EU is pushing Microsoft to provide a browser ballot in the Windows versions shipped in European Union countries.Well it is definitely not going to help the consumer/ end user. The argument from EU and Microsoft’s rivals is that since windows comes pre-installed with Internet Explorer, the users are not given equal opportunity for using other browsers.
Browser Ballot Screenshot for Windows in EU
If the users are not tech savvy enough, how does EU expect them to make a wise or useful choice upfront ? So these decisions may be forced on them by their relatives or the people who help them set up a computer. Especially if a non techy user finds that he/she is missing their favorite Internet Explorer (or comfortable) and when they try to connect office network and get thrown out because they are using a non IE browser ?
One way or the other this ballot system will be a failure from the start just like Windows Editions launched without Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. Well no one bothered to buy these Windows Editions specifically launched in EU, after all why not have IE or Windows Media Player if they are not going to harm your computer?
Probably EU regulators should now look at other real issues like launching Phones like Iphone locked and limiting their use to only one network etc.
Sporting a 2.8 inch capacitive touch screen, Samsung Corby definitely makes a strong statement in the Mobile market. With no real competition in the low end Touch Screen scenario, Samsung tries to strengthen its hold in the sub Rs 10,000 / $240 Touch screen market. After good success with Samsung STAR and STAR 3G, this phone is expected to consolidate its hold.
The phone has an unusual rounded shape rather than a typical bar shape of Nokia 5800 or Apple Iphone. Also the phone comes in funky colors like Caribbean Yellow,Pink etc. Lets look how it compares against other similar full touch screen phones in terms of dimensions and thickness
Samsung Corby S3653 Black and Yellow Face book app
Samsung Corby – 103 x 56.5 x 12 mm
LG Cookie KP500 -106.5 x 55.4 x 11.9 mm
Nokia 5800 – 111 x 51.7 x 15.5 mm
Nokia 5530 – 104 x 49 x 13 mm
Samsung STAR – 104 x 53 x 11.9 mm
Nokia X6 – 111 x 51 x 13.8 mm
Nokia X3 – 96 x 49 x 14 (Not a touch screen) mm
Nokia N97 – 117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 (18.2 max) mm
Iphone 3Gs -115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm
Nokia E71 – 114 x 57 x 10 mm
Nokia N97 mini – 113 x 52.5 x14.2 mm
The phone is definitely a slim one in its league also very light weighing at 94 g. And its screen is bright and as you would expect from a capacitive touch screen, doesnt support multi touch etc.
But Samsung Corby comes preloaded with variety of Apps for the internet hungry youth, Orkut,MySpace,Facebook, Twitter,Yahoo messenger,Google Talk, Gmail , Youtube, Flickr,Picasa to name a few. It comes with 27 widgets preloaded and you can still download 75 more from samsung site for free.
Samsung Corby S3653 Home Screen
It has a inbuilt memory of 64 MB and supports upto 8GB in External Memory Cards. The phone comes with 2MP camera without Autofocus, with One touch zoom. In connectivity Corby supports Bluetooth A2DP (streaming stereo music over bluetooth). There is no 3G and Wifi.
The phone comes with an office viewer, but strangely Samsung omitted On Screen QWERTY keyboard, which might be a turnoff for many considering this phone is targetted at social media fans. Also there is no accelerometer to Auto rotate the screen mode between Landscape and portrait.
Dimensions 103 x 56.5 x 12.4 mm
Weight 90 g
Display Type TFT capacitive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size 240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches
Speakerphone Yes
Memory Phonebook 1000 contacts, Photocall
Internal 64 MB
Card slot microSD (TransFlash), up to 8 GB, buy memory
Data GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps
HSCSD Yes
EDGE Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G No
WLAN No
Bluetooth Yes, v2.1 with A2DP
Infrared port No
USB Yes, v2.0
Camera Primary 2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels
Features Smile detection
Video Yes, QVGA@15fps
Secondary No
Features Messaging SMS, MMS, Email
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Radio Stereo FM radio with RDS
Games Yes + downloadable
Colors Jamaican Yellow, Cupid Pink, Minimal White, and Festival Orange; 2 Fashion Jackets
GPS No
Java Yes, MIDP 2.0
– MP3/WMA/eAAC+ player
– Find Music recognition service
– H.263/H.264/MP4/WMV player
– Organizer
– Voice memo
– T9
Well if you have sub 10k budget Samsung Corby S3653 is definitely a good buy. The price of Samsung Corby S3653 is Rs 8600 ($ 200 ) and you might end up getting more discounts during Diwali or New Year offers.
TCS has been in the news for All bad reasons recently, for a change today the TCS Management has announced 50% increase in VA Quarterly component for the just concluded quarter. This is applicable only for this quarter and not future VA components.
Most of the employees are expected to receive the increased VA in october salary, this will give a minimum bonus of Rs 4000 and upwards . This could be a way the company is trying to mend way with its employees and probably a Gift from the new CEO N Chandrasekharan.
Below is the excerpt fromVP & Head of Global HR , TCS
Congratulations and thanks to all of you for your tremendous effort. Considering the performance of the company in this quarter, I am pleased to announce the management decision to pay 1.5 times of the quarterly component of the variable pay for the quarter ended 30 September, 2009, applicable for eligible employees on India payroll.
