It is nevertheless claimed by AppleInsider contacts that the task manager will be based on interface technology in Mac OS X, which could potentially refer to the basic Command-Tab switcher, or something like Expose. Apple has been extremely concerned about preserving speed and battery life, however, and currently limits multitasking to first-party apps such as the phone dialer and the iPod. Users cannot, for example, stream Internet radio and play a game at the same time, or even start a radio app and then return to a first-party app.

Apple might also increase the amount of available RAM on the iPhone to ensure rapid switching times.

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It said it would take the action against marketing firm USocial unless it stopped violating Facebook's rights.

It also wanted USocial to stop helping members break the site's terms and conditions, specifically letting people profit from their profile.

In response, USocial agreed to a change in its practices but would not shut down its service.

Facebook sent Cease and Desist letters to USocial claiming that the way the marketing firm operates violates its rights by sending spam, using web tools to harvest pages, getting login names and by accessing accounts that did not belong to the marketing firm.

Customers of USocial use it to boost follower and friend numbers on social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

On micro-blogging site Twitter, followers can be bought in blocks starting at £53 for 1,000. The biggest block USocial is selling is 100,000 people.

USocial defended itself against Facebook's claims, saying that it did not spam users or use web tools to gather information about profiles.

However, in response to the legal letters, USocial said it would delete the login information it had collected and broadly stop offering to sell Facebook friends. It also put a notice on its site saying it was not affiliated with Facebook.

However, it said, there was "possibility" that it would resell the service in the future. If it was to re-start the service it said it would let Facebook know beforehand.

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The e-mail system of one of the world's leading climate research units has been breached by hackers.

E-mails reportedly from the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU), including personal exchanges, appeared on the internet on Thursday.

A university spokesman confirmed the email system had been hacked and that information was taken and published without permission.

An investigation was underway and the police had been informed, he added.

"We are aware that information from a server used for research information in one area of the university has been made available on public websites," the spokesman stated.

"Because of the volume of this information we cannot currently confirm that all of this material is genuine.

"This information has been obtained and published without our permission and we took immediate action to remove the server in question from operation.

"We are undertaking a thorough internal investigation and we have involved the police in this enquiry."

Researchers at CRU, one of the world's leading research bodies on natural and human-induced climate change, played a key role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report, which is considered to be the most authoritative report of its kind.

'Inside information'

Graham Cluley, a computer security expert, suggested that December's key climate summit in Copenhagen, which has made headlines around the world, could have increased the university's profile as a possible target among hackers.

"There are passionate opinions on both sides of the climate debate and there will be people trying to knock down the other side," Mr Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, told BBC News.

"If they feel that they can gather inside information on what the other side is up to, then they may feel that is ammunition for their counterargument."

Mr Cluley added that universities were vulnerable to attacks by hackers because so many people required access to IT systems.

"You do need proper security in place; you need to be careful regarding communications and make sure your systems are secure.

"I trust that they will now be looking at the systems, and investigating how this happened and ensuring that something like this does not happen again."

Courtsey : BBC News

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What about the honchos of India’s top IT company Infosys. With the global economic environment showing recovery signs, the company recently announced an across-the-board salary hike and promotions with effect from October 1. Domestic (offshore) salaries have risen by 8% while onsite remunerations have gone up by 2%. A move which is expected to reduce the company’s margins by 2% in the next two quarters.

As the hikes rolls out, here are the highest paid execs at Infosys based on the company’s 2008-09 annual report.

BG Srinivas, head of European operations and an executive council member, was the highest paid employee at Infosys in the year-ended March 2009.

Last year, Srinivas received a total compensation package of Rs 3.07 crore, which includes approximately Rs 1.8 crore towards salary, Rs 1.16 crore towards bonus and incentives. This included an amount of Rs 38 kakh accruing from long-term benefits.

The US-based Ashok Vemuri, head of BFSI and capital markets, took home a total compensation of Rs 4.04 crore (Rs 2.81 crore last year).

Last year Vemuri, had received an annual compensation of $704,111 (a little over Rs 2.8 crore).

Among the board members, Mohandas Pai earned the highest compensation package of Rs 2.59 crore. He was followed by CFO Balakrishnan at Rs 2.36 crore (Rs 0.63 crore).

