I don't know how little I know or how much I tell. But one thing is clear, that is a good thing is always a good thing.
I wake up in the morning 6:30 sharp, and since I had time I played with Tata Sky Remote and stopped at DD Bharti. The experience was awesome. Felt like the old days has come. Classical music suits your mood in the morning and some Bharat Darshan.
Just, just give a try when you wake up in the morning.....
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
19 yrs gone and still we are failing with Cryogenics - GSLV-D3, the sixth GSLV mission
GSLV-D3, the 6th GSLV mission with Indian version of 20 or old years russian Cryogenics failed and now a new game started.
We have a long way to go and we will do that in the coming year, says ISRO chief Radhakrishnan
The failure of the GSLV-D3 mission on Thursday will not have an impact on the Chandrayaan-2 mission scheduled for 2013, according to K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
But do we really need a Chandrayan, a acheivement some 41 yrs old and abandoned by west. We lack effort to build infrastruture in interiors of Bharat and let poverty rise. In 2010-11 budget INR 400 Crores were given for 2nd green revolution in Eastern states - Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and can you calculate the cost of laying down of 100 m track for Delhi Metro Project. Interestingly 37% of Indian population is poor by Indian Standard. Afte independence we were told through the propaganda of education that it is very important to preserve the culture of Tribals and the people untouched with mainstream development. And yes we preserved the poverty and sarcastically only poevrty is the culture of Bharat. To sake of few we are reinventing the wheels.
Why not we put our all in Cryogenics for medical purpose? Ahh- Let Philips or GE or Siemens do such nasty things.
Won't it be better if ISRO shares its achivement with the nation and give its highly confidential technologies for the people of India, train peoplle to use technology developed and to initiate research in new areas rather to invest in Chandrayan.
A little fact about Cryogenics -
The United States was the first country to develop cryogenic rocket engines. The Centaur upper stage, with RL-10 engines, registered its first successful flight in 1963 and is still used on the Atlas V rocket. America's early mastery of the technology paved the way for the J-2 engine, which powered the upper stages of the immensely powerful Saturn V rocket that sent humans to the Moon.
Other spacefaring nations followed. The Japanese LE-5 engine flew in 1977, the French HM-7 in 1979 and the Chinese YF-73 in 1984. The Soviet Union, first country to put a satellite and later a human in space, successfully launched a rocket with a cryogenic engine only in 1987. And since we heavily depended on USSR for our Missiles, our Space Programs waited for and then agreed to buy the technology. Story goes back to 1982 when ISRO proposed to have Cryogenics and the looked to either develop or to acquire. The fall of USSR and refusal of poor Russia abandoned the dream of having a shortcut for Cryogenics and then we started with leftovers of Cryogenics to develop Indian Cryogenics to propel Rocket.
The GSLV-D3, which was launched amidst high hopes, having been powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine for the first time, ended in failure after the cryogenic engine failed to ignite. As per the ISRO's plans, it is a GSLV powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine that will put Chandrayaan-2 in orbit. The Chandrayaan-2 mission will also put a lander-cum-rover on the lunar soil.
The GSLV-D3 mission had three objectives: to develop and launch an indigenous cryogenic stage with the engine and associated systems; to evaluate the performance of the indigenous cryogenic stage and engine; and to put the communication satellite GSAT-4 into orbit. Only the first objective was achieved, the ISRO Chairman said.
S. Ramakrishnan, Director (Projects), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said the cryogenic technology was the most complex of all types of rocket propulsion. France and the U.S. had also met with failures in using cryogenic engines. “Failures in cryogenic technology are not unusual. It is difficult to test the cryogenic engine even on the ground. We are disappointed. But we will overcome [the problems],” said Mr. Ramakrishnan
The GSLV-D3 rocket, including the indigenous cryogenic stage, cost Rs.180 crore. The ISRO spent Rs.36 crore to develop its own cryogenic stage with the engine. GSAT-4 cost Rs.130 crore.
