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<title>Haaze.com / Pooja01 / Voted News</title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com</link>
<description>Test Web 2.0 Content Management System</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:10:23 +0000</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Speck iPhone 4 cases go literary]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=speck-iphone-4-cases-go-literary</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=speck-iphone-4-cases-go-literary</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:10:23 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>svetalakf</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=speck-iphone-4-cases-go-literary</guid>
<description><![CDATA['The Great Gatsby' and six other literary cases are available through Out of Print.(Credit:Out of Print)I somehow doubt F. Scott Fitzgerald ever thought an image of the cover of his book would someday adorn the back of a portable phone. But now thatiPhone case maker Speck has partnered with Out of Print, a New York accessories and apparel company that &quot;celebrates the world's great stories through fashion,&quot; a &quot;Great Gatsby&quot; iPhone 4 case can now be yours.Aside from Gatsby, Out of Print is serving up the &quot;Catcher in the Rye,&quot; &quot;A Clockwork Orange,&quot; &quot;Moby-Dick,&quot; Edgar Allan Poe, &quot;Lolita,&quot; and &quot;To Kill a Mockingbird&quot; soft-touch, fitted cases with fabric-wrapped backs that give the case &quot;the comforting feel of an old book.&quot; Along with the iPhone 4 cases, Out of Print also sells some bookish e-reader jackets through a partnership with M-Edge. The literary cases cost $35. For each item sold, Out of Print says it will donate one book to a school or community in need through its partner Books For Africa. Hopefully, Out of Print will add more choices (I'm looking for &quot;Catch-22&quot;), but that will probably depend upon how this first batch does. Viddy well, little brother. Viddy well.(Credit:Out of Print)<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Study: Mature-rated games hard for kids to buy]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=study-mature-rated-games-hard-for-kids-to-buy</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=study-mature-rated-games-hard-for-kids-to-buy</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:10:51 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>martprazd</dc:creator>
<category>Marketing and advertising</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=study-mature-rated-games-hard-for-kids-to-buy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It&amp;39's hard for teenagers to buy mature-rated games, the FTC has found.(Credit:GameSpot)When it comes to buying different types of mature entertainment content, it's most difficult for children to get their hands on mature-rated video games, the Federal Trade Commission has found.In an &quot;undercover shopper survey,&quot; the FTC found that 13 percent of underage teenagers were able to buy mature-rated games between November 2010 and January 2011, down from the 20 percent of kids who could do the same in 2009. It was easiest for kids to get their hands on music CDs featuring explicit content, the FTC discovered, with 64 percent of attempts being successful. That figure was down from 72 percent in 2009. When attempting to buy R-rated DVDs, 38 percent of teenagers were successful, representing a significant decline from the 54-percent success rate in the prior year.A third of teenagers were able to get into R-rated movies.The Entertainment Software Association, which represents the industry, has flatly denied that kids can easily get their hands on mature titles. In 1994, it set up the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) as a self-regulating agency that rates games by content and age appropriateness. The new FTC study is the latest evidence that the system is working, the ESA says.&quot;The ESRB is the gold standard,&quot; ESA CEO Michael D. Gallagher said in a statement. &quot;Our self-regulatory system works, and this FTC report validates it as being the best in the entertainment industry. We have an unparalleled commitment to working with parents, retailers, and stakeholders, and will continue to help ensure that this remarkable level of enforcement remains high.&quot;Last year, The Harrison Group, a market-research firm, found that 82 percent of parents and 75 percent of children are familiar with ESRB ratings. Moreover, the organization said that 70 percent of parents &quot;pay close attention to the ratings when purchasing a game for themselves or their families&quot; and 62 percent of parents research a game their child wants before they purchase it.Critics say that's not enough. In September, James Steyer, the CEO and founder of Common Sense Media, an outspoken proponent of legislating the gaming industry, cited a poll that found 72 percent of parents approve of a law that blocks the sale of &quot;ultraviolent or sexually violent&quot; video games, and indicated that kids need to be protected much more than they are today.&quot;The results of this poll clearly show that not only do the effects of ultraviolent or sexually violent games weigh heavily on the minds of parents but also that parents feel that the video game industry isn't doing nearly enough to protect kids from accessing the most ultraviolent games,&quot; Steyer said.However, if the FTC's findings can be believed, fewer kids are actually getting their hands on violent titles than some think. And perhaps more of the concern should be directed toward other industries, where mature content is seemingly easier to access.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Software firm says e-mails stolen in server breach]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=software-firm-says-e-mails-stolen-in-server-breach</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=software-firm-says-e-mails-stolen-in-server-breach</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:10:36 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>limresufcom</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=software-firm-says-e-mails-stolen-in-server-breach</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ashampoo, a German maker of Windows utilities and security software, warned this week that customer names and e-mail addresses were stolen and could be used in targeted malware attacks. &quot;Hackers gained access to one of our servers. We discovered the break-in and interrupted it instantly,&quot; Ashampoo Chief Executive Rolf Hilchner wrote in a message on the company Web site earlier this week. Billing information, including credit card and bank account numbers, was not affected, he said, adding that German law enforcement is investigating but &quot;unfortunately, the traces of the well-concealed hackers currently disperse abroad.&quot; Attackers often send e-mails with malware-laden attachments to e-mail addresses found in the databases they breach, pretending to be a confirmation of an order from the company, Hilchner said.  The company did not disclose how many customers were affected.  People should be cautious about opening unsolicited or unexpected e-mails, even from companies they know, and keep antivirus software up to date, he said. The news comes two weeks after dozens of big companies in the United States, including Citibank, Chase, Capital One, Walgreens, Target, Best Buy, and Verizon, warned customers about the potential for targeted phishing attacks in the wake of a data breach at e-mail marketing service provider Epsilon.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[TI: Japan earthquake hurt earnings, outlook]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ti-japan-earthquake-hurt-earnings-outlook</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ti-japan-earthquake-hurt-earnings-outlook</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:10:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>dgascaadda</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ti-japan-earthquake-hurt-earnings-outlook</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Texas Instruments said the Japan earthquake damaged two of its factories, hurt demand in the country, and cut into its earnings.The chipmaker, which recently said it would buy National Semiconductor, reported first-quarter earnings of $666 million, or 55 cents a share, on revenue of $3.39 billion. Wall Street was looking for earnings of 58 cents a share on revenue of $3.39 billion.TI said that earthquake-related expenses in Japan shaved about 2 cents a share off its operating profit.Read more of &quot;TI: Japan earthquake hurt earnings, outlook&quot; at ZDNet's Between the Lines. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[As Android for tablets falters, opportunity for Intel]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=as-android-for-tablets-falters-opportunity-for-intel</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=as-android-for-tablets-falters-opportunity-for-intel</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:11:06 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>TrAlfandkl</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=as-android-for-tablets-falters-opportunity-for-intel</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Intel has been criticized here and in other venues for being late to thetablet party. But Android's slow start in tablets may mean latecomers aren't necessarily losers.Intel was demoing an Atom-based tablet at its developer conference in Beijing this week(Credit:Intel)A stroke of serendipity has arrived in the form of a tepid consumer reception so far for tablets beyondApple's iPad. Sales of the Motorola Xoom are, to date, anemic, while the sell-through to consumers of Samsung's Android tablet has also been underwhelming. And Digitimes reported today that tablet suppliers Asus and HTC are delaying Android tablet rollouts. Meanwhile, RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook--which is more like an appendage to a BlackBerry phone than a standalone tablet--is not targeted at the high-volume consumer space. So, with tablets based on chips from companies like Nvidia (Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab) and Texas Instruments (PlayBook) not likely flying off the shelf, are Intel's chances any better now &quot;The door to this market is open. The longer it takes for these other products to get rolling, the more opportunity there is for Intel,&quot; said Richard Shim, an analyst at DisplaySearch. And others see an opening for the world's largest chipmaker. &quot;Though Apple has set the bar, it's not going to be alone in this space. Right now it looks like Android will have the majority of tablet sales (outside of Apple), and Intel has a dedicated team of people to make Android work the best it can on its Atom chips. They have a lot resources they can apply,&quot; said Jack Gold of consulting firm J.Gold Associates, who wrote about this yesterday. And Intel, despite its unimpressive start, has another advantage. Atom is not just another cookie-cutter design from U.K.-based ARM. Intel can bring to bear all its manufacturing, security, and media processing know-how, according to Gold, who believes Intel will continue to whittle away successfully at the inherent power-efficiency advantage of ARM chips. &quot;My take is that Intel can capture 20 to 25 percent of that remaining market outside of Apple.&quot; Shim has a few words of caution, however. &quot;It all depends, of course, how well Honeycomb (Android 3.0) runs on Atom,&quot; said Shim. &quot;That's a big if.&quot; And Shim also warns Intel not to put too many eggs in the MeeGo basket, which is a hard sell to developers in a field crowded with Hewlett-Packard's WebOS and RIM's QNX, in addition to Android. (See demo of an Intel tablet at the Intel developer conference in Beijing this week.) <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Microsoft tries to polish Silverlight's future]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsoft-tries-to-polish-silverlights-future</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsoft-tries-to-polish-silverlights-future</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 07:10:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>lanulim2</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsoft-tries-to-polish-silverlights-future</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Microsoft Silverlight logoBack in the good old days, Microsoft's Silverlight merely had to take on the mighty Flash Player.Now Microsoft's browser plug-in has a very different challenge than Adobe Systems' rival technology: Web standards. And Microsoft, through the release of IE9 and presumably its successors, is helping to bring those standards to the real world.Nevertheless, Redmond's engineers believe Silverlight has a future as a browser plug-in, and at Microsoft's Mix conference next week, the company will be trying to advance that future.At Mix11, Microsoft plans to release a beta version of Silverlight 5, and augmenting browser abilities is one of the primary roles Silverlight fills, Microsoft executives said in a blog post.&quot;For plug-in based experiences, we believe Silverlight delivers the richest set of capabilities available to developers today,&quot; said Walid Abu-Hadba, corporate vice president of developer platform and evangelism, Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president of the .Net developer platform, and S. Somasegar, senior vice president of the developer division.Silverlight 5 brings a wealth of new features to programmers: hardware-accelerated video playback for better performance and battery-life preservation' hardware-accelerated 3D graphics' crisper text with advanced formatting' remote-control support' faster start-up' 64-bit browser support' the ability to run Silverlight programs outside the browser' and new digital rights management abilities.The three executives have no illusions that HTML5--along with improvements to other Web standards such as Cascading Style Sheets, Scalable Vector Graphics, WebSocket, and JavaScript--are a real force for programmers. But they're not for everybody, and Microsoft reiterated Adobe's argument that plug-ins can bring technology to the Web earlier than standards.While much has been written about a diminishing gap between the capabilities of HTML5 and capabilities provided by plug-ins, plug-ins will continue to evolve and so there will likely be a gap of some degree, and it will cyclically contract and expand. Contraction occurs as the standard specification &quot;catches up&quot; with the plug-in technologies, and then expands again as the next wave of innovation pushes the boundary further forward.That's a fair argument. Plenty of technologies have arrived in Flash first, with Web standards trailing years behind. HTML5, with its built-in video, isn't due to be finalized until 2014, for example (though elements of it are already in browsers today).But the trickle-down argument isn't complete for a couple reasons. First, browser programmers these days at Apple, Google, Opera, and Mozilla are bubbling with ideas, and more to the point, they're implementing them in browsers. Microsoft's IE9 team, while not as eager to be bleeding-edge, is actively involved in defining those standards, too, and its work with hardware acceleration has advanced the maturity of Web applications. The Web-standards gang are not such laggards as in years past. Plug-ins long have been a major source of browser crashes, and now that browser makers have some momentum to reduce their reliance on plug-ins, they're moving ahead fast.The Microsoft developer executives acknowledge the reality: &quot;The market momentum behind adoption of HTML5 as the path forward for broad cross-platform reach continues to gather momentum, and with Internet Explorer 9 Microsoft is chief among those leading that charge.&quot; But they make that point more as a lead-in to their point that there's no single perfect programming technology. While it's true that Silverlight is an answer to some software challenges, the tremendous reach of the Web standards--and the strength of Android and iOS development environments--mean that Silverlight is not the answer for a huge swath of programmers.Related links&amp;149' New CEO wants faster, more relevant W3C (Q&amp;A)Second, there's the mobile world. Flash is a reality here, but only on a small minority of higher-end handsets right now, and even it's often a rough experience. If it catches on more widely, programmers still will have to work around its banishment from Apple's iOS devices. But though Flash has challenges with mobile, Silverlight can only aspire to those problems. It's not even a part of the debate on mobile, and let's face it--a cross-platform programming foundation that doesn't work on a huge number of influential mobile devices is seriously weakened.Silverlight, by virtue of its essential role in Windows Phone 7 apps, does have potential role in the mobile market. WP7, though, trails iOS and Google's Android.Microsoft famously understands developers and understands their importance to the success of its products. When it comes to Silverlight, though, the company still has a lot to prove.