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<title>Haaze.com / Neha / Voted News</title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com</link>
<description>Test Web 2.0 Content Management System</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:10:10 +0000</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[AG wants answers on tracking from Apple, Google]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ag-wants-answers-on-tracking-from-apple-google</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ag-wants-answers-on-tracking-from-apple-google</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:10:10 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>nanoensure</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ag-wants-answers-on-tracking-from-apple-google</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Citing a need to protect consumers' personal information online, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is calling for a meeting with executives from Apple and Google to get more details on what the companies are doing with location information collected from consumer devices.In a statement posted to Madigan's site and picked up by Reuters, letters from Madigan have been sent to both companies asking about what data is being kept and for how long. The attorney general also seeks to find out what that data is being used for. &quot;I want to know whether consumers have been informed of what is being tracked and stored by Apple and Google and whether those tracking and storage features can be disabled,&quot; Madigan said in a statement. &quot;It's important that these companies ensure that their users' private information is protected.&quot;Madigan's efforts join those of other politicians and government groups who want to know more about what companies are doing with location information. Shortly following the onset last week of the iOS location controversy, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Apple chiding the company for not encrypting location information that was stored locally on iPhones, as well as in iOS device backups. Congressman Ed Markey, who along with Rep. Joe Barton inquired about location privacy to Apple last year, followed suit, sending another letter (PDF) asking the company to explain what the data was being used for. There's also a lawsuit by two Apple customers, filed today in Tampa, Fla. that claims Apple's tracking is a privacy invasion and an act of computer fraud.Interest in location privacy has picked up last week in light of a database file of timestamped location information found to be stored on certain iOS devices from Apple. The tracking file was a well-known feature in the forensics and law enforcement community, but Apple has now come under fire for not answering questions about why it's there, and why there's not a way to turn the feature off.Google has also become a target of interest for what it does with user location data retrieved from its Android mobile operating system, which already makes use of user location to better its services, such as providing more accurate traffic data to its Maps product. It remains to be seen whether companies like Microsoft, Research in Motion, and Nokia do similar things with user location data.Within Madigan's letters, which can be read in full below, the AG asks whether third parties are given location information, as well as if users on both platforms can opt out of the storage of the location data. In Apple's case, the question is posed as &quot;why didn't Apple provide customers with an opportunity to opt-out of the storage of this data&quot; Madigan also asks Apple if there's a &quot;mechanism whereby Apple customers can delete the information that has been stored,&quot; which is of special interest given some of the only tools that allow that have been targeted at those with jailbroken iPhones and iPads. Madigan's office is giving both companies until May 6 to respond. Madigan's letter to Apple:Apple 042511 Geolocation Ltr(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;)' scribd.type = &quot;text/javascript&quot;' scribd.async = true' scribd.src = &quot;http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js&quot;' var s = document.getElementsByTagName(&quot;script&quot;)[0]' s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s)' })()'Madigan's letter to Google:Google 042511 Geolocation Ltr(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;)' scribd.type = &quot;text/javascript&quot;' scribd.async = true' scribd.src = &quot;http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js&quot;' var s = document.getElementsByTagName(&quot;script&quot;)[0]' s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s)' })()'<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Your iPhone's watching you. Should you care (FAQ)]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=your-iphones-watching-you--should-you-care-faq</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=your-iphones-watching-you--should-you-care-faq</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:10:05 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>karliellehenps</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=your-iphones-watching-you--should-you-care-faq</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A peek at location data stored on an iPhone.(Credit:Josh Lowensohn/CNET)Researchers announced today that they found what look like secret files on theiPhone that track user location and store it on the device, without the permission of the device owner. It's unclear what the data is used for and why Apple has been collecting it in iOS products that carry a 3G antenna for nearly a year now. Alasdair Allan, senior research fellow in astronomy at the University of Exeter, and writer Pete Warden, who discovered the log file and created a tool that lets users see a visualization of that data, say there's no evidence of that information being sent to Apple or anybody else. Even so, the pair note that the data is unencrypted, giving anyone with access to your phone or computer where backups may be stored a way to grab the data and extrapolate a person's whereabouts and routines. To help users understand more about the data that's being collected, what the risks are, and what they can do about it, CNET has put together this FAQ.Who are the researchers and how did they find thisWarden, who used to work at Apple (though not on the iPhone), and Allan had been collaborating on some location data visualization projects, including a visualization of radiation levels over time in Japan after the earthquake, when Allan discovered the file on an iPhone. &quot;After we dug further and visualized the extracted data, it became clear that there was a scary amount of detail on our movements,&quot; they wrote in a blog post. When did this start and what devices are tracking this dataAccording to Allan and Warden, the tracking did not begin until iOS 4, which was released in late June 2010. This was the first version of iOS to drop support for devices like the original iPhone, with devices like the iPhone 3G and second-generationiPod Touch getting a more limited feature set. Along with iPhones, 3G-enabled iPads are also keeping track of the data, though it's unclear if this is true for people who have 3G devices without active cellular subscriptions.The tracking data itself was actually discovered last year. A tool by French programmer Paul Courbis, that's similar to the one released by Allan and Warden, is able to plot up to 10,000 of these data points from the database file to a Google Map. The issue was known in forensics circles but not widely, Allan and Warden said in a news conference this afternoon at the Where 2.0 conference in Santa Clara, Calif. An application they released that allows people to see what data is on individual devices makes the abstract tracking concept more real. Did they contact Apple on their findingsThe researchers said they had contacted Apple's Product Security team, but hadn't heard back.Where is this data being storedThe database of location information is stored primarily on your phone, though due to the iOS device backup system in iTunes, these files can also end up on your computer. When iTunes saves these backups, which are set by default to be stored every time you sync an iOS device, the data file goes along with it. (Credit:Josh Lowensohn/CNET)What's curious is that this log can extend across multiple devices as long as those devices use the same restore point. Allan and Warden noted that the database used as part of the project spanned an iPhone 3GS and an iPhone 4, the latter of which had used a restore point.The researchers have more technical details and the downloadable application to see a visualization of the data collected from your phone over time here. The application does not work with iPhones on Verizon, the researchers said. What's inside this dataA database of cell tower coordinates and timestamps to indicate when your device was connecting with them. This includes what operator you're on and the country code. The research also found that Apple was tracking data about what Wi-Fi networks you were connecting to, which also included slightly less accurate location information, but continued to track that data by time. The researchers' visualization app shows large blue dots for frequent activity and smaller red or orange-colored dots for less frequent activity. However, it's unclear exactly what is triggering the logging, they said. Is there an easier way to see that information than a giant database formYes, Allan and Warden created an open-source software program that is able to go through the data from the database file and turn it into a visualization of what towers your device connected to based on the dates and times. The pair say the application intentionally cuts down on the accuracy of this data to keep the software from being used for bad things. You're also likely to see points in places you haven't been, since the tracking tools within the iPhone make use of nearby cell towers to triangulate location. &quot;As a data geek I was excited to have this data set, but I don't want anyone else to have this data,&quot; Allan said.What is the harm with this data being collected and stored on the device&quot;By passively logging your location without your permission, Apple [has] made it possible for anyone from a jealous spouse to a private investigator to get a detailed picture of your movements,&quot; the researchers wrote in their FAQ. While acknowledging that there is no need to panic, the researchers noted that if someone gets hold of the device, they can access the unencrypted data. &quot;Your cell operator has this information,&quot; they said in the news conference. Anyone who wants it has &quot;to get a court order to get that from a provider. But now, all you have to do is lose your phone in a bar.&quot;Apps on the device cannot access the data, because it is &quot;sandboxed,&quot; the researchers said. However, it could be accessed by software on the computer that holds the backup, they said. How do I protect this data from being seen by othersThe data file itself is completely unencrypted, meaning anyone who gets hold of it can access the data freely. On the iTunes side, there's an option to encrypt your backups, which will keep someone who gets access to a backup file while rummaging through your hard drive from being able to dig through it and pull out the database file.To enable that feature, click on the device icon when it's plugged into iTunes, then check the &quot;Encrypt iPhone Backup&quot; item in the &quot;Options&quot; area. As for your iPhone, oriPad with 3G, your best bet is to keep someone else from getting it in the first place, and then using Apple's free &quot;Find My iPhone&quot; app to do a remote wipe if it's lost or stolen.  Turning on the backup encryption feature within iTunes can keep those who get access to the file from digging through it to pull out location information.(Credit:Josh Lowensohn/CNET) How do I turn this tracking offRight now there's no way to turn the tracking off, since it's a baked into the operating system. Turning off GPS will make the device less functional for location-based services such as mapping.  Can Apple do thisAccording to the iTunes terms and conditions, yes. The company pretty clearly spells out its right to &quot;collect, use, and share&quot; location data any time it pleases. From the document:Location-Based ServicesApple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. This location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you and is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services. For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services. Some location-based services offered by Apple, such as the MobileMe &quot;Find My iPhone&quot; feature, require your personal information for the feature to work. The location notifier in iOS, which lets users know if an application is using your location.(Credit:Josh Lowensohn/CNET) That said, the company made a big kerfuffle about making third-party application providers--as well as the built-in Google Maps application--alert users when location was being used by including an arrow in the status bar that is required to appear whenever the phone is sending or receiving location data. This feature came as part of iOS 4, which is when the company began the tracking process. Apple CEO Steve Jobs also made it a point during an interview at the D8 conference last year that privacy was a topic of utmost importance to the company. &quot;Before any app can get location data, they can't just put up a panel asking if it can use location, they call our panel and it asks you if it's OK,&quot; Jobs said. &quot;That's one of the reasons we have the curated App Store. A lot of the people in the Valley think we're old-fashioned about this. But we take it seriously.&quot;Why is Apple doing thisApple has not responded to requests for comment. Allan and Warden suggest the company has been using this tracking technology as a precursor to extended location-based services it plans to add as a part of a future version of iOS. Backing that claim up is an Apple patent application that surfaced back in February, which showed that Apple was considering a service called &quot;Places.&quot; Based on the filing, the service would offer Apple device owners a way to locate one another using GPS. While there are third-party applications like Loopt, Foursquare, and Beluga that let people do this, such a feature would presumably be a built-in part of the phone, and rely on geodata logging for any past history features. &quot;There are legitimate use cases here, but the matter underscores the need for vendors to be clear about what data they collect and what they are doing with it,&quot; said Kevin Mahaffey, chief technology officer of mobile security provider Lookout in a call with CNET. Is Apple the only one doing thisAndroid does not appear to do this, sources familiar with the platform said. A Google spokeswoman said the company had no comment on the matter. A Microsoft representative told CNET that the company's Windows Phone platform does not store location history, and that the &quot;Find My Phone&quot; service only keeps the phone's most recent location.  CNET asked Research In Motion and Nokia whether their devices track behind-the-scenes location data, but has not yet heard back from them. These platforms let users track their own movements with GPS apps, though it's unclear whether there's tracking going on behind the scenes. Coming back to the greater issue about location grabbing, Apple is not the first company to collect data without users knowing. Google got in hot water last year after admitting that it was collecting data from non-password-protected Wi-Fi networks for three years as part of its Street View project. As the Street View car with the camera on top would drive around, collecting imagery, it was also sniffing out information about nearby open networks. Following the privacy probes that came as a result of the disclosure, Google stopped the practice back in October.  Any questions we didn't cover Feel free to leave them in the comments, or shoot us an e-mail and we'll try to get them answered. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Energy Dept: Obama's plug-in autos goal on track]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=energy-dept-obamas-plug-in-autos-goal-on-track</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=energy-dept-obamas-plug-in-autos-goal-on-track</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:10:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Suzana</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=energy-dept-obamas-plug-in-autos-goal-on-track</guid>
