Offending content: Case against Google India dropped

In a relief to Google India, its name was yesterday dropped from the suit for trial of various social networking websites for allegedly hosting offending content.

Reuters

The move came after it was pointed out to a Delhi court that Google was only a software developing firm.Google India had pleaded that it was only a subsidiary of Internet giant and should be removed from the suit, to which the judge agreed.

YouTube hopes to double ad revenue in India

YouTube has said it aims to spruce up its social networking skills through better integration across platforms, and hopes to more than double annual ad revenue in emerging markets like India, a top executive said.

A screengrab from YouTube

Google reports $2.89 billion profit, plans stock split

San Francisco: Google Inc announced a stock split designed to preserve the control of co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin over the No 1 Web search engine, as it posted revenue in line with estimates.

Investors welcomed the first quarter revenue, which excludes fees paid to partner websites, of $8.15 billion, after the company’s rare miss in the previous quarter.

Apple denies e-book collusion allegations: WSJ

Apple has rejected the US Justice Department’s allegations that it colluded with publishers over electronic book pricing, calling the charges “simply not true”, the Wall Street Journalreported.

“The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon’s monopolistic grip on the publishing industry,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told the Journal.

US educators’ new approach to math — play with numbers and win prizes

Pity poor math.

In the American drive to boost science and math education, it’s science that has all the kid-friendly sizzle: Robots and roller coasters, foaming chemical reactions, marshmallow air cannons.

Math has… well, numbers.

“America has a cultural problem with math. It’s the subject, more than any other, that we as a country love to hate,” said Glen Whitney, a passionate mathematician who worked for years developing algorithms for hedge funds. “We don’t see it as dynamic. It’s rote and boring and done by dead Greek guys a thousand years ago.”

Google+ Gets An FB-Style Makeover

Users can now access apps and customise their page layout with ease.

After Facebook decided to go the Timeline way, and met with reasonable amount of success with the new look,Google+ has decided to take a similar route as well. Despitegarnering several followers it hasn't really helped Googlethreaten any of the major players in the social networking arena. With a bid to change its fortunes, the service has gone through a much-needed makeover, albeit it's too glaringly similar to that of FB. Nevertheless, here's what is new, if you still use Google+ or plan to head back to it.

Hands On: Nokia 808 PureView

Our first impressions of the 41 MP camera phone.

Nokia took the MWC 2012 by storm with its 41 megapixel camera phone, the 808 PureView. After about a month, it is now set to hit the Indian market. Before the launch though, the company invited a few reviewers to experience its latest gadget.

The 808 PureView is powered by a 1.3 GHz CPU, and has 512 MB of RAM. The handset's 4" AMOLED screen has pixel dimensions of 640x360. Additionally, the display features Nokia's ClearBack polarization treatment as seen on its cousin from Windows Phone family, the Lumia 800.

Airtel launches 4G services in Kolkata, first in India

Data plans start from Rs 1000; Bengaluru is up next.

Bharti airtel has debuted its 4G LTE service in Kolkata. Since we don't have 4G handsets in Indian market as yet, those wanting to experience 4G speeds will have to buy the Huawei USB modems from airtel. 



The new technology was launched by none another thanour beloved minister of Communications and Information Technology, Kapil Sibal. With the 4G service, the operator claims to offer fast access to HD video streaming, along with faster data uploads and downloads.

 The 4G plans are available both in both prepaid and postpaid billing options. If you live in Kolkata, here's a list of plans offered by airtel:

Rumour: iPhone 5 To Have Unibody Design

Could also come with a 4" screen and a new chipset; includes 4G support.

As the day draws closer to the speculated launch of theiPhone 5, rumours are aplenty about the specifics and details regarding this device. To start off, a research analyst from Topeka Capital Markets, Brian White, who had met up with the component suppliers in China, has said that the new phone will come with a 4" display and "sleek look that we believe will require a unibody case". This has given rise to the possibility that the new gadget will probably go the MacBook way with a unibody design carved out of a single block of aluminium. 

Skype Targets Social Networks In Its Latest Campaign

Puts up promotional posters claiming that its service is closer to humanity.

