Google has released its Maps app for the iPhone, in the wake of complaints about Apple's software.

Apple controversially replaced the search giant's mapping service with its own when it released its latest handset, the iPhone 5.

The move was widely criticised after numerous mistakes were found in Apple Maps's search results.

Google's app introduces functions previously restricted to Android devices.

One analyst said it would prove popular, but added that Nokia still posed a challenge.

The Finnish company recently launched its own free maps app for the iPhone.

The firms are motivated in part by a desire to gather data automatically generated by handsets using their respective software, as well as users' own feedback.

This allows them to fine-tune their services and improve the accuracy of features such as traffic status updates.
Android's advantage

Features Google has introduced that were not available in its earlier iPhone app include:

    Voice guided turn-by-turn directions, with estimated travel times.
    Indoor panoramic images of buildings that have signed up to its Street View Business Photos service
    3D representations of the outlines of buildings that can be viewed from different angles
    Vector-based graphics based on mathematical lines and points rather than pre-created bitmap graphics, making it quicker to zoom in and out of an area.

Among the facilities Google's iPhone app lacks that are present in its Android equivalent are indoor maps, the ability to download maps for offline viewing, and voice search.

However, over time, project manager Kai Hansen told the BBC that what was on one platform should be on the other.

"The goal is clearly to make it as unified and consistent an experience as possible," he said.
Ground Truth

One area Apple's own software still has an edge is its integration of Flyover which offers interactive photo-realistic views of selected cities using 3D-rendered graphics within its maps app.

Google offers a similar facility via Google Earth which is promoted in its main maps app, but involves switching into a separate program.

However, for many users the key feature will be the level of accuracy that Google offers.

Since 2008, the firm's Ground Truth project has mashed together licensed data with information gathered by its own fleet of Street View cars and bicycles.

The images and sensor data they collect are analysed by computers and humans to identify street signs, business names, road junctions and other key features. To date, more than five million miles (eight million km) of roads across 45 countries have been covered.

This information is supplemented by the public filing their own reports. iPhone users are encouraged to do likewise by shaking their handsets to activate a feedback function.

"Google Maps, as much as any other map application, lives from the data that we receive," Mr Hansen explained.

"If a road is closed for the next six months, or a road was opened two days ago - these are things that somebody who lives next to the road immediately notices, but if you're not in the area it becomes hard to know.

"The more we can give you the ability to let us know about things that are changing on the map, the more other users will benefit from that corrected information."

He added that once operators verify these reports, changes can be made "within minutes, rather than hours".

Apple is also seeking to improve its own data through user feedback, but risks having less to work with if iPhone users switch to another product.

There had been speculation Apple would reject Google's app from its store for this reason.

But since iPhone sales are at the heart of Apple's fortunes, it may have felt it had more to lose than gain by allowing rival Android handsets to offer a popular app it lacked.
'Neutral' Nokia

Google's launch will also have consequences for Nokia, which recently launched its own Here Maps app on iOS.

The European firm's location division is decades older than Google's, and also has a strong reputation for accuracy.

However, the Here app has had a shaky start with many users complaining about problems with its interface - a consequence of it being written in the HTML5 web language rather than as a native app, specifically for the iOS system.

Even so, one telecoms analyst said it would be premature to write the company out of the game.

"I'm not convinced Nokia as a brand for maps will become a big thing in the consumer consciousness, but what I think is going to happen is that more businesses are going to quietly do deals with it for maps," said Ben Wood from CCS Insight.

"Because of the issues that Apple had, people have suddenly understood the importance of quality mapping and they may also say they don't want to go to Google as all of the data then runs through the search firm, strengthening it as a competitor. Nokia is more of a neutral partner.

"Amazon has already done a deal with Nokia on its Kindle tablets, and I wouldn't be surprised if RIM's new Blackberry devices and Facebook follow."

sorce: BBC

Microsoft has jumped on the visual device bandwagon and now plans to create their own eyeglasses.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin has touted their company's innovative product at star-studded events
throughout the year and in July, news emerged that Apple had received a patent for a wearable display device -- seemingly bearing a close resemblance to Google's Project Glass.