<description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama's goal of having 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015 is on its way to being met, a Department of Energy official said today.&quot;It's looking good,&quot; said Assistant Energy Secretary David Sandalow when asked by reporters on the chances of meeting the goal set by Obama.&quot;If you look at the plans of the major automotive manufacturers, there's a clear pathway to a million vehicles,&quot; Sandalow said.Sandalow spoke to reporters after his keynote address to the Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit.Obama's goal of 1 million plug-in electric and hybridcars by 2015 was a campaign pledge that he has restated since becoming president in January 2009. The goal was widely seen as well beyond optimistic forecasts for expansion of the alternative vehicles at the time, and there is skepticism that it can be met.&quot;The pace of innovation in this industry is extraordinary, and the interest around the world is extraordinary,&quot; he said. &quot;But, partly it depends on American entrepreneurship and innovation. That's always served us very well in the past and I think it will do so in the future.&quot;The DOE will soon announce how it will handle cuts to its energy efficiency and renewable energy program. He said he was not ready to say how much of those cuts will come in the automotive sector.The cuts will not slow the Obama administration's effort on energy efficiency, he said.&quot;We will march forward aggressively to promote clean energy, and we've got the budget to do it,&quot; Sandalow said.Story Copyright (c) 2011 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Privacy 'bill of rights' exempts government agencies]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=privacy-bill-of-rights-exempts-government-agencies</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=privacy-bill-of-rights-exempts-government-agencies</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:10:24 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Castellion</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=privacy-bill-of-rights-exempts-government-agencies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[news analysis Two U.S. senators introduced sweeping privacy legislation today that they promise will &quot;establish a framework to protect the personal information of all Americans.&quot;There is, however, one feature of the bill (PDF) sponsored by senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) that has gone relatively unnoticed: it doesn't apply to data mining, surveillance, or any other forms of activities that governments use to collect and collate Americans' personal information.At a press conference in Washington, D.C., McCain said the privacy bill of rights will protect the &quot;fundamental right of American citizens, that is the right to privacy.&quot; And the first sentence of the legislation proclaims that &quot;personal privacy is worthy of protection through appropriate legislation.&quot;But the measure applies only to companies and some nonprofit groups, not to the federal, state, and local police agencies that have adopted high-tech surveillance technologies including cell phone tracking, GPS bugs, and requests to Internet companies for users' personal information--in many cases without obtaining a search warrant from a judge.Senators John Kerry and John McCain at press conference announcing privacy legislation.(Credit:U.S. Senate)&quot;What's a bill of rights if it doesn't provide rights against the government&quot; asks Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at the free-market Cato Institute.It also doesn't apply to government agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, the Census Bureau, and the IRS, which collect vast amounts of data on American citizens.The Department of Veterans Affairs suffered a massive security breach in 2006 when an unencrypted laptop with data on millions of veterans was stolen. A government report last year listed IRS security and privacy vulnerabilities. The government of Texas yesterday revealed that it disclosed the personal information of 3.5 million citizens, including Social Security numbers. Even the Census Bureau has, in the past, shared information with law enforcement from its supposedly confidential files.Another feature missing from Kerry and McCain's bill of rights: a strict requirement that would force federal agencies to notify American citizens in the event of a data breach.In 2007, the Bush White House asked agencies (PDF) to develop breach notification rules. But there are no civil or criminal penalties if violated, and agencies are allowed to make their own decisions as to whether a breach has generated sufficient &quot;harm&quot; to warrant notification--a self-policing measure that gives them a strong incentive to downplay any potential ill effects.Making the governmental exemption more pointed is the fact that the senators' press conference comes as the Obama Justice Department is lobbying for broader surveillance powers and trying to head off pro-privacy reforms.In January, the Justice Department announced that investigations &quot;are being frustrated&quot; because no law currently exists to force Internet providers to keep track of what their customers are doing. A month later, the FBI outlined its push for expanded Internet wiretapping authority.Last week, the Justice Department said it opposed proposals--backed by AT&amp;T, Google, Microsoft, eBay, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Americans for Tax Reform--to protect Americans' privacy by requiring a search warrant to access online files and track Americans' locations. Then, on Friday, the Justice Department renewed its opposition to being required to use a search warrant to access the Twitter accounts of Wikileaks volunteers.&quot;Kerry and McCain are saying, 'Do as I say, not as I do,'&quot; Harper says. &quot;If they want to lead on the privacy issue, they'll lead by getting the federal government's house in order.&quot;Instead, their legislation would regulate only commercial and nonprofit use of information that's personally identifiable, with exceptions for information &quot;obtained from public records that is not merged&quot; with other data and information &quot;reported in public media.&quot;The measure shares many features with similar, unsuccessful bills introduced last year: Personally identifiable information is defined as including a first and last name, a residential mailing address, a Web cookie, an e-mail address, a telephone number, biometric data, and so on. &quot;Sensitive&quot; information is a subset and includes health records, religious information, or data that could lead to &quot;economic or physical harm.&quot;In general, personal information can only be used for a list of purposes specified in the legislation, including processing transactions, certain types of marketing, &quot;reasonably expected&quot; uses, and responding to police and other governmental requests. Violations would be punished by the Federal Trade Commission.The FTC would also be given one year to set up a &quot;safe harbor&quot; program, which would be administered by approved non-governmental organizations. Companies that participate in the safe harbor, as long as it includes similar data use restrictions, would be &quot;exempt&quot; from the more restrictive aspects of the bill.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Nintendo 3DS microwaved in the name of insanity]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=nintendo-3ds-microwaved-in-the-name-of-insanity</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=nintendo-3ds-microwaved-in-the-name-of-insanity</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:10:11 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>drug</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=nintendo-3ds-microwaved-in-the-name-of-insanity</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A Nintendo 3DS engulfed in flames. With all that&amp;39's wrong in the world, this is exactly what we need people to be doing with their time.(Credit:Kenny Irwin)Nintendo has a lot going for it right now, but none of that really matters to Microwave Theater host Kenny Irwin, who maniacally microwaves electronics and other miscellaneous objects.The latest victim is a mint aqua blue Nintendo 3DS, which is completely incinerated in a four-minute video that is beyond absurd.  After setting the microwave to full power, the $250 3DS takes about half a minute to explode and burst into flames. Be sure to turn down your volume after the 2:30 mark, as the narrator can't seem to contain his excitement at destroying the portable game console. After scraping off the burned remains with a spatula, he offers it for sale for nearly a thousand dollars. What a bargain.The only common sense found in the video is the warning that people should not attempt this at home.Irwin, a self-described artist, innovator, and inventor, has somehow marched on past 15 minutes of fame after we first got to know him in the microwaved iPad 3G video. His YouTube channel has ballooned to more than 14 million views and he even appeared on the Conan O'Brien show.I'm not sure if I'd leave my microwave alone in a room with this guy after listening to his banter.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[No time for Acer to be 'cautious' about mobile]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=no-time-for-acer-to-be-cautious-about-mobile</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=no-time-for-acer-to-be-cautious-about-mobile</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:10:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>monpnola30de</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=no-time-for-acer-to-be-cautious-about-mobile</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Acer&amp;39's success in the PC market was largely due to its ability to sell a lot of Netbooks.(Credit:Acer)Acer's rise in the PC world has been an impressive success story. But news today that its CEO and President Gianfranco Lanci resigned over strategic differences with his board clearly illustrates that its ascent has hit some major turbulence.A quick recap of the Taiwanese company's more recent history: Acer, of course, came from nearly out of nowhere to be a leader in notebook PCs. And to demonstrate its newfound market power, in 2007 scooped up crippled American PC maker Gateway, then E-Machines and Packard Bell. The company triumphantly passed Dell as the No. 2 PC maker in the world in 2009, though according to a recent market share report, Acer sits at No. 3, behind Dell but ahead of Lenovo.Which brings us to the rather unexpected announcement today. Here's what interim CEO and current chairman of the board JT Wang said to explain Lanci's sudden departure:&quot;The personal computer remains the core of our business. We have built up a strong foundation and will continue to expand within, especially in the commercial PC segment. In addition, we are stepping into the new mobile device market, where we will invest cautiously and aim to become one of the leading players.&quot;Related links &amp;149' Acer CEO resigns over stance on future &amp;149' 2010 PC growth sees slowdown, tablet cannibalizationWe don't know all the details of what happened internally to bring Lanci, Wang, and the board to this point of disagreement so extreme, that it ended with Lanci leaving. But reading the tea leaves, one thing seems clear: If Lanci was pushing for a stronger mobile device presence, he understands where the future of the computing industry is going. Acer's board of directors may understand it somewhat, but they're being timid at a time that they can't be.  It's hard to imagine the board believing investing in mobile tech is a bad idea. The debate, most likely, came down to how much and how fast.Betting heavily on the PCAcer hasn't been shy about its plans. Early in 2010, Chairman Wang said his company's goal was to beat Hewlett-Packard as the No. 1 seller of PCs by 2012. Shortly before that, Acer founder Stanley Shih was even quoted as predicting the demise of U.S. PC companies in 20 years. So we know that Acer has a fairly singular goal: to sell the most PCs in the world.But looking at the actual numbers you see two things. First, Acer is falling short of that goal. HP is still No. 1 with 19.5 percent of all PC shipments at the end of 2010, according to IDC. And Dell is behind it with 12.1 percent. Acer is at 10.6 percent and is the only of the top five to suffer a significant decline in its share in the last year. IDC reports Acer's shipment volume is down 15 percent from the final quarter of 2009 to the final quarter of 2010. Contrast that with Lenovo's 21.1 percent growth over the same time period, and Toshiba's 12.1 percent rise in shipments.The second thing the data tells us is that the PC industry overall, that is notebooks and desktops, is seeing really small growth rates these days, just 2.7 percent from the end of 2009 to the end of 2010, according to IDC.HP, and plenty of others, are looking at those numbers and planning for the future beyond traditional PCs. For example, HP understood that it needed to be in the mobile space, so it went and bought Palm and is planning to put WebOS on many of its devices, including smartphones and a forthcomingtablet.No answer for the Netbook declineOne of the keys to Acer's rise was how fast it could sell Netbooks. If you recall back to 2008 and 2009, Netbooks were once the hottest thing around. Acer made deals with carriers, mostly in Europe, to sell wireless plans bundled with Netbooks that had embedded 3G chips. But flash forward to 2011, where market analyst firms like Forrester are predicting that in four years, one in every three Americans will own a tablet. Most of Acer's peers are prepping for that world beyond traditional computing form factors. &quot;Acer bet very heavily on the Netbook phenomena and it served them well for a period of time,&quot; said Michael Gartenberg, analyst for Gartner. &quot;But as devices like theiPad began to eclipse the Netbook phenomena...Acer didn't have a whole lot of responses to the media tablet and smartphone space.&quot;Netbooks are viewed as relatively old, slow, and clunky today compared to the ultralight laptops coming out now, not to mention touchscreen tablets and smartphones.&quot;The PC business is a good business, but they need to be thinking about devices like the iPad, the Xoom, the Galaxy Tab, and smartphones, which are essentially consumer computing devices,&quot; noted Gartenberg.Acer is &quot;cautious&quot; about mobileIn an interview with CNBC in February last year, the just-resigned Lanci put his companies priorities this way: &quot;We have a clear objective, not to overtake HP, but to become the number one mobile supplier. If becoming number one on mobile means that we become number one on PCs, it's welcome, mobile is still our major focus.&quot;That sounds a bit different than what Chairman Wang said today, that the PC is still &quot;the core&quot; of Acer's business, and that his company is &quot;stepping into the new mobile device market, where we will invest cautiously.&quot;Acer did just release two tablets last week, the 7-inch and 10-inch Iconia Tab, more than a year after announcing they would. They're loaded with Android 3.0, or Honeycomb, which is a good start. But the trend toward mobile devices like tablets and smartphones is clear. And seemingly everyone is getting on board: Apple, RIM, Dell, Samsung, Motorola, HP, Lenovo, Google, Facebook, etc. Nearly every major tech company has a consumer mobile pitch now, and almost all of them are racing as fast as they possibly can to catch up, not &quot;investing cautiously.&quot; <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[New HP ultraportable on the way]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=new-hp-ultraportable-on-the-way</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=new-hp-ultraportable-on-the-way</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:10:36 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>jusirbim1</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=new-hp-ultraportable-on-the-way</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Hewlett-Packard will unleash a business ultraportable with Intel's most power-efficient Sandy Bridge processors and USB 3.0 ports, according to reports and HP's Web site. The HP EliteBook 2540p has been a successful business model for HP. Today, this model sports a 12.1-inch screen, weighs about 3.5 pounds, and uses prior-generation Core i5, i7 chips. (Credit:Hewlett-Packard)The upcoming EliteBook 2560p follows HP's successful--and very durable--EliteBook 2540p, which is built around a 12.1-inch display and weighs about 3.5 pounds. HP has already revealed some 2560p specifications on its U.S. Web site and those of its close cousin, the 2760p, which adds a touch interface, like its predecessor, the 2740p. Highlights include a range of Sandy Bridge processors, such as Intel's most power-efficient Core i5-2537M and Core i7-2617M chips (in addition to more mainstream Sandy Bridge laptop processors) and USB 3.0 ports, according to a Japanese-language Web site. These new features would follow what HP has already done with its new 15-inch EliteBook, the 8560p. That comes with a range of Sandy Bridge processors and two USB 3.0. ports. These new features would supersede the older-generation Core i5 and Core i7 processors and run-of-the-mill USB 2.0 ports used in the current 2540p model. Integrated 3G will also be offered, like the current 2540p model that offers built-in 3G from AT&amp;T, Sprint, or Verizon. The Japanese-language site also lists 13-inch screens, which, if true, would be a departure from the current 12-inch form factor. Pricing and release date information is not available at this time. Via Notebook Review and Engadget. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Artist makes beautiful light with Microsoft's Kinect]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=artist-makes-beautiful-light-with-microsofts-kinect</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=artist-makes-beautiful-light-with-microsofts-kinect</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:10:49 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sallyog</dc:creator>
