Jury out in Google Oracle dispute

16 May 2012 Last updated at 15:33 The trial is one of the biggest claims for damages in the history of the technology industry A California jury has retired to consider claims that Google has violated patents belonging to software developer Oracle.

Google is accused of using the Java programming language in its Android mobile operating system unlawfully.

The internet search giant maintains Android was built "from scratch".

Last week the jury ruled that Google had infringed Oracle's copyright but could not agree on whether Google's actions constituted "fair use".

As an open-source programming language, Java can be used, free of charge, by companies wanting to build tools and applications.

'Reckless path'

Crucially, the case focuses not on using the Java programming language itself, but rather the use of 37 application programming interfaces (APIs) which help developers create software on the platform.

In closing arguments over the patent dispute, Oracle attorney Michael Jacobs accused Google of embarking on a "reckless path to patent infringement" when developing Android.

Google attorney Robert Van Nest said there was no inclination the search giant had infringed the patents until Oracle threatened litigation.

"There's not a single document, not an email," Mr Van Nest said.

Oracle is seeking $1bn (£630m) in damages for copyright infringement, while any potential settlement for the separate claim of patent violation is expected to be much less.

Prior to the case being brought to trial, Google offered to pay $2.8m (£1.75m) in damages on the two patents remaining in the case, covering the period during 2011 in which they were used.

For future use, Google offered to pay 0.5% of Android's revenue on one of the patents until its expiry in December this year.

Google also proposed giving Oracle 0.015% of revenues for use of a second patent which is valid until April 2018.

Oracle rejected both offers, court filings said.

View the original article here

Read More

Nokia accuses Apple of Siri bias

15 May 2012 Last updated at 16:18 Since launch, iPhone users have discovered unexpected answers from Siri The debate over "what is the best smartphone ever?" took an unexpected twist after Apple's voice-activated assistant Siri appeared to favour the iPhone's rival.

Over the weekend, users of Siri were told the answer was Nokia's Lumia 900.

But Siri now responds to the same question with a jovial: "Wait... there are other phones?"

Nokia has accused Apple of "overriding the software" after the quirk was noticed.

Apple would not confirm that a change had been made.

The Siri software, which is featured on Apple's iPhone 4S, uses the computational search engine Wolfram Alpha to serve answers to some questions.

'Flattered'

For a question such as "what is the best smartphone ever?", Wolfram Alpha would pool available reviews and comment in order to come up with what it feels is the right result.

In this instance, the "best" result was determined by reviews on the website of US retailer Best Buy.

Continue reading the main story

Siri has offered some unexpected responses since launching on the iPhone 4S last year.

Scottish users of the feature were said to be frustrated over Siri's inability to understand their accent.In December, Apple denied that it was stopping Siri from locating local abortion clinics, saying any misinformation was "not intentional".When asked: 'What is the meaning of life?', Siri will reply "42", a nod to Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.Nokia's Lumia 900 - which launched in the UK this month - came out on top.

However, when asked the same question, the software no longer attempts to search Wolfram Alpha to find its answer, instead producing a default answer.

Nokia spokeswoman Tracey Postill told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Apple position Siri as the intelligent system that's there to help, but clearly if they don't like the answer, they override the software."

However, when contacted by the BBC, Nokia said Ms Postill's comments were "lighthearted" and "taken out of context".

"We were certainly flattered and honoured," Nokia spokesman Doug Dawson added.

View the original article here

Read More

Flipboard integrates audio in app

16 May 2012 Last updated at 01:21 By Laura Locke Technology reporter, San Francisco So far, Flipboard has had eight million downloads, with 1.6bn "flips" through its content per month Flipboard, the popular social news magazine, has started integrating audio into its app for Apple's hand-held devices.

The move makes it the first mobile reader of its kind to do so.

Flipboard's partners in the deal are SoundCloud, National Public Radio and Public Radio International (PRI).

Readers will now be able to "flip" through content while listening to music or radio programmes in the background.

