Google’s Self-Driving Vehicle - More Gadget than Car?

About the author:

Beth Kelly is a freelance writer and blogger based in Chicago, IL. After graduating from DePaul University in 2011 she traveled throughout Southeast Asia teaching English, today she’s saving up for her next adventure and writing as much as she can in her free time. Find her on Twitter @bkelly_88

Flying cars and various other automatic automobiles have been the stuff of dreamers for decades - until now, when they really might be just around the corner (provided the reader lives in Mountain View, CA). Self-driving cars, which can navigate through traffic without any input from the driver, are currently being tested by Google. After extensive testing using automobiles supplied by third parties, Google has debuted its own prototypes, which can now be seen puttering around on public roads throughout the city.  

These cars feature an extensive array of sensor technology, cameras and other equipment that can observe conditions all around the vehicle, replicating the behavior of our own five senses.

Using data collected from these sources, the car creates a virtual model of the road, nearby vehicles, cyclists and all other objects in the vicinity. It then adjusts its speed and lane position accordingly, making turns and completing all other functions normally performed by a human driver.

While sitting in a car that drives itself may strike some as spooky or scary, most people who have had the opportunity to ride in one of these vehicles quickly became acclimated to the experience. These cars are programmed to act cautiously and to obey all the rules of the road. Google’s safety record attests to the dependability its autonomous fleet: the company’s vehicles have driven about a million miles during previous testing and have only experienced a handful of accidents (12 at the time of this article). Google spokespeople have stated that none of the accidents resulted in injury and that they were the fault of other motorists, not of the self-driving cars themselves. As the programming is further refined in coming years, car accidents could become freakishly rare events instead of a leading cause of death as they are today.

Only once these cars have fully been integrated onto public roads and into the “Internet of Things” will we comprehend their vast potential for change. Capable of communicating across wireless platforms, each of these small vehicles are essentially computers with wheels. Technological research company Gartner expects that there will be 250 million cars on the road by 2020 that are connected via wireless. Google seems to be preparing for this eventuality as it has developed Android Auto for use in cars and is rumored to be working on a more sophisticated OS that will be embedded directly within automotive hardware.

Taking this into account, we can speculate numerous ways in which the autonomous vehicle stands to impact the tech industry, as well as society more broadly. Merging Google’s new mobility tool with other devices within the IoT ecosystem will open up new and unforeseen avenues for convenience and connection. While wearables, home security and automation, and automobiles may stand alone for now, experts predict more cross-pollination as each area continues to expand.

The three most significant developments for personal enrichment in the 20th century have been the automobile, the personal computer and the Internet. As we move forward into the 21th century, it seems like they will all be fused together within Google's vehicles, creating a diverse marketplace for expansion. Robot taxis, unmanned delivery vehicles and on-demand rental cars are all likely applications of this technology. One can imagine combination automobile/offices, allowing small businesses to handle all their transportation, data storage, communications and other needs right inside their vehicles with no need for expensive real estate or landline phone and network infrastructure.

A few people in the automotive industry dismiss self-driving cars as a fad or as something that most drivers won't be terribly enthused about. Most industry insiders, however, realize the potential that these developments bring to the industry. The seriousness with which auto manufacturers contemplate these new advances is evidenced by the fact that many of them are working on their own models. Audi, Jaguar and Land Rover, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz are just a few of the big names developing their own iterations of the self-driving paradigm.

There are significant resources being invested today in cars that operate themselves. Even in the unlikely case that Google's efforts falter, plenty of other firms are ready to take up the slack. One way or another, completely automatic transportation machines will change the way people commute, communicate, and carry out almost every aspect of their lives. 

Mail me for Guest Posts in dilipstechnoblog.com (dilipgeoffrey@gmail.com)

Facebook officially launches its 2G-friendly Lite app for Android in India and the Philippines

Facebook has officially launched its Lite app for Android users in India and the Philippines. It’s designed to provide the social network’s core experience reliably on spotty and slow mobile connections.

The app has been in testing since January in various emerging markets, and was soft-launched earlier this month in selected countries. Facebook claims it has 114 million active mobile users in India.

Facebook says its Lite app is quicker than its main mobile app over 2G because its servers take on the burden of optimizing content.

The app weighs in at just 430 KB, making for a quick download. It includes push notifications, messaging and ads, but doesn’t support video for now.

The interface is simplified and offers snappy performance across the board. For someone like me who’s not a heavy Facebook user, it does a good job of letting me check in without slowing down my phone and hogging resources.