Dr. Radhakrishnan said the cryogenic technology, which enabled communication satellites to be put into a geo-synchronous transfer orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km, was a highly complex technology. The GSLV-D3 mission was not successful and “we have to face it,” he said. “We have a long way to go and we will do that in the coming year [by launching GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic engine] … We have to work with dedication and I am sure Team ISRO will do it.” He refuted suggestions that there was a problem with the design of the GSLV because three out of the six GSLV missions from 2001 had failed
We have a long way to go and we will do that in the coming year, says ISRO chief Radhakrishnan
But do we really need a Chandrayan, a acheivement some 41 yrs old and abandoned by west. We lack effort to build infrastruture in interiors of Bharat and let poverty rise. In 2010-11 budget INR 400 Crores were given for 2nd green revolution in Eastern states - Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and can you calculate the cost of laying down of 100 m track for Delhi Metro Project. Interestingly 37% of Indian population is poor by Indian Standard. Afte independence we were told through the propaganda of education that it is very important to preserve the culture of Tribals and the people untouched with mainstream development. And yes we preserved the poverty and sarcastically only poevrty is the culture of Bharat. To sake of few we are reinventing the wheels.
Why not we put our all in Cryogenics for medical purpose? Ahh- Let Philips or GE or Siemens do such nasty things.
Won't it be better if ISRO shares its achivement with the nation and give its highly confidential technologies for the people of India, train peoplle to use technology developed and to initiate research in new areas rather to invest in Chandrayan.
A little fact about Cryogenics -
The United States was the first country to develop cryogenic rocket engines. The Centaur upper stage, with RL-10 engines, registered its first successful flight in 1963 and is still used on the Atlas V rocket. America's early mastery of the technology paved the way for the J-2 engine, which powered the upper stages of the immensely powerful Saturn V rocket that sent humans to the Moon.
Other spacefaring nations followed. The Japanese LE-5 engine flew in 1977, the French HM-7 in 1979 and the Chinese YF-73 in 1984. The Soviet Union, first country to put a satellite and later a human in space, successfully launched a rocket with a cryogenic engine only in 1987. And since we heavily depended on USSR for our Missiles, our Space Programs waited for and then agreed to buy the technology. Story goes back to 1982 when ISRO proposed to have Cryogenics and the looked to either develop or to acquire. The fall of USSR and refusal of poor Russia abandoned the dream of having a shortcut for Cryogenics and then we started with leftovers of Cryogenics to develop Indian Cryogenics to propel Rocket.
The GSLV-D3, which was launched amidst high hopes, having been powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine for the first time, ended in failure after the cryogenic engine failed to ignite. As per the ISRO's plans, it is a GSLV powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine that will put Chandrayaan-2 in orbit. The Chandrayaan-2 mission will also put a lander-cum-rover on the lunar soil.
The GSLV-D3 mission had three objectives: to develop and launch an indigenous cryogenic stage with the engine and associated systems; to evaluate the performance of the indigenous cryogenic stage and engine; and to put the communication satellite GSAT-4 into orbit. Only the first objective was achieved, the ISRO Chairman said.
S. Ramakrishnan, Director (Projects), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said the cryogenic technology was the most complex of all types of rocket propulsion. France and the U.S. had also met with failures in using cryogenic engines. “Failures in cryogenic technology are not unusual. It is difficult to test the cryogenic engine even on the ground. We are disappointed. But we will overcome [the problems],” said Mr. Ramakrishnan
The GSLV-D3 rocket, including the indigenous cryogenic stage, cost Rs.180 crore. The ISRO spent Rs.36 crore to develop its own cryogenic stage with the engine. GSAT-4 cost Rs.130 crore.
Dr. Radhakrishnan said the cryogenic technology, which enabled communication satellites to be put into a geo-synchronous transfer orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km, was a highly complex technology. The GSLV-D3 mission was not successful and “we have to face it,” he said. “We have a long way to go and we will do that in the coming year [by launching GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic engine] … We have to work with dedication and I am sure Team ISRO will do it.” He refuted suggestions that there was a problem with the design of the GSLV because three out of the six GSLV missions from 2001 had failed
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Gulaal - A must watch movie
Just watched the movie, I am speechless about it. A pretty heavy, engrossing and brain-consuming movie.
The selection of word and the context is fantastic. See in particular context we hear - "I am the president of United States of America, 40% of Middle-East ...". Comparing anger with the selction of word - Jaise door desh ke tower se takraye aeroplane".
Believe me, this movie is far better than Oscar winner movie- Slumdog Millionaire. The difference is that movie is in hindi and is produced and directed by Indians.
The script is tightly build over.