The Flipboard app creates a magazine out of real-time social media content, as well as news.

A "personal soundtrack" to the social reading experience is how the Palo Alto-based start-up describes it.

"This is really going to change the entertainment experience of Flipboard," Marci McCue, head of marketing, told the BBC.

Podcast potential

Other social reading apps such as Google Currents, Pulse and CNN-owned Zite have random audio elements on their free services - mainly through video links and YouTube clips tied to news stories.

The Daily, the paid social reading app from Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, offers spoken audio versions of select news stories, but Flipboard is the first to make sound omnipresent throughout its social magazine.

For users, this is achieved by an audio control window that pops up whenever the musical note icon is clicked on the lower left corner of every page. It makes sound easy to turn on, off, pause, favourite, or share via Twitter, Facebook, or email.

Curated audio is also part of the updated app. To access hand-selected picks from Flipboard, SoundCloud, or NPR and PRI, users tap on the red ribbon or magnifying glass found on the top right corner of any page.

Editorial selections include interview programs like Fresh Air, All Things Considered, Science Friday; songs from the Atlantic Records catalogue or original beats from rapper Snoop Dogg - one of the most prolific artists on SoundCloud - he regularly shares his latest work on the service and solicits his audience for new producers or extra verses on his latest tracks.

Fans can comment right in the audio timeline, making SoundCloud an unusual, crowdsourced, immersive experience.

SoundCloud has emerged as the "go-to-place for anything audio", said Adam Curry.

He is a former MTV video DJ who created the world's first podcast and founded Podshow, the start-up that developed the technology for iTunes' podcasting platform.

Mr Curry told the BBC he is particularly intrigued by the creative possibilities brought on by the tie-up between SoundCloud and Flipboard.

"If producers can now link their podcasts to show notes, background articles, news stories, or fan tweets, etc - that could be highly interesting," Mr Curry said.

Unproven model?

SoundCloud, the Berlin-based "social audio platform", with 15 million users, is helping to bring sound of all kinds - not just recorded music - to the broader web.

An in-app microphone provides recording capabilities that can easily pick up ambient noises on the fly, let users make their own podcasts, do live interviews, and assemble their own tracks.

SoundCloud count the likes of US rapper Snoop Dogg among their ranks

"Un-muting the mobile web," is how Alexander Ljung, founder and chief executive, SoundCloud, sees it.

"It's a win for consumers without a doubt," Mr Curry noted. "You now have a very interesting model which surpasses what traditional media organisations are doing."

But he questions the business angle. "I don't know where the money comes from yet, other than a typical advertising play.

"With Spotify or Pandora, or any music service… it's apples to oranges," Mr Curry added.

"Both have yet to prove their model actually works. Right now everyone is losing money."

Mr Curry co-hosts his own podcast, No Agenda, with technology pundit John C Dvorak.

The show is 100% listener-funded and it is profitable despite there being no ads, Mr Curry says.

For Flipboard, adding audio is an attempt at reeling in users and keeping them around longer in a bid, ultimately, to attract brand advertising.

Today, Flipboard has had eight million downloads. There are 1.6bn "flips" through its content per month. On average, users spend 90 minutes a month on the service and the majority - over 70% - connect through a social network.

Once brand advertising - which is being tested now with publishers such as Conde Nast and Sports Illustrated - is rolled out, Flipboard anticipates the addition of audio will further increase engagement and ad revenue.

"We put the content first," Flipboard's chief executive Mike McCue has said.

His start-up, not unlike Facebook, is fixated on user growth and getting its product design and user experience right before fully exploiting its advertising strategy.

With $60m (£37.5m) in venture backing, Mr McCue and his team have some time to tinker.

View the original article here

Read More

Google makes search 'more human'

16 May 2012 Last updated at 21:05 The Knowledge Graph groups results by context for the first time, Google said Google has revamped its search engine in an attempt to offer instant answers to search questions.

