Phone, Tablet and Gizmo Thread #0x02

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 12 Dec 2012 02:32

I think the nuance here is that the information stored is harvested for commercial gain. Its not the storing but what you do with it. And also how does the ToS of the storing party apply to non-subscribers. This case if handled by a competent judge/jury will lead to quite a few precedents which might be beneficial or not beneficial for companies like Chacha, SK screaming Co., Takla Co. and even Fruit Co. and Mickey.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 15 Dec 2012 01:29

Self-driving cars can navigate the road, but can they navigate the law?

This is the crux of the problem:

WHO GETS SUED? OR FOR A SHORTER LIST, WHO DOESN'T?

All it will take is 1 accident. And it wont be about the technology, it will be about the perception.

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 15 Dec 2012 06:17

Facebook Android app drops HTML5 and rolls out rebuilt native app

manish · Post by **manish** » 15 Dec 2012 09:49

Looks like Google is now trying to undermine Windows Phone by pulling support for ActiveSync...

Google makes Gmail sync harder on rival platforms by dropping Exchange ActiveSync for consumers

Google drops a Gmail-shaped bomb on Windows Phone

Windows Phone doesn't have a native GMail app like the iOS does - and Google has so far held off from releasing native apps on WP for its popular services such as GMail and Maps. Let us see how Microsoft responds.

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 15 Dec 2012 10:44

manish wrote:Looks like Google is now trying to undermine Windows Phone by pulling support for ActiveSync...

Google makes Gmail sync harder on rival platforms by dropping Exchange ActiveSync for consumers

Google drops a Gmail-shaped bomb on Windows Phone

Windows Phone doesn't have a native GMail app like the iOS does - and Google has so far held off from releasing native apps on WP for its popular services such as GMail and Maps. Let us see how Microsoft responds.

This is Apple iMaps v2.

Will backfire BADLY.

People will get fired.

---

Great opportunity for MS to come out with (they should upload it on Youtube

) an attack ad that points out changes made to Google Apps and GMail.. anbd sells Office365 and Outlook.com.

..seriously EAS is standard and this will piss off more people than combined userbase of WP+Windows.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 15 Dec 2012 11:11

^^^To be fair Chacha said that they will put in resources if there are enough users on Win8/WP8. Ofcourse what is chankianly implied is also that they don't see Win8/WP8 as being successful plus a bit of good ol' rivalry thrown in by using gmail/maps leverage.

But then even if win8 sux (and to me it does on non-touch devices), there is nothing to fill that void - Fruit Co. is too chi-chi high-end and ChromeOS is still nowhere up to the mark. So its like Obama re-election onlee.

At some level I think Chacha feels threatened coz Schimdt mian's tone has turned shriller. Time will tell....

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 15 Dec 2012 11:59

RamaY wrote:

What is GB?

Gum Boot = Nokia

ArmenT · Post by **ArmenT** » 15 Dec 2012 12:52

Fun little article:
WINDOWS 8 PICTURE PASSWORDS HACKED

So much for that "feature"

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 15 Dec 2012 12:56

^^^Make all touchscreens oleophobic!

Any such pattern based login or even face based login is inherently hackable - none of them should be considered even remotely secure except from the most casual of burglars. The good ol' password is still the best option.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 15 Dec 2012 19:20

manish wrote:Looks like Google is now trying to undermine Windows Phone by pulling support for ActiveSync...

Google makes Gmail sync harder on rival platforms by dropping Exchange ActiveSync for consumers

Google drops a Gmail-shaped bomb on Windows Phone

Windows Phone doesn't have a native GMail app like the iOS does - and Google has so far held off from releasing native apps on WP for its popular services such as GMail and Maps. Let us see how Microsoft responds.

Most people are on iOS and Android and EAS is outdated. So this won't be a big deal as CalDAV and CardDAV plus Gmail app available to iOS. As I said it before the mobile platform is a bicycle with training wheels, the training wheels being Windows and RIM. MSFT can perhaps remedy this situation by selling the Lumia 920 unlocked on their store (world wide not just North America) for $299 and drop the price of the surface by $200. They may get more users.