The company says it will roll out the app in other markets over the coming weeks and months.

Top 5 Online Games of 2015

About the author:
Caroline is a technology enthusiast who loves writing about all kinds of technology. She regularly writes about gaming, gadgets and the latest technology news.

The online gaming market just keeps growing and growing. With hundreds of titles to choose from, ranging from old favorites to new kids on the block, it’s hard to decide where to start. Here's a look at the top 5 online games of 2015:

1. Dota 2
Does anyone still realize the name stands for "Defense of the Ancients"? More to the point, does that even matter anymore? This may have started out as the sequel to a Warcraft III mod, but it's long since shed its connection to its illustrious predecessor. As a standalone game, Dota 2 reigns supreme; even though it's now more than two years old, there's still little to touch it, with player numbers nudging one million at the busiest times. Refreshingly, it also boasts one of the friendliest communities around. If you're willing to show respect to experienced players, there's plenty of help to get you started.

2. The Crew
Everyone loves a good racing game. There's little better than slamming your virtual pedal to the equally virtual metal and burning away your rivals. Ubisoft's entry into the genre goes for the jugular with an adrenaline-fuelled experience that leaves you feeling as though you could drive around the world without a break. Crucial for a game like this, the car selection is exciting and varied with real differences between each model. The visuals are utterly beautiful with almost lifelike locations; while the combination of set missions and customizable content give The Crew a nicely balanced feel.

3. League of Legends
Wherever Dota 2 goes, League of Legends goes with it. There may be people who are equally devoted to both games, but you wouldn't know it; such is the ferocity with which each title's fans defend their chosen champion. It certainly beats Dota 2 in terms of player numbers, partly because it's been going strong since 2009. A stalwart of the MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) world, League of Legends -- "League" to its lovers and "LOL" to its haters -- has a particularly notable prize tournament scene with the very best players taking home hundreds of dollars.

4. Guild Wars 2
Yes, it's another MMO, but don't get the idea that you've seen it all before because you haven't. This is a game where what you do and how you act in-game really make a difference to the outcomes. Your strategies will evolve; you'll find yourself having to discard carefully mapped-out game plans and formulate others on the fly, and there's a winning combination of intriguing storylines and good, old-fashioned fighting. You can team up with other adventurers to take on a dungeon or opt to follow your own personal story. GW2 has become a true phenomenon on mobile platforms and looks set to retain its allure for some time to come.

5. Minecraft
You didn't really think we'd forget this one, did you? It may have been around the block several times by now, but that's no matter. After all, blocks are what Minecraft is all about. The fanbase is enormous -- and enormously loyal -- while regular updates and enhancements keep things ticking over nicely. Microsoft's acquisition of the game a few months ago did lead to a certain amount of confusion and concern in Minecraft circles, but the ship seems to be steady now. There will always be a place for a game that's easy to learn yet brutally hard to master. This is that game.

Quick Tip

But before you jump online to start gaming, make sure your information is protected. Many online gaming services have suffered data hacks, so storing your details online without a VPN (Virtual Private Network) could prove dangerous. This is especially important if you are using a public or unsecured Wi-Fi connection.

VPNs protect your personal details by using encryption, which scrambles the data that you are sending and receiving online. So if anyone tries to hack into your device while you are gaming, they will be prevented from doing so. Online gamers are often concerned about VPNs slowing down their connection speed when gaming, but scouting the best VPNs for online gaming will keep your data safe and your internet connection fast.

Mail me for Guest Posts in dilipstechnoblog.com (dilipgeoffrey@gmail.com)

Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

Privacy advocates claim always-listening component was involuntarily activated within Chromium, potentially exposing private conversations

Privacy and open source advocates complain over secret installation of audio-snooping software from Google. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Privacy campaigners and open source developers are up in arms over the secret installing of Google software which is capable of listening in on conversations held in front of a computer.

First spotted by open source developers, the Chromium browser – the open source basis for Google’s Chrome – began remotely installing audio-snooping code that was capable of listening to users.

It was designed to support Chrome’s new “OK, Google” hotword detection – which makes the computer respond when you talk to it – but was installed, and, some users have claimed, it is activated on computers without their permission.

“Without consent, Google’s code had downloaded a black box of code that – according to itself – had turned on the microphone and was actively listening to your room,” said Rick Falkvinge, the Pirate party founder, in a blog post. “Which means that your computer had been stealth configured to send what was being said in your room to somebody else, to a private company in another country, without your consent or knowledge, an audio transmission triggered by … an unknown and unverifiable set of conditions.”

