Research In Motion (RIM) confirmed today that it is extending an offer to the Government of India whereby RIM would lead an industry forum focused on supporting the lawful access needs of law enforcement agencies while preserving the legitimate information security needs of corporations and other organizations in India. In particular, the industry forum would work closely with the Indian government and focus on developing recommendations for policies and processes aimed at preventing the misuse of strong encryption technologies while preserving its many societal benefits in India.
As discussions between RIM and the Government of India continue, RIM would like to unequivocally clarify certain misperceptions that have been expressed recently:
Misperception #1 - “RIM has the keys to decode or decrypt the encrypted data that flows through the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution.”
In fact, RIM does not possess a “master key”, nor does any “back door” exist in the system that would allow RIM or any third party, under any circumstances, to gain access to encrypted corporate information. In order to provide corporate customers with the necessary confidence that the transmission of their valuable and confidential data is completely secure, the BlackBerry security architecture for enterprise customers was purposely designed to exclude the capability for RIM or any third party to read encrypted information. RIM would simply be unable to accommodate any request for a copy of a customer’s encryption key since at no time does RIM, ever possess a copy of the key.
Misperception #2 – “Locating BlackBerry Infrastructure within India, or within any particular geography, will somehow aid the Government’s access to encrypted information.”
In fact, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server security architecture was also purposefully designed to perform as a global system independent of geography. The location of infrastructure and the customer’s choice of wireless network are irrelevant factors from a security perspective where end-to-end encryption is employed. The transmission of encrypted data is no more decipherable or less secure based on the location of RIM’s BlackBerry Infrastructure or the customer’s selection of a wireless network. All data remains encrypted at all times and through all points of transfer between the customer’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the customer’s device (at no point in the transfer is data decrypted and re-encrypted). Therefore, locating BlackBerry Infrastructure in a particular geography does not in any way aid or offer access to the encrypted information that flows through the BlackBerry Infrastructure.
Misperception #3 – “RIM has offered solutions to certain governments and denied the same to others.”
In fact, while RIM does not disclose confidential regulatory discussions that take place with any government, RIM assures both its customers in India and the Government of India that RIM maintains a consistent global standard for lawful access requirements that does not include special deals for specific countries.
3 Best BlackBerry phones available now !
First lets have a look at the top 3 reasons why everyone from an executive to a celebrity go nuts over their berry's. Beyond the push email and full QWERTY, here are the top 3 popular reasons
1. Integration: The BlackBerry platform provides a unified inbox which puts all your email accounts, SMS, messenger chats and other notifications into one place, so you don't have to open individual applications to check what's up. This is a boon to the socially hyperactive users that are you and me, who are constantly on Twitter, Facebook, Google Talk and a ton of other services. You get notifications directly in your inbox and you can respond to them from there itself, without leaving the inbox!
2. BlackBerry Messenger: This is probably the first thing BlackBerry lovers yell out! BBM is a BB-to-BB messaging service that's completely free. It's as quick as SMS, but it doesn't cost that much. And it's got other benefits too - you can send photos, audio clips and have group chats. Once all your friends are on BBM, you'll find yourself closer to them in a way you've never been before!
3. Battery Life: None of us enjoy having to lug the charger around and recharging the phone twice a day. You don't have to do that with a BlackBerry. The platform's real-time notification capability means your device doesn't constantly have to check what's up online, and that leads to increased battery life. Even with other applications running that DO need to transfer data regularly, such as Facebook and Google Talk, the battery doesn't drain out like a toilet flush. The least amount of time I've had with the Bold 9700 is one and half a day with EVERYTHING running and buzzing frantically!
Top 3 BlackBerry Phones
Yes we do know, there are a lot of BlackBerry phones in the market. Some new ones, some old ones and some kinda ancient ones as well. But we're going to focus on the newer ones because they're capable of running the latest BlackBerry OS 5.0 and offer all the features that you need presently.
1. BlackBerry Bold 9700 (~ Rs. 25,000)
The Bold 9700 (also called the Bold 2) is the top model right now with the best performance and features. It's got plenty of memory and a very fast CPU, so you can load a ton of apps into this and use them without having to stare at the "spinner of death". There's a nice 3.2mp camera with an LED flash and a nice leather-like rear for that classy feel. Great for showing off at work!