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Zapoint constructs resumes from social networks]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=zapoint-constructs-resumes-from-social-networks</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=zapoint-constructs-resumes-from-social-networks</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:10:03 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>maralyn45</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=zapoint-constructs-resumes-from-social-networks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[&quot;Office Depot has 40,000 employees, and they don't know who there speaks Vietnamese,&quot; Chris Twyman, the CEO of Zapoint, says in his pitch. The Cambridge, Mass., company is launching a &quot;Skills Map&quot; for 300 major companies that, he says, will tell them more about their employees than anything in their own human resources systems.Zapoint gleans this data from information that people post on personal social-network pages -- Facebook, LinkedIn, and so on. Unlike resumes, which employees may update only when they're job hunting and even then not make public, people continually self-report and publicize a lot of work-related skills data. They just don't do it with job hunting or career development in mind. And employers generally can't capture it because their data collection systems (such as they are), are inward-focused. They don't look out toward social networks. Zapoint&amp;39's Skills Mapper can compare two people at a company -- or people from different companies.(Credit:Zapoint) On the other side of the fence, the data that big employers do have about their workers is generally walled off from the public. Who you report to, what training you have, and so on -- that stuff is not made public. Twyman thinks that's an archaic way to manage information about a workforce. &quot;The social nets are marching in. You've got to embrace them,&quot; he said in an interview earlier this month.  So Zapoint, which was founded in 2006, is attacking these silos of employee information by creating a series of reports on the people at 300 major companies. It's focusing on general job descriptions and doing cross-industry comparisons. For example, marketing execs at pharmaceutical companies. The company is figuring who's who, and who has what skills. It knows how good an entire team is at a given company, too, since it knows who works with whom. It knows names. &quot;It's LinkedIn on speed,&quot; Twyman said. If you're one of the people who's been corralled in a Zapoint roundup, now your skill set can be compared to your competitors. Maybe you think that that's good, maybe not, but you can't do much about it. If you're in HR, the worry is that now your competitors can see who your best-trained people are, and poach them. But there is an upside. Individuals could also use this information to see how they stack up, and start working toward improving their skills in ways that matter' or they could use the competitive information to get promotions or raises. Likewise, employers can use the data for skills development. And at the moment, Zapoint is not actually releasing individual dossiers and names. It is telling the 300 companies that it has profiled that it has the data, and is showing them only information in the aggregate. It will sell them the names attached to the data, though, and then let them fill in the information that Zapoint can't collect: the org chart that shows how all the people and skills are arrayed in a business. I'm not sure that Zapoint's pitch to businesses -- &quot;We have data about your people' pay us and you can have it too&quot; -- will go over so well, but the company is one of several that is taking the historically private information of what we do at work and how well we do it, and making it public (See also: Honestly.com). The days of being able to hide behind a desk are coming to an end.Watch&amp;149' Reporters' Roundtable: Who owns your online identity<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[U.S. backs I4i in patent case against Microsoft]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=u-s--backs-i4i-in-patent-case-against-microsoft</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=u-s--backs-i4i-in-patent-case-against-microsoft</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:10:38 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>parriaminkak</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=u-s--backs-i4i-in-patent-case-against-microsoft</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I4i has won the support of the U.S. government as its patent infringement case against Microsoft winds it way to the U.S. Supreme Court.(Credit:Daniel Terdiman/CNET)The case stems from a lawsuit filed by I4i in 2007 in which it claimed that Microsoft had violated one of I4i's patents by including a custom XML feature in Microsoft Word. Though Microsoft lost on both the initial verdict and the appeal, the software giant filed another appeal last year, this time with the Supreme Court, which agreed last November to hear the case.I4i, a small Canadian company, has received strong support in the form of 22 different amicus briefs filed with the Supreme Court, the latest coming from the U.S. government itself, specifically from the U.S. Solicitor General (PDF). These briefs urge the court to uphold the decisions of the lower courts in favor of I4i. Joining the U.S. government in support of I4i are a range of parties, including corporations, universities, venture capitalists, and former U.S. Patent Office commissioners.&quot;The amicus briefs underscore the importance of the case and the extremely damaging consequences if the law is changed and there is a ruling to overturn the lower court's correct decision in favor of new law changes which Microsoft proposes,&quot; said I4i Chairman Loudon Owen in a statement.On its end, Microsoft sees its appeal to the highest court in the land as part of an overall effort to change the way that patents are legislated. Backing Microsoft's appeal are a slew of other tech giants, including Apple, Intel, Google, Yahoo, Facebook, and Hewlett-Packard.The Supreme Court will start to hear the case on April 18 with a decision expected by the end of June.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Tonight's super perigee moon a rare treat]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=tonights-super-perigee-moon-a-rare-treat</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=tonights-super-perigee-moon-a-rare-treat</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:10:09 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sanysan</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=tonights-super-perigee-moon-a-rare-treat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[When the super perigee moon hits the sky, like a big pizza pie, that's amore.Check out the full moon this evening--it could be 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual, according to NASA. The moon has an elliptical orbit around the Earth' when the moon seems smaller and more distant, it's on the farthest side (apogee) of its orbit, while the perigee side is about 31,000 miles closer to Earth.So what makes tonight special &quot;The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee--a near-perfect coincidence that happens only every 18 years or so,&quot; says Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.The best time to view the moon will be at about sunset. There's an illusion during a low-hanging moon that makes it seem larger when seen behind trees and buildings. Despite seeming so near, our closest neighbor in space will still be 221,000 miles away.Those of you familiar with the moon know it has a very distinct relationship with ocean tides. But despite talk of a link between supermoons and natural disasters, tonight's mega moon won't cause too much trouble, at least according to Dr. Tony Phillips, an editor for NASA's Science News Web site.&quot;In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (6 inches)--not exactly a great flood.&quot;Sit back and enjoy tonight's moon, and please describe what you saw in the comments section! Click here to find out when our lunar friend rises in your area.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[BMI site latest target of Anonymous DDoS attacks]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=bmi-site-latest-target-of-anonymous-ddos-attacks</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=bmi-site-latest-target-of-anonymous-ddos-attacks</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:10:44 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bestlaptopbatteryau</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=bmi-site-latest-target-of-anonymous-ddos-attacks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Anonymous announces its latest target: BMI.(Credit:http://anonnews.org/p=press&amp;a=item&amp;i=687)The Web site of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) has been down since last night after being targeted by a distributed denial-of-service attack launched by the Anonymous hacker group as part of what it calls its &quot;war on copyright.&quot;  BMI took the site offline after the attack started last night, a spokeswoman told CNET today. It remained inaccessible as of 11:30 a.m. PT today. BMI handles licensing and royalty payment collections on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. &quot;In a protective measure, BMI.com has been temporarily taken down due to a denial-of-service attack reportedly launched by a hacker group. The attack slows down external access to BMI.com. There has not been a breach of security into our systems in any form and access has not been obtained to any secure content,&quot; a BMI statement said.  &quot;We believe that this attack is part of their misguided campaign to attack creative rights,&quot; the statement said. &quot;Other than the website, operations are not impacted by the company's protective move. BMI plans to resume full service of all online services for its songwriters, music publishers and licensees shortly.&quot;  In a statement to BMI released publicly, Anonymous, a loosely organized grass-roots group, accused BMI of abusing copyright legislation.  &quot;Too long have the music and cinema industries, among others, abused copyright for their own gain,&quot; the statement said. &quot;Legislation serves to protect artists not the companies managing them and should never attempt to prevent the spread of creativity to the general public.&quot;  The group gained notoriety for organizing attacks on the Web sites of PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and other companies in December in defense of whistle-blowing site WikiLeaks. The FBI has issued search warrants in the case, and British police arrested five people as part of the probe. Other targets of Anonymous have included the Church of Scientology' the governments of Egypt, Iran, and Sweden' the Westboro Baptist Church' and conservative activist billionaires Charles and David Koch. The group also recently targeted a security firm, HBGary Federal, that said it had been working with the FBI to identify the leaders of Anonymous. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Microsoft's mobile fortunes tied to app developers]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsofts-mobile-fortunes-tied-to-app-developers</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsofts-mobile-fortunes-tied-to-app-developers</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:10:39 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>qahecitpa</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsofts-mobile-fortunes-tied-to-app-developers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[PopCap Games doesn't usually race to be among the first to develop for a new platform of any sort, be it a console or a mobile operating system. But the company is breaking from its tradition and working hard on porting its popular Plants vs. Zombies game to Microsoft'sWindows Phone 7 platform.&quot;With Microsoft and Windows Phone 7 we saw a strategic opportunity,&quot; said Garth Chouteau, vice president of public relations for PopCap.Before you scoff, don't think the developers at Popcap have blown a gasket. Chouteau said that even though there isn't yet a large installed base of Windows Phone 7 devices on the market, he expects that there will be...in time. Microsoft has good relationships with developers, has historically worked well with them, and it's built a gaming ecosystem for itsXbox games, which could be important for Popcap's gaming audience. What's more, Microsoft has recently struck a deal with Nokia, the leading handset maker in the world, to put its operating system on all future smartphones designed by Nokia. All this gives Popcap and other developers plenty of reason to view Microsoft as an important mobile operating system platform. &quot;We think it will be a popular mobile platform,&quot; he said. &quot;And we like to have our games available in every appropriate place where our customers prefer to play.&quot;When Microsoft decided to scrap its earlier mobile operating system to develop its revamped Windows Phone 7 platform, released in October, the software giant's goal was modest: simply getting back in the game. And if mobile developer interest is any indication, Microsoft has achieved that. The company is already signing up big names to the platform, such as Rovio, which developed the popular game Angry Birds. Getting A-list apps is akin to scoring a Nordstrom or Macy's as an anchor store at a mall. It gives people a reason to come to that particular mobile platform, because they know they can get apps they've heard of or tried on other platforms. There's other evidence that Windows Phone 7 is gaining traction among developers. The company Urban Airship, which helps develops mobile applications for some 7,000 brands, surveyed its customers early in 2011 to get a sense of their priorities in the coming year. According to that survey, which was done in January before Microsoft announced it would partner with Nokia, nearly 25 percent of its brand customers said they were planning to develop mobile applications for Windows Phone 7 in 2011. This is up from only 5.9 percent who actually said they developed apps for Windows Phone 7 in 2010.But even though Windows Phone 7 is on the radar screen for many brands and developers, Apple's iOS and Google's Android development continue to dominate--by far--the world of mobile developers. According to Urban Airship's survey, 99.5 percent of brands last year developed apps for Apple's iOS and about 44 percent developed apps for Google's Android platform. In 2011, 90.5 percent of brands surveyed said they had plans to develop for iOS and about 74 percent said they planned to develop apps for Android.Still, for a company that was all but forgotten in the mobile market a little over a year ago, growing interest from developers has to be taken as some glimmer of good news. And indeed it is at Microsoft. &quot;We have already had a lot of success so far,&quot; said Brandon Watson, director of developer experience for Windows Phone 7 at Microsoft. &quot;Developers are making money. Some people may try to compare us to existing platforms. But you have to consider where we've come from in just a few short months.&quot; Indeed, Microsoft only has about 9,000 apps in its Marketplace compared with Apple's 350,000 plus apps in the Apple App Store. But Watson said that Microsoft is adding at least 100 new apps a day, and it has already registered more than 32,000 app developers to create applications for its platform.Quality vs. QuantityThe number and quality of mobile apps on any smartphone platform is absolutely critical in terms of attracting customers for devices. Smartphones today are less about voice communications and almost entirely all about apps and what people can do with these devices.&quot;Whether you're an operating system developer or you make mobile handsets ortablets or you're a connected-car manufacturer, what differentiates your product from someone else's are the apps and software,&quot; said Andrew Ianni, founder and president of AppNation, a conference and event company focused on the business app economy. &quot;That is why all these companies are courting developers. It's why a thriving app marketplace is so critical. If these companies don't have that, then they're out of the conversation.&quot; Microsoft understands the importance of the developer community in terms of the overall success of Windows Phone 7. And the company has devoted a significant amount of resources to getting developers on board with the platform. &quot;Honestly, it's the only thing that matters,&quot; Watson said. &quot;That means we must give developers what they need to develop for our platform. And if we don't, we lose.&quot; Many large to medium-size app developers are putting Windows Phone 7 on their roadmaps because they see the potential in the platform.  