Monday, 12 November 2012

2G spectrum auction begins, five bidders in contention

2G spectrum auction begins
2G spectrum auction begins
 
New Delhi: The much-awaited auction for 2G spectrum that was freed following the cancellation of 122 telecom licences started at 0900 hrs on Monday. The government expects to raise around Rs 40,000 crore through the auction.

Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar replied in the affirmative when asked if the auction started on time. The auction has started for 1800 megahertz spectrum band -- currently being used for offering 2G GSM telecom services.

 Five telecom operators -- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Telenor-promoted Telewings, Videocon and Idea Cellular – had applied for participating in the auctions.

"As per schedule, auction time is from 0900 hrs to 1930 hrs. Participating firms have been given an option to seek extension of auction rounds," consulting firm for auction, E-Procurement Technologies' Vice President Suraj Radhakrishnan said.

Bidders will have a total of 240 minutes of extension time to be used in the entire auction process, he added. Radhakrishnan said there should be around six to seven rounds of auctions per day.

"First round time is from 9 AM to 10 AM but completion of round will depend on participating firm as they have option to extend time for rounds. Details will made public after auction time ends," he added.

The government is auctioning spectrum in 11 blocks having 1.25 Mhz frequency in all the circles, except in Delhi and Mumbai where there are only 8 blocks.

Out of 11 blocks in each circle, three blocks are reserved for new telecom players or operators whose 122 licences were quashed by the Supreme Court on February 2 in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case.

New players and telecom companies affected by the verdict will have to win at least 4 blocks to start or continue their operations.

Existing players whose licences were not affected by the Supreme Court order can bid for only two blocks. This applies to Airtel, Vodafone, and partially to Idea Cellular.

Original post:http://post.jagran.com/2g-spectrum-auction-begins-five-bidders-in-contention-1352697240

Shah Rukh still delicious, says Anushka


Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma


Anushka Sharma, who started her acting career with Shah Rukh Khan in 2008 movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, will be seen romancing the superstar once again in forthcoming love saga Jab Tak Hai Jaan. The actress says that even after four years, SRK's charm remains the same.

"He is equally delicious. Yes, in my first film it was an acquired taste because I didn't know him, but with this film, I got to know him better," the 24-year-old told reporters during the promotion of the film in the capital.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan releases on Nov 12 and it also stars Katrina Kaif.

Sharing her first experience with SRK, Anushka said she still remembers the "nervousness" that she had during the shooting of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

"I was really scared, but he made me so comfortable and I am always grateful to him for that. Shah Rukh as a co-star is a blessing. In 'Jab Tak...' I was more of a friend. But both the times, he was lovely and the best co-star one can ever had," she added. 

BJP plays down RSS leader's remark that Modi is anti-Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari and Narendra Modi
DNA
"The party is united under Nitin Gadkari's leadership. We are fighting against the Congress with all power. And the party is fighting against all the conspiracies of the Congress Party. We are united and together and working for the reconstruction of the country," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain
"We are working together to ensure that there is an end to the rampant corruption and inflation and a good government is formed in the country," he added
Meanwhile, another BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi refused to comment on the issue, saying he was not aware of Vaidya's blog
"I have not seen any of his blogs. I don't want to comment on it," he said
Vaidya earlier said Modi is designing the dissent within the BJP over whether Gadkari should continue in office
"The roots of the campaign against Nitin Gadkari have to be in Gujarat because when Ram Jethmalani demanded Gadkari's resignation, he also demanded that Narendra Modi be made the prime ministerial candidate of the party," Vaidya wrote in his blog on Sunday
"Modi himself seems to have strong prime ministerial ambitions because LK Advani and Nitin Gadkari have already said that they are not in the race for the PM. But Narendra Modi has still not said anything on this issue," he added
Vaidya said it was important that the BJP appear united and also that "there is no need to deliberate over the PM candidate for 2014 now in 2012."
Vaidya in his blog also wrote: "Ram Jethmalani should not have expressed his displeasure against Nitin Gadkari publicly. Any BJP member or MP can feel that Nitin Gadkari should resign, but they should raise this issue on the party platform.
Earlier, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani and his son Mahesh had said Gadkari should immediately step down from his post as the charges against him were damaging the party.
He claimed to have the support of other party leaders like Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha.
"I have been in touch with Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha. We seem to be on the same wavelength. But I don't presume to predict how they are going to act today or tomorrow. But we four of us are clearly of the opinion that a resignation at this time from the party president is imminently called for," Jethmalani had said. 