Last year, Pai was the third highest earning executive at Infosys. He received an annual package of $443,379 (about Rs 1.8 crore). This included $82,033 (approximately Rs 37 lakh) as annual salary, bonus/incentive of $308,625 (Rs 1.3 crore), other annual compensation of $31,916 (around Rs 14 lakh) and $20,805 (around Rs 9 lakh) towards long-term benefits.

The CEO and MD, S Gopalakrishnan’s total compensation package stood at Rs 92 lakh (Rs 81 lakh) while co-chairman Nandan Nilekani earned Rs 91 lakh (Rs 82 lakh).

COO SD Shibulal’s Rs 87 lakh (Rs 78 lakh) was the lowest among key management personnel. NR Narayana Murthy, non-executive chairman and chief mentor, took home a commission of Rs 63 lakh (Rs 50 lakh).

Prof Marti G Subramanyam was the highest paid non-wholetime director at Rs 96 lakh (Rs 59 lakh). Other two names in the Infosys’ 2007-08 were Srinath Batni, and Subhash Dhar. Batni received an annual compensation package of $316,207 (little less than Rs 1.3 crore). A member of the Infosys board, Batni is also a director on the board of Infosys Technologies (China) Co Ltd and Infosys Australia Pty Ltd.

Dhar is a senior vice-president and heads the communications, media and entertainment business unit at Infosys. He is also a member of the executive council of Infosys and serves on the board of Infosys Australia Pty Ltd. Dhar got an annual compensation package of $248,316 (a little less than Rs 1 crore), in the year 2007-08.

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Maruti Suzuki India is all set to launch a new version of their SX4 sedan. This new model would come powered with a 1.6 liter engine. Maruti Suzuki aims to price this model competitively as it would compete in this segment with rival models like Honda City. This new engine is Bharat Stage 4 compliant. The car would feature improved exteriors and enhanced interiors. Maruti Suzuki is said to have roped in John Abraham as the brand ambassador for this new model.

The first, the SX4 DDiS, is powered by Fiat’s acclaimed 120PS 1.9 litre diesel engine which is characterised by punchy performance and excellent flexibility. The intercooled and turbocharged unit’s peak torque of 280Nm is delivered at just 2,000rpm, and output is fully exploited by a new 6-speed manual transmission to give fuel consumption of 44.8 mpg (Combined), while still turning in a 0 to 62 mph figure of 10.6 seconds. Emissions are similarly low, helped by a standard diesel particulate filter.

The second model, the SX4 1.6 GLX 4GRIP, introduces Suzuki’s all-new i-AWD (intelligent-All Wheel Drive) technology in combination with the 107PS 1.6 litre VVT (variable valve timing) petrol engine. This latest SX4 can stretch a gallon of fuel over 39.8 miles (Combined), while 0 to 62 mph is dispatched in 11.5 seconds.

i-AWD is a selectable 4×4 system, offering three alternative modes. In 4WD-Auto, the SX4 4GRIP operates as a front-wheel drive vehicle for much of the time, but as soon as there is pronounced front wheel slip, torque is also delivered to the rear for greater stability. 4WD-Lock mode allows full traction up to around 40 mph, before automatically switching over to the 4WD-Auto mode for smooth cruising. The third option, 2WD mode, enables fuel economy to be maximised.

Finally, the recent introduction of an automatic option for an additional £850 on the 1.6 GLX model means the full SX4 line-up is now as follows:

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In a Wednesday conference call with Wall Street analysts, Microsoft executives said Windows Live pulled in $520 million in revenue in fiscal year 2009, but posted a loss of $560 million. This is by no means a recent trend. Overall, the Online Service Business posted an operating loss of $2.2 billion during fiscal 2009, after racking up a $1.2 billion loss in fiscal 2008.

Tami Reller, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Vice President, Windows Business Group, said Windows Live operates at a loss primarily due to data center construction costs, research and development, and sales and distribution costs.

"The investments in the data centers is one of the most significant investments in the Windows Live business, and really is a result of the large customer base and the strong competitive position that we have today across these services," said Reller.