Todd Berman, CTO and vice president of engineering for the streaming media company Rdio, said that his company felt compelled to be a Windows Phone 7 launch partner because based on Microsoft's history of working with developers and pushing into markets it feels are important, it will eventually have a sizable customer base. &quot;Our customers need to be able to use our service on whatever device they want whether that's a phone or a desktop or a tablet,&quot; Berman said. &quot;So it's important for us to be on those devices. Microsoft is one of the more interesting players because of its ability to be in a lot of spaces.&quot; But some developers are not ready to take the plunge into WP7 development just yet. For many, it's a chicken and egg problem. App developers have a finite amount of resources, and it's more lucrative for them target the platforms with the most users, which to date has been Apple's iOS platform.  &quot;Collectively, I think app developers are taking a wait and see approach,&quot; Ianni said. &quot;The developer community is impressed with the OS. It's reasonably easy to develop for, but there hasn't been a mass movement to develop for it yet because developers are still waiting for the tipping point in terms of device sales.&quot; This is where Microsoft's deal with Nokia could help. Nokia announced last month that it will scrap its existing Symbian OS and base all future Nokia phones on Windows Phone 7. Even though Nokia has been losing market share over the past several quarters, the Finnish device maker still sells more mobile handsets than any other manufacturer.  &quot;The deal between Microsoft and Nokia validated our original decision to support the WP7 platform,&quot; Berman said. &quot;Nokia is still synonymous with cell phones. And they are the pre-eminent mobile hardware maker out there.&quot; But it will take time for Microsoft to see the fruits of the Nokia deal. The first Nokia Windows Phone 7 device isn't expected to hit the market until late this year. And handsets won't ship in volume until sometime in 2012. For smaller developers, this time line is too long to make Windows Phone 7 a priority. For example, FlatPack Interactive, which currently holds the No. 8 spot for paid apps in Apple's App Store with its game BallFallDown Deluxe, is not yet considering developing for Windows Phone 7. Currently, BallFallDown Deluxe is only available for the iPad. Paul Zimmer, founder of FlatPack Interactive, hopes to port the company's existing game to Android tablets soon. And he said the company also plans to develop new games for Apple's iPhone and Android smartphones as soon as it can free up resources. &quot;Given where we are in our business right now, Windows Phone 7 isn't even on our radar,&quot; Zimmer said. &quot;Honestly, for something that won't have a reasonable installed base for a year, it's just not realistic for us. We could be out of business by then.&quot; The race for third placeWhile it's clear now that developers must develop apps for iOS and Android, the decision of which platform to address next is still up in the air for many. Research In Motion's BlackBerry platform still has a large installed base. But developers complain that it's a difficult platform to develop for. Meanwhile, Hewlett-Packard's WebOS, which the company bought from Palm, is great software to develop for, but has a very small installed base.  To ensure that its platform is the &quot;third OS,&quot; Microsoft has offered developers incentives to build apps for Windows Phone 7.  &quot;There are rumors going around that Microsoft is throwing big bags of money at developers,&quot; he said. &quot;I'm not sure if this rumor originated from the same place as leprechauns sitting at the end of the rainbow with a big pot of gold. But that's not really how it works.&quot; Watson said there are deals that have been struck that involve monetary assistance for developers, but there are also marketing incentives that will help promote the apps in the Microsoft Marketplace. There is also technical assistance and help in merchandising apps in the Marketplace. And there will even be times when Microsoft seeks an exclusive for an app. &quot;We are figuring out what works and how to engage with developers so that they can be successful,&quot; he said. &quot;We want to make them rich and famous. Microsoft can only be a success if our partners make money.&quot; Watson wouldn't talk about specific deals struck with particular app developers, but he said the depth of engagement with developers varies. For example, the most successful app developers will get one-on-one interaction with Microsoft. The company will ensure there are sufficient monetary and technical resources to build the app. Because this is such an intensive process, Microsoft can't do this with every app developer. But he said that Rovio, the developer of Angry Birds, would likely fall into this category. To scale the incentive program globally to include thousands and tens of thousands of app developers, Microsoft offers events for technical training. It also help developers better merchandise and market their apps. Microsoft carves out spots in the Marketplace to promote certain apps, which is huge especially for lesser name apps.  Google's Android platform, which is now the No. 1 mobile OS in the U.S., according to ComScore, had similar problems attracting new developers in its early days. But once big carriers, such as Verizon Wireless started pushing the platform as an alternative to AT&amp;T's exclusive iPhone in the U.S., the Android platform gained steam. And as more Android devices were sold, more app developers created applications for these devices.  &quot;It's hard sometimes to get the snowball rolling,&quot; said Ianni. &quot;But once it gets going, then it's a virtuous circle that keeps building and feeding off each other. Android is in the middle of it now. Apple was there two years ago. And Microsoft could find itself there as well down the road.&quot; <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ask Maggie: On iPad 2 vs. the original iPad]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ask-maggie-on-ipad-2-vs--the-original-ipad</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ask-maggie-on-ipad-2-vs--the-original-ipad</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:10:29 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ramirotyri</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ask-maggie-on-ipad-2-vs--the-original-ipad</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Apple's iPad 2 is thinner, lighter, and faster than the original, but is it different enough from last year's model to entice new customersThat's the big question. Apple sold more than 15 million iPads in 2010. But this week, when Apple introduced the newiPad 2, some people are disappointed that latest version was still missing key features and isn't much different from its predecessor. The device goes on sale in the U.S. on March 11. In this week's Ask Maggie, I help one reader decide if he should spend the extra cash on the iPad 2, or if he should take advantage of the reduced price on last year's model. I also explain the best options for getting 3G service on an iPad while traveling abroad. And I clear up a reader's question about getting 3G service for an iPad using a carrier other than AT&amp;amp'T or Verizon Wireless. 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.iPad vs. iPad 2Dear Maggie,Great article regarding the iPad 2 launch! In your opinion, do you think that the new iPad is worth $100 more than the discounted existing iPad Especially for someone who doesn't use the cameraThanks so much,DavidDear David,This is a terrific question. It's one that I am considering myself. And I'll admit I am torn. The obvious reason to buy the first iPad over the iPad 2 is the cost. Apple just reduced the price of the older version of the iPad by $100, as you mentioned in your question. This means the least expensive 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad is now $399 instead of $499. And if you get a refurbished iPad through Apple's site, the price goes down $349. (If you're willing to get a used iPad elsewhere, you may even be able to get a cheaper price as many people will be looking to upgrade.)In terms of the design and function of the iPad 2, it's not much different from the older iPad. It's about 33 percent thinner and lighter. And as you mentioned it comes with front-facing and back-facing cameras that can be used for video conferencing. The older iPad doesn't have cameras.The new version of the iPad does use a faster dual-core processor and it has upgraded graphics inside that will supposedly make the graphics nine times faster. But so far I haven't heard many people complaining that the iPad is slow.If you don't need or want the video chat capability, and the weight or size of the older iPad doesn't bother you, I can see why you'd consider getting it instead of the iPad 2. I'm pretty cheap. And the $499 price tag of the cheapest iPad is a lot of money for me to spend on a gadget that is more of a &quot;want&quot; than a &quot;need.&quot; So I definitely understand where you are coming from. To get a different perspective on this situation, I talked to my CNET colleague Josh Lowensohn, who covers Apple. Josh argues there are a number of reasons to get the newer iPad. The first reason he raised has to do with making sure your device is compatible with future applications. He believes new apps developed for the iPad will make use of the newer hardware, which means that these apps may not work at all on the older iPad. He said something similar happened when Apple improved the guts of theiPhone. There are certain application functions that can run on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 that can't run on the original iPhone and iPhone 3G. This app compatibility issue may be even more important when the next version of iOS comes out. Josh said that iOS 5 could add something to the software code that will allow new multi-core threaded apps to make use of both processor cores at once, which could result in some very interesting applications.  &quot;There's also the issue of load time,&quot; he said. &quot;Who wouldn't want an iPad that can load apps, and switch between them faster&quot;Josh also pointed out that Apple has a nasty habit of leaving out older hardware from future software updates. Apple did this when it moved to iOS 4 from iOS 3. So Josh's advice to you is this: &quot;If he doesn't think he's going to buy another iPad on a yearly basis, then it would make more sense to invest a little bit more now to make sure you're not completely left out when the next version comes out.&quot;The bottom line really comes down to how much you're willing to spend on atablet now. If as Josh said, you want to keep this device for a while, you might want to think of this more as an investment and consider ponying up the extra $100 for the iPad 2. But if you're priority is to get the lowest possible price on a tablet, the original iPad, either new or refurbished, may be a good option for you. iPad 3G roaming in EuropeDear Maggie,Thanks for your informative articles and columns on mobile technology. I have a question about using the new iPad 2 in Europe. Is it possible to roam in Europe with the GSM iPad2 Can you recommend some sources for either renting or purchasing those odd-sized SIMS for internet/data access  Thanks,EricDear Eric, It is possible to roam with your iPad 2 while traveling in Europe, but it's only possible for the AT&amp;amp'T 3G version of the iPad or iPad 2 and not the Verizon Wireless version of the iPad 2. (Verizon uses a network technology called CDMA, which is not compatible with other carrier networks in Europe.)AT&amp;amp'T offers an international roaming plan for its tablets. But it's pricey.20MB for 30 days at $24.9950MB for 30 days at $59.99100MB for 30 days at $119.99200MB for 30days at $199.99 If this is too expensive for you, then you could buy a prepaid SIM card when you get to destination. The iPad and iPad 2 are unlocked, so you can simply pop out the 3G SIM card from AT&amp;amp'T and put in another SIM card from a foreign carrier. But there are a couple of things you have to keep in mind. First, the iPad, like the iPhone 4, uses a Micro SIM card. These are smaller than typical SIM cards used in most GSM cellphones. So you have two options in choosing a prepaid plan from a foreign carrier. You can either find a carrier that offers Micro SIM cards or you can get a Micro SIM cutter and cut a regular SIM card down to the size of the Micro SIM.  The next issue you'll have to tackle is looking for and deciding on which prepaid data plan to get. The plans vary widely depending on the carrier and the country you are in. And if you are traveling to more than one country, it's further complicated by the fact that carriers charge lots of money when you use data across borders. For example, in Italy you have two options for a prepaid SIM card and the service is either either metered based on how much data you use or it's limited by time and the amount of data you use is unlimited. These options are probably less expensive than roaming using AT&amp;amp'T's service, but it can be a huge hassle. I think your best option is to use Wi-Fi where ever you can while traveling. http://michael.tyson.id.au/mobile-broadband/Alternatives to 3G iPad accessDear Maggie,Thank you for your coverage of the iPad 2. With the USB camera adapter, is it possible to use a T-Mobile Rocket or Sprint 3G/4G USB U600 to gain Internet access through their networks Thank you again for all your hard work. Best Regards,LandistigDear Landistig,I applaud your creative thinking. But unfortunately, that won't work. The iPad Camera Connection Kit is designed only to transfer images and video from the iPhone or a digital camera onto the iPad. If you want 3G wireless service on your iPad you either have to buy the AT&amp;amp'T version of the iPad or iPad 2 or the Verizon Wireless version of the iPad 2.If you want to use 3G service from another carrier to connect your iPad to the Internet, you can use a Mi-Fi device that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot. Sprint offers the Spring Overdrive, which is device that creates a mobile hot spot and connects to Sprint's 3G/4G network.In fact, Verizon has been selling its Mi-Fi solution with the original iPad for several months. The 2010 iPad only connects directly to a 3G wireless service in the U.S. using AT&amp;amp'T's network. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Conan says Apple is cocky over iPad 2]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=conan-says-apple-is-cocky-over-ipad-2</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=conan-says-apple-is-cocky-over-ipad-2</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:10:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>uuuMBBuLa11f</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=conan-says-apple-is-cocky-over-ipad-2</guid>