The feature is installed by default as part of Google’s Chrome browser. But open source advocates are up in arms about it also being installed with the open source variant Chromium, because the listening code is considered to be “black box”, not part of the open source audit process.

“We don’t know and can’t know what this black box does,” said Falkvinge.

Opt-in or opt-out

Google responded to complaints via its developer boards. It said: “While we do download the hotword module on startup, we do not activate it unless you opt in to hotwording.”

However, reports from developers indicate otherwise.

After having identified Chromium as the culprit, developer Ofer Zelig said in a blog post: “While I was working I thought ‘I’m noticing that an LED goes on and off, on the corner of my eyesight [webcam]’. And after a few times when it just seemed weird, I sat to watch for it and saw it happening. Every few seconds or so.”

Google also blamed the Linux distribution Debian for downloading the non-open source component with Chromium automatically, rather than Google Chrome.

“The key here is that Chromium is not a Google product. We do not directly distribute it, or make any guarantees with respect to compliance with various open source policies,” Google developer mgiuca said.

Falkvinge countered Google’s explanations saying: “The default install will still wiretap your room without your consent, unless you opt out, and more importantly, know that you need to opt out, which is nowhere a reasonable requirement.” He says a hardware switch to disable the microphone and camera built into most computers is needed.

Voice search functions have become an accepted feature of modern smartphones, but their movement into the home through the smart TV, and now browser, have caused concerns over the possibility of being listened to within the home.

While most services require a user to opt in, privacy advocates have questioned whether their use, which requires sending voice recordings over the internet to company servers for processing, risks unintentionally exposing private conversations held within the home.

A Google spokeswoman said on Wednesday: “We’re sure you’ll be relieved to learn we’re not listening to your conversations – nor do we want to. We’re simply giving Chrome users the ability to search hands free at their computers by saying “OK Google” while on the Google homepage – and only if they choose to opt in to the feature.”

Guild Wars 2 update rebuilds Lion's Arch, overhauls skills and traits

It was over a year ago that ArenaNet destroyed Guild Wars 2's capital city as part of the end of Season One of the Living World story. Since then, diligent NPCs have been hammering away at bits of the city. Last night, their hard work paid off. The MMO's latest patch features a rebuilt Lion's Arch—and it's a dramatic change from the old pirate-themed haven of the initial release.

To encourage people to explore each corner of the city, a new achievement tasks you with exterminating an infestation of Karkas. The reward for doing this is Princess; the Dragonite Ore eating companion to Mawdrey II and the Star of Gratitude.

Despite appearances, the new Lion's Arch isn't the most substantial part of the update. That goes to the changes being made to the way Traits and Skills are handled. Every character class has been overhauled with a full balance pass as part of an entirely new system for unlocking and assigning passive buffs and active abilities. The changes are far too numerous to detail, and—to be perfectly honest—I'm still getting to grips with it all. If you want more details, take a look at ArenaNet's two part primer for Specialisations and Reward Tracks.

Also as part of the new update, the inventory wallet has been upgraded to allow for new currencies—including Geodes and Bandit Crests. That sound you hear is your bags breathing a sigh of relief.

How to Look at Someone Else's Followers on Tumblr

You can't see another Tumblr user's followers, but you can determine who is interested in that user's blog.

Tumblr does not allow you to see another user's followers; however, you can determine some of the people who are reading and interacting with another Tumblr user by looking at the Tumblr user's post responses and who that user follows. Learning how to determine who is interacting with a certain Tumblr user can help you find other Tumblr users who are similar and are interested in the type of content the Tumblr user is posting.

Looking at a Tumblr User's Post Responses

Step 1

Type the URL of the Tumblr user you want to learn about in your address bar.

Step 2

Scroll down until you find an original post generated by the user. Skip over posts that are reblogs of other users' content.

Step 3

Click on the "notes" icon on the original post generated by the user to see the other Tumblr users who have responded to the post. These are users who have interacted with and are interested in the Tumblr user's original content.

Step 4

Repeat steps 1 through 3 in this section with other original content posts on the Tumblr user's blog to find additional users who interact with the Tumblr user.

Looking at Who a Tumblr User Follows

Step 1

Type the URL of the Tumblr user you want to learn about in your address bar.

Step 2

Scroll down the page until you see a "People I follow" heading. This heading is placed differently in different Tumblr themes. Some themes do not allow you to see people a Tumblr user follows.

