The app includes reviews, contact information, maps and directions. 

QUICKOFFICE MOBILE SUITE ($10) You can read Word, Excel or Powerpoint documents on an Android phone, but you can’t edit them without dedicated apps. Quickoffice is, so far, the best of these apps. It lets you create documents in a pinch, but the app’s strength is letting you get bits of work done away from the office. 

SLACKER (FREE) You’ve most likely heard of Pandora, the great personalized radio service. Slacker is better, with a deeper catalog of songs. And unlike the Web version, you can download hours of music to your phone and listen when you are offline. (That feature is free to try, but a $4 monthly fee applies thereafter.) 

FXCAMERA (FREE) Android doesn’t have anything quite like Hipstamatic, the iPhone app that creates beautiful effects for your photos. FxCamera is close, with several cool filters to choose from, and quick sharing to Facebook. 

Honorable Mention

 

Glympse (free; open the app, hit a couple of buttons and Glympse lets a friend temporarily track your location); Angry Birds (free; not as slick as the iPhone version); Weather Channel (free; offers better forecasts than your phone’s standard weather app); Epicurious (free; find professionally tested recipes, with reviews and shopping lists — the free BigOven app is also very good); FlightTrack ($5; track any flight and get delay forecasts, seat suggestions and gate information); Yelp (free; find local services, restaurants and bars, including reviews); Layar (free; see customized information about your surroundings); Qik (free; broadcast live video from your phone to a Web site) ; DroidLight (free; it’s a flashlight, a strobe light or a message board in a crowded club — indispensable)

 

Source : The New York Times

Top 10 Android Apps

10 best apps on the Ovi Store for Nokia users

10 best apps on the Ovi Store for Nokia users. Other than these, we recommend these apps, if you already do not have them on your cellphone - eBuddy Messenger - now available on almost all smartphones, this is an all-in-one messenger. You can sign in to google talk, Facebook, MSN and the rest and constantly be in touch with friends, even on the go....

App stores have become synonymous and crucial to the functionality of a touchscreen phone since the first phone was announced nearly 4 years ago. Every major cellphone maker is now intent on boosting the collection on its 'app stores.'  Nokia, once an undisputed leader in the cell phone market, lost some footing due its late start in this area but is catching up quite fast.

Here are 10 of the best apps available on Nokia phones - some practical, some fun :


1. F-Secure Anti-Theft for Mobile
Cellphones are probably the single gadget that contain every single personal detail. People even store passwords, credit card numbers and other crucial detail on the cell phone. F-Secure helps you delete all the data on your phone or remotely lock it, if you believe your phone is missing or have just forgotten on your desk at office or home. This application makes sure that the data does not fall into the wrong hands.

2. Smart Folder
Smart Folder provides more security features for people who want hide stuff on the cellphones. It is particularly applicable to photos and audio files you do not want nosy people who pick up your phone to "just browse through" to see. The catch here is, again, the 5 euro price, though there is a trial feature available for a limited period.

3. Super CallRecorder
This is a very useful tool for reporters, PR people or anyone who wish to record phone conversations as they talk.

4. Advanced Call Manager
Remember all those calls that you could not pick up and you wanted to send a message stating you'd call back or something else? There are in-built features in the Nokia phone that allows you to send a default message when you cut the call. With ACM, you can divide those contacts into groups with the messages you want to send, filter calls with different messages and ignore particular calls. The full paid version has more features at 7 euros.

5. Flashlight Extreme/SOS
Both the apps work similarly - converting your cellphone into a flashlight. However, the 'Extreme' version requires a one-time download of about 13MB. The SOS version doesn't always live up to its promise of converting the display screen into a 'powerful flashlight'. It also promises lights of 7 different colors but various reviewers have mentioned that the colors keep changing way too fast or get stuck on a single color. Worth installing for emergencies though.

6. Speereo Voice Translator
The best app for people constantly traveling. It promises a phrase book of 16 languages and more. Some features like maps and guides require internet connection. This app is also priced at 5 euro. Alternatively, there are apps like the 'Free Translator' or 'Dictionary & Translation Pro' that work equally well but require an internet connection.