A new function, the Knowledge Graph, will make the site's algorithms act "more human", the site said in a blog post.

The feature will at first be available to US-based users, but will be rolled out globally in due course.

It follows similar efforts by rival Bing to provide added search content beyond the typical list of links.

Microsoft's search engine launched its "snapshot" column last week as part of a wider site redesign.

Google's senior vice president of engineering Amit Singhal explained that, until now, the search engine was only able match keywords, rather than understand context.

Mr Singhal said the words "Taj Mahal" could mean different things to different people.

"You might think of one of the world's most beautiful monuments, or a Grammy Award-winning musician, or possibly even a casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Or, depending on when you last ate, the nearest Indian restaurant," he said.

Key information

Google said the Knowledge Graph has been programmed to use around 3.5 billion different attributes to organise results meaning it can now group results according to those various alternative interpretations.

For some searches, such as on prominent people, Google will automatically pull up a summary box with key information on that topic.

The next step, Mr Singhal said, is to look at how the site can answer more complex questions, such as "What are the 10 deepest lakes in Africa?"

In doing so the search engine would need to draw on multiple sources and factor in many different criteria.

This kind of computational, intelligent search is currently pioneered by the likes of Wolfram Alpha - a site which gathers verified data, such as from the World Health Organization, to provide statistical results.

It has long been a technological goal to produce search engines that could react entirely naturally to human-like queries.

One such effort includes the somewhat iconic search engine Ask Jeeves, where users can ask a stereotypically English butler for help.

View the original article here

Read More

Facebook to sell 25% more shares

16 May 2012 Last updated at 16:23 GMT Facebook has 900 million users but its income stream is small in comparison to its size Facebook says it will sell 25% more shares than first planned in its flotation in response to strong demand.

The move comes one day after the social networking giant said it would raise the price of the shares by 21% to between $34-$38 a share.

It also comes despite doubts about the profitability of the site, which is largely used for social updates.

Car giant General Motors added to those doubts by saying on Tuesday it would no longer pay to advertise on the site.

However, rival Ford said it would continue its social media strategy. A spokesman said: "You just can't buy your way into Facebook. You need to have a credible presence and be doing innovative things."

Facebook will add about 84 million shares to its initial public share offering (IPO) and will now sell about 421 million shares, up from 337 million, raising $18bn (£11.3bn).

This is still only a small percentage of the entire company, and implies Facebook's full market value is around $100bn, similar to that of internet shopping giant Amazon.

The company makes only around $5 a year per member and has identified mobile devices, phones and tablet computers, as a key area for revenue growth.

But Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights and Strategy, said building that revenue would not be straightforward.

"Mobility is Facebook's biggest challenge in that they don't monetise it currently, but it is where the largest growth is."

He pointed to sites such as Groupon, which offers discounts on goods and services to subscribers, as one potentially profitable sector: "I expect them to target the local deals sector first then tie it in with check-ins.

"I expect them to either buy Groupon and Foursquare, or very quickly build-out these capabilities."

Initial rise?

The extra allotment of shares and the raising of the target price were both moves that were anticipated by analysts.

Mr Moorhead said that despite the increased share allotment and higher price range, he expected the price of shares to rise further initially: "For IPOs like this, they always rise on the first day, dip slightly, then the market readjusts over the next few months."

The actual price of the shares is expected to be revealed on Thursday with open market trading pencilled in to begin on Friday.

If all the shares are sold at the new higher price, the IPO would be the third-largest initial share sale in US history, after the financial giant Visa and General Motors.

The company could add even more shares to the sale as there are more than 60 million additional shares that could be sold to cover excess demand.

The eight-year-old social network has 900 million users worldwide and made a profit of $1bn last year.

The new shareholders will not have much say in how the business is run.

The shares on offer are "A" shares, which carry one vote per share, as is normal.

But the current owners' shares are "B" shares, which carry 10 votes each.

They will control more than 96% of the votes after the public listing, with founder Mark Zuckerberg holding just under 56% of the voting power of the company.

