Now, devices that can speed up your computers

NEW YORK: Led by an Indian-origin physicist, a team of researchers in the US has created novel devices that hold promise to make your computer work as the speed of light, literally.

The devices integrate both optical and electronic signals to perform the most elementary computational operations - processing billions of computational steps to produce even the simplest outputs.

"Imagine if every one of those steps could be made just a tiny bit more efficient with light. It would save precious nanoseconds," explained Swastik Kar, assistant professor of physics at Boston-based Northeastern University.

Since light is extremely fast, the new devices represent a critical breakthrough in making a faster dream computer - in which the processing is done using electrical signals and the signal transfer is done by optics - a reality.

Using graphene, a carbon-based material known for its strength and conductivity, and mechanics of carbon nanotubes, Kar and his colleague Yung Joon Jung discovered that light-induced electrical currents rise much more sharply at the intersection of carbon nanotubes and silicon - compared to the intersection of silicon and a metal as in traditional devices.

"That sharp rise helps us design devices that can be turned on and off using light," Kar said.

This finding has major implications for performing computations, which, in simple terms, also rely on a series of on-off switches.

The first device, called AND-gate, requires both an electronic and an optical input to generate an output. This switch only triggers if both elements are engaged.

The second device, an OR-gate, can generate an output if either of two optical sensors is engaged.

The third device works like the front-end of a camera sensor. It consists of 250,000 miniature devices assembled over a centimetre-by-centimetre surface, said the research published in the journal Nature Photonics.

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US house passes bill on mobile phone unlocking

WASHINGTON: The US house of representatives has passed a bill that would give mobile phone users the right to unlock their devices and use them on competitors' wireless networks, although Senate action was uncertain.

The house approved the bill easily, by a 295-114 vote, although some Democrats had pushed back against what they said was a last-minute Republican maneuver to change the legislation.

It is not known whether the Senate will consider the bill.

US wireless carriers often tether, or lock, smartphones to their networks to encourage consumers to renew their mobile contracts. Consumers, for their part, can often buy new devices at a heavily subsidized price in return for committing to long-term contracts with a single carrier.

Major carriers, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile US and US Cellular, in December made a voluntary pledge to make it easier for consumers to unlock their cellphones, under pressure from consumer groups and the Federal Communications Commission.

Under current law, those unlocking their phones without permission could face legal ramifications, including jail.

The notion of undoing that law has had wide support from Republicans and Democrats since the bill's introduction in the House in 2013.

But the bill's author, Representative Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, added language after the bill had been approved by a partisan majority of the House Judiciary Committee, banning "bulk unlocking."

Consumer advocates have argued that customers should be allowed to sell their old devices to third parties that could unlock phones in bulk, something the wireless industry opposes.

Four Democrats, led by California Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo, wrote to their colleagues on Tuesday to protest the bulk unlocking exclusion.

The new provision "could undercut an important court decision that protects consumer choice and prevents monopolistic practices. We cannot in good conscience support a bill that risks giving up so much for so little gain," the Democrats said.

A consumer rights group, Public Knowledge, last week suspended its support of the bill.

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IBM researchers set new record for data-transfer speeds

NEW YORK: Researchers have set a new record for data transmission over a multimode optical fibre - sending data at a rate of 64 gigabits per second.

Researchers at the International Business Machines (IBM) sent data at a rate of 64 gigabits per second (GB/s) over a cable 57-metres-long using a type of laser called a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL).

The achieved rate was about 14% faster than the previous record and about 2.5 times faster than the capabilities of today's typical commercial technology, researchers said.

The achievement demonstrated that the standard, existing technology for sending data over short distances should be able to meet the growing needs of servers, data centers and supercomputers through the end of this decade, they said.

To achieve such high speeds, the researchers used the VCSEL lasers developed at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and custom silicon-germanium chips developed at IBM Research.

"The receiver chip is a unique design that simultaneously achieves speeds and sensitivities well beyond today's commercial offerings," said researcher Dan Kuchta of the IBM TJ Watson Research Center in New York.

"The driver chip incorporates transmit equalisation, which widens the bandwidth of the optical link. While this method has been widely used in electrical communication, it hasn't yet caught on in optical communication," he said.

"Researchers typically rely on a rule of thumb that says the usable data-transfer rate is about 1.7 times the bandwidth," Kuchta explained.

"That means that with the VCSEL laser, which has a bandwidth of about 26GHz, the rate would be only about 44GB/s," he added.

