Google’s Gphone rumored to enter India in Two weeks time

We all were aware that the Google Phone AKA Gphone was on its way anytime in 2008. But what’s come as quite a startling news is that the device will launch in a fortnight’s time and apparently the company has already began talks with service providers in India for an exclusive launch on one of their networks, according to Rediff.

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar are the prospective companies that may perhaps see the Gphone hitting on their networks.

Further on, reportedly a simultaneous release in the US and Europe is also in the works and announcements would be sent to media firms in India and around the globe. However sources that have given this piece of information also stated that the US regulatory approval, which is expected soon, is the only obstacle that Google is waiting to cross. Google plans to invest $7-8 billion for its global telephony venture.

According to reports, in India, there are talks with the local providers to provide data and content and platforms such as Instant Messaging (IM) and Search functions. But all the same, this bit of information is not yet confirmed.

A Google spokes stated, “We don’t comment on market rumour or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”

Some days ago, Google had apparently shown a Google Phone prototype to mobile phone operators in the US, and was said to be in talks with handset makers.

According to Rediff.com Google only needs FCC approval and it’s ready for launch. Now it’s certainly not ‘only’ an FCC approval, cause that but has a lot of importance to it for sure.

The Apple iPhone is expected to launch in India in early 2008, or maybe even as early as 2007-end. In that case, the Gphone could perhaps pose a cut throat competition to Apple’s device.

17-year-old hacker unlocks iPhone’s secrets

George Hotz remembers taking apart his first computer, an Apple II, when he was 4 or 5 years old.

He cracked open an answering machine, remote control, vacuum cleaner and more computers. He scavenged for more products to tinker with on trash night in his neighborhood.

Now the 17-year-old from Glen Rock, N.J., has reached the big leagues of hacking. He says he has “unlocked” the iPhone, finding a way to get around the device’s restrictions and allow it to be used not only on AT&T’s cell phone network but also on T-Mobile’s network and overseas.

“I’m talking to you on it right now,” Hotz said during an interview with The Chronicle on Friday as he traveled from an appearance on CNBC to an interview with Fox.

The feat comes two months after the highly publicized debut of the iPhone. Combining a digital media player, a camera, the Internet and a cell phone in one gadget, the iPhone represents Apple Inc.’s first foray into the mobile phone business. One of the most anticipated gadgets of the year, it’s expected to transform the industry much as the iPod and iTunes helped change the digital media market. The Cupertino technology company said it plans to sell 1 million iPhones by the end of September.

Until now, however, the iPhone has come with a catch. Because of a revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and AT&T, the iPhone operates only on AT&T’s network and requires a two-year subscription.

Hackers have spent the better part of the summer tackling that challenge. Hotz said it took him nearly 500 hours – about eight hours a day – to figure out how to make calls on his iPhone through T-Mobile. “It wasn’t to be rich,” Hotz said. “I wanted to use it with T-Mobile.”

Holz published step-by-step directions on his blog at iphonejtag .blogspot.com. Another group, known as iPhoneSimFree.com, said on its site that it also had found a way to get around Apple’s locks and connect to T-Mobile. It offered proof to Engadget, a popular technology blog, which published a video demonstration, and said it plans to sell the software. In general, scores of hackers have been working on a way to make the iPhone compatible with other services since the phone debuted.

AT&T and Apple officials declined to comment. But it’s highly doubtful Apple will let the hacking continue.

“Hackers are going to have to stay one step ahead,” said Raven Zachary, an analyst with the 451 Group research firm and the co-founder of the iPhone Developers Camp, which brought software developers together last month to brainstorm programs for the iPhone. “Each time Apple hardens the operating system to minimize unlocking, it’s going to get more difficult for the hacker community to find a workaround to unlock the iPhone.”

Since Apple and AT&T began selling the iPhone on June 29, hard-core fans have made Herculean attempts to the bend the iPhone to their will.

