LONDON: Cell phone users may soon be able to recharge their devices wirelessly. Japanese technology company Fujitsu has developed a system capable of simultaneously charging multiple portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers without the need for cable connections.
Electric cars users may also eventually be able to charge their vehicles wirelessly using the same technology according to Fujitsu, which unveiled a prototype system at an Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers conference at Osaka Prefecture University. Claiming to be the world's first of its kind, the technology works on the basis of the transmission of electricity using magnetic fields between the charger and the electronic device.
The system enables wireless charging at distances of up to several metres, with the ultimate aim of installing public "charging spots" on the streets in order to enable easy charging around the clock. Scientists at Fujitsu Laboratories are planning to commercially sell products incorporating the new wireless charging system as early as 2012 but did not disclose how much they would cost.
"This technology paves the way to integrating compact wireless charging functions into mobile phones and enabling multiple portable devices to be charged simultaneously without any restrictions on their position with respect to the charger," the Telegraph quoted the company as saying in a statement.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Apple gadgets to get wireless printing
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple said that a software update to iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices in November will let users wirelessly print photos, documents, or graphics.
A test version of the coming iOS 4.2 update released to software developers on included an AirPrint feature that automatically finds Wi-Fi enabled printers on local networks and connects.
"iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly," said Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Philip Schiller.
"AirPrint is Apple's powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS -- no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download."
The update addresses criticism by some that the California company's hot-selling iPad tablet computers lack ports for plugging in cables to connect with printers.
A test version of the coming iOS 4.2 update released to software developers on included an AirPrint feature that automatically finds Wi-Fi enabled printers on local networks and connects.
"iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users can simply tap to print their documents or photos wirelessly," said Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Philip Schiller.
"AirPrint is Apple's powerful new printing architecture that matches the simplicity of iOS -- no set up, no configuration, no printer drivers and no software to download."
The update addresses criticism by some that the California company's hot-selling iPad tablet computers lack ports for plugging in cables to connect with printers.
7 Things to know about Microsoft IE9
Microsoft Corp has unveiled the "beta" test version of Internet Explorer 9, the first of a new generation of Web browser programs that tap into the powerful processors on board newer computers to make websites load and run faster.
Here we look into all that's new in Microsoft's latest browser.
IE9, which is free, also arrives with a more minimalist look and a few new tricks that start to blur the distinction between a website and a traditional desktop application.
Following the lead of Google Inc's stripped-down Chrome browser, Microsoft's IE9 comes with far fewer buttons, icons and toolbars cluttering up the top of the screen. Its frame is translucent, and as people browse the Web, IE9 can be subtly adorned with small icons and signature colors of the websites being viewed.
The new browser also takes cues from Windows 7, Microsoft's most recent operating system software for personal computers. In Windows 7, people can "pin" favorite programs to the task bar at the bottom of the screen, creating a one-click shortcut. They can also customize a menu of options for each program, such as opening a frequently used file in Microsoft Word.
IE9 lets people pin individual websites to the taskbar, and some sites have already customized their so-called "jumplist" menus. For example, when people pin USA Today's site, the icon in the taskbar can display a menu that mirrors the color-coded sections of the newspaper.
The New Tab page has been revamped in Internet Explorer 9 to intelligently display the websites that users love most and put them one click away.
Each site's icon and primary color is used on the New Tab page to help users identify sites more easily. Also, a site indicator shows if the site is visited often or not. From the New Tab page, users can also reopen closed tabs, reopen the last browser session, clear the site indicators, or start InPrivate Browsing.
The aesthetic changes bring IE9 in line with Microsoft's newer software, but the changes under the hood push Microsoft's technology a step ahead of its competition. The browser can take advantage of multicore microprocessors to crunch website code faster.
It also uses the PC's graphics processing unit -- the same chips that make the images in elaborate video games run smoothly -- to make images, animations, movie clips and other visuals appear or play faster.
And IE9 supports HTML5, a catch phrase for an updated set of rules and specifications that website programmers use. HTML5, which is currently under development, will include video playback and other graphics-intensive features that, in the past, could only be done by adding third-party software.