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Save money: Things your phone can replace

1. UNIVERSAL REMOTES
Universal remotes have become obsolete, courtesy your smartphone. There are plenty of applications available for popular operating systems that can turn the smartphone into one. All you need is the IR accessory (not expensive) to be paired with the app. Most AV devices still use remote controls that work on infrared (IR) light. As smartphones don't have IR emitters, one has to install a dongle. For instance, the Tata Sky Mobile access app available for iOS and Android users lets you use your phone as a universal remote for Tata Sky, DVD, TV and amplifier. It requires an MP3 mobile accessory (Rs 350) to be connected to the phone's 3.5 mm jack.
Dijit Universal Remote for iOS needs to be paired with Griffin Technology's Beacon. Re app, RedEye and Peel Universal Remote are some of the other options on the market. Search for universal remote apps in the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store for more options. If your TV has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capability, there are also applications that can connect and control your TV via these.

 2. BUSINESS CARDS
The modern worker relies on networking more than at any other time in history. Apart from meetings and conferences, we now have trade shows and expos to help network. All of these add to our collection of business cards.

These cards are usually dumped in the maws of our office drawers and come out only when we need a specific contact number (that is if we can find it). But smartphones make organising these easy. There are applications that scan business cards and copy the information on the card to the phone as well as on the cloud.
The use the camera on the phone to capture the image and with the help of a software reads details and automatically enters it in the phonebook. But not all card scanners are perfect. Some often have trouble recognising characters, especially when unsual fonts are used. Also, the phone has to be held very steady and lighting conditions have to be near perfect. CamCard is an application that is very accurate. Once the image is captured, it automatically saves the information to the card holder (a unique folder) or the address book.
The free version of the application allows users to save up to 20 contacts in the first week followed by two contacts every week and is available for iOS and Android users. ScanBizCards not only saves the information to the phonebook but also backs it up on the cloud. It also synchronises contacts between iOS and Android devices. WorldCard Mobile is an alternative application that is also good at 

3. YOUR CAR KEY
Using GPS-enabled smartphones as navigators or using applications to locate where your car is parked is fairly common among the technologically aware. But how about locking and unlocking your car using your smartphone? Or even starting an engine with a tap on your smartphone screen.This remote key comes in the form of the Viper SmartStart app for iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphones. But it requires you to have the Viper Smart Start GPS device that costs around $400 (about Rs 21,200). You need to download the free app and pair it with the GPS device.
Install the Viper SmartStart security system in your car, connect your phone to the system in your car and authenticate using the GSM network. The app can also be used to heat or cool your car remotely and, of course, locate where you've parked it. Some apps, such as Trapster, can even alert you of roadway hazards and police speed traps.

4. MEASURING TAPES
You don't have to carry a tape to get near-accurate measurements anymore. Just download an app. These commonly use trigonometry to calculate distances while some use GPS, better for irregular surfaces or areas.While hunting for a house, you can measure how high the ceiling is or calculate the floor area. You should be able to spot inconsistencies pretty fast. But keep in mind that these apps, which use augmented reality, are not accurate to the dot. You will need to double check. Some even come with a unit convertor.

5. HEALTH AND FITNESS GUIDES
Is fitness on your mind but you can't (or don't want to) spend too much money on it? Smartphone apps can help you out. You can find free yoga, cardio, weight training and other fitness guides in the application markets for Android and iOS.Some have videos while others use images or illustrations. There are even digital pedometers available. Applications that monitor blood pressure and sugar levels can be paired with special accessories to help keep regular records. You can also record food intake to calculate calories and keep a track of your routine. There are also first aid apps that guide you in case of an accident or a medical emergency.

6. PHYSICAL SWITCHES
This could be a little in the future. But, imagine controlling your home's lighting, entertainment devices and security system using your smartphone.The Crestron Mobile control app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices does involve a sizable investment but it's worth it if you have the cash to spare. You will have to install the Crestron automation system and download the Crestron Mobile G app to configure the home control unit.

7. YOUR WALLET
With Near-Field Communication (NFC) hardware coming to smartphones, everyone is expecting a gradual decline in the use of plastic cards and cash. Digital transactions might still be a distant dream for most Indians, but some providers have started scratching the surface. The future is not very far away.For instance, Airtel Money users can recharge their accounts and use their phones to pay electricity or mobile bills. Even a few coffee shops have started accepting such payments. Phones are also replacing swipe machines for small businesses through the use of a special accessory that can be attached to the phone's 3.5mm jack.
MTS had also launched a pilot service, called mPoS (Mobile as Point of Sale), that was designed to help retailers who delivered directly to customers (at their home or office), such as e-commerce firms or food chains. The service allowed users to swipe debit or credit cards on a portable card reader accessory and use an application to process the transaction.