View the original article here

Read More

Milestone for wi-fi with 'T-rays'

16 May 2012 Last updated at 07:00 GMT The device will be improved first by adding an antenna to increase its efficiency Researchers in Japan have smashed the record for wireless data transmission in the terahertz band, an uncharted part of the electro-magnetic spectrum.

The data rate is 20 times higher than the best commonly used wi-fi standard.

As consumers become ever more hungry for high data rates, standard lower-frequency bands have become crowded.

The research, published in Electronics Letters, adds to the idea that this "T-ray" band could offer huge swathes of bandwidth for data transmission.

The band lies between the microwave and far-infrared regions of the spectrum, and is currently completely unregulated by telecommunications agencies.

Despite the name, the band informally makes use of frequencies from about 300 gigahertz (300GHz or about 60 times higher than the current highest wi-fi standard) to about 3THz, 10 times higher again.

It is used principally for imaging in research contexts, as terahertz waves penetrate many materials as effectively as X-rays but deposit far less energy and therefore cause less damage.

Until recently, the technology required both to generate and detect these "T-rays" has been too bulky, costly or power-hungry to offer a plausible alternative to existing devices tucked within smartphones or wi-fi routers.

That looks set to change; in November electronic component firm ROHM demonstrated a 1.5Gb/s (1.5 billion bits per second) transfer rate at a frequency of 300GHz.

Terahertz wi-fi would probably only work over ranges of about 10m, but could in theory support data rates up to 100Gb/s - close to 15 times higher than the next-generation 802.11ac wi-fi standard that is under development.

The new work, by researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, demonstrated 3Gb/s transmission at 542GHz.

At the heart of the team's 1mm-square device is what is known as a resonant tunnelling diode, or RTD.

Tunnelling diodes have the unusual characteristic that the voltage across them can sometimes go down as current is increased.

RTDs are designed such that this process makes the diode "resonate", which in the current work's design means it sprays out waves in the terahertz band.

The team is now working to improve their proof-of-principle device and extend its range deeper into the terahertz regime, as well as increasing its power output.

View the original article here

Read More

The Pirate Bay hit by hack attack

16 May 2012 Last updated at 18:16 The site has been largely inaccessible for the last 24 hours File-sharing website The Pirate Bay (TPB) has been hit by a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.

The site has been largely inaccessible for the last 24 hours, and the service is intermittent in the UK.

The Pirate Bay has confirmed the attack on its Facebook page, saying that it did not know who was behind it, although it "had its suspicions".

A provider of DDoS defence systems said that it was unlikely that the attack came from hacking group Anonymous.

"There will be further attacks, but what's significant about this whole story is that people think that it is the Anonymous attacking a site which is typically a type of site that they defend," said Andre Stewart of Corero Network Security.

"It could be the record labels, or a government somewhere that has had enough of not being able to catch The Pirate Bay, it could be just one person who had rented some cloud power from Amazon and is sitting in a cafe, and is able to launch an attack."

Although some users may have attempted to access the site using proxies, TPB itself warned them against doing so.

Illegal file sharing

"Use proxies at own risk. Don't login unless you trust the proxy supplier. Don't freak out. You'll get your TPB fix tomorrow," said the site.

Being an illegal file-sharing site, TPB allows users to obtain songs, films and other content free, thus angering copyright holders who end up losing money.

Virgin Media users trying to access The Pirate Bay are shown a message explaining why it is blocked

"If they're losing money and seeing that the government is not being able to stop it, there's a real monetary value reason for them to try and bring it down," said Mr Stewart.

"And if they can do it in the name of Anonymous then it's great for them.

"Equally the governments that protect these industries are frustrated as well because they haven't been able to see it close down, unlike a number of other torrent sites."

Open and free

Virgin Media began preventing access to the file-sharing site following a High Court order last week.

