Bangalore News

LG Rumor 2 for Sprint

Posted on March 18, 2009. Filed under: Bangalore News | Tags: , , , |

By Peter Ha, Mobilecrunch

lg-rumor

We just got a couple Rumor 2s into the CG office and in the short time we’ve had with the device, we can say that it picks up where the first one left off. The hardware feels sturdy and the keyboard is quite nice. The camera seems like it takes decent pictures (test shot: Canon lens box) when there’s enough light available as well, but we’ve only taken one test shot and it’s so-so. The menu system is pretty straightforward. There are a handful of included apps like, Loopt, Nascar, NFL Mobile and Social Zone. The queerest thing I saw was the “chat & dating” option under messages (the last two images). Anyway, we’ll have a full review soon.

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Scosche unveils solar-powered solCHAT Bluetooth speakerphone

Posted on March 18, 2009. Filed under: Bangalore News | Tags: , , , , |

By Darren Murph, Engadget

scosche-solchat

If you happened to snag one of those Iqua Sun solar-powered Bluetooth headsets a few years back, you’ll probably have no need whatsoever for this. For everyone else, listen up. The Scosche solCHAT Bluetooth speakerphone boasts an integrated solar panel and rechargeable Li-ion, and when installed within one’s vehicle, it simply pairs up with BT-enabled handsets when in range in order to give drivers the ability to talk handsfree. The simply styled unit has just three visible buttons — volume up, volume down and the all-important answer / hang-up key — and it can be yours right now for $99.99. Oh, and just in case you live in some shadowy place like Seattle, a USB charging cable is also throw in — just don’t tell Mother Earth, alright?

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Muziic media player streams audio from YouTube

Posted on March 10, 2009. Filed under: Bangalore News | Tags: , , |

By Brad Linder, Downloadsquad.com

muziic

Muziic is one of the most interesting desktop media players I’ve seen in a long time. Too bad it probably won’t last. The site looks a lot like your average iTunes/Winamp/Songbird style music player. It lets you create playlists, search your library, and browse by category.

But here’s what sets Muziic apart from the crowd: The music isn’t stored on your computer. The application’s music library comes from YouTube. In fact, there’s a tiny little video window that plays the music videos that go along with each song. You can click that window to open up the video in a larger window.

The developer behind Muziic says that since the audio is all coming from YouTube, where it’s available to stream for free, that the program is free and legal. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a violation of YouTube’s terms of service. The company pays music studios a royalty for the rights to stream music. And Muziic lets you listen to that music without being exposed to the ads on YouTube.com.

So it’s probably just a matter of time before Google attempts to shut Muziic down… or maybe the company will attempt to purchase the application and keep it alive as an ad-supported utility.

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10 application names that could use a re-think

Posted on March 3, 2009. Filed under: Bangalore News | Tags: , , , , |

By Lee Mathews

reg-smoke

Since I started writing here at Download Squad, I’ve come across tons of great new programs. I’ve also encountered some bad ones, and some that never got the chance to strut their stuff. Why not? In some cases, it had to do with how the developers chose as a name for their apps.

Now, I’m not questioning how these applications perform, their price tag, or anything of any real, practical concern. Some of these might be quality downloads. That said, let’s have some fun. Here are 10 application names that warrant reconsideration.

Registry Smoker – I don’t know about you, but when I refer to a piece of hardware on my workbench as being smoked, I usually mean it’s taken a dirt nap. I’m pretty sure I’d want to go with something a little less detrimental sounding, especially when naming a registry-tuning app.

(note: damage picture above was not actually caused by this app)

banananaananannanana

BananaShrink – I don’t know why, but this one conjures images of George Costanza shrieking “I was in the pool!!!” There’s got to be a better choice for an application that creates self-extracting archives. Bananazipper perhaps? PackingBanana?

Yet Another Stupid Dumb Shutdown Utility – It’s not a great name, but I have to give the developer points for honesty. Of course, with “Take a Hike Software” as his monniker and other apps like “How Long Has My Computer Been Running” and “Time Thingy,” he’s obviously opted for a no-nonsense naming scheme.

error-message-sadfsae-qwe

VirusKeeper – Along the same lines as the last entry, I think the developers are possibly sending mixed signals here. This is a program designed to prevent and remove viruses and spyware, but it’s called VirusKeeper? I’m a tad confused. I don’t think CCleaner would be nearly as popular if they’d gone with CrapAccumulator.spicsadfy

CrazyBackup – No, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Still, if I’m on the hunt for a reliable backup application, I’m probably not going to pick something with words like “crazy” in the name. Would you want “CrazyReceptionist” handling the filing at your office? Probably not.

SpicyBot – Go ahead and guess what this app is for. If you said “malware defense,” I’ll assume you googled it first. Give me a program with a more ballsy name to do this task. BotAnnihilator. Malware Eviscerator. SpicyBot? That sounds more like an effeminite Futuruma character who’s about to get his shiny metal ass kicked by Bender.

