New Samsung Galaxy Tabs Unveiled at CTIA 2011 in Orlando

Samsung has been talking of adding a couple of additional sizes to the Samsung Galaxy Tab lineup, and they were revealed to many “ooohs” and “aaahs” March 24^th at the annual Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association electronics-fest in Orlando, Fl. The new 8.9 and 10.1 inch tablets are very similar to the low-stock Apple iPad 2, and could be showing up at a great time for Samsung. In many insiders’ eyes, the Galaxy Tab is the most viable of the iPad 2 competitors.

The physical feel and construction of the tabs is solid. It feels sturdy without being heavy, and are thinner than the iPad 2, which Samsung execs had described as “very thin” when they first saw it. The interface seems a little slow, but that will no doubt be taken care of before release June 8^th. They join the already popular Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 inch tablet.

The tablets were presented for limited access to industry insiders and guests, and I had a chance to get my hands on one for a quick look. The Honeycomb 3.0 OS with full Flash support is on board now that Adobe has released their Android update, and it flew right along. The interface and control layout seemed much more natural than with the Tab 7, not that it was bad there.

These two new Galaxy Tabs will run Android Honeycomb 3.0, as tested, even though this is the beta version. Google claims to be able to have the standard version in place in time for the June release date. Visually, the Tabs are stunning. The 10.1 is aimed right square at the Apple iPad 2, which is the same size. Google Android OS access is the number one reason prospective customers said they would buy a Tab, Xoom, PlayBook or other tablet over the iPad 2, so it is good to see that the finalization by Google is happening in time for these new tablets.

The 7 inch retails for $250 with a two year data contract, and somewhere between $500 and $600 off contract. The 8.9 inch Galaxy Tab will retail for $469 for the 16GB version, with the 32GB going for $569. The iPad 2-aimed Galaxy Tab 10.1 will cost $499 for the 16GB version, with the 32GB going for $599. That is competitive pricing for the 10.1 that is hopefully, for Samsung anyway, going to take a bite out of the big Apple.

Kizashi, the premium sedan from the country's top car-maker Maruti Suzuki, will hit the roads in the next week with around 500 bookings already made by customers, a senior company official today said.

"We will start Kizashi sales a couple of weeks from now. We have already received good bookings at around 500 units so far and are quite upbeat about its performance," Maruti Suzuki's Chief General Manager (Marketing), Shashank Srivastava, told reporters here.

WikiLeaks founder arrested

Police say WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been arrested on a Swedish warrant. Assange was arrested at 9:30 a.m. (0930 GMT) Tuesday and was due to appear at Westminster Magistrate's Court later in the day.

Julian Assange's lawyer was arranging to deliver the WikiLeaks founder to British police for questioning in a sex-crimes investigation of the man who has angered Washington by spilling thousands of government secrets on the internet.

Lawyer Mark Stephens told reporters in London that the Metropolitan Police had called him to say they had received an arrest warrant from Sweden for Assange. Assange has been staying at an undisclosed location in Britain.

"We are in the process of making arrangements to meet with police by consent," Stephens said on Monday, declining to say when Assange's interview with police would take place.

The 39-year-old Australian is wanted on suspicion of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion in Sweden, and the case could lead to his extradition. Interpol placed Assange on its most-wanted list on Nov. 30 after Sweden issued an arrest warrant. Last week, Sweden's highest court upheld the detention order.

Assange has denied the accusations, which Stephens has said stem from a "dispute over consensual but unprotected sex." The lawyer has said the Swedish investigation has turned into a "political stunt."

The pressure on WikiLeaks mounted from other quarters Monday: Swiss authorities closed Assange's bank account, depriving him of a key fundraising tool. And WikiLeaks struggled to stay online despite more hacker attacks and resistance from world governments, receiving help from computer-savvy advocates who have set up hundreds of "mirrors" - or carbon-copy websites - around the world.

