8 Feb 2016
6 Nov 2013
Street named after A R Rahman in Canada
Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman has got a street named after him in Markham, Ontario, Canada.
The ace composer posted a a picture on Facebook holding a sign board which reads 'Allah-Rakha Rahman st'.
The ace composer posted a a picture on Facebook holding a sign board which reads 'Allah-Rakha Rahman st'.
5 Nov 2013
Passport Seva mobile app now on Windows, Apple platforms
The app provides passport-related information on the smartphones. The MEA had released the android version of the app in March this year.
This is an extended service of the Passport Seva Project, executed in Public-Private-Partnership mode with IT services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Passport Seva provides a wide variety of services such as status tracking, locating a passport office and other general information, TCS said.
The application provides information on various steps involved to obtain a passport related service and related phone numbers in case of queries or concerns, it added.
The users will also be able to search for a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or District Passport Cell (DPC) in a district where a passport application can be submitted. This can also be searched based on PIN code. For certain states and districts, the users can search for police stations as well.
Citizens residing overseas who apply for a passport service in Indian Missions/Posts abroad can also utilize this facility for searching address and other relevant information.
The fee calculator feature of the app enables users to find out the applicable fee based on the service and mode of submission.
Users can track the status of their passport applications by providing the file number and date of birth. In case the passport has been dispatched, delivery status can also be tracked.
This is an extended service of the Passport Seva Project, executed in Public-Private-Partnership mode with IT services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
The application provides information on various steps involved to obtain a passport related service and related phone numbers in case of queries or concerns, it added.
The users will also be able to search for a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or District Passport Cell (DPC) in a district where a passport application can be submitted. This can also be searched based on PIN code. For certain states and districts, the users can search for police stations as well.
Citizens residing overseas who apply for a passport service in Indian Missions/Posts abroad can also utilize this facility for searching address and other relevant information.
The fee calculator feature of the app enables users to find out the applicable fee based on the service and mode of submission.
Users can track the status of their passport applications by providing the file number and date of birth. In case the passport has been dispatched, delivery status can also be tracked.
Krrish 3 : Rs. 100 crore in four days
t a time when recent Bollywood films like Akshay Kumar’s Boss and Mickey Virus both saw lukewarm business at the box office, Krrish 3’s Rs. 100 crore haul in the first four days of its opening has brought the smiles back on the face of industry insiders.
The Hrithik related stories Hrithik Roshan gets mobbed Return of the superhero: Krrish 3 Bollywood release: Krrish 3 Roshan-starrer superhero flick, directed by Rakesh Roshan, has thus set a record of sorts. “Despite all the criticism and having a mediocre musical score, Krrish 3 has done phenomenally well. It’s heartening to see a superhero film did so well, considering the last one, RA.One, did so badly,” says trade experts Amod Mehra.
Miss Asia Pacific crown seized at airport
The diamond studded crown of India's Srishti Rana, who has been crowned Miss Asia Pacific World 2013 in Busan South Korea, was seized for not paying customs, a senior customs official said.
21-year-old Rana was intercepted by the Customs after she landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here, sources said, adding that she was asked to pay the duty as the crown contained diamonds. It was, however, not known when the crown was seized.
In order to waive of duty of any participant getting such an award, the customs department needs to get a special exemption notification by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), the official said.
21-year-old Rana was intercepted by the Customs after she landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here, sources said, adding that she was asked to pay the duty as the crown contained diamonds. It was, however, not known when the crown was seized.In order to waive of duty of any participant getting such an award, the customs department needs to get a special exemption notification by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), the official said.
2 Nov 2013
10:40
By pushpak
In: Android, Android 4.4, Android 4.4 KitKat, google, Kitkat, Samsung, Smartphone
No comments
By pushpak
In: Android, Android 4.4, Android 4.4 KitKat, google, Kitkat, Samsung, Smartphone
No comments
New Features Of Android 4.4 KitKat
1. User interface tweaks: Android 4.4 KitKat offers a translucent menu bar located at the bottom of the screen, and new transition effects when you open the app launcher. The OS offers full-screen wallpapers with preview and the wallpapers now extend through the notification tray as well, in addition to the navigation buttons.
The new OS brings a more immersive experience by hiding the status bar and navigation buttons when the user is reading a book, or playing a game or watching a movie. They can just swipe the edge of the screen to bring back the status bar and navigation buttons on KitKat.
The lock-screen widgets for music and movies apps now also offer the option to seek and jump to a specific part. The Quick Settings notifications menu toggles also add a 'location settings' toggle. A new Emoji keyboard for emoticons has also been included in the native Google Keyboard.
Android 4.4 KitKat will also show full-screen album and movie art if content is being streamed to another device such as a Chromecast.
2. New dialler, caller ID: The new phone app now automatically prioritises the users' contacts based on the people they talk to the most. Users can also search for nearby places and businesses, contacts, or people in their Google Apps domain directly from the Phone app. If they get a call from a phone number that is not saved in their contacts, the phone will look for matches from businesses with a local listing on Google Maps.
3. Unified Hangouts messaging app: As we reported a few days back, Android 4.4 brings acallid.jpg new unified messaging app, with Hangouts getting SMS and MMS integration, in addition to offering instant messaging through Google accounts (erstwhile Google Talk). Hangouts now also allows users to share their location and send animated GIFs.