<category>Gaming</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=artist-makes-beautiful-light-with-microsofts-kinect</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Artist Audrey Penven used a Kinect and a camera with an infrared filter to create a series of hauntingly beautiful photos. Her gallery exhibition of the images opens Friday.(Credit:Audrey Penven)For months, we've known that Microsoft's Kinect could help make video games fun. But who knew that it projects such beautiful lightUntil San Francisco Bay Area artist Audrey Penven and some friends started taking pictures of themselves playing Kinect games, no one. But when Penven looked at the images, she realized she was on to something special.In normal light, you can't even see the light put out by the Kinect, Microsoft's new motion control system for theXbox 360. But with the help of a roommate's camera, which is modified to shoot infrared, Penven discovered scenes at once ghostly and straight from the cover of a Neal Stephenson novel. Penven said she learned that the Kinect projects a known pattern of infrared structured light, and that when it picks this up with its built-in camera, the device figures out the shape of the 3D space based on the distortion of the pattern. &quot;It uses infrared light so ambient visible light won't interfere with the process,&quot; Penven said. &quot;I imagine this is also so it can remain invisible.&quot;The images that resulted from Penven's photographic experiment show a cacophony of bright dots that encompass and enfold the people in them. They evince movement and wonder and hint at art. Yet the first time around, the light was little more than Kinect trying to gauge the movements of Penven and her roommates while they played a little Dance Central.&quot;I thought it was really amazing to see people defined by these infrared dots,&quot; Penven said of discovering the surprise in her photos. &quot;I knew that infrared was used in some way by the Kinect to map out 3D space, but I didn't know what to expect when shooting with an infrared camera...I thought it was interesting that the human form could still be so recognizable, even when only shown in tiny dots. I loved the quality of light and the different way of looking at depth and form. [And] I was inspired by the way the Kinect was using a pattern invisible to human eyes to see us.&quot;Related links&amp;149' 10 million a magic number for Microsoft's Kinect &amp;149' Culture hacker talks Kinect bounty hunt (Q&amp;A) &amp;149' Bounty offered for open-source Kinect driver &amp;149' Hacker wins contest for open-source Kinect driver &amp;149' Microsoft announces plans for Kinect SDK That inspiration led Penven to take what she had just inadvertently learned and run with it. Created with the help of artist and animator Aaron Muszalski, the result is her first-ever solo art exhibition, titled &quot;Dancing with Invisible Light,&quot; which opens Friday at the Pictopia gallery in Emeryville, Calif., and which will run through April 29.&quot;With these images I was exploring the unique photographic possibilities presented by using a Microsoft Kinect as a light source,&quot; Penven writes in the invitation to the opening of the exhibit. &quot;As a photographer, I am most interested in the nature and quality of light: how light behaves in the physical world, and how it interacts with and affects the subjects that it illuminates. For this shoot my models and I were essentially working blind, with the results visible only after each image was captured. Together, we explored the unique physicality of structured light, finding our way in the darkness by touch and intuition. Dancing with invisible light.&quot;Unanticipated use of the Kinect Though the Kinect has been an unqualified success as a video game accessory, selling more than 10 million units since its November debut, it's also been a huge hit in the hacker community.Literally from day one, that community has been out to take the Kinect places where Microsoft never intended. A $3,000 bounty offered by the open-source hardware outfit Adafruit Industries for the first open-source driver for the device bore fruit almost immediately, and since then there's been a near free-for-all among people wanting to use the Kinect for things far outside of gaming.And to some of those who have been following this movement since the beginning, Penven's work fits in beautifully.&quot;[It's] stunning. This is another great example of the tool being used in a way that [Microsoft] could not imagine,&quot; said Phil Torrone, a principle at Adafruit Industries. &quot;Are they diamonds, are they points of light It doesn't matter--it's just one of the many expressions the hacked Kinect has enabled for artists, designers, and even photography--something that's been around for almost two centuries.&quot;To Kyle Machulis, a hacker and artist who has experimented with Kinect-created visualizations, Penven's work is deeply impressive, particularly given that the device has been on the market for such a short time. &quot;It's really amazing, the way she brings such beauty to [something] happening in millions of homes around the world right now,&quot; Machulis said. &quot;We're only five months into the release of the Kinect and the technology is already becoming a bit of an afterthought to many consumers. But what's going on behind it still seems like magic even to those of us close to the technology, and [Penven's] pictures really bring that out.&quot;Of course, Penven is hardly the only one using the Kinect to make art. Do a quick Google search on the term, and a seemingly endless supply of links pops up. They range in style from the art that can be captured on screen with a series of gestures to 3D printed representations of Kinect users' motions to a storytelling initiative that helps children gain confidence in their self-expression to an effort to use the Kinect to help blind people restore some sense of sight.Just a little flash While Penven's final images blossom with light, the reality is that when she and her models were shooting the pictures, they were in a dark room with nothing more than a camera flash to illuminate them. But throw in the infrared filter and the pictures burst into life. &quot;Most of what you see was done in camera,&quot; she explained. &quot;For some shots, we experimented with longer exposures and movement. Color and contrast are the only adjustments I made after the fact. Infrared photography, by its nature, is a false color process. The infrared spectrum is represented by colors that we can actually see. I hadn't intended to change the color much from what came out of the camera, but I thought that the difference between the light from the flash and the Kinect was really cool. I decided to emphasize that by pushing the colors in different directions.&quot;Although Penven and her friends discovered the artistic possibilities of the Kinect while playing Dance Central on an Xbox, she said that for the photos in the exhibition, they never hooked up the game console. So what you see in the images doesn't has no relationship to any game--it's nothing more than the million points of light from the Kinect rolling over Penven's models.In the end, she came up with a whole set of images from the shoot. But one that she is using to promote the exhibit may do the best job of illustrating what the show is all about. In the image, a woman is seen half normal, and half flooded with purple dots. It screams cyberpunk.&quot;I love the contrast between the sides of her face,&quot; Penven said. &quot;Right after this one was taken, and there was a group of us standing around the camera to see it, someone said that she looked like she fell out of a sci-fi story. That really stuck with me. It's like a traditional portrait of a half-digital human.&quot;<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google continues to dominate online video]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-continues-to-dominate-online-video</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-continues-to-dominate-online-video</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:10:03 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Emma01</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-continues-to-dominate-online-video</guid>
<description><![CDATA[(Credit:ComScore Video Metrix)Once again, Google sites, primarily YouTube, easily bested all other online video services in February, research firm ComScore revealed today in its Video Metrix study.Over 169 million people watched online video in the U.S. last month, tallying over 5 billion viewing sessions. A total of 82.5 percent of the entire American Internet audience watched at least one video on the Web last month.Not surprisingly, the vast majority of those people--over 141 million--watched video content on Google sites for a total of 1.8 billion viewing sessions. Microsoft's video services came in second behind Google with nearly 49 million unique viewers. Those folks tallied just 297.7 million viewing sessions on the month. Yahoo sites rounded out the top three with 46.7 million unique users totaling 200 million viewing sessions in February.Facebook saw a notable uptick in viewing in February. The social network, which secured the fourth spot last month, saw over 46 million viewers enter into 170 million viewing sessions. In January, Facebook had 42 million people sit through over 122 million viewing sessions. Vevo, which came in second in January video rankings with 51 million users and over 121 million viewing sessions, dropped to fifth last month with only 45.9 million viewers. However, its viewing sessions nearly doubled to 222 million in February, ComScore found.With all that video they're watching, Americans were destined to watch ads last month. According to ComScore, over 3.8 billion ads were served up in February for a total of more than 1.6 billion minutes. The average viewer watched 30 ads on the month.In terms of total ads, no other provider could beat Hulu. The company served over 1.1 billion ads in February for a total of 454 million minutes. The average Hulu viewer watched 48 commercials.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[At SXSW, IE9 envisions a happy, appy Web]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-sxsw-ie9-envisions-a-happy-appy-web</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-sxsw-ie9-envisions-a-happy-appy-web</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:10:29 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>winmanmansdasd</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-sxsw-ie9-envisions-a-happy-appy-web</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A Microsoft representative previews the &amp;39'Foursquare Playground&amp;39' HTML5 site in the new Internet Explorer 9.(Credit:Caroline McCarthy/CNET)AUSTIN, Texas--Just one year after it initially previewed its new Internet Explorer 9 browser, Microsoft formally launched the software today at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSW), bringing in representatives from launch partners from The Huffington Post, Foursquare, Groupon, and Pandora to demonstrate an experience that looks less like the Web as we know it and more like the app ecosystem of a smartphone ortablet.&quot;We're used to the Web getting better because of everything other than the PC,&quot; Internet Explorer's Dean Hachamovitch said of how the most innovative kinds of Web development have, of late, been for mobile and tablet platforms. Thanks to higher optimization for HTML5 and the ability to take advantage of more processor power, he said that IE9, which goes live later on Monday, will &quot;bring all the benefits of a modern PC with Windows to browsing the Web.&quot;Microsoft representatives previewed the IE9-optimized version of Foursquare, the geolocation app that's been ubiquitous at SXSW this year (again) and has built &quot;Foursquare Playground,&quot; a new Web application that uses an animated HTML5 3D map that can sense the user's location, display locations with high levels of Foursquare activity, and offer a business search that can jump out into Bing Maps (which already has a notable Foursquare partnership in place).These HTML5 sites are able to be as rich as they are because of hardware acceleration, which fuels the browser with the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU) as well as the central processing unit (CPU). They demonstrated the same HTML5 site--a graphics-intensive music archive for Seattle rock station KEXP--on both a Windows computer running IE9 and a MacBook Pro runningFirefox. The Firefox browser, not surprisingly, was considerably slower in the demonstration, as was Google Chrome running on a MacBook in a later demonstration.While Microsoft Internet Explorer still has powerful market share in the mainstream, tech industry professionals have long since abandoned its lackluster earlier versions for the likes of Chrome, Firefox, andSafari. But IE9 won't be compatible with the older Microsoft XP operating system, which still runs on 40 to 50 percent of Windows PCs. The unveiling was held at a ballroom at the W Hotel in Austin, where the walls were decorated with the logos of the brands and companies that have partnered for &quot;pinned&quot; sites--logos that look suspiciously similar to iOS app icons. Tweaking and &quot;pinning&quot; a site for IE9 can result in a 50 percent jump in user engagement, Microsoft representatives said. Web cult hero Ze Frank, a SXSW regular, joined the IE9 team onstage to preview his new application, Star.me, which was one of the featured launch partners. He hyped up HTML5 browsers, specifically IE9, as being able to bring back the &quot;sense of discovery and play&quot; that characterized the Web in its earliest days. Star.me, he said, is &quot;like a social game meets a social network where you're kind of in kindergarten but just had a lot of espresso&quot; by awarding cartoon &quot;stars&quot; to other Web users' profiles. &quot;Bringing these kinds of experiences back into the browser as a sort of a natural place for wondrous, joyous, experiences to start popping up again is awesome,&quot; Frank said, &quot;and I think IE9 is a commitment to bringing that joy and wonder back into the browser and kind of back into the Web.&quot; Not exactly a hardcore productivity app, but the stars are pretty cute. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Can any tablet challenge the iPad]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=can-any-tablet-challenge-the-ipad</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=can-any-tablet-challenge-the-ipad</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:10:30 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>hundigranna</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=can-any-tablet-challenge-the-ipad</guid>