Step 3

Click on the avatars under the "People I follow" heading to be taken to the blogs of the users who the Tumblr user you are viewing follows. People often follow users who follow them.

Sennheiser CX 275s in-ear headphones review

The Sennheiser CX 275s are pair of in-ear headphones designed specifically for mobile devices. One of the key features of this product is a universal microphone and call pickup/cancel button that is designed to work with practically every smartphone and tablet out there.

Other than the headset functionality, Sennheiser also promises a ‘bass driven stereo sound’ so you can definitely expect some bass-heavy sound. Let’s see how well it does in that department and in other frequency ranges.

Retail Package

The CX 275s comes in a basic clear plastic and paper packaging. Inside, you will find the earphones, three sets of eartips in different sizes, a carry pouch and a special adapter cable to prevent compatibility issues for smartphones with a different TRRS arrangement. The default cable without the adapter worked fine for me with Apple, Samsung and LG devices as well as my Fiio E10 headphone amplifier.

Design and Build Quality

The CX 275s has a fairly no-nonsense, straightforward design we are used to seeing on Sennheiser products. The only visual flair is found on the speakers themselves, with a wavy pattern on one side that initially seem like it could be vents for bass reflex but isn’t and in no way contribute to the audio performance.

The left and right labels are hidden out of sight on the inner side of the cable that comes out of the speakers and are hard to find. You can, however, use the raised dot on the left speaker and the microphone on the left cable as a guide to tell the speakers apart in dark.

The three sets of eartips provided should broadly cover most people’s ear sizes. I personally found the default medium size perfect for me. The rubber tips are soft and comfortable on your ears and provide adequate isolation from external sounds.

The cable is quite thin but feels fairly well built. It does tend to retain the bends from the packaging, though, and I never quite managed to get it perfectly straightened out. Thankfully, microphonics are minimal and you don’t hear the cable rubbing against your body in your ears.

The right speaker cable has the microphone built-in with a single button to answer and end calls. Unfortunately, there is no volume control function on these but that would have severely limited the compatibility factor. If you want something with extra controls, you will need to look elsewhere. Personally, I wouldn’t have mind sacrificing compatibility in favor of control keys. After all, how many different devices do most people have to need such wide compatibility?

The four feet cable terminates in a straight jack, although the jack on the provided adapter is L-shaped. Both jacks are quite thin and you won’t find your super thin smartphone being raised by its edge due to the thickness of the jack.

Sound

With Sennheiser having spilled the beans in its product description, it’s no surprise to find the CX 275s a bit heavy in the bass department. This is mostly mid-bass we are talking about and it doesn’t quite extend all the way down the frequency spectrum. It’s also mostly quite boomy and upfront, to the point where some of the bass notes get a totally different tonality altogether.

In comparison, the mid-range and the upper mid-range in particular are significantly suppressed. This suppression continues into the lower part of the high end and then suddenly the sound peaks again at the very top, This gives the frequency response curve a distinct V-shape.

This will probably be fine with a lot of people, especially if you listen to mostly EDM. In fact, it seems to be tuned specifically for that kind of music. But listen to something with vocals and the CX 275s disappoints. Female voices, in particular, sound lost and the male voices have a nuanced low-end, much more than their singers can be given credit for.

The sound isn’t particularly detailed, either. The soundstage is also not as wide as some of the other in-ear headphones I’ve heard.

The overall audio focuses far too much on the bass with not much preference given to the other ranges of the audio spectrum. This is definitely not for those with audiophile aspirations, then. However, it does have what one might call a ‘fun’ sound, so if you have a more serious pair of headphones and want something with a bit more bass on a budget to satisfy that hidden bass-head in you, then this should scratch that itch.

As a headset, the CX 275s performed adequately. The microphone performance was above average and the person on the other end could hear me without too much effort.

Final Word

Priced at $69.95, the Sennheiser CX 275s is a good headset for someone who wants microphone functionality and has that one device with an odd output that refuses to accept other third party headsets. As a pair of earphones, the CX 275s are strictly okay. The sound is tailored to be bass heavy and if you’re into that sort of thing you may like these. Unfortunately, being bass-heavy does not give it a free pass for missing out on other frequencies, which is what it does. If you mostly listen to EDM or other bass heavy genres without too many vocals, you may not feel the loss in the other regions of sound. If you want something with a bit more balanced sound, consider the SoundMagic E10.

