China to have a GPS of its own by 2020

China will establish its own global navigation system, (GPS) by 2020 by launching about 12 to 14 satellites in the next few years to form a regional and autonomous navigation positioning system, a top Chinese official here said.

The GPS is essential from China's economic and defence point of view, Qi Faren, expert of Chinese space technology said.

GPS, which is maintained by the US is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver.

The Chinese communication system would be developed according to three phased plan. The first step is to build a regional navigation system.

"But the regional navigation cannot meet the current demand. A growing China needs to establish a global positioning system according to its development," People's Daily online quoted Qi as saying.

'Telepresence' robot makes waves at tech fair

Many visitors walking around CeBIT , the world's biggest high-tech fair , have found themselves bumping into "Jazz", a "telepresence" robot also ambling around the vast expo.

Created by French firm Gostai, "Jazz" is a shiny white humanoid robot that its makers believe could transform business meetings and reduce the need for long-distance travel.

Controllable by anyone with access to the Internet via a laptop or even smartphone , "Jazz" projects its user's presence, showing his or her face on its own "face" and speaking in its user's voice.

Launched only two months ago, "Jazz" could easily deputise for a manager in a business meeting, or tour a factory or shop floor, both recording and beaming back what it sees to its user, said Gostai employee Segolene Roche.

"The main advantage over teleconferencing is its mobility," she told AFP.

Apple's new iPad to kick off tablet war

With 2011 touted as the year of the tablet, the tablet war begins this week with Apple unveiling its new iPad Wednesday and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) following soon with its PlayBook.

Extending its tradition of updating its products every year, Apple is all set to unveil the iPad2 at an event in San Francisco.

In fact, the new tablet comes less than a year after its money-spinning iPad which has sold more than 15 mn units so far and accounts for 15 percent of the revenue of the world's most valuable technology company.

Though Apple's stock was slightly down Tuesday in line with the day's bearish trend on Wall Street, the fortunes of the cash-rich giant may see a big jump after the unveiling of the new iPad.

When Apple took wraps off the iPad last April, its stock zoomed more than 10 percent.

Analysts say Apple has smartly pre-empted the BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) by launching the new iPad, ahead of the rival's PlayBook. RIM had unveiled the PlayBook in September to announce its entry into the new arena.

But by hitting the market with its new iPad ahead of its competitors, Apple has made its intentions clear to stay as the dominant player in the tablet market that is estimated to grow up to 70 mn this year and 100 mn in 2012, say analysts.

Starbucks debuts iPhone, BlackBerry app for faster payments

Coffeehouse chain Starbucks has introduced a new BlackBerry and iPhone app, which allows customers to quickly pay for purchases through their phones.

The app, which is funded through a credit or debit card, works when customers wave their phones over a barcode sensor to pay for their beverage of choice, and they no longer have to wait in line either.

And unlike a Starbucks card, users can see the balance in their account on their screens as money is added or debited, as well as loyalty program points.

The app, which was test-marketed in New York in October before a national rollout last month in 6,800 Starbucks-owned shops, has been a huge time-saver for subway train operator Todd Murrell .

Murrell, 37, of Jamaica, Queens, uses his BlackBerry to pay for his Sumatra or grande vanilla Americano coffee habit five to six times a week.

"After I enter Manhattan, I have eight to 15 minutes from when I get to the World Trade Center before I have to start my [route] again," the New York Daily News quoted Murrell as saying.

Yahoo in talks to exit Japan: Sources

Yahoo Inc is in advanced talks to exit its joint venture in Japan with Softbank Corp , a move that could lead it to focus on reaching a decision on its China assets.

A deal to transfer Yahoo's 35 percent stake in Yahoo Japan to Softbank, which already controls 42 percent of the unit, could come within a few weeks, people with knowledge of the discussions said. The public value of the stake is about $8 bn.

Shares of Yahoo Japan jumped 4.3 percent in Tokyo on expectations Softbank, Japan's No.3 mobile phone operator, would pay a premium for the stake. Softbank's stock slipped 2.4 percent on worries over how it would finance the deal.

"If finalized, it means Yahoo Japan will completely be under Softbank's umbrella," said Makoto Kikuchi, chief executive officer at Myojo Asset Management Japan. "Yahoo Japan will likely strengthen its Internet and cell phone content businesses so there will likely be synergy."

A straightforward sale is unlikely for tax reasons and the parties are exploring other structures, these people said. A deal has not yet been reached and could yet fall apart.

Apple set to unveil new iPad, with or without Jobs

More than a year after igniting the tablet computing craze, Apple Inc prepares to unveil the second version of its blockbuster iPad -- possibly minus lead showman Steve Jobs .

Plenty has changed over the course of the year. The iPad became a bona fide smash, essentially creating the tablet category and triggering a wave of me-too products that are just starting to hit the market.

Now, as rivals Motorola and Research in Motion race to catch up, Apple itself is going through a transformation. There is as much speculation about whether iconic Chief Executive Jobs will take the stage at Wednesday's event in San Francisco as there is about the new device.

Jobs traditionally launches major products with a pizzazz and style that reflect his eye for detail and design. But he took indefinite medical leave last month and Apple has not revealed details of the cancer survivor's medical condition.

His absence is bound to spark a fresh round of speculation on his condition. And his presence will be scrutinized equally closely for any signals on his health.