Not to be left behind, sketches filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office show the Redmond,
Washington company has plans to create its own head-mounted display device. Though the patent application was sent on May 20, 2011, it was only recently discovered on fie at the US Patent & Trademark Office. Microsoft's product is described as being distinct from Google's device and Apple's planned version
as Microsoft's 'head mounted display...would provide supplemental information when viewing a live
event,' according to the patent application.

'A user wearing an at least partially see-through, head mounted display views the live event while
simultaneously receiving information on objects, including people, within the user's field of view.'
A drawing of a potential scene shows a user watching a baseball game and how the device could
provide statistics and additional details to enrich the viewing of the sporting event.

At least in the patent application, it doesn't appear that the device would be intended for everyday use - like walking down the street. 'The information is presented in a position in the head mounted display which does not interfere with the user's enjoyment of the live event,' the description added.

It's expected that the device would be operated by either a wrist-worn computer, eye movements or
voice commands. The discovery of Microsoft's foray into the eye wear field comes amid the massive publicity drummed up by the Mountain View, California based company for their Project Glass.

The pet project of Sergey Brin has been marketed as a fashionable yet fully functioning device that
even made its way to the runway in designer Diane von Furstenberg's show at New York Fashion
Week in September. Brin has sported the sci-fi looking accessory throughout 2012 but it isn't expected to be sold as a consumer product until 2013 or even 2014.

The very sight of the Google Glasses and the prospect of incorporating the technology into every day
life has sparked excitement among the industry. The wraparound frame has a tiny display over the left eye, that lets the wearer surf the web, make video calls, listen to music and even take notes.
The user won't even even have to lift a finger since the screen is controlled by voice commands and
even is sensitive enough to respond to the the tilt of the head. A prototype is currently being tested and reviewed by Google employees before the device will be presented to the public.

In a promotional video for the new technology, a person wearing the device walks down the street
and instantly helpful neighborhood tips and information on surrounding landmarks appear on the screen before their eyes.

Additionally, the screen will alert the user to their friends and family in the environs so the person can
pop in and surprise someone they know. Apple is also said to be scurrying its engineers to get its own eye wear available in the near future. Reports emerged in July that the Cupertino based company had filed a patent application for a 'head-mounted display apparatus for a user,' according to the application.

According to early diagrams for the device, the accessory would include one or two LCDs.
Though it is difficult to understand fully how the device would operate, according to the patent
description it would be a 'full immersion' device, not a 'walk around' device like the one developed by
Google. Apple's would likely be easily embedded in anything from a helmet, a pair of glasses, or a visor.

According to the New York Times, the company has been working on projects that could become
'wearable computers' and even hired a wearable computing engineer in 2011.

If you haven’t already heard of SOPA or PITA, they are bills that have been presented to congress
that are designed to stop online piracy. In fact, SOPA stands for Stop Online Piracy Act (creative,
right?). Internet sites like Google and Wikipedia are protesting SOPA and PITA because of the
monumental effects those bills would have on the internet community.

The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of what the ramifications would be if SOPA and/or
PIPA were passed into law. First, we’ll explain the basics.

The Problem with SOPA

Since we’re established that online piracy is an issue that needs to be dealt with, why is there a
problem with SOPA? The problem is that SOPA punishes the wrong people.

With the current laws, any user can post content to a user-generated site, like YouTube, Facebook,
and Wikipedia. If the contend is considered illegal, that user is then reported and punished by the site
and the content is removed. This system allows for users to post freely unless they get caught and
the sites don’t get punished if action is taken ASAP.

SOPA would change the system by punishing user-generated sites for “facilitating copyright
infringement.” In extreme cases, the government can shut down the site. Other punishments include
taking the site off search engines and preventing other site from linking to it. Essentially, the bill would
be punishing the wrong people.

To make it simple, let’s compare this situation to a library. If an illegally written book is placed in a
library, according to SOPA laws removing the book and banning the supplier isn’t enough. The
government can actually take extreme action and essentially burn down the library if they decided the
library was facilitating copyright infringement. All the beneficial information would be destroyed
because of one book.

Take Action

If you are opposed to limiting free speech on the internet, take action now and join the protest. There
are numerous petitions you can sign and links to contact your local representative. Search around and
make a stand today.

