First look: Microsoft‘s latest OS Windows 8.1

SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says the latest update to Windows is a "refined blend" of its older operating system for PCs and its new touch-enabled interface for more modern, mobile devices.  After some hands-on time with it, the update seems to mea patch over an ever-widening chasm.  The issue is that there...

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Google Reader alternatives: Pluses & minuses

NEW YORK: On July 1, we say goodbye to Google Reader, a handy tool for bringing headlines and articles your favorite websites into a single place.  With Reader, I've been able to see at a glancethe updates various news services, blogs and company websites I follow. Although many of these items relate to work, I have added a few...

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HP aims to re-enter the global smartphone race

BEIJING: Technology giant HP is looking at re-entering the smartphone race and is working on launching a new device, which will offer a "differentiated experience" to consumers.  Without giving a timeline, HP Senior Director Consumer PC and Media Tablets Asia Pacific Yam Su Yin told PTI that the company is focusing onsegments including...

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iPhone plastic shell leaks in China

It’s time to get green, it would seem, as a brightly colored back shell of what’s said to be a next-generation iPhone leaks in China. This leak is consistent with several tips and suggestions over the past week involving the so-called “budget” iPhone, including the color similarity to current iPhone bumpers. This device would, if it proves...

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Password fatigue haunts netizens

WASHINGTON: Looking for a safe password? You can give HQbgbiZVu9AWcqoSZmChwgtMYTrM7HE3ObVWGepMeOsJf4iHMyNXMT1BrySA4d7 a try. Good luck memorizing it.  Sixty-three random alpha-numericacters in this case, generated by an online password generator are as good as it gets when it comes to securing your virtual life.  But...

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In Depth: Best office suite for OS X: 6 tested

Best productivity suites for your Mac Aside a browser and an email client, the must-have apps on any Mac are those found in an office suite. TextEdit is fine for tapping out quick notes to the milkman, but you need a more weighty solution for complex business documents. The same can be said of quick sums: Spotlight provides a rudimentary...

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Google white space broadband plans get boost with FCC approval

Google‘s plans to squeeze wireless internet access into the “white space” in-between TV channels – and in turn further prise web control ISP dominance – has received a boost, with its TV bands database system getting the green-light the FCC. Google‘s plans to squeeze wireless internet access into the “white space” in-between TV channels...

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Nokia takes potshots at iPhone 5 in Lumia ad

NEW DELHI: Finnish smartphone giant Nokia has once again taken a jibe at dominant rival Apple in an advertisement for its new smartphone. The latest Lumia 925 ad shows the protagonist walking around at nighthe encounters zombies, who have been apparently transformed into the undead due the extra-bright LED flash of the iPhone 5. The red-eye...

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iPad 5 schematics leak with iPad mini-size sides

The fifth generation full-sized iPad appears to be popping up this week for the first time in schematics – not the average leak vehicle, to be sure.  This device appears – according to the images shared by NWE, to shave off around 1/4 of the thickness that is in the wi-fi edition of the iPad 4 (the current generation machine...

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Airtel, Google launch Free Zone

MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel has entered into an agreement with Google to offer customers the first search page on the Google engine for free. This means Airtel users will be able to conduct a basic Google search or set up a Gmail account without subscribing to a data service plan on the network. Free Zone, as the service is called, aims to empower...

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RCom offers 50% discount on 3G plans for iPhones

MUMBAI: Reliance Communications has tied up with Apple to bundle the iPhone handset with its service plans. The Anil Ambani-owned telecom operator will offer as much as 50% discount on data service on its 3G, or third generation, network to iPhone users on its network under these plans. This is Apple's third operator pact in India,...

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Oracle, NetSuite announce cloud computing alliance

SAN FRANCISCO: Software companies Oracle and NetSuite announced an alliance to deliver cloud-based services to mid-size business customers, the third tie-up unveiled this week by Oracle as it pushes further into services delivered over the internet.  The agreement will focus on integrating Oracle's software for human resources...

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Apple co-founder backs NSA whistleblower, slams US

WASHINGTON: Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak has expressed his support for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden who leaked sensitive data about US surveillance programme, and has criticized the government for giving itself the permission to do what it wants.  Wozniak who invented the Apple I and II computers said that freedom in US...

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'India becomes world's third-biggest smartphone mkt'

LONDON: India has been ranked the third largest smartphone market in the world pushing down Japan, a new study has revealed.  According to Express.co.uk, the study by market research experts Strategy Analytics has found that India has moved ahead of Japan as during the first quarter of 2013 smartphone sales in India increased by...

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Cognizant tops Recruiters list in India

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The IT services sector is perhaps the worst hit by global economic turbulence over the past few years. But when one company this industry hires more MBAs 21 top B-schools than any other company acrosssectors, you know it is doing something right.  Cognizant, number one in India's Top Recruiters list this year,...

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