<description><![CDATA[&quot;It's truly incredible how little we did,&quot; says a bald man who looks for all the world like he works at Apple.&quot;We knew that if we changed the color, put pictures of water droplets on the desktop, made it a little faster, added two holes with cheap cameras in them, then just kind of flattened it a bit, people would just go nuts,&quot; he continues.And that is just one of the amusements in a parody of theiPad 2 launch video produced by Conan O'Brien.Conan introduced it by saying he felt that Apple had become a little cocky with this new iPad. And then several pseudo Apple employees demonstrated just how blase they are.It all ends quite realistically with the tagline: &quot;You'll buy it no matter what we say.&quot;Some might feel that laughter is inevitable here because the original video that's parodied is so touchingly self-important.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Justice Department investigates Web video group]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=justice-department-investigates-web-video-group</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=justice-department-investigates-web-video-group</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:10:14 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sallyfo</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=justice-department-investigates-web-video-group</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The corporate wrangling over Web video standards, already a technically and legally complex matter, is getting a lot more complicated with the arrival of a Justice Department antitrust investigation.Specifically, the DOJ is looking into whether the actions of patent licensing group MPEG LA are stifling a Google video encoding technology called VP8, The Wall Street Journal reported last night. The the California State Attorney General's office also is looking into the matter, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.MPEG LA licenses patents for Web video encoding technology, including today's widely used H.264, on behalf of a sizable group of companies with hundreds of patents it deems to bear on the technology. As an alternative to H.264, Google last May began offering VP8, the technology at the heart of its $123 million acquisition of On2 Technologies in 2010.At stake in the matter are the financial and legal requirements to digital video, which is getting ever more important as the Internet and the Web rise to prominence as a medium for content. H.264 may be used freely for video that's available freely' by contrast, royalties must be paid to MPEG LA if the content isn't free or if the codec is used in hardware or software products.MPEG LA, which is based in Denver but has offices around the globe, wouldn't confirm or deny an investigation, but it defended its practices.&quot;Time and again MPEG LA's model has been tested not just in the marketplace, but in the courts by those seeking any possible way to avoid their intellectual property obligations or other axes to grind, and each time, MPEG LA has prevailed,&quot; the organization said in a statement. &quot;It is a successful model that the market has widely accepted and which has been approved by competition authorities around the world, including in the U.S.&quot;VP8 is a video codec, which is technology designed to encode and decode video so it can be stored and sent over networks in compact form. Combined with an audio codec called Vorbis, it forms Google's patent-free, open-source WebM technology, which the Internet giant hopes will unencumber streaming video on the Web. Google wants to lower the barriers to Web video use in the hopes that WebM will help people built video directly into Web pages with HTML5 rather than relying on a plug-in such as Adobe Systems' Flash Player.The patent problem Google announced WebM last year, saying people could use VP8 technology royalty-free. But video encoding is a patent-infringement minefield, and VP8 officially entered patent limbo in February when MPEG LA said it was asking for organizations to tell them if they had patents essentially used in VP8.MPEG LA has said it believes VP8 violates others' patents, and formally assembling a list is an essential step toward offering a VP8 patent pool license similar to the one MPEG LA already offers for H.264 and several other video technologies.&quot;We do not believe VP8 is patent-free,&quot; MPEG LA told CNET. &quot;There continues to be interest in the facilitation of a pool license to address the apparent marketplace desire for convenience in accessing essential VP8 patent rights owned by many different patent holders under a single license as an alternative to negotiating individual licenses.&quot;The question that regulators apparently are interested in is whether MPEG LA is essentially quashing VP8. MPEG LA says it's neutral, offering patent pools for the convenience of those who want to implement the technology without the hassle of negotiating license agreements with multiple patent holders.The antitrust situation is something of a reprise of the antitrust concerns that On2 raised in 2002 about MPEG-4 video encoding regarding a patent pool. H.264, also known as AVC and MPEG-4 Part 10, was then just getting started.&quot;MPEG-4 is trying to monopolize the substantially software-based interactive video compression industry, plain and simple,&quot; On2 wrote in a 2002 position paper to the Justice Department. &quot;It is a move by a few very large companies to dominate a market and fix prices. Recent pricing policies by MPEG LA for MPEG-4, and the customer reaction to them are ample evidence of this.&quot;More recently, German software company Nero filed an antitrust lawsuit against MPEG LA last May.&quot;Absolute power has corrupted MPEG LA absolutely,&quot; said Nero, which makes CD- and DVD-burning software, in its complaint. &quot;Once MPEG LA obtained monopoly power in the relevant technology markets, it used that power to willfully maintain or extend its monopolies for years beyond their natural expiration...and administer its licenses in an unfair, unreasonable, and discriminatory manner that stifles competition and innovation, and harms consumers.&quot;Neither case went anywhere. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California dismissed the Nero case in November.Allies and agendas Google has lined up several allies for WebM. Browser makers Mozilla and Opera Software have built support intoFirefox and Opera, while Google is removing H.264 from Chrome. Another ally is Adobe, which has pledged to add VP8 support into its Flash Player plug-in alongside existing codecs such as H.264.On the other side of the debate are Microsoft and Apple, which support H.264 for HTML5 video in theirSafari and the soon-to-be released IE9 browsers. Those companies also have built H.264 directly into their operating systems. Though they have patents in the H.264 pool that MPEG LA licenses, Microsoft has said it pays MPEG LA twice as much in royalties to ship H.264-enabled products than it receives in royalty payments back. And Apple has only a single patent in the H.264 pool, so it appears its interests in H.264 and MPEG LA are not directly financial.There are plenty of strategic issues involved, though. H.264 is widely used in everything from Blu-ray players to video cameras. It fits neatly into Apple's desire for seamless, high-quality technology that does its job and stays in the background, and using it in HTML5 video helps further Apple's agenda to build a future that doesn't rely on Flash Player.In a 2010 letter to the Free Software Foundation Europe, Jobs cast doubts on freely available codecs, though he specifically named only a commercially unsuccessful progenitor to VP8 called Theora. The letter arrived shortly before Google announced its WebM plans for VP8.&quot;A patent pool is being assembled to go after Theora and other 'open source' codecs now,&quot; Jobs wrote in the e-mail. &quot;Unfortunately, just because something is open source, it doesn't mean or guarantee that it doesn't infringe on others' patents.&quot;Apple has a lot of allies in H.264. But it's virtually impossible that the World Wide Web Consortium, which is standardizing HTML5, would endorse H.264 as a the video codec of choice in HTML5 given its patent encumbrances and the W3C's royalty-free standards work.Microsoft seems more neutral. It advocates H.264 and building H.264 add-ons for Chrome and Firefox on the one hand, but on the other it's helping Google build a WebM browser extension for Windows and says it has no objections if the intellectual property issues are resolved.The Justice Department, Google and Microsoft declined to comment for this story. Apple didn't immediately comment.Updated 3:44 a.m. PT and 8:36 a.m. PTwith responses from DOJ, Google, Microsoft, and MPEG LA.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[GlassPoint greenhouse uses sun to pump more oil]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=glasspoint-greenhouse-uses-sun-to-pump-more-oil</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=glasspoint-greenhouse-uses-sun-to-pump-more-oil</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:10:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>jaqueline401</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=glasspoint-greenhouse-uses-sun-to-pump-more-oil</guid>
<description><![CDATA[GlassPoint&amp;39's glass buildings are about 20 feet high and have mirrors inside which makes steam.(Credit:GlassPoint)In a meeting of solar energy and oil and gas drilling, California start-up GlassPoint yesterday hosted the ribbon-cutting of an oil field partially run by solar-generated steam. The company claims it's the only operation that uses solar power for enhanced oil recovery, where steam is pumped into wells to draw more oil from existing wells. The commissioning was in Kern County, California and construction of the facility took six weeks.Right now, oil fields use natural gas steam generators whereas GlassPoint's system uses a series of mirrors in a greenhouse to generate heat. The mirrors reflect the light onto tubes carrying water, which turn into steam.Solar generators for enhanced oil recovery were tried in the 1980s. GlassPoint says that it has driven down the cost to the point where oil drillers will use the technology for economic, not environmental, reasons. With lower-cost options for making steam, oil drillers can get more from existing facilities rather than start new ones, GlassPoint CEO Rod MacGregor said yesterday, according to a report in the Bakersfield Californian. &quot;If you move the economics, you can extract more oil,&quot; he said.One of the company's executives is John O'Donnell, who was founder and former president of solar thermal company Ausra, which was acquired by energy company Areva. Concentrating solar power companies typically use mirrors to generate heat for making steam. To make electricity, that steam is passed through a turbine, but the steam has other industrial uses.In a similar test, BrightSource Energy has been contracted by investor Chevron to build a solar thermal array to test the effectiveness in replacing natural gas for making steam.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Apple sends out invites for March 2 iPad event]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=apple-sends-out-invites-for-march-2-ipad-event</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=apple-sends-out-invites-for-march-2-ipad-event</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:10:19 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>paulsmith385</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=apple-sends-out-invites-for-march-2-ipad-event</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As anticipated, Apple issued invites today for an iPad event next week.(Credit:Engadget)Confirming a report from All Things Digital earlier this week, Apple this morning invited the tech press to aniPad-related event on March 2.Rumors have swirled for months about a pending iPad 2 announcement (recent stories suggested a delay until June). While Apple has not explicitly confirmed that the iPad 2 will be unveiled at this event, nor when the device would be available, an announcement next week would come roughly a year after the company released the original iPad. Also, Apple is not in the habit of announcing updates to existing products far in advance.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Inside the Boeing 747-8 factory]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=inside-the-boeing-747-8-factory</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=inside-the-boeing-747-8-factory</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 2011 08:10:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>drug</dc:creator>
<category>Gaming</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=inside-the-boeing-747-8-factory</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The first 747-8 Intercontinental that Boeing has built for its launch partner Lufthansa.(Credit:Daniel Terdiman/CNET)EVERETT, Wash.--Boeing tomorrow will formally unveil the 747-8 Intercontinental, the next generation of the aviation giant's iconic jumbo jet. The plane is said to be perhaps the most fuel-efficient in the world, and replaces the 747-400 as the company's most famous jet.According to Boeing:The 747-8 Intercontinental is the only jetliner in the 400- to 500-seat market, stretched [18.3 ft] from the 747-400 to provide 467 seats in a three-class configuration and a [8,000 nautical mile] range. Using 787-technology engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions, and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. The 747 Intercontinental will provide nearly equivalent trip costs and 13 percent lower seat-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 26 percent greater cargo volume...The 747-8 is more than 10 percent lighter per seat than the [Airbus] A380 and will consume 11 percent less fuel per passenger than the 555-seat airplane. That translates into a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent and a seat-mile cost reduction of more than 6 percent, compared to the A380.Boeing today hosted a media event at its huge assembly plant here, a building that is said to be the largest by volume in the world. The aviation press was able to get a very rare view of the assembly process for both the 747-8 freighter, which made its first flight a year ago, and the 747-8 Intercontinental.According to Elizabeth Lund, vice president and deputy 747 program manager, the 747-8 Intercontinental's first flight is expected sometime in early spring of this year, and its first customer delivery is expected sometime in the fourth quarter. Stay tuned as CNET brings you more from the weekend's 747-8 extravaganza, including a look at an interior mock-up of the plane, and the formal unveiling tomorrow.Where Boeing's next-gen 747-8 comes to life (photos) <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ecotality, Cisco connect Internet-savvy EV charger]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ecotality-cisco-connect-internet-savvy-ev-charger</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ecotality-cisco-connect-internet-savvy-ev-charger</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:10:58 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>noviygod2011</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ecotality-cisco-connect-internet-savvy-ev-charger</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Cisco Systems and Ecotality, an electric-vehicle charging station company, are collaborating to make EVs part of a home energy-management system. Ecotality's Blink home EV charging station will connect to Cisco's Home Energy Controller, a touch-screen device for managing home energy, as part of early electric vehicle trials with consumers.Blink Level 2 wall mount charger from Ecotality for home use(Credit:Ecotality)The integration will let electriccar owners schedule charging to take advantage of preferential rates offered by utilities for electric vehicles, typically after 9 p.m. From the Cisco home energy dashboard, there is an application to monitor and program how an electric car is charged, according to the companies.Charging an electric car can pull as much power as an entire home consumes, utilities executives say, so consumers have an incentive to charge at off-peak times. But the system is sophisticated enough to communicate with utilities to get discounts beyond the EV tariff, Ecotality CEO Jonathan Read said in an interview.For example, a consumer could program the car to be fully charged at 6 a.m. and the home charger could slow the rate of charging at times to get the lowest prices. Or consumers could program the system to ensure that the entire house is not consuming an amount of power that would put it into a higher rate bracket, he said.&quot;Interaction with the smart grid is imperative to make electric vehicles successful. It will reduce costs, increase efficiency, drive consumer acceptance, and allay utilities' fears with respect to load and load management,&quot; Read said.With so few electric vehicles plugging in, the current U.S. grid can handle the added capacity. But there could be choke points on the local level if several drivers in a neighborhood charge all at once. That's why utilities are eager to give consumers tools to charge at off-peak times during the middle of the night. Ecotality and Cisco plan to pilot test the combination in San Diego first as part of a Department of Energy program designed to get an EV charging infrastructure started. It could then be rolled out to other locations in the DOE program after that, Read said.The home energy management system is designed to work either with or without two-way smart meters. The controller and EV charger will communicate using Wi-Fi and any data sent back to the utility, such as charge rate or charging patterns, can be sent using a home Internet connection.Cisco, a networking giant, is testing its home energy controller, which effectively acts a network hub connected to a home router, with four utilities in smart-grid trials. But it views EV buyers as a potential channel for its home energy management system, said product line manager Larry O'Connell. Cisco&amp;39's home energy controller, a touch-screen display for monitoring energy and cutting energy waste.(Credit:Cisco)Still, the cost for the home energy controller--at about $500 per unit--is a barrier to broad adoption, O'Connell acknowledged. Over time, Cisco could make a simpler device and have consumers access EV chargers and other connected home devices through a smart phone or PC. Some of the computing power and networking could move into Cisco's home networking equipment or a set-top box, O'Connell said. There's an ongoing debate in the smart-grid industry over which networking protocol is best for the home-area network where smart appliances, home energy management systems, and EV chargers communicate. O'Connell said Cisco chose to work with Wi-Fi, rather than the low-power mesh wireless protocol Zigbee used in many smart meters, in this trial because it's already proven in people's homes.The deal between Ecotality and Cisco was timed for the DistribuTech utility industry conference taking place this week in San Diego, where a number of announcements around home energy and electric vehicle management are expected to be announced. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google algorithm change tackles content copying]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-algorithm-change-tackles-content-copying</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-algorithm-change-tackles-content-copying</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:10:08 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>reednett89</dc:creator>
