Category: Software

ModMyifone.com, a forum identified the malicious code known as ‘iPhone firmware 1.1.3 prep‘ or ‘113 prep.‘

This Trojan targets the ‘/bin‘ folder in the iPhone and delete all of its contents. It also cripple some important packages by overwriting the encryption protocol.

According to Symantec, those who are affected by the Trojan should uninstall “113 prep” and then reinstall the broken applications.

Symantec researcher Orla Cox said, “This is technically the first Trojan horse seen for the iPhone; however, it does appear to be more of a prank than an actual threat. The impact of uninstalling the Trojan would appear to be an unintended side effect.”

Reportedly, the site that distributed the iPhone malware has now been shut down. This means that iPhone users are unlikely to get infected in the future.

Since its launch on 13 August 2007, it is claiming a user base of 1.24 million; a whooping 15 members every single minute on an average said an official release.

Bigadda.com is eyeing a goal of 10 million users in India by 2010. Within India while top 20 cities account for 50 per cent users, 40 per cent of the users come from tier-II towns like Tuticorin, Bhilai, Amritsar, Guwahati, Surat, Nasik etc. The site gets almost 10 per cent of users from countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and from Indians from Dubai, US and UK.

Reliance Entertainment president Rajesh Sawhney said, “We already have a million plus users and get a million page views a day. We add 12-15,000 users a day. In 2008 competition will emerge but we are confident of the innovations that we will be doing.”

BigAdda COO Siddhartha Roy added, “Getting a user base of 1 million users in a short time is an achievement for BigAdda. There is a growth of 240% in the number of unique visitors per month for youth networking websites. BigAdda.com aims to evolve a youth community, inclusive and inspirational and create a youth culture that will be cool and inspirational for them.”

BigAdda is targeting to connect 10 Mn Indian youth by 2010. They are looking at taking networking originating from the web onto the mobile by the first quarter of 2008. and would introduce Music very shortly thereby increasing the current user interest portfolio beyond Videos and Photos. Going forward over the next 2 quarters we will launch major innovations in the access area across Wireless and Broadcast channels.

The 78 per cent of the users of Bigadda.com are between 16-27 years. 79 per cent are single and average looking Indian spending over 16 minutes onsite per session and 44 per cent working in IT, finance and services sector, 15 per cent in manufacturing and media.

It also adds that it will take up any complaints from any quarters.

There was much hue and cry over an alleged attempt to sabotage the non-Cas area Tariff Order of 4 October.

Trai has the powers of taking suo moto action but will wait and study before any action is taken, a Trai senior official told indiantelevision.com.

The broadcasters (“most of the major ones,” as Trai has put it) have sent their offers; but Trai has not put these up in its website, nor are these easily locatable on the websites of the broadcasters themselves.

“It is not right for us to comment on the issue as the broadcasters have given a vast number of offers and we need to check if there has been any violation in the price declarations they have made,” the official said.

MSOs alleged that the broadcasters had laid down conditions that violate the regulation and that they went to the extent of attempting to cast the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) in the role of the regulator.

However, Trai says it has received no complaints so far.

“There are too many offers from various broadcasters and we shall have to scrutinise them in detail to see if they fall in line, before we can put them up on our website,” senior Trai official told indiantelevision.com.

One such key condition laid down by Zee-Turner is that it is only upon verification of the names and addresses and other declarations regarding subscription base by IBF that the MSOs and LCOs would be given connection at the declared prices.

“Subscriber Line Reports submitted by MSOs/cable operators would be acceptable only after survey/estimation of the SLR through an independent agency accredited by the IBF,” says the Zee offer, whereas such agencies as per regulation are appointed by Trai, MSOs say.

However, the Trai official did not comment on that.

Though the regulation says that the broadcasters have to make public their offers by the end of December, the Sony document sent to Trai says that it is not an offer they are making.

“The Rate Card is for reporting purposes only and shall not be construed as conveying an offer to existing MSOs/cable operators (‘affiliates‘) to subscribe to TOA channels on ? la carte basis,” says the Sony Rate Card.

With regard to the MSOs‘ complaint that this is a violation of the regulation, the Trai official said, “Wait, are you telling me that anyone has been denied connectivity after making a request? We are interested in implementation. If anyone is denied connection let them complain and we shall take action.

But cannot Trai take suo moto action under its powers?

“Yes, we can, but for this we have to come to a decision that the action is needed, and this will surface only after we have completed studying the offer documents, which will take some time,” the official said.

This is the first time that Zee Marathi is made available outside India.

WatchIndia.tv will offer Zee Marathi for a price of $9.99 a month as a standalone channel. Through various special offerings, subscribers can catch the latest episodes of Idea Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for 14 days.

Zee Marathi has shows like Idea Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Asambhav and Kalat Nakalat. The Marathi entertainment channel also premiers Marathi films once a month with Maharashtrian stars like Madhuri Dixit and Ashok Saraf.