4. Smarter Google Now integration: While the voice-activated always-on search assistant was first seen in the Moto X, Android 4.4 extends it to the Nexus 5, allowing users to just say "OK Google" when in the home screen to launch the Google Now assistant and do a voice search, send a text, get directions or even play a song. Google Now can be launched by simply swiping to the left instead of swiping from the bottom, at least on the Nexus 5.
It's not clear if the feature would reach other Android 4.4 devices. Google also says, that in the coming weeks, it's enhancing Google Now with new card types that bring information about contextual topics that interest users such as updates from a favourite website or blog.
5. Better support for cloud printing: Users will now be able to print photos, documents, and web pages from their phone or tablet through any printer connected to Google Cloud Print, HP ePrint printers, and via other printers that have apps in the Google Play Store. Android 4.4 offers native platform support for printing, and includes APIs for managing printing and adding new types of printer support, according to Google. "Users can discover available printers, change paper sizes, choose specific pages to print, and print almost any kind of document, image, or file," mentions Google in the OS release notes.
6. Chrome WebView: Android apps that feature web content now use Chrome to render web components accurately and quickly. Chromium WebView supports HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It supports most of the HTML5 features available in Chrome for Android 30.
7. Step detector, counter: Android 4.4 brings platform support for two new composite sensors,kk-sensors-runtastic-n5.jpg step detector and step counter allowing users to track steps when they're walking, running, or climbing stairs, via apps and hardware that offer the feature. The Nexus 5 offers the two sensors and Google says it's working with its chipset partners to bring them to new devices as soon as possible.
8. Enhanced support for connectivity options: Android 4.4 also brings support for the Message Access Profile (MAP) enabling Bluetooth-enabled cars to exchange messages with Android devices. It also supports Bluetooth HID over GATT (HOGP) offering apps a low-latency link with low-power peripheral devices such as mice, joysticks, and keyboards.
Android 4.4 also introduces platform support for built-in IR blasters, and a new API and system service for developers to build apps that can leverage them. This means the IR Blaster, present in the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One will now be usable.
Android 4.4 also supports Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS), a way to stream media and other data faster between devices already on the same Wi-Fi network.
9. Better accessibility options: Android 4.4 offers system-wide preferences for 'closed captioning'. Apps that offer video can access the user's captioning settings and adjust the display of the captions as per the user's preferences.
10. Screen recording: Android 4.4 offers support for screen recording, and includes a screen recording utility that lets users capture video as they use the device and store it as an MP4 file. This also allows developers, reviewers and end-users to create walkthroughs and tutorials for apps, testing materials, and marketing videos, among others.
The new OS brings a more immersive experience by hiding the status bar and navigation buttons when the user is reading a book, or playing a game or watching a movie. They can just swipe the edge of the screen to bring back the status bar and navigation buttons on KitKat.
The lock-screen widgets for music and movies apps now also offer the option to seek and jump to a specific part. The Quick Settings notifications menu toggles also add a 'location settings' toggle. A new Emoji keyboard for emoticons has also been included in the native Google Keyboard.
Android 4.4 KitKat will also show full-screen album and movie art if content is being streamed to another device such as a Chromecast.
2. New dialler, caller ID: The new phone app now automatically prioritises the users' contacts based on the people they talk to the most. Users can also search for nearby places and businesses, contacts, or people in their Google Apps domain directly from the Phone app. If they get a call from a phone number that is not saved in their contacts, the phone will look for matches from businesses with a local listing on Google Maps.
3. Unified Hangouts messaging app: As we reported a few days back, Android 4.4 brings acallid.jpg new unified messaging app, with Hangouts getting SMS and MMS integration, in addition to offering instant messaging through Google accounts (erstwhile Google Talk). Hangouts now also allows users to share their location and send animated GIFs.
4. Smarter Google Now integration: While the voice-activated always-on search assistant was first seen in the Moto X, Android 4.4 extends it to the Nexus 5, allowing users to just say "OK Google" when in the home screen to launch the Google Now assistant and do a voice search, send a text, get directions or even play a song. Google Now can be launched by simply swiping to the left instead of swiping from the bottom, at least on the Nexus 5.
It's not clear if the feature would reach other Android 4.4 devices. Google also says, that in the coming weeks, it's enhancing Google Now with new card types that bring information about contextual topics that interest users such as updates from a favourite website or blog.
5. Better support for cloud printing: Users will now be able to print photos, documents, and web pages from their phone or tablet through any printer connected to Google Cloud Print, HP ePrint printers, and via other printers that have apps in the Google Play Store. Android 4.4 offers native platform support for printing, and includes APIs for managing printing and adding new types of printer support, according to Google. "Users can discover available printers, change paper sizes, choose specific pages to print, and print almost any kind of document, image, or file," mentions Google in the OS release notes.
6. Chrome WebView: Android apps that feature web content now use Chrome to render web components accurately and quickly. Chromium WebView supports HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It supports most of the HTML5 features available in Chrome for Android 30.
7. Step detector, counter: Android 4.4 brings platform support for two new composite sensors,kk-sensors-runtastic-n5.jpg step detector and step counter allowing users to track steps when they're walking, running, or climbing stairs, via apps and hardware that offer the feature. The Nexus 5 offers the two sensors and Google says it's working with its chipset partners to bring them to new devices as soon as possible.