2. BlackBerry Curve 8520 (Rs. 13,500)
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is the affordable Berry for new users. It offers all the standard BlackBerry features including BBM, apps such as Twitter, Facebook and a ton of other stuff. It also has dedicated keys for controlling music playback and a 2mp camera too, but it lacks a flash. Other than the flash, it's damn near perfect!
3. BlackBerry Storm 2 9520 (Rs. 28,000)
The Storm 9520 (or the Storm 2) is the highest-end BlackBerry in the market. It's different from the others - there's no QWERTY keypad here, but instead, a full touchscreen with an on-screen keypad. To emulate the feel of a keypad, the whole screen can actually be clicked (SurePress technology). We think a BlackBerry with a proper keypad is really what the experience is about, but if you want to step out of the line, go get a Storm !!
Official - Rupee upgrades it's symbol - powered by an IIT'ian
Even though not fully convertible, the Indian rupee will soon have a distinct identity. With a blend of the Devanagri ‘Ra' and Roman ‘R' as its unique symbol, the Indian currency will be joining the elite club of the US dollar, the European euro, the British pound sterling and the Japanese yen to mark its presence in the global arena.
Designed by Bombay IIT post-graduate D. Udaya Kumar, the symbol was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday to distinguish the currency of the over $ 1-trillion economy from the rest, such as the rupee or the rupiah of Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Briefing the media on the Cabinet decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: “It's a big statement on the Indian currency. The symbol would lend a distinctive character and identity to the currency and further highlight the strength and global face of the Indian economy.”
Unlike the pound sterling among the four currencies with distinct identities, the Indian currency symbol will not be printed or embossed on paper notes or coins.
It would be included in the ‘Unicode Standard' and major scripts of the world so as to ensure that it is easily displayed and printed in the electronic and print media. Unicode is an international standard that allows text data to be interchanged globally without conflict. After incorporation in the global and Indian codes, the symbol would be used by all individuals and entities within and outside the country.
The symbol would be adopted within a span of six months in the country and in about 18-24 months globally. Featuring on computer keyboards and software for worldwide use, the symbol would reflect the Indian ethos and culture. The State governments would also be asked to proactively promote the use of the new symbol.
Mr. Kumar's winning entry was chosen from 3,000 designs received for the currency symbol competition. He will get an award of Rs. 2.5 lakh from the Finance Ministry. The jury, headed by a Reserve Bank Deputy Governor, had sent five short-listed entries for the Cabinet's approval.
All about the new iPhone 4
Design:
The hardware design hasn't changed from the one we already knew about. It uses the same materials as the prototype: Black glass and stainless steel rim. It fits with the rest of the Apple product line, from the hard edges to the Dieter-Ramsesque utilitarianism of the iMac and the iPad.
The black glass is aluminosilicate glass. Apple claims this glass is "chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic." According to them, this makes it more scratch resistant and durable than the previous generation.
The size is smaller than the previous generation: 34% thinner than the iPhone 3GS. Although it is 3 grams heavier. According to Apple, it's the thinnest smartphone ever. It has split buttons for volume, unlike the current iPhone 3GS, all made in stainless steel.
The stainless steel rim: The stainless steel rim gives the structure to the iPhone, and acts as part of the antenna for 3G and Wi-Fi. In theory, this will greatly increase the reception abilities of the new iPhone 4.
Physical size:
The iPhone 4 is 4.5 x 2.31 inches, and 0.37 inches thick. It weighs 4.8 ounces (137 grams).
Hardware:
The new big brain has an Apple A4 chip inside, just like the iPad. Inside the A4 there are a few interconnected chips: A Cortex-A8 main processor unit—the main brain—paired with a PowerVR SGX 535, which handles the high definition graphics of the new iPhone. These are directly connected with each other and two low-power 128MB DDR SDRAM chips. Since all these components are in the same chip, Apple claims the iPhone 4 can process data more quickly while consuming less battery than before.
The A4 also consumes less power because its sub-components can be switched on and off when they are not needed, shaving watts whenever it's possible.
Battery life:
The battery is 16% bigger than the current one. Coupled with the A4 processor and new display, it results in a longer battery life: Apple claims 40% more talk time. Here are their figures:
• Talk over 3G: 7 hours.
• Browsing over 3G: 6 hours.
• Browsing over Wi-Fi: 10 hours.
• Video: 10 hours.
• Music: 40 hours.
• Stand-by: 300 hours.
Display:
The 3.5-inch multitouch screen has a resolution of 960 × 640 pixels. Apple calls is the Retina Display, and it has four times as many pixels as the current iPhone 3GS' display. The screen has 326 pixel per inch resolution, a higher definition than your typical magazine.
