Zuckerberg gets hero rating in IIT-D, insists internet.org is not a villain

NEW DELHI: Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday said that he supported net-neutrality "100%", but added that he also strongly backed zero-rating.

Facebook's initiative, In ternet.org, rebranded as `Free Basics' a couple of months ago, has generated much debate on the subject. The service, delivered in collaboration with telecom operators, allows access to online content on "basics" such as health, education and employment and subscribers aren't charged for the data used.

Activists argue that such "zero-rating" pla ns go against the principle of net neutrality . But Zuckerberg believes that's "going too far". Answering questions at Facebook's first Town Hall Q&A in India, held at IIT-Delhi, he said: "Net-neutrality is a very important principle and we do a lot to support it in terms of pushing for regulation. This debate (exists) because countries are trying to figure out what their regulation should be." As loud cheers rang out at IIT-Delhi welcoming Mark Zuckerberg to the capital, cyber experts in the city voiced their concerns over Facebook's internet.org initiative. While the founder of the social networking powerhouse claimed that the views of people not connected to the internet were being ignored in the ongoing debate, net-neutrality advocate Nikhil Pahwa blamed Facebook for creating a "false choice".
"Zuckerberg is asking people to choose between universal connectivity and netneutrality ," Pahwa said. The principle of net-neutrality , he added, means that the opera tor shouldn't be giving a competitive advantage to any entity whether by manipulation of speed or differing pricing.

"Free Basics (the new name for internet.org) users will primarily get access to Facebook and its partners and this effectively discourages usage of the open web," Pahwa said, pointing out that internet penetration has increased dramatically in the past six months alone -rising by 52 million new users according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India.

We really don't have a problem, according to Pahwa. "There are ways to provide free access -it has been done in Africa, Bangladesh and the government free Wi-Fi projects are also on the same format. And none of these restrict usage to just a few sites," he said.

But, speaking at the IIT campus, Zuckerberg insisted that the line taken by net neutrality proponents may ultimately harm access to the net for the very large num bers who are still not online.

"Those pushing for netneutrality have access already ," Zuckerberg said."Those not on the net can't sign a petition pushing for access. We have a moral responsibility [toward] people who do not have access."

The type of content that'll be available through Free Basics is low-bandwidth, text and "not directly cannibalizing the operator's business".The platform "isn't a filter," Zuckerberg said.

Apparently Free Basics users -about 15 million across the world -tend to become full subscribers once they realise the benefits of being connected.

Zuckerberg's in India to interact with its Facebook community -population roughly 130 million -and a tiny part of it, about 1,100, attended Wednesday's Town House on the IIT campus.

"That's the second largest Facebook community in the world," Zuckerberg said."Our mission is to connect the world and India is the world's largest democracy . For every 10 people who get access, one gets a job, one gets elected out of poverty . It is a big opportunity to develop the economy here, one of the things you can do for the world."

Speaking on social tools from the Facebook stable, Zuckerberg said the safety tracking tool was used by millions to reassure family and friends after the recent earthquake. There's also Amber Alert on Facebook -a missing child alert currently available only in Canada and USA -that was launched in January this year and "at least one child has been found using it." "In 5-10 years, we want to build computers that are better at main human senses -that can see better, hear better," he said.

India and Africa are two bright spots of hope, opportunities: PM Modi.

“Africa and India are two bright spots of hope and opportunities in the global economy,” Modi said in his speech to the heads of 54 African countries at the India-Africa Forum Summit.

The Prime Minister also emphasised on the importance of youth and said that it “something precious that unites us”.

“Two third of India and Africa is under the age of 35. And, if the future belongs to the youth, then this century is ours to shape and build,” he said.

“It is not just a meeting of India and Africa. Today, the dreams of one-third of humanity have come together under one roof. Fabric of this world is richer because of the 54 sovereign flags of Africa,” he said.

Modi will speak to delegates, including heads of state or officials, from all 54 African Union nations, with announcements aimed at jump-starting bilateral trade and burnishing Indian investment in the continent.

BlackBerry Priv Android Apps Hit Google Play, 'Productivity Edge' Leaked.

   

BlackBerry's much-anticipated Priv Android slider smartphone is now up
for pre-orders at $699 (roughly Rs. 45,500), and is slated to begin shipping in the
 US starting November 6.

   

Ahead of the release, some highlight features of the Priv are making it to the Internet and the latest in the series is the handset's 'Productivity Edge' or notifications on the curved edge display. In the meanwhile, BlackBerry has released Priv-specific Android apps to the Google Play store. These include MicrosoftexFAT, Notes, BlackBerry Calendar, Contacts, BlackBerry Hub, BlackBerry Keyboard, BlackBerry Services, Tasks, BlackBerry Device Search, BlackBerry Password Keeper, BlackBerry Launcher, BlackBerry Camera, and DTEK. Some of the apps are brand new, while others have been updated. The apps listings were first spotted by BlackBerry Central. Also new, is the release of the BlackBerry Content Transfer app for BlackBerry Priv users, available on BlackBerry World.

The Content Transfer for BlackBerry app will allow users to switch to the new Priv by moving data that is saved on an old BlackBerry 10 device (running 10.2.1 and later).

Data that is associated with a web-based account, such as contacts and calendar events, is transferred when you add the account to your new device. Your data can be transferred with password-protected encryption using Google Drive, your media card, or a private Wi-Fi network," explains the app listing in the Store.