<description><![CDATA[(Credit:James Martin/CNET)As theiPad juggernaut continues with today's launch of the iPad 2, can any othertablet maker truly compete with AppleThe odds seem to be against it, at least according to the results of a survey released yesterday by ChangeWave Research. Questioning more than 3,000 consumers last month, ChangeWave found that 27 percent of them plan to buy a tablet, 2 percentage points more than a similar poll found last November.Among those eyeing a tablet, 82 percent said they'll opt for an iPad. That number compares with 4 percent looking into a Motorola Xoom, 3 percent considering Research In Motion's upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook, 3 percent for Samsung's Galaxy Tab, and 8 percent for an assorted array of other tablets.It's important to note that the survey was conducted before the Xoom was released and before Apple announced the iPad 2, so we don't know if or how the responses would be different now. But another point in Apple's favor is the wave of already happy iPad users.Among current iPad owners polled by ChangeWave, 70 percent said they're very satisfied with the tablet and another 25 percent said they're somewhat satisfied. Only 2 percent admitted to being somewhat unsatisfied, while apparently no one said they were very unsatisfied with the device.Curious to see if the iPad was cannibalizing sales away from other devices, ChangeWave asked if there were other gadgets consumers initially planned to buy or that they canceled in favor of an iPad.A total of 11 percent of those polled pointed to laptops, while 10 percent named Netbooks as devices they rejected in favor of an iPad. E-book readers also were hit, with 17 percent of the consumers saying they opted for an iPad instead of an Amazon Kindle. Another 9 percent collectively decided against other e-readers, including the Sony Reader and Barnes &amp; Noble's Nook.The impact of the iPad on e-readers has been debated since Apple's tablet launched almost a year ago. One survey conducted in July found that the iPad was putting pressure on sales of e-readers as well as portable game consoles.But among the range of device makers struggling to compete with the iPad, Amazon is one company that could give Apple a run for its money, according to research firm Forrester. Under this scenario, however, Amazon would compete not with the Kindle but rather with its own branded tablet.In a blog posted yesterday, Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps pointed to some reasons why rival tablets have struggled against the iPad.Calling the Xoom, PlayBook, HP TouchPad, and other tablets &quot;solid products with fatally flawed product strategies,&quot; Epps said that these devices are too expensive compared with the iPad and don't offer potential customers the user-friendly experience of popping into an Apple store. Those are two reasons why Forrester predicts Apple will grab 80 percent of the U.S. tablet market this year.Instead, Epps believes Amazon could design and sell a low-cost tablet running Android or Linux with access to its own online store as well as its upcoming Android app store. In doing so, Amazon would be able to skirt past Apple's guidelines on publishers and other app developers who sell content both through the Apple App Store and through their own stores.Further, Forrester's research shows that consumers want not only cheaper tablets but also ones not tied to expensive data plans from mobile carriers. Amazon could sell such a tablet at or below cost, says Epps, and make its profit by selling content, same as it does with the Kindle.Finally, Amazon has the brand, content, and channel to tie together a tablet, according to Epps. The analyst cited a survey that found consumers would be more comfortable buying a tablet from a familiar online retailer such as Amazon as opposed to a mobile carrier. And Amazon already sells e-books, videos, games, and other content ripe for digital consumption.Amazon itself has been looking into launching devices beyond just the Kindle, though no word yet on just what those devices might be.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[iPad LogMeIn app gets File Manager, Wake on LAN]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ipad-logmein-app-gets-file-manager-wake-on-lan</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ipad-logmein-app-gets-file-manager-wake-on-lan</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:10:50 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ginobibgii</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ipad-logmein-app-gets-file-manager-wake-on-lan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[LogMeIn Ignition iPad app&amp;39's new File Manager feature lets you access data from a remote computer.(Credit:Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)If you have been using the LogMeIn Ignition application as a cool way to run Windows 7 on the iPad, you now can do even more with it. LogMeIn revealed today that it has just finished an update to the LogMeIn Ignition app for theiPad that adds a major new feature called File Manager. Basically, now, in addition to allowing you to control a remote computer over the Internet using an iPad, the app also enables you to view and transfer files back and forth between the iPad and the remote computer.I tried out the new version of the app and it worked very well. Once logged in, you have the options of controlling the remote computer or accessing its data. When the latter is picked, you're able to view the entire contents of the computer's entire hard drive or drives, including even hidden files and folders. Files and folders are organized somewhat like photo albums, and supported files (namely those for which the reader apps are installed on the iPad, such as photo, text, or PDFs) can be opened directly from the remote computer.You can also copy and move files between the iPad and the remote computer.(Credit:Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)You can also copy files and even folders from the remote computer onto the iPad. To do this, you can just Tab to the file or folder to select it, then tap on the copy (or move) button. Multiple files or folders can be copied, moved, or deleted at a time.When a single file or folder is selected, you also have the option to rename it. Once a file or folder has been copied to the iPad, you can then copy or move it to another remote computer. Folders can also be updated with the original versions on the remote computer.Unfortunately, you can't transfer files originally stored on the iPad, such as photos in its photo library, to the remote computer' nor can you put photos or videos from the remote computer into the iPad's libraries. This means each time you want to view files that you have copied from a remote computer, you'll need to run the LogMeIn Ignition app.To make up for this, the app enables you to work with multiple computers at a time, including transfering files and folders directly among them, and you can switch between different computers via different windows, similar to switching between Web sites when usingSafari. So far this could be the biggest improvement of the app: now you can not only control the remote computer but also use it as something of a &quot;cloud&quot; data server for the iPad. Apart from the File Manager, the update also brings back the &quot;Wake on LAN&quot; function that was taken away with the previous update. With Wake on LAN you can turn the remote computer on via the Internet, eliminating the need to keep it running all the time.According to LogMeIn, the update is now going through Apple's approval process and will soon be available to existing customers via Apple's App Store as a free update. The LogMeIn service can be used for free (there are also subscriptions with more features) via a Web browser. The LogMeIn Ignition app, which allows access from the iPad, on the other hand costs $30. The app and the update also work with theiPhone and iPod Touch, via both cellular and Wi-Fi connections. With this update, the LogMeIn Ignition app is now worth its rather hefty price tag. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Warner Bros. to deliver movies on Facebook]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=warner-bros--to-deliver-movies-on-facebook</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=warner-bros--to-deliver-movies-on-facebook</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:11:09 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bioujungnya</dc:creator>
<category>Marketing and advertising</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=warner-bros--to-deliver-movies-on-facebook</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Warner Bros. plans to let fans rent movies such as &amp;39'The Dark Knight&amp;39' via their Facebook accounts.(Credit:Warner Bros.)Warner Bros. is apparently hoping to attract new fans by offering movies for viewing on Facebook.The movie studio announced this evening it would begin testing a program that would offer movies for sale or rental for a brief period through its fan pages on the social-networking giant.Beginning tomorrow, Facebook users can use Facebook Credits to rent &quot;The Dark Knight&quot; through the movie's official fan page on the social-networking site, Warner said in statement. The movie can be rented for 30 Facebook credits or $3, and Facebook users will have access to the movie for 48 hours through their accounts on the social network.Facebook Credits is an alternative payment option for more than 150 games and applications on the social network. It's supported by games such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars, as well as Bejeweled Blitz and Madden NFL Superstars. Most titles still allow gamers to pay with credit cards, but it's Facebook's hope that eventually, users will buy all virtual goods with Credits.The studio sees the social network as fertile ground for video on demand--considered a key revenue source for Hollywood studios grappling with falling box office receipts.&quot;Facebook has become a daily destination for hundreds of millions of people,&quot; Thomas Gewecke, president of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, said in a statement. &quot;Making our films available through Facebook is a natural extension of our digital distribution efforts. It gives consumers a simple, convenient way to access and enjoy our films through the world's largest social network.&quot;Facebook representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.In addition to being able to pause the movie and resume it at their leisure when they log back in to Facebook, Warner Bros. said users will still be able to post comments on the movie and interact with friends on the network while watching their selection.The program is currently available only in the U.S., and additional titles will be added on a regular basis over the coming months, Warner Bros. said.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Write letters in only 35 hours with brain speller]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=write-letters-in-only-35-hours-with-brain-speller</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=write-letters-in-only-35-hours-with-brain-speller</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:10:56 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>dotali</dc:creator>
<category>Social</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=write-letters-in-only-35-hours-with-brain-speller</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Reading about Lenovo's eye-popping gaze-controlled laptop being shown at the CeBit tech fair this week, we were excited to see a demo of Guger Technologies' Indendix brain speller machine. As we mentioned last year, Intendix is an electroencephalography (EEG) device that lets users type with their minds. Guger calls it the world's first commercial brain-machine interface for personal use. It's designed for disabled or paralyzed people.The system consists of an electrode cap, a flashing display of letters, a compact brain wave amplifier, and a Windows-based program. By focusing on each letter, users can generate brain waves that the device can recognize. Guger says most patients can type 5-10 characters per minute after training.The company showed off Intendix at Cebit in Hannover, Germany, and IDG recorded a demo. Recent improvements include shorter setup time and shorter training. But when first-time user Martyn Williams tried it out, the results were a bit of a reality check. Intendix lets you type with your mind--if you have the patience. (Credit:Guger Technologies)As seen in the vid above, it took Williams about five minutes of concentration to type only three letters with his mind (he was told that intelligence doesn't affect the results). At that rate, it would take about 35 hours to type a letter of 250 words, assuming an average of five characters per word (and this doesn't include the time it takes to type spaces and punctuation marks). With Guger's more optimistic estimate of typing five characters a minute, it would take four hours. Still, that's twice as fast as the time it reportedly took French journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby to type &quot;The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,&quot; an account of his struggle with the paralysis of locked-in syndrome, by blinking one eye at an assistant for two months. Doubtless Bauby would have benefited from Intendix (he died a few days after his best-selling memoir was published), as will others with severe paralysis for whom patience is a necessity. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Avast wants you playing in its sandbox]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=avast-wants-you-playing-in-its-sandbox</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=avast-wants-you-playing-in-its-sandbox</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:11:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>winmanmansdasd</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=avast-wants-you-playing-in-its-sandbox</guid>
<description><![CDATA[New security features designed to keep its more than 110 million users safe debut in Avast 6, released today exclusively from CNET Download.com. They also have the added benefit of raising the competitive bar in computer security by pushing more and better free options to users. Avast Free Antivirus 6, Avast Pro Antivirus 6, and Avast Internet Security 6 all feature the new AutoSandbox and the WebRep browser add-on. (Click the links to get to the download page.)<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Taxes 2010: Four tax prep solutions compared]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=taxes-2010-four-tax-prep-solutions-compared</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=taxes-2010-four-tax-prep-solutions-compared</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:10:17 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>revadutta1</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=taxes-2010-four-tax-prep-solutions-compared</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Tablets at Mobile World Congress 2011]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=tablets-at-mobile-world-congress-2011</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=tablets-at-mobile-world-congress-2011</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:10:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Yara</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=tablets-at-mobile-world-congress-2011</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The T-Mobile G-Slate is the U.S. version of the LG Optimus Pad.(Credit:Bonnie Cha/CNET)It's not just handsets and smartphones at this year's Mobile World Congress'tablets made their way to Barcelona, Spain, as well, despite some people's opinion that tablets aren't really mobile. As an echo toCES this year, Mobile World Congress proved once again that 2011 is the year of the tablet, with the introduction of at least five new models, and the promise of more to come. The LG Optimus Pad(Credit:LG)LG Optimus Pad/T-Mobile G-SlateLG showed up in Barcelona with the LG Optimus Pad, which will be branded in the U.S. as the T-Mobile G-Slate. We already saw a glimpse of it at CES, but this is the first time we got to play around with it.  The display has a 1,280x768-pixel WXGA resolution in wide screen, and a 1GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor is found inside. You also get 1080p HD video decoding, and HDMI support will let you share your 3D video with TVs. Unlike the Optimus 3D, though, you do need glasses to watch 3D video on the tablet.  And as part of the Optimus Pad announcement, LG has a established a partnership with YouTube, which will let Optimus Pad owners quickly upload 3D videos for sharing.Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1Not to be outdone, Samsung also announced a larger version of its Galaxy Tab, dubbed the Galaxy Tab 10.1. It now has a 10.1-inch WXGA display, and it runs the latest Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1(Credit:Bonnie Cha/CNET)It, too, will be powered by a dual-core processor (Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset, naturally), and a few of its features include 1080p HD video recording, an 8-megapixel camera on the back, and a 2-megapixel camera on the front. It'll have both Wi-Fi and HSPA+ support.HTC FlyerYou knew HTC had to get on the tablet bandwagon sooner or later, and it did so in Barcelona with the HTC Flyer. It's supposedly based on Android 2.4, and features a 7-inch super LCD touch screen, with specs that include 1GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 5-megapixel camera on the back, 1.3-megapixel camera on the front, HSPA+ support, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It also encourages pen-based use with built-in sync with apps like Evernote so that you can use it to take notes, draw pictures, and more.HTC Flyer(Credit:HTC)ViewPad 4While its 4-inch size makes it less of a tablet and more of a really big smartphone, ViewSonic also introduced the ViewPad 4, the 4.1-inch cousin to the ViewPad 7 and the ViewPad 10. It'll have a Qualcomm 1GHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera, and a VGA front-facing camera, 2GB ROM, 512MB RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, and a Mini-HDMI output. RIM plans two more PlayBooksWhile RIM didn't show off any new PlayBooks, it did at least announce that it plans to have an LTE and HSPA+ version of its tablet later this year. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[MPAA sues Hotfile, battle for cloud begins]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mpaa-sues-hotfile-battle-for-cloud-begins</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mpaa-sues-hotfile-battle-for-cloud-begins</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:10:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>humidist</dc:creator>