7. Worldmate 2009
Worldmate 2009 is yet another travel app. Weather forecasts, flight schedules and alerts, currency converters and more - all wrapped into this one app. True, much of these are now available on the higher-end phones but this is a one-stop shop, with flight details. Meant mostly for those constantly on the go.

8. Touchnote - Postcards
Take a photo. Send it to someone as a real postcard. In theory, this app works great. Your own photos converted into postcards and mailed to whoever you wish. However, reviews on the app state that the app fails a little at the execution level. Some reviews even state that postcards never reached the intended destination, some say it took a little longer but got there eventually. Worth a shot though. Besdies, it takes up very little space on your cellphone.

9. Carpe Diem Daily
This is a fun app for those who are looking for something different. Based on the website carpediemdaily.com, the app states it "helps you do something new every day." For those who want every day to be an adventure and something special, this app is definitely the way to go.

10. Fake Calls
Agreed, the iStore had this a while ago. But now you can pretend to get a call too, like your friends on the iPhone, and escape a sticky situation. Edit the contact information to set a particular name, schedule a time for the call or the message. The calls are free, but the app will cost you 3 euros.

Other than these, we recommend these apps, if you already do not have them on your cellphone
-          eBuddy Messenger - now available on almost all smartphones, this is an all-in-one messenger. You can sign in to google talk, Facebook, MSN and the rest and constantly be in touch with friends, even on the go.
-          Shazam - Remember that song you heard in a restaurant and spent the rest of the day wondering who the artist is, or what the song was? Shazam can identify the song, the artist, album and the year.
-          Ovi Maps - Your own Nokia GPS, with voice guidance and directions.
-          Nokia Image Exchange - This app is still in the beta stage, which means glitches. But it makes sharing images easier and fun. And it is free.

Toyota Etios To Be Rolled Out Today

Toyota Etios to be rolled out today. toyota will also cash in on the situation and create a niche for itself in this segment with Etios. Actually, both the sedan and hatchback of Etios are targeted at Maruti Suzuki's Swift and Swift Dzire, but would also be a threat to other products including Nissan's Micra, Ford's Figo and Volkswagen's Polo and other small cars as well....

The much awaited compact sedan from the house of Toyota will be rolled out in India within an hour or so, after the vehicle was under development for almost four years. Etios is the result of a conceptualisation by Toyota the potentiality of bringing out a small car that would storm the emerging markets across the globe. Earlier, the world's second largest car manufacturer has never comtemplated in terms of producing a mass car in the compact segment and this thinking proves the perception of small car is going to stay. It took solid four years to develop this ambitious car and the fag end of it all, the firm's dedication and hardwork are going to be attaining fruition when the vehicle would be rolled out in India in a couple of hours from now. While the sedan version of Etios would be launched today, the hatchback will be rolled out next year.

According the company officials, a lot of contemplation and manhours have gone into the development of Etios. What is more Toyota Kirloskar Motor Limited, the Indian joint venture between Toyota Motor Corp of Japan and Kirloskar Group is pinning lot of hopes on this particular product, especially when the firm is entering the big league of mass volume market, taking on the might of Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai Motor India, Ford India, Nissan India, GM India and others. Etios comes at a time when the Indian market is seeing an all time boom, especially in the small car segment, where products such as Hyundai i10, Ford Figo, Nissan Micra, Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Suzuki's Alto and a whole lot of small cars, not to mention Tata Nano are making a killing and it is hoped that Toyota will also cash in on the situation and create a niche for itself in this segment with Etios. Actually, both the sedan and hatchback of Etios are targeted at Maruti Suzuki's Swift and Swift Dzire, but would also be a threat to other products including Nissan's Micra, Ford's Figo and Volkswagen's Polo and other small cars as well.

Though a compact car, Etios is a cut above the so called small cars like Ford Figo or a Nissan Micra, but has more features than what Maruti Suzuki India can offer in its cars both Swift and Dzire and that makes it all the more interesting. As Toyota has always brought premium products and that is in its DNA, yet its quest to bring an entry level sedan and a hatchback in the compact car segment has met with success with the launch of Etios in a while. Lookwise, it is a head turner, when compared with the so called small cars, but for a sesan of VW Polo's stature, Etios looks a tad bit mediocre, so to say. 