BlackBerry previously revealed updates for its device roadmap for the year which primarily included Priv Android smartphone. Notably, BlackBerry has been pitching its first Android smartphone as a flagship slider device.

Getting back to the leaked Productivity Edge, to recall, the BlackBerry Priv sports a 5.4-inch Oled QHD (2560 x 1440) display with curved edges, something we have already seen on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge+. However, the Canadian company has so far not detailed the function of the Priv's curved edges.

Meizu rolls out Flyme 5.0 update for MX5.

Meizu has released a stable version of its Flyme 5.0 OS for its new MX5.Launched in August this year, the smartphone ran Flyme 4.5 that is based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Those who haven’t received the update yet will have to be patient as Meizu rolls out the update in batches. Though it’s for China, it is also expected to roll out for users in other markets gradually. A Meizu fan page lists the new changes that the new update will add to MX5’s desktop, notifications and so on.

The all new Flyme 5.0.1.1A will add new changes to desktop such as split screen mode, multitasking, floating notice, folders are automatically and more.

The changes also include new music locker screen, select whether to display notifications in lock screen and a new customer assistant and online chat support to help users facing any issue.

Besides, you will view new call floating notices, suspended dial plate design, independent online yellow pages, energy management, new search function support for use of text and voice category management and more. A new weather search 4 x 2 widget and new home search, tool box app and loss reporting mode. You can view the complete changelog here.

In our review, we found that the MX5 is a good phone, resemblance to the iPhone notwithstanding. It is responsive, performs well in most tasks, has minimal bloatware, a good camera for daylight shooting, good build and battery life. Read the complete review.

Xiaomi reportedly working on ‘Apple-inspired’ 3D Touch-like feature.

Xiaomi has managed to woo audiences in most markets it is present and has become a well known brand in India too. Apart from offering products at affordable prices and conducting flash sales, one of its striking ability is its zest to become the next Apple. In the bid to becoming the next Apple, the company has been replicating its products. Adding to the long list of ‘Apple-inspired’ features/products, the next is said to be 3D Touch.

Citing a tipster on Weibo, a GforGames report reveals that Xiaomi has patented a technology that is almost similar to 3D Touch. Apple introduced the all new 3D Touch, a pressure-sensitive display, this year. It helps recognise not just taps and presses, but also deep press. It will come with three different types of input support, reportedly the reason why it is being called ‘3D’ display. So, don’t be surprised to see the feature in the next Xiaomi phone.

It’s not just Xiaomi, even Samsung is looking to deploy the feature. While Samsung plans to utilise Synaptics’ touchscreen controller, Xiaomi could either do the same or build a new technology altogether, adds the report.

Xiaomi’s decision to rip-off the Touch 3D doesn’t come as a surprise. As we’ve seen in the past, Xiaomi has gone the extra mile to imitate Apple. In fact, CEO Lei Jun is also known to copy Steve Jobs’ trademark blue jeans and black turtle neck shirt. The MIUI OS looks just like the iOS. For instance, the new MIUI 6 is almost similar to iOS 7.

From Sapphire Glass to Macbook-like laptops, there are reports indicating more Apple rip-offs on the way. After all, Xiaomi enjoys being called the ‘Apple of China.’

This is the reason why the company received flak on complaining about counterfeits cannibalising its sales numbers. All said and done, Xiaomi was getting a taste of its own medicine. However, if recent reports are to be believed, then Apple has for the first time overtaken Xiaomi to become the largest smartphone vendor in China, which is one of the world’s largest markets.

Only 1 in 9 IIT-Delhi students to get entry to Mark Zuckerberg's townhall.

NEW DELHI: When Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg interacts with students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi in a town hall on October 28, most students will be sitting out.

Almost everyone of the over 8,000-strong student community at the IIT wants to meet and, if possible, ask a question to Zuckerberg, a role model for many of them. But the venue where the tech entrepreneur is holding the town hall is too small to accommodate all of them.

Only one in nine students will get an entry to the hall and they have been selected through a lottery. The hall has a seating capacity for 1,100, but only 900 of the seats are reserved for students.

The entire session is being handled by a Facebook team. It started the process last Thursday and the response so far has been huge.

When an invite was posted on the IIT website, 1,300 students filled up the application form in the first two hours. Facebook discontinued the link after it got 3,500 applications.

"Town hall has always been popular, but not like this one," said a faculty at IIT Delhi. "Mark is a role model for most of the students as he is easy to identify with. Also as the focus of both the institute and students is moving towards entrepreneurship and innovation, his visit has created a lot of enthusiasm."

Zuckerberg is expected to speak for 15 minutes and spend the next hour answering questions from the audience.

Arshad Nasser, one of the lucky students selected to participate in the town hall, said there would be no direct questioning, though most town hall meetings allow that. "I wonder whether my question would be read out on."

Nasser, who is in his final year of Master's in Design, said he was not sure whether it was the question he had put in the application form for Zuckerberg or the lottery that got him through. His question was: "Will FB extend itself as a physical product so that it can interact with devices at home and also connect with social circle?"

Jyoti Meena, a final year B-Tech student, said many of her friends who could not make it to the list were upset. Still, she said the Facebook chief 's visit itself has created excitement on the campus.

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