8. Enhanced support for connectivity options: Android 4.4 also brings support for the Message Access Profile (MAP) enabling Bluetooth-enabled cars to exchange messages with Android devices. It also supports Bluetooth HID over GATT (HOGP) offering apps a low-latency link with low-power peripheral devices such as mice, joysticks, and keyboards.
Android 4.4 also introduces platform support for built-in IR blasters, and a new API and system service for developers to build apps that can leverage them. This means the IR Blaster, present in the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One will now be usable.
Android 4.4 also supports Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS), a way to stream media and other data faster between devices already on the same Wi-Fi network.
9. Better accessibility options: Android 4.4 offers system-wide preferences for 'closed captioning'. Apps that offer video can access the user's captioning settings and adjust the display of the captions as per the user's preferences.
10. Screen recording: Android 4.4 offers support for screen recording, and includes a screen recording utility that lets users capture video as they use the device and store it as an MP4 file. This also allows developers, reviewers and end-users to create walkthroughs and tutorials for apps, testing materials, and marketing videos, among others.
‘Krrish 3’ review: Great effects, but too much emotional drama!
If you were to study the comic book history, you would realise that superheroes are the born out of dire straits. The birth of the first superheroes came out of world economy sinking in the 1930s and the World War II. They formed a sort of escapist form of entertainment from the depressing times that people were living in. The last decade has seen the same upsurge in superhero movies coming to fore while the economy is again wavering and the world is in crisis. And this time India is included in the slump.
Hrithik Roshan is perhaps the most apt choice if a super hero movie was to be made in India. And Rakesh Roshan didn’t need to make a choice. Hrithik looks ravishing, and really uber cool as the Indian version of a super hero. One who is suave, macho, dripping with strength and charisma and can give Supermans, Batmans and Ironmans of this world a run for their money. Senior Roshan however makes a big mistake with this franchise – he decides to give it a little too much archetypal Bollywood sugar coating.
In the third edition of the saga, ‘Krissh 3’ attempts to break the technological barriers that our movie industry faced with large scale action sequences. ‘Krrish 3’ has all the elements of an entertainer and a lot of potential to have given some serious competition to Hollywood flicks. One can’t really complain about a somewhat predictable plot (after all superhero movies are supposed to be about the triumph of good over evil).
However, it is interspersed with some highly filmy and done to death dialogues. “Krrish ek soch hain jise koi kaal nahi maar sakta,” says Priyanka Chopra just before the final action sequence. It doesn’t end there. There are many more that can eat up your brains. And then there are some small and some gaping loopholes and unfortunately insane amounts of product placements dotted throughout the script.
If you learn to ignore them, then you might have a chance to enjoy the movie. Kangana Ranaut as Kaya has an intricate character which she plays off with ease, without overdoing it. ‘Kaal’ played by Viveik Oberoi could have been more sinister, his superpowers are a weird mix between Professor Charles X Xavier and Magneto from the ‘X- Men’ series. Many of the other villain sidekicks are also ‘X Men’ inspired. Viveik does the best he can, but the subtlety and the panache that other villains exude is not something he can match with only cheesy dialogues. He doesn’t come close to even Shakaal (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) from Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Shaan’.
It’s an out and out Hrithik movie. He looks good in a costume (however cheap the fabric may look). He also makes the action and the fights look natural. He may not be the most gifted actor but he pulls off both Rohit and Krishna well. Priyanka Chopra looks pretty as the ‘wife’ and doesn’t have much to do. Kangana easily overshadows Chopra with a more crucial part to play in the movie.
The background score by Salim and Suleiman is good and follows the moods well, but the soundtracks by Rajesh Roshan are seriously ignorable.
‘Krrish 3’ borrows heavily from all the Hollywood superhero flicks ever made. But, what work for the movie are the CGI effects and the action sequences and a somewhat interesting albeit predictable plot. More importantly Rakesh Roshan encashes on the lack of any competition from any other movie maker to come up with a more commendable actor who can be as easily identified as Krrish as Hrithik can.
What absolutely fails are the badly written dialogues, usage of Bollywood clichés, the stupidly obvious adverts, bad musical scores and not giving a good character build to Kaal, even though it would have been a formidable watch if at least this could have been done.
Want to watch Krrish? Go ahead if you love Bollywood in all its corny finery. If you are a comic book buff and have watched all that Hollywood has had to offer, you may like to steer clear.
Hrithik Roshan is perhaps the most apt choice if a super hero movie was to be made in India. And Rakesh Roshan didn’t need to make a choice. Hrithik looks ravishing, and really uber cool as the Indian version of a super hero. One who is suave, macho, dripping with strength and charisma and can give Supermans, Batmans and Ironmans of this world a run for their money. Senior Roshan however makes a big mistake with this franchise – he decides to give it a little too much archetypal Bollywood sugar coating.
In the third edition of the saga, ‘Krissh 3’ attempts to break the technological barriers that our movie industry faced with large scale action sequences. ‘Krrish 3’ has all the elements of an entertainer and a lot of potential to have given some serious competition to Hollywood flicks. One can’t really complain about a somewhat predictable plot (after all superhero movies are supposed to be about the triumph of good over evil).