• PROS
  Excellent audio performance, bass response. Quality active noise reduction. Outputs audio even when noise cancellation isn’t activated, with almost no difference in audio quality. Includes “Talk Through” option and three different noise reduction modes.
• CONSBattery compartment is bulky/awkward. Uses triple-A battery instead of rechargeable option.
• BOTTOM LINE
  Sennheiser makes earphones for the serious listener, and the CXC 700's audio performance and noise cancellation are both superb—but the design won’t suit everyone.

Guild Wars 2: Guild Halls Interview

We talked to ArenaNet to get more information about Guild Halls in Guild Wars 2.

Guild Halls are one of the major features coming with Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns and they going to be big! Colin Johanson took to the stage at E3 during the PC Gaming Show to show off the basic features coming with Guild Halls. Earlier today I got to talk with Crystin Cox, Lead Designer at ArenaNet, and Link Hughes, Game Designer at ArenaNet to get more information about the Guild Hall system coming inHeart of Thorns.

There is a lot going on with Guild Halls, so let's start at the beginning. In Lion's Arch, players have noticed there is a new building being built alongside the city's reconstruction that will house guild-related items. This building is the Guild Initiative Headquarters, a new organization trying to rally the guilds of Tyria as the world's new hope in the wake of the Pact's defeat. The organization has sent scouts into the jungle who have found areas with unusually high concentrations of Mordrem. With a little gold to turn the wheels, the organization will give contracts to guilds to clear these areas of the jungle and, in return, will be able to own these areas as long – as they hold off further Mordrem threats.

Clearing these areas will be tied to the maps they are adjacent to—as the guild halls are physical places that exist on the world map—and the meta-events in those maps. Once a guild gets to the guild hall, they will enter an instance full of Mordrem, which they will need to clear. Once cleared, players will find a large crystal in the heart of the instance that, when interacted with, will essentially cut off Mordremoth's influence. From that point the hall is theirs, and the guild can start rebuilding it.

In Heart of Thorns there will be two different guild halls for guilds to claim. The first is the Guilded Hollow, a monolithic cavern beneath the jungle that connects to the Forgotten City (which can be seen in a few of the previously released trailers). The other guild is the Lost Precipice, which lies in the Northwest on the border between the jungle and the Northern Maguuma Wastes, and is a refuge within a hidden canyon; complete with a river at the bottom that features a giant vertical space perfect for jumping and gliding. Link commented that both of these guild halls are huge and feature tons of little nooks & caves that will take some exploring to discover.

With Guild Halls comes a bunch of new progression. The four upgrade lines that are currently available to guilds are being moved into the halls as the new system focuses on buildings that guilds will actually build and upgrade within the guild halls. Each building is focused around a certain area of the game such as the War Room which focuses on WvW, the Arena which is a combat sandbox and touches on buffs for PvP, the Tavern which includes other buffs and social features, and the Market which gives access to a new set of mini-pets and a new tier of guild armor and weapons.

All guilds will be able to get access to everything given enough time. The only decisions guilds will have to make is which building they want to build or upgrade next. While guilds will only be able to claim one of the two guild halls at a time, switching will possible in much the same way as the guild originally claimed their current guild hall. Once the guild hall has been switched, all of the unlocked buildings and upgrades will transfer over to the new guild hall location.

Another building is the Workshop, which will feature the new crafting discipline: the Scribe. The Scribe will be able to make guild tools, such as the banners that are currently available in-game, new tools usable in WvW to unlock new offensive &defensive gameplay, and decorations for the guild halls.

The War Room is a building that allows the building of different WvW tools. Some of the examples we can see in the trailer are Airships assaulting Stonemist and players controlling Charr vehicles in the new borderlands. Most of these are set to their own things, such as airships only attacking Stonemist, the charr vehicles only available at specific locations in the new borderlands, and a stealth-revealing buff around towers.

The Arena building is an area for players to go in and PvP, and can be upgraded to allow the creation of teams that players can switch to while in the arena. Also, tiers of decorations that can be used as obstacles including walls, traps and turrets, and can be placed in real time during fights. Link drove home that the Arena is not meant to be a new game mode, but a sandbox for guilds to set up their own fights and exercise their creativity. ArenaNet is interested to see what players make of it. It might even be the new home of player run Guild vs Guild battles. Since it is part of the building's upgrade system, the obstacle decorations will be completely different than the decorations that players can place out in the guild hall. Unlike the normal decorations, the obstacles are unlocked and will immediately allow players to place multiples of the same item.