Scan Fast Slow Disk – Does this program scan slow disks quickly? Does it scan both fast and slow disks? Contradictions in your name are never a good idea. Unsafe Security 2009? It just doesn’t work. The dev’s German homepage is down, so I had to link you to Brothersoft on this one.

file-murder-sdfasd-vc

FileMurder – Maybe it’s me, but this title seems overly dark. Though I suppose murder is one way to describe the act of making a file unrecoverable. That is, of course, unless you also have File Re-Animator on your PC, though I wouldn’t recommend running it. Invariably something goes wrong and the files turn against you.

WipeItOff– As someone who’s changed his fair share of diapers, this phrase makes me think more about backsides and less about my browser’s history. Also, their site talks about leaving tracks everywhere. I apologize if you were eating just now.

Private Tracker Pro – Who wants to mess about with a free or amateur version of a program to track their privates? That’s a chore that you really need the reassurance of a pro version to “tackle. “

Source:downloadsquad

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Namma Metro funds cut

Posted on February 17, 2009. Filed under: Bangalore News | Tags: , , , |

Bangalore Metro RailThe Interim Budget has reduced the allocation for the Bangalore Metro rail project. It slashes the Centres investment in Namma Metro from Rs 262 crore of the revised budget of 2008-09 to Rs 215.79 crore of 2009-10.

The document on “Expenditure budget 2009-10” does not give any reason for reducing the Centre’s share in the project, which has been moving at a snail’s speed. Ironically, the revised figure is less compared with the figure of Rs 280 crore of the budgetary estimate of 2008-09.

The allocation for Nimhans, Bangalore, has been brought down, but that for the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysore, has gone up. For Nimhans, the allocation has been reduced from Rs 89.86 crore to Rs 82.86 crore. For AIISH, it has been raised from Rs 18.08 crore to Rs 23.08 crore. The “Receipts Budget 2009-10” says Karnataka will get Rs 7,645.84 crore for the coming fiscal.

The State will get Rs 2,822 crore under corporation tax, Rs 1,587 crore under income tax, Rs 2.84 crore under wealth tax, Rs 1,391 crore under customs duty, Rs 910 crore under Union excise duty and Rs 931 crore under service tax.

The states that receive higher allocation than Karnataka include Andhra Pradesh (Rs 12,613 crore), Bihar (Rs 18,909 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 11,507 crore), West Bengal (Rs 12,100 crore) and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 33,031 crore).

Source: Deccanherald

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Namma Metro – Bangalore Metro Rail

Posted on February 16, 2009. Filed under: Bangalore News | Tags: , , , |

Bangalore Metro Rail

Bangalore Metro Rail

Namma Metro (Our metro) / The Bangalore Metro (Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮೆಟ್ರೊ) is the proposed mass-transit rail system for the city of Bangalore, India. The agency responsible for its implementation is Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd(BMRCL). Navayuga Engineering has been awarded the contract to construct Reach 1 on the East-West line. Five consortia have been shortlisted as general consultants for the project.

A detailed project report prepared by the DMRC and RITES envisaged a 33km elevated and underground rail network with 32 stations for Phase I of the project. The proposed gauge is standard gauge unlike the broad gauge on the Delhi Metro network.

In 2007, BMRCL announced that it would incorporate a northern extension (from Yeshwantpur to Hessarghatta Cross) and part of the southern extension (from RV Road to Puttenahalli) in Phase I, thus extending the length of Phase I network to about 42 km, with 40 stations. The objective of this was to connect the Metro to the Outer Ring Road at both ends, as also cover the industrial areas of Peenya in the North-West, thereby providing better connectivity and increasing ridership. In October 2008, the Government of Karnataka approved this extension, which would cost an additional Rs.1592 crore.

Construction work was scheduled to start in 2005 but was delayed by a February 2006 change of government in the state of Karnataka and continued debate over whether the project was financially feasible and appropriate for the city. On 25 April 2006 the Indian cabinet approved the project, which was then budgeted at more than Rs.5400 crore (about US$1.2 billion). The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 24, 2006. Construction on Reach-1 of the project between MG Road and Baiyyappanahalli commenced in 2007, and work on Phase-1 of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2012. The first line is scheduled to open in December 2011.

Routes

Phase I

North-South Corridor (The Green Route, 23.7km)

Stations: Hesaraghatta Cross, T Dasarahalli, Jalahalli, Peenya Industrial Area, Peenya Village, Outer Ring Road, Yeshwantpur, Mahalakshmi Layout, Rajajinagar, Malleswaram, Swastik, Majestic, Chickpet, City Market, K R Road, South End Circle, Jayanagar, R V Road, Banashankari, J P Nagar, Puttenahalli.

East-West Corridor (The Violet Route, 18.1km)

Stations: Baiyappanahalli, Old Madras Road, C M H Road, Ulsoor, Trinity Circle, M G Road, Cricket Stadium, Vidhana Soudha, Central College, Majestic, City Railway Station, Magadi Road, Tollgate, Hosahalli, Vijayanagar, Deepanjalinagar, Mysore Road.

Phase II

Lines built during Phase-I are likely to be extended further. The Technology clusters in the South & East of the City are planned to be connected with Yelahanka in the North. Route alignments are yet to be finalized.

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