World's smallest flash drive

Introducing the world's smallest flash drive of 8GB retailing at $35 only. The price is quite okay as far as its shape and capacity are concerned.

Buying continual replacements is quickly going to create a massively expenses bill, so I say, just stick with the one you already have. If that isn't a case, then go for this one and store your large amount of data in the tiny store.

FaceSaerch - Search for faces of different people

The new search engine based on Google Image/Face Search technology helps you to find face images of people and celebrities.

The search results are quite accurate and animate in a cover-flow style like one in Mac or iTunes. Other than known or famous people, FaceSaerch also helps to find pictures of common people, but it doesn't work for me.

It has got a facebook application named FriendlyFlow which allows you to access your facebook friends visually and get the live updates of them.

Just visit FaceSaerch and don't go on its spelling. :)

Latest tutorials for WPF, Blend and Silverlight

A great site that covers designer-oriented Expression Blend topics is Celso Gomes’s Nibbles Tutorials

This all-Silverlight site includes some informative articles on how you can use Blend to create WPF, Silverlight 1, and Silverlight 2 applications. He has recently updated it and covered the new features in Blend 2.5 such as the Visual State Manager, so if you’ve been itching to learn more about it, head on over to his site.

Gates leaves or leaves not?

Microsoft's Chairman stepping down from his job in honor to concentrate on his charitable organization, the Bill and Melinda Foundation.

Gates since his teenage had a vision of a personal on every desk in every home and in 1986 after an agreement with IBM (1980) became the youngest self-made billionaire.

He will remain as Microsoft's chairman and work on special technology projects but according to Mr. Gates, great wealth brings great responsibility and his future work will include finding new vaccines and financing projects in the developing world.

Have a look at Bill Gates' Last Days video

Google Media Server and your TV

Google announced that with the help of its Google Media Server, you can easily find photos, music and videos using your DLNA devices such as PlayStation 3, XBox 360 and most Media Center PCs.

Google Media Server is a Windows App that bridges the gap between Google and your TV. Google Desktop technology such as Desktop gadgets for the administration tool and Google Desktop Search to locate media files. All you need is a PC running Google Desktop and a UPnP-enabled device (e.g. a PlayStation 3). At the touch of a button, you can then:

• Access videos, music, and photos stored on your PC
• View Picasa Web Albums
• Play your favorite YouTube videos

This describes that Google is keen in getting famous across multiple paltforms.

Now the question is, what would the Google do with Android forthcoming?

Domain names with new flavors

Day before the Internet's main oversight agency approved the most sweeping changes to the network’s address system since its creation.

Any organization or country will soon be able to apply for new domain names, called a top-level domains as per new rules passed by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann).

In my opinion, it would be beneficial in case of web addresses that end in city names, brands, any generic words. On the other side, it could also start a wave of legal skirmishes over applications to register trademarks such as .sprite.

Icann also stated that it would allow the newer domains to be registered in scripts other than Roman characters.

“We’re expecting a broad range of applicants. Indigenous communities might come forward to protect aspects of their language and culture,” said Peter Dengate Thrush, Icann’s chairman. “We may see a .smith so that all the Smiths in the world will have a place.”

All the companies and organizations will be having the first priority when it comes to claiming their band names. If multiple parties want a name like .games then conflicts will be settled through auctions.

One question is how much the new top-level domains will cost. Icann officials estimated that prices would start in the low six figures, so the organization can recoup its expenses for developing the new service and Icann would also seek public comment on the guidelines before its next meeting in November.

Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V is available now

The software giant released Windows Server 2008 hypervisor-based virtualization feature.

New customers and partners can download Hyper-V later today (afternoon) however, those who have already deployed Windows Server 2008 on x64 machines can receive Hyper-V from Windows Update beginning July 8.

The Windows Virtualization team will start counting down the days to download from Windows Update, so do visit the Windows Virtualization Team blog to see daily spotlights on specific features and benefits of Hyper-V technology, as well as the comments from customers.

