Google's Sergey Brin: Facebook and Apple a threat to Internet freedom

In an interview with the Guardian, Google co-founder Sergey Brin warned that the "open" Internet is in danger from very powerful forces, including Facebook and Apple. "I am more worried than I have been in the past ... it's scary," he said Brin identified the serious threats to the open Internet as repressive governments trying to control access to the Internet, entertainment industry crackdowns on piracy and so-called "wall gardens" that maintain more strict control over what can be done on their technology platforms, citing Facebook and Apple. He said that Facebook and Apple are stifling innovation and risk Balkanizing the Web, and went as far as to say that Google would never have come into existence if Facebook were dominant. "You have to play by their rules, which are really restrictive. The kind of environment that we developed Google in, the reason that we were able to develop a search engine, is the web was so open. Once you get too many rules that will stifle innovation." Of course, there is some self-interest and sour grapes in Brin's assessment. He would like to make all the information inside Facebook and Apple apps accessible to Google's search engine. A more open Web is certainly very good for the world but it's also very good for Google's bottom line. And, Google's main effort at social networking, Google+, has a long way to go to catch Facebook, which has more that four times the number of users and continues to gain momentum, including its recent purchase of the mobile photo-sharing app, Instagram. In addition, Apple, which has ridden it's proprietary approach to become the most valued company in the world, is Google's main competitor in the smartphone and tablet arena, another area critical to Google's business success. Brin also complained about Facebook making it difficult for users to move their data to other services, presumably Google+. "Facebook has been sucking down Gmail contacts for many years," he said. Brin's comments on his chief competitors may be the start of an escalating war of words and technology as the giant colonizers of the Web continue their competitive quests for dominance. Keep in mind what the Web's inventor Tim Berners-Lee has said: A related danger is that one social-networking site--or one search engine or one browser--gets so big that it becomes a monopoly, which tends to limit innovation. As has been the case since the Web began, continued grassroots innovation may be the best check and balance against any one company or government that tries to undermine universality.

New iPad Mini rumor: 6M coming in third quarter

The latest comes by way of a translated report from Chinese online portal Netease, which states the device will compete against Windows 8 tablets.

Another day, another iPad Mini rumor. The latest comes by way of a report from Chinese portal Netease, translated by Kotaku, which states that a smaller version of Apple's hit tablet will come to market in the third quarter. The report says that 6 million units will be ready for launch, and the smaller tablet could sell for $249 to $299. While Steve Jobs himself has dismissed the notion of a smaller iPad, rumors have continued to pop up that Apple is readying a smaller version of its iPad. The success of Amazon's Kindle Fire, which has sold well largely thanks to its lower price tag, may have convinced Apple that there is an opportunity for a smaller, more affordable tablet. Analysts have said such a device would help it maintain its lead over competitors. Apple may be preparing the smaller iPad as a response to the expected launch of competitive devices running on Windows 8, according to the report. While Android tablets haven't sold as well, Microsoft could have more luck given the potential to integrate desktop, laptop, and tablet operating systems. For now, the iPad continues to dominate the market.