"What I saw impressed me," said Endpoint Technologies Associates analyst Roger Kay, who attended Microsoft's media event to promote the new browser in San Francisco. "The bottom line is, this product is good. It's pretty and it's fast."
Microsoft won't stand alone at the front of the pack for long, however. Google and Mozilla, maker of the Firefox browser, are also working on similar technical upgrades to their software. All three players have different motivations for pouring resources into making their free programs stand out from the pack.
Internet Explorer 9 provides built-in developer tools which aid developers in rapid prototyping, testing, and debugging webpages by making changes to code from within the browser itself which can then be previewed.
New in this version of the browser are a user-agent switching tool, a network traffic inspector, an improved JavaScript profiler, and integrated support for new Web standards introduced with Internet Explorer 9.
The new browser works on PCs with Windows 7 or Vista, but not on PCs with the much more widely used Windows XP computers or on Macs. At the media event, Microsoft showed off several big-name websites that have been designed to take advantage of the new browser, including ones from Amazon.com Inc, Facebook and Twitter.
The sites are built with code that older browsers can understand, but some may be sluggish without IE9. Microsoft did not say when IE9 will leave the test phase, but the final version isn't likely to change much. It is available for download at beautyoftheweb.com.
Here we look into all that's new in Microsoft's latest browser.
Fewer buttons
IE9, which is free, also arrives with a more minimalist look and a few new tricks that start to blur the distinction between a website and a traditional desktop application.
Following the lead of Google Inc's stripped-down Chrome browser, Microsoft's IE9 comes with far fewer buttons, icons and toolbars cluttering up the top of the screen. Its frame is translucent, and as people browse the Web, IE9 can be subtly adorned with small icons and signature colors of the websites being viewed.
Skips browser
The new browser also takes cues from Windows 7, Microsoft's most recent operating system software for personal computers. In Windows 7, people can "pin" favorite programs to the task bar at the bottom of the screen, creating a one-click shortcut. They can also customize a menu of options for each program, such as opening a frequently used file in Microsoft Word.
IE9 lets people pin individual websites to the taskbar, and some sites have already customized their so-called "jumplist" menus. For example, when people pin USA Today's site, the icon in the taskbar can display a menu that mirrors the color-coded sections of the newspaper.
New Tab page
The New Tab page has been revamped in Internet Explorer 9 to intelligently display the websites that users love most and put them one click away.
Each site's icon and primary color is used on the New Tab page to help users identify sites more easily. Also, a site indicator shows if the site is visited often or not. From the New Tab page, users can also reopen closed tabs, reopen the last browser session, clear the site indicators, or start InPrivate Browsing.
Taps PC's processing power
The aesthetic changes bring IE9 in line with Microsoft's newer software, but the changes under the hood push Microsoft's technology a step ahead of its competition. The browser can take advantage of multicore microprocessors to crunch website code faster.
It also uses the PC's graphics processing unit -- the same chips that make the images in elaborate video games run smoothly -- to make images, animations, movie clips and other visuals appear or play faster.
HTML5
And IE9 supports HTML5, a catch phrase for an updated set of rules and specifications that website programmers use. HTML5, which is currently under development, will include video playback and other graphics-intensive features that, in the past, could only be done by adding third-party software.
"What I saw impressed me," said Endpoint Technologies Associates analyst Roger Kay, who attended Microsoft's media event to promote the new browser in San Francisco. "The bottom line is, this product is good. It's pretty and it's fast."
Microsoft won't stand alone at the front of the pack for long, however. Google and Mozilla, maker of the Firefox browser, are also working on similar technical upgrades to their software. All three players have different motivations for pouring resources into making their free programs stand out from the pack.
F12 developer tools
Internet Explorer 9 provides built-in developer tools which aid developers in rapid prototyping, testing, and debugging webpages by making changes to code from within the browser itself which can then be previewed.
New in this version of the browser are a user-agent switching tool, a network traffic inspector, an improved JavaScript profiler, and integrated support for new Web standards introduced with Internet Explorer 9.
Not for Windows XP
The new browser works on PCs with Windows 7 or Vista, but not on PCs with the much more widely used Windows XP computers or on Macs. At the media event, Microsoft showed off several big-name websites that have been designed to take advantage of the new browser, including ones from Amazon.com Inc, Facebook and Twitter.
