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Gmail's New Inbox Gets a Tabbed View - Gives A Way To Auto Organize Your Mails

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , // No comments:


Google is rolling out a major update for Gmail, adding tabs to the top of your inbox to 
automatically categorize smart labels such as promotions and social updates.

According to the official Gmail blog, you'll be able to select which categories will be enabled as tabs (Social, Promotions, Updates, or Forums, as well as "Primary" for your classic inbox). The tabs will show you how many new emails you have for each category and offer another way to organize your inbox. You'll be able to drag-and-drop messages between tabs and set specific senders to always appear in a certain tab.



Don't worry if this isn't to your liking (it might not be if you prefer the Priority Inbox or other non-default Gmail view, which the tabs won't work with). You'll be able to turn off this tabbed view if you wish.

Here's the demo video published over official gmail blog:


 

The feature is rolling out gradually on the desktop and is coming to Android and iOS apps as well over the next few weeks (on mobile, the tabs will slide in from the side). If you'd like to enable this sooner, keep an eye on the gear menu for the "Configure Inbox" option in Settings when it's available.

Xbox One: Entertainment First, Gaming Second. A Replacement to TV?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , , , , , , // No comments:


Microsoft may have been the last of the major console makers to announce their next generation system but they certainly didn’t disappoint - that is, depending on whom you ask. Leading up to the reveal, many believed Microsoft would position the next generation system as a device designed to be as much of an entertainment hub as a gaming system.


After watching the Xbox One unveiling, however, we are inclined to believe that most got it wrong. Given the One’s heavy focus on live television, it’s easy to envision how Microsoft may have figured out a way to transform the Xbox from a gaming console that also handles media into a home entertainment hub that just happens to play video games.

The Xbox One is now positioned to become a huge mainstream success if Microsoft plays their cards right and even more so if they can get broadcast executives on board with their vision. There’s still a lot of unknowns, but let’s take a closer look at the facts thus far.

The Xbox One includes HDMI in and out which will be used as a passthrough for your cable or satellite set-top box. That’s huge in and of itself because it means Xbox One users can circumvent the dismal programming guides found on traditional set-top boxes. Instead, users will have access to OneGuide.


With OneGuide, users can navigate through programming using voice and gesture commands via Kinect 2.0 which will come standard with every Xbox One. These new input methods are designed to do away with traditional remote controls. What’s more, OneGuide contains fresh features that let users see what’s trending and tune in immediately or even track fantasy sports stats while watching live television as part of an exclusive deal with the NFL.



It wasn’t until 30 minutes into the hour long event that Microsoft finally got around to discuss games – something that’s extremely telling in. It’s understandable, however, as Microsoft needed to save some content to show off at E3 next month.

One of the bigger questions in the overall picture has to do with how devices like the Xbox One will affect the way television programming is broadcast over the long haul. Tech companies have been trying for years to get broadcast behemoths to change their ways and there’s been a good bit of progress. We’re now able to stream pre-recorded movies and television shows from the likes of Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, purchase similar content from iTunes and even stream select channels live to mobile devices.

But it’s not enough. Technology is simply outpacing the traditional broadcast model. Could the Xbox One be the catalyst for change that we have all been hoping for?



People want to be able to watch content when they want, where they want, and from any device they want. Like sports and the latest episode of your favorite sitcom - not some television show that aired more than a week ago. Many consumers wouldn’t have a problem paying for the convenience.

Other tech giants are well aware of this trend, and one in particular, Apple has been long rumored to be taking on television. Reports of Apple courting broadcast executives are well-documented. True enough, a television set that could perform such tasks was something Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said he had finally cracked just before his death.

The Xbox 360 wasn’t designed to be a media powerhouse but it managed to perform those tasks exceedingly well late in its life. Just over a year ago it was noted that the console was used more for watching TV shows, movies and listening to music than playing video games online. With those kind of usage statistics it’s no surprise that Microsoft would build the One from the ground-up to be a media device first. Just imagine what the One and the PlayStation 4 could really do with live streaming television.