Many in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street doubt he will return to the company he co-founded in 1976.

In his absence, it is a good bet that Tim Cook , the company's operations chief and Jobs' heir apparent, or marketing head Phil Schiller, will lead Wednesday's show.

If Cook does appear, investors will scrutinize his performance. While Wall Street has grown comfortable with Cook's leadership, Wednesday would provide the first major test of his showmanship skills -- a key asset for marketing maestro Apple.

US names Nehru Place as world's notorious markets for piracy

The United States has named New Delhi's popular Nehru Place as among the world's notorio US markets for pirated and counterfeited products including software.

‘Notorious Markets List’ prepared by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) named more than 30 Internet and physical markets that are trading in pirated products.

“Nehru Place is reportedly one of the many markets in major cities throughout India that are known for dealing in large volumes of pirated software, optical media and counterfeit goods,” the USTR report released on Monday said. The list also includes China's popular website Baidu, Silk Market in Beijing, Pakistan's Urdu Bazaars and Thailand's Red Zones shopping areas.

The 'Notorious Markets List' identifies selected markets, including those in the Internet, that show market places which are “helping to sustain global piracy and counterfeiting”, according to the USTR. Counterfeiting and piracy activities are causing losses worth billions of dollars to the global economy.

Going by various studies, India has a high level of piracy in various segments including software. A recent study projected that the value of counterfeit and pirated products sold worldwide is expected to grow to as high as USD 1.78 trillion by 2015.

About Baidu, the report noted the website provides users with links to online locations that contain allegedly infringing materials. The list also includes numerous examples of websites involved in BitTorrent tracking and indexing, which facilitate the high speed transfer of infringing materials between users.

There are also Internet markets involved in specific activities such as piracy of sports telecasts, smartphone software and physical products, USTR said.

Disclaimer: All information on this news has been compiled from their respective official websites or through public domain sites and leading newspapers. Although, we have taken reasonable efforts to provide you with accurate information, but we assumes no responsibility for the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of the Information and would advise you to verify it from the official product provider. We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. If you would like to advertise on our site please contact us

Verizon hints at new iPhone, eyes usage-based pricing

A Verizon Communications executive hinted at a new version of the iPhone and said Verizon Wireless will replace its unlimited mobile data plans with usage-based pricing around the middle of summer.

Verizon's shares fell 2.4 per cent on Tuesday after its chief financial officer, Fran Shammo, said a new iPhone would hurt quarterly margins whenever it arrives.

"There could be some (margin) lumpiness when you launch the phone," Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said during a webcast of an investor conference. "If there happens to be a new one that comes out, that quarter might not look so good (either)."

Shammo did not disclose the timing for the next iPhone. Apple Inc has historically launched iPhone models during the summer, coinciding with Verizon Wireless' timeline on its new data plans.

"I would take that comment as a pretty strong signal there's an iPhone refresh coming to Verizon in the third quarter," said Credit Suisse analyst Jonathan Chaplin .

Verizon's February iPhone launch ended AT&T Inc's three years of exclusive US rights to sell the device.

Google wipes accounts of 150,000 email users by mistake

Search giant Google has confirmed that about 150,000 Gmail users around the world have had their accounts , including every email, application, contact and calendar information, deleted.

The problem first arose on Sunday when thousands logged onto their accounts, only to find all their personal information had been erased, reports the Daily Mail. Many found their accounts had been effectively reset, as they were greeted by the message Google welcomes new users with.

Their frustration found its way onto online message boards where they complained that everything had been lost. "I have lost ALL on my emails/folders etc from Gmail. Why would this happen? How can I restore everything?" wrote one frustrated user.

Meanwhile, Google is spending several frantic hours trying to restore the service, used by an estimated 200million people. 'We've already fixed the problem for some individuals. Our engineers are working as quickly as possible and we hope to have everything back to normal soon. We're very sorry for the inconvenience to our customers," a Google spokesman told the Huffington Post.

Disclaimer: All information on this news has been compiled from their respective official websites or through public domain sites and leading newspapers. Although, we have taken reasonable efforts to provide you with accurate information, but we assumes no responsibility for the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of the Information and would advise you to verify it from the official product provider. We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. If you would like to advertise on our site please contact us

Apple to unveil iPad upgrade

Apple was expected to unveil a second-generation iPad on Wednesday as rivals struggle to compete with the original model that has ruled the market since its release last year.

The Internet was abuzz with industry insiders and Apple lovers expressing desires and speculation regarding what the maker of iPhones, iPods, iPads, and Macintosh computers has in store at an invitation-only event in San Francisco.

Cryptic invitations provided the date, time and location of the event and displayed an image of a March 2 calendar page peeling back to reveal a corner of an iPad.

The message on the page reads "Come see what 2011 will be the year of."

Technology analysts have taken to referring to 2011 as the "year of the tablet."

All bets are on Apple taking the wraps off an improved version of the iPad that chief executive Steve Jobs introduced at the same downtown San Francisco venue in January of last year.

Jobs, however, is not expected to play his usual role as host at Wednesday's event. While he has reportedly remained involved in overall strategy and product development, the Apple chief, who turned 56 last week, is on an indefinite medical leave of absence.

Goldman Sachs analysts, in a note to investors, said they expect Apple to "announce the second-generation of its game-changing iPad.