The sites are built with code that older browsers can understand, but some may be sluggish without IE9. Microsoft did not say when IE9 will leave the test phase, but the final version isn't likely to change much. It is available for download at beautyoftheweb.com.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Google Android to be no.2 mobile OS
WASHINGTON: Google's open-source Android will become the number two mobile operating system this year, leapfrogging BlackBerry and challenging market leader Nokia's Symbian by 2014, a research firm said.
The technology firm Gartner said Symbian and Android will account for 59.8 percent of mobile operating system (OS) sales by 2014. "Symbian will remain at the top of Gartner's worldwide OS ranking due to Nokia's volume and the push into more mass market price points," Gartner said.
"However, by the end of the forecast period, the number one spot will be contested with Android, which will be at a very similar share level," it said.
According to Gartner, Symbian will hold a 40.1 percent OS market share at the end of 2010 followed by Android with 17.7 percent, Research in Motion's BlackBerry with 17.5 percent, Apple with 15.4 percent for the iOS used by the iPhone and Windows Mobile from Microsoft with 4.7 percent.
By 2014, Symbian's share will fall to 30.2 percent while Android's will rise to 29.6 percent followed by Apple with 14.9 percent, Blackberry with 11.7 percent and Windows with 3.9 percent, Gartner forecast.
Symbian last year had a 46.9 percent share of the OS market followed by Blackberry with 19.9 percent, Apple with 14.4 percent, Windows with 8.7 percent and Android with 3.9 percent, Gartner said.
Gartner said it expected handset manufacturers such as Samsung to launch a number of budget devices in the second half of the year using Android and for other players such as Sony Ericsson, LG and Motorola to follow suit.
"This trend should help Android become the top OS in North America by the end of 2010," Gartner said.
Nokia on Friday named Stephen Elop, a former Microsoft executive, to head the Finnish telecom giant as it battles slumping profits and an eroding market share in the smartphone segment.
The technology firm Gartner said Symbian and Android will account for 59.8 percent of mobile operating system (OS) sales by 2014. "Symbian will remain at the top of Gartner's worldwide OS ranking due to Nokia's volume and the push into more mass market price points," Gartner said.
"However, by the end of the forecast period, the number one spot will be contested with Android, which will be at a very similar share level," it said.
According to Gartner, Symbian will hold a 40.1 percent OS market share at the end of 2010 followed by Android with 17.7 percent, Research in Motion's BlackBerry with 17.5 percent, Apple with 15.4 percent for the iOS used by the iPhone and Windows Mobile from Microsoft with 4.7 percent.
By 2014, Symbian's share will fall to 30.2 percent while Android's will rise to 29.6 percent followed by Apple with 14.9 percent, Blackberry with 11.7 percent and Windows with 3.9 percent, Gartner forecast.
Symbian last year had a 46.9 percent share of the OS market followed by Blackberry with 19.9 percent, Apple with 14.4 percent, Windows with 8.7 percent and Android with 3.9 percent, Gartner said.
Gartner said it expected handset manufacturers such as Samsung to launch a number of budget devices in the second half of the year using Android and for other players such as Sony Ericsson, LG and Motorola to follow suit.
"This trend should help Android become the top OS in North America by the end of 2010," Gartner said.
Nokia on Friday named Stephen Elop, a former Microsoft executive, to head the Finnish telecom giant as it battles slumping profits and an eroding market share in the smartphone segment.
That sex movie is a virus!
NEW DELHI: Almost after a decade, email virus is back. An e-mail that promises free sex movies is infecting users' PCs around the world, warn security companies.
According to security firm McAfee, the email with subject line "Here you have", purports to be either Adobe PDF documents or a free porn film.
"The URL does not actually lead to a PDF document, but rather an executable in disguise, such as PDF_Document21_025542010_pdf.scr served from a different domain," McAfee said in its blog.
On following the hyperlink included in the email, the user is prompted to download or execute the virus.
"When run, the virus installs itself to the Windows directory as CSRSS.EXE," the company said.