There’s little doubt that the Xbox One will be a commercial success just like the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox before it. The media-minded system will appeal to people that aren’t necessarily diehard console gamers – a category of consumer that is much more lucrative than the limited scope of hardcore gamers. We simply hope that Microsoft's new media device and others like it can bring about more rapid change with regards to the television industry.

Leave your reviews about XBOX revolution in comments.

Publicizing Your Website - "Tips" and "Tricks"

Sunday, May 26, 2013 // by Unknown // Labels: , , , , // No comments:

Some folks mistakenly think that as soon as they publish their Web site, the world will beat a path to their cyber- door. Unfortunately, getting web surfers to visit your site isn't quite that easy! registering your Website with a bunch of search engines makes it easier for people actively hunting for your site to find you on the Web.But to attract visitors on your site who already do not know who you are and what your site is all about,you must do more than just submit your site to search engines : you must publicize your site. 

Understanding Search Services

Registering your site with search services such as Yahoo! and Google,is the first step for any successful site publicity campaign.To make the most of your search service listing,however you need to make sure that you code your HTML properly - before you submit your site.


Over the last few years, the number of websites has mushroomed to titanic proportions, and search services have reacted by merging with one another and by tweaking the way they examine site submissions.The result? These days,submitting to site services has become both art and science - especially for those hoping to win a coveted high ranking.

Despite all these changes, the following are still three most important things you can do to help search services classify your site properly,in order of importance :

1. Specify a descriptive page title :

Search services first examine the title of your Web page.(By title i mean the text you place between beginning and ending HTML <TITLE> tags, and which appears in the browser window's title bar when your page is loaded.)

2. Include appropriate page content :

After the title, search services look at the text that appears on your webpage.

3. Add meaningful HTML meta tags :

Finally search services scan special HTML tags,called meta tags, to decide how to classify your site.

Although submitting your site to many search services is still free,more and more search services are beginning to charge a fee for listing your Website.


Going Beyond Search Services

Getting your site listed with search services is great first step in any site publicity plan. If you really want to pull in visitors though, you will have to do more.Two of the best ways to publicize your site are :

1. Getting other people to link to your site from theirs.

  • Research the web and come up with sites that are similar in content to yours.
  • Send a note to each site requesting a link.

2. Advertising your site.

  • Add your domain name to your e-mail signature.
  • Participate in newsgroups,lists and chats.

Using Site Statistics



If you are serious about reaching readers with a Website, you need to know what are site statistics and how to use them.

Site statistic software sits on the same web server your Website files sit on.

Every time a reader loads or interacts with your Webpage,statistic software logs the interaction. 

The kinds of statistics typically logged include :






  1.  How many hits each page of your site gets, and when.
  2.  Which site referred the visitor to your site.
  3.  How many times surfers tried to view your site, but couldn't (and why).
  4.  What country your site visitors are from.
  5.  Which make and model of browser surfers are using to view your site.

    Accessing Site Statistics :

    Site statistic software must be installed on a Web-server; it doesn't work if its installed on your computer. The company that hosts your Web site controls which statistics package you have access to and how you access it.

    Google Goggles - Virtual Search Application

    Saturday, May 25, 2013 // by Unknown // Labels: , , , , , , , // No comments:
    Goggles Logo


    Until now the only option for web search was typing or speaking but now you can search by taking a picture.
    For all those who do not know yet, Google Goggles is a virtual search application for Android and iOS.
    So when and where are we going to use this application ?
    Well there must be times when seeing a landmark you should have  wondered if you know what this landmark is or knowing details about an artwork by just seeing it is not at all easy until and unless you are an art-lover.Searching them by typing random words is not just a good option.

    Now with Google Goggles all you need to do is just open the app,fill as much of the screen as possible with the object and take a picture.