The firm has not worked real hard on aesthetics as is evident, but given the fact that the vehicle was designed under tremendous pressure in order to keep the costs at bay, obviously, the design part got a beating, nevertheless, it is not aweful either. On the first site, it does give a resemblence of Renault's Logan, meaning the latter's design has not been widely accepted in this country. More particularly, the triangular tail lamps and the straightforward waistline and the headlamps of Etios resembles and hence the resemblance is being made. 

What is more, in the Etios, the interiors are awesome and far better than the contemporary compact cars that are making headlines in India. Furthermore, the sedan does look spacious for its genre, we will have to wait for the hatch to be rolled out to find what have they done with that car. We will keep you posted, once the details of the roll out of Etios trickles in...

Toyota Etios to be rolled out today

Amazon Black Friday

Amazon Black Friday, Amazon.com release more offers as the week goes. The company will also publish Lightning Deals Black Friday Week in the days proceeding the great day. Amazon deals relief is only available in limited quantities, so keep an eye on this page. Free PS3 with Sony Bravia HDTV purchase.  Amazon.com offers a free 160 GB Sony PlayStation 3 and 3D Starter Kit with certain Sony HDTVs Bravio 

Amazon Black Friday, Amazon.com’s kick off its Black Friday deals earlier this year. At this point you can hang some pretty good deals on laptops, HDTVs, game consoles, movies and more. If you want to spend the folly of heading to the local mall on Black Friday deals you can score very generous over at Amazon and many of them shipped to you free.

Shipping Amazon.com Black Friday

If you hurry, you can get your shipments Amazon.com Black Friday night for only 3.99 per article and if you are a member of Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime members can have their purchases sent Black 

Friday by the two-day delivery for free. If you do not already have an Amazon Premium subscription if you are a parent, or plan to buy baby equipment for a loved one in the near future. Read our article on the program Mom Amazon for more information. 

Amazon.com Black Friday deals

So what are the best deals on Amazon.com this week, leading to Black Friday? You will find some of our favorites below. Amazon.com will release more offers as the week goes. The company will also publish Lightning Deals Black Friday Week in the days proceeding the great day. Amazon deals relief is only available in limited quantities, so keep an eye on this page.

Free PS3 with Sony Bravia HDTV purchase

Amazon.com offers a free 160 GB Sony PlayStation 3 and 3D Starter Kit with certain Sony HDTVs Bravio. The Sony Bravia 46-Inch 1080p KDL46NX810 240 Hz HDTV 3D Ready LED is one of the TVs included in this promotion. It costs $ 2298.99 this is a high-end HDTV. In case the cost of the PS3 and the 3D Starter Kit are reset, for a total of 578.98 and savings. Of course, this agreement is not much of a deal if you already have a PS3, but it’s a great way to get a PS3 and 3D glasses for free. The PS3 doubles as a Blu-ray Disc, which is a must-have when buying an HDTV upscale as this Sony.

You can also get free starter kit 3D and PS3 with the purchase of Sony BRAVIA 55-Inch 1080p KDL55NX810 240 Hz HDTV 3D Ready-LED, which sells and 2897.99.

The bundle includes Alice in Wonderland 3D on Blu-ray Disc.

40% off Plantronics Voyager Bluetooth Headset Pro

The Plantronics Voyager Pro is one of the best and most comfortable Bluetooth headsets we’ve ever tried. It is designed for everyday use and is often used by office professionals who need to gab on the phone all day, but we need to keep your hands free to type or paper shuffling. It is well worth its MSRP and 99.99 and is a flight at a low, 59.99.

This makes a great gift for people who use their mobile phones to talk more than text. It is also a favorite headphone for voice recognition applications, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.

32? TCL HDTV and 130 after $ 249 Discount

Amazon.com sells the TCL L32HDF11TA 32? LCD HDTV for only 249.98 and after a discount of 34%. TCL brand is not famous, but buyers of this television have made the most positive comments on Amazon.com. It does not have all the bells and whistles found on more expensive models, but it has the basics, including 720p image quality, three HDMI ports and a manufacturer warranty of two years.

This HDTV is eligible for Amazon TV generous policy 30-day return.

This is not the smartest HDTV, but most consumers would gladly hand over their televisions obsolete tube for this camera.