"Once infected, the worm attempts to send the aforementioned message to email address book recipients. It can also spread through accessible remote machines, mapped drives, and removable media via Autorun replication," according to the security firm.
McAfee said the virus also attempts to delete security software. Web reports suggest that some companies like AIG, Disney, Procter & Gamble and Wells Fargo have been affected by the virus.
In an alert sent out to customers McAfee reportedly recommended blocking .scr files at the Internet gateway. "McAfee has received confirmation that some customers have received large volumes of spam containing a link to malware, a mass-mailing worm identified as VBMania," the note reads. "The symptom reported thus far is that the spam volume is overwhelming the email infrastructure."
Both McAfee and Symantec claim to have released patches for the virus.
According to security firm McAfee, the email with subject line "Here you have", purports to be either Adobe PDF documents or a free porn film.
"The URL does not actually lead to a PDF document, but rather an executable in disguise, such as PDF_Document21_025542010_pdf.scr served from a different domain," McAfee said in its blog.
On following the hyperlink included in the email, the user is prompted to download or execute the virus.
"When run, the virus installs itself to the Windows directory as CSRSS.EXE," the company said.
"Once infected, the worm attempts to send the aforementioned message to email address book recipients. It can also spread through accessible remote machines, mapped drives, and removable media via Autorun replication," according to the security firm.
McAfee said the virus also attempts to delete security software. Web reports suggest that some companies like AIG, Disney, Procter & Gamble and Wells Fargo have been affected by the virus.
In an alert sent out to customers McAfee reportedly recommended blocking .scr files at the Internet gateway. "McAfee has received confirmation that some customers have received large volumes of spam containing a link to malware, a mass-mailing worm identified as VBMania," the note reads. "The symptom reported thus far is that the spam volume is overwhelming the email infrastructure."
Both McAfee and Symantec claim to have released patches for the virus.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
15 Top-paying jobs for techies
Tech jobs are back! After almost two years of belt-tightening, which saw job cuts too, IT companies are back to hiring. Shedding their initial cautiousness, IT companies in the last quarter made some record hirings. And despite some uncertainty about global economy, the hiring plans of tech companies continue to look robust.
So, what are the skills that are in demand and how well paying they are? US-based Kelly Services, a workforce solutions provider, recently released an Employment Outlook and Salary Guide. The guide looks for trends across key verticals and lists also 'Hot Jobs' across sectors.
Here's looking into the top jobs in Indian IT sector and how they stand in terms of salaries.
So, what are the skills that are in demand and how well paying they are? US-based Kelly Services, a workforce solutions provider, recently released an Employment Outlook and Salary Guide. The guide looks for trends across key verticals and lists also 'Hot Jobs' across sectors.
Here's looking into the top jobs in Indian IT sector and how they stand in terms of salaries.
Information technology manager
Qualification: Degree/Diploma
Experience: 10 years
Job description: With general autonomy, responsible for global/regional supervision, support and deployment
Min salary: Rs 10,00000
Max salary: Rs 18,00000
Experience: 10 years
Job description: With general autonomy, responsible for global/regional supervision, support and deployment
Min salary: Rs 10,00000
Max salary: Rs 18,00000
Software development manager
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 12 years
Job description: Manage the activities and people associated with a project and the success of that project. Work with users to identify their needs.
Min salary: Rs 7,50000
Max salary: Rs 13,00000
Experience: 12 years
Job description: Manage the activities and people associated with a project and the success of that project. Work with users to identify their needs.
Min salary: Rs 7,50000
Max salary: Rs 13,00000
Web application developer
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Develop websites using HTML and various scripts. May also develop stored procedures to access DBMS from websites.
Min salary: Rs 5,00000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Develop websites using HTML and various scripts. May also develop stored procedures to access DBMS from websites.
Min salary: Rs 5,00000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
Systems development manager
Qualification: Degree/Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, operate, administer, maintain, test and implement network interconnections of devices, systems, and/or communication services to meet the functional objectives of the business.
Min salary: Rs 5,00000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, operate, administer, maintain, test and implement network interconnections of devices, systems, and/or communication services to meet the functional objectives of the business.