For security reasons, Apple allows developers to design programs for the iPhone only through the Web and not directly to the phone. That hasn’t stopped programmers from trying. One group, for instance, created a way to video conference on the iPhone, said Damien Stolarz, co-author of the forthcoming book “iPhone Hacks.”

Hotz, who is driving with his parents to the Rochester Institute of Technology today to start his college career, had planned to spend the summer replacing the clutch on his green Mitsubishi and building a hot air balloon with his friends.

The car remains in pieces in the backyard. And though he bought some fabric, he abandoned the hot air balloon project to focus on the iPhone. Staying up by drinking vast amounts of Red Bull, Mountain Dew and other drinks, he purposely destroyed one iPhone to figure out how the pieces operated. Keeping one iPhone, he is selling another unlocked iPhone on eBay.

His parents occasionally worried he was spending so much time on the iPhone.

“We’re proud of him. He worked all summer on it, so we’re glad it was fruitful,” said Hotz’s father, also named George Hotz and a high school technology coordinator. “There are worse things teenage kids could be doing.”

George Hotz spent nearly 500 hours finding the key to the iPhone. Associated Press photo by Jeff Christensen

Hacker George Hotz sits in his bedroom workshop, where he figured out what makes the iPhone tick. Associated Press photo by Carmine Galasso

Google’s Gphone rumored to enter India in Two weeks time

We all were aware that the Google Phone AKA Gphone was on its way anytime in 2008. But what’s come as quite a startling news is that the device will launch in a fortnight’s time and apparently the company has already began talks with service providers in India for an exclusive launch on one of their networks, according to Rediff.

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar are the prospective companies that may perhaps see the Gphone hitting on their networks.

Further on, reportedly a simultaneous release in the US and Europe is also in the works and announcements would be sent to media firms in India and around the globe. However sources that have given this piece of information also stated that the US regulatory approval, which is expected soon, is the only obstacle that Google is waiting to cross. Google plans to invest $7-8 billion for its global telephony venture.

According to reports, in India, there are talks with the local providers to provide data and content and platforms such as Instant Messaging (IM) and Search functions. But all the same, this bit of information is not yet confirmed.

A Google spokes stated, “We don’t comment on market rumour or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”

Some days ago, Google had apparently shown a Google Phone prototype to mobile phone operators in the US, and was said to be in talks with handset makers.

According to Rediff.com Google only needs FCC approval and it’s ready for launch. Now it’s certainly not ‘only’ an FCC approval, cause that but has a lot of importance to it for sure.

The Apple iPhone is expected to launch in India in early 2008, or maybe even as early as 2007-end. In that case, the Gphone could perhaps pose a cut throat competition to Apple’s device.

MTNL offers ISD calls @Re. 1 for 150 countries

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) operating in Delhi and Mumbai has launched internet telephony or Voice over internet protocol for providing cheaper ISD calls to the subscribers.

This is to be known that subscribers would be able to make a call to any country at the rate of just Re 1 per minute through their fixed land line phones. The best part of the offer is that one does not need to have computer at home for internet telephony.

MTNL has taken this bold initiative which other companies avoided till yet for the fear of loss of revenue but this venture of MTNL may prompt or compel them to initiate the same services. Thus MTNL has become the first such company in India to provide internet-telephony.

What the subscriber is needed to do for taking advantage of the service is that one has to subscribe to MTNL’s broadband connection for which the subscriber will have to pay monthly rental starting at Rs. 199 and install an Analog Telephone Adaptor (ADA) from telecompany @ payment of Rs. 1500. Apart from this the subscriber will have to pay Rs. 500 for registration and installation charges.

With adaptor attached to the fixed phone the phone converts into an (IPD) internet protocol device and one can make calls even without computer and internet connection.

Those having computers if subscribe to MTNL internet telephony the call rates of internationals would be as low as 10 paise per minute.

Till yet broadband internet providers provided internet telephony @ 50 paise per minute and more. The limitation of this service is that one needs computer for that.

MTNL will utilize its broadband network to offer this service that is too without personal computer. This move of MTNL will definitely affect the market scene.