8. BARCODE AND QR READERS
Barcodes and QR codes are ubiquitous. They're on the products you buy at the supermarket, on the magazines you read and even on the websites you visit. QR codes are the mosaic black-and-white squares that usually offer an efficient link to websites and can store small information such as text, phone numbers, mail addresses, calendar events or even send SMS messages.

If you can decode these, you have access to (sometimes) valuable information. Your phone's camera can be used to scan barcodes and QR codes through third-party apps. Launch the app, line up the camera with the QR code and hold the device steady until the app reads the code. All will be revealed. There are even apps that let you create your own QR codes for a an easy way to carry and share information.

9. WI-FI ROUTERS
With the increasing number of portable devices, such as laptops, tablets and even music players, we need to be connected to the Internet constantly. Wi-Fi routers are good at keeping all these devices online but what do you do when you are on the move? You always have the option of buying a data dongle or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Alternatively, if you own the latest Android or Windows smartphone, you can use the phone's data connection to create a secure Wi-Fi network of your own.

This option is available in your settings menu as 'Wi-Fi hotspot, Internet tethering or Internet sharing'. You can secure this network with a password and connect up to five devices to surf the Net. In developed countries, operators have special plans for Internet tethering. But thankfully, Indian carriers don't charge extra for mobile hotspots.

10. CABLE TELEVISION
Do you stay alone and don't think it makes sense to invest on a television that is used only a couple of hours a day? Or you travel so often that paying for cable is a redundant expense? If you have a smartphone and a good data connection, you have a solution right there.

There are apps that enable you to stream live television onto a handset. But while these apps are free, the services won't be. Channels will come with daily, weekly or monthly subscriptions. Also, for seamless streaming, you would need fast, uninterrupted data connectivity- ideally over a 3G or Wi-Fi network. Also, keep in mind that streaming videos consumes a lot of data. So invest in a data plan that covers this (combine the cost of cable and an Internet connection). Zenga TV, ditto TV, mimobiTV, MunduTV are some popular live streaming apps.

Top 10 Best Diet Tips

 

Still reeling under the festival time damage to your weight? Want to get fit before the Christmas and New Year parties come around? Too smart to go on some silly crash diet? Then you’re at the right place.
There’s no doubt that regular exercise and healthy eating make the best weight-loss tools. And to aid you with your healthy eating plan, we have some nifty little tips that’ll help you stay on track.

Latest Mobile Phones in India, below Rs. 5000

Have a look at the latest Indian launches from the leading mobile brands. Here are the basic models priced below Rs. 5000: some basic Android models included.

mobiles collage 
mobiles collage
The price and features mentioned here are indicative only. These have been sourced from various online dealers and manufacturers as a support to our reader community. Take your own responsibility to make informed decisions with extra research before making any buying decisions.
Brand
Model
Price
OS/ Extras
Features
Samsung
Guru Music
1700

Dual SIM GSM
Battery: 1000 mAh
Entertainment: Dedicated 
music button, some music 
and games for free download
Samsung
Guru 1207
1250

Dual SIM GSM
Battery: 800 mAh
Entertainment: FM radio,
 torch
Videocon
V 1542
2100

Dual SIM GSM,
Display: 2.6 inch
Battery: 1800 mAh
Camera: 1.3 MP
Entertainment: FM radio,
 Facebook, Twitter
Videocon
V 1528
1800

Dual SIM GSM,
Display: 2.4 inch
Battery: 1500 mAh
Camera: 1.3 MP
Entertainment: FM radio,
 Facebook, Twitter
Videocon
V 1531+
1800

Dual SIM GSM,
Display: 2.4 inch
Battery: 1500 mAh
Camera: 1.3 MP
Entertainment: FM radio,
 Facebook, Twitter
Videocon
V 1544
2400