A reiview appeared in imdb:
Author: kunalkhandwala from United States
Anurag Kashyap rightly said that 'Gulaal' is his most angry film yet. 8 years in the making, Gulaal lacked salability due to its lack of stars, bold and convoluted story and the controversy surrounding Kashyap's initial works – 'Black Friday' and 'Paanch'. But here it is now, what can be touted as his best work till date, the film that relates to today's India with the ambitions of the pragmatic youth confronting the deceptive, greedy and zealous hypocrites who breed malice and violence in the name of deeply rooted values. This engaging battle has been brilliantly crafted by Kashyap with an exhaustive script and screenplay that not only amplify a convoluted plot but do justice to the multitude of highly talented actors. Mind you….. 'Actors', and not heroes. But even more than these essential elements is the contribution of one man whose soul stirring lyrics, beautiful compositions, didactic and engaging dialogs and an awesome performance in a supporting role move you if not enchant you. Piyush Mishra, who was so far a theater actor in Delhi is thus a revelation of astounding talents.
Gulaal is a socio-political drama about the President of the Rajputana community who is uniting his people against the injustice that has been inflicted upon them over the years by the government of the very democracy that their ancestors had once fought to gain. Dukey Bana (Kay Kay Menon) is a powerful icon among the Rajputs who strives to bring a new student in law college, Dileep Singh (Raj Singh Chaudhary) at the helm of college politics. Dileep has just walked into this lawless world of autocratic cruelty that has no mercy for the weak or innocent and thus begins his study of law. Dileep, being the righteous individual who does not share the vision of Bana and his supporters is often caught in an emotional turmoil when he wants to be rebellious, but the power in the hands of the mighty tend to vanquish every uprising against them and so he battles his own cowardice and naivety among the radicals.
Some vital characters form the true essence of the film's plot that revolves around love, betrayal, politics, deception, greed, hypocrisy and of course, the ultimate fight to gain power. Supporting this endeavor are Deepak Dobriyal, Abhimanyu Singh, Aditya Shrivastava, Mahie Gill and Ayesha Mohan in well etched out characters. Kay Kay Menon is at his wicked best but with reserved intensity that goes full blast during his speeches or confrontations with his brother or Dileep. Raj Singh Chaudhary has been around in small roles but this film will slingshot him to recognition if not stardom for his natural ability to portray himself as the innocent and vulnerable Dileep Singh whose journey through the tyrannies of cruelty, violence, betrayal and hypocrisy elevate him to becoming an uncompromising individual. Piyush Mishra's character is the film's poetic narrator. His presence on screen is less cinematic and more theatrical and the distinction is evident when comparing with the rest. Apart from being the song writer, music director and singer for Gulaal, Piyush Mishra is also the dialog writer and wisely has he kept the best ones for his part. In fact, every time Prithvi Bana comes on screen, his dialog and message have a deeper connotation which will make you think for days. Listen intently to 'Sarforishi Ki tamanna' being adapted to current times as he calls upon Bismil to take a look at today's state of affairs. Watch him mimic Dukey Bana's mission to claim the state of 'Rajputana'while also denouncing the plan while singing 'sale hai! Sale hai!' . These are powerful scenes that have exemplary direction, screenplay and dialog with equally astounding performances.
The film's music is par excellence. Seldom have we seen or heard songs so timely in the screenplay, so soulful in meaning and so rich in language. 'Beeda' is classic folklore sung so well by Rekha Bhardwaj. 'Aaarambh hai prachand' is a song denoting a strong initiation and so it very much is in the story as the entire election campaign in the college is executed during the song which gives us a deeper insight into battle and victory. 'Shehar' is perhaps the film's best song with its lyrics flowing through every scene that it runs with. The evil times in the city could not have a better narration. Piyush Mishra's all-round deliverance in this song with Anurag's execution of the screenplay makes this song a spectacle in itself. The hilarious 'Ranaji' teases with references to international terror acts. Shilpa Rao's mesmerizing rendition of 'Aisi saza' is truly representative of the emotions after betrayal. 'Yaara Maula' is a deep, soul stirring composition of evil taking over innocence in its most vulnerable state. Once again, the story leaps forward with the simple play of lyrics that translate the emotional turmoil. The movie ends with 'Duniya', the epitome of Piyush Mishra's talent showcase. 'Yeh Duniya agar mil bhi jaaye toh kya hai' sums up what the movie had to say. The final scenes shall give you the chills with the outstanding lyrics playing for the conclusion.