Min salary: Rs 5,00000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
Project manager
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, design, develop, test, implement and maintain computer applications systems to meet functional objectives of the business.
Min salary: Rs 5,50000
Max salary: Rs 9,00000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, design, develop, test, implement and maintain computer applications systems to meet functional objectives of the business.
Min salary: Rs 5,50000
Max salary: Rs 9,00000
System administrator
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Under broad direction, assist in supervising other systems administrators and provide basic job training and guidance on regular basis.
Min salary: Rs 5,00000
Max salary: Rs 8,00000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Under broad direction, assist in supervising other systems administrators and provide basic job training and guidance on regular basis.
Min salary: Rs 5,00000
Max salary: Rs 8,00000
IT security professional
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Design, implement, assess, and manage critical security functions such as secure system design and implementation, antivirus and patch management, vulnerability assessment and remediation and security monitoring and reporting.
Min salary: Rs 5,50000
Max salary: Rs 8,00000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Design, implement, assess, and manage critical security functions such as secure system design and implementation, antivirus and patch management, vulnerability assessment and remediation and security monitoring and reporting.
Min salary: Rs 5,50000
Max salary: Rs 8,00000
IT business analyst
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Coordinate all areas of system testing, including preparation, execution and installation support to assure quality system changes.
Min salary: Rs 4,50000
Max salary: Rs 8,50000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Coordinate all areas of system testing, including preparation, execution and installation support to assure quality system changes.
Min salary: Rs 4,50000
Max salary: Rs 8,50000
Helpdesk manager
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 6 years
Job description: Provide customer and technical support through analysis and problem solving to facilitate installation, implementation, maintenance, education and documentation of a variety of technologies
Min salary: Rs 3,00000
Max salary: 5,50000
Experience: 6 years
Job description: Provide customer and technical support through analysis and problem solving to facilitate installation, implementation, maintenance, education and documentation of a variety of technologies
Min salary: Rs 3,00000
Max salary: 5,50000
IT operations manager
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Plan and direct the information technology activities of an organisation and coordinates the effective design, implementation and operation of IS systems and applications.
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Plan and direct the information technology activities of an organisation and coordinates the effective design, implementation and operation of IS systems and applications.
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
IT support manager
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 6 years
Job description: Provide customer and technical support through analysis and problem solving to facilitate installation, implementation, maintenance, education and documentation of a variety of technologies.
Min salary: Rs 3,00000
Max salary: Rs 5,50000
Experience: 6 years
Job description: Provide customer and technical support through analysis and problem solving to facilitate installation, implementation, maintenance, education and documentation of a variety of technologies.
Min salary: Rs 3,00000
Max salary: Rs 5,50000
Senior technical writer
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 5 years
Job description: Research, analyse, design, develop, write, edit and publish documentation of technical applications, products, training and services. Will also have experience in coordinating entire projects and managing workflow and teams
Min salary: Rs 3,00000
Max salary: 5,50000
Experience: 5 years
Job description: Research, analyse, design, develop, write, edit and publish documentation of technical applications, products, training and services. Will also have experience in coordinating entire projects and managing workflow and teams
Min salary: Rs 3,00000
Max salary: 5,50000
System analyst
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, design, develop, test, implement, and maintain computer systems to meet functional objectives of the business. Will have responsibility with design, implementation and some project management of small teams.
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 5,50000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, design, develop, test, implement, and maintain computer systems to meet functional objectives of the business. Will have responsibility with design, implementation and some project management of small teams.
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 5,50000
Project lead
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, design, develop, test, implement, and maintain computer systems to meet functional objectives of the business. Will also have team leadership of small to medium teams and work groups.
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
Experience: 8 years
Job description: Analyse, design, develop, test, implement, and maintain computer systems to meet functional objectives of the business. Will also have team leadership of small to medium teams and work groups.
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 7,50000
ERP business analyst
Qualification: Diploma
Experience: 6 years
Job description: Same as business analyst and system analyst, plus participate in project work, including analysis and requirements definition and testing
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 6,00000
Experience: 6 years
Job description: Same as business analyst and system analyst, plus participate in project work, including analysis and requirements definition and testing
Min salary: Rs 3,50000
Max salary: Rs 6,00000
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)