The fast speeds only worked for a distance of 57 metres, so this technology is not designed for sending data across continents. Instead, it's most suitable for transmitting data within a building, Kuchta said.

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Nokia, BlackBerry, Motorola: In search for lost glory

BARCELONA: Once the mobile world's pioneers, Nokia, Motorola and BlackBerry are now the industry's sorry laggards, searching for lost glory.

As they struggle to get back in a game now lorded over by Samsung and Apple, however, analysts hold out little hope for them.

"All those historic handset makers like Nokia, Motorola and BlackBerry completely missed the boat when the smartphone arrived," said Bengt Nordstrom, head of the Swedish consultancy Northstream.

"They missed the touch screen step."

Finland's Nokia, Canada's BlackBerry and the United States' Motorola; they all lost a lot of money in 2013.

Nokia's handset business, in the process of being taken over by Microsoft, reported losses of 780 million euros ($1.07 billion) last year.

Motorola posted a loss of $1.03 billion in the same period.

This month, Motorola's owner, Google, shed the business, selling it to rising Chinese smartphone manufacturer Lenovo for $2.91 million.

BlackBerry, bought by Canada's Fairfax Financial Holdings, racked up a loss of $5.4 billion in just the nine months to November 30.

"We are definitely here to compete and to win back some lost ground before the end of the year," BlackBerry's recently appointed chief executive John Chen told reporters at the February 24-27 World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

BlackBerry's budget Z2
BlackBerry showed off two devices - the Q20 with its trademark physical keyboard and the budget-priced Z2 with a touchscreen aimed at the Indonesian market - to help it try to claw back market share.

The two BlackBerry smartphones were the first to be produced under a five-year partnership with Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturer that is also a key supplier to a major rival, Apple.

BlackBerry aims to target corporate customers.

"Our turnaround strategy is to focus on enterprise," Chen said. "We are always known as the number one in security."

Analysts were pessimistic about his chances.

"BlackBerry; that is a lost cause, I think," said Nordstrom.

Lawrence Lundy, analyst at Frost & Sullivan, agreed.

"They have tried so many things in past years and nothing has worked. I can't see BlackBerry maintaining a device presence much longer," Lundy added.

"They missed the touch input, they really believed in the keyboard even seeing the success of iPhone."

Nokia remains the world's second-largest handset manufacturer with 13.9% of the market in 2013, but that share is dwindling and it relies largely on traditional mobiles.

In the smartphone market, Nokia did not even rank among the top five last year.

At the industry fair this week, Nokia showed off a new range of Nokia X smartphones powered by a version of Google's Android operating system.

It was a surprise move because Android competes directly with Windows Phone, owned by Microsoft, which is wrapping up its Nokia takeover during this quarter.

Nokia France managing director Thierry Amarger said the manufacturer used the cheaper Android operating system because it aims to sell the devices for less than 150 euros, targeting a fast-growing entry-level market for smartphones.

But Microsoft will determine the next move for Nokia's handsets.

"Nokia are in a fairly good position with Microsoft as their backer," said Nordstrom.

Microsoft rebranding
"For Microsoft, there will be a rebranding exercise and they will spend a lot of money on it but there is no evidence they will catch up with Apple and Samsung," he cautioned.

"When Nokia was a dominant player, it was twice as big as the third player. Today Samsung is eight-10 times bigger than the third player."

Nokia will be hampered, too, he said, by being tied to Microsoft's Windows Phone system, which is dwarfed by Android and Apple's iOS.

Motorola, however, may have a slightly brighter outlook after its takeover by China's Lenovo, said Julian Jest, analyst at research group Informa.

"That will change the dynamics of how Motorola operates," Jest said.

However, Motorola could struggle to innovate, he said, because Google had retained most of its patents and creative staff.

Motorola was the only one of the three strugglers not to launch a new product during the world's largest mobile fair.

Motorola is "pretty strong" in Latin America and in North America, where it remains the number-three manufacturer, said its product management director, Rick Osterloh.

Lenovo's scale and position in the PC business would give Motorola unprecedented access to technology, he said in Barcelona.

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Spice launches Smart Flo Poise Mi 451 at Rs 5,499

NEW DELHI: Spice has launched a budget smartphone under its Smart Flo, named Poise Mi 451, in India. The device has a 4.5-inch screen, 1.3GHz dual-core processor and Android 4.2, comes with a flip cover in the box and has been priced at Rs 5,499.