Gulaal is a very impressive piece of cinema that will be cherished by only a few due to its unconventional story telling. It is a dark and evil tale of India itself. As we progress in these times with our ambitious goals, we are often obstructed by our culture, history and orthodox values and Gulaal shows us a shockingly real picture of that confrontation. It is time we adopt this kind of cinema with the richness that it has in its script, screenplay, lyrics, dialogs, performances and Anurag Kashyap's relentless pursuit of his vision.
- 9.34 on a scale of 1-10.
(Pasted from imdb review of Gulal: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1261047/)
The selection of word and the context is fantastic. See in particular context we hear - "I am the president of United States of America, 40% of Middle-East ...". Comparing anger with the selction of word - Jaise door desh ke tower se takraye aeroplane".
Believe me, this movie is far better than Oscar winner movie- Slumdog Millionaire. The difference is that movie is in hindi and is produced and directed by Indians.
The script is tightly build over.
A reiview appeared in imdb:
Author: kunalkhandwala from United States
Anurag Kashyap rightly said that 'Gulaal' is his most angry film yet. 8 years in the making, Gulaal lacked salability due to its lack of stars, bold and convoluted story and the controversy surrounding Kashyap's initial works – 'Black Friday' and 'Paanch'. But here it is now, what can be touted as his best work till date, the film that relates to today's India with the ambitions of the pragmatic youth confronting the deceptive, greedy and zealous hypocrites who breed malice and violence in the name of deeply rooted values. This engaging battle has been brilliantly crafted by Kashyap with an exhaustive script and screenplay that not only amplify a convoluted plot but do justice to the multitude of highly talented actors. Mind you….. 'Actors', and not heroes. But even more than these essential elements is the contribution of one man whose soul stirring lyrics, beautiful compositions, didactic and engaging dialogs and an awesome performance in a supporting role move you if not enchant you. Piyush Mishra, who was so far a theater actor in Delhi is thus a revelation of astounding talents.
Gulaal is a socio-political drama about the President of the Rajputana community who is uniting his people against the injustice that has been inflicted upon them over the years by the government of the very democracy that their ancestors had once fought to gain. Dukey Bana (Kay Kay Menon) is a powerful icon among the Rajputs who strives to bring a new student in law college, Dileep Singh (Raj Singh Chaudhary) at the helm of college politics. Dileep has just walked into this lawless world of autocratic cruelty that has no mercy for the weak or innocent and thus begins his study of law. Dileep, being the righteous individual who does not share the vision of Bana and his supporters is often caught in an emotional turmoil when he wants to be rebellious, but the power in the hands of the mighty tend to vanquish every uprising against them and so he battles his own cowardice and naivety among the radicals.
Some vital characters form the true essence of the film's plot that revolves around love, betrayal, politics, deception, greed, hypocrisy and of course, the ultimate fight to gain power. Supporting this endeavor are Deepak Dobriyal, Abhimanyu Singh, Aditya Shrivastava, Mahie Gill and Ayesha Mohan in well etched out characters. Kay Kay Menon is at his wicked best but with reserved intensity that goes full blast during his speeches or confrontations with his brother or Dileep. Raj Singh Chaudhary has been around in small roles but this film will slingshot him to recognition if not stardom for his natural ability to portray himself as the innocent and vulnerable Dileep Singh whose journey through the tyrannies of cruelty, violence, betrayal and hypocrisy elevate him to becoming an uncompromising individual. Piyush Mishra's character is the film's poetic narrator. His presence on screen is less cinematic and more theatrical and the distinction is evident when comparing with the rest. Apart from being the song writer, music director and singer for Gulaal, Piyush Mishra is also the dialog writer and wisely has he kept the best ones for his part. In fact, every time Prithvi Bana comes on screen, his dialog and message have a deeper connotation which will make you think for days. Listen intently to 'Sarforishi Ki tamanna' being adapted to current times as he calls upon Bismil to take a look at today's state of affairs. Watch him mimic Dukey Bana's mission to claim the state of 'Rajputana'while also denouncing the plan while singing 'sale hai! Sale hai!' . These are powerful scenes that have exemplary direction, screenplay and dialog with equally astounding performances.