Watchindia.tv spokesperson Tripti Singh said, “If there is one thing that Indian expatriates want is familiar content. Now WatchIndia.tv is offering the Marathi community worldwide a stronger connection to life back home and that‘s Zee Marathi.”

WatchIndia has a variety of Indian channels that include Times Now, Zee TV, Zoom, Zee Sports, Aastha, IOL Movie Channel, Zee Punjabi, Zee Gujurati, Zee Cinema, YashRaj Films and Shemaroo Entertainment.

“We feel sad that this has been done with a clear intention to deceive the regulator and the public in general, as the conditions put by the broadcasters will not only sabotage a revolutionary tariff order but is dangerously challenging the authority of Trai,” MSO Alliance president Ashok Mansukhani said.

The Zee-Turner offer saying that the Rate Card is only for reporting and not to be construed as an offer is preposterous, as the 4 October order clearly says that they have to make an offer and not merely report it to Trai, say the MSOs.

“What a mockery of the regulation they have made,” Mansukhani said. He added that MSOA would write to Trai “on the exact manner in which the intent and true purpose of the regulation is sought to be defeated in the tariff notifications put up by the broadcasters.”

There emerged on Monday clear indications that it is going to be another long drawn-out battle spread across TDSAT and possibly the higher courts.

There will be major fireworks at the TDSAT hearing on 15 December, when the ongoing case on the order will come up for hearing, and an impending nasty court battle is now going to take place, MSOs indicated.

Mansukhani said, “The broadcasters have gone too far this time. Instead of following the procedure laid down in the 4 September (2006) regulation, they wished to utilise a trade body Indian Broadcasting Foundation, or its so-called independent agency, to verify the Subscriber Line Reports.”

“This is a clear attempt to arrogate the authority of the Trai to IBF,” he said, adding, “Besides, does IBF have the resources to conduct such a massive survey across 65 million cable homes across the country? I guess you should ask IBF.”

According to the existing regulation, an MSO that wants a change in the subscriber base has to approach the broadcaster, along with evidence of the change, and survey report of other similarly placed MSOs along with changes in the subscriber base of the past three years.

This means that MSOs will do their own surveys on changes in subscriber bases, and if the broadcaster is not satisfied it can approach the TDSAT, but there is no provision of a broadcaster appointing a surveyor, independently or through the IBF.

In fact, IBF as a trade body does not figure in any of the laws, regulations or their implementation, but the broadcasters have sought to bring it in and undermine the authority of Trai, MSO lawyers maintained.

Legal experts have told indiantelevision.com that every aspect of the offer documents seeks to violate the regulation.

The broadcasters have demanded that MSOs give the names and addresses of all LCOs and even that of every subscriber, as a condition for receiving signals at the ? la carte rates, which violates the law.

This condition is against the 4 September regulation, which makes it mandatory for MSOs only to give monthly statements on the subscriber base, not the names and addresses of subscribers.

It also violates the principle of confidentiality as the broadcasters have also interest in DTH and MSO business, so by asking for the names and addresses of subscribers, which the law does not make it necessary, broadcasters are trying to access the database of MSOs to further their other business interests.

One legal expert said that the offers had to be made without conditions, which are intrinsic to the regulation, but both Sony and Zee have laid down conditions, and they point out to the ESPN-Star Sports offer document that gives rates without any conditions.

Mansukhani said also that it is surprising that despite the fact the some key broadcasters have still not put up their ? la carte and bouquet prices, no action has been taken by Trai under law for flouting the regulation.

“I am dismayed that despite specific request to Trai to publish the consolidated broadcaster rates on the website of Trai, it has left it to the broadcasters themselves to put these up on their websites, as this will make it difficult for smaller cable operators to access the pricing data in a consolidated form,” said Mansukhani.

This is an opt-in service that enables online commercial publishers to drive new revenue by including timely, contextual ads next to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)-based content. The service has the potential to offer readers access to more free content, enhanced with ads that match their interests.

Ads for Adobe PDF Powered by Yahoo! is available initially as a beta programme.

The new service allows publishers to generate revenue by including contextual, text-based ads next to Adobe PDF content, with Yahoo! providing access to its extensive network of advertisers to match a broad range of subject matter. For advertisers, Ads for Adobe PDF Powered by Yahoo! extends reach by delivering advertising across a new channel of content, while also providing the ability to track advertising performance, just as they can today with ads placed on Web sites.

Adobe senior VP, corporate development Rob Tarkoff says, “By partnering with Yahoo! on this innovative advertising service we are creating opportunities for publishers to build new businesses around unique content that previously was just given away or not available to a mass online audience. As advertisers look to touch new audiences, readers can look forward to some exciting Adobe PDF content coming their way.”