<category>Marketing and advertising</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-algorithm-change-tackles-content-copying</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In a blog post last week, Matt Cutts, head of Google's Webspam team, wrote about the progress the team has made in reducing the amount of spam in search engine results. In that post, he hinted at some changes in the works to push spam levels lower, including one that affects sites that copy content from other sites, as well as those that have low levels of original content.Clearly, there's a blurry line there--or a &quot;slippery slope,&quot; as Larry Dignan referred to it in his own post that waved some red flags over how the quality of a site would be judged.On Friday, Cutts posted an update to last week's post on his own blog, announcing that one specific change to the algorithm was approved at the team's weekly meeting and that it was launched earlier this week. In his post, Cutts explains:This was a pretty targeted launch: slightly over 2 percent of queries change in some way, but less than half a percent of search results change enough that someone might really notice. The net effect is that searchers are more likely to see the sites that wrote the original content rather than a site that scraped or copied the original site's content.When you're a search engine that processes billions of searches, small percentages equal big numbers--so, for Google, this is still a pretty significant change.Read more of &quot;Google algorithm change tackles content copying&quot; at ZDNet's Googling Google.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google Chrome gets new developer hierarchy]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-chrome-gets-new-developer-hierarchy</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-chrome-gets-new-developer-hierarchy</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:10:07 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>DefevantHat</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-chrome-gets-new-developer-hierarchy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[(Credit:Google)In its first two years, Chrome development took a more collaborative approach than most Google projects, but now its leaders have decided on more sharply defined leadership roles to better manage the browser's growth.Instead of notifying a &quot;watchlist&quot; of programmers who are affected by a particular change to the code, a programmer on an &quot;owners&quot; list must now approve the change, high-ranking Chrome engineer Ben Goodger announced yesterday on the developers' mailing list for the open-source Chromium project that underlies Chrome. Goodger wrote:Much of Chromium's practices are modeled on Google's own internal engineering practices. OWNERS files were one area where we explicitly diverged. Why In the past I had been concerned about the social effects of OWNERS files--I had been concerned about territoriality which can sometimes creep in any collaborative project. We had encouraged the development of &quot;alternative&quot; means of change notification, and so we have WATCHLISTS. WATCHLISTS proved insufficient for many of us, however. Darin [Fisher, another high-ranking Chrome leader] and I discussed the issue, and talking with other senior engineers decided that OWNERS files seemed like a more comprehensive answer.The basic problem, he said, is quality control. &quot;Owners files provide a means for people to find engineers experienced in developing specific areas for code reviews. They are designed to help ensure changes don't fall through the cracks and get appropriate scrutiny,&quot; he said.Chrome has open-source foundations, including contributions from programmers outside Google. But as with Linux, Android, MySQL, and many other open-source projects, the approach doesn't mean it's a hobby run by volunteers. The move to the owners system, though, reflects another step toward professional management of the software.Goodger laid out his case this way:In the more than two years since the Chromium project started, the number of people contributing has grown immensely. With this expansion has come many challenges, the most important of which is ensuring the continuity of our product and development principles. As our project has grown in size and scope, the code-base has begun to show signs of fatigue...I speak for a number of leads on the team when I say that we've had a hard time keeping up with the pace of change. As we expand the scope of Chrome in many different directions, it's critical that we consider even more carefully the design of the core code. As we do this it is important to rely on the most experienced engineers in each area. He laid out the full details of the new code governance in a document describing Chromium's new owners system. Among its strictures:Only the people who are actively investing energy in the improvement of a directory should be listed as OWNERS. OWNERS are expected to have demonstrated excellent judgment, teamwork and ability to uphold Chrome development principles. They must understand the development process. Additionally, for someone to be listed as an OWNER of a directory they must be approved by the other OWNERS of the affected directory.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Verizon iPhone a blessing for AT&T customers]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=verizon-iphone-a-blessing-for-att-customers</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=verizon-iphone-a-blessing-for-att-customers</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:10:25 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>dermedikus</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=verizon-iphone-a-blessing-for-att-customers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[More than a year ago, when talk of perceived problems with AT&amp;T's wireless network hit a fever pitch online, I was among those who asserted that the performance problems some were having were due to the iPhone, as AT&amp;T had become the first network to have to deal with millions of people using smartphones all the time. As an AT&amp;amp'T iPhone user, I say, welcome!(Credit:Geeky Gadgets)Sure, smartphones had been around, but not in the numbers they hit when theiPhone 3G came out, and people didn't devour data as much as they did once the App Store opened. I blamed the problems mostly on iPhone users, like myself. (And I wasn't the only one.)That said, if Verizon, as expected, announces an iPhone for its network tomorrow, and, as expected, some AT&amp;T users jump ship for the new carrier, it might actually be a good thing for AT&amp;T--and its remaining users.Analysts from the Yankee Group estimate that 2.5 million iPhone users on AT&amp;T might migrate to Verizon in the first year due to AT&amp;T's overtaxed network, and that represents about 3 percent of AT&amp;T's 93 million customers (though estimates range from 1 million to 6 million). But those are iPhone users, which use the lion's share of AT&amp;T's wireless data. (Some estimates put it at as much as 65 percent.)A migration on that scale means AT&amp;T might take a small revenue hit, but it also means that much of the data that those 2.5 million iPhone users eat will be freed up for the other several million iPhone users.Some analysts suggest that Verizon will sell 13.2 million iPhones in 2011, including subscriber turnover from AT&amp;T, which is expected to sell 8.8 million itself, even with competition from Verizon.This is all academic, though, as the expected Verizon iPhone is not yet available. There's no telling how many users will switch, though it's almost certain that some will.One more variable to consider: AT&amp;T's 3G is based on GSM's HSPA, which tends to be faster than Verizon's CDMA-based 1xEV-DO rA. It's possible AT&amp;T iPhone users who switch to Verizon will actually get slower 3G speeds than they had before, which might cause some backlash that could keep some users from switching.AT&amp;T Executive Vice President Larry Solomon noted the possible difference in speeds, saying, &quot;The iPhone is built for speed, but that's not what you get with a CDMA phone. I'm not sure iPhone users are ready for life in the slow lane.&quot;This was, of course, a way to try to talk up his own network while throwing a slight diss to the competition. But Solomon can't keep that small percentage who are frustrated with AT&amp;T's coverage issues from leaving for what they think might be greener pastures, and that might be OK. Freeing up 3G bandwidth on its network while losing little in revenue is a good thing for AT&amp;T--and its users.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[CES: Ford introduces smartphone app for electric Focus]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ces-ford-introduces-smartphone-app-for-electric-focus</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ces-ford-introduces-smartphone-app-for-electric-focus</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:10:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>limuckma2</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ces-ford-introduces-smartphone-app-for-electric-focus</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The MyFord Mobile app uses MapQuest to find charging stations.(Credit:Ford)MyFord Mobile smartphone app (photos) LAS VEGAS--The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf both have associated smartphone apps to help their tech-savvy owners cope with range issues, and now Ford announces a similar app, called MyFord Mobile, for its upcoming electric Focus. The app offers features ranging from remote door unlock to trip planning to a system of achievements that can be posted to social networking sites.To help electric Focus owners save money, MyFord Mobile uses a system from Microsoft to determine the best charging times. Instead of the owner scheduling a charge from midnight to 6 a.m., for example, this feature asks the owner when thecar will be needed. It then determines the best charging time based on the window it has been given. When it comes up with a charging time, it will inform the owner. It can also alert the owner to problems, such as not having plugged in the car.MyFord Mobile uses MapQuest to find charging stations, and will look at the car's remaining range to indicate which charging stations are within range. Similarly, a trip planning feature lets owners input multiple destinations, then adjust the trip based on which of those destinations the car can actually reach.Typical telematics features in MyFord Mobile include remote door unlock and a locator feature. The locator shows the owner's and the car's location on a map. The app will also suggest remotely turning on the heat while the car is plugged in if it happens to be cold out.The app gets fun with its driving behavior monitoring. It rates drivers on a scale from Zen to Zippy depending on whether they drive economically or aggressively. There will be a variety of achievements drivers can unlock, such as saving their first ton of CO2 or saving their first $1,000 of gasoline. These achievements can be automatically posted to the driver's Facebook page based on preferences.Another interesting feature builds on Ford's MyKey technology, which customizes the car's settings based on who is driving it. For the electric Focus, the car will use its driving style monitoring and adjust its projected range based on whether the current driver is known to be heavy-footed or more economical.Ford will make MyFord Mobile available oniPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and will even include a Web site optimized for phone browsers, so a smartphone is not necessary. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[BlackBerry PlayBook landing as soon as February]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=blackberry-playbook-landing-as-soon-as-february</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=blackberry-playbook-landing-as-soon-as-february</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:10:50 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jeny01</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=blackberry-playbook-landing-as-soon-as-february</guid>
<description><![CDATA[RIM&amp;39's BlackBerry PlayBook.(Credit:James Martin/CNET)Research In Motion may be planning to release the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet as early as late February.Edel Ebbs, RIM's vice president of investor relations, said yesterday in its fiscal third-quarter earnings call that &quot;no PlayBook revenues [are] included in our Q4 guidance, and we expect the first revenue impact from PlayBook to be in RIM's first quarter.&quot; His quote comes from a call transcript published on SeekingAlpha. Ebbs also noted that RIM's tablet will impact the company's operating expenses on &quot;development, marketing, and launch preparation activities&quot; in its fiscal fourth quarter.RIM's fiscal fourth quarter ends on February 26, potentially giving it a small window to release the tablet at the end of that month. If not, the PlayBook will likely be released before the end of May.Although RIM didn't offer up an exact release date on the PlayBook, its statements during the earnings call narrow it down a bit. When the company first announced the tablet, it said that the device would be available in &quot;early 2011&quot; in the U.S. With its latest claims, it's safe to say January and at least early February are out.But RIM didn't just focus on the PlayBook's release. Co-CEO Jim Balsillie said the company is witnessing &quot;pent-up interest in the PlayBook [that's] really overwhelming.&quot; He added, according to the transcript, that the company is &quot;pretty flooded with content and game-type and media-type partnerships and social-solution-type partnerships&quot; with its tablet. However, RIM still wants to cater to the enterprise with the tablet by making the PlayBook &quot;very professional grade.&quot;&quot;I think the PlayBook redefines what a tablet should do,&quot; Balsillie said during the call, according to the transcript. &quot;I think the PlayBook sets the bar way high on performance, and you're going to see more.&quot;Balsillie also confirmed that the company will be showing off the PlayBook at CES in January.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[3-in-1 iPad Connection Kit: SD, microSD, and USB]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=3-in-1-ipad-connection-kit-sd-microsd-and-usb</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=3-in-1-ipad-connection-kit-sd-microsd-and-usb</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:10:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Kavita01</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=3-in-1-ipad-connection-kit-sd-microsd-and-usb</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Why juggle two Apple dongles when the 3-in-1 iPad Camera Connection Kit provides three connectivity options in a single dongle(Credit:M.I.C Store)Viewing photos on youriPad is a beautiful thing. Getting photos onto your iPad: not so much.The traditional method requires copying snapshots from your camera to your PC, then from your PC to your iPad. That's one irksome extra step, and not exactly practical if you're traveling.Hence Apple's iPad Camera Connection Kit, which for $29 gives you two dongles: one for reading SD media, another for connecting your camera directly via USB.It's bad enough you have to pack a dongle at all, but two of them Bleh. That's why I'm jazzed about the 3-in-1 iPad Camera Connection Kit, which for $29 combines three connectivity options in one dongle: SD, microSD, and USB.Granted, not many cameras use microSD cards, but every Android phone does--so if you've ever wanted an easy way to copy photos from, say, your Droid to your iPad, here's your answer.The 3-in-1 kit comes in either black or white. It's available now for preorder from the M.I.C Store, with delivery expected &quot;after Christmas.&quot; (Sorry if you had this in mind as a stocking stuffer.) Shipping will run you $6.60.While this could be a killer accessory for current-gen iPad owners, I fully expect we'll see a USB connector built into the iPad 2--and maybe even a card reader as well. (It's just my hunch' I have no real-world data to back that up.)<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Honda Civic concept looks Hyundaish]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=honda-civic-concept-looks-hyundaish</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=honda-civic-concept-looks-hyundaish</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:10:29 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>winterlimmedicusdriver</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=honda-civic-concept-looks-hyundaish</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Honda released this sketch of its Civic concept, to be unveiled at the 2011 Detroit auto show.(Credit:Honda)Honda released a sketch today teasing the Civic concept it will show off at the 2011 Detroit auto show. Concept sketches are not entirely reliable, but this one shows the standard Honda grille bracketed by deep-set headlights.The artist chose to show the coupe, emphasizing the sporty lines. The angle of the beltline from front to rear is very reminiscent of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language. One notable element is the roof, which appears to be glass. We would not expect Honda to offer a glass roof standard, but it may be an option. Also interesting is that the artist chose normal-size wheels, a nice change from all the concept sketches with ridiculously oversize wheels.The sketch, and the Civic concept to be unveiled at the beginning of January, herald the 2012 Honda Civic, which looks like it will be heavily restyled. Honda also tends to show off concepts that are not far from what the productioncar will be like, so the new Civic, at least the coupe version, could have a very sporty look.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Chu touts ARPA-E as questions over funding loom]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=chu-touts-arpa-e-as-questions-over-funding-loom</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=chu-touts-arpa-e-as-questions-over-funding-loom</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:10:30 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>lasidigo</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=chu-touts-arpa-e-as-questions-over-funding-loom</guid>