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 15 Dec 2012 20:28

well..I don't really think a hacker is going to break into your house to hack your machine.

The finger drawing thing is good for dyslexic people, I guess.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 15 Dec 2012 23:03

Mort Walker wrote:MSFT can perhaps remedy this situation by selling the Lumia 920 unlocked on their store (world wide not just North America) for $299 and drop the price of the surface by $200. They may get more users.

Mortullah, that is like solving the South Asia piss problem by giving away Cashmere.

Marking down prices is never a good strategy as history has shown - if being cheap is the prime differentiator then it is a race to the bottom as many Android manufacturers (and before that Symbian) realized. Gumboot realized that at its own peril.

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 15 Dec 2012 23:59

Lets say one wants a running navigation plus maps thingie in India.

Whats the easiest way to get there? Nokia lumia 510 .610/710 ? Garmin with India maps (it takes its maps from navteq...so they get the same maps as the nokia, BUT crucially they cannot google search which in my experience, is half of the navigation problem solved.

Android phone? Navigation sucks in India. Nokia gps I found to lock on in a trice.

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 17 Dec 2012 14:22

and people...

how is micromax android phones, in general?

http://www.gsmarena.com/micromax_a110-5088.php

this is 10000 Rs apprxo

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 17 Dec 2012 14:24

micromax are ok...

hanumadu · Post by **hanumadu** » 17 Dec 2012 15:14

mahadevbhu wrote:Lets say one wants a running navigation plus maps thingie in India.

Whats the easiest way to get there? Nokia lumia 510 .610/710 ? Garmin with India maps (it takes its maps from navteq...so they get the same maps as the nokia, BUT crucially they cannot google search which in my experience, is half of the navigation problem solved.

Android phone? Navigation sucks in India. Nokia gps I found to lock on in a trice.

Lumia 620 might be coming to India soon. It has good hardware and runs windows phone 8.

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 17 Dec 2012 15:48

try micromax if you really want a phone that has basic features

archan · Post by **archan** » 17 Dec 2012 16:06

Who makes this Lava Xolo? At 12K, it might not be all that bad, unless it is Chinese.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 17 Dec 2012 17:27

To all ya Tech savvy Jirga members, how good or bad is a Milagrow Tabtop 10.4 with 1.2ghz A-8 cortex processor? I want to purchase a Tablet with a budget of INR 22K, I am favoring this Indian product over Ipad or Samsung products.

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 17 Dec 2012 17:33

arreu that micromax has good features for 10 k rupees .....pretty good phone too...I checked it out.

its dual core 512 ram.

bad internal storage of some 2 gabbe only. have to put an sd card.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 17 Dec 2012 23:26

ArmenT, for you:

Bunnie Huang building an open, ARM-based laptop, might even sell you one if you ask nicely

ArmenT · Post by **ArmenT** » 18 Dec 2012 10:24

^^^^
Yep, I've been watching Bunnie's website for a while. He posted a hint about it about a month ago when he said he was sourcing parts for a quad-core ARM laptop. He also mentions about a new board he's working on in the comments of the next post, while he was talking about the Kovan board.

member_23834 · Post by **member_23834** » 18 Dec 2012 10:39

I am Currently user of Micromax A100 canvas which has 512 RAM and 1Ghz Processor ,it is not a good phone for a intensive user , but basic features like sms and call are pretty good , anything related to gaming ,navigation it sucks.
as for A110 it also based on MTK chipset so same performance expected only thing different is it is dual core

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 18 Dec 2012 11:55

If you are not looking for rock bottom budget then its better to buy some known brand like Sammy or GB or LG than one of those el cheapo micromax ones. Paper specs don't always tell the whole story.

For next week's vacation, I think I will replace my laptop with the surface+touch cover. It seems to be holding up well...better than I expected given its RT and not pro.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 20 Dec 2012 04:23

Apple shares still in freefall, head toward $500

Apple's shares continued to plummet Friday, bumping against their recent low and pushing the stock closer to a 30% correction from its record high.

The stock closed at $509.79. That marks a decline of almost 28% from the stock's record close of $705.07 on Sept. 19.