Apple claims that this IPS-based display—the same technology as used in the iPad—also has 800-to-1 contrast ratio which is four times better than the 3GS, with a higher viewing angle.
The apps will take automatic advantage of the increased relative resolution, which mean they will be a lot sharper for text, 3D graphics, and vectorial art. However, developers will need to include higher resolution bitmap images to make the app look perfect.
Like the iPhone 3GS and the iPad, the display has an oleophobic layer that makes it easier to clean.
Main camera:
The new iPhone has a bigger sensor for the main camera. It's backlit and has bigger lenses too. Instead of having a higher resolution, however, the sensor maintains the same 5 megapixel count. They are bigger dots, however, so it has a higher ISO—or sensitivity to light. That means that you would be able to take better photos and video in low light conditions, and your pictures will look a lot better.
The camera also has a LED-based flash, which works both for photographs and video. To focus, both for photographs and video—you just need to tap on the screen.
Video conferencing camera:
In the front, there's a video conference camera, with standard VGA resolution. This camera will be used with third-party applications, as well as Apple's own video conference solution.
Gyroscope: The new iPhone 4 has a gyroscope built-in. This means that it can track movement with a very high precision, much higher than the built-in accelerometers in the previous iPhones. It's 3-axis, so it's capable of detecting pitch, roll, and yaw. Couple with the accelerometer, you have 6-axis motion sensing.
Other
• Like the iPad 3GS, the new iPhone uses the new micro-SIM standard.
• It has an additional microphone on the top used for noise cancelation.
Software: iOS4 The new iPhone 4 comes with iOS 4, a new moniker for the iPhone OS. The biggest new feature is, of course, selective multi-tasking, Apple's way to multitask some application features without consuming too many resources and battery power.
The new iOS 4 supports Apple's Retina display using resolution independence. This means that applications will automatically get scaled for the new resolution, but looking sharper, not pixelated. That includes typography, 2D vector graphics, and 3D graphics. However, developers will have to include higher resolution images for buttons or other screen controls (something that many have already, since this was already exposed in the last WWDC).
Video calling: However, the biggest feature of the new iPhone 4 is probably video calling, thanks to its front camera. Apple calls it FaceTime, and it works iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 over Wi-Fi—at least for 2010. Apple claims that in the future it will be available over 3G.
The iPhone 4 can use both cameras for video calling, so you can broadcast what is in front of you to another iPhone 4.
iMovie for iPhone: The new iPhone 4 will be able to use a new editing software from Apple: iMovie for iPhone. It comes with 1,500 new features.
The new iMovie for iPhone works on even 720p high definition. You can use it to cut the video clips, add automatic Ken Burns effects for still images and a music soundtrack taken from your iPhone's tunes. After you are done with your movie, you can export it to 360p, 520p, and 720p. It's a separate application, however, it doesn't come built-in with the iPhone 4.
iBooks: iBooks will also be available for the new iOS4. Apple claims that the new iPhone 4's 325 pixel-per-inch display will make the books perfectly readable. It will use the same controls as the iBooks application in the iPad.
Price and availability
The Phone 4 will be available in black or white on June 24, and will cost $199 and $299 for 16 and 32GB if you are a new user or you are eligible for an upgrade.
If you are an existing iPhone user, the early upgrade will cost you $399 and $499. Without contract, the iPhone 4 is $599 and $699.
iPhone 4 v/s Top Smartphones
iPhone 4 HTC EVO 4G Nokia N8 Plam Pre Plus HTC HD 2
Update: iPhone 4 (Available 24th June 2010)
HTC Evo 4G (Available)
Nokia N8 (Expected release 3rd Quarter 2010)
Palm Pre Plus (Available)
HTC HD2 (Available)
AVATAR Blu-Ray coming April 22 (Earth Day)
After weeks of speculation and rumors, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced Avatar on Blu-ray. As James Cameron himself revealed a month ago, the release date has been set for Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day), it will be available in India on the same day. In a first for a major theatrical release on Blu-ray, the studio will go Superbit on James Cameron's mega blockbuster and release it without any special features of any sort, in order to maximize audio and video quality. A DVD will be included with the BD.