<description><![CDATA[LEXINGTON, Mass.--Energy Secretary Steven Chu toured tiny solar company 1366 Technologies here today, holding it up as an example of success in the ARPA-E program and the importance of federal funding for energy research.Chu toured the labs of 1366 Technologies, a company spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2008 to bring the price of solar power down to the price of coal, after briefing incoming members of Congress at the Harvard Kennedy School of government in nearby Cambridge.Steven Chu during a media briefing, after touring 1366 Technologies in Lexington, Mass.(Credit:Martin LaMonica/CNET)1366 Technologies received a $4 million grant from the ARPA-E program, which enabled it to attract private capital to bring its &quot;direct wafer&quot; technology closer to commercialization. That manufacturing technology promises to cut the cost of making photovoltaic solar cells in half. 1366 typifies the innovation that American scientists and engineers are capable of, Chu said. The United States should invest more in energy research because innovation in clean energy technologies will fuel economic growth, as the world transitions to cleaner sources of energy and more effective uses of energy, he said.Echoing comments he made during his &quot;Sputnik moment&quot; speech three days ago at the National Press Club, Chu said he is &quot;alarmed&quot; to see the rapid pace of technical advancement in energy, compared to the U.S., that he saw during a trip to China.&quot;Despite these threats, I still maintain--and 1366 is one of the prime examples of this--that the innovative brilliance of Americans...when set in the right direction, when given 'This is where we want to go as a country,' need not be afraid of any other country and any outside technology. They can do this and compete...and not only compete but prevail convincingly,&quot; Chu said.But even as Chu remains bullish on American ingenuity in energy, the ARPA-E program faces a funding challenge after next year.ARPA-E is modeled after DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), the U.S. military research agency that yielded the Internet and many other technologies. The mandate at ARPA-E is high-risk, high-reward energy research projects done within three to five years. It was created in 2007 but not funded until April of last year, when it received $400 million through the stimulus program. Energy secretary tours solar disrupter (photos) Because ARPA-E was not part of the Department of Energy budget last year, Congress will need to fund the agency beyond its first two years for it to continue, according to an Energy Department representative.Chu said the prospects of having continued funding are good. A number of high-profile reports done by business leaders have recommended increasing ARPA-E's budget, an indicator of how people from different fields--venture capitalists, universities, national labs, large corporations--appreciate what ARPA-E has done, he said.&quot;There's almost unanimous enthusiastic appreciation for what ARPA-E has done. So even as we approach austere budget times, its value is certainly widely appreciated,&quot; Chu said.Wafer manufacturingThe tour Chu was offered included technical presentations on both disclosed and secretive work of the 30 or so engineers at 1366 Technologies.The company has developed a few manufacturing techniques for incremental improvements in polycrystalline solar cell efficiency. One is a texturing machine that treats the surface of a silicon wafer so that it reduces reflectivity and traps more light. Another is to use a substrate that reflects light back onto the surface of a cell. 1366 Technologies' breakthrough idea, however, is called Direct Wafer, a technology enabling a machine to produce a silicon wafer at half the cost of existing techniques. Solar manufacturers take flat 6-inch by 6-inch silicon wafers and, through various steps, create solar cells that are fitted onto a module, or panel.Typically, manufacturers take ingots of raw silicon and saw them to make wafers, a process in which a lot of the silicon is lost. 1366 Technologies is working on a prototype of a machine that can produce that wafer directly from melted silicon.The machine is a furnace like those used in typical wafer manufacturing, but it &quot;freezes&quot; the molten silicon into shape, explained Adam Lorenz, senior photovoltaics engineer. Because this process cuts the cost of wafer manufacturing in half, U.S. companies can afford to make wafers, which are mostly made in China and Germany, he said.1366 Technologies CEO Frank van Mierlo said the company hopes to complete engineering work on the machine next year and break ground on a 100-megawatt wafer-manufacturing facility by the end of next year. The plant would take a year to build, and 1366 expects to apply for a loan guarantee from the Energy Department for construction, van Mierlo said.A 100-megawatt facility is far smaller than commercial plants, but it would eliminate any technical risk, he said. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Yahoo said to be rolling out layoffs]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=yahoo-said-to-be-rolling-out-layoffs</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=yahoo-said-to-be-rolling-out-layoffs</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:10:37 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>gaylordsty</dc:creator>
<category>Marketing and advertising</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=yahoo-said-to-be-rolling-out-layoffs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Multiple media outlets reported earlier this month that Yahoo was on the verge of major layoffs, perhaps as high as 20 percent (but more likely 10 percent) of the struggling technology company. On Tuesday, TechCrunch reported that tipsters were contacting them to say the layoffs had begun. The company's Yahoo Groups and Flickr divisions were named specifically.Yahoo's official statement doesn't say much: &quot;Yahoo is always evaluating expenses to align with the company's financial goals. Beyond that, we don't comment on rumors or speculation.&quot;If true, the layoffs are yet another blow to morale at Yahoo as it continues to attempt a turnaround under the leadership of CEO Carol Bartz. There has already been one round of layoffs in Bartz's tenure, and prior to her arrival early last year there had been multiple layoffs since early 2008.In a talk last month, Bartz described the Yahoo turnaround process as &quot;traveling up (Highway) 101 at 100 miles an hour, changing the tires.&quot;To add insult to injury, many of the valley's other giants are soaring: Google, the company that dethroned Yahoo as king of search a decade ago, is said to be facing tough competition over engineering talent. But things are still sunny enough over there that the company was able to address this &quot;crisis&quot; with a 10 percent raise for all employees.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[The 10 best games of 2010]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=the-10-best-games-of-2010</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=the-10-best-games-of-2010</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:10:31 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>pestcontrolguildford</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=the-10-best-games-of-2010</guid>
<description><![CDATA[(Credit:GameSpot)For a gaming year that started out with a bang, 2010 has stumbled to the finish line. Of course, it's impossible to ignore the outrageous success of the recently released Call of Duty: Black Ops--but aside from that title, most of the second half of 2010 remains forgettable. A reason for this lull in quality console games is likely the bombardment of motion-gaming initiatives from Sony and Microsoft. In a way, these product launches ostensibly carved out a release window that saw plenty of Kinect and Move-friendly titles but forced conventional &quot;button-games&quot; to take the backseat. Was this the reason for the sharp drop-off in the fall of 2010 The top 10 best games of 2010 (screenshots)  Regardless of when in the calendar year these top-notch games were released, 2010 did see some excellent efforts for each platform as well as few surprises along the way. Like in 2009, sequels seem to highlight our list, with a few new franchises breaking into the top 10, too. We also think portable gaming suffered in 2010, with only a few titles being released that are even worth mentioning. Of course, no top-10 list is complete without honorable mentions, so please click through to view some titles we'd like to recognize but that didn't quite find their ways into top-10 placement. As always, be sure to sound off in the comments section if your list is different from ours! Honorable mention:Bayonetta (360,PS3)Super Meat Boy (XBLA)Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)NHL 11 (360, PS3)God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP)Fallout: New Vegas (360, PS3)Vanquish (360, PS3)Alan Wake (360)<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dialed In 151: LG's blowin' up (podcast)]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=dialed-in-151-lgs-blowin-up-podcast</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=dialed-in-151-lgs-blowin-up-podcast</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:10:15 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>nubereswoof</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=dialed-in-151-lgs-blowin-up-podcast</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This week's episode of Dialed In is brought to you by the letters L and G, as in LG Electronics, because the company has certainly dominated the headlines these past few days. LG looks to be making a big push in the smartphone market, as it continues to release new smartphones for the U.S. market, including possibly the first Android device to have a dual-core chipset. Plus, U.S. Cellular and Cellular South detail their LTE plans--well, sort of--and we come to the defense of basic cell phones. All this and more on this week's Dialed In. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Jaguar's supercomputing reign coming to an end]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=jaguars-supercomputing-reign-coming-to-an-end</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=jaguars-supercomputing-reign-coming-to-an-end</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:10:35 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Suzana</dc:creator>
<category>Social</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=jaguars-supercomputing-reign-coming-to-an-end</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A timeline of supercomputing speed.(Credit:AMD)The Jaguar supercomputer, housed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory at the University of Tennessee, has been the fastest supercomputer on the planet for almost a year. But is it about to lose that title and place atop the podiumEvery six months, the Top500 project releases the rankings of the most powerful supercomputers. The current pace of technology development means the list does tend to reorder every half a year or so. But Jaguar has been poised at the top of the food chain for almost a year. Though the Top500 list doesn't get released until next week, it's been widely assumed that Jaguar will be taken down by a supercomputer built by China's National University of Defense Technology, located at the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin.Jaguar narrowly avoided being overtaken in June, the last time the rankings were released. The Nebulae supercomputer, located at the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen, came in second, achieving 1.271 petaflops/s (1.271 quadrillion floating point operations per second) running something called the Linpack benchmark. But it appears that Jaguar's lead has been overcome this time. There have been reports about it over the last few weeks, and President Barack Obama even mentioned it during a speech last week:&quot;And we just learned that China now has the fastest supercomputer on Earth--that used to be us. They're making investments because they know those investments will pay off over the long term,&quot; he said.The supercomputers are ranked on many factors, but the the Top500 list is ordered based on the results of the Linpack benchmark. Even if it places the Tianjin supercomputer above Jaguar, it doesn't necessarily mean the U.S. is getting bumped from its perch atop supercomputing, argue two scientists who work at Oak Ridge.&quot;What you find historically with these supercomputers is they become the normal machines 5 or 10 years later that everybody uses.&quot;--Jeremy Smith, Center for Molecular Biophysics&quot;China might have the largest number of cores in one computer, so theoretically they have the most powerful computer. But they maybe don't have the most powerful scientific codes yet that use that computer,&quot; said Jeremy Smith, director of the Center for Molecular Biophysics at the University of Tennessee, in an interview. &quot;So from that perspective, they may not be at the same level as Oak Ridge.&quot;Jaguar is comprised of more than 250,000 AMD Opteron cores, running extremely sophisticated computer programs that try to answer complex questions like why ribosomes (components of cells that create amino acids) are dependent on magnesium, how to simulate making more environmentally-friendly ethanol out of plant material, and how to predict climate change. Jaguar's specialty is getting all those cores running together extremely efficiently, which is a separate and perhaps harder task than just building a really powerful computer.Smith says that the projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory run extremely efficiently on Jaguar, and the scientific value of the computing is therefore very high.While China's supercomputer is based on GPUs (graphics processing unit) (in this case, built by Nvidia), and it's faster technically because the CPU (central processing unit) uses the GPU to accelerate its speed. But if you don't get the software to run on it properly, it's actually harder to use, Roland Schultz, graduate student at the University of Tennessee's Center for Molecular Biophysics, said.What Schultz says he is much more interested in is the Gordon Bell Prize, which is awarded by the Association for Computing Machinery to the most innovative scientific application of supercomputing. Teams from Oak Ridge have won most recently in 2008 and 2009 for research into high-temperature superconductivity, or sending electricity over long distances in high temperatures with no loss of transmission.But do we make too much of who's faster Smith put it in perspective.&quot;What you find historically with these supercomputers is they become the normal machines 5 or 10 years later that everybody uses,&quot; said Smith. &quot;The Jaguar machines that we're so amazed at right now, it could be every university or company has one&quot; eventually.We'll know exactly how things have shaken out next week when the Top500 List is released. But even if Jaguar does get hunted down by a Chinese supercomputer, it's not as if the folks at Oak Ridge are sitting still. The Department of Energy, which owns Oak Ridge's supercomputer, is already looking at moving from the current peta-scale computing (a quadrillion floating point operations per second) to exa-scale computing (a quintillion floating point operations per second), a speed one thousand times faster than Jaguar is currently capable of processing at.&quot;To get there in the next 5 to 10 years, to get to 10 million cores in one room, is a major technical challenge,&quot; noted Smith. &quot;It's going to be fundamentally different than before. It's a hardware problem, and getting the software working is a major challenge indeed.&quot;<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Report: Facebook event Monday relates to Office]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=report-facebook-event-monday-relates-to-office</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=report-facebook-event-monday-relates-to-office</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:10:13 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>zimansuf2</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=report-facebook-event-monday-relates-to-office</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Facebook&amp;39's invite for its event next week.(Credit:CNET)Facebook is holding an event next week as part of the Web 2.0 Summit taking place in San Francisco, and, according to ZDNet, the topic du jour will be deeper integration between the 500 million user-strong social network and Microsoft's Office Web Apps service.Facebook and Microsoft already collaborate on a variant of the Web-based Office suite called Docs, which the two companies launched together in late April. However, ZDNet says that this new version will be more closely integrated into Facebook's in-box experience, which is said to be getting an overhaul that builds in Microsoft's services. Microsoft Office Web Apps contains Web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. The suite was launched as a free service for consumers two months after the launch of Docs.com, and included the option for companies to host tailored versions of the tools through Microsoft's Sharepoint. Based on Facebook's numbers, Docs currently has some 116,000 monthly users, which Microsoft could be looking to grow. One other area of Facebook where Microsoft's productivity tools could end up is within the recently introduced Groups feature. Facebook launched it with a rather rudimentary word processor, which lets group members collaborate on a hosted document, but something like Word would offer a higher level of functionality, as well as pushing the Groups product closer to something that might entice business users.Facebook's event takes place Monday at 10 a.m. PT, and CNET will be there to bring you the news.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[YouTube to test smart 'topics' on videos]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=youtube-to-test-smart-topics-on-videos</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=youtube-to-test-smart-topics-on-videos</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:10:05 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Sanya01</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=youtube-to-test-smart-topics-on-videos</guid>