The other hardware specifications of Smart Flo Poise Mi 451 include 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, 32GB microSD support, 3.2MP camera with LED flash on the back and 1.3MP front camera. It has also a 1,450mAh battery, Bluetooth and dual-sim functionality. It can access the internet over 2G and Wi-Fi networks.

Spice is offering access to its cloud storage service with the smartphone and has thickness of 8.7mm. According to the manufacturer, its IML (In-Mould Labelling) technology imparts greater wear and fades resistance to the device, hence making it sturdier.

Commenting on the launch, TM Ramakrishnan, CEO, devices, Spice Retail, said, "Smart Flo Poise is the perfect mix of the two with its premium looks and a slim body. The new smartphone features ultra bright IPS display which makes it stand out and builds on our promise to constantly empower our users with superior technology."

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IT companies in Karnataka to remain exempt from labour laws

BANGALORE: Information Technology (IT) firms and other knowledge-based industries across Karnataka will be exempted from state labour laws for an additional five years, state IT, BT and Science & Technology minister SR Patil said.

"The knowledge-based sector will be considered essential services and barred from strikes and shutdowns from April. They will also be exempted from complying with working hours regulations as stipulated in the Karnataka Industrial Employment Rules, 1946 for another five years," Patil told reporters here.

The clause for protection of women employees and prevention of sexual harassment at workplace in the order will, however, be applicable.

The state government is setting up the first Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) brown field cluster in the electronics city here at a cost of Rs 85.15 crore.

"The department of electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) has approved the ESDM cluster development project, which will be located in 1.2 acres of land in the electronics city to accelerate the growth of the ESDM-based industry in the state," Patil said.

As the fastest growing segment of the (ICT) sector, ESDM is projected to touch $400 billion by 2020 and generate 28 million jobs, according to the National Electronics Policy 2012. The central government has announced a modified special incentive package scheme to provide incentives to ESDM firms.

"We have come up with an ESDM policy with additional incentives to encourage the growth of the sector," Patil noted.

The state government has also granted Rs 5 lakh each to nine engineering colleges across the state for setting up incubation centres to foster entrepreneurship among their students.

The nine engineering colleges are located at Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bijapur Dharwad, Gulbarga, Mysore, Shimoga and Tumkur.

"The centres will be networked to exchange experiences and learn from each other's domain expertise. The incubation centres will tie up with local industry leaders who will mentor the startups," Patil said.

Startups will be eligible for plug-and-play space with internet at concessional rates of Rs 5-15 per square feet, depending on location. They will be given space in government owned or leased or privately-leased location.

An apex committee comprising government and IT industry's representatives will select the startups.

The Karnataka Information and Communication Technology (ICT) group, set up by the state government, to retain the state's pre-eminent position in the country as the preferred investment destination in the knowledge sector, has proposed to build Karnataka New Age Incubation Network for creating opportunities and jobs.

"The incubation centres will encourage entrepreneurs to give preference to students, research scholars and alumni of the nine colleges. They will take up projects to solve local problems and find solutions to local needs," Patil added.

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Delhi HC slams Centre over delay in email policy

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has come down heavily on the Centre for not framing the e-mail policy for government employees in consonance with the Public Records Act, so that official data is not transferred to a server outside India.

A bench of justices BD Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul also warned the government of "coercive action" if they keep on delaying the framing of e-mail policy despite its order.

"You don't want us to take any coercive action. Do you?," the bench asked.

The Central government, which was asked by the court on October 30 last year to frame the policy within four weeks, was at the receiving end during the proceedings today for not being able to do it.

"I do not know what are you (Centre) doing? I think no one is concerned over this issue. We blame politicians, but look at the bureaucrats, what are they doing?

"Even four weeks time was set up for the government to frame the policy, but, till date, no e-mail policy is finalized," Justice BD Ahmed said, adding "we have to only see government's response."

The bench, also comprising Justice Siddharth Mridul, directed that a senior official from concerned department be remain present before it to explain the stand of the Union of India on February 24, the next date of hearing.

Besides framing of e-mail policy, the PIL, filed by former BJP leader K N Govindacharya, also seeks various directions including the issuance of necessary notification mandating electronic signatures for authentication of correspondences through e-mails.

The court's observations came when the counsel for Centre showed inability in doing the needful within a fixed time frame.