BSNL has also given indication for starting these services.

17-year-old hacker unlocks iPhone’s secrets

George Hotz remembers taking apart his first computer, an Apple II, when he was 4 or 5 years old.

He cracked open an answering machine, remote control, vacuum cleaner and more computers. He scavenged for more products to tinker with on trash night in his neighborhood.

Now the 17-year-old from Glen Rock, N.J., has reached the big leagues of hacking. He says he has “unlocked” the iPhone, finding a way to get around the device’s restrictions and allow it to be used not only on AT&T’s cell phone network but also on T-Mobile’s network and overseas.

“I’m talking to you on it right now,” Hotz said during an interview with The Chronicle on Friday as he traveled from an appearance on CNBC to an interview with Fox.

The feat comes two months after the highly publicized debut of the iPhone. Combining a digital media player, a camera, the Internet and a cell phone in one gadget, the iPhone represents Apple Inc.’s first foray into the mobile phone business. One of the most anticipated gadgets of the year, it’s expected to transform the industry much as the iPod and iTunes helped change the digital media market. The Cupertino technology company said it plans to sell 1 million iPhones by the end of September.

Until now, however, the iPhone has come with a catch. Because of a revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and AT&T, the iPhone operates only on AT&T’s network and requires a two-year subscription.

Hackers have spent the better part of the summer tackling that challenge. Hotz said it took him nearly 500 hours – about eight hours a day – to figure out how to make calls on his iPhone through T-Mobile. “It wasn’t to be rich,” Hotz said. “I wanted to use it with T-Mobile.”

Holz published step-by-step directions on his blog at iphonejtag .blogspot.com. Another group, known as iPhoneSimFree.com, said on its site that it also had found a way to get around Apple’s locks and connect to T-Mobile. It offered proof to Engadget, a popular technology blog, which published a video demonstration, and said it plans to sell the software. In general, scores of hackers have been working on a way to make the iPhone compatible with other services since the phone debuted.

AT&T and Apple officials declined to comment. But it’s highly doubtful Apple will let the hacking continue.

“Hackers are going to have to stay one step ahead,” said Raven Zachary, an analyst with the 451 Group research firm and the co-founder of the iPhone Developers Camp, which brought software developers together last month to brainstorm programs for the iPhone. “Each time Apple hardens the operating system to minimize unlocking, it’s going to get more difficult for the hacker community to find a workaround to unlock the iPhone.”

Since Apple and AT&T began selling the iPhone on June 29, hard-core fans have made Herculean attempts to the bend the iPhone to their will.

For security reasons, Apple allows developers to design programs for the iPhone only through the Web and not directly to the phone. That hasn’t stopped programmers from trying. One group, for instance, created a way to video conference on the iPhone, said Damien Stolarz, co-author of the forthcoming book “iPhone Hacks.”

Hotz, who is driving with his parents to the Rochester Institute of Technology today to start his college career, had planned to spend the summer replacing the clutch on his green Mitsubishi and building a hot air balloon with his friends.

The car remains in pieces in the backyard. And though he bought some fabric, he abandoned the hot air balloon project to focus on the iPhone. Staying up by drinking vast amounts of Red Bull, Mountain Dew and other drinks, he purposely destroyed one iPhone to figure out how the pieces operated. Keeping one iPhone, he is selling another unlocked iPhone on eBay.

His parents occasionally worried he was spending so much time on the iPhone.

“We’re proud of him. He worked all summer on it, so we’re glad it was fruitful,” said Hotz’s father, also named George Hotz and a high school technology coordinator. “There are worse things teenage kids could be doing.”

George Hotz spent nearly 500 hours finding the key to the iPhone. Associated Press photo by Jeff Christensen

Hacker George Hotz sits in his bedroom workshop, where he figured out what makes the iPhone tick. Associated Press photo by Carmine Galasso

The latest gPhone rumor – Google to launch its phone in a fortnight

Before you read too much into this, be sure to get your recommended dose of salt ready. A newspaper out of India is reporting that Google will in fact be releasing a phone, and much sooner than anyone would have anticipated.