50% TomTom GPS Navigator 540TM XXL

Amazon offering half off the TomTom XL 540TM 5-inch GPS Navigator, which includes the free flow of cards and for life. This lowers the price down just and 129.99, well below what it cost in other stores. One thing we really like the TomTom XL 540TM is that it has a nice big screen, similar to what you find on many GPS devices installed in the factory. With this module, you’ll never have to squint your GPS screen to read the directions.

The GPS device receives updates of real-time traffic and route around congested roads if it will save you time comuter. More details are over at Amazon.com on unity and service life.

80% off Select Movies

Amazon.com is practically giving away free movies to celebrate Black Friday. A title that is on discount is The Blind Side, which normally sells for $ 15.99. After reduction of 80% is fair and 3.99. The chances are that you’ll be able to fill in a lot of socks with your loved films will enjoy for only a little more than the price of a rental.

For Black Friday deals, visit Notebooks.com the Black Friday page notebook. We will continue updating this page as more Amazon.com offers Black Friday rolls.

Amazon Black Friday 2010

500 Dollar Silver

500 Dollar Silver. The thing that scares me is this – when Silver is $500 an ounce how much will gold be? Right now, it’s $1,358 per ounce, but silver is less than $28 per ounce. You do the math  So do you think that 500 dollar silver would ever be possible?

500 Dollar Silver? Could the prices of silver jump up to 500 dollars an ounce? 

For those who don’t know how much silver prices usually run, Reuters Africa noted that analysts expect an ounce of silver to run $28 per ounce in 2011.  

That being said, $500 silver seems out of place, doesn’t it?

The term “500 dollar silver” came in to play when it was discovered that JP Morgan has Naked Shorts on Silver – which is a form of counterfeiting.  There’s a viral internet campaign to “crash” JP Morgan by purchasing large quantities of silver, and then demanding physical delivery.  

This would force JP Morgan to have to purchase silver on the open market, and with demand from orders up, this would essentially cripple their balance sheet. 

While shorting silver, JP Morgan bets that the value will DECLINE.  However, this is a viral internet campaign, and it’s unlikely to actually happen. Before buying or selling any investment or hedge, be sure to talk to your financial advisor.  

The thing that scares me is this – when Silver is $500 an ounce how much will gold be? Right now, it’s $1,358 per ounce, but silver is less than $28 per ounce. You do the math  So do you think that 500 dollar silver would ever be possible?

500 Dollar Silver

Verizon iPhone 4, iPad Update, iOS 4.2 Release?

by iPad and iPhone 3G users. iPad Update users have been waiting to get the multitasking feature and the iPhone 3G users have been anxious to fix the problems that were induced in their gadget post iOS 4. iOS 4.2 is expected to contain more than 100 new applications.

Verizon iPhone 4, iPad Update, iOS 4.2 Release: 2010 Hopes Now Pinned On November 24. The most debated topic on the web, Apple’s iOS 4.2 release date is here again. To add to excitement, there is additional expectation of Verizon iPhone 4 announcement.

Latest news is that Apple has already released the iOS 4.2 Gold Master. Since usually when the GM version is released, another version isn’t required. Also, Apple had yet to inform its developers officially of the new GM already being released.

After more research of course, it was found that Apple has launched another iOS 4.2 build, the 8C134b. However this build has only been released for the iPad, the iPhone version is still to be built.

However many sources have revealed that the iOS 4.2 performs better than the previous operating system updates on the iPad.

The iOS 4.2, which will include the iTunes 10.1 is being awaited specially by iPad and iPhone 3G users. iPad users have been waiting to get the multitasking feature and the iPhone 3G users have been anxious to fix the problems that were induced in their gadget post iOS 4. iOS 4.2 is expected to contain more than 100 new applications.

Two new very exciting features are that of AirPlay and AirPrint. AirPlay will enable iPad users to watch movies, videos etc, as well access the newly-launched Apple TV. Using the AirPrint feature, printing can be done over a WiFi netwo

Apple had announced that it would be releasing the iOS 4.2 in the month of November. However in the absence of an announced official date for the launch, the web has been abuzz with speculations over the same. Till an official announcement is made from Apple, all users will just have to wait.

 iPad Update

The Secret Blunder That Sank the Titanic

The RMS Titanic was the world's biggest passenger liner when it left Southampton, England, for New York on its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912. Four days into the trip, the ship hit an iceberg and sank, taking more than 1,500 passengers with it.