"How much you want to test our patience?" it said. Govindacharya, in the PIL, said, the government officials usually use Gmail accounts, whose servers are outside India, and transfer the official data through them which is violative of the Public Records Act.

The plea, filed through counsel Virag Gupta, has also sought a direction to ensure safety of the data of 50 million Indian users which was transferred "to the US and is being used for commercial gains in violation of the right to privacy."

Earlier, US-based Google, in its reply, said it is not liable to pay any taxes in India for its internet activities, as it is not providing any taxable services or earning income from here nor does it have a permanent establishment in the country.

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Delhi HC slams Centre over employee email policy

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has come down heavily on the Centre for not framing the e-mail policy for government employees in consonance with the Public Records Act, so that official data is not transferred to a server outside India.

A bench of justices BD Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul also warned the government of "coercive action" if they keep on delaying the framing of e-mail policy despite its order.

"You don't want us to take any coercive action. Do you?," the bench asked.

The Central government, which was asked by the court on October 30 last year to frame the policy within four weeks, was at the receiving end during the proceedings today for not being able to do it.

"I do not know what are you (Centre) doing? I think no one is concerned over this issue. We blame politicians, but look at the bureaucrats, what are they doing?

"Even four weeks time was set up for the government to frame the policy, but, till date, no e-mail policy is finalized," Justice BD Ahmed said, adding "we have to only see government's response."

The bench, also comprising Justice Siddharth Mridul, directed that a senior official from concerned department be remain present before it to explain the stand of the Union of India on February 24, the next date of hearing.

Besides framing of e-mail policy, the PIL, filed by former BJP leader K N Govindacharya, also seeks various directions including the issuance of necessary notification mandating electronic signatures for authentication of correspondences through e-mails.

The court's observations came when the counsel for Centre showed inability in doing the needful within a fixed time frame.

"How much you want to test our patience?" it said. Govindacharya, in the PIL, said, the government officials usually use Gmail accounts, whose servers are outside India, and transfer the official data through them which is violative of the Public Records Act.

The plea, filed through counsel Virag Gupta, has also sought a direction to ensure safety of the data of 50 million Indian users which was transferred "to the US and is being used for commercial gains in violation of the right to privacy."

Earlier, US-based Google, in its reply, said it is not liable to pay any taxes in India for its internet activities, as it is not providing any taxable services or earning income from here nor does it have a permanent establishment in the country.

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Yahoo going back to basics to reboot search

WASHINGTON: Yahoo is reportedly directing its focus back on algorithmic search and search advertising, tech site Re/code has revealed.

The internet giant is said to have ordered up two new search-related initiatives, codenamed Fast Break and Curveball.

According to CNET, the projects are reportedly priorities for Yahoo; both with three-to-four month time frames, and involving search chief Laurie Mann, mobile head Adam Cahan, and senior VP of platforms Jay Rossiter.

Re/code's report speculates that Cahan's involvement in the project is indicative of a strong mobile bent, in tune with CEO Marissa Mayer's focus on mobile platform.

The search projects also point to the possibilities of Yahoo planning a Bing exit strategy for 2015 and look to partner with another web engine like Google or rebuilding its own core search capabilities, the report added.

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Kashmiri girls develop app for Android

CHANDIGARH: A group of four Kashmiri girls, studying engineering in a Punjab college, claim to have developed an Android application (app) that will help their institution become a paper-free campus.

The girls, pursuing an engineering degree course in Aryans College of Engineering near here, said official notices and other communication meant for students can be accessed by students of the institution from the app instead of checking the paper notices.

The students -- Rumaisa, Zeenat, Sadiya and Yusra, all Bachelor of Technology students at Aryans -- are from the Kashmir Valley. They developed the app under the guidance of their teachers, especially head of department, projects, Manpreet Mann.

"Notices intended for students belonging to the college will be uploaded in students' login. This has eliminated the need of notice boards in the college. All the official notices for the staff will be uploaded in the staff login.

"The outsiders will be able to see all the necessary information about Aryans Group of Colleges and the updates about the events happening in the college," the girls told media here.

Called the 'Aryans Android App', it can be downloaded on mobiles having Android version 2.3 and above.

Complimenting the students for developing the app, Aryans Group of Colleges chairman Anshu Kataria said the students would be encouraged further for technological development.

Kataria announced that the college has decided to sanction an amount of Rs.1 lakh to the students for any other joint project.

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