Decorations are items that guilds will be able to place in their Guild Halls in order to truly customize them. There will be many ways of getting decorations including the new Scribe discipline, the Deluxe edition of Heart of Thorns and through various game rewards, especially content that focuses on group play. Players will be able to place, move and rotate (but not scale) these decorations anywhere within the hall. I asked if the items would have collision so that I could rotate a wall around and turn it into a ramp or platform and the answer is that some will and some won't. Decorations such as walls will have collision, stopping player movement or allowing them to stand on them, but others such as bushes will allow players to freely walk through them. To help keep from random guild members from messing anything up, a new Architect permission will be added that will only let members of the ranks with that permission move and place decorations.

Decorations once used will become part of the guild they are given to. Once property of the guild, it will appear in a new Guild Items tab of the guild panel. This tab is broken into three different categories: Decorations, Consumables and the War Chest. Each decoration is an item that is essentially used up once given to a guild, which means that players in multiple guilds will have to pick one to give their Deluxe edition decoration to. While the buildings and upgrades will transfer to the new guild hall during switching, all decorations will be deposited back into the Guild Items tab as the two maps are laid out very differently.

The last major feature of the Guild Halls is the getting to and from them. Once claimed, players will find a button in the guild panel that will allow them to fast travel to the guild hall. Inside the hall is the guild portal, which players will be able to use to travel to various maps. A feature that players have long wanted is a way for guilds to all go out together to a new map, and the guild portal will allow guilds to do just that. After selecting a destination (such as a location near an active guild mission) all guild members that walk through the Fractals of the Mist-like portal will be zipped to that location. The portal will give a high preference to keeping all members of the guild together and on the same map at their location, and in internal tests have apparently always kept the guild together.

Speaking of guild missions, there are lots of changes coming to guild. Guild Merits are going away completely. Influence will no longer be earned after HoT launches, but will stick around for a while so that guilds can sink the influence they currently have into the new system. There is a new currency being introduced call Favor that will be rewarded from guild missions, but they didn't go into what exactly Favor was going to be used for. These currency changes were brought along in a big part because of the disparity between large and small guilds. It was hard for small guilds to keep up while large guilds would have so much influence they wouldn't know what to do with it. Also, ArenaNet didn't like the wide range of ways to get influence and the wide range of things that influence could be spent on.

Guild missions are being overhauled. Currently they are the end-game that is focused more toward larger guilds. Instead of being the end-game, ArenaNet wants guild missions to be the backbone of the system. Guild missions will no longer require consumables and can be run for free. Additionally, the missions will be set for each week as a new bounty system from the pool of missions to give more variance instead of guilds grinding through each missions type each week. All guilds will get the same missions for the week.

Additionally, there are a handful of other changes coming to guilds including an update to guild claiming in WvW, guild teams in PvP and the ability for players to talk across multiple guilds without having to change which guild they are currently repping.

Like it or not Facebook knows your interests

Now, Facebook would know even without any of your 'labelled' activity whether particular stuff in the News Feed interests you or not.

We already know that we only get the similar kind of content in our Facebook feed that we like/share/comment on. That's called echo effect.

But we don't always press 'like' or 'share' buttons on every post that pops up in our Facebook feed, even if we like it or care about it.

Now, Facebook would know even without any of your 'labelled' activity whether particular stuff in the News Feed interests you or not.

Facebook is tweaking its algorithms to account for a new metric: the amount of time you spend looking at things in your feed, regardless of whether or not you actively interact with it, TechCrunch reported.

Scroll past something without stopping for long, and Facebook's algorithms will slowly learn that you don't particularly care for that sort of content.

Stop on a post for a bit, and Facebook starts the timer behind the scenes. If you spend more time on this story than you spend on most things in your feed "studying a picture, perusing the comment thread " they will take that as a signal that it's something you care about.

This change allows Facebook's algorithms to take the hint without requiring you to lift a finger.

Once things shift toward passive behaviour analysis, Facebook's News Feed begins to understand what you care about more than you ever could.

Facebook said it would be introducing the algorithm tweak in the coming weeks. However, don't expect any dramatic changes to what pops up in your feed, at least not very soon. It will take some time before it actually makes an impact.

Especially, pages are not likely to see significant changes in distribution as a result of this update.

Oppo launches Neo 5 in India, priced at Rs 9,990

Oppo launched Neo 5 budget smartphone, which was announced globally in August 2014, in the Indian market at Rs 9,990

Chinese brand Oppo launched Neo 5 budget smartphone, which was announced globally in August 2014, in the Indian market at Rs 9,990.