However, it is interspersed with some highly filmy and done to death dialogues. “Krrish ek soch hain jise koi kaal nahi maar sakta,” says Priyanka Chopra just before the final action sequence. It doesn’t end there. There are many more that can eat up your brains. And then there are some small and some gaping loopholes and unfortunately insane amounts of product placements dotted throughout the script.
If you learn to ignore them, then you might have a chance to enjoy the movie. Kangana Ranaut as Kaya has an intricate character which she plays off with ease, without overdoing it. ‘Kaal’ played by Viveik Oberoi could have been more sinister, his superpowers are a weird mix between Professor Charles X Xavier and Magneto from the ‘X- Men’ series. Many of the other villain sidekicks are also ‘X Men’ inspired. Viveik does the best he can, but the subtlety and the panache that other villains exude is not something he can match with only cheesy dialogues. He doesn’t come close to even Shakaal (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) from Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Shaan’.
It’s an out and out Hrithik movie. He looks good in a costume (however cheap the fabric may look). He also makes the action and the fights look natural. He may not be the most gifted actor but he pulls off both Rohit and Krishna well. Priyanka Chopra looks pretty as the ‘wife’ and doesn’t have much to do. Kangana easily overshadows Chopra with a more crucial part to play in the movie.
The background score by Salim and Suleiman is good and follows the moods well, but the soundtracks by Rajesh Roshan are seriously ignorable.
‘Krrish 3’ borrows heavily from all the Hollywood superhero flicks ever made. But, what work for the movie are the CGI effects and the action sequences and a somewhat interesting albeit predictable plot. More importantly Rakesh Roshan encashes on the lack of any competition from any other movie maker to come up with a more commendable actor who can be as easily identified as Krrish as Hrithik can.
What absolutely fails are the badly written dialogues, usage of Bollywood clichés, the stupidly obvious adverts, bad musical scores and not giving a good character build to Kaal, even though it would have been a formidable watch if at least this could have been done.
Want to watch Krrish? Go ahead if you love Bollywood in all its corny finery. If you are a comic book buff and have watched all that Hollywood has had to offer, you may like to steer clear.
1 Nov 2013
Nexus 5 phone, unwraps KitKat Android 4.4
KitKat, aka Android 4.4, has faster multitasking and full voice control, according to Google, and a smarter caller ID system so that if the number dialing in isn't on your contacts list then Android will take a guess at who it is using businesses listed on Google Maps.
KitKat devices can now send documents to printers directly using Google Cloud Print or HP's ePrint system, and Quickoffice has been redesigned to make finding files easier and editing documents and spreadsheets more simple. The email application has also had a facelift, as has the download function.
The Chocolate Factory promises that KitKat will be able to run on a wider variety of hardware than other versions because it doesn’t require the latest and greatest hardware to run. By shutting down background services and trimming memory requirements, Google reckons KitKat will need just 512MB of RAM to run smoothly.
That said, in the near future it's only going to be available for high-end hardware such as the Nexus 4, 7 and 10; the Samsung Galaxy S4; and the HTC One Google Play edition. As for the Nexus 5, of the major US carriers only Verizon isn't carrying the handset, and it is also available unlocked in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
Google has stuck with LG as its hardware maker for the Nexus 5, rather than switching to Motorola as some rumors had suggested. The mobe comes with a five-inch 1920-by-1080-pixel display (that's 445 pixel per inch) and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor running at 2.3GHz with 2GB of RAM.
LTE and dual-aerial Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) is built in and the handset has two cameras – a bog-standard 1.3Mp front facer for videoconferencing and an 8Mp rear camera. For auteurs, there's also a new HDR+ mode that takes multiple shots quickly and combines them into a single photo that takes the best features from each image.
The new Nexus – one of the most gossiped-about smartphones in a while – is the slimmest one yet at 69.17 x 137.84 x 8.59mm and weighs in at 130g. Google claims the 2,300mAh battery is good for 17 hours talk time, 300 hours of standby and 8.5 hours of use with Wi-Fi, or seven hours on LTE. Wireless charging and NFC is also built in.
The Nexus 5 will cost $349 for the 16GB version and $399 for 32GB of storage, but there's no slot to fit any removable media, presumably since we're all supposed to be cloudy these days. Google has also eschewed Apple and Motorola Mobility's fruity color schemes – the Nexus 5 is available in black and white only.
The Chocolate Factory promises that KitKat will be able to run on a wider variety of hardware than other versions because it doesn’t require the latest and greatest hardware to run. By shutting down background services and trimming memory requirements, Google reckons KitKat will need just 512MB of RAM to run smoothly.
That said, in the near future it's only going to be available for high-end hardware such as the Nexus 4, 7 and 10; the Samsung Galaxy S4; and the HTC One Google Play edition. As for the Nexus 5, of the major US carriers only Verizon isn't carrying the handset, and it is also available unlocked in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
Google has stuck with LG as its hardware maker for the Nexus 5, rather than switching to Motorola as some rumors had suggested. The mobe comes with a five-inch 1920-by-1080-pixel display (that's 445 pixel per inch) and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor running at 2.3GHz with 2GB of RAM.