According to their unnamed source it will be only a fortnight before we hear an official launch from Google. Their source goes on to tell us that Google is currently in talks with two of the largest carriers in India for the phones release and that we can look forward to a simultaneous release in both the UK and the US. While I don’t see the phone coming out in a couple of weeks, I will admit that it would be great to see it released in the US and the UK at the same time. All too often do we see a product released in on place, while the other sits around patiently waiting for their turn. (see: iPhone)

Google of course has declined to comment on the latest rumor and was careful to neither confirm nor deny their plans for a phone. They did however have this to say, “Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere.”

Debunking the Latest gPhone Rumor [via apple2.0]

AMD Confirms Plans to Extend x86 Instruction Set

Advanced Micro Devices plans to extend the x86 instruction set, with an announcement scheduled for Aug. 30, a company spokeswoman confirmed Friday.

Details of the announcement were not available at press time.

Roughly one-half to one full generation behind Intel in terms of manufacturing expertise, AMD seems to have hearkened back to its time-tested strategy of improving the technology of its chips as a means of improving performance.

“Developed to improve the performance of the highest intensity applications, the instructions help the developer community get greater performance out of each instruction by introducing functionality found only in specialized, high-performance architectures,” said an AMD spokeswoman, describing the new initiative.

Hot deal: Xbox 360 HD-DVD, plus six HD-DVD movies, for $170

We’ve seen the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player listed at close to $200, so we’re happy to find it offered for quite a bit less.

The Xbox 360 HD-DVD player is an inexpensive way for 360 owners to get high-def movies. For you gamers who already love your Xbox, just plug in the HD-DVD player and boost your at-home viewing with ultra-sharp images and surround sound.

What: Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player plus six HD-DVD movies
How much: $159.99
Shipping: $9
Where: GoGamer (via LogicBuy)
When: Through unknown date

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Barcelona Launch Clock Speeds Changing?

Let’s come right out and say it: when AMD announced that the launch clock speeds of Barcelona would start at sub-2.0 GHz, people were frustrated. This long-awaited monolithic quad core release from AMD would be the pinnacle of their core design technology and would usher in a new era of powerful computing.

Sound about right? So, imagine the collective chagrin when a 1.6 GHz base clock speed was announced with top-end clock speeds ending around 2.0 GHz. In the interim, reports surfaced about AMD having issues with top-end core speeds, which was quickly countered by the 3.0 GHz Phenom demonstration, leakage, and other processor related functions.

We knew AMD was hard at work on perfecting the Barcelona core even before the official production launch and that the promise of HT3 in this generation of processors was going to be eschewed in favor of the more widely integrated HT1.x version.

Now, word is coming that AMD might drop the 1.6 GHz from the launch line-up in favour of a 2.1 GHz or 2.2 GHz core launch speed. Perhaps the fabrication process is going much smoother than anyone realized and some of the leakage problems have been ironed out? Who knows but, looks like things are picking up for AMD.

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Dell laptop explodes ‘like fireworks’

Another Dell laptop has burst unexpectedly into flames. This one, an Inspiron 9200, spontaneously combusted this week in Columbus, Ohio. The blaze was caught on camera.

According to a report on website ConsumerAffairs.com, the laptop went up “like fireworks”, its owner, Douglas Brown, claimed. Brown called the emergency services then grabbed his camera and took a few snaps of the infernal Inspiron.

What’s not yet clear is whether Brown’s laptop is one of those covered by the major battery replacement programme Dell put in place a year ago. Certainly, some Inspiron 9200s were included. If Brown’s machine was, it doesn’t appear from the ConsumerAffairs.com story that he had returned his original battery to Dell.

If he had – or if his 9200 was not one of those covered by the recall – it raises the possibility that a lot more laptops are going to have to have their batteries checked. Given recent claims made by Japanese boffins that the design of lithium-ion power cells is inherently “flawed”, perhaps they should be in any case.

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