The dual-sim Oppo smartphone sports a 4.5-inch (480x854p) IPS LCD display and runs on Android 4.4 (KitKat). It is powered by 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor with 1GB RAM and comes with 8GB internal storage and optional external storage expandable up to 32GB via microSD card.

Oppo Neo 5 packs a 2,000mAh battery and comes with a power-saving mode to make the battery last longer. The smartphone is equipped with a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front-facing camera. In terms of connectivity, Oppo Neo 5 has options of 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and A-GPS.

Tom Lu, CEO, Oppo Mobiles India, said, "Oppo Neo 5 (2015) will target consumers who expect superior specifications at decent pricing. Our target is to reach out and cater to each segment in the market."

At Rs 9,990, this smartphone will compete against Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G, Lenovo A7000 and Samsung Galaxy Core Prime 4G.

Facebook tracks internet users: Belgium watchdog

Belgium's privacy protection committee filed suit against Facebook in the main civil court in the capital Brussels

A privacy watchdog said it is taking Facebook to court in Belgium for tracking internet users, including those who are not members of the US social media network. 

Belgium's privacy protection committee filed suit against Facebook in the main civil court in the capital Brussels, which was to begin hearing the case, said Sarah Boulerhcha, a watchdog spokeswoman. 

In May 2015, the watchdog charged that "Facebook flouts European and Belgian law in the area of privacy" before it made several recommendations that it said the firm failed to act on. 

It charges that Facebook tracks internet users, whether or not they are members of the social network, by tracking them through browser histories, or "cookies," left on the computer after they click "like" or "share" on a site. 

It said the suit will seek to determine whether Belgian courts have jurisdiction in the case because Facebook "only accepts monitoring by the Irish privacy protection committee and the application of Irish law." 

Facebook's European headquarters in Dublin registers all accounts outside the United States and Canada -- making up some 80% of Facebook's 1.35 billion users. 

Besides targeting Facebook Belgium, the suit also takes aim at Facebook USA and Facebook Ireland. 

"We also demand more transparency for Facebook users, that they are told what data is gathered," Boulerhcha said. 

Beyond asking Facebook to respect the rules, the Belgian watchdog recommends that operators of internet sites use "a two-click solution" to obtain the explicit consent of visitors before latter say click "like" or "share." 

A Facebook spokeswoman in Europe, Tina Kulow, was quoted by the Belga news agency as saying the firm was "surprized" and "disappointed" that the watchdog was taking it to court even though there was a meeting planned to discuss the recommendations.

Xiaomi to launch new Note device on June 29

It is widely expected that this upcoming device will be the long-rumoured Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, the successor of Xiaomi Redmi Note & Note 4G.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has announced on social media platform Weibo that the company will unveil a new Note device on June 29 in China. 

It is widely expected that this upcoming device will be the long-rumoured Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, the successor of Xiaomi Redmi Note & Note 4G. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2's features and specifications have leaked multiple times in the past, most recently via a listing on Chinese certification agency TENNA. 

While the current model has only a HD (720x1280p) screen, the upcomig Redmi Note 2 is said to have a Full HD (1080x1920p) panel. Screen size, however, remains constant at 5.5-inch. 

Redmi Note 2 is expected to be powered by a 64-bit Mediatek MT6795 chipset and run on Android 5.0 (Lollipop)-based (MiUI 6.0) software. It will have a 13MP rear camera and 8MP or 5MP camera with OmniVision technology in front.

However, if Xiaomi plans to bring this model to India, which is likely, it will have to change the chipset since it cannot sell Mediatek-powered smartphones in the country due to an ongoing patent conflict with Ericsson. 

There are conflicting reports about the amount of RAM the upcoming phablet will feature. While some say Redmi Note 2 will come with 2GB of memory, others say it will have 3GB RAM. It is possible that Xiaomi may release two versions of the device (like Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G, which have 1GB and 2G RAM respectively), having differing RAM. 

It is also said to have USB Type-C connector, the new USB standard for Android devices, which Google announced at I/O 2015.

Adobe launches free Photoshop app for Android

Adobe's softwares like Photoshop, Premiere and Illustrator are used for image creation, designing and editing.

Imaging software maker Adobe has launched free Photoshop application for Android platform.

"This is most comprehensive release that we have ever done. All Adobe's mobile applications are free. Photoshop mix, shape CC, Brush CC and Color CC will be now available on Android for free," Adobe Systems India managing director Umang Bedi said.

Adobe is already offering free Photoshop application on Apple's iOS platform.