Since the beta release of Hyper-V in February, more than 250 customers have participated in Hyper-V’s early adoption program. For further results and videos of Hyper-V you can visit Microsoft's PressPass site.

Also, check out the new Hyper-V videos on TechNet Edge:
TechNet Edge Interview: Hyper-V Overview with Mike Neil
TechNet Edge Interview: Hyper-V Program managers interview Part 1
TechNet Edge Interview: Hyper-V Program managers interview Part 2

Microsoft Urlscan Filter 3.0 Beta

A security tool that restricts the types of HTTP requests that would be processed by Internet Information Services (IIS). This blockage will help in preventing potentially harmful requests from being processed by web applications on the server.

Please download UrlScan from Microsoft Downloads.

Panasonic unveils rugged ultra-mobile pc

Panasonic will be announcing an ultra-mobile pc for field workers suitable for extreme environments in August this year for around $2,499.

Following features are:

• Processor : Intel Atom
• Dimensions : 7-inches wide, 6-inches deep, and 2-inches high
• Screen : 5.6 inches
• Keyboard : QWERTY
• Memory : 1 GB
• HDD : 16 GB removable drive
• Camera : 2 mega pixel
• Battery : 9 hours

Along with that, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G mobile internet connectivity is also available.


"Panasonic has built the new Toughbook CF-U1 but our customers have designed it," said Kyp Walls, director (Product Management) at Panasonic Computer Solutions. "The form and functionality is a direct result of more than two years of feedback solicited from an array of government and commercial organizations seeking to address the needs of a broad range of mobile users," Walls said.

The computer operates on Windows XP, Windows Vista (OSes) is good for construction sites, mining operations, refineries, warehouses etcetera.

Windows XP Support till 2014

Microsoft has finally given in to public demand. The company has decided to offer technical support for Windows XP with updates and security patches for an extended period until April 2014. However, it will not go back on its decision to discontinue Windows XP sales after June 30.

This means that after June 30, Microsoft will stop distributing Windows XP as a stand-alone product, as well as stop licensing it to PC manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others. However, it doesn't mean that XP will be disappeared somewhere because some stores work through their inventories.

As per earlier's announcement of Microsoft, Windows XP will be available with 'nettops'.

Microsoft's move to extend the deadline for technical support is primarily influenced by large business customers, who haven't yet upgraded their systems to Windows Vista. I don't think most of the companies will prefer switching to Windows Vista because of its heavy requirements. But if that's not the case, they have to wait for Windows 7, which is expected to be released in 2010.

Nokia throws open mobile software

Few companies have the heft to take on Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), and Microsoft (MSFT)—much less all three at the same time. But Nokia (NOK), the world's largest handset maker, made it clear on June 24 that it does not intend to cede its ground in mobile-phone software to gate-crashing U.S. tech giants.

The Finnish company announced a plan to buy the 52.1% of shares it doesn't already own in London-based Symbian, the leading maker of operating system software for advanced mobile phones. In an industry-shifting move, Nokia will merge the company with parts of its own organization and then create an open-source foundation that will give away the resulting software for free to other handset makers.

Read at Business Week

Sprint announces launch date for Samsung Instinct

Sprint mentioned that it will be responsible to introduce the new Samsung's handset, Instinct. The device will be available in the market today (20th June, 08) for $129.99 and as I stated in the earlier post, it will aim directly to iPhone 3G that was launched approximately two weeks before.


The Instinct offers enormous features like LiveTV, stereo Bluetooth, GPS and one-touch access to favorites. For high-speed downloads and uploads, it may connect to the Sprint EVDO Rev A.

Along with QWERTY keyboard, Speech to Action functionality is also offered, which is missing in the iPhone.

The phone supports incoming and outgoing emails through known protocols. The camera is a 2MP unit with a built-in camcorder. Memory for the device is expandable up to 8GB via microSDHC cards and the phone ships with a 2Gb microSDHC card. Two batteries are included with up to 5.75 hours of talk time each.

