Amazon shaves $50 off the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD for today only

Amazon may already be selling its Kindle range at cost, but here's your chance to snag one for even less. The e-tailer's knocking a cool 50 bucks off the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD just for today -- valid on both the WiFi-only and the 4G LTEeditions. Just use the code FIREHD89 while checking out and you can save enough to get rid of those pesky ads, load it up with apps, and still have some left over for a few literary classics.

BBM 7 leaves beta, brings WiFi voice calls into the mix (video)

RIM moves quickly: it was just a few weeks ago that BlackBerry Messenger 7 was in beta, and today we're seeing a finished version roll out to BlackBerry App World. As we saw in mid-November, the revamp lets chatters switch to free VoIP chat on WiFi without having to drop text messaging or photo sharing in mid-session. That's not the only upgrade; there's also direct BBM profile syncing through a BlackBerry ID as well as in-app notifications for future software versions. RIM warns that the BBM 7 upgrade may take as long as a day to show up in the store, so don't be disappointed if it's not immediately available; do, however, expect inter-BlackBerry voice calls to get that much cheaper.

Researchers devise contact lens with built-in LCD

Another day, another step towards technologically tricked out contact lenses. The latest development comes from researchers at the Centre of Microsystems Technology at Ghent University, who've developed a prototype lens with an embedded, spherical curved LCD that isn't limited to a paltry amount of pixels. As opposed to LED-based solutions which could only muster a few pixels, the newly-developed screen can pack enough to display graphics that cover a contact. In its current form, the display can show simple patterns, and demonstrates the technology with a simple dollar sign. What appears on the lens wouldn't be visible to folks who wear it, however, since eyes can't focus at such a close range. Despite the limitation, researchers are tying to tackle the focusing issue and are assessing the feasibility of a version that would effectively act as a heads-up display. In the future, the tech could be leveraged for medical purposes, such as controlling light transmission to the retina when the iris is damaged, cosmetic uses and -- you guessed it -- HUDs. With the technology's foundation established, it's expected that real-world applications are potentially a few of years away. Hit the jump to catch a video of the tech in action.

GVM - Executive Education Offers 2 days course on Social Media ( Planning & Implementing Sucessful Digital Campaigns )

Leverage social online platforms and tools to boost your bottom line, create awareness and engage a com-munity around your brand to drive marketing innovation 


Global Ventures Media - Executive Education division, invites applications for its 2 day course,  Social Media ( Planning & Implementing Sucessful Digital Campaigns )

Designed to help you fine-tune your strategic understanding of social
media and update your online media relations capabilities, Social Media
Marketing Masterclass offers a breadth and depth of information
through live demonstrations, exercises and “real world” case studies to
advance your new media communications to the next level.

Key Take-Aways
1. Discover social media marketing trends in the region and beyond
2. Learn about new tools to leverage your brand’s marketing mix
3. Determine rules of engagement and best practices from brands in
the region and around the world
4. Implement a core set of processes and resources needed to
successfully build, launch and sustain a social media strategy
5. Evaluate current innovations, solutions and technologies
6. Monitor your brand’s online presence and measure ROI to prove
succes

Candidates can find details of these programs at http://www.gvmindia.com/socialmedia.html

The key objectives of the program are to learn how to effectively leverage Social Media for business, formulate an action plan that combines the key Social Media networks and tools, effectively create compelling content to increase online presence and monitor the success of Social Media campaign.

Eligibility

The applicant should have:

Accounts in some of the key social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr etc.
How to Apply

Visit http://www.gvmindia.com/socialmedia.html to register.

Program Fee: 

Rs 19,950 plus service tax

Last date for submission of form: Feb 15 2013

Course Content

Understand The Evolution Of Social Media Marketing And Digital Consumer:
The digital consumer: consumer engagement (meaning and implication) and merging patterns in digital consumption
The digital marketing landscape: role of digital marketing (scope & context), emerging trends, technology shifts and the online ecosystem
Building the business case for Digital Media campaigns.
Deep-dive into leveraging Facebook as a tactical campaign channel
Driving innovation in your digital campaign by exploring new tools/platforms
Promoting you campaign via search marketing.
Campaign strategy overview:


Course begins from 1 March 2013

For details contact: tc@gvmindia.com Or Call: +91 9768000890

Apple vs Samsung: Is it advantage Samsung?

JAKARTA/SEOUL: What a difference three months can make.

At the end of August, Apple Inc seemed on top of the world. Fresh off a resounding $1.05 billion US legal victory over arch-foe SamsungElectronics Co Ltd, the company was gearing up to launch the fifth iteration of its iconic iPhone. Just a week prior, its market value had surpassed Microsoft Corp's and it became the most valuable technology company in history.

That was then. Since winning a landmark US patent infringement case in August, its stock has dived 18 percent, wiping $108 billion from its value. But the shares of defeated party Samsung have surged, rising 16 percent.