<description><![CDATA[YouTube plans to start testing user reaction to what they are calling &amp;34'topics,&amp;34' shown here to the right of the &amp;34'Explore&amp;34' link.(Credit:YouTube)SAN BRUNO, Calif.--YouTube thinks it has found a better way to help its users find exactly which videos they're looking for on its site: smart tags. At some point tomorrow evening, YouTube will turn on an experiment in TestTube, its lab, in which users will be able to see what the company is calling &quot;topics&quot; above videos they find through search results or that are shared among friends. These topics are sort of like tags, but are the product of sophisticated analysis of comments, viewing patterns, and other signals that will automatically appear above videos, said Palash Nandy, a staff engineer at YouTube, in a briefing for the media here at the company's headquarters. &quot;People don't know what to search for because they don't know what's there,&quot; Nandy said, referring to how Internet search and video search are two different problems. When you search on Google, you're generally looking for a defined result, you just don't know where it's located. But when you're looking to be entertained, and you search for something like &quot;funny videos,&quot; how is YouTube supposed to know what is actually funny, and what is merely stupid yet was labeled &quot;funny lol!&quot; by some user Or whether you find slapstick humor in the video you were sent funny but pranks and practical jokes in related videos also entitled &quot;funny&quot; actually boring To try and solve that problem, YouTube has decided to put these &quot;topics&quot; front and center on videos--at least for its experimental users--as to evaluate how they are used. For example, a video about fighter jets might have more specific topics automatically generated that relate to that video, such as &quot;air force fighter jets,&quot; &quot;blue angel bay area,&quot; or &quot;air show footage,&quot; which a user could click on to see more videos of that type. &quot;We're really creating a language of discovery,&quot; Nandy said. It's not clear when YouTube might be ready to bring this into wider distribution, but those interested in checking it out should be able to opt into the program tomorrow night at TestTube. Likewise, it's not clear when YouTube might be ready to speak the language of advertising just yet when it comes to these topics, as certain advertisers could find them valuable in the same manner that AdWords continues to rake in advertising dollars at YouTube parent Google. YouTube also demonstrated a mobile application called YouTube Remote that allows Android users to control the YouTube application on their Google TV systems with their phones, as well as pause a video on their phones and start watching it on their Google TV. That application should be available in the Android Market this afternoon.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Blekko launches the biased search engine]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=blekko-launches-the-biased-search-engine</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=blekko-launches-the-biased-search-engine</comments>
<pubDate>Sun, 31 Oct 2010 07:10:01 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Sonia01</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=blekko-launches-the-biased-search-engine</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ You know how you always slow down to rubberneck when you pass acar wreck on the freeway I'm that way with new search engines. I slow down, I look for the pool of blood, and then I resume my normal Google speed and forget the twisted metal in the rear-view. Previous wrecks include Cuil, Hakia, Powerset (wrapped into Bing), Clusty, and RedZ--each had a special trick, but they've all faded from memory, some after crashing in flames, some after making their founders rich. And some still plod along in the breakdown lane, while the real traffic blasts past them. But wait, here's another: Blekko, whose name means, according to CEO Rick Skrenta, Our naming firm sucked, so we went with this instead.  Blekko's technology is quite clever, and the economics of search are such that it might actually work as a business and pay back the $24 million that's been invested in the company so far. Blekko's challenge is not to unseat Google but to simply not fade into obscurity.Blekko returns refreshingly different results than Google. Sometimes better -- but not always.(Credit:Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET) Here's how Blekko will try to do that: this search engine keeps lists of categorized sites that can be applied to queries. For example, if you're searching for medical information, your query can either automatically or manually be restricted to just sites that are actual, bona fide sources, not just spam farms. Blekko has seven main categories (health, automotive, lyrics, colleges, personal finance, recipes, and hotels), and users can also create their own. If you search for &quot;cure for headaches,&quot; for example, Blekko gives you a good set of results from WebMD, the NIH, etc. Google's results, in comparison, are less focused. However, that's a query that Blekko provided to me. On some others (try, &quot;Boxer's fracture&quot;), I found Blekko no better than Google. You can also tilt your search results in the direction you like by using a category of bias, like &quot;liberal&quot; or &quot;conservative.&quot; Categorization lists are applied by appending a &quot;slashtag.&quot; The query, &quot;climate change /conservative&quot; will give you politically slanted results, for example. &quot;Climate change /science&quot; will restrict your results to hits from scientific Web sites.  Users can also create their own slashtags, and other users can contribute to those lists, if their creators allow. Blekko is potentially a great search engine for curators and researchers. (This has been done before, though: See Rollyo.)  One very cool part of the Blekko technology is that it uses spam as a signal of significance. If a result returns a lot of hits from known automatic linkfarms or spam sites, the Blekko engine uses this data as an indicator of the importance of the query and aggressively filters out the less-than-useful returns.  As a business, Blekko is no Google, and Skrenta has no illusions that it will put a dent in it. He says, &quot;We'd like to be the No. 3 search engine,&quot; and believes that the site could be profitable with 1 million to 2 million queries a day (out of the over 1 billion now done on the Web). The site's not running any monetization schemes or advertising at the moment.  Blekko may in fact win enough repeat users to make it a going business, but it won't have a real, Web-wide impact unless its concept--that bias is good and more aggressive search filtering is needed --gets some traction. There's nothing to stop Google from becoming more Blekko-like and starting to return results even more user-specific and location-specific than they already are. Until then, though, Blekko is a solid alternative to Google and Bing for anyone, and more importantly it's got great potential for researchers, librarians, journalists, or anyone who's willing to put some work into how their search engine functions in order to get better results. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[SunRun bags money to finance residential solar]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=sunrun-bags-money-to-finance-residential-solar</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=sunrun-bags-money-to-finance-residential-solar</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:10:24 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jeny01</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=sunrun-bags-money-to-finance-residential-solar</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Solar company SunRun said today it has secured enough money to finance 1,900 residential solar electric installations, helping fuel its growth.The San Francisco-based company said that US Bancorp has made tens of millions of dollars available to SunRun, representing the fourth time it has closed a round with the bank.A SunRun installation in Massachusetts.(Credit:SunRun)SunRun is one of a few companies offering homeowners the option to get third-party financing for solar rooftop photovoltaic panels. In this model, people pay a small upfront fee and a monthly payment for the installation and ongoing service, rather than pay the anywhere between $25,000 and $40,000 to purchase panels.In SunRun's case, its customers buy the electrical energy produced by the panels, typically for a fixed fee. SunRun owns and maintains the panels. In general, people can lower electricity bills by 10 percent or 15 percent through this power purchase agreement model, which is often used by corporations.Solar, in general, is most cost-effective for people who pay high electricity rates and live in states with renewable energy incentives, said SunRun CEO Ed Fenster. But the company, which has more than 6,000 customers, has found that it's no longer just hard-core environmentalists going solar, he said. Instead, people are often attracted to the idea of locking into electricity costs for the foreseeable future.&quot;Peace of mind is reasonably valuable to people. In addition, you save a little money each month and you can feel good because it helps the economy,&quot; he said.SunRun, which tripled its revenue last year, offers its financing and solar monitoring service through solar installers. Consumers can check a Web site to track the production of panels and SunRun will contact them if there is a problem with the system, Fenster said.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Most, and least, reliable cars for 2011]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=most-and-least-reliable-cars-for-2011</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=most-and-least-reliable-cars-for-2011</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:10:12 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Smith</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=most-and-least-reliable-cars-for-2011</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Consumer Reports predicts that the 2011 Chrysler Town &amp; Country will be the worst car for reliability.(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET)Consumer Reports published predictions for reliability of 2011 vehicle models based on whatcar owners told it of previous model year performance. Consumer Reports' survey asked 1.3 million owners to rate the reliability of their 2001 to 2010 model year cars. Using that data, the organization devised predictions of where different brands will end up with their 2011 models.Scion topped the list, while co-brands Toyota and Lexus both dropped a little from the previous year, probably due to all the flap over unintended acceleration. Porsche showed up second with a 6 point gain from the previous year. It was followed by perennial quality winners Acura and Honda.Hitting the very bottom of the list was Chrysler, with its Town &amp; Country minivan being rated as the worst car for reliability. Audi, which plummeted in reliability appears just above Chrysler, and is followed by Mini. Audi also showed the largest overall drop in reliability, while Cadillac had the biggest gain.Consumer Reports Predicted 5 Best 2011 ModelsRankMakeBest modelWorst modelPercent change1ScionxDxB-2PorscheBoxster91163AcuraRLTL (AWD)24HondaCR-VElement-25InfinitiG sedan (AWD)G coupe-1Consumer Reports Predicted 5 Worst 2011 ModelsRankMakeBest modelWorst modelPercent change23BMWM3135i-224DodgeRam 1500 (2WD)Journey125MiniCooper HatchbackCooper Convertible-326AudiA4 (4-cyl.)A6 (3.0T)*-727Chrysler300 (V8)Town &amp; Country-1(Source: Consumer Reports)<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ambiq Micro Closes $2.4 Million Seed Round For Efficient&nbsp'Micro-controllers]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ambiq-micro-closes-2-4-million-seed-round-for-efficientnbspmicro-controllers</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ambiq-micro-closes-2-4-million-seed-round-for-efficientnbspmicro-controllers</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Rixbralia</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=ambiq-micro-closes-2-4-million-seed-round-for-efficientnbspmicro-controllers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ DFJ Mercury led a seed investment round of $2.4 million in Ambiq Micro, the companies announced today. Ambiq has designed and manufactures durable, highly efficient micro-controllers that can be used in everything from smoke and temperature sensors in smart buildings, to smart credit cards and smart phones.The company was founded at the University of Michigan by Dennis Sylvester and David Blaauw, professors of electrical engineering and computer science at the Universitya4a4s College of Engineering, and Scott Hanson, a post-doctoral Fellow at the College of Engineering who is the companya4a4s chief executive. Ambiq Micro practically swept the university business plan competition circuit in the 2009-2010 academic school year. It won a $250,000 prize on July 1, 2010 from Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and Cisco as part of a co-sponsored Global Business Plan Competition for university and business school students. Before that, Ambiq won the Pryor-Hale Award for Best Business as part of the Institutea4a4s Michigan Business Challenge in February 2009 and several others. Ambiq Micro also attained a small (but undisclosed amount) of pre-seed financing from the University of Michigan&amp;'s Frankel Commercialization Fund, the first student-led pre-seed investment fund in the United States.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Why SXSW&'s party in Austin matters]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=why-sxswrsquos-party-in-austin-matters</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=why-sxswrsquos-party-in-austin-matters</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>rerepnobombastilsbmit</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=why-sxswrsquos-party-in-austin-matters</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Internet, like soylent green, is made of people. And startups can never get enough.That&amp;'s the insight I&amp;'ve gathered from years of attending South By Southwest Interactive, the annual conference/festival/five-day rave held every year in Austin in conjunction with the more established SXSW film and music festivals. (You can show your veteran status, or fake it, by calling it &amp;''South By.