The film's music is par excellence. Seldom have we seen or heard songs so timely in the screenplay, so soulful in meaning and so rich in language. 'Beeda' is classic folklore sung so well by Rekha Bhardwaj. 'Aaarambh hai prachand' is a song denoting a strong initiation and so it very much is in the story as the entire election campaign in the college is executed during the song which gives us a deeper insight into battle and victory. 'Shehar' is perhaps the film's best song with its lyrics flowing through every scene that it runs with. The evil times in the city could not have a better narration. Piyush Mishra's all-round deliverance in this song with Anurag's execution of the screenplay makes this song a spectacle in itself. The hilarious 'Ranaji' teases with references to international terror acts. Shilpa Rao's mesmerizing rendition of 'Aisi saza' is truly representative of the emotions after betrayal. 'Yaara Maula' is a deep, soul stirring composition of evil taking over innocence in its most vulnerable state. Once again, the story leaps forward with the simple play of lyrics that translate the emotional turmoil. The movie ends with 'Duniya', the epitome of Piyush Mishra's talent showcase. 'Yeh Duniya agar mil bhi jaaye toh kya hai' sums up what the movie had to say. The final scenes shall give you the chills with the outstanding lyrics playing for the conclusion.
Gulaal is a very impressive piece of cinema that will be cherished by only a few due to its unconventional story telling. It is a dark and evil tale of India itself. As we progress in these times with our ambitious goals, we are often obstructed by our culture, history and orthodox values and Gulaal shows us a shockingly real picture of that confrontation. It is time we adopt this kind of cinema with the richness that it has in its script, screenplay, lyrics, dialogs, performances and Anurag Kashyap's relentless pursuit of his vision.
- 9.34 on a scale of 1-10.
(Pasted from imdb review of Gulal: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1261047/)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunset in Hyderabad
- Taken from a newly built highrise building , Tulip, 10th floor of L&T Serene County, Gachi Bowli in Outer Hyderabad. The expressway is Nehru Outer Ring Road connecting GachiBowli Signal to Airport. The background is HiTech City.
MeeGo- A new initiative from Nokia and Intel
The best of Moblin and Maemo is here -
Intel and Nokia have announced that they're merging their Linux-based platforms -- Moblin and Maemo, respectively -- forming a new platform called MeeGo.
MeeGo is a Linux-based software platform that supports multiple hardware architectures across a range of device segments, including pocketable mobile computers, netbooks, tablets, mediaphones, connected TVs, and in-vehicle infotainment systems. MeeGo includes the Qt application development environment, and builds on the capabilities of the Moblin core operating system and reference user experiences. Using Qt, developers can write once to create applications for a variety of devices and platforms, and market them through Nokia's Ovi Store and Intel's AppUp Center. MeeGo will be hosted by the Linux Foundation and governed using the best practices of the open source development model. The first release of MeeGo is expected in the second quarter of 2010, with devices launching later in the year.
Qt is a cross-platform -- Embedded Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Linux/X11, Symbian, Windows CE/Mobile, Maemo, and now MeeGo I guess -- C++ application and UI framework. With Qt, you can write applications once and deploy them across all of the above without rewriting the source code. It's solid and it works.
Anyway, what's MeeGo - the name, A science fiction TV serial.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meego
The MeeGo architecture is divided into three layers:
The MeeGo OS Base layer contains the Linux kernel and core services along with the Hardware Adaptation Software required to adapt MeeGo to support various hardware architectures.
The MeeGo OS Middleware layer provides a hardware and usage model independent API for building both native applications and web runtime applications.
The MeeGo User Experience layer provides reference user experiences for multiple platform segments; the initial MeeGo release will contain reference user experiences for handhelds and netbooks, and additional platform segments will be supported over time.
There are multiple software components that a hardware vendor must provide for MeeGo to run successfully on their platform architecture, including platform kernel drivers, core architecture patches, kernel configuration, software patches and configuration, modem support, and hardware specific media components.
MeeGo uses a Linux kernel from kernel.org, with architecture specific configuration and patches (as needed). Drivers are provided for each supported platform.
The Comms Services subsystem provides services to manage voice and data connectivity for the platform. APIs are provided to manage cellular and IP voice and data connectivity across a range of communications technologies, including WiFi, 3G, WiMax, and Bluetooth.
The Internet Services subsystem includes services for rendering web content, providing web runtime support, exchanging data with web services, and determining location.
The Visual Services subsystem provides the core 2D and 3D graphics capabilities for the platform, including support for rendering internationalized text and taking advantage of underlying hardware platform acceleration for graphics say OpenGL ES.
