Nokias Life Blog 2.0

At the ongoing CeBit Trade Show at Frankfurt in Germany, Nokia introduced the Nokia Lifeblog 2.0 - which the company says is a unique collection and storage solution for personal multimedia content, designed exclusively for Nokia's Nseries multimedia computers. With the new Nokia Lifeblog 2.0, users can create a rich personal multimedia diary with photos, video clips, messages and text notes all stored in one place. With content organized in a systematic manner, it is easy to browse, search, view and share the content both on the user's mobile device as well as on a compatible PC.
The latest version of Nokia's Lifeblog builds on the qualities of its pre-decessors by adding audio notes, calendar entries and location information to the diary. The user's Nokia Nseries device can be set to immediately link his/her photos to information about his/her location, calendar entries, etc. With the push of a button, all content including photos and video clips can be conveniently transferred to a compatible PC, making for permanent storage and also freeing up memory space on the user's Nokia NSeries device. Nokia says it is essential to install Nokia Lifeblog on the user's Nokia Nseries multimedia computer, in order to enjoy the complete Nokia Lifeblog experience. Mikko Pilkama, director, Nokia Nseries, said, "With imaging becoming an integral part of mobile devices, the way people approach photography is changing. You are able to capture events and create memories in a spontaneous way as your device is always with you. Because of this we have developed a version of Nokia Lifeblog that works exclusively with our Nokia Nseries range. This new version of Nokia Lifeblog provides users with a simple solution to store, manage and share the personal multimedia content they've created. It's like having a photo album and a multimedia diary that builds itself." Available for compatible PCs, the new Nokia Lifeblog PC software can be downloaded for free from www.nokia.com/lifeblog. The new mobile software which is compatible with all Nokia Nseries devices, is expected to be available for free download beginning end April 2006.

Apple to start new Tech support Center

Apple Computer Inc. is setting up a technical support center in Bangalore, India, according to a report Thursday in a local Indian newspaper.
Apple will hire 1,500 staff at the technical center by the end of this year, according to The Times of India newspaper. The center will have 3,000 staff at the end of next year, the report said.
Representatives from Apple's Indian operations were not immediately available for comment.
A number of multinational technology companies, including computer maker Dell Inc. have set up technical support centers in India, to support their global operations.

Windows Live Search is Launched

Microsoft Corp has announced the availability of its Windows Live Search Beta, which promises to help people find information on the Web which matters most to them. Microsoft has also released an updated version of Live.com and a Windows Live Toolbar beta - both complementing Windows Live Search. Windows Live Search incorporates rich viewing and organizational tools, extensive search categories such as image and local search, and services which will help users customize results.
Windows Live Search promises to provide better control over search by incorporating new features such as search preview, scoping tools, search slider bar to increase level of information on the results page, and smart scrolling to enable people view search results without having to move from page to page. Windows Live Search also offers specific search categories including the new image search, news search, RSS feeds, email search, local search, and searching of MSN Shopping and MSN Spaces. Windows Live Search is geared to deliver a singular search experience across all upcoming Windows Live services such as Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Mail. As part of the Windows Live Search experience, Microsoft has launched the Windows Live Search Macros beta which enables users to save and share specific queries plus search scopes, and to customize their search results. The other service launched by the company - Windows Live Toolbar, allows people to search from any Web page using Windows Live Search; and to easily save, organize and share the information they find online. The beta offers advanced protection against phishing and pop-up blocking, so that people can browse more safely while they search. The Windows Live Toolbar incorporates features such as Onfolio technology, RSS detection, automatic aggregation to the user's personalized Live.com home page, effortless customization, and tabbed browsing for quicker Web surfing. The latest version of Live.com released by Microsoft sports a new design plus features that help users quickly customize their home page, preview content, create multiple pages based on their interests, and add their favorite content from various information sources and RSS feeds. Microsoft will for the first time make Windows Live Search available on Live.com. Live.com will feature advanced search services; and new gadgets including image search, a clock, Windows Live Favorites, stock quotes, MSN video and MSN Infopane. Microsoft plans to constantly update Live.com with new services, based on customer feedback. Christopher Payne, corporate vice president - Windows Live Search, Microsoft, said, "We're unveiling a range of innovations that deliver an outstanding level of power and simplicity to search. Combined with the rich browsing and integrated searching services delivered by Windows Live Toolbar and Live.com, the new search service offers customers the next generation of unified services today." Microsoft's new services will be available in the US, and in select international markets wherein feature availability will vary.

A notice to telephone operators from trai

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued showcause notices on network congestion to cellular operators including Bharti Tele-Ventures, Tata Teleservices, Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Telecom, BPL Mobile, and Spice Communication. TRAI stated that in the quarter ended December 2005, the networks of these operators had registered an increase in the number of point of interconnections (PoIs) having congestion more than the 0.5 percent benchmark.
Hutchison-Essar, Bharat Sanchar Nigam, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam, and Idea Cellular were not sent notices since according to TRAI, their networks did not show a similar increase in congestion vis- -vis the TRAI benchmark. Post studying the performance of various cellular mobile service providers in the quarter ended December 2005, TRAI found that though there had been some improvement in meeting prescribed standards as regards service quality, the performance of most operators had deteriorated in respect of PoI congestion. The regulator expressed the view that looking at the state of affairs, it was obvious that either service providers had not taken necessary steps to reduce the time period for provision of interconnection as laid-down in the interconnection agreement; or they had not approached the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to resolve the dispute - if any, regarding effecting a reduced time period for augmentation of interconnection. On November 29, 2005, TRAI had issued a directive to all cellular operators asking them to ensure that by December 31, 2005, all service parameters including levels of PoI congestion, would be brought within TRAI benchmarks. Before that, a study through July to September 2005 had shown that PoI congestion was more than prescribed benchmarks in almost 364 locations; the figure rose to 398 by end December.