Avatar producer Jon Landau explained to the Los Angeles Times that they told Fox that "we wanted to do something really special and reach for the best presentation of any film in the history of the format." Landau adds, "Everything that is put on a disc takes up room – the menus, the extras, the trailers and studio promotions – and we got rid of all of that so we could give this movie the best picture and sound possible." Extra time and care have been devoted to this project, with the video compression sessions taking six weeks, as opposed to the usual two weeks for a typical theatrical release.
Regarding a 3D release, Fox sources again denied reports that it would come out later this year. The Digital Bits hazards a guess that it will probably come "in a third dip a year or two from now", once there is a market for 3D on Blu-ray.
A BD-50 disk. The video quality is top notch and so is the sound which is encoded in true 5.1 surround even in Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The BD gives you an option to play the movie in eight global languages without compromising on the audio quality - but the final verdict post the final product in hand. The Blu-ray version is expected to be priced at 1,290 INR.
Finally - Multi-tasking comes to iPhone OS 4.0
Hail Steve - iPhone OS 4.0 just brought multitasking to the platform. Apple says they've figured out how to implement third party multitasking without hurting performance or battery life, and they're demoing it now -- you just double click the home button and see a list of your apps, and you can just tap to switch between apps. The system actually runs the services apps need in the background -- the apps don't need to do them individually, so it's not a "true" multitasking system, but it seems plenty effective. There are seven services: background audio, which allows you to use the standard pop-over iPod controls, Voice over IP, which can receive calls in the background, location services for GPS and social networking (there's an indicator if any service is tracking you), updated push notifications with local notifications, task completion so you can finish things like uploads in the background, and fast app switching, which lets apps sleep and resume instantly. Notably missing? Anything for managing a conversation, like IM or Twitter, which is a big omission. Win some, lose some, we suppose.
Many of you might not like this but - only the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation (late 2009) iPod touch will support multitasking. The iPhone 3G and below won't - Steve says the hardware doesn't support it. Sad face.
Hands on video showing LIVE use of OS 4.0 on iPhone 3GS
Apple's last priority 'India' - Iphone 3GS launched finally
After years of speculations, rumors, frustratios - 'Apple' finally launched its flagship model the Iphone3G (S) in India on 26th Mar 2010. Ok that was two days ago, we now have the pricing details of the Iphone 3GS:
- Older 3G 8GB version will continue to be sold at 29,500 INR
- 3GS 16GB will burn a hole for 35,500 INR
- Top-end model 32GB 3GS will cost you whopping 41,500 INR in India
Airtel/Vodafone both carriers have been authorized to sell Iphone 3GS.
Under Plan 1, users are charged a monthly fee of Rs. 799, they get 249 minutes of voice credits, and 250MB of data credits if they opt for this.
Under Plan 2, you would be charged Rs. 999 and will get 299 minutes of voice credits with 600MB of data credit.
Then there is the iPhone Pre-paid plan in which the users will be charged Rs. 100 a month. There is no voice or data credit under this plan.
Android-based Mini 3 Smartphone - Dell Unveils
Now it's time for Dell to launch its first android based smart phone after Google.
Joining the race with Google, Dell in collaboration with AT&T recently announced the arrival of Android-based Mini 3 Smartphone in the market soon.Consider to be the best answer for high profile Smartphone & combination of the best in performance with style. AT & T the leading company in smart phones makes a great match with Dell to introduce the Android-based Smartphone.
Technical specifications and pricing information is not yet reviled. However, Dell did confirm that Mini 3 has a 3.5-inch high-definition touch screen, offer fastest 3G network & nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.
Mini 3 is expected to make its grand entry in the market during the first half of 2010.
Follow Flamboyz.com to catch the review on Mini 3 before this masterpiece hits the market.
Nexus One Coming to Verizon March 23 ?
Yesterday we heard that a CDMA version of the Nexus One was approved by the FCC, and now Neowin has word from an anonymous Google employee that the Google phone will land on Verizon on March 23. That's the day the CTIA wireless convention kicks off and it's less than a month away; Perhaps a bit sooner than we'd expected, but certainly plausible.
Sony PSP Phone to be a reality soon ?
Sony Ericsson might or might not launch a genuine PSP phone (although the company admitted that it's thinking about it), but there's still hope if you really, really want such a phone. A Shanzhai PSP phone is reportedly coming soon from China. The phone looks like a regular Sony PSP console, but it has Call and End call keys, as well as a photo camera on the back.
No word yet on specs, but it's said that the Chinese PSP phone probably uses a MTK (MediaTek) platform, which means it might feature Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and even dual SIM capabilities.