Adobe's softwares like Photoshop, Premiere and Illustrator are used for image creation, designing and editing.

"We have also introduced creative sync which allows access and sharing of files across desktop, mobile and tablets. With this feature, people can work in collaboration with each other on a file and while on the move," Bedi said.

The company launched Adobe Character Animator in which animation can be created by action of human beings captured through web camera.

"An individual can act infront of web camera and feed action that he or she wants to see in animation character. This does away need of tedious programming required to create animation, It is part of Adobe Premiere (video editing software)," Bedi said.

Adobe also showcased a feature that cleans haze or pollution captured in an image to give clear image.

"The Haze option automatically recognizes haze or pollution in an image and cleans it. It is now in-built in to Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom," Bedi said.

Adobe announced introductory scheme for students and teachers under which it will provide complete suite of its product for Rs 1,000 per month and for individuals it is Rs 2,700 per month.

BSNL to launch m-wallet

There is no proposal under consideration of BSNL for setting up of separate subsidiary company for land bank and other real estate.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) plans to introduce mobile wallet (m-wallet) over the next two months with State Bank of India as its banking partner. 

"We expect m-wallet mobicash to be rolled out over the next two months. BSNL has chosen SBI as its banking partner in the project," BSNL CGM (Calcutta Telephones) Amit Bhattacharya said. 

BSNL officials said its m-wallet will be different from others as money can be withdrawn for any unutilized fund and allow withdrawal from SBI ATMs. 

"As of now, we don't now know how authentication will happen to withdraw money without ATM card and SBI account but there will be a process that would be known shortly how it can be done," Bhattacharya said. 

Mobicash Wallet mobile user can pay for various services such as recharge of prepaid cards and mobile/utility bills, book film tickets and shop online. 

Besides, one can transfer money using the service. 

BSNL will also shortly introduce BSNL Buzz, a cell broadcast service to harness its mobile subscribers base to earn revenue from its potential advertisers. 

The service will help advertisers tap potential customers with location-based targeted campaigns and marketing informations, Senior GM (NWO-CM) Biswajit Paul said.

Hathway bets big on broadband business

Betting big on the recent launch of its ultra high-speed internet network in six metros, Mumbai-based cable and broadband services provider Hathway is planning to shore up revenues from the broadband services segment from 20% to 50% in the future, said Hathway managing director and chief executive officer Jagdish Kumar on Tuesday. 

The company had clocked revenues of Rs 1,831.60 crore in FY15 and has planned a capex of Rs 500 crore this FY, of which Rs 280 crore is earmarked for the broadband segment and will be primarily invested in setting up infrastructure. 

"Internationally, the trend is that broadband subscribers are exceeding cable TV subscribers. In our case, the cable segment accounts for 80% of revenues while broadband accounts for the rest. Eventually we will also become a broadband company that 'also' provides cable services," Kumar said, adding that growth will be mainly driven by internet usage shifting to homes in India. Hathway broadband services president Rajan Gupta pointed out that the company will be consolidating its base in the six metros where it has recently launched its ultra high-speed internet network and focus on acquiring new customers and growing in these cities this fiscal. During the next fiscal, it will work towards getting ultra high-speed internet network connections in other centres like Vizag as well, he added. 

"Nearly 99% of the users who access internet at homes experience speeds of less than 5 mbps and are paying anything between Rs 500 to 650 per month. We are providing ultra high-speed internet connection with 50 mbps speed for Rs 699 as we have the requisite technology," he said. According to Gupta, this new service will help the company treble its user base in Hyderabad market from 50,000 to 1.5 lakh this fiscal.

Google India makes buying Android apps easier

Google is said to have experimented with this feature toward the end of 2013 and early 2014, so there's no telling when (or if) it will launch.

In a bid to promote paid apps in India and make it easier for users to buy apps in the country, Google has launched prepaid vouchers that can be redeemed on the company's Play Store. 

In a country where may people do not have credit cards and most are wary of sharing their debit and credit card information online, Google has launched a programme that allows users to buy prepaid cash vouchers via stores using cash or any other form of payment accepted by retail stores. 

These cash vouchers can be used on Google's Play Store to buy digital content like apps, ebooks, movies, etc.

These vouchers can be purchased in denominations of Rs 500, 1,000 and 1,5000 at select Vijay Sales and Spice Hotspot outlets in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Jaipur, Google India said in a blog post. 

In order to redeem these prepaid vouchers, Android users need to visit http://play.google.com/redeem.