Dual SIM GSM,
Display: 2.6 inch
Battery: 3000 mAh
Camera: 1.3 MP
Entertainment: FM radio,
 Facebook, Twitter
Karbonn-MTS CDMA
MTS Turbo B121
2000
The extra mile:
'My MTS Planet' for downloading ringtones, wallpapers, games etc.
'MTS Movie Planet' for downloading movies and videos
Single SIM CDMA with 
Torch
Display: 1.7 inch TFT
Battery: 1800 mAh
Entertainment: FM, 
Facebook
Karbonn-MTS CDMA
MTS Buzz X121
2800
Single SIM CDMA
Display: 2 inch TFT,
 QWERTY keypad
Battery: 1500 mAh
RAM:
Storage: ** expandable
 up to 4 GB
Camera: 1.3 MP with 
video recording
Entertainment: Bluetooth,
 Dedicated Facebook key
Karbonn-MTS CDMA
MTS RockStar v121
2800
Single SIM CDMA
Display: 2.4 inch TFT
Battery: 1800 mAh
RAM:
Storage:
Camera: 1.3 MP with
 video recording
Entertainment: Music-
 Video player,Bluetooth, 
Facebook,
INTEX
Aqua 3.2
3800
Android 2.3.5
GPRS, WiFi, Bluetooth
Display: 3.2 inch 
capacitive touchscreen
Battery: 1200 mAh
Processor: 1 GHz
Camera: 2 MP
Storage: expandable
 to 32 GB
Extras: many preloaded
 games and applications,
 and GooglePlay to
 download other things
 that you want
Karbonn
A 1+
4300
Android 2.3
Single SIM GSM, 
3G, WiFi
Display: 3.5 inch, 
proximity sensor
Processor: 1 GHz
Battery: 1500 mAh
Storage: upgradable 
to 32 GB (2 GB card free)
Camera:3 MP
LAVA
Iris n350
4500
Android 2.3.6
Dual SIM GSM, WiFi,
 GPRS, Bluetooth (no 3G)
Battery: 1300 mAh
Camera: 2 MP + 0.3 MP
 front facing
Proximity sensor,
 gravity sensor

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Grateful to BCCI for the cricket I played, says Azharuddin

As the Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday overturned the life ban imposed on him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin humbly said he was grateful to the board for whatever cricket he played.
Azharuddin said he always believed in the "almighty Allah" and his conscience was clear during his 12-year long battle to clear his name of the match-fixing charges.
"I am grateful to the Indian cricket board for whatever cricket I have played. It is all because of them. I had no complaints against the board during my playing career. I have got a lot in life from cricket," Azharuddin told reporters at his official residence here.
Azharuddin said he was never hurt with the BCCI's action. "I was never hurt with their action. That was their line of thinking. I can't blame them for that," he said.
Asked if he feels that the BCCI would not pursue the case any longer after Pakistan also went soft on Salim Malik, a former captain who too was banned for life, Azharuddin said: "It is tough to say. But I think it has been a good move to bring back the banned cricketers in the normal fold of life."
Malik's name also figured in the inquiry conducted by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that led to life bans on Azharuddin and Delhi cricketer Ajay Sharma.
Azharudding said he was looking forward to work with the BCCI to develop Indian cricket.
"I am open to working with the BCCI. But it is up to them," he said.
Azharuddin, now a Congress MP from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, said he played the game honestly and was a relieved man as the court struck down the BCCI's ban as "illegal". The BCCI Dec 5, 2000, banned Azharuddin and Delhi cricketer Ajay Sharma for life from playing professional cricket on charges of match-fixing.
"I have always played the game honestly and with command. Today I am a relieved man after what I have suffered for the last 12 years. I fought this battle for so long with patience. It has been a tough battle and I am grateful to everyone who has supported me during this difficult period."
As soon as the news broke out, Congress party workers and fans burst crackers at his residence near Lodhi Gardens. Amidst the huge media presence, party colleagues and friends came with bouquets to congratulate him. It was certainly early Diwali at C-1/12, Lodhi Garden.
But amidst the celebrations and cracker fire, Azharuddin remembered his younger son Ayazuddin, who died last year in a road accident.
"The last year has been very tough. Today I want to be happy with my elder son Abbas. I wish the judgment had come a bit early," he said.
Asked who all from the cricket fraternity supported him during the last 12 years, Azharuddin said: "I always got support from Raj Singh Dungarpur, Kapil paaji and Kamal Morarka."
When the BCCI banned him, Azharuddin was left stranded on 99 Tests.
Asked if he regrets not having completed 100 Test matches, Azharuddin said: "I think I was probably destined to play 99 Test matches, hence played that many. I believe what has to happen, will happen."
Azharuddin, however, regretted not having scored more than 22 Test centuries.
"I have 22 centuries. I think the way I started with three consecutive centuries, I should have got around 27-28 centuries. But I have no regrets. I led the team for nine years with success. That is how life is," he said.
The former India captain also thanked the Congress party for its support.
"I am grateful to the party for the support. Three years ago when I decided to join politics, they always believed in me. I didn't know abc of elections but the party stood by me during the tough time," he said.
Azharuddin had challenged the Indian cricket board's decision in the Hyderabad civil court, which upheld the ban. He then moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court against the lower court's order. His lawyers argued that the BCCI imposed the ban without any evidence.
Azharuddin, one of India's most successful captains, played 99 Tests and scored 6,215 runs during his career. He also played 334 One-Day Internationals scoring 9,378 runs in his 15-year international career.