LTE and dual-aerial Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) is built in and the handset has two cameras – a bog-standard 1.3Mp front facer for videoconferencing and an 8Mp rear camera. For auteurs, there's also a new HDR+ mode that takes multiple shots quickly and combines them into a single photo that takes the best features from each image.
The new Nexus – one of the most gossiped-about smartphones in a while – is the slimmest one yet at 69.17 x 137.84 x 8.59mm and weighs in at 130g. Google claims the 2,300mAh battery is good for 17 hours talk time, 300 hours of standby and 8.5 hours of use with Wi-Fi, or seven hours on LTE. Wireless charging and NFC is also built in.
The Nexus 5 will cost $349 for the 16GB version and $399 for 32GB of storage, but there's no slot to fit any removable media, presumably since we're all supposed to be cloudy these days. Google has also eschewed Apple and Motorola Mobility's fruity color schemes – the Nexus 5 is available in black and white only.
Your movements will help charge your cell phone(Mobile)
The mobile generator 'Genneo' can charge a device with any type of movement so a user could purposefully shake it or just leave it in a pant pocket while taking a hike.
"Genneo has created a revolutionary line of products that capture energy from walking, shaking or moving in other ways and turn it into charge for your phone and other portable electronics," according to the product description on Kick starter.
"These products are easy to carry and they capture energy as you move normally, storing that energy in their on-board battery," it said.
The device includes a micro USB port and comes with a pre charging cable with a standard USB connection on the other side; that cable allows you to plug in one end into Genneo and the other end into your mobile device.
An LED battery gauge shows how much battery power Genneo has left, 'Mashable' reported.
Researchers will soon launch two models of the mobile generator. The first one delivers up to one hour of talk time in charge for every five hours that it is carried in a backpack.
The other gives up to one hour of talk time for every seven hours it is carried.
Shaking the Genneo accelerates charging. The first model can easily deliver three minutes of talk time per minute shaken and the second one produces up to two minutes of talk time per minute that you shake it.
Dhanteras day : Gold sales down by 50%
Gold sales on Dhanteras day today are down by about 50 per cent despite lower price as sluggish demand for bars and coins amid high inflation and weak economic outlook dimmed the sparkle of the precious metal.
Gold prices are ruling at Rs 31,400 per 10 grams in the national capital, lower than Rs 32,485 on the last Dhanteras.
"There is a drastic fall in gold demand due to weak economy and inflation," All-India Gems and Jewellery Federation Chairman Haresh Soni told PTI.
Retail jeweller Gitajali Group's Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi said overall gold sales are down by 25 per cent. "There has been a shift in buying trend. We expect diamond sales to be higher by 25 per cent from last year." "Gold sales are down by up to 40-50 per cent because of overall high inflation. People are buying silver as a token purchase on this auspicious day despite gold prices being lower than last year," said an official of Chennai-based Nalli Jewellers.
Bombay Bullion Association's former President Suresh Hundia said overall gold sales are expected to be down by about 50 per cent compared with last Dhanteras due to lack of investment demand for coins and bars.
He said demand for bars and coins is "negligible" as investors are staying away from purchases this year because prices are higher in the domestic market than global rates.
Gold is being sold at a high premium due to supply crunch. Shipments are down as import duty has been hiked to 10 per cent from 8 per cent to address the ballooning current account deficit situation. The government has also banned imports of gold bars and coins.
Availability of bars and coins are scarce this year due to import curbs, Hundia said.
Marriage demand for jewelleries was strong. It was a 'mixed response' otherwise for from consumers on this auspicious occasion, traders said.
Sale in gold jewellery is expected to be almost at last year's level. Buying is still happening. Final sale figures are expected late night," Soni said.
Gold prices are ruling at Rs 31,400 per 10 grams in the national capital, lower than Rs 32,485 on the last Dhanteras.
"There is a drastic fall in gold demand due to weak economy and inflation," All-India Gems and Jewellery Federation Chairman Haresh Soni told PTI.
Retail jeweller Gitajali Group's Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi said overall gold sales are down by 25 per cent. "There has been a shift in buying trend. We expect diamond sales to be higher by 25 per cent from last year." "Gold sales are down by up to 40-50 per cent because of overall high inflation. People are buying silver as a token purchase on this auspicious day despite gold prices being lower than last year," said an official of Chennai-based Nalli Jewellers.
Bombay Bullion Association's former President Suresh Hundia said overall gold sales are expected to be down by about 50 per cent compared with last Dhanteras due to lack of investment demand for coins and bars.
He said demand for bars and coins is "negligible" as investors are staying away from purchases this year because prices are higher in the domestic market than global rates.
Gold is being sold at a high premium due to supply crunch. Shipments are down as import duty has been hiked to 10 per cent from 8 per cent to address the ballooning current account deficit situation. The government has also banned imports of gold bars and coins.
Availability of bars and coins are scarce this year due to import curbs, Hundia said.
Marriage demand for jewelleries was strong. It was a 'mixed response' otherwise for from consumers on this auspicious occasion, traders said.
Sale in gold jewellery is expected to be almost at last year's level. Buying is still happening. Final sale figures are expected late night," Soni said.
