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Saturday, July 30, 2011

HOW TO: Become a Google+ Beta Tester (Mashable) : Technet

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HOW TO: Become a Google+ Beta Tester (Mashable) : Technet

HOW TO: Become a Google+ Beta Tester (Mashable)

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Lauren Indvik Lauren Indvik – Fri Jul 29, 7:35 pm ET

Want to test new Google+ features before they become available to the public? Now you can, thanks to a newly launched Google+ program. To sign up to be a beta tester, head over to the Google+ Platform Preview page and enter your email address. Any address will work, so long as you're signed in to your associated Google+ account.

[More from Mashable: 15 Google+ Sites & Services for Power Users]

You'll need to click on a link in a subsequent confirmation email to confirm your entry into the program. After that, Google will email you every time new features are available for you to test out.

If you're looking for additional Google+ resources, be sure to check out our roundup of 15 guides and services for Google+ power users.

[More from Mashable: Microsoft Rips Google With Gmail Man [VIDEO]]

This story originally published on Mashable here.

India police 'arrest Singapore firm's officials' (AFP)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 09:14 AM PDT

– Sat Jul 30, 12:14 pm ET

MUMBAI, India (AFP) – Indian police have arrested two top officials of Singapore-based online survey company Speak Asia in Mumbai for allegedly duping investors out of $294 million, reports said Saturday.

Police identified those arrested as Tarak Bajpai, Speak Asia's chief operating officer in India, and financial manager Ravi Khanna, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI) and other media. Two web technicians were also held.

The suspects were arrested "in connection with a financial fraud", said joint crime police commissioner Himanshu Roy, according to the Times of India.

Roy told PTI the company had allegedly told investors they would get 54,000 rupees ($1,221) a year in return for investing 11,000 rupees annually, cheating investors out of 13 billion rupees ($294 million).

Speak Asia is a Singapore-based online survey company which pays its members to take part in surveys for their clients. The firm claims to have more than one million people in India participating in its surveys.

Its bank accounts in India have reportedly been frozen.

The accused appeared at a Mumbai court on Friday and were remanded in police custody until August 4, Roy was quoted as saying by PTI and other media.

Speak Asia said in an emailed statement that it had "always offered complete and total cooperation to all authorities about its functioning and methodology."

"This sudden development has shaken us up as it puts a blot on our integrity and promise to the millions of people who are part of Speak Asia," Manoj Kumar, India chief executive officer, said in the statement.

"We are absolutely clean," a company representative told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. He declined further comment.

Android Races to the Bottom with $500 4G Tablet (ContributorNetwork)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 05:06 PM PDT

Jared Spurbeck Jared Spurbeck – Sat Jul 30, 8:06 pm ET
Contribute content like this. Start here.

There's a glut of tablets powered by Google's Android operating system right now, as unsold inventory piles up on store shelves and in warehouses. And while analysts like IDC have reported that Android accounts for about a third of the global tablet market, Google's own statistics about how many devices of what kinds have been activated show that very few Android tablets are actually in use. Especially compared to the iPad, which has sold almost 30 million units so far.

Making things worse for tablet makers, the specs of today's Android tablets -- outlyers like the Evo View and Nook Color excepted -- are roughly identical, with a Tegra 2 dual-core processor and a display that's a little more high-res than the iPad's. With that in mind, it's not surprising that they compete mostly on price. Already you can get a 4G Samsung Galaxy Tab from Verizon for only $529, $100 less than the slower 3G iPad 2.

How low can you go?

In this environment, it shouldn't surprise you that there's already an even cheaper 4G Android tablet out there, especially since the Galaxy Tab is one of the classier models. Enter the Acer Iconia Tab; according to Abhiroop Basu of the Android Police blog, the 4G model of the Iconia Tab is now available for preordering at only $499, the same price as a Wi-Fi only iPad 2. And while it comes with a mandatory data package, tablet data plans cost less than smartphone ones to begin with, since you don't have to pay for voice minutes or texting.

A 4G tablet is supposedly much faster than a 3G one, at least when it comes to web browsing. That only applies if you live in an area that's serviced by a 4G network, though, in this case AT&T's. For actual day-to-day use, a 4G Android tablet may be slower than a 3G iPad 2, simply because Android itself isn't as responsive as the iPad's iOS operating system. My Android phone, for instance, lags noticeably when I swipe my finger across its screen, and many others have similar issues.

No compromises?

Further downsides of the Iconia Tab, according to Sean Hollister's review for Engadget, include a creaky build and relatively poor battery life: Almost 7 hours, compared to the iPad 2's more than 10. On the plus side, though, it has exceptional speakers for a tablet. I was at an event where someone brought an Iconia Tab, and sound and picture quality were excellent when he showed people a video on it.