Windows Live, which includes Hotmail, Live Messenger, and Skydrive, has more than 500 million users, and makes the bulk of its money through online advertising, according to Microsoft. As the user base grows, Microsoft will continue to invest in building out the data center infrastructure to support them, while also maintaining its investment in R&D, sales, and distribution, according to Reller.

"It is an organizational move, not new or changed investment," said Reller.

Microsoft will report its fiscal 2010 first quarter results on October 22, and Wall Street will be looking for some signs of improvement from several consecutive dismal quarters. Slowing PC and server sales have decimated Microsoft’s business, and company officials have called the situation the most difficult economic environment the company has faced in its history.

Source : CRN

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This is what Ford’s new car for the Indian market looks like. It’s fresh and attractive – a sure shot recipe for success indeed. We take a closer look… 

 
First glance reveals a rather familiar design for the Figo – and if you think you’ve seen it before, blame it on the C-Max. Yes, the car has a face that is extremely similar to the large hatchback that Ford unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and sports the Blue Oval’s distinct design personality. All the way from the uniquely shaped headlights down to the front grille, the face is the representation of new Ford models throughout their product portfolio. In many ways in fact, it even harks back in visual similarity to the Ford Ikon as well.

The overall design is rather chunky and muscular with neat accents and details all around. The flared wheel arches and the kink running between them front to back ad a strong sense of character. The rear is rather pretty too with the vertically stacked tail lamps and shapely rear window. All in all, the Figo isn’t an overly radical design – it is in keeping with large hatches available from other manufacturers in the country – which is a good thing. The Indian populace should find ready acceptance to the design. Interiors seem fresh as well from the little that the released images show.

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Industry captains got together to discuss, debate and strategize on the next phase of IT industry’s evolution at the second annual Nasscom CEO Summit 2009 held on September 15 at ITC Sonar Bangla. The Summit addressed issues of both the short-term 2010 outlook as well as the long-term potential of the industry as outlined by the Nasscom Perspective 2020 report done in collaboration with McKinsey & Co.

Nasscom’s estimates for the IT- BPO industry for 2009-10, include export growth at 4-7 percent and domestic market growing at 15-18 percent. While uncertainty still prevalent, the sentiment now being reflected is that the worst of the crisis is over.  According to the Industry body, one can witness a growth in domestic market, a three-fold growth in emerging verticals and geographies, enhanced globalization of the industry and over 90 percent repeat business from clients.

Som Mittal, President, NASSCOM said, “While the short-term challenges exist, the potential for this industry is tremendous and the industry will not be demand constrained. The opportunity ahead is likely to increase by three times and India can aggregate revenues of $225 billion by 2020. However, 80 percent of incremental growth will be driven by opportunities outside the current core markets, verticals and customer segments and will require industry to build different business models and the country to invest more in education and infrastructure”.

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As a managed network service provider, Hughes will offer secure VSAT-based connectivity to SBI with backhaul to the bank’s data centre and disaster recovery (DR) locations. This project is a part of SBI’s ambitious 25,000 ATM project. The bank plans to double its ATM base from 12,250 ATMs to 25,000 ATMs by March 2010. In addition, 2,000 ATMs are to be installed by its Associate Banks (AB).

All AB can now place order directly with Hughes for their VSAT deployment as well. Under this contract, Hughes would provide connectivity to kiosk machines that would be co-located along with the ATMs to provide customers the option to know their SBI account details and book railway tickets. Both the functionality and the number of these machines may be enhanced in the coming future.

Speaking about the deal, Shivaji Chatterjee, Vice President, Enterprise, Hughes Communications India, said, “We are pleased to strengthen our longstanding relationship with SBI. Satellite broadband has been the backbone of connectivity for the Indian banking industry. Hughes is proud to have connected more than 6,500 CBS branches and 4,500 ATMs/kiosk for various banks in the country using this technology. After completion of this project, total banking sites of Hughes would touch 15,000.”

In a recent discussion paper by Reserve Bank of India—Need for Financial Incentives to Banks, use of satellite communication technology has been recommended to facilitate penetration of payment services to the rural areas which have been thus far denied basic facilities due to non availability of reliable communication links.

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