Yahoo! added two new email domains

Yesterday, for the first time Yahoo added two e-mail domains (ymail.com and rocketmail.com) to to increase the number of people registering for free e-mail addresses with Yahoo. Instead of relying on long e-mail addresses (such as; CutiePie4Ever80 or mattclark1977), Yahoo thinks that users will go for the new domains in order to drop their older one that may have been chosen out of necessity instead of preference.

According to the release that was issued by the company, Yahoo already has more than 260 million subscribers worldwide.

"We recognize that people want an e-mail address that reflects who they are, whether they are signing up for an e-mail address for the first time, or simply updating their e-mail pseudonym to reflect the stage they are at in life," John Kremer, VP of Yahoo Mail, said in a statement.

The ymail.com domain is brand new for Yahoo. Rocketmail, however, was one of the web mail service but it became a part of Yahoo later on.

Firefox 3.0 is out!

If you haven't yet downloaded the official 3.0 release, then do it today as Firefox is willing to Guinness World Record for the most software downloads in 24 hours.

So enjoy increased security, blinding speed and cool new features that will change the way you use the Web.

Please visit Official Download Day Page.

Note: Only downloads from Mozilla's official site count towards the record.

Microsoft quietly shuts down Windows Live Help Community

Microsoft has silently removed the Windows Live Help Community service and the link now redirects to Windows Live Help. This is one of the many Windows Live services being dropped in recent times. And Like Windows Live for TV, Help Community never made it out of beta.

For those of you who don't remember, Microsoft released Windows Live Help Community back in December 2006, providing another channel for users to get help for their Windows Live services. However, throughout the lifetime of the service, only three services ever utilized Help Community - that is Windows Live Admin Center, Windows Live Call for Free, and Help Community itself.

As noted back then on LiveSide, there seems to be too many help and feedback channels for Windows Live services, including:

• Windows Live Account - Help Central
• Windows Live Account - Feedback
• Live Search QnA
• Windows Live Help Community (now removed)
• Windows Live Message Boards
• Windows Live public newsgroups

Seems like Microsoft is finally getting their hands on to clean up the mess they've created with Windows Live and Live Search.

Check out: LiveSide

Zero Duty on IT related items

Couple of days ago, IT Ministry proposed zero customs tariff rates, in the 2008-09 budget to grow the industry and make e-governance efficient and cost-effective.

It will not only encourage the I.T. companies for research and development that use several devices to accomplish their tasks but also help the universities and other educational institutes to promote the paperless environment and automation.

Following are the items for which current (2007-08) rates of customs duty are given, while proposed rate for 2008-09 for all items is zero percent.

Modems	5%	Battery Chargers	10%
ISDN System	5%	Telephones	5%
MMC & SD Cards	5%	Multimedia Projector	5%
LCD Monitors	25%	Bluetooth devices	5%
SIM Cards	5%	Discs	5%
Bank coins, cards	20%	Multimedia devices	5%

After the proposed change the additional machinery and equipment used by call centre/BPO industry would become totally exempt from sales tax and chargeable to reduced rate of 5 percent customs duty.

Source: Business Recorder

Power Pack 1 Beta released for Windows Home Server

Windows Home Server RC1 has been released for public beta testing. The update package is available from Microsoft's Connect website.

The most important issue addressed was regarding data corruption.

“When certain programs are used to edit or transfer files that are stored on a Windows Home Server-based computer that has more than one hard drive, the files may become corrupted”.

According to an Microsoft email sent to beta testers this has now been fixed:

“While internal testing so far indicates that we have fixed the data corruption bug in the beta release, the whole point of a beta test is to validate internal testing.”

Microsoft Silverlight to support Ruby and Python on client-side

Microsoft has decided to support the Python and Ruby languages to be used for client-side development of rich applications that would enhance the plug-in technology of Silverlight browser. It will help developers using these languages without incorporating the JavaScript.

While use of javascript for Web development has been called AJAX (Asynchronous javascript and XML), Microsoft is referring to its planned capabilities as APAX and ARAX, with Python and Ruby replacing javascript in these new acronyms.

"The difference between AJAX, ARAX, and APAX is the language, if you will," said Brian Goldfarb, group manager for Microsoft's developer division, in an interview on Friday afternoon.