Such sightings are the exception rather than the rule, though, as the iPad (and iPad 2) continue to dominate the US' "tablet market." Indeed, it could be said to be solely an iPad market at this point, with a handful of would-be competitors off to the side.

That may change when Android tablets get a better selection of apps, and/or some unique angle on the "tablet" concept. So far, all the manufacturers seem to be able to do is drive prices farther and farther down. If you're an Android fan, their loss is your gain ... but at this rate you might well be regretting your purchase in a few months, as an identical tablet becomes available at a lower price.

Jared Spurbeck is an open-source software enthusiast, who uses an Android phone and an Ubuntu laptop PC. He has been writing about technology and electronics since 2008.

Men build small flying spy drone that cracks Wi-Fi and cell data (Digital Trends)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 10:29 AM PDT

Mike Flacy Mike Flacy – Sat Jul 30, 1:29 pm ET

WASP_drone-wi-fi

Built by Mike Tassey and Richard Perkins, the Wireless Aerial Surveillance Platform (otherwise known as the WASP) is a flying drone that has a 6-foot wingspan, a 6-foot length and weighs in at 14 pounds. The small form factor of the unmanned aerial vehicle allows it to drop under radar and is often mistaken for a large bird. It was built from an Army target drone and converted to run on electric batteries rather than gasoline. It can also be loaded with GPS information and fly a predetermined course without need for an operator. Taking off and landing have to be done manually with the help of a mounted HD camera. However, the most interesting aspect of the drone is that it can crack Wi-Fi networks and GSM networks as well as collect the data from them.

WASP_overviewIt can accomplish this feat with a Linux computer on-board that's no bigger than a deck of cards. The computer accesses 32GB of storage to house all that stolen data. It uses a variety of networking hacking tools including the BackTrack toolset as well as a 340 million word dictionary to guess passwords. In order to access cell phone data, the WASP impersonates AT&T and T-Mobile cell phone towers and fools phones into connecting to one of the eleven antenna on-board. The drone can then record conversations to the storage card and avoids dropping the call due to the 4G T-mobile card routing communications through VOIP.

Amazingly, this was accomplished with breaking a single FCC regulation. The drone relies on the frequency band used for Ham radios to operate. Not wanting to get into legal trouble with AT&T and T-Mobile, they tested the technology in isolated areas to avoid recording phone conversations other than their own. The duo play to discuss how to build the WASP at the DEFCON 19 hacking conference.

Missouri Outlaws Teachers and Students Being Facebook Friends (The Atlantic Wire)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 02:52 PM PDT

Ujala Sehgal Ujala Sehgal – Sat Jul 30, 5:52 pm ET

According to Missouri Senate Bill 54, just signed by state Governor Jay Nixon, any social networking is prohibited between teachers and students. This includes not only Facebook, but any social network "that is exclusive and allows for private communication," according to ABC News.

Related: Google+ Learns a Gender Lesson

How did this measure come about? Mashable notes that "inappropriate contact between students and teachers is at the root of the legislation," which is "designed to protect children from sexual misconduct by teachers, compelling school districts to adopt written policies between teachers and students on electronic media, social networking and other forms of communication."

Related: Facebook: Now Serving Over 500 Million Users and 346 Billion Ads

From the bill:

Teachers cannot establish, maintain, or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian. Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.

So how has this been received? The law certainly seems to give the peculiar message that teachers are not to be trusted. Mashable reacts that "on the surface this sounds like a good idea," although they question how it would be policed: "Inappropriate relationships will be hard to detect, especially since teachers and students engaged in such relationships would probably be concealing their communications, electronic or otherwise." Well if we learned anything from Weiner, it's to never underestimate how sloppy adults are when concealing inappropriate behavior online. So perhaps even these rudimentary precautions may be preventative?

Related: Court Dismisses One More Winklevoss Suit Against Facebook

But some find the law misguided. Randy Turner blogged that the law was signed "in spite of the positive effect that teachers and students being Facebook friends had on Joplin Schools' effort to locate students after the May 22 tornado.[and] in spite of considerable evidence that social networking has been a positive force in education, and little or no evidence to the contrary."

Related: Is Microsoft Working on a New Social Site?

But the law is not entirely restrictive. The "direct contact" part is key to the prohibition; ABC notes that, "for example, a teacher cannot be friends with a student on a private Facebook profile where you can pick and choose friends and send private messages, but teachers can set up a fan page."  Nonetheless, the message sent by this law may discourage teachers from using social netoworking to interact with students altogether.

The 4G Samsung Galaxy Tab vs. The 3G IPad 2 (ContributorNetwork)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 04:21 PM PDT

Jared Spurbeck Jared Spurbeck – Sat Jul 30, 7:21 pm ET
Contribute content like this. Start here.