India vs Australia 7th ODI
The decider of the seven match ODI series is a bonus for the fans here who are already basking in the glow of the four day long Diwali festivities - which began with the 'Rajyotsava Day' on Friday. India fought their way back to make the last match the decider after a stupendous run-chase in Nagpur. And another runfeast is on cards at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and the weekend crowd will be eager to witness the home team clinch the series.
Australia have been a revelation under an interim captain George Bailey and will be up for the challenge on Saturday. No total has been safe in the series which has been dominated by the batsmen. The statistics are mind-boggling. Of the nine completed innings, seven have thrown up totals in excess of 300 with four crossing the 350-mark.
The series has seen the second and third highest ODI chases ever and that too in the span of just one match - leaving out the two abandoned matches in Ranchi and Cuttack. Batsmen have slammed seven centuries and 15 half-centuries. A whopping 69 sixes and 285 fours have been hit. It is better not to dwell on the corresponding bowling figures.
Saturday's contest is expected to follow the trend of high-scoring encounters. India will enjoy a bit of a psychological edge after producing astonishing batting spectacles in the two matches. Also, with Australia's main strike bowler Mitchell Johnson returning home to prepare for the Ashes, India can breathe easy.
The left-handed Johnson has been the most successful bowler in the series claiming seven wickets and was able to maintain an economy of below six on deadpan pitches. Adam Voges, too, is a doubtful starter with a sore back. Australia, therefore, for the first time in the series will have to change the playing XI. Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin, however, said they had the cover for Johnson.
"We've got guys like Nathan Coulter-Nile and Moises Henriques who have been on the sideline for the entire tour. They are ready to go," said Haddin.
India, too, had an injury worry in Ravindra Jadeja - nursing a shoulder strain. But he trained with the team on Friday and Virat Kohli confirmed there were no fitness issues in the team.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (right) play football in Bangalore on Friday
India have fielded different bowling combinations, but nothing has worked in the face of fierce batting assault. In Nagpur with the wicket being a tad slower they went in with three spinners - including leg-spinner Amit Mishra in place of R. Vinay Kumar - but that did not deter Australian batsmen who have tackled the slow bowlers with some exceptional hitting.
It will be important for India to get rid of Bailey who has been in rich vein of form. The Australian batting has revolved around him and it is no surprise that he has emerged the top-scorer in the series with 474 runs.
With the bowlers still reeling under the year-old rule changes, India's fate lies in the hands of their formidable batsmen and the team will be hoping for one final encore from them.
Australia have been a revelation under an interim captain George Bailey and will be up for the challenge on Saturday. No total has been safe in the series which has been dominated by the batsmen. The statistics are mind-boggling. Of the nine completed innings, seven have thrown up totals in excess of 300 with four crossing the 350-mark.
The series has seen the second and third highest ODI chases ever and that too in the span of just one match - leaving out the two abandoned matches in Ranchi and Cuttack. Batsmen have slammed seven centuries and 15 half-centuries. A whopping 69 sixes and 285 fours have been hit. It is better not to dwell on the corresponding bowling figures.
Saturday's contest is expected to follow the trend of high-scoring encounters. India will enjoy a bit of a psychological edge after producing astonishing batting spectacles in the two matches. Also, with Australia's main strike bowler Mitchell Johnson returning home to prepare for the Ashes, India can breathe easy.
The left-handed Johnson has been the most successful bowler in the series claiming seven wickets and was able to maintain an economy of below six on deadpan pitches. Adam Voges, too, is a doubtful starter with a sore back. Australia, therefore, for the first time in the series will have to change the playing XI. Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin, however, said they had the cover for Johnson.
"We've got guys like Nathan Coulter-Nile and Moises Henriques who have been on the sideline for the entire tour. They are ready to go," said Haddin.
India, too, had an injury worry in Ravindra Jadeja - nursing a shoulder strain. But he trained with the team on Friday and Virat Kohli confirmed there were no fitness issues in the team.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (right) play football in Bangalore on Friday
India have fielded different bowling combinations, but nothing has worked in the face of fierce batting assault. In Nagpur with the wicket being a tad slower they went in with three spinners - including leg-spinner Amit Mishra in place of R. Vinay Kumar - but that did not deter Australian batsmen who have tackled the slow bowlers with some exceptional hitting.
It will be important for India to get rid of Bailey who has been in rich vein of form. The Australian batting has revolved around him and it is no surprise that he has emerged the top-scorer in the series with 474 runs.
With the bowlers still reeling under the year-old rule changes, India's fate lies in the hands of their formidable batsmen and the team will be hoping for one final encore from them.
Now, Vodafone 2G, 3G data come at same rate
2G data rate down 80%; cut follows similar moves by Airtel and RCom aimed at 1st-time users.
Three days after slashing international roaming rates on voice and data by 78-95%, making international calls as cheap as 1 paise per second, Vodafone, India’s second largest telecom company (telco), has now slashed 2G mobile internet rates by 80% for its prepaid and postpaid customers.
Starting today, Vodafone’s ‘Diwali Bonanza’ will allow its 2G and 3G customers to pay the same rates for mobile data on a pay-as-you-go basis even while roaming, which essentially reduces tariffs from 10 paise per KB to 2 paise per KB, which will be the standard rate for mobile data going forward, even after the festive season.