The Titanic hit an iceberg in 1912 because of a basic steering error, and only sank as fast as it did because a crew member persuaded the captain to continue sailing, an author said in an interview published on Wednesday.

Louise Patten, a writer and granddaughter of Titanic second officer Charles Lightoller, said the truth about what happened nearly 100 years ago had been hidden for fear of tarnishing the reputation of her grandfather, who later became a war hero.

Lightoller, the most senior officer to have survived the disaster, covered up the error in two inquiries on both sides of the Atlantic because he was worried it would bankrupt the ill-fated liner's owners and put his colleagues out of a job.

"They could easily have avoided the iceberg if it wasn't for the blunder," Patten told the Daily Telegraph.

"Instead of steering Titanic safely round to the left of the iceberg, once it had been spotted dead ahead, the steersman, Robert Hitchins, had panicked and turned it the wrong way."

Patten, who made the revelations to coincide with the publication of her new novel "Good as Gold" into which her account of events are woven, said that the conversion from sail ships to steam meant there were two different steering systems.

Crucially, one system meant turning the wheel one way and the other in completely the opposite direction.

Once the mistake had been made, Patten added, "they only had four minutes to change course and by the time (first officer William) Murdoch spotted Hitchins' mistake and then tried to rectify it, it was too late."

Patten's grandfather was not on watch at the time of the collision, but he was present at a final meeting of the ship's officers before the Titanic went down.

There he heard not only about the fatal mistake but also the fact that J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of Titanic's owner the White Star Line persuaded the captain to continue sailing, sinking the ship hours faster than would otherwise have happened.

"If Titanic had stood still, she would have survived at least until the rescue ship came and no one need have died," Patten said.

The RMS Titanic was the world's biggest passenger liner when it left Southampton, England, for New York on its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912. Four days into the trip, the ship hit an iceberg and sank, taking more than 1,500 passengers with it.

Titanic

Facebook gets movie treatments as social media hits high

"You've got to protect yourself," said Schulman. "Everyone has different intentions."
Ironically for an actor portraying the man now in charge of Facebook in "Social Network," Eisenberg himself is not a Facebook user, nor does he ever plan to be.

Facebook hits the silver screen this fall with two movies coming out within weeks of each other at a time when social media is at an all-time high.

Independent documentary "Catfish" and glitzy Hollywood feature "The Social Network" couldn't be more different. But both could very well be two sides of the same coin.

"We've gotten to a point where it's time to reflect on it," said "Catfish" filmmaker Ariel Schulman.
"'The Social Network' shows us how we got here. 'Catfish' shows us where we're at."

Facebook is the most popular social networking site in the world with over 500 million active users. Sites like MySpace, microblogging site Twitter, and Tumblr are also thriving, creating an intricate online world where everything from dating websites to video game communities have users who put their personal lives out on public display.

As "Catfish" illustrates, not everyone on these sites is who they say they are.

"Catfish", which opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, follows Nev Schulman, a photographer who falls in love with a girl on Facebook. Over time, their romance blossoms and they begin to text and talk on the phone.
When Nev, his brother Ariel and their friend Henry discover some startling revelations, they set off on a road trip to meet the girl in person.

"The Social Network," arrives on October 1, with a pedigree that includes Oscar-nominated David Fincher directing from a screenplay by the four-time Emmy Award winning Aaron Sorkin.

The film is based on Ben Mezrich's book "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal." Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, now 26, is played by Jesse Eisenberg.

"It's interesting that these two movies are coming out at the same time," said Schulman, who directed "Catfish" with Henry Joost.

"We are however many years in to the social networking phenomenon and I think it has hit a tipping point," he said.

Schulman, along with Joost, shot his brother Nev's 2008 real-life romance and road trip to visit the girl of his dreams. He felt there is now a sort of "collective subconscious" around Facebook.
Schulman likens social networks to a "collection of avatars" where users put up "ideal versions of themselves" for others to see.

"We each play the role of our own personal publicist that way," he noted, cautioning that because of that, "you can't go online naively."

"You've got to protect yourself," said Schulman. "Everyone has different intentions."
Ironically for an actor portraying the man now in charge of Facebook in "Social Network," Eisenberg himself is not a Facebook user, nor does he ever plan to be.