PayPal had been handling legal issues with RBI on its operations in India, since last year. The key restriction on PayPal users from India as imposed by RBI (Reserve Bank of India) was that, they were not allowed to receive amount greater than USD $500 in a single transaction. This dictate of RBI has given Indian online merchants nightmares on how to continue their businesses with so many restrictions.
In a recent announcement from PayPal, it was revealed that the new receiving limit in a single transaction by PayPal users from India was increased from USD $500 to USD $3000.

This move from PayPal and RBI has relieved sevarl exporters of goods and services in India who rely on eBay-owned PayPal to receive payments from clients all around the globe.
The other issues however are intact. To continue using PayPal you’ll need to add your PAN (Permanent Account Number) and Purpose Code. Also, daily withdrawal requirement is still in its place.
We hope that gradually PayPal will sort-out all issues with RBI and provide its users great and speedy experience.

BANGALORE: Tablet sales in India are expected to cross 1.6 million units this year, a growth of 40% over last year and way above the 16% growth registered by personal computers.

According to the apex body for information technology hardware Manufacturers Association of IT, tablets are emerging as the preferred device for entertainment and content consumption.

As per MAIT, the average price for a tablet sold in India is about Rs 24,000 and Apple's iOS, Google's Android, Blackberry lead the way in platforms.

MAIT estimates that tablet market will grow to 7.3 million units by 2015-16.

"The tablet market is the new blue-eyed growth opportunity in India. With the introduction of several national and international brands of tablets in India, the market is witnessing a revolution of sorts," said MAIT President Alok Bharadwaj.

According to a recent study by CMR India Research, Micromax's Funbook led the Indian tablet market last quarter with an 18% market share, followed by Samsung's Galaxy Tab at 13% and Apple's iPad at 12%.

In contrast to tablets, desktop sales grew only 11% and notebook sales grew 26% in last 12 months.

In another development, MAIT announced that HCL Infosystems Chief Operating Officer JV Ramamurthy will take over as the new president. Amar Babu, managing director of Lenevo, will take over as vice president.

TCS has reported more than just good quarterly results on Friday, delivering a tad higher operating margin than Infosys to become the most profitable company among the top-tier Indian IT firms and breaking the hegemony of Infosys.

Though it may not be prudent to conclude on the basis of the numbers of a single quarter whether TCS will be able to retain its lead over Infosys, the results may stoke some concern among investors who have long adored Infosys for its claim of better revenue quality.

Even as the profitability for the remainder of the fiscal will depend on the currency movement, among other factors, TCS expects to clock 27% margin for 2012-13. Infosys, on the other hand, has guided for a 200 basis-point contraction in its operating profitability for the current fiscal, after reporting an over 29% margin in 2011-12.

TCS has reported 26.8% operating margin for the quarter to September, 50 basis points higher than that of Infosys. This is the first time that the company has clocked such a higher profitability than Infosys. Moreover, the contraction of 166 basis points in Infosys' margin on a sequential basis was way higher than the drop of 80 basis points in TCS' profitability.

What should also cause concern is the sustained difference over the past few quarters in the outlook between that of Infosys and its peers TCS and HCL Tech. While the latter two players have reiterated that they will surpass the industry body Nasscom's average revenue growth of 11-14% for the current fiscal, Infosys expects growth to be at least 5% for the year.

Infosys is expected to revise its estimates for the entire fiscal marginally upwards in the December quarter after it starts the integration of the newly-acquired business of Lodestone. Based on the performance and management commentaries on the demand scenario, TCS and HCL Technologies appear to be better placed to tackle the headwinds of delay in decision-making and slowing expenditure on projects.

In terms of client additions in the July-September quarter, TCS fared better than its peers, clocking 41 new clients, higher than 29 in the June quarter. In contrast, Infosys' client addition slowed down to 39, the lowest in past five quarters.

EXPLAINING THE GAP

VALUATION SHIFT

BEATING NASSCOM ESTIMATES

Even to meet the lower end of the estimate, Infosys and Wipro will have to manage sequential revenue growth of over 4 per cent in each of the next three quarters, which could be quite challenging. Infosys has reduced its revenue guidance in the recent quarter to reflect a more realistic target of 5 per cent.