The latest knock against the stock was the lukewarm reception of the Apple iPhone5 in China Friday, which many bulls hoped would be a source of growth for the company as the U.S. market matures.

China is the second-largest market for Apple after the United States. Rather than long lines for Apple's latest smartphone, though, there was one person waiting at the Apple store in Shanghai's financial district when it opened, Reuters reported.

Android has >90% of chinse market.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 20 Dec 2012 04:29

Cisco report: Indian Gen Y obsessively connected to smartphone

The survey was conducted by InsightExpress of 1,800 college students and young professionals aged 18 to 30, across 18 countries, Cisco said. The report examines how Generation Y uses the Internet and mobile devices to connect with the world around them. Let’s look at the findings in greater detail.

wrt India-

India ranks ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to their Gen Y’s addiction to technology and smart devices. While globally, 60 per cent of Gen Y subconsciously or compulsively checking their smartphones for emails, texts or social media updates, 70 per cent of respondents in India compulsively check their smartphones for updates. Of those, 42 per cent said they would feel anxious if they couldn't check their smartphones and 71 per cent wish they didn’t feel so compelled, but they like to stay connected.

http://www.cisco.com/assets/sol/ent/bus ... aphic.html

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 20 Dec 2012 04:56

U.S. Patent Office Says The 'Steve Jobs Patent' For iPhones And iPads Is Invalid

The U.S. Patent and Trademark office has declared one of Apple's most important patents for touchscreen devices invalid.

The so-called "Steve Jobs Patent" is for the rubber-band effect when you scroll through items and other touchscreen-specific inputs.

This week, the USPTO issued a first Office action rejecting all 20 claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,479,949 on a "touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for determining commands by applying heuristics", which has been referred to by many people, including Apple's own lawyers, as "the Steve Jobs patent".

However, Foss Patents also notes that this is just a preliminary ruling. It's still possible Apple can keep the patent in the U.S.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 20 Dec 2012 05:02

How Apple Really Lost Its Lead In The '80s

When Android surged past Apple in smartphone market share, a lot of people squawked that computer history was repeating itself.

Apple is one of the most beloved consumer brands. With 85% of computing purchases coming from consumers, it is in a better position to avoid what doomed it in the eighties.

Then, there's the iPad. Apple had no such companion product in the past. Sales of the iPad reinforce sales of the iPhone, which reinforce sales of the iPad. Once people get into Apple's ecosystem, which is loaded with apps, they tend to stick around.

Without question, Apple could still get decimated. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are all selling competing tablets. Microsoft and Google have smartphone operating systems trying to beat the iPhone. Google's Android has taken huge amounts of market share.

But, if Apple gets decimated and relegated to a niche player on the cusp of going bankrupt, it's going to be for reasons that are very different than why it lost in the eighties

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 20 Dec 2012 05:31

Why does Wall Street suddenly hate Apple?

The stock has fallen 25 percent in less than three months, shaving $150 billion from the company's value

Apple began selling the iPhone 5 on Sept. 21, the same day the company’s stock hit an all-time peak of $705.07 per share. Since then, the stock has plunged nearly 25 percent, trimming the company’s market value by more than $150 billion. On Friday, the stock fell almost 3 percent and closed at $533.25.

There’s no consensus regarding the cause, but one thing is clear: There have been more investors eager to sell Apple’s stock than buy it in recent months, despite all the evidence indicating Apple’s products have never been more popular.

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 20 Dec 2012 07:01

krisna wrote:Why does Wall Street suddenly hate Apple?
The stock has fallen 25 percent in less than three months, shaving $150 billion from the company's value

Apple began selling the iPhone 5 on Sept. 21, the same day the company’s stock hit an all-time peak of $705.07 per share. Since then, the stock has plunged nearly 25 percent, trimming the company’s market value by more than $150 billion. On Friday, the stock fell almost 3 percent and closed at $533.25.

There’s no consensus regarding the cause, but one thing is clear: There have been more investors eager to sell Apple’s stock than buy it in recent months, despite all the evidence indicating Apple’s products have never been more popular.