<category>Marketing and advertising</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mpaa-sues-hotfile-battle-for-cloud-begins</guid>
<description><![CDATA[For the first time, a group of Hollywood film studios has filed a copyright lawsuit against a cyberlocker.File-hosting service Hotfile has made a business out of offering a stash box for people to store their pirated movies, the Motion Picture Association of America claims in its suit against Hotfile. &quot;In less than two years, Hotfile has become one of the 100 most trafficked sites in the world,&quot; the MPAA said in a press release issued today. &quot;That is a direct result of the massive digital theft that Hotfile promotes.&quot;According to the MPAA, Hotfile is operated by Florida resident Anton Titov, who was not immediately available for comment. A growing number of digital-locker services have come under fire lately by copyright owners. Liberty Media Holdings, an adult-film studio, last month also filed a copyright suit against Hotfile. On the music side, EMI, the smallest of the four record labels, is suing MP3tunes.com, a digital locker specializing in the storage of songs. The cyberlockers are an alternative to BitTorrent file-sharing services and are growing in popularity. With these services, there's no need to download any software. A user logs on to a locker service and watches whatever films or TV shows are stored there. The MPAA was careful to make the distinction that not all cyberlockers are unlawful. That's important because the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's safe harbor protects Internet service providers as long as they obey some rules. The trade group for the top film studios said Hotfile doesn't come close to qualifying for safe harbor protection. The service &quot;openly discourages use of its system for personal storage,&quot; the MPAA wrote. &quot;Hotfile's business model encourages...users to upload files containing illegal copies of motion pictures and TV shows to its servers and to third-party sites.&quot;According to the MPAA's suit, Hotfile is no free-information advocate. This is straight-up piracy for profit, the trade group said. Hotfile collects revenues by charging a monthly fee. Correction 2:17 p.m. PT: This story incorrectly identified the company that filed a copyright complaint against Hotfile last month. Liberty Media Holdings is the correct name. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Best Buy's buy-back plan free through Saturday]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=best-buys-buy-back-plan-free-through-saturday</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=best-buys-buy-back-plan-free-through-saturday</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:10:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>QueenBea</dc:creator>
<category>Social</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=best-buys-buy-back-plan-free-through-saturday</guid>
<description><![CDATA[(Credit:Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)Best Buy is offering a deal to people who don't hold onto gadgets for long.Through Saturday, customers who buy certain products at Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile, including televisions, laptops,tablets, and phones, will be enrolled in a buy-back program at no charge.Best Buy launched its buy-back program last month.Under the program, customers who enroll at the time of purchase can get a Best Buy gift card when they eventually decide to move on to a new product. Normally, customers pay $69.99 to enter the program when buying laptops, Netbooks, or tablets. The enrollment fee is $39.99 for smartphones costing less than $350 or $59.99 for smartphones over $350.When customers enroll, Best Buy provides them with a value schedule, allowing them to see how much they can get for those products if they sell them back to Best Buy. The retailer requires that consumers return mobile devices within two years of purchase and televisions within four years.If products are returned within the first six months, consumers can get up to 50 percent of a device's value. They get up to 40 percent value between 6 and 12 months. That figure drops off to 30 percent and 20 percent for 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months, respectively. Television returns can garner 10 percent of the product's original value back when returned between 2 and 4 years.Best Buy used a Super Bowl commercial last night to announce the free offer. The ad featured Ozzy Osbourne and Justin Bieber comedically promoting the program.For now, Best Buy is testing the waters with its buy-back program, which is why it's limiting it to certain products. If consumers seem to like the program, the company said last month, Best Buy could offer it for game consoles and other products as well.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mozilla embracing Chrome's fast-rev ethos]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mozilla-embracing-chromes-fast-rev-ethos</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mozilla-embracing-chromes-fast-rev-ethos</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:10:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>eczema</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mozilla-embracing-chromes-fast-rev-ethos</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Mozilla has a new plan forFirefox in 2011: Turn the crank faster.The organization is set to deliver Firefox 4 in coming weeks. And according to a draft Firefox roadmap, Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's director of Firefox, proposed releasing versions 5, 6, and 7 in 2011, too. This fast-release ethos, pioneered in the browser world by Google's Chrome, means smaller changes arrive more frequently.For comparison, Firefox 1 arrived in 2004, Firefox 2 in 2006, Firefox 3 in 2008, with Firefox 4 slipping past a hoped-for 2010 ship date and likely to slip past another date set for the end of February.The faster schedule is designed to make Firefox more competitive by getting new features into users' hands faster. According to Beltzner:We succeeded in re-energizing the browser market, creating competition and innovation which benefits Web application developers and users alike. This newly competitive market has presented challenges for the continued success of Firefox, and in 2011 we must ensure that we can deliver a product that is compelling to users in order to continue to be able to demonstrate our vision for the Web. To do this we must:&amp;149' provide a browser that is stable and responsive,&amp;149' build a product for modern desktop and mobile hardware,&amp;149' provide a simple set of features and experiences to help users get the most out of the Web,&amp;149' support Web technologies that are desired most by application developers and users,&amp;149' deliver those technology improvements quickly to our user base.It's not easy turning the crank faster, though.&quot;Changing the way we ship products will require the re-evaluation of many assumptions and a large shift in the way we think about the size of a 'major' release,&quot; Beltzner said. &quot;The criteria for inclusion should be no regressions [new bugs], well understood effects for users, and completion in time for a planned release vehicle.&quot;Firefox's share of worldwide browser usage has remained largely flat, with Chrome andSafari steadily picking up usage in recent months. Chrome, which often serves as a vehicle for Google to promote favored new technologies, moved last year from a quarterly release cycle to an even faster one with twice that pace.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ask Maggie: On iPhones vs.Droids, again]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ask-maggie-on-iphones-vs-droids-again</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ask-maggie-on-iphones-vs-droids-again</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:10:39 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>garnersteen12</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ask-maggie-on-iphones-vs-droids-again</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Nearly two weeks after Verizon Wireless announced it will get the iPhone,iPhone fever is still gripping many CNET readers.I dedicated last week's Ask Maggie to answering questions about theVerizon iPhone. And this week I got several more questions related to Verizon's upcoming launch of the iPhone. So in this week's Ask Maggie column I answer some follow-up questions. Specifically, I clarify for one reader that both iPhone and Droids support Outlook e-mail andMicrosoft Office docs. I also advise another reader not to ditch his Comcast broadband for the Wi-Fi tethering feature of the iPhone 4 on Verizon. And finally, I answer one eager Sprint customer's question about where the iPhone might be launched next in the U.S. Ask Maggie is a weekly advice column that answers readers' wireless and broadband questions. If you've got a question, please send me an e-mail at maggie dot reardon at cbs dot com. And please put &quot;Ask Maggie&quot; in the subject header.Still deciding between an iPhone vs. a DroidDear Maggie,Thank you for last week's column comparing the Verizon iPhone and the Droid smartphones. I have a few follow-up questions for you on this. I use Microsoft Office Outlook for my contacts, calendar, and e-mail. Would this work with a Droid or iPhone I also want to be able to access Microsoft documents from my smartphone so I need Microsoft Office mobile formats like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Can I use this with either of these phonesWhen do you think that Verizon might offer a &quot;Global iPhone&quot; with both CDMA and GSM capability Could be on an upcoming iPhone 5 for Verizon.Thanks for your advice in advance! Howard Dear Howard,These are some great follow-up questions for anyone considering buying either an iPhone or a Google Android phone.You are in luck, the iPhone and the Droid each support Microsoft Outlook and some of Microsoft's other business suites. I spoke to CNET Reviews mobile experts Kent German, Nicole Lee, and Bonnie Cha to get more detail about this. Kent said that it's very easy to set up Microsoft Exchange on your iPhone if you know the necessary information. You'll need your e-mail address, username, password, and server name. For some accounts, you might need the domain as well.If you have Outlook Web Access, then you shouldn't need to involve your IT department. But if you don't, you may need to contact them for the correct settings.As for accessing, reading, and altering Microsoft documents, you can do this on the iPhone, but you'll have to purchase an app, Kent said. He suggests QuickOffice apps which cost between 4.99 and $16.99. There are cheaper and even free apps available, but they won't offer a lot of functionality, he said.Android subscribers can also access and sync their e-mail and calendar to their Outlook accounts. But if you are not using a Microsoft Exchange account it gets tricky. CNET Reviews editor Nicole Lee says that Android phones are optimized for Google products, such as Gmail and Google Calendar. So she recommends switching over to those tools rather than going through the trouble of syncing to Outlook. But if Outlook is what you like to use then there are workarounds and you can sync Outlook with your Google account or use a third-party solution, such as gSyncit, Bonnie Cha said. If you want more information check out Nicole's explanation in her column on the 411. Bonnie added that all Android phones come with some kind of free Microsoft Office suite, such as QuickOffice, which allows you to, at the very least, open and view Office documents. Most have basic editing functions, but if you want the ability to create new docs on your phone, you'll often have to pay to upgrade the app to a premium version of the suite.Now to answer your final question: Do I think Verizon will come out with a GSM/CDMA iPhone Honestly, I don't know the answer to that. I was surprised that the version Verizon announced two weeks ago was not a &quot;world phone.&quot;  I suppose that adding the additional radio increase device costs and takes up room in the device. So if there is a way to mitigate either of those things, then there's a chance that Verizon and Apple will add GSM in a future version. What I think is more likely to happen is that Apple will add an LTE radio chipset to a newer version of the Verizon iPhone. LTE is the technology used for Verizon's &quot;4G&quot; network. If LTE is added to the phone, then it will be backward compatible with GSM networks. So when you're traveling abroad, you'll be able to roam onto other GSM networks. When will this happen I don't know. But I don't think Verizon will get another release of the iPhone for at least a year. Maybe it will release an update in six months, but Apple typically only releases one new version of a product per year. A new GSM version of the iPhone is likely to be released this summer. Ditching broadband for the iPhone's hot spotHi Maggie,I have a question I was hoping you could answer in regards to the release of the Verizon iPhone, and its ability to become a Wi-Fi hot spot. I was thinking about getting rid of my broadband Internet provider (Comcast) at home and adding the $20 tethering, so that I could connect my desktop and Xbox 360 all at once. I figured this could help reduce my bill. I was wondering how much slower my devices would operate if I did this. And if I would notice a real difference if i just used my iPhone instead of Comcast's 15Mbps service. Thanks, Mullarky Dear Mullarky,In theory this sounds like a great idea. Why not share the bandwidth from your iPhone account with all the other Internet-enabled gear you have in your home The $20 Wi-Fi tethering fee that Verizon charges for its other Wi-Fi hot-spot phones is nothing compared to the $50 or $60 you are paying for Comcast's broadband service. RightThere are a couple of reasons why this isn't a good idea. For one, Verizon's iPhone operates over Verizon's 3G network. This is a network that provides average download speeds between 700Kbps and 1.2Mbps. And that's if you are in a place with good cell phone reception. Speeds can be much slower when connections aren't great or if the network is congested.If you're used to a 15Mbps cable modem service, and you plan to do a lot of gaming and video streaming via your Xbox 360, you will notice the difference in performance. Now, if you were to use one of Verizon's new LTE smartphones coming out later this year for Internet access, that's a different story. The LTE network, which Verizon calls its &quot;4G&quot; network gets average download speeds between 6Mbps and 12Mbps. Some users have even reported download speeds around 20Mbps. So an LTE device would definitely provide you a fast enough broadband connection so that you could stream movies and play interactive games on your Xbox. And you likely wouldn't notice the difference in terms of performance. But there's a catch to this as well. And that's price. Verizon doesn't want people using its wireless broadband services as a replacement to fixed broadband. Remember, the company has a wired broadband business selling DSL and Fios fiber to the home service. So the company makes sure to keep limits on how much data can be used on its wireless broadband networks. It's been doing this for years with its 3G wireless data service, capping usage at 5GB per month. Traditionally, customers using the $20 a month tethering feature via a smartphone, have been held to the same 5GB cap.Verizon hasn't yet announced data pricing for either the iPhone or the new LTE smartphones it is launching this year. So I don't know the specific pricing for the data services for these devices or what Verizon plans to charge for tethering. But the company has released pricing for its USB data stick customers on its LTE service. Subscribers can get 5 gigabytes of data per month for $50 or 10GB of data for $80 a month. Customers who exceed this limit will be charged $10 for every 1GB over the limit. The $50 pricing of the service is $10 cheaper than Verizon's existing 3G wireless service. The company said it will offer text alerts that will warn customers about the usage of their data plan. Based on this pricing model or a similar one that will charge you if you exceed your monthly usage cap, you're probably better off keeping your Comcast broadband service. Sprint iPhoneDear Maggie,I am currently on the Sprint network, and was wondering if there is any chance that the iPhone 4 will be released on Sprint anytime in the future. I have read rumors that say that it will be released, but I have also read articles saying it won't. I am hoping you have some good news for me! ') Thank you so much! Ben Dear Ben,I wish I could look into my crystal ball and tell you for certain one way or another. But honestly, I don't have magical powers to predict the future and Apple doesn't fill me on its device launch plans.That said, during the press conference two weeks ago, Tim Cook, Apple's COO, said that the deal with Verizon to sell a CDMA version of the iPhone was not exclusive. So you could infer that Apple will be looking to strike deals with other CDMA providers. So my guess is that Sprint will eventually get the iPhone. In fact, I suspect that eventually several U.S. carriers will have a version of the iPhone. When will this happen I don't know. Again, I suspect that Verizon will get a semi-exclusive on the iPhone for at least a few months. Before Apple starts selling the CDMA iPhone elsewhere in the U.S., I think it's more likely that the company will announce a deal with China Telecom, another big CDMA provider. It makes sense for Apple to sell the iPhone through as many carrier channels as possible. It will be interesting to see what happens as it adds these new carriers. Will it offer older models of the device to other carriers Will it keep the newest versions of the product for AT&amp;T or, in the future, Verizon WirelessThe iPhone is so popular that people seem willing to buy it even when the latest version of the product doesn't have all the same bells and whistles that its competitors have. We'll have to wait and see if customers are as eager to buy an older version of the iPhone on Verizon this spring, even though AT&amp;T is likely to get a new version this summer. Sorry I couldn't more precisely answer your question. I'll be sure to write a story should I hear of an exact release date for a Sprint Nextel iPhone.          