Vivek Mathur, chief commercial officer for Vodafone India, said the new reduced rates follow the successful trial of these reduced tariffs in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (west), Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh in mid-June. Vodafone currently has 4.12 crore data subscribers at the end of June, compared with an overall subscriber base of 14.1 crore. The company said data usage has grown almost 75% on-year.
In June, Vodafone followed other operators by slashing prepaid 3G data tariffs by 80% to 2 paise per KB from 10 paise per KB, making 3G data services cheaper than 2G data rates. With Thursday’s announcement, 2G and 3G mobile data rates will now cost the same for prepaid and postpaid users.
This move is aimed at encouraging usage of 2G mobile data for first-time mobile internet users, and then gradually encouraging them to shift to 3G with no extra charges involved, a strategy that is employed by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communication as well.
However, analysts see this move as a last-ditch attempt by the operator to push 2G data usage, which is negligible compared to 2G voice, especially given the increasing number of 3G customers. Still, with 2G and 3G data rates now unified, most subscribers are still expected to opt for 3G over 2G, said another analyst. Besides, data revenues still account for only 8-10% of telcos’ revenues.
Earlier this week, Vodafone’s UK-based parent said it will acquire a 100% stake of its India operations for Rs 10,141 crore, with additional funding to follow that would be used for network expansion of 2G and 3G.
National operator Aircel on Thursday also introduced a special ‘Diwali Aircel-to-Aircel STD’ calling pack at 10p/minute up to 150 minutes, and 35p/minute for Aircel STD calls to other networks. The rate-cutter STD pack is priced at Rs 39 with a validity of 28 days.
Three days after slashing international roaming rates on voice and data by 78-95%, making international calls as cheap as 1 paise per second, Vodafone, India’s second largest telecom company (telco), has now slashed 2G mobile internet rates by 80% for its prepaid and postpaid customers.
Starting today, Vodafone’s ‘Diwali Bonanza’ will allow its 2G and 3G customers to pay the same rates for mobile data on a pay-as-you-go basis even while roaming, which essentially reduces tariffs from 10 paise per KB to 2 paise per KB, which will be the standard rate for mobile data going forward, even after the festive season.
Vivek Mathur, chief commercial officer for Vodafone India, said the new reduced rates follow the successful trial of these reduced tariffs in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (west), Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh in mid-June. Vodafone currently has 4.12 crore data subscribers at the end of June, compared with an overall subscriber base of 14.1 crore. The company said data usage has grown almost 75% on-year.
In June, Vodafone followed other operators by slashing prepaid 3G data tariffs by 80% to 2 paise per KB from 10 paise per KB, making 3G data services cheaper than 2G data rates. With Thursday’s announcement, 2G and 3G mobile data rates will now cost the same for prepaid and postpaid users.
This move is aimed at encouraging usage of 2G mobile data for first-time mobile internet users, and then gradually encouraging them to shift to 3G with no extra charges involved, a strategy that is employed by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communication as well.
However, analysts see this move as a last-ditch attempt by the operator to push 2G data usage, which is negligible compared to 2G voice, especially given the increasing number of 3G customers. Still, with 2G and 3G data rates now unified, most subscribers are still expected to opt for 3G over 2G, said another analyst. Besides, data revenues still account for only 8-10% of telcos’ revenues.
Earlier this week, Vodafone’s UK-based parent said it will acquire a 100% stake of its India operations for Rs 10,141 crore, with additional funding to follow that would be used for network expansion of 2G and 3G.
National operator Aircel on Thursday also introduced a special ‘Diwali Aircel-to-Aircel STD’ calling pack at 10p/minute up to 150 minutes, and 35p/minute for Aircel STD calls to other networks. The rate-cutter STD pack is priced at Rs 39 with a validity of 28 days.
Weight loss not always beneficial for romantic relationships
Losing weight is generally beneficial for human health, but when one partner in a romantic relationship loses weight, it doesn't always have a positive effect on the relationship. According to new research from North Carolina State University and the University of Texas at Austin, there can be a "dark side" to weight loss, if both partners are not on board with enacting healthy changes.
"People need to be aware that weight loss can change a relationship for better or worse, and that communication plays an important role in maintaining a healthy relationship," says Dr. Lynsey Romo, an assistant professor of communication at NC State and lead author of a paper on the research.
For the study, researchers surveyed 21 couples – 42 adults – from across the country. One partner in each couple had lost 30 or more pounds in less than two years, with an average weight loss of about 60 pounds. Reasons for the weight loss ranged from changes in diet and exercise to medical procedures. The questionnaires asked each member of the couple about the impact of the weight loss on their relationship.
The researchers found that, after weight loss, the couples' communication generally changed for the good. The partner who lost weight was more likely to talk about healthy behaviors and inspire his/her partner to maintain or enact a healthy lifestyle. Couples in which both partners were receptive to these healthy changes reported more positive interactions and increased physical and emotional intimacy.
However, in some cases, weight loss resulted in negative communication. Some partners who lost weight nagged their significant other to follow their lead, which caused tension in the relationship. Other partners who hadn't lost weight reported feeling threatened and insecure by their partner's weight loss. These participants were resistant to change in their relationships. They would make critical comments toward their significant other, be less interested in sex, or try to sabotage their partner with unhealthy food in order to derail their partner's efforts and prevent the partner—and the relationship—from changing.