The purpose of media services is to provide audio/video playback, streaming and imaging functionality to the system. In general, media services take care of the actual audio/video data handling (retrieval, demuxing, decoding and encoding, seeking, etc.).
The Data Management subsystem provides services for extracting and managing file metadata (for example, to support extracting and searching metadata for media files), retrieving data about the device context (such as device position, cable status), and managing the set of installed packages on the device.
The Device Services subsystem contains a set of services for managing device state, including everything that is needed to make a device safe to use for a consumer, and exchanging data with the device, sensor data extraction, overall system policy, device data synchronization, and device data backup and restore.
The Personal Services subsystem provides services for managing user data on the device, including personal information management (that is, calendar, contacts, tasks) and managing user accounts to enable single-sign-on for web services.
MeeGo uses a scalable security framework that provides security via role based access control that applies to a wide range of systems, from completely open systems to systems that need to be partially locked down. This is achieved by having a flexible and updatable policy that is enforced by key pieces in the software stack.
The MeeGo UI toolkit is the primary toolkit for developing MeeGo applications and is based on Qt with specific enhancements and additions. GTK and Clutter are also included for application compatibility.
The MeeGo handheld UX provides a user experience for handheld devices, including the core system user interface and applications that are built on a handheld optimized UI framework. The user experience illustrates the capabilities of the platform and also provides a starting point for building a MeeGo handheld product.
The MeeGo netbook UX provides a user experience for netbook devices, including the core system user interface and applications, which are built on a netbook optimized UI framework. The user experience illustrates the capabilities of the platform and also provides a starting point for building a MeeGo netbook product.
Sounds great, and hopefully, someone will explain the name.
(As appeared in DDJ)
Intel and Nokia have announced that they're merging their Linux-based platforms -- Moblin and Maemo, respectively -- forming a new platform called MeeGo.
MeeGo is a Linux-based software platform that supports multiple hardware architectures across a range of device segments, including pocketable mobile computers, netbooks, tablets, mediaphones, connected TVs, and in-vehicle infotainment systems. MeeGo includes the Qt application development environment, and builds on the capabilities of the Moblin core operating system and reference user experiences. Using Qt, developers can write once to create applications for a variety of devices and platforms, and market them through Nokia's Ovi Store and Intel's AppUp Center. MeeGo will be hosted by the Linux Foundation and governed using the best practices of the open source development model. The first release of MeeGo is expected in the second quarter of 2010, with devices launching later in the year.
Qt is a cross-platform -- Embedded Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Linux/X11, Symbian, Windows CE/Mobile, Maemo, and now MeeGo I guess -- C++ application and UI framework. With Qt, you can write applications once and deploy them across all of the above without rewriting the source code. It's solid and it works.
Anyway, what's MeeGo - the name, A science fiction TV serial.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meego
The MeeGo architecture is divided into three layers:
The MeeGo OS Base layer contains the Linux kernel and core services along with the Hardware Adaptation Software required to adapt MeeGo to support various hardware architectures.
The MeeGo OS Middleware layer provides a hardware and usage model independent API for building both native applications and web runtime applications.
The MeeGo User Experience layer provides reference user experiences for multiple platform segments; the initial MeeGo release will contain reference user experiences for handhelds and netbooks, and additional platform segments will be supported over time.
There are multiple software components that a hardware vendor must provide for MeeGo to run successfully on their platform architecture, including platform kernel drivers, core architecture patches, kernel configuration, software patches and configuration, modem support, and hardware specific media components.
MeeGo uses a Linux kernel from kernel.org, with architecture specific configuration and patches (as needed). Drivers are provided for each supported platform.
The Comms Services subsystem provides services to manage voice and data connectivity for the platform. APIs are provided to manage cellular and IP voice and data connectivity across a range of communications technologies, including WiFi, 3G, WiMax, and Bluetooth.
The Internet Services subsystem includes services for rendering web content, providing web runtime support, exchanging data with web services, and determining location.
The Visual Services subsystem provides the core 2D and 3D graphics capabilities for the platform, including support for rendering internationalized text and taking advantage of underlying hardware platform acceleration for graphics say OpenGL ES.
The purpose of media services is to provide audio/video playback, streaming and imaging functionality to the system. In general, media services take care of the actual audio/video data handling (retrieval, demuxing, decoding and encoding, seeking, etc.).
The Data Management subsystem provides services for extracting and managing file metadata (for example, to support extracting and searching metadata for media files), retrieving data about the device context (such as device position, cable status), and managing the set of installed packages on the device.