Skype seems to have suddenly gotten into an offensive mode by launching an advertising campaign that claims its superiority over social networks. The VoIP service has claimed that Facebook and Twitter are causing damage by taking people away from direct conversations, by  engaging in wall posts and short messages instead. It has gone as far as stating that these services are far from humanity. Slogans such as "When did LOL replace the sound of laughter?" and "140 characters doesn't equal staying in touch" are also part of the $12 million campaign.

Pinterest third most popular network, beats Google+, Tumblr

If you tweet, friend and blog, chances are you also pin.

Pinterest – the newest kid on the social media block – is now the third most popular social network after Facebook and Twitter.

A report released by digital marketing firm Experian Marketing Services, based on visits by American users for the month of March, shows that Pinterest had 104 million unique visits in March alone, putting it ahead of sites such as Tumblr, LinkedIn and Google plus.

Facebook to buy Instagram for $1 billion

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook will pay $1 billion in cash and stock for Instagram, a 2-year-old photo-sharing application developer, in its largest-ever acquisition just months before the No. 1 social media website is expected to go public.

The price was stunning for an apps-maker without any significant revenue, even when measured by the lofty standards of Silicon Valley, where startup valuations have soared in recent years. It highlights the rising stakes in the social networking market in which services such as Facebook need to constantly excite consumers with new features and mobile applications.

"Microsoft Purchases AOL Patents For $1 Billion"

Microsoft has just splashed out over a $1 billion to purchase patents from AOL. The deal worth $1.056 billion will be sealed by the end of 2012 and AOL will exchange 300 patentsto Microsoft who will be able to use them under a non-exclusive license.

The patents and patent applications relate to advertising, content generation, content management, multimedia and security. Tim Armstrong, AOL’s Chairman and CEO explains:

Google's Tablet Debut Pushed Backed To July

Efforts to reduce production costs touted as the main reason for the delay.

Google's much-anticipated debut tablet may be delayed till July, according to reports. The launch date of its first co-branded Android device has been pushed further from its original May deadline, because the company is trying to tweak the device. Apparently, it is trying to change the design to lower the cost from the current $250 (Rs 12,800). Built in association with Asustek Computer, this tablet will sport a 7" screen and will be powered by anNVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core CPU. With only Wi-Fi connectivity, the tab will run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Samsung Will Produce Bendable Screens By End of 2012

Will be used in seamless, foldable tablets, and wraparound displays in phones.

Not long after teaming up with Corning to produce a thinner, lighter version of Gorilla Glass, Samsung has nowofficially launched the YOUM brand focusing on AMOLED displays. The brand however, will concentrate on bendable displays, which are expected to show up in mainstream gadgets as early as the end of this year. These flexible screens are touted to be lighter, thinner, and more resilient to breakage than traditional panels. The secret behind the YOUM displays' physics-defying flexibility, is the complete lack of a glass substrate, which is what causes traditional panels to crack.

HTC One X review (video)

The HTC One X is huge, slim and comes with a quadcore chip and Android 4.0 Ice cream sandwich. What’s not to like?

New Halo 4 multiplayer gaming features revealed

Bringing an end to the Halo franchise Firefighter gaming codes, 343 Industries is to replace multiplayer offering with new Spec Ops missions

Anonymous takes down Home Office website

                      

The Home Office website was hit by hackers this weekend, with Anonymous claiming responsibility. A denial of service attack brought down the public-facing website on Saturday evening

New Apple iPad 3 Problems: Screen, wi-fi, battery & overheating issues

Get the all the latest updates and analysis on the most common new  Apple iPad 3 problems, including  the wi-fi, screen, battery and overheating

Micromax unveils tablet at Rs 6,499

A digital education and entertainment device, "Funbook on Ice Cream Sandwhich", combining learning and fun was launched by eucational publisher Pearson, Micromax Informatics and education company Everonn. Micromax Funbook is available in 2 variants; suave silver and brilliant black.

Snapdeal acquires Esportsbuy.com(video)

Apple: World’s first trillion dollar company?

Apple will become the world’s first trillion-dollar company when its shares top $1,000 each, Wall Street analysts have predicted.

The technology giant’s shares were worth $633.38 last week as its stock price rose above Google’s for the first time, the Daily Mail reported Friday.

Brian White, of Topeka Capital Markets, then claimed Apple’s sky-high share price will hit four figures within 12 months – making the company worth $1 trillion.