Allu Arjun-Sneha Reddy engagement held

The engagement of Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy was held at Hotel Novotel, Hi-tech City, Hyderabad, on Friday night, in a grand manner.

The bridegroom, sporting white suit, was guided to the venue by his uncle and Praja Rajyam chief Chianjeevi. Sneha Reddy in traditional parrot green saree was the cynosure of all.

After the exchange of rings, the would-be-couple rendered the customary namaskaram to Chiranjeevis feet. Preliminary report is that the marriage of the happening lover-pair would be in February and by then the shoot of Badrinath (Allu Arjuns latest film) would be over.

The garments of the lover pair became a hot topic at the venue; that of Allu Arjun, costing about Rs 50 K; and of Sneha Reddy, a Rs 1 lakh saree.

 Sneha Reddys father, KC Sekhar Reddy, is an educationist with a chain of engineering colleges all over the state.

 Apart from megastars family members, prominent among those who took part in the event included, Congress leaders K. Kesava Rao, D. Srinivas, Jana Reddy, D. Ramanaidu, Raghavendra Rao, B. Gopal, Mohan Babu, Murali Mohan, Nagarjuna, Ravi Teja, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Brahmanandam, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Venu Madhav, Shriya, Vishnu, Rana and Naga Chaitanya.


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Harry Potter : Review

Harry Potter 7: Part 1, a bit dragging
Film: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1"; Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes; Director: David Yates; Rating: **

The generation that has lived in the times of the phenomenon called Harry Potter will recall these times fondly - of times when fans slept through the night outside shops to get their copy of the book. 

Sadly, as any hardcore fan will tell you, none of the movies have come close to match the trigger to imagination of the books. And the latest film, which is the first of the two parts based on the last book of the series, is no different. 

That does not mean that the filmmakers will not attempt to match the money from the book that created the first billionaire author. Proof - "Deathly Hallows" is being released in two parts, with the first dragging quite a bit. 

Yet "Deathly Hallows" stays truest to the book than any other film has so far. 

After Dumbledore's death, Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) takes control of the ministry of magic. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermonie (Emma Watson) obviously cannot be in school. 

Aided by a loyal group of supporters first, and later on their own, they try to find Voldemort's Horcruxes. Their search leads them to discover the story of the Deathly Hallows and its three sacred objects - the resurrection stone to bring anyone back to life, an unbeatable Elder Want and the infallible invisibility cloak. The fight between Voldemort and Harry now becomes a race to find these. 

The most successful book franchise guarantees the success of the films. However, while the previous versions dared not do more fearing boredom, "Deathly Hallows" boldly goes there and breaks the films into two parts. But despite many commendable scenes and good special effects, without its twin, which will be released only in 2011, it does not hold much power. 

That does not mean that people will not throng theatres to see the film, or will be disappointed by it. For "Deathly Hallows", despite its slow pace, is by far, the scariest film in the series with fear looming large over the film. 

Yet, the 146-minute movie has many funny moments scattered across an otherwise gloomy landscape, like when many of Harry's friends drink a portion to become his duplicates, or when they literally flush themselves through a public toilet to enter the ministry of magic. 

The three main protagonists have grown up now. The introduction of sexual tension between them, as also jealousy, spices up the film. The animation to explain the story of the "Deathly Hallows" is also rivetingly done. 

The beginning of the end of one of the most successful franchises in cinema history, thus, may not be too engrossing in itself. It is definitely a strong build up to the grand finale, where the chosen one, Harry, will finally live up to his destiny. 

That the next part will be in 3D, is merely the icing on the cake.

Rare Apple I computer sells for $210,000

Its processor works 1,000 times slower than the Apple iPad, but the first ever Apple computer has sold for 425 times the price.

The Apple I, one of only 200 such models ever made, was sold Tuesday afternoon at Christie's auction house in central London for 133,250 pounds (about $210,000.)

It came with its original packaging and a signed sales letter from Steve Jobs, one of Apple Computer's co-founders and the current CEO of Apple Inc.