"This study found that one partner's lifestyle change influenced the dynamic of couples' interaction in a variety of positive or negative ways, tipping the scale of romantic relationships in a potentially upward or downward direction," Romo says. "When both partners bought into the idea of healthy changes and were supportive of one another, weight loss appeared to bring people closer. When significant others resisted healthy changes and were not supportive of their partner's weight loss, the relationship suffered.
"This study should not dissuade anyone from losing excess weight, but it should encourage people to be aware of the potential pros and cons of weight loss on their relationship," Romo adds. "It is really important for the partner of someone trying to lose weight to be supportive of their significant other without feeling threatened by their health changes. This approach will help people lose weight without jeopardizing the quality of their relationship."
"People need to be aware that weight loss can change a relationship for better or worse, and that communication plays an important role in maintaining a healthy relationship," says Dr. Lynsey Romo, an assistant professor of communication at NC State and lead author of a paper on the research.
For the study, researchers surveyed 21 couples – 42 adults – from across the country. One partner in each couple had lost 30 or more pounds in less than two years, with an average weight loss of about 60 pounds. Reasons for the weight loss ranged from changes in diet and exercise to medical procedures. The questionnaires asked each member of the couple about the impact of the weight loss on their relationship.
The researchers found that, after weight loss, the couples' communication generally changed for the good. The partner who lost weight was more likely to talk about healthy behaviors and inspire his/her partner to maintain or enact a healthy lifestyle. Couples in which both partners were receptive to these healthy changes reported more positive interactions and increased physical and emotional intimacy.
However, in some cases, weight loss resulted in negative communication. Some partners who lost weight nagged their significant other to follow their lead, which caused tension in the relationship. Other partners who hadn't lost weight reported feeling threatened and insecure by their partner's weight loss. These participants were resistant to change in their relationships. They would make critical comments toward their significant other, be less interested in sex, or try to sabotage their partner with unhealthy food in order to derail their partner's efforts and prevent the partner—and the relationship—from changing.
"This study found that one partner's lifestyle change influenced the dynamic of couples' interaction in a variety of positive or negative ways, tipping the scale of romantic relationships in a potentially upward or downward direction," Romo says. "When both partners bought into the idea of healthy changes and were supportive of one another, weight loss appeared to bring people closer. When significant others resisted healthy changes and were not supportive of their partner's weight loss, the relationship suffered.
"This study should not dissuade anyone from losing excess weight, but it should encourage people to be aware of the potential pros and cons of weight loss on their relationship," Romo adds. "It is really important for the partner of someone trying to lose weight to be supportive of their significant other without feeling threatened by their health changes. This approach will help people lose weight without jeopardizing the quality of their relationship."
Differences Between iPhones 5S and iPhone 5C
1. The iPhone 5S has a faster processor than the 5C.
The 5S sports an Apple A7 processor, while the heart of the 5C is a 1Ghz Apple A6. The A7 is a newer, more powerful model than the A6, particularly because it's a 64-bit chip (the first in a smartphone, according to Apple). Because it's 64-bit, the A7 can process twice as much data at the same time as the 32-bit A6. Processor speed isn't as big a factor in smartphones as it is in computers (there are many other things that affect overall performance as much, if not more), and the A6 is very fast (it's the same processor as in the iPhone 5), but the A7 in the iPhone 5S will make that model a bit speedier than the 5C.
2. The iPhone 5S is the first iPhone to include a motion co-processor.
This is a chip that interacts with the iPhone's physical sensors--the accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope--to provide new feedback and options to apps. This could include much more detailed fitness and exercise apps, and the ability to know whether the user is sitting or standing. It's such a new feature that there won't be a lot of apps that use it right away, but it could be a major asset. You'll only find it on the 5S for now.
3. Fingerprint Scanner
One of the iPhone 5S's headline features is the Touch ID fingerprint scanner it has built into its Home button. This scanner lets you tie security of your iPhone to your unique, personal fingerprint, which means that unless it's you (or someone has your finger!), your phone is very secure. Use the fingerprint scanner to unlock your phone and enter passwords. For now, the scanner is only available on the 5S, not the 5C.
4. Camera
When taken just on the specs, the cameras in the iPhone 5S and 5C don't look very different: they both max out at 8 megapixel still images and 1080p HD video. But what's under the hood makes the 5S's camera really stand out. The camera on the 5S offers dual-flash for truer-to-life colors, the ability to record slow-motion video at 120 frames/second in 720p HD, and a burst mode that captures up to 10 photos per second. The 5C's camera, while very good, offers none of these advanced features.
5. Storage
The iPhone 5S has the same maximum amount of storage as last year's iPhone 5: 64GB. This is enough to store tens of thousands of songs, dozens of apps, hundreds of photos, and more. And if your storage needs are really big, this is the choice for you. The 5C matches the 16GB and 32GB models of the 5S, but it stops there--there's no 64GB 5C for capacity-hungry users.
6. Price
The iPhone 5C is Apple's "low-cost" iPhone. Like the 5S, it requires a two-year contract with a phone company, but when you get that, the 5C costs just $99 for the 16GB model (and $199 for the 32GB model). By contrast, the iPhone 5S costs $199 for a 16GB model, $299 for a 32GB model, and $399 for a 64GB model when purchased with a two-year contract.
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