Has it been that long already? It seems like just yesterday that another clone of the iPad 2 came out, only to be received by yawns. The Asus Transformer sold out its first shipment, thanks in part to its $399 price tag, but most tablets powered by Google's Android operating system aren't doing so well; most of them are sitting, unsold, in warehouses and on store shelves.

So what makes the new 10.1" 4G Samsung Galaxy Tab from Verizon a better choice than its 3G iPad 2? Assuming, of course, that that isn't a trick question.

Hardware vs. hardware

If the Galaxy Tab is better than the iPad 2 in any way, you won't know it to look at its chassis. Like most Android tablets, the thing looks darned near identical to the iPad on the outside, with slightly different application of chrome and distribution of weight.

It has a sharper, more widescreen display than the iPad 2, and it has better cameras, including one that can record 720p HD video. Those are about the only meaningful ways in which its hardware is different, though, aside from its Internet connection (we'll get to that in a second).

Looks can be deceiving

The thing is, though, it's not the same on the inside. Android fans like me know that; we know what to expect, we know what the Honeycomb version of Android is like, and we have favorite apps that we're dying to see on a big screen tablet. For us, a tablet like the Galaxy Tab might be a good deal, since its 4G model costs $100 less than the 3G iPad 2 at only $529.

If you're not used to how Android works, though, you're likely to be disappointed. For all its shininess on the outside, the Galaxy Tab isn't an iPad 2. It doesn't work the same, it's not as easy to use, it'll probably crash more often, and there aren't nearly as many games and apps for it. Many reviewers gloss over this fact, but it's the elephant in the room, and the reason why most Android tablets are piling up instead of selling out.

Any redeeming qualities?

The one bright spot of the 4G Galaxy Tab (besides being a nice Android tablet, if that's your thing) is its 4G wireless Internet connection. Verizon promises speeds up to 10x faster than 3G from its 4G LTE network, so if all you need is an Internet tablet with a really fast connection, this one fits the bill. There's also the Evo View 4G from Sprint, which has been out for a little while and is smaller and easier to carry.

So if you want a 4G tablet at any cost, or you want a 4G Android tablet, you've just found a worthy option. But if you're hoping that buying one will be like getting a cheap 3G iPad, think again.

Jared Spurbeck is an open-source software enthusiast, who uses an Android phone and an Ubuntu laptop PC. He has been writing about technology and electronics since 2008.

Samsung reigns supreme, Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes to Verizon (Appolicious)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Nuance Communications CTO talks about new Dragon Go! iPhone app (Appolicious)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 11:00 AM PDT

Music service Spotify in patent infringement suit (AP)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 09:50 AM PDT

By RACHEL METZ, AP Technology Writer Rachel Metz, Ap Technology Writer – Sat Jul 30, 12:50 pm ET

SAN FRANCISCO – Digital music service Spotify, which recently arrived in the U.S., has been sued by music and video streaming software maker PacketVideo for allegedly violating a patent it holds for digital music distribution.

In court documents filed this week in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California, PacketVideo said it believes Spotify's free and paid music-streaming service violates its patent for a "device for the distribution of music in digital form". The patent covers methods for streaming copyright-protected music from a central device over data networks.

Spotify offers free and paid digital music services in the U.K. and several European countries, and it launched stateside in July. It gives users free online access to more than 15 million songs. While that service is supported by audio and banner ads, Spotify tries to get users to trade up to paid alternatives — a $5-per-month computer-only version that is free of ads, or a $10-per-month version that can be used on mobile devices including iPhones and Android-powered devices.

The Swedish company, which has over 10 million registered users and 1.6 million paying customers outside the U.S., is the latest of several to offer subscription music plans with the cooperation of the major music labels.

San Diego-based PacketVideo said that since Spotify has not licensed its patent, PacketVideo is suffering "substantial damages" that are not less than a "reasonable royalty." The company is seeking an injunction to stop Spotify's alleged infringement, as well as unspecified damages and attorneys' fees and related costs.

A Spotify spokeswoman said the company's success over the past three years "is in large part due to our own, highly innovative, proprietary hybrid technology that incorporates peer-to-peer technology." With peer-to-peer networks, computers connect to share data directly between them. She said Spotify is contesting PacketVideo's claim.

PacketVideo's customers range from wireless carriers to handset makers and consumer electronics companies. PacketVideo said its software is used in more than 320 products and is on over 260 million devices.

Sharing stories about creating apps for kids with iStoryTime founder Woody Sears (Appolicious)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 05:00 AM PDT

AP Enterprise: Enviros, rivals strike odd peace (AP)

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 01:21 PM PDT
at 9:45 PM

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