"If you're in a public setting like (actors) are, you come to really value your privacy," he said.
However, Eisenberg is quick to point out that it's not "the medium that's the danger, it's the people using the medium" and that's why he's chosen to stay off it.

Though Nev Schulman says he doesn't feel completely protected from his "Catfish" situation happening again, he says he has no regrets about his Facebook romance.

"I ended up going on a great life experience with my brother and my dear friend Henry," said Nev Schulman.
What was real, were the life lessons that came with all that.

"I now have a better understanding of what I thought I wanted, what I really want and what's important insofar as my relationships with friends and family," he said. "This experience has allowed me to grow and change for the better."

Yahoo Delivers Mail Optimized for iPad

Here at Yahoo we’re focused on reaching consumers wherever they are – across PC, mobile, TV and increasingly across tablet devices like iPad.

On the heels of our recently launched HTML5 mobile web mail for iPhone you’ll feel right at home with this experience. We’re keeping all the things users love about our new mobile Web mail, while optimizing it for the gorgeous large screen of the iPad. The iPad experience is:

• Faster and more reliable: If you’re offline, Yahoo! Mail uses local caching capabilities to help you access and search your messages even without an internet connection.
• Smart: You can find and organize your messages using Full Search, personal folders and Smart Folders with messages from your most important contacts and optimized views for photos and file attachments.
• Feature Rich: View rich photo attachments in their full form, or as previews directly in the inbox view. Also includes a dual-pane view to make reading and organizing a breeze.

The new Yahoo! Mail experience is available globally to anyone who has an iPad. To check out Yahoo! Mail on your iPad, simply open up Safari and head on over to http://mail.yahoo.com.

Of course this is just the first version, and we be constantly iterating to add new features, improve performance, and make Yahoo! Mail for iPad the best it can possibly be. And please let us know what you think.

Enjoy!

Gas Detector - Portable Handheld Gas Detector

Portable Handheld Gas Detector Putting safety within your reach Forget about messy soap-and-water testing forever! Innotek's Portable Handheld Gas Detector offers a faster, simpler way to test for the presence of propane, butane and natural gas leaks. At just 7-1/2 inches long, its compact design makes it easy to check around fittings and connectors, even in the smallest spaces. 

Gas Detector Gas Detector Gas Detector Gas Detector

This innovative new tool is ideal for everyone from professionals, who must search for gas leaks on a daily basis, to homeowners and travelers, who want to perform occasional safety checks on their barbecues or RVs. Powered by two AAA batteries, the Innotek Portable Handheld Gas Detector is a smart new tool everyone can use. It's backed with a five-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Broadband Continues To Drive Online Video Viewing

High definition television, DVRs, and the Internet are creating higher quality and better experiences for consumers, leading to an increase in the amount of videos Americans watch, according to a new Nielsen Three Screen Report.

"Consumers are driven by the convenience and quality that today's technology now enables," said Matt O'Grady, Executive Vice President, Audience Measurement, Nielsen.

"New mobile devices and enhanced TV quality allow viewers to engage in more content than ever before."

More than half of U.S. TV households now have HDTV, up 189 percent from the first quarter of 2008, and more than one-third have DVRs, up 51 percent. High-speed broadband access, now in 63.5 percent of homes, has created a better user experience for watching online videos and nearly a quarter of households have smartphones, allowing people to "place shift" and watch video anywhere.

 

Despite the common perception that viewers of videos on mobile phones are mostly teens, more than half (55%) are adults aged 25-49. While mobile online video viewing is still fairly limited, year over year growth is notable at 51.2%.

TV is still the most popular screen of choice: viewers watched 2 more hours of TV per month in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period a year prior (158:25 vs. 156:24).  They are also continuing to simultaneously use the Internet while watching TV, with the average time spent doing both activities up 9.8% to 3 hours and 41 minutes.

AS of the first quarter of 2010 the 292 million people in the U.S. with TV spend on average 158 hours, 25 minutes each month watching television. Also in the first quarter 138 million people watched video on the Internet spending on average 3 hours, 10 minutes.

When it comes to mobile video, 20.3 million watched mobile video in the U.S., spending on average 3 hours and 37 minutes each month.