Because their significantly cheaper competition got just as good.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 20 Dec 2012 07:54

^^^uhh...not really. I think some folks are gaming the AAPL stock right now - its always the fat kats who game the market while rest of us retail investors can just hang on to their coat tails and hope to make a buck.

anmol · Post by **anmol** » 20 Dec 2012 08:08

Raja Bose wrote:^^^uhh...not really. I think some folks are gaming the AAPL stock right now - its always the fat kats who game the market while rest of us retail investors can just hang on to their coat tails and hope to make a buck.

Saarji, sucker rallies - trap - and crash isn't something new.. all the too big to fails with deep pockets have been doing this since ever.

Important thing is that much of the rally is also part of this this scheme. Once the common man gets "in", they pull their money out and then they start reminding people of fundamentals and start shorting it.

This happens with every stock that sees such rallies.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 20 Dec 2012 08:12

yup. In fact every time some khan-no-mics guru somberly tries to explain how the market is fair, I laugh my mush off.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 20 Dec 2012 08:42

AAPL just like chacha is selling at several times P/E. Growth stocks typically do this facekitab for example had the highest P/E in S&P 500. Well of course if you don't consider takla co whose P/E is infinity because their E is zero

Fruitco is getting punished because people think they cannot sustain their growth rates. This is partly due to market saturation and partly due to lower margins. Remember that they still sell iphunwa 4 and 4s at a substantially discounted rate, so the margin from the lead devices are tempered down.

Even with these things considered I think fruitco is at a much better position than other tech stocks.
I hold fruitco shares. At 500 I think it is really cheap.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 20 Dec 2012 09:11

Fruit Co. P/E is quite low and logically the stock is good value at the price. The problem is when market gets gamed by deep pocketed fundoos, as nicely exhibited in an example in Liar's Poker (that was for bonds but same difference). Best is to hold on to stock you have when its behaving irrationally and sell at a 'rational' high. Anyways I pity the poor soaks who brought Fruit Co at ~700.- coz Fruit Co is one stock all folks I know are in the green on

I expect it will recover based on Q4 earnings esp the boost from the iPad Mini.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 20 Dec 2012 09:27

IPad mini is the problem. If it cannibalizes normal iPad sales , its margins are very low.

Also morons may not realize that Q4 this year is one week short when compared to last and punish the stock for a lower y/y growth when compared to Q4 last year.

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 20 Dec 2012 09:32

It may cannibalize iPad sales a bit but I think even with its inflated price point it will cannibalize Fire and N7 sales. There are doubts about Fruit Co's long-term prospects given that last 'innovation' was iPad and now another one is due - maybe Bawarchi will pull out a TV box from his loins which will wow (fanboys)' but hard to see what else they can pull out. Another problem is Mickey despite its initial clumsiness is integrating the hell out of its various offerings whether's its XBox, office, mail, music ityadi and is starting to look suspiciously like the early 80s again. Then Fruit Co might lose its cachet and without the Mahdi's charms, it will be hard to rally the faithfool forever (Bawarchi has as much charm as a filleted slab of dead fish).

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 20 Dec 2012 10:37

tonyprasanna wrote:I am Currently user of Micromax A100 canvas which has 512 RAM and 1Ghz Processor ,it is not a good phone for a intensive user , but basic features like sms and call are pretty good , anything related to gaming ,navigation it sucks.
as for A110 it also based on MTK chipset so same performance expected only thing different is it is dual core

what i want;
1. good os, stable, no rom reformat every 1 month.
2. web browser, basic apps.
3. stability
4. stability and reliability
5. fidelity and reliability

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 20 Dec 2012 11:08

Get one of the GB touch/type S40 phones depending on how basic your app requirement is. They come with nav, browser, email etc.

member_20292 · Post by **member_20292** » 20 Dec 2012 13:40

^^^But Nokia old ones are resistive touchscreen jhantooo types yaar.

Maybe one of the Nokia 720s or Nokia 600..whichever one has capacitive touchscreen.

I like google maps a lot and use it a lot.
I also like Nokia navigation a lot.