Yahoo! Publisher Network senior VP Todd Teresi says, “This partnership with Adobe creates a previously untapped opportunity for advertisers to connect with qualified audiences, while opening new revenue streams for publishers, and helping deliver additional relevant content to consumers.

“Creating new value with Ads in Adobe PDFs is a natural step forward in Yahoo!‘s ongoing strategy to enable an array of digital connections between advertisers, publishers, and consumers.”

To join the programme, publishers must register online, and then simply upload their Adobe PDF content so that it can be ad-enabled before distributing PDFs as they do today. Ads can only be displayed within Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat, in a panel adjacent to the content so that they do not disrupt the viewing experience.

Every time the PDF content is viewed, contextual ads are dynamically matched to the content of the document. The publisher can then monitor performance through detailed reports. Publishers already committed to participating in the Ads for Adobe PDF Powered by Yahoo! beta program include: IDG InfoWorld, Wired, Pearson‘s Education, Meredith Corporation and Reed Elsevier.

As part of the non-exclusive agreement, Nielsen will provide Invidi with demographic data that will enable Invidi to refine and improve its advanced software engine – called Advatar– to track ‘addressable‘ advertising.

Addressable or ‘targetted‘ advertising allows digital television providers to simultaneously deliver different ads to specific groups or even individuals based on their demographics, buying habits or personal preferences.

Invidi Technologies develops software applications that track targetted advertising. The two companies will explore ways to use their respective core competencies and seek ongoing input from clients to develop new and enhanced metrics for measuring advanced advertising.

Invidi Technologies’ COO, CTO Bruce J. Anderson says, “This relationship presents an enormous opportunity for both companies and the advertising industry across a wide array of real time and time-shifted media.

“As Nielsen moves into measuring many new areas of usage, Invidi can provide an incomparable range of behavioral insights and targeting intelligence around addressable, targeted television advertising.”

Nielsen senior VP media product leadership Scott Brown says, “Nielsen is anxious to create metrics for measuring targeted advertising, and this agreement with Invidi is an important step forward.

“The new digital landscape is changing the way advertising is placed. Working with the industry, we expect to discover more effective ways to measure and confirm advertising success, which is increasingly critical to the needs of both ad buyers and sellers.”

Invidi’s software-based tools and systems – Advatar – is a scalable, enterprise-level headend or digital set-top box application that delivers addressable targeted advertising and marketing messages to individual viewer demographics with exact reach, frequency and separation.

IOC selected CCTV.com on its capacity to guarantee full exploitation of the digital broadcast rights over a variety of platforms, by working in close co-operation with its television broadcast team. IOC was also impressed by CCTV.com’s commitment to promoting the Olympic Games and the values of the Olympic Movement in China.

Over-the-air TV rights for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were acquired by CCTV, as a member of the Asian Broadcasting Union, in 1998. IOC considered interests from several companies for the Internet and mobile platform broadcast rights in the Chinese mainland, having launched a tender in March 2007.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said, “The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be a landmark moment in Olympic history and is obviously an event of huge national interest for China. Our agreement with CCTV.com represents a very exciting partnership for the Olympic Movement. We look forward to working with our broadcast partner CCTV and its digital arm, CCTV.com, to bring the excitement of the Olympic Games to a new generation of fans in China.”

IOC executive board member and member of IOC TV rights and new media commission Richard Carrión said, “The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will break new boundaries in terms of digital Olympic broadcast. It was important for IOC to make sure that all potential partners understood the value of the rights and demonstrated they would fully exploit these rights in mainland China, while also providing satisfactory guarantees of anti-piracy and security measures.

“By granting digital rights to CCTV.com, IOC believes that CCTV.com’s digital team will work closely with the broadcast team at CCTV to develop joint executions across media platforms. This will ensure that Chinese Olympic fans have access to the best possible Olympic coverage in 2008.”

CCTV.com GM Wang Wenbin said, “The 2008 Olympic Games is a milestone both for new media broadcast in China and for the new media broadcast of the Olympic Games.”

Broadcasters however, say they have not decided on any course of action, only hoping, seriously, that the order would be retracted sooner or later.

MSOs argue that since Trai is not likely to retract or modify what is now commonly known as the ‘a la carte order,‘ and since TDSAT has insisted broadcasters not impede its implementation, the Order will come into effect from 31 December.

The MSO Alliance says that after 31 December, they shall not be able to charge subscribers more than the prices capped by Trai right across the country. Therefore, the question arises: ‘Who will fix the channel prices and the prices for bouquets?‘

They say they are telling broadcasters that it is better that the latter come forward to work together and create bouquets area/region-wise, giving those channels in each area which best suits the demographic and economic pattern of the residents,

Says an MSO Alliance source, “After 31 December, we shall have to do it ourselves if they do not come forward and work these out, because we shall not be able to charge a penny more than what Trai has prescribed for each area.

“In that case, we shall have to work