Marguerite Reardon     Full Profile E-mail Marguerite Reardon   E-mail Marguerite Reardon If you have a question or comment for Marguerite Reardon, you can submit it here. However, because our editors and writers receive hundreds of requests, we cannot tell you when you may receive a response.   Submit your question or comment here: 0 of 1500 characters       Marguerite Reardon has been a CNET News reporter since 2004, covering cell phone services, broadband, citywide Wi-Fi, the Net neutrality debate, as well as the ongoing consolidation of the phone companies.  <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Chrysler and EPA develop hydraulic drive for minivan]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=chrysler-and-epa-develop-hydraulic-drive-for-minivan</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=chrysler-and-epa-develop-hydraulic-drive-for-minivan</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:10:50 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Anila</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=chrysler-and-epa-develop-hydraulic-drive-for-minivan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Chrysler is fitting an EPA-patented hydraulic drive system into its Town &amp;amp' Country minivan.(Credit:Chrysler)Today, Chrysler and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they would cooperate on adapting a hydraulic hybrid drive system for a Town &amp; Country minivan. The EPA owns the patent on hydraulic hybrid systems, and currently is testing the concept in large commercial vehicles, such as UPS vans. Ford and the EPA developed a hydraulic hybrid diesel SUV in 2004 that was cited as getting 85 percent better fuel economy.In current use, the hydraulic hybrid system stores kinetic energy in hydraulic fluid tanks, releasing the pressure to drive a vehicle's wheels. Similar to an electric hybrid, if there is enough pressure in the system, the engine can shut off when the vehicle is stopped. Hydraulic pressure provides a boost for acceleration and can get the vehicle moving from a stop. The EPA says overall fuel economy increases 30 percent with the system, while city economy increases 60 percent. For the Town &amp; Country, Chrysler envisions a series hybrid application, where hydraulic pressure is the only force turning the wheels. That pressure is created through regenerative braking and from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The hydraulic fluid tank, referred to as an accumulator, holds 14.4 gallons at 5,000 PSI.The main challenge for Chrysler and the EPA in this new project is to make the system more compact, taking it down from its commercial size deployments to a size that can be fitted into a passenger vehicle. Don't expect to see a hydraulic hybrid Town &amp; Country on the market anytime soon. Chrysler is exploring multiple fuel-saving technologies, some of which come from new owner Fiat. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Two charged in AT&T-iPad data breach]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=two-charged-in-att-ipad-data-breach</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=two-charged-in-att-ipad-data-breach</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:10:43 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>resufsuf5</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=two-charged-in-att-ipad-data-breach</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The criminal complaint includes Internet Relay Chat logs purportedly between Auernheimer and Spitler. Click to enlarge.Two men were charged with computer crimes today for allegedly hacking into AT&amp;T servers and stealing e-mail addresses and other information of about 120,000iPad users last summer. Andrew Auernheimer, 25, was arrested in his home town of Fayetteville, Ark., while appearing in state court on unrelated drug charges, and Daniel Spitler, 26, of San Francisco, surrendered to FBI agents in Newark, N.J., according to the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey. Both men were expected to appear before federal judges in Arkansas and New Jersey.  They each face one count of conspiracy to access a computer without authorization and one count of fraud in connection with personal information. They're also looking at a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Auernheimer was ordered held until a bail hearing set for Friday, while Spitler was released on $50,000 bail and ordered not to use the Internet except at his job as a security at a Borders bookstore, according to an Associated Press report. In comments to reporters outside the Newark courthouse, Spitler said he was innocent and that: &quot;The information in the complaint is false. This case has been blown way out of proportion.&quot; Auernheimer told the magistrate that he had been drinking until 6:30 that morning and said of the complaint: &quot;This is a great affidavit--fantastic reading,&quot; according to the AP report.  Last June, Auernheimer told CNET that members of his hacker group, which calls itself Goatse Security, uncovered a hole in AT&amp;T's Web site used by iPad customers on the 3G wireless network and went public with it by revealing details to Gawker Media.  Up until then, AT&amp;T automatically linked an iPad 3G user's e-mail address to the iPad's unique number, called Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICC-ID) so that whenever the customer accessed the AT&amp;T Web site, the ICC-ID was recognized, the e-mail address was automatically populated and the ICC-ID was displayed in the URL in plain text.  Spitler is accused of writing a script called the &quot;iPad 3G Account Slurper&quot; and using it to harvest AT&amp;T customer data via a brute force attack on the site, which fooled the site into revealing the confidential information, according to the criminal complaint filed last week but unsealed and released publicly today.  The complaint includes Internet Relay Chat messages supposedly sent between Auernheimer and Spitler in which they talk about selling the e-mail addresses to spammers, shorting AT&amp;T stock before releasing details of the breach, and destroying evidence. &quot;If we can get a big dataset we could direct market iPad accessories,&quot; Auernheimer says in a message to Spitler, according to the complaint. In another chat session included in the complaint, Spitler says he would like to stay anonymous so he doesn't get sued. &quot;Absolutely may be legal risk yeah, mostly civil you absolutely could get sued,&quot; Auernheimer replied, the complaint read.  Before going to Gawker, Auernheimer also allegedly contacted Thomson-Reuters and the San Francisco Chronicle, and sent an e-mail to a board member at News Corp. whose e-mail address was leaked in the breach in attempts to get news articles written about the incident, according to the complaint. Asked if he reported the hole to AT&amp;T, Auernheimer replied &quot;totally but not really...I don't (expletive) care I hope they sue me,&quot; according to the chat logs.  &quot;Those chats not only demonstrate that Spitler and Auernheimer were responsible for the data breach, but also that they conducted the breach to simultaneously damage AT&amp;T and promote themselves and Goatse Security,&quot; the U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement. AT&amp;T has spent about $73,000 as a result of the breach, including contacting all iPad 3G customers to notify them, the complaint says. Among the iPad users who appeared to have been affected were White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, journalist Diane Sawyer, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, movie producer Harvey Weinstein, and New York Times CEO Janet Robinson.  Auernheimer told CNET last summer that the data exposed in the breach was contained. The concern was that iPad users who had their e-mail addresses exposed would then be at risk of receiving phishing or spam e-mail that appeared to be from Apple or AT&amp;T but which was designed instead to trick them into revealing more information or downloading malware.  Auernheimer did not return an e-mail seeking comment, and Spitler could not be reached. AT&amp;T did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Auernheimer, a self-described Internet &quot;troll,&quot; was arrested last June when authorities found drugs while searching his home for evidence related to the AT&amp;T-iPad investigation. He was later released on bail. Updated 5:20 p.m. PDTwith details on Spitler release on bail, Auernheimer held pending bail hearing and their comments inside and outside court.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Murdoch's iPad mag, The Daily, debuts Jan. 19]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=murdochs-ipad-mag-the-daily-debuts-jan--19</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=murdochs-ipad-mag-the-daily-debuts-jan--19</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:10:23 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>larelimtae</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=murdochs-ipad-mag-the-daily-debuts-jan--19</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A Forbes source has confirmed that Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is planning to launch itsiPad-only daily news sources, The Daily, at a special press conference on January 19.Though the information seems pretty complete as reported by Forbes, there's no official word from News Corp. about The Daily's launch date. According to Forbes, Murdoch briefed some reporters under embargo atCES this past week about The Daily.A quick surf to thedaily.com shows The Daily's logo, a &quot;coming soon&quot; message, and a sign-up form for e-mail updates.Says Forbes: The debut can't come soon enough for The Daily's staffers, who for weeks have been engaged in full-scale dry runs, cranking out dummy issues for what I've been told is a distribution list of 1,000 privileged readers.The Daily could end up being a game-changing app model for the struggling newsprint industry. Giving weight to that theory is the report that Steve Jobs will be joining Murdoch onstage for the announcement. Is The Daily going to change the news industry Are you going to subscribe Let me know your opinions in the comments.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Sourcefire buys Immunet for $21 million]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=sourcefire-buys-immunet-for-21-million</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=sourcefire-buys-immunet-for-21-million</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:10:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>latering04</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=sourcefire-buys-immunet-for-21-million</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Network security company Sourcefire is acquiring Immunet, a cloud-based anti-malware start-up, for $21 million in cash, the companies announced today. The acquisition expands the cloud-based offerings for Sourcefire, creator of the open-source Snort intrusion detection technology. Columbia, Md.-based Sourcefire said it will not lay off any of Immunet's full-time staff, which is based in Palo Alto, Calif.  Sourcefire paid $17 million at the closing of the deal and will pay $4 million during the next 18 months dependent on product delivery milestones, the companies said in a statement. Immunet Chief Executive Oliver Friedrich co-founded SecurityFocus, which Symantec acquired in 2002, and Secure Networks, which McAfee bought in 1998.  The acquisition announcement comes on the heels of news yesterday that Dell is acquiring SecureWorks. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Hotmail update lets you surf inside of e-mails]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=hotmail-update-lets-you-surf-inside-of-e-mails</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=hotmail-update-lets-you-surf-inside-of-e-mails</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:10:08 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>enochkeonc</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=hotmail-update-lets-you-surf-inside-of-e-mails</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Hotmail is rolling out a new platform this morning called Active Views that lets users surf through certain Web sites from inside of e-mail messages.But it's not just any message where this functionality is enabled. Instead, Microsoft has partnered with specific companies as part of the launch to give users a way to do common tasks like searching and account management. Some of the first ones on that list are Orbitz and Monster.com, with Netflix and LinkedIn soon to follow.When a Hotmail user gets an e-mail from one of these companies, they'll be able to use parts of that site from right inside the message. For something like Orbitz, the change means users who get something like a travel sale alert, could then do a search for a trip, and have the results page load up within the message frame. Previously this would have jettisoned users out of Hotmail and into another tab or window. In a post on Microsoft's Windows Team Blog announcing the feature, Hotmail Group Program Manager Dick Craddock said this functionality is aimed at making HTML-based e-mails less static, and had not been added in the past due to security concerns. &quot;There has simply been no way to run JavaScript code within e-mail messages in such a way that it's isolated and not allowed to do malicious things on your computer,&quot; Craddock said. The way the company has gotten around the security issue has been to create a white list of senders that can run code inside of messages, as well as partnering with e-mail service providers like Responsys to make sure Active Views-enabled messages move past spam filters. Yahoo and Google have offered similar special treatment to senders in their Web mail services. Google less so, simply by flagging e-mails from senders like PayPal and eBay to help users determine real e-mails from phishing schemes. Yahoo, however, has had a program running for the past year and a half that puts some application functionality inside of Yahoo Mail, so that users don't need to leave the in-box experience to take care of some everyday tasks. Microsoft says Active Views is being introduced as part of a pilot with just a handful of companies, but it will eventually open it up to anyone. Below is a demo video of how it works:<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google Voice Search gets personalized recognition]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-voice-search-gets-personalized-recognition</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-voice-search-gets-personalized-recognition</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:10:24 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>foreigo</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-voice-search-gets-personalized-recognition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Voice Search adds a personalized recognition option.