As of now, javascript is used for client-side development but with the Microsoft's planned to release of Silverlight 2, developers will be able to use Python and Ruby on the client side as well.

Disney World on Google Earth

Users now, can fly above the streets of the theme parks and access all kind of information, virtually.

Disney's effort will help the public not to get confused over the huge dimensions and additionally, users will also be allowed to book tickets to the rides and hotels offered by Disney World.

For this new step, more than 100,000 pictures were taken by the professional photographers and over 1,500 3D models and this project is supposed to be the biggest 3D model ever uploaded to Google Earth.

This tour is compiled with Google Earth 4.3 program. After the search for disney world, user must click on the golden Mickey Mouse ears and then click on “Show Disney World in 3D.”

USB 3.0 battle heats up

nVidia and AMD are looking to wrest control from Intel over the specification for USB 3.0.

USB 3.0 is the next-generation high-speed connection standard due out next year that is expected to offer 10 times the speed of USB 2.0.

At issue is that Intel is allegedly not giving the specification to competitors in the CPU or chipset markets. Intel responds that it is "working hard to get the complete spec" to the industry. One source close to Intel alleges that nVidia and Intel are seeking the "host controller "specification that Intel says is beyond the USB 3.0 specification.

Continue at CNET: nVidia, AMD vie with Intel over USB 3.0

Silverlight 2.0 Beta 2 released with a improved Blend Preview

Silverlight 2 Beta2 was released today. You can download both Silverlight 2 Beta2 and the Visual Studio and Expression Blend tools support to target it here.

Beta2 adds a lot of new features (more details below), but is still a 4.6 MB download that takes less than 10 seconds to install on a machine. It does not require the .NET Framework or any other software to be installed for it to work, and all features work cross-browser on both Mac and Windows machines. These features will also be supported on Linux via the Moonlight 2 release.

Silverlight 2 Beta2 supports a go-live license that allows you to start using and deploying Silverlight 2 for commercial applications. There will be some API changes between Beta2 and the final release, so you should expect that applications you write with Beta2 will need to make some updates when the final release comes out. But we think that these changes will be straight-forward and relatively easy, and that you can begin planning and starting commercial projects now.

You can build Silverlight Beta2 applications using the VS 2008 Tools for Silverlight and Expression Blend 2.5 June Preview downloads. You can download both of them here. The VS 2008 Tools for Silverlight download works with both VS 2008 and the recent VS 2008 SP1 beta release.

AMD launches XGP

AMD used the Computex Show in Taipei this week to propose XGP - eXternal Graphics Platform, a slimline box you connect your GPU-lite laptop to when you need more graphics horsepower.

Fujitsu Siemens (FSC) was on hand to demo the concept with its Amilo GraphicBooster, an AppleTV-like unit with an AMD ATI Radeon HD 3870 GPU built in and hooked up to 512MB of GDDR 3 memory. The box can drive four displays simultaneously, the company claimed.

AMD's pitch is that users will be able to connect their slim'n'light laptops to an XGP, which will supply the level of graphical grunt that they don't need when they're on the move and, more importantly, running on battery power.

Continue at The Reg

Acer bets big on Linux

Acer claimed that it will be publishing Linux heavily on its laptops and netbooks. It has already been selling out Linux in its Media PC Business.

"We have shifted towards Linux because of Microsoft," Gianpiero Morbello, vice president of marketing and brand at Acer said. "Microsoft has a lot of power and it is going to be difficult, but we will be working hard to develop the Linux market."

Source: vnunet

Back again!

Hey guys, I am back again. I am still not sure, why this site was inaccessible in my country. Some of them stated that it was banned by PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) while others claimed that due to the new DST time change which came into effect midnight of 1st June, 2008 and could have been the contributing factor to perpetuating this error, but again, a number of users reports that they saw similar problems even earlier at around 3pm on Saturday afternoon 31st May 2008. Hence, I am confused. :)

Anyway, I will start writing about some technofacts again. Thanks for visiting.