The dramatic reversal has sparked raging market speculation. Some pundits say concerns are growing about the seemingly inexorable advance of Google Inc's Android, the rival software championed by Samsung. Others say fears about higher capital gains taxes have prompted investors made rich by Apple's stock-price growth to sell.

But it is the Apple-Samsung rivalry that defines a global mobile device industry with a growing list of struggling players. Together, the two mobile juggernauts account for more than 1 in 2 smartphones sold globally.

Analysts say Samsung is beginning to shed its aura as a "fast follower" and becoming a serious innovator, while Apple has failed to deliver on a truly seminal product in years - the oft-rumored Apple TV remains a well-honed rumour.

"Apple's actions have started to appear as if innovation is slowing and they're defending turf with a zero-sum market view rather than continuing to innovate as a world-beating leader," said Tony Nash, managing director at IHS, a business information provider.

The clash of the gadget titans underscores a broader battle between Apple and Google's increasingly popular Android mobile software, now installed on about two out of every three smartphones sold.

But some Asian analysts also point to Samsung's very different business model as helping it get a leg up on Apple.

The iPad maker's outsourcing structure provides fatter margins, but cedes some control to an army of suppliers, while Samsung's competitiveness is driven by keeping most of its manufacturing in-house.

And while Apple focuses on a few high-end mobile devices, Samsung's product breadth helps it scoop up new, less affluent users who can then be driven towards higher-margin devices, such as the phone-tablet combo Galaxy Note.

"In Asia, Samsung is still in the stronger growth position when it comes to smartphones - bringing large-screen models to the masses, re-introducing the pen with its Galaxy Note series and also, at the lower-end, with its entry-level Galaxy Y devices driving emerging markets like Indonesia and India," said

Melissa Chau, Singapore-based research manager at IDC.

Samsung shift
No one is writing off Apple, still the world's most valuable listed company and expected to chalk up 27 percent revenue growth to almost $200 billion in fiscal 2013 - about level with Samsung.

"There have certainly been missteps at Apple ... but if we look at what's been achieved in the year since (co-founder Steve) Job's death, there are things that keep their competitors quaking in their boots," said Rachel Lashford, Managing Director, Mobile and APAC, at consultancy Canalys in Singapore.

Among its strengths, she cited unprecedented demand around new launches, the expansion of content on iTunes and the Apps Store, a possible move to product updates twice a year, efforts to improve parts supply and manufacturing, the dogged legal pursuit of Samsung and cash reserves of more than $120 billion.

Its gross margins of above 40 percent are double Samsung's.

But the South Korean company is now beginning to generate some buzz with recent improvements in its line-up. This week, news emerged that it is likely accelerating the launch of its next-generation flagship Galaxy smartphone - which sports an unbreakable screen.

Codenamed "Project J," the Galaxy S IV could be released as early as March or April, according to leading industry analysts and tech blogs. With smartphones increasingly looking alike, an unbreakable screen could be a big selling point for the Galaxy over the iPhone.

"Samsung's richer product line-up and vertically integrated supply structure are among its strongest advantages over Apple's simpler product range and strength in software," said Kim Young-chan, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp in Seoul.

Samsung is estimated to have shipped close to 56 million smartphones in July-September, more than double the number of iPhones, and analysts expect it to sell around 30 million more smartphones than Apple this quarter.

The South Korean firm's shift comes as its Cupertino, California-based rival suffered from some missteps in its iPhone 5 mapping app, supply constraints that have prompted delivery delays and allegations of employee abuse at supplier plants in China.

Charles Moon, Singapore-based principal analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, a research consultancy, sees these as a sign Apple is adjusting to maturing markets.

"A completely offensive strategy with uncontested gains are a thing of the past," he said. "Apple is not positioned well at the moment following a couple of disappointing quarters and continued negative news flow.

"Regardless of what happens (in the court ruling), Samsung and Android are winning where it counts - outside the courtroom - and this is likely to go on unless Apple can continue to reinvent itself. Very difficult, considering how far they've come, but not impossible. They've done it before," he added.

Apple missteps
In the key battleground of China - the world's No. 1 cellphone market - Samsung and Android devices in general appear to be making headway against pricier Apple gadgets.

Third-quarter data shows Apple slid to sixth place in China, its largest market after the United States. Samsung kept top slot, according to research firm IDC, which estimated the Chinese smartphone market at a record of more than 60 million in July-September.

IDC analysts forecast a rebound for Apple with this month's iPhone 5 launch there, but it has so far failed to crack the country's largest carrier by far, China Mobile Ltd.

Apple's "loss of market share and of opportunities like a stalled China Mobile agreement are notable and, potentially, show some strengths of an integrated hardware-led model of players like Samsung against the comprehensive hardware-software ecosystem model of Apple," said Nash at IHS.

"This competition is far from over and my hope is that it forces very strong and continued innovation from Apple, Samsung and others."