(Credit:Google)Google updated its popular Voice Search application for Android today, allowing for a more personal experience. Users now have the option to turn on personalized recognition within the app, leading to a more accurate transcription and searching algorithm.According to the Google Mobile blog, the new feature will begin associating recordings of words immediately and then improve them over time. Simply put, the more Voice Search is used, the more accurate it will become.I should point out, though, that it's not available to everyone. The current version works only for those in the United States running Android 2.2 and above. What's more, the only language supported at this time is English. Expect to see more countries and languages supported in the future.It will be interesting to see where these tools are used down the road. I can imagine Google Voice transcriptions getting better because of improved tools like this. Where else can you see personalized recognition playing a bigger role<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Comcast testing combo TV-Internet service]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=comcast-testing-combo-tv-internet-service</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=comcast-testing-combo-tv-internet-service</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:10:07 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>MayogFakapono</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=comcast-testing-combo-tv-internet-service</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Comcast is trying out a new service that would provide both TV and Web content through a single set-top box.The service, codenamed Xcalibur, would outfit subscribers with a set-box that lets them watch certain Web videos and search for live, on-demand, and recorded shows, according to The Wall Street Journal. Currently being tested by Comcast customers in Augusta, Ga., the service is seen as Comcast's response to competitors such as Google TV and Apple TV as well as subscribers cutting the cord on their cable TV subscriptions in favor of online content.But from the Journal's description, Xcalibur so far seems limited in scope. It doesn't let subscribers freely surf the Web but rather offers access to limited Web programming and basic connections to social networks. Of course, this is just a first, trial step, and Comcast could beef up the service should it catch on. At this point, the cable company hasn't even decided yet whether to launch the service or how it would be priced.&quot;We are testing many technological approaches to understand how best to meet consumer interests, and this small trial is one of those experiments,&quot; a Comcast spokeswoman said in a statement e-mailed to the Journal.Comcast has been working on the project for more than a year, said the Journal, citing people familiar with the matter. The boxes receive TV programming through traditional cable but get their Web content via IP technology. That same IP technology could also help Comcast deploy new interfaces and other changes to the system more quickly, added the Journal.The cable giant has seen an ongoing dip in the number of cable TV customers over the past year, though growth in Internet and voice subscribers has more than compensated.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Fortinet: Job outlook improving for cybercrooks]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=fortinet-job-outlook-improving-for-cybercrooks</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=fortinet-job-outlook-improving-for-cybercrooks</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:10:35 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>wanjujukksab</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=fortinet-job-outlook-improving-for-cybercrooks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Cybercriminals are likely to find more jobs next year, one of five top trends forecast by security vendor Fortinet.In an ironic twist in the job market, more positions will open up for developers who can write customized malware packers, people who can break CAPTCHA codes, and distributors who can spread malicious code, according to Fortinet.And though cybercrooks have typically deployed their own botnets themselves, Fortinet believes this job will increasingly be farmed out to middlemen, citing the Alureon and Hiloti botnets as two examples of malware distributed this way. Money mules responsible for wiring funds and cashing checks will also need to be replaced as always.In another trend predicted for next year, cybercriminals are expected to rely more on using existing source code to create new and slightly different strains of malware. Since similar malware today already appears under different names and aliases, this growing trend is likely to further confuse the meaning of names assigned by various security vendors.The bad guys may end up fighting more amongst themselves as different botnets battle for spots on the same systems. The more control a certain botnet can have and the longer it can stay resident, the greater the cash flow, says Fortinet. Already, certain malware includes &quot;bot killers,&quot; designed to eliminate competing bots found on the same machines. As a result, malware writers will increasingly need to keep their infections quiet and discrete and avoid impacting or crashing the machines on which they run.In another trend cited by Fortinet for 2011, cybercriminals will likely try harder to crack into 64-bit systems, which have traditionally posed a challenge as a result of their tighter security technologies. The Alureon rootkit evolved into a 64-bit variant this year, leading Fortinet to predict more 64-bit rookits on the agenda for 2011.And what about the response from the security community That may be the one potential bright spot amidst all the dire malware warnings.Already, certain countries and groups have worked together to take down known botnets and purveyors of malware, with one example being the Conficker Working Group, which came together in 2009 to fight that particular virus. The effects of some takedowns have been short-lived as the bad guys were able to regroup fairly quickly. But Fortinet cites the Zeus takedown this year as a positive example and a foreshadowing of things to come if the right people can team up collectively to shut down malware at its source.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Latest Ask.com revamp all about answers]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=latest-ask-com-revamp-all-about-answers</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=latest-ask-com-revamp-all-about-answers</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:10:10 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>larelimtae</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=latest-ask-com-revamp-all-about-answers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The interface for Ask.com&amp;39's new answers page, rolling out slowly to its users. (click for larger image).(Credit:Ask.com)OAKLAND, Calif.--It's fairly rare in 2010 to walk into a technology company where the first thing presented to visitors is a whiteboard covered in multicolor Post-It notes. But that's exactly what lies just beyond the receptionist's desk at Ask.com, the venerable yet beleaguered Internet company in the middle of yet another strategy shift. The sticky notes are actually part of the company's product-development workflow, giving everyone a visual representation of the number of balls in the air at any given time, not just those logged into the project management software. Doug Leeds, president of Ask.com, wants visitors to understand that just because Ask.com is closing its search department doesn't mean it has given up on technology research altogether. Last month, Ask.com announced that it would bow to the inevitable and end its work on back-end search technology, closing offices in China, New Jersey, and Massachusetts and laying off 130, leaving 270 behind. The idea now is simple: when your Web search company is named Ask, perhaps it makes the most sense to focus completely on the notion of information delivered through questions and answers, Leeds said in an interview with CNET last week. Ask.com has been working on this strategy for years, but is now placing greater emphasis on building community-generated answers supplemented by search results. There's little question that Google has locked up the traditional search market, although Microsoft engineers might grumble with that assertion. So others attempting to make a business out of matching queries with results--which allows for targeted advertising--are turning to a mix of curated answers to queries posed in the form of questions rather than keywords. Quora, the darling of the Google-and-start-up-obsessed Web crowd, is gaining traction in this space with its informed community and simple presentation. Answers.com has been around a little longer and has a much bigger audience than Quora, Yahoo has also worked on this type of service for a long time (with decidedly mixed results), and the current ascendant power on the Web--Facebook--has also rolled out a Q&amp;A service. Over the last year, Ask has increased both the number of queries phrased as a question (24 percent to 46 percent) as well as the number of times it is able to provide a definitive answer to a question at the top of the results page (30 percent to 58 percent). When Ask doesn't have a definitive answer it provides a traditional list of search results that it used to generate itself, but has now turned to an unspecified &quot;third party&quot; to provide those results without its own back-end search engineering team.Doug Leeds, president of Ask.com U.S., in his office overlooking Oakland&amp;39's harbor.(Credit:Tom Krazit/CNET) Leeds wouldn't comment on who was providing those results, but there are only so many people left these days doing the dirty work in the search business. It seems increasingly apparent that Google has quietly stepped into that role since Ask's announcement last month: a Google representative would only say &quot;We cannot comment on our partnership with Ask. Ask has been a longstanding partner of ours and we look forward to continue working with them in the future.&quot; Google has long provided search ads on Ask.com, but not search results themselves: maps on Ask are provided by Microsoft's Bing. The theme behind the new Q&amp;A strategy is to tap into search frustration, a common theme presented by would-be Google killers over the past several years. &quot;Often times people have been to another search engine&quot; before coming to Ask.com, Leeds said. &quot;They just want to ask a question. Our job is to answer it right away at the top of the page.&quot; Google has itself moved more in this direction, providing answers to simple questions like the weather, math problems, and flight-tracking information above search results. However, Ask thinks it will have an advantage by focusing its engineers on developing algorithms that crawl the Web for definitive answers as a supplement to answers provided by humans. Leeds believed Ask.com was spending too much time trying to rank answers--a very challenging search science problem--as opposed to figuring which answer most accurately addressed the query and providing a list of search results in cases where it couldn't find an answer that met that threshold. Slowly but surely, Ask is expanding a community of users (currently about 20 percent of the site's visitors are invited to sign up) who will to provide answers to questions about subject matters in which they are interested. &quot;If you're asking a question, you either want a good answer or no answer at all,&quot; Leeds said. &quot;We can't do better just by crawling the Web: too many questions that have answers that have never been published on the Web before.&quot; Ask.com is not only hoping that it can attract more users with this approach, but that those users will stick around to do more searches on its site once their question is answered, resulting in more clicks on its ads. For example, once you've had a question answered about the best digital camera to buy for around $1,500, you'll still need to figure out where to find that camera and you might want a second opinion. For the moment, the information seekers of the world seem pretty content to just plug away at Google, but if the Q&amp;A notion takes off Ask.com believes it is in a good spot. Of course, its startup competitors don't have quite the same amount of corporate distractions that Ask.com has faced as part of conglomerate IAC, which recently saw Chairman and CEO Barry Diller step down from the CEO spot, and doesn't appear necessarily committed to keeping Ask.com around for the long haul, judging by comments that Diller and more recently IAC Chief Financial Officer Tom McInerney have made. Leeds acknowledged the turmoil but said that Ask.com is focused on its turnaround. &quot;If we were to wake up tomorrow and find out we're part of another company, it wouldn't change my job at all,&quot; he said. Ask.com has a bit of a Yahoo problem, in that it is widely used in the grand scheme of things (90 million unique users in the U.S. in October, sixth on Comscore's list just behind good old AOL) but doesn't get the Silicon Valley adoration that is bestowed upon shiny new things, Leeds believes. It probably doesn't help that the company is located in Oakland, which isn't quite as disheveled as it is often portrayed to be but is definitely a long way--both in distance and in consideration--from the average tech industry worker in Silicon Valley or San Francisco. There's a certain amount of sense in Ask.com's strategy to quit fighting a battle it simply couldn't win, something Yahoo still hasn't quite realized. However, it is running out of time and patience to prove that it can get ahead of a shift in information consumption on the Web and build a viable business at the same time.Millions in advertising didn't boost Ask.com's standing in the search market. It's an open question whether definitive answers will make any difference.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google Instant comes to Android, iPhones worldwide]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-instant-comes-to-android-iphones-worldwide</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-instant-comes-to-android-iphones-worldwide</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:10:16 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ttwotimeso</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-instant-comes-to-android-iphones-worldwide</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Google Instant goes international.(Credit:Google)While we can't call it &quot;instant,&quot; Google's expansion of Google Instant to mobile phones around the globe has been relatively snappy.Google Instant, the company's implementation of real-time Web search results as you type, first debuted in beta form on U.S. last month, for iOS 4.0 devices likeiPhone andiPod Touch and for Android smartphones running operating system 2.2 or higher.Today, Google Instant ushers in compatibility for 28 languages in 40 countries, according to a Google press release. (See below for supported countries.)Google Instant will only work on the Web browser, and only after you opt in to it through a link on Google.com. Since screen real estate is limited, you'll sometimes need to scroll down past the search suggestions to see the first results' this may not appeal to everyone. Do you love it' hate it Let us know your thoughts in the comments.U.S., UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Swizerland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Romania, Portugal, Hungary, Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia.Article updated at 3:55PM PT<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Salesforce-Oracle rivalry heats up with Database.com]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=salesforce-oracle-rivalry-heats-up-with-database-com</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=salesforce-oracle-rivalry-heats-up-with-database-com</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:10:41 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>agriceememsah</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=salesforce-oracle-rivalry-heats-up-with-database-com</guid>
<description><![CDATA[At the Oracle OpenWorld conference back in September, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff exchanged on-stage jabs as Ellison played up his company's push into Salesforce's territory: the cloud. Later today, as Benioff takes the stage to kick off his company's Dreamforce conference in San Francisco, he'll announce his company's push into Oracle's territory: databases. Today, Salesforce is launching Database.com, pitching it as &quot;the world's first enterprise database built for the cloud.&quot; In a statement, Benioff said: We see cloud databases as a massive market opportunity that will power the shift to real-time enterprise applications that are natively cloud, mobile and social. For the first time, we are making Database.com, the database that is proven and trusted by our 87,000 customers, available as an open, stand-alone service to accelerate the creation of these new apps.Read more of &quot;Dreamforce: Salesforce-Oracle rivalry heats up with launch of Database.com&quot; at ZDNet's Between the Lines. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Nintendo sells 1.5 million Wii, DS units in a week]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=nintendo-sells-1-5-million-wii-ds-units-in-a-week</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=nintendo-sells-1-5-million-wii-ds-units-in-a-week</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:10:33 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Sonia01</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=nintendo-sells-1-5-million-wii-ds-units-in-a-week</guid>