Continue reading the main story

Governments could be frustrated because they haven't been able to see TPB close down”

End Quote André Stewart Corero Network Security Some time later the Virgin Media website suffered a hack attack that many thought was organised to protest against efforts to block access to TPB.

Twitter feeds associated with the Anonymous collective wrote: "Virgin Media - Tango Down #OpTPB".

But TPB criticised Anonymous for the attack, writing on its Facebook page that it did not "encourage these actions".

"We believe in the open and free internets, where anyone can express their views," wrote TPB.

"Even if we strongly disagree with them and even if they hate us. So don't fight them using their ugly methods. DDoS and blocks are both forms of censorship."

View the original article here

Read More

BT and TalkTalk lag in speed test

15 May 2012 Last updated at 17:21 Broadband speeds will vary depending on where consumers live Mystery shopper tests conducted by Ofcom have revealed that UK providers are failing to inform customers about broadband speeds.

While some were usually upfront about the maximum speed users could expect, others were not.

TalkTalk and BT were the worst offenders, offering users a speed estimate without prompting in fewer than half of cases.

Providers agreed last year to better inform new customers.

Overall speed estimates were offered without prompting from the mystery shoppers in 59% of cases.

The providers most likely to give callers an estimated speed were Karoo (76%), Sky (72%) and Plusnet (67%).

There is often a big disparity between advertised speeds and what consumers will actually get.

Internet service providers (ISPs) have been accused of misleading the public by advertising speeds as "up to..." when few will actually be able to achieve the headline speed.

Campaigners are keen for new rules to make it easier for consumers to know exactly what they are getting from services.

Processes changing

There are many factors that affect what speed customers will get, with the distance they live from the telephone exchange being the principal one.

In July 2011, ISPs agreed with Ofcom to offer customers maximum speed estimates for the area they live in as early as possible in the sales process.

Both TalkTalk and BT have agreed to change their processes following the mystery shopper tests.

"We strongly support the Ofcom speed code of practice and ensure that anyone who buys BT broadband gets a personalised speed quote before they are committed to purchase," said a BT spokesman.

"Ofcom has suggested we should make a minor change to mention the speed quote earlier in the sales conversation, which we are happy to do and will implement straight away."

"It is vital that as the choice of broadband services expands, UK consumers get the best possible information when choosing a broadband provider," said Claudio Pollack, Ofcom's consumer group director.

Disappointing results

Michael Phillips, managing director of Broadbandchoices.co.uk, said the tests showed that more needed to be done.

"Speed is at the centre of a customer's decision to buy broadband, so the findings that only 59% of ISPs gave an unprompted speed estimate over the phone is disappointing," he said.

"It's clear that the current voluntary code leaves too much open to ISP - or call centre operator - interpretation and ultimately this means that it lacks any real teeth.

"Ofcom should be far more prescriptive as to when - exactly - a potential customer should be informed of the likely speed of the service.

"In the real world, customers like my mum wouldn't know to prompt the operator for this information and could be at risk of making an uninformed purchasing decision."

The regulator said that it would conduct more tests next year.

View the original article here

Read More

NJ Day Spa Hosts Night of Beauty With Obagi Medical Skin Care Products

ABC Day Spa in NJ offers Obagi medical skin carePRLog (Press Release) - May 15, 2012 -
Freehold, NJ – The Aesthetics and Body Concepts Spa (ABC), welcomes the Obagi medical skin care line to their spa in Freehold NJ and introduces guests to the latest breakthroughs in at-home anti-aging skin care technology.

The “Night of Beauty With Obagi and You” takes place May 31st from 6-9pm at ABC Day Spa (located inside the CentraState Wellness Center).  Reservations are required and guarantee guests a raffle ticket to win one of three grand prize gift baskets valued at $200, $375 or $500.

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. is a leader in topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health systems for all ages and all skin types.  In addition to introducing the new line of medical products, ABC Day Spa will also introduce the latest breakthroughs the Clarisonic facial resurfacing brush and NuFACE®, a microcurrent facial toning device that is one of the beauty industry’s top leaders in non-invasive facial lifting and toning.