The Device Services subsystem contains a set of services for managing device state, including everything that is needed to make a device safe to use for a consumer, and exchanging data with the device, sensor data extraction, overall system policy, device data synchronization, and device data backup and restore.
The Personal Services subsystem provides services for managing user data on the device, including personal information management (that is, calendar, contacts, tasks) and managing user accounts to enable single-sign-on for web services.
MeeGo uses a scalable security framework that provides security via role based access control that applies to a wide range of systems, from completely open systems to systems that need to be partially locked down. This is achieved by having a flexible and updatable policy that is enforced by key pieces in the software stack.
The MeeGo UI toolkit is the primary toolkit for developing MeeGo applications and is based on Qt with specific enhancements and additions. GTK and Clutter are also included for application compatibility.
The MeeGo handheld UX provides a user experience for handheld devices, including the core system user interface and applications that are built on a handheld optimized UI framework. The user experience illustrates the capabilities of the platform and also provides a starting point for building a MeeGo handheld product.
The MeeGo netbook UX provides a user experience for netbook devices, including the core system user interface and applications, which are built on a netbook optimized UI framework. The user experience illustrates the capabilities of the platform and also provides a starting point for building a MeeGo netbook product.
Sounds great, and hopefully, someone will explain the name.
(As appeared in DDJ)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
25 most promising products for TWENTY-TEN
Here goes the list.
(Take the top 8.)
http://www.businesspundit.com/25-most-promising-new-products-for-2010/
(Take the top 8.)
http://www.businesspundit.com/25-most-promising-new-products-for-2010/
Monday, February 15, 2010
Here comes Microsoft Windows Phone 7 : XBox + Zune + Mobile + Windows !
Windows
Now, Windows Phone 7 is a turning point for MS
BARCELONA, Spain – Feb. 15, 2010 – Today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows® Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010.
“Today, I’m proud to introduce Windows Phone 7 Series, the next generation of Windows Phones,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. “In a crowded market filled with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. We believe Windows Phone 7 Series is a phone that truly reflects the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people.”
Designed for Life in Motion
With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration. On the Start screen, dynamically updated “live tiles” show users real-time content directly, breaking the mold of static icons that serve as an intermediate step on the way to an application. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start.
Every Windows Phone 7 Series phone will come with a dedicated hardware button for Bing, providing one-click access to search from anywhere on the phone, while a special implementation of Bing search provides intent-specific results, delivering the most relevant Web or local results, depending on the type of query.
Windows Phone 7 Series creates an unrivaled set of integrated experiences on a phone through Windows Phone hubs. Hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks. Windows Phone 7 Series includes six hubs built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people:
* People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.
* Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.
* Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.
* Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.
* Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games.
* Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.
Now, Windows Phone 7 is a turning point for MS
BARCELONA, Spain – Feb. 15, 2010 – Today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows® Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010.
“Today, I’m proud to introduce Windows Phone 7 Series, the next generation of Windows Phones,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. “In a crowded market filled with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. We believe Windows Phone 7 Series is a phone that truly reflects the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people.”
Designed for Life in Motion
With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration. On the Start screen, dynamically updated “live tiles” show users real-time content directly, breaking the mold of static icons that serve as an intermediate step on the way to an application. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start.
Every Windows Phone 7 Series phone will come with a dedicated hardware button for Bing, providing one-click access to search from anywhere on the phone, while a special implementation of Bing search provides intent-specific results, delivering the most relevant Web or local results, depending on the type of query.
Windows Phone 7 Series creates an unrivaled set of integrated experiences on a phone through Windows Phone hubs. Hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks. Windows Phone 7 Series includes six hubs built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people:
* People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.
* Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.
* Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.
* Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.
* Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games.
* Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.
Microsoft and Nokia Alliance
MS Press Notes: Aug. 12, 2009
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/aug09/08-12PixiPR.mspx
These are the excerpts...
Microsoft and Nokia have formed a global alliance to design, develop and market mobile productivity, communications and collaboration solutions.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will begin collaborating immediately on the design, development and marketing of productivity solutions for the mobile professional, bringing Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft business communications, collaboration and device management software to Nokia’s Symbian devices. These solutions will be available for a broad range of Nokia smartphones starting with the company’s business optimized range, Nokia Eseries. The two companies will also market these solutions to businesses, carriers and individuals.