How Apple is going soft under CEO Tim Cook

"Those jobs aren't coming back." 

That's what Steve Jobs reportedly told PresidentObama when asked at a dinner in early 2011 whether Apple would consider moving some of its manufacturing from China to the United States. 

Jobs' successor, CEO Tim Cook, might have another response for Obama: Yes, we can. 

Though the metal edges of its PCs and mobile devices are as sharp and severe as ever, Apple is emerging under Cook's leadership as a kinder corporate citizen. Cook's announcement this week that the company is moving the production of one of its Mac computer lines to the US is just the latest step in a softening of the company's image following the October 2011 death of CEO and co-founder Jobs. 

"Cook is a gentler being in terms of how he projects himself," says Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi. That's partly of necessity, she says - few people would tolerate Jobs-like arrogance in a new CEO - but it's also a reflection of Cook's personality. 

Cook was born in Alabama and at age 52 it seems he is still very much a southern gentleman. He joined Apple in 1998 from IBM, where he worked for 12 years. Starting out as Apple's senior vice president of worldwide operations, he rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer. He made a name for himself as an expert organizer of manufacturing processes and a deft manager of supply chains. Cook ran Apple's day-to-day operations for years before he was named CEO in August 2011, but stayed in the background while Jobs commanded the spotlight. 

Cook didn't say which computers Apple would make in the US, or where the company might locate new facilities. But bringing assembly-line jobs back to the U.S. lights a symbolic beacon of hope for working-class Americans who worry that the global economy has no use for them. 

Cook's reforms have been both internal and outward-facing. Earlier this year, he visited the Chinese factories where Apple products are assembled, amid an Apple-financed audit of working conditions. Shortly after, Foxconn promised to limit working hours and raise wages. 

US workers are getting a better deal too. The Wall Street Journal reported in early November that the company will let some employees take up to two weeks of paid leave to work on pet projects that might benefit the company. The program is similar to a famous perk available to Google employees, who get to devote 20 percent of their time to entrepreneurial "hobbies." 

In addition, the company now matches employee donations up to $10,000 a year. Tim Cookhimself made $100 million in charitable donations early in the year, another contrast to Jobs, who had little interest in philanthropy. 

Under Cook, Apple has also become more investor-friendly. Jobs, perhaps scarred by Apple's lean years in the 1990s, was opposed to Apple parting with its cash reserves. That lead to the company accumulating a rainy-day fund of nearly $100 billion in cash by the end of his tenure - a hoard that investors would have liked for themselves. 

This year, Apple has begun sharing its wealth with investors for the first time in two decades, by paying dividends of nearly $10 billion a year. 

Cook's diplomacy has extended into enemy territory. Jobs was furious that phones running Google's Android software mimicked Apple's iPhone so closely and vowed to wage "thermonuclear war" against the company through patent infringement lawsuits. The worldwide onslaught of litigation is still ongoing, but in early November, Apple agreed to a ceasefire on one front: It settled all its patent suits against Google partner HTC, a struggling Taiwanese maker of smartphones. 

The terms were not disclosed, but company watchers believe HTC will be paying Apple royalties on the phones it makes, and some saw it as a sign that Apple was taking a more rational stance and starting to put Jobs' take-no-prisoners fury behind it. 

Carl Howe, an analyst with Yankee Group, says the image of a "softer" Apple that's emerged this year doesn't mean Cook is a softie. 

"Make no mistake: he's not necessarily a kind, gentle guy if he needs to get something done. He's a very hard-nosed, demanding boss," Howe says. "And he's very much of the Steve Jobs model, where if you're the janitor you get to make excuses. If you're the vice president, you don't." 

Cook, in fact, engineered a major shakeup in Apple's top ranks this fall. Scott Forstall, the long-serving head of iPhone software development, stepped down and his responsibilities were divided among other executives. Company watchers attributed his departure to difficulties collaborating with other departments and to the scathing reviews that greeted Apple's Maps application, which replaced Google Maps. 

Another senior vice president left at the same time: John Browett, who headed Apple's stores. Browett had tried to make his mark by cutting employee hours, leaving fewer people to help customers. Browett was overridden. He lasted just six months on the job. 

"Being gentle and being a pushover are two different things," says Milanesi. 

Apple and Google teaming up on $500 million-plus bid for Kodak patents

After Kodak's auction to offload 1,100 of its digital imaging patents was green-lit this summer, it looked like Apple and Google were ready to do battle for the goods. Now, however,Bloomberg cites a pair of sources who claim that the two titans have ended their face-off and are combining their efforts in a $500 million-plus bid for the patents. All three parties are staying quiet for now, but the move would certainly not be out of form for technology giants when it comes to lucrative, and potentially volatile, patents. Helping Kodak recover from bankruptcy with more cash in its coffers is nice enough, but avoiding a courtroom feud on digital photos is what sweetens the pot all around.