The first 50 guests to arrive at 6pm will receive a special swag bag with over $300 worth of gifts inside.  Plus, ABC Day Spa has planned plenty of other give aways, incentives, promotions and offers including:

•   EVERYONE who attends will be automatically entered to win hundreds of dollars in products from our celebration partners!

•   The opportunity to take a closer look at your skin under the ‘Reveal Camera’ during a FREE skin analysis with Obagi professionals.

•   Complimentary appointments for a free consultation with Dr. Alexandra Leschinsky, M.D., Board Certified by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, during the event.  Dr. Leschinsky is offering $50 off your first Botox, Juvederm or Radiesse treatment.

•   Wine, refreshments and great company!

Due to space constraints, reservations are recommended and are available on a first come first serve basis.  Please call 732-625-1600 or visit ABC Day Spa at the CentraState Wellness Center to RSVP.

http://www.abcdayspa.com

About ABC Day Spa
Located within the renowned CentraState Wellness Center in Freehold, Valentina Chistova, an internationally trained skin care expert, has combined her expertise and knowledge with the area’s leading health experts to present a comprehensive array of beauty, health and wellness services under one roof.

Focusing on fulfilling needs and wants, Valentina created an all-encompassing menu of spa services, consisting of essential face, body and mind therapies, brought together in a professional spa atmosphere that promotes a commitment to self-awareness and the ability to pursue personal enhancement with comfortable menu prices.

Contact:
ABC Day Spa
732-625-1600
info@abcdayspa.com
http://www.abcdayspa.com/obagi.shtml
http://njspacoupon.com

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11876170/2

View the original article here

Read More

NCCPAP Back on The Hill, Meets with Members of Congress, Senate and the IRS

PRLog (Press Release) - May 15, 2012 -
MINEOLA, NEW YORK  – The National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP) – which advocates on issues that affect Certified Public Accountants and their clients – continues its presence on the Hill, as its National Tax Policy Committee members met with representatives of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the IRS to discuss several important tax-related issues May 10, 2012.  

This follows NCCPAP’s testimony on tax reform before the U. S. Senate Committee on Finance on April 25, 2012.

“We are honored to return to the Hill to meet with policy makers and discuss tax issues that affect individuals, business owners and CPA practitioners,” said Sanford Zinman, NCCPAP’s National Tax Chair. “In each topic of our Congressional and IRS agendas, we stated the problem, and proposed solutions. We hope that by appearing before the nation’s makers of tax policy, we have planted seeds to positively influence our tax policy’s future.”

NCCPAP’s Congressional Agenda topics at the May 10 meetings included: Deductibility of Long-Term Health Care Premiums; Change in Due Dates for Returns; Health Insurance Premium Deductibility; Office in Home-S Corporation Shareholders; S Corporation Income Subject to Social Security Tax; Alternative Minimum Tax (Individuals); and Tax Preparation and Representation Fees.

In addition, NCCPAP’s IRS agenda topics included: Form 8879 – Banking Information; Form 8879 Burden, Line for Federal ID number on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 1; Modification of Form 1098; Health Insurance Premiums for S Corporation Shareholders; Collection Financial Standards; Receipt by IRS of Officers in Compromise; S Corporation Income Subject to Social Security Tax; and Independent Contractor Issues.

ABOUT NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CPA PRACTITIONERS (NCCPAP)
The National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP) is a professional organization that advocates on issues that affect the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in Public Practice, small businesses and individual taxpayers located throughout the United States. NCCPAP estimates that its members serve more than 500,000 businesses and individual clients.  NCCPAP monitors and influences tax administration and tax policy by meeting with state taxing authorities as well as Internal Revenue Service representatives along with state and national elected officials.  In addition, the association provides a platform for its members to exchange ideas and information on managing and running a successful practice in today’s competitive environment.   http://www.nccpap.org

View the original article here

Read More