Both Microsoft and Nokia possess a rare combination of enterprise experience and consumer understanding and, in addition to the collaboration on existing software and services, will also use these assets to jointly design a range of new user experiences for future Nokia devices. These experiences will be identified together, and will be created by dedicated teams inside both companies to better meet the growing needs of the mobile professional.
This project builds on the existing relationship with Nokia who is optimizing access to email and other personal information with Exchange Activesync. Next year, Nokia intends to start shipping Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on their smartphones, followed by other Office applications and related software and services in the future. These will include:
- The ability to view, edit, create and share Office documents on more devices in more places with mobile optimized versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft OneNote
- Enterprise instant messaging and presence, and optimized conferencing and collaboration experience with Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile
- Mobile access to intranet and extranet portals built on Microsoft SharePoint Server
- Enterprise device management with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.
So does this means software as a pure business. Can we developers expect collaboration tools and powerful development environment IDE for cross platform development from these two and will these be for free?
Waiting for the first release...
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/aug09/08-12PixiPR.mspx
These are the excerpts...
Microsoft and Nokia have formed a global alliance to design, develop and market mobile productivity, communications and collaboration solutions.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will begin collaborating immediately on the design, development and marketing of productivity solutions for the mobile professional, bringing Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft business communications, collaboration and device management software to Nokia’s Symbian devices. These solutions will be available for a broad range of Nokia smartphones starting with the company’s business optimized range, Nokia Eseries. The two companies will also market these solutions to businesses, carriers and individuals.
Both Microsoft and Nokia possess a rare combination of enterprise experience and consumer understanding and, in addition to the collaboration on existing software and services, will also use these assets to jointly design a range of new user experiences for future Nokia devices. These experiences will be identified together, and will be created by dedicated teams inside both companies to better meet the growing needs of the mobile professional.
This project builds on the existing relationship with Nokia who is optimizing access to email and other personal information with Exchange Activesync. Next year, Nokia intends to start shipping Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on their smartphones, followed by other Office applications and related software and services in the future. These will include:
- The ability to view, edit, create and share Office documents on more devices in more places with mobile optimized versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft OneNote
- Enterprise instant messaging and presence, and optimized conferencing and collaboration experience with Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile
- Mobile access to intranet and extranet portals built on Microsoft SharePoint Server
- Enterprise device management with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.
So does this means software as a pure business. Can we developers expect collaboration tools and powerful development environment IDE for cross platform development from these two and will these be for free?
Waiting for the first release...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Microsoft at CES
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Applications/10-Things-Microsoft-Did-Right-Over-the-Past-Decade-602590/
Nexus One, caught in a controversy- Hindustan Times
The family members of author Philip K. Dick are complaining that the new Nexus One phone infringes on the writer’s sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? — a work that was turned into the 1982 Harrison Ford film Blade Runner”
Nexus One, caught in a controversy- Hindustan Times
In the book, a bounty hunter named Rick Deckard is charged with a mission to eliminate rogue “Nexus-6? model androids.
Isa Dick Hackett, a daughter of Dick and the chief executive of Electric Shepherd Productions, an arm of the Dick estate devoted to adapting the late author’s writings, told the Journal’s Nathan Koppel that the connections between the book and the phone are highlighted by the fact that the Nexus One runs on Google’s Android operating system.
WSJ quotes the relevant description for those who haven’t read the book. Nexus-6 models are portrayed as having brain power that rivals that of humans. One page reads: “The Nexus-6 android types, Rick reflected, surpassed several classes of human specials in terms of intelligence. In other words, androids equipped with the new Nexus-6 brain unit had from a sort of rough, pragmatic, no-nonsense standpoint evolved beyond a major — but inferior — segment of mankind. For better or worse. The servant had in some cases become more adroit than its master.”
Nexus One, caught in a controversy- Hindustan Times
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A Celeberation of Light
Yes, it was full of enjoyment and celebration throughout the day and the night. A festival to show how much you care(un-cared) for the environment you live in. Only few of us would have a pleasant sleep last night. I was the unfortunate one.
Shouldn't we modify the way we celebrate Diwali-the festival of light. This Diwali was so big that even White House and British PM celebrated, but do they followed the theme of dilliwaalas - Break the law, lit the crackers even after midnight and let the people suffer from extreme noise, polluted air and news-reporters waiting for any mishap (^_^).
Cant we think of a Good Diwali!
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