പത്രക്കാരെ തല്ലണം 'നീല' ടാബ് ലറ്റ്*************

പത്രക്കാര്‍ക്ക് തല്ലു കിട്ടാറായിട്ടുണ്ട് ! അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ ബി.ജെ.പി എം എല്‍ എമാരെ മാത്രം ടാര്‍ഗറ്റ് ചെയ്യുന്നതിന്റെ ഉദ്ദേശം എന്താണ്? അവരും മനുഷ്യന്മാരല്ലേ? അവര് നിയമസഭയിലിരുന്നു ടാബ്ലറ്റില്‍ നീലയാണോ മഞ്ഞയാണോ കാണുന്നത് എന്നൊക്കെ അന്വേഷിക്കാന്‍ പോകുന്നവനെ തല്ലുകയല്ലാതെ പിന്നെന്താ ചെയ്യേണ്ടത്? 'എന്റെ ടാബ്ലെറ്റ് , എന്റെ കണ്ണ് ' . ഞാന്‍ എന്ത് കാണുന്നു എന്നത്' that's none of your bloody business' എന്ന് പറയാത്തത് ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് അറിയാത്തത് കൊണ്ടല്ല, മറിച്ച് സഭയുടെ മാന്യത കാത്തു സൂക്ഷിക്കേണ്ടത് കൊണ്ടാണെന്ന് ആ എം എല്‍ എമാര്‍ക്ക് അറിയാം. എന്നിട്ടും ആദ്യം കര്‍ണാടക, ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഗുജറാത്ത് നിയമസഭയില്‍ സഭ നടപടികള്‍ മാത്രം റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്‌ ചെയ്യാന്‍ അനുവദിച്ചു കിട്ടിയ ഗാലറിയില്‍ ഇരുന്ന് മന്ത്രിമാരുടെയും എം എല്‍ എമാരുടേയും സ്വകാര്യതയിലേക്ക് ഒളിഞ്ഞു നോക്കുന്നത് എന്തിനാണ്, ഹേ ..? ഭാഷ അറിയാത്ത നാട്ടില്‍ ചെന്നാല്‍ ആദ്യം പഠിക്കുന്നത് തെറിയും അശ്ലീല വാക്കുകളും ആണ്. അത് സ്വാഭാവികം. അത് തന്നെയാണ് അവര്‍ക്കും സംഭവിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടാകുക. ടാബ്ലെറ്റ് എന്നാ ഭാഷയറിയാത്ത ലോകത്ത് ചെന്നപ്പോള്‍ അവരും ആദ്യം പഠിച്ചത് ആ വകയൊക്കെ ആകുമെന്നതിനാല്‍ എനിക്ക് അവരെ കുറ്റം പറയാനാകുന്നില്ല. എന്തായാലും , ഞാനുമൊരു ടാബ്ലെറ്റ് വാങ്ങാന്‍ തീരുമാനിച്ചു!! ഇനി നിയമസഭയില്‍ ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു മൂലയില്‍ ഒരു സീറ്റ് കിട്ടിയാല്‍ മതി.

new opretunity in indian railway with best saleries..:)

Under Graduate Course Special Class Railway Apprentice(SCRA) The SCRA scheme was started in 1927 by the British, to select a handful of most intelligent Indians to assist them in their Railway Operations, after training at their Railway's largest workshop, i.e. Jamalpur Workshop, and for one year in United Kingdom. The selected candidates were required to appear in the Mechanical Engineering Degree Exmination held by Engineering Council (London). Since then, the few admission seats for one of the country's first engineering college have always been hotly contested, with as many as 1 to 1.5 lakh candidates taking the entrance examination, now conducted by UPSC, for about 10 seats.That translates into an astonishing ratio of 1 selection per 10,000 applicants The scheme has continued to draw the country's best talent after independence and has provided Indian Railways with its top-ranking officers in all walks. Many of the Institute's alumni have won international accolade for having acheived excellence in their chosen careers, which include inventors, academicians, entrepreneurs, and high-ranking officers in other nations. The examination comprises written test in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English Language, General Knowledge, and Psychological Test (Mental Ability). The selected candidates are called for an interview, which is followed by a medical examination. The standard of syllabus is that of Class XII (CBSE equivalent). The notice for the SCRA entrance examination, along with form and syllabus, is brought out by the UPSC around the months of June-July. According to the new rules issued by the Ministry of Railways, the exam is now conducted once in every two years. The selected candidates undergo a four-year rigorous training programme in Mechanical Engineering, for which the Institute has a Memorandum of Understanding with BIT, Mesra, Ranchi. The semester system of BIT, Mesra is followed, with workshop training sessions during the holidays at BIT, Mesra. The apprentices get a stipend of Rs. 9100 with Dearness Allowance, apart from medical benefits, privelege passes and PTOs. After successful completion of four years of training, the candidates join as Indian Railway Services of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) Officers in Indian Railways to face a challanging and satisfying career.