Exclusive - LG declared to be the First Windows Phone 7 Series partner
Microsoft's Aaron Woodman just pulled off a little surprise when he brought out LG's Windows Phone 7 Series pre-production prototype. The QWERTY slider is the first branded Windows Phone 7 Series device the world's ever seen, and while the hardware and software are both obviously early, we can tell you a few things about it - it's just a hair thicker than an iPhone or Nexus One, there are dedicated hardware camera, volume, and power buttons in addition to the back, home, and search buttons dictated by Windows Phone 7 Series, and we noticed a five megapixel camera with a flash on the back, along with a headphone jack. Can't say much apart from that right now, since things are so early and everything is subject to change, but things are certainly moving along.
Exclusive: Google’s Algorithm - Heart of the Search Engine Gaint
Do you Want to know how Google is about to change your life - then Stop by the Ouagadougou conference room, it is here - at the Mountain View, California, headquarters of the world’s most powerful Internet company that a room filled with three dozen engineers, product managers, and executives figure out how to make their search engine even smarter and powerful. This year Google will introduce 550 or so improvements to its fabled algorithm, and each will be determined at a gathering just like this one. The decisions made at the weekly Search Quality Launch Meeting will wind up affecting the results you get when you use Google’s search engine to look for anything — “Samsung SF-755p printer,” “Ed Hardy MySpace layouts,” or maybe even “capital Burkina Faso,” which just happens to share its name with this conference room. Udi Manber, Google’s head of search since 2006, leads the proceedings. One by one, potential modifications are introduced, along with the results of months of testing in various countries and multiple languages. A screen displays side-by-side results of sample queries before and after the change. Following one example - a search for “Laundry service Tip Top” — Steve cries out, “I did that search!”
You might be thinking that after a solid decade of search-market dominance, Google could relax. After all, it holds a commanding 65 percent market share and is still the only company whose name is synonymous with the verb search. But just as Google isn’t ready to rest on its laurels, its competitors aren’t ready to concede defeat. For years, the Silicon Valley monolith has used its mysterious, seemingly omniscient algorithm to, as its mission statement puts it, “organize the world’s information.” But over the past five years, a slew of companies have challenged Google’s central premise: that a single search engine, through technological wizardry and constant refinement, can satisfy any possible query. Facebook launched an early attack with its implication that some people would rather get information from their friends than from an anonymous formula. Twitter’s ability to parse its constant stream of updates introduced the concept of real-time search, a way of tapping into the latest chatter and conversation as it unfolds. Yelp helps people find restaurants, dry cleaners, and babysitters by crowdsourcing the ratings. None of these upstarts individually presents much of a threat, but together they hint at a wide-open, messier future of search — one that isn’t dominated by a single engine but rather incorporates a grab bag of services.
Aurora Watch includes LASERS - Bond are you listening ?
The Aurora Watch has no interest in traditional minute and second hands. It doesn't even have a dial to speak of. Yep, you're just going to have to settle for good old fashioned touch activated laser hands.
Yes, designer Jihun Yeom has put laser lights in a watch, with red indicating minutes and blue indicating hours. The sad news is, it's only a concept for now. Presumably they need to perfect a fail-safe to keep from singeing wrist-hairs. But there's no question that Future Me will be sporting one of these at each and every light cycle derby.
All U.S. Android Phones to get promoted - designation 2.1
We recently heard that Android 2.1 was on its way to the Droid, but now sources tell AndroidandMe that all U.S. Android phones will be receiving Android 2.1 firmware in coming months, though some will require a wipe to upgrade.
As we've heard is the case with the Droid, some features like animated wallpapers probably won't make the upgrade, but if the updates come to life, increased text-to-speech support and enhanced widgets will likely come along with them. The price of getting up to date - Androidandme explains, might be wiping your phone clean. A deadly surprise - but you gotta compromise at times!
Google has shown its awareness that fragmentation is a serious issue for Android, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them try to make things a little more even across the board. The G1 and MyTouch are supposedly candidates for the first wave of updates, so keep an eye out for confirmation in coming weeks.
The new iPhone has a bigger sensor for the main camera. It's backlit and has bigger lenses too. Instead of having a higher resolution, however, the sensor maintains the same 5 megapixel count. They are bigger dots, however, so it has a higher ISO—or sensitivity to light. That means that you would be able to take better photos and video in low light conditions, and your pictures will look a lot better.