&amp;'') The streets of Texas&amp;'s capital city are swarming with San Franciscans' I knew a half-dozen people on my JetBlue flight.So why do so many people pick up and hang out in Texas for a week Because they have jobs to fill, and the people they need are all here.I&amp;'ve called SXSW a &amp;''pointless party&amp;'' and ridiculed it as &amp;''spring break for Web developers.&amp;'' But there&amp;'s something to be said for getting out and meeting people in a new place, unmoored from your usual routines. Sure, there are panels, but it&amp;'s really about the hobnobbing in the Austin Convention Center&amp;'s long, long hallways and the parties that roll into the night. People are trying to connect on a deeper level around shared passions &amp;8212' here, mostly consumer Web startups and the possibilities that unfold when you connect social experiences with the Internet.It&amp;'s not about the products that launch at SXSW. I have sympathy, even admiration for startups brave enough to run the SXSW gauntlet of skeptical, demanding geeks in the hopes of getting dubbed the next Twitter or Foursquare, to name two startups that won buzz here. But really, if you can find one great developer at a party, consider it a win.Yesterday, right before I grabbed my bags and headed to the airport, I moderated a panel at the Unleashed Talent conference in San Francisco on the topic of recruiting. One of the panelists, Ethan Bloch, the founder of Flowtown, a startup that aims to turn your most passionate customers into a virtual sales force for your product, struck me as singularly obsessed with recruiting.Bloch told the audience he spends 90 percent of his time recruiting, doing everything from writing scripts that monitor GitHub, a collaborative source-code repository favored by Ruby on Rails programmers, for the most productive users to scanning Dribbble, a design-sharing site, for creative user-experience types.In a similar vein, Peter Kazanjy, the CEO of professional-reviews site Honestly.com, mentioned during the panel that he&amp;'d built SocialLink, a FireFox Web browser add-on that helps users find a LinkedIn connection on Facebook or Twitter. (Among other things, this helps you evade a charge LinkedIn imposes to send messages to users that aren&amp;'t in your professional network.)Other panelists, like BranchOut founder Rick Marini and Top Prospect&amp;'s Rotem Perelmuter, emphasized the importance of constantly recruiting by mining social graphs, the mapped-out connections between people on social networks like Facebook. (Not surprisingly, their startups help you do just that: BranchOut is a professional network, not unlike LinkedIn, but one that lives within Facebook as an app, while Top Prospect helps companies extend the referral rewards usually given to employees for a successful new hire to their wider circle of friends and acquaintances.)Jobvite CEO Dan Finnigan pointed out that this approach is singularly effective: Referrals that come through employees&amp;' social networks are 12 times more likely to result in a hire than over-the-transom applications. And they&amp;'re cheaper, too &amp;8212' the cost of a referral hire might be in the range of $3,000 to $5,000, while a professional recruiter could easily start at $20,000 to $25,000 per completed hire. (At the panel, venture capitalist Jeremy Liew of Lightspeed Venture Partners sarcastically quizzed Bloch on his recruiting productivity, finally getting Bloch to admit that for all the time he&amp;'d spent since January scouring websites for &amp;''world-class&amp;'' candidates, he&amp;'d only made one hire so far. But at those rates, I&amp;'d say Bloch&amp;'s doing okay.)Against that backdrop, a conference pass, a plane ticket to Austin, and a few nights in a hotel seem cheap. So party on, South By geeks. If you can make just one whip-smart, talented new friend whom you bring back home to headquarters, you&amp;'ve paid your own way.(Oh, and by the way, VentureBeat is hiring.)Next Story: On the GreenBeat: Toyota sells 3M hybrid cars, Progress Energy drops $500M for smart power grids Previous Story: Zynga prepares launch of expansion game FarmVille English CountrysidePrintEmailTwitterFacebookGoogle BuzzLinkedIn      DiggStumbleUponRedditDeliciousGoogleMore&amp;8230'          Tags: recruiting, South by Southwest, South By Southwest Interactive, sxsw, SXSW 2011, Unleashed TalentCompanies: BranchOut, Flowtown, Honestly.com, Jobvite, Top ProspectPeople: Dan Finnigan, Ethan Bloch, Peter Kazanjy, Rick Marini, Rotem Perelmuter          Tags: recruiting, South by Southwest, South By Southwest Interactive, sxsw, SXSW 2011, Unleashed TalentCompanies: BranchOut, Flowtown, Honestly.com, Jobvite, Top ProspectPeople: Dan Finnigan, Ethan Bloch, Peter Kazanjy, Rick Marini, Rotem PerelmuterOwen Thomas is the executive editor of VentureBeat. Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.comVentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters.  Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dell picks up security firm SecureWorks to slow migration to the public cloud]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=dell-picks-up-security-firm-secureworks-to-slow-migration-to-the-public-cloud</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=dell-picks-up-security-firm-secureworks-to-slow-migration-to-the-public-cloud</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Simi</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=dell-picks-up-security-firm-secureworks-to-slow-migration-to-the-public-cloud</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dell announced today that it will acquire network security firm SecureWorks. This is another acquisition aimed at preventing its smaller and mid-sized business customers from migrating to public cloud providers like Amazon.SecureWorks gives users with a number of tools to help manage security threats and control access to local networks. The service includes email encryption, and SecureWorks provides a degree of consulting for its customers. The entire security suite is deployed on in-house servers.Most of Della4a4s business is in providing companies with private, in-house cloud servers that run multiple computers.Dell has said before that itdoesn&amp;'t feel threatened by the public cloud a4&quot; a bunch of services that offload heavy-duty computing to remote servers and stream the results through the Internet. Dell brought in around $1.8 billion last quarter off sales of its servers. Della4a4s Data Center Solutions is the third-largest distributor of servers using chips from Intel and AMD.But companies buying Dell&amp;'s servers have to bear the costs of keeping those private cloud servers up and running. That isna4a4t the case with public cloud servers from companies like Amazon and Rackspace. Dell&amp;'s strategy lately has been to reduce those upkeep headaches and keep companies interested in the private cloud. It recently acquired Compellent, which provides some software to help companies store and access their data more efficiently on private cloud servers, as part of that strategy.Dell&amp;'s largest customers, like OnLive and Microsoft, are probably going to stick with the private cloud because it is faster. Dell still needs to bring in some new incentives for smaller and mid-sized businesses that are flocking to public cloud services because they are typically cheaper. One way to do that is to draw attention to the notion that public cloud services aren&amp;'t as secure as private servers because the information has to be transmitted across the Internet.This is the second big acquisition in a few months for Dell. SecureWorks raked in about $120 million in revenue last year and has around 1,500 customers running its software. The financial details of the deal weren&amp;'t disclosed, but it probably wasn&amp;'t cheap with that kind of revenue.Security firms are another big acquisition target. SecureWorksacquired VeriSign and DNS Limited, other security providers, last year. Intel also dropped $7.7 billion to buy McAfee, one of the largest providers of computer security software, last year.Atlanta, Ga.-based SecureWorks was founded in 1999 and has around 700 employees. It has raised $31.5 million in funding.Next Story: Ikea&amp;'s war on Edison&amp;'s light bulb Previous Story: Confessions of a Hashable addictPrintEmailTwitterFacebookGoogle BuzzLinkedIn      DiggStumbleUponRedditDeliciousGoogleMore&amp;8230'          Tags: cloud computing, private cloud, public cloud, securityCompanies: Dell, SecureWorks          Tags: cloud computing, private cloud, public cloud, securityCompanies: Dell, SecureWorksMatthew Lynley is VentureBeat's enterprise writer. He graduated from University of North Carolina, where he studied math and physics, in May 2010. He has reported for Reuters. He currently lives in San Francsico, Calif. You can reach him at mattl@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @logicalmoron.VentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters.  Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Founder Conference and LetsLunch bring the best lunch partners on-stage]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=founder-conference-and-letslunch-bring-the-best-lunch-partners-on-stage</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=founder-conference-and-letslunch-bring-the-best-lunch-partners-on-stage</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>subcuisine</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=founder-conference-and-letslunch-bring-the-best-lunch-partners-on-stage</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Asking attendees to choose who goes on-stage at conferences isna4a4t a new idea &amp;8212' the online panel picker for the South by Southwest Interactive conference is probably the best-known example in the tech world. But the Founder Conference is taking a new approach using a startup called LetsLunch.The partnership is, perhaps, an obvious one, since both Foundrs.com (the founder matching service that organizes the Founder Conference) and LetsLunch were co-founded by Alain Raynaud. Still, ita4a4s a cool idea that other events might want to borrow.LetsLunch launched earlier this year with the goal of helping its users grow their professional network by meeting the right person for lunch. After the meal, each participant rates their lunch partner on a number of factors, then the site uses those ratings to provide future recommendations.The Founder Conference, which is scheduled for May 3, is repurposing that technology for a slightly different aim. Herea4a4s how Raynaud describes the process:This year, we are crowdsourcing the selection of presenters. We know what doesn&amp;'t work: everyone applies to the organizer, the organizer is swamped with requests, and can&amp;'t tell who to pick.Instead, we&amp;'ll use LetsLunch.com to let entrepreneurs self-select other entrepreneurs. It goes like this: You meet other entrepreneurs equally interested in pitching. You chat with them over lunch. It&amp;'s very casual. You learn about their startup and their plans. Then you provide feedback on the site. Repeat a few times. You&amp;'ll be surprised how quickly the top 10 founders will emerge with such a process.You can can find more information at the Founder Conference website.Raynaud also shared some data about how LetsLunch is doing. The site has now scheduled 500 lunches and has more than 1,000 users. There are another 1,000 people on the waiting list. The service is limited to Silicon Valley right now, but Raynaud plans to expand to New York in April. And LetsLunch is planning to raise a $500,000 seed round through the AngelList service.Next Story: A sensor-driven life: IT companies wire up cities of the future Previous Story: iPad 2: Applea4a4s missed business opportunityPrintEmailTwitterFacebookGoogle BuzzLinkedIn      DiggStumbleUponRedditDeliciousGoogleMore&amp;8230'          Tags: lunch, The Founder ConferenceCompanies: Foundrs.com, LetsLunchPeople: Alain Raynaud          Tags: lunch, The Founder ConferenceCompanies: Foundrs.com, LetsLunchPeople: Alain RaynaudAnthony is a senior editor at VentureBeat, as well as its reporter on media, advertising, and social networks. Before joining the site in 2008, Anthony worked at the Hollister Free Lance, where he won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for breaking news coverage and writing. He attended Stanford University and now lives in San Francisco. Reach him at anthony@venturebeat.com. (All story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com) You can also follow Anthony on Twitter. Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.comVentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters.  Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[How popular are you online PeekScores knows]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=how-popular-are-you-online-peekscores-knows</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=how-popular-are-you-online-peekscores-knows</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>jegmeylvoxe3</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=how-popular-are-you-online-peekscores-knows</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ever wonder how popular you are on the Web &amp;8212' and how you stack up to othersPeople search company PeekYou has developed a program that lets you track how your online persona ranks relative to others&amp;' on the Internet.It released data this week that showed that using its PeekScores data, the top five college dropouts with the highest web presence were Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell and Richard Branson.The company&amp;'s PeekScores service, launched this summer, now indexes people with their public web URLs, then takes into account a user&amp;'s known presence and activity on the Internet.This includes, but is not limited to, someone&amp;'s blogging, their participation in social networks, the number of friends, followers, or readers, the amount of web content someone creates, and their prominence in the news.The program usesalgorithms for analyzing and filtering public Web content, and matching it to the person who created that information or is mentioned in it.This involves methods for cross-checking key data points identified from different sources, such as recognizing which John Smiths on the Internet are one and the same and which of them are different people.PeekYou&amp;'s competitors include similar people finders Spock.com (now owned by Intelius),Wink.com (now owned by MyLife),Pipl.com and123people.com.The space is particularly crowded now due to how much more often businesses and people are using these sorts of sites to make major decisions, said the company&amp;'s founder.&amp;''Not having a copious and well-defined presence on the Internet will soon be a serious detriment to anyone on the job market, if it is not so already,&amp;'' CEO Michael Hussey told me. &amp;''Employers are placing increasing weight on a candidatea4a4s reputation on the Internet, and onea4a4s online persona will be weighed alongside onea4a4s resume for any given hiring decision.&amp;''&amp;''The same goes for prospective dates,&amp;'' he added. &amp;''Chances are youa4a4ll get &amp;8216'Googled,&amp;' and pretty much everyone knows by now that the results of that search can have practical consequences for you, both good and bad.&amp;''Prior to founding PeekYou in 2006, Hussey started the RateMy series of websites, which include sites such as RateMyTeachers, RateMyProfessors and RateMyFace.PeekYou served five million people in February, up 300 percent in the past year, and Hussey said the company believes it will grow 10 times larger in the coming years, as its index continues to grow and improve.Thus far, the company has raised $1.7 million total from investor Baldev Duggal of Duggal Dimensions.PeekYou isnow profitable but said it is considering options for a larger investment this year to keep up with demand.Previous Story: No Twitter IPO this year, says co-founder Biz StonePrintEmailTwitterFacebookGoogle BuzzLinkedIn      DiggStumbleUponRedditDeliciousGoogleMore&amp;8230'          Companies: 123people.com, Duggal Dimensions, Intelius, MyLife, Peekyou, Pipl.com, RateMyFace, RateMyProfessors, RateMyTeachers, Spock.com, Wink.comPeople: baldev duggal, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell, michael hussey, Richard Branson, Steve Jobs          Companies: 123people.com, Duggal Dimensions, Intelius, MyLife, Peekyou, Pipl.com, RateMyFace, RateMyProfessors, RateMyTeachers, Spock.com, Wink.comPeople: baldev duggal, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell, michael hussey, Richard Branson, Steve JobsRiley McDermid is a contributing reporter to VentureBeat. She was previously the online editor at institutional investing and trading forum Markets Media, which she joined in 2008 from Dow Jones/MarketWatch in New York. Her work has appeared in the The New York Times, the Associated Press, Portfolio Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Barrona4a4s. She has won awards from the American Society of Business Publishers and Editors, the Magazine Association of the Southeast, the Mississippi Press Association and the Atlanta Press Club, and was a finalist for the Pacemaker Prize for excellence in news reporting. Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.comVentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters.  Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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