When the Apple I was introduced in 1976, it was the only personal computer to come with a fully assembled motherboard, making it ready to use straight from the box - provided the user supplied a keyboard, power supply, and display, Christie's said.

It sold for $666.66 and was available until it was discontinued in 1977.

Bidding on the Apple I came quickly, with the computer eventually going to Italian businessman and private collector Marco Boglione, who made his offer over the phone.

(sify)

Sony launches world's first tilting TV

Electronics giant Sony has launched what is being billed as the world's first television with a screen which can be tilted backwards, which the company says is optimum for comfortable viewing.

Apparently, a slight backwards lean of six degrees is now the best position for a TV set as many of us mount modern flat-screens on furniture a foot or two above the ground.

The new range can be slotted into the tilting position to achieve what its makers say is the optimum picture, as we slump down on our plush, comfortable sofas.

It comes as design experts say we are increasingly choosing glossy, shiny TV screens which complement our homes' style even when they are switched off, reports the Daily Mail.

The 'Monolithic' TV screens, priced at 1,300 pounds for a 40-inch screen, are available in state-of-the art 3D models, and can either be set up vertically or slotted to a six-degree backwards lean.

'Most people don't put their televisions at waist height any more, they set them up a foot or two off the ground,' said Tim Page, Sony Europe's senior manager of technology marketing.

'With more minimalist, uncluttered styles for furniture, it suits the trend to place the television where it's in a less obtrusive position.'

Sony researchers say a six degree lean is the ideal angle - any less doesn't make much of a discernible difference, and any more could lead to the screen reflecting ceiling lights.

Asian Games hockey: India knocked out by Malaysia's golden goal

A shocking defensive lapse in the dying minutes of regulation time resulted in a heartbreaking loss for India as Malaysia went on to snatch a golden goal here Tuesday and set up a meeting with Pakistan in the men's hockey final of the Asian Games.

Muhamad Amin Rahim was the star for Malaysia, first finding an equaliser by converting a penalty corner to level the scores 3-3 three minutes from the final hooter and then slotting the golden goal, again through a penalty corner in the fifth minute of extra time.

Malaysia's first entry to the Asian Games final was marked by their tenacity as they came from behind twice to equalise. The win sparked jubilation in the Malaysian camp while the Indians cut a sorry figure, ruing their complacency in the final minutes.

Malaysia scored the first goal, through Abdul Jalil Tengku (32nd minute).

Indian drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, who has been in terrific form in the tournament, scored his 11th goal to equalise in the 35th minute.

India then took the lead through Tushar Khandekar within two minutes into the second half (37th). Malaysian Azlan Misron, however, pulled one back (49th) through a good penalty corner variation, but captain Rajpal Singh put India ahead by sneaking in the ball after Dhananjay Mahadik's penalty corner strike was saved brilliantly by Malaysian goalkeeper Kumar Subramiam, who was outstanding under the bar.

Rahim (67th, 75th) then showed his brilliance to pull the game away from India's clutches.

Malaysia thus avenged the 3-2 defeat against India at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last month. It was also their first victory against India in 11 matches in Asian Games.

Malaysia will now fight for the gold and an Olympic berth with Pakistan, who upset defending champion South Korea in a tense penalty shootout (3-4). The two teams were tied 1-1 in regulation time.

Pakistan's Waqas Muhammad scored the goal in the 22nd minute, before South Korea responded through Kang Moon-Kyu four minutes into the second half.

The drama intensified as the two teams were deadlocked 3-3 after first five penalty shots and the sudden death rule was applied.

Pakistan ace Sohail Abbas's and Jang Jong-hyun's shots were saved, before Haseem Khan sent the ball past Myungho Lee to put Pakistan ahead 4-3.

Jang Jong-ho took the next shot but his strike was saved by goalkeeper Salman Akbar, and celebrations broke in Pakistani camp.

Pakistan will feature in their first final since they won the last of their seven Asiad titles in Beijing in 1990. All their seven titles came at the expense of India in the final.