<description><![CDATA[(Credit:Nintendo)Nintendo enjoyed an exceptionally strong past week.The game company announced today that it sold 900,000 DS units and 600,000Wii consoles in the U.S. from November 21 to 27, according to internal estimates. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said that such success means U.S. consumers &quot;bought about 9,000 Nintendo hardware systems non-stop for every hour of every day during the week of Black Friday.&quot;Nintendo's announcement is an important one, considering the issues it has been experiencing over the past few months.Last month, Nintendo reported a disappointing six-month period from April to September with a loss of $24.6 million. It sold 6.69 million DS units during the period, down from the 11.7 million it sold during the same time last year. It sold 4.97 million Wii units between April and September, representing a decline from the 5.75 million Wii units it sold in 2009.In response, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said in an interview with the Associated Press that his company was &quot;not thinking of [a Wii price cut] for the near future.&quot; He went on to say that the company's plan was to offer bundles to ramp up demand for its products.The company currently offers a &quot;Mario-red&quot; Wii option for $199.99, as well as a red Nintendo DSi XL bundle for $179.99. It also sells orange and green Nintendo DSi bundles for $149.99.Nintendo was quick to point out that its decision to offer such bundles helped spur sales last week.Although its past week's sales are impressive, the company didn't provide any indication on how its hardware performed for the rest of November. And it will have some work cut out for it to match last year's hardware sales.Last November, Nintendo sold 1.26 million Wii units and 1.7 million DS units, according to market research firm NPD.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[At Cleantech Open, less is more]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-cleantech-open-less-is-more</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-cleantech-open-less-is-more</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:10:43 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>critolly</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-cleantech-open-less-is-more</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This year's Cleantech Open 2010 Business Competition winner, announced last week, is Puralytics, a company developing photochemical water purification products.Since 2006, the Cleantech Open has offered a venue for competition amonggreen tech start-up companies looking for funding. Winning alumni of the contest include Cool Earth Solar, Green Volts, and Micromidas.This year's winner, Puralytics, is an Oregon-based start-up that uses natural sunlight or LED lighting as the catalysts to remove pathogens, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals from waste water. Its processes under development have applications for both industrial manufacturing facilities and small rural communities. Puralytics will receive $250,000 in a combination of cash and services from sponsor companies.Runners up included EarthClean and OnChip Power.Minnesota-based Earth Clean came up with what many would call a practical clean idea for fighting fires. The start-up has developed a fire suppressant called TetraKO. The water additive gel, which can be used in existing fire hoses for building fires or aerial spray systems for forest fires, is non-toxic to plants and wildlife, and completely biodegradable. When mixed with water, TetraKO creates a sticky substance that adheres to vertical surfaces as well as ceilings, which the company says improves fire suppression and reduces chances for rekindling. Upon prolonged exposure to heat, the substance evaporates as steam leaving no residue.The other runner-up, which was also the Northeast Regional winner, is OnChip Power, a start-up based in Massachusetts that grew out of MIT. It makes miniature VHF power supply components. The company says its OnChip Power is &quot;10x smaller size, 3x longer life, 20x faster response, 1/2 the component count.&quot;&quot;You know the brick on your laptop power cord We make that thing the size of a quarter,&quot; OnChip Power Founder and CEO Vanessa Green said in a video interview backstage during the Cleantech Open awards ceremony in San Francisco on November 17.The &quot;People's Choice&quot; winner, which receives $100,000 in services from sponsor companies to bring their idea to market, went to Silicon Solar Solutions. The Arkansas-based start-up is developing a process to reduce the amount of silicon needed to manufacture solar cells without sacrificing their efficiency.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[60 years of Porsche in America]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=60-years-of-porsche-in-america</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=60-years-of-porsche-in-america</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:10:30 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>rockyraj52</dc:creator>
<category>Gaming</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=60-years-of-porsche-in-america</guid>
<description><![CDATA[At its press conference at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche unveiled its Cayman R, and showed a video celebrating 60 years of its cars in America.(Credit:Daniel Terdiman/CNET)LOS ANGELES--With electric vehicles being one of the main story lines at the LA Auto Show here this week, some other news may have gotten lost in the shuffle. But if you were at the Porsche press conference, where the German automaker unveiled its Cayman R, its presentation of a video celebrating 60 years of itscars in America was worth watching (see video below).Accompanied by models dressed in the garb of each decade that Porsche has been selling cars in the United States, the presentation was clearly a trip down memory lane for many in the audience. But it was also nostalgic even for those who hadn't been driving--or dreaming about driving--Porsches all those years.Next up for Porsche may well be a hybrid version of its new Panamera four-door car. And with its sales recovered from a recession-driven rough patch, it seems the company may well be on to its next 60 years here.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[5 car video game crossovers we want to see]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=5-car-video-game-crossovers-we-want-to-see</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=5-car-video-game-crossovers-we-want-to-see</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:10:17 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>archibaldj</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=5-car-video-game-crossovers-we-want-to-see</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In light of the Jeep Wrangler making an appearance in the new Call of Duty: Black Ops, and the associated Wrangler Black Ops edition offered by Jeep, we came up with five other video gamecar crossovers we would like to see. We looked at the top games either available now or coming soon on GameSpot, and picked five likely candidates for a crossover deal.&amp;nbsp'Game&amp;nbsp'CarFallout: New VegasFord Shelby GT500If we're roaming the post-apocalyptic wastelands around New Vegas, we want to do it Mad Max-style. The Shelby GT500 has the mean looks and high horsepower to deal with missions in the Fallout world, and, most importantly, the engine has a blower. A Fallout edition Shelby GT500 should be primer black with gloss stripes.Fable IIIMitsubishi i-MievWith its pumpkin shape, the i-Miev would best fit in the fairytale world of Fable. These adventure games often require a lot of tedious walking from place to place, so we would rather drive. And the i-Miev's silent power train won't disturb the mythological creatures in the world. A Fable edition i-Miev would need appropriate livery, a heraldic design with plugs and lightning bolts.Halo: Reach Infiniti FX50Let's face it, the Warthog has been around for a long time. It's time for an update, and we can think of no more space-age-looking vehicle than the Infiniti FX50. With its big, powerful V-8 and all-wheel drive, it can tear across the landscape, mowing down anything that gets in your way. Of course, the game version will need a .50-caliber gun mounted out of the sunroof.Kinect Joy Ride Mazda MX-5 MiataOn the cartoony racetracks of Kinect Joy Ride, no car would fit in better than the Miata. Mazda's newest styling language gives the front of the Miata a big, silly grin. The car is pretty much a cartoon already. For the Joy Ride edition, it will need some CarLashes.Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodLexus GX 460The main character in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood leads his revolution, occasionally using wagons to strike at opponents. But a Lexus GX 460 would give him the ability for quick drive-bys. Imagine this big SUV pulling up fast to the curb, loaded with assassins wielding crossbows and unleashing a volley at the bad guys. The Assassin's Creed edition of the GX 460 would need wood paneling, of course, for a better fit in this world.What cars would you like to see in video games, outside of the obvious Need for Speed and Gran Turismo franchises Tell us in the comments.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mac OS X update perks up photo performance]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mac-os-x-update-perks-up-photo-performance</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mac-os-x-update-perks-up-photo-performance</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:10:11 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Aragon</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=mac-os-x-update-perks-up-photo-performance</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Canon's PowerShot S95, a highly regarded new high-end compact camera, is among those models whose raw image files Mac OS X and Apple's photo applications now supports.(Credit:Sarah Tew/CNET)Apple's release of Mac OS X 10.6.5 yesterday carried some improvements for photographers: better performance, and support for raw photo formats from a handful of newer cameras.The release notes mention simply that the update &quot;addresses performance of some image-processing operations in iPhoto and Aperture.&quot; In my tests on a dual-core MacBook Pro, however, I found one particular bottleneck is significantly relieved: rendering the raw photos so they can be viewed at 100 percent--when one photo pixel takes up one screen pixel.That's significant, given how frequently a photographer must wait for a computer to turn the raw images from a higher-end camera into something presentable. Aperture users also should see editing and export performance improve over what already arrived in version 3.1 after the OS is updated.Here's one telling tidbit: for a change, I found zooming to 100 percent faster than with Adobe Systems' Lightroom, both on that MacBook and on a quad-core Core i7Windows 7 machine.Also new in the update is support for raw files for several important, new cameras.Raw files, which come straight from the camera's image sensor without in-camera processing, offer higher quality and greater flexibility at the expense of larger file size and the significant hassles of required processing. Many photo enthusiasts prefer them, though, and it's for such files that software such as Aperture and Lightoom are designed.Here's the full list of new cameras with raw support now in Mac OS X:&amp;149' Canon EOS 60D&amp;149' Canon PowerShot S95&amp;149' Hasselblad H4D-40&amp;149' Nikon D3100&amp;149' Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5&amp;149' Sony Alpha DSLR-A290&amp;149' Sony Alpha DSLR-A560&amp;149' Sony Alpha DSLR-A580&amp;149' Sony Alpha SLT-A33&amp;149' Sony Alpha SLT-A55<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Some iTunes special promotions aren't so special]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=some-itunes-special-promotions-arent-so-special</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=some-itunes-special-promotions-arent-so-special</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:10:07 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>TheBestHawaiiSite</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=some-itunes-special-promotions-arent-so-special</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Apple isn't offering much savings for consumers in an iTunes promotion of indie music. Screen shot of iTunes spotlight on indie artists. (Credit:Screen shot by Greg Sandoval/CNET)On iTunes homepage today, Apple posted an ad linking to a list of nine songs from independent artists, including &quot;Too Much&quot; from Sufjan Stevens, &quot;Golden Haze&quot; from Wild Nothing, and &quot;Revival&quot; from Deerhunter. According to the blog Digital Audio Insider, a Web search found that the first five songs are available for free elsewhere on the Web. &quot;The first five tracks are all songs the respective artists and record companies are already giving away online,&quot; DAI wrote. &quot;The Sufjan Stevens track is a freebie at his Bandcamp page. Songs from Wild Nothing and Deerhunter are authorized free downloads at Pitchfork.&quot; Apple's a $42 billion company, so it's hard for me to believe iTunes managers did this intentionally. A company representative didn't respond to an interview request. Apparently, the lesson here is that it pays to shop around regardless of how many bells and whistles surround a promotion. Regardless of the retailer, &quot;special promotions&quot; often prove not to be very special. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Verizon unveils new tiered data plans' keeps unlimited plan]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=verizon-unveils-new-tiered-data-plans-keeps-unlimited-plan</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=verizon-unveils-new-tiered-data-plans-keeps-unlimited-plan</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:10:21 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>AnastasyC4</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=verizon-unveils-new-tiered-data-plans-keeps-unlimited-plan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[We were afraid that when Verizon announced its shift to tiered data pricing, it would do away with its unlimited option, much like AT&amp;T did. Not so, as Verizon's new tiered data plans suggest. Unlimited 3G smartphone data is still available for $29.99, but it's no longer required when purchasing a new smartphone. You can now opt for a cheaper $14.99 plan if you think you can survive on just 150MB with $0.10 per MB of overage.  The same goes for feature phones, but with an added option of $1.99 per MB on a pay-per-use basis (with this option, you'll have to cough up an extra $5 for e-mail service). No word on 4G/LTE pricing yet of course, but the carrier has indicated that it'll provide more information on that as 4G becomes more widespread.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[$1.3 Billion Oracle-SAP Verdict Is Biggest Ever For Software&nbsp'Piracy]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=1-3-billion-oracle-sap-verdict-is-biggest-ever-for-softwarenbsppiracy</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=1-3-billion-oracle-sap-verdict-is-biggest-ever-for-softwarenbsppiracy</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Savariya</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=1-3-billion-oracle-sap-verdict-is-biggest-ever-for-softwarenbsppiracy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[photo a4s 2009 Andrew Magill | more info (via: Wylio)After an 11 day trial whose highlights included the hilarious &amp;''Where In The World Is HP CEO Leo Apotheker&amp;''a4sthe Oracle vs. SAP intellectual property case has finally ended today in a whopping $1.3 billion dollar verdict, &amp;''The largest amount ever awarded for software piracy&amp;'' according to Oracle co-president Safra Catz.Before the trial, SAP admitted that its 2005 acquisition TomorrowNow pirated Oracle&amp;'s intellectual property and used it in order to pilfer customers from Oracle. Evidence presented during the trial showed that key SAP executives were aware of what was happening. &amp;''a4AFor more than three years, SAP stole thousands of copies of Oracle software and then resold that software and related services to Oraclea4a4s own customers,a4 said Catz.The amount of the verdict was the biggest point of contention, as Oracle lawyers pushed for $1.7 billion in damages while SAP legal thought that the number was more in the $40 million range.According to Bloomberg, the $1.3 billion award is the 23rd largest jury verdict of all time, and the largest amount for a verdict involving copyright, by far overtaking the previous $136 million settlement between the RIAA and Media Group Inc.Whether the verdict will actually get paid out is a whole other ballgame. An SAP spokesman told Bloomberg that &amp;''We are, of course, disappointed by this verdict and will pursue all available options, including post-trial motions and appeal if necessary.&amp;''CrunchBase InformationSAPOracle CorporationInformation provided by CrunchBase<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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