    Landmark
    Here is what you get.You just captured the landmark in Google Goggles and it do the rest for you.It even shows all the related information links about the landmark.


    Artwork
    Here Google Goggles figured out not just the title of this artistic piece but also its history and all other related links too.


    Wine Bottles
    Oh see what we got here. Google goggles identifies the wine bottles too.


    Books
    Here you got exact book match without typing or saying a word.


    Logos

    Google Goggles identifies almost all logos and tells its brand or company name. Well it can also help you for cheating in a logo quiz.


    Business Card

    Another good use of this app is on a business card. You can easily save the contact number or copy the whole information.


    Translating Text
    When traveling places where you do not know the language,Google Goggles can translate text for you.


    Bar-code Scanner
    Surprisingly Google Goggles works amazing as a bar-code scanner too.As you can see in the picture above.

    Though Google Goggles is a really cool and helpful app but virtual search technology is still in its early stage.
    As for now it only searches things like landmarks,logos,books,contact, bar-codes.




    But for now it can not search food,plants,animals,cars.


    If this technology advances it will be able to do more cool things like filling answers of Sudoku,solving puzzles,suggesting move in chess game or taking picture of leaf and identify the plant.



    Microsoft Xbox One - One Size that Fits All Your Entertainment



    It's been a long time since Microsoft released a new gaming console, but it isn't surprising that a new console was needed to match the needs of gamers and to bring a perfect rival to Sony's PlayStation and Nitendo's Wii consoles


    "Microsoft unveiled the new console, called Xbox One. Featuring an all in one entertainment system that completely fills up anyone's living room desires"

    Microsoft has unveiled the new Xbox, and it's called Xbox One. It's Microsoft's first new console in more than seven years. Yes, we've had many expectations for this console, especially since Sony and Nintendo have already taken their first steps in the next-gen landscape. Here's what you need to know that was announced at Microsoft's event in Redmond, Washington.

    The Xbox One




    The original Xbox debuted in the fall of 2005, which feels like a million years ago.. even if it's only seven and a half. It's high time for a new console, even if some tech pundits are questioning the value of gaming hardware platforms in the current age.

    Design



    The Xbox One is large, sleek, and black, and looks like a piece of AV equipment. The controller and Kinect unit are redesigned, too: the Kinect and Xbox One, in particular, sport sharp-angled, glossy-black boxy looks. As a set, the Xbox One really does feel like some elaborate piece of home theater gear...and considering its mission to knit entertainment together into a modern all-in-one package, that's clearly intentional. It also looks awfully big, compared with current-gen consoles and how they've slimmed down.

    The name "Xbox One" suggests a reboot, a fresh start. Maybe from this day forward, Microsoft's connected living-room PC strategies will spring from the Xbox One. Or, it'll just a be a very good gaming console.



    Home entertainment
    Microsoft promises that this is a better-connected way of linking TV, games, and entertainment in one unit -- something the Xbox 360 already does, but will do more via commands like "Xbox, on." As was said during the initial presser, you're "going to have a relationship with your TV." The elevator pitch: take on a living room that has become "too complex," and make a system that knits games, TV, and entertainment.

    So, how will that happen?

    There are universal gestures such as grab-and-pan and swipe up; watching live TV will involve maximizing and minimizing the screen in a top corner. Live TV will be part of the Xbox One experience, via HDMI-in. Yes, cable TV looks like part of the package.

    But we haven't seen, other than some picture-in-picture overlays, how exactly TV is piped in and more deeply interacted with...and who the partners are. Comcast was mentioned, but what other companies will contribute to letting the Xbox One hook in and become a true TV accessory? That was the challenge that daunted Google TV and the Wii U. Right now, it doesn't look like the Xbox One replaces your cable box or your DVR, even though it's large enough to be both.

    The Xbox One does knit together new voice commands to do some PC-like stuff: you can order movie tickets, for instance, engage in Skype, or pull up fantasy sports stats while watching a game. The conversational, Siri-meets-Google Now-like voice commands hopefully will have clear menu representation on the console, as otherwise it could get confusing.

    "It's an all-in-one entertainment console" is a pitch we've heard before, dating back to the PlayStation 3 and before that -- really, going back all the way to the 3DO. It hasn't always worked, but the Xbox One is better positioned because the Xbox 360's already pretty successful at being an excellent streaming-video device.

    (Credit: Microsoft)

    Specs



    Under the hood, details so far include an eight-core processor and graphics made by AMD, 8GB of RAM, Blu-ray, USB 3.0, HDMI in/out, and a 500GB hard drive. Besides all of this, Microsoft is promising a new operating system fusing Xbox and Windows.

    Xbox One architecture has "three operating systems in one": Xbox, a kernel of Windows (perhaps like Windows RT), and a multitasking interface. The idea seems to be that this console will be a multitasker at heart. Check out a head-to-head comparison with the PlayStation 4 specs known so far, however, and you can see that the distance between Sony and Microsoft, in terms of hardware, will be shorter than ever.

    The Xbox One's Kinect.


    A new Kinect comes with the Xbox One, complete with improved accuracy. It has a 1080p camera, Skype connectivity, and understanding of rotational movement in a structure like a skeleton. Microsoft even claims the new Kinect can read your heartbeat. It can also recognize your controller, not just your hands -- suggesting uses that sound a little like the ones for PlayStation Move's wand.

    The Xbox One controller


    New controller

    The Xbox controller's gotten a revamp with an integrated battery, improved ergonomics, a better D-pad, and improved response triggers. It looks similar but has gotten a bunch of gamer-oriented tweaks.



    SmartGlass

    The tablet-based SmartGlass experience will center on Xbox One, and will work as before with a variety of phones and tablets. Baked-in Wi-Fi Direct on the Xbox One will allow Bluetooth-like direct communication between external devices, which could come in handy for other future peripherals, too. Second screens will be a major method of interacting with the Xbox One, but details were scarce at the Xbox event -- how will it be better than, and more profound than, SmartGlass as it currently exists?

    Xbox Live

    Built on the existing service and usernames, the new Xbox Live promises 300,000 servers for Xbox One, a whopping number. Matchmaking services will work while you're doing other tasks like watching movies or Web browsing, and bigger, more quickly connecting matches are promised, too. Microsoft has discussed some cloud services on the Xbox One that seem promising: user-based cloud game saves, uploaded game recording, and even the potential for cloud-processing-enhanced games. How that will play out isn't clear.

    Games

    Microsoft plans eight new franchises for the Xbox One in the first year, a hopeful sign for a platform that's become too sequel-dependent. Of course, Forza 5 was shown off, but a new game called Quantum Break from the developers of Alan Wake looks like the sort of game we're more used to seeing from PlayStation, with a big-studio design and cinematic feel. But there is some bad news: like the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One isn't backward-compatible with Xbox 360 games.

    TV on Xbox

    "Xbox is going to be the next water cooler." That was said during the event to suggest the Xbox One's role as a social-TV platform. To that end, it sounds like Microsoft is developing TV shows and original programming for the Xbox One, making a greater leap into Netflix-like original programming. Steven Spielberg announced a new TV series based on Halo, and the NFL demonstrated some level of interaction with fantasy stats and Skyping with NFL broadcasts.

    Availability

    The Xbox One will be available "later this year," so that means 2013 after all. Price and a specific date will have to wait...after all, E3 is just weeks away. In short, there are still several things about the Xbox One we don't know...and would like to.

    Early Availability notification signups:

    Microsoft is also accepting early notification signups for the availability of Xbox One.

    Now its time to know what you all think. You can leave a review over the poll (till its open) and also give us review over the new Xbox One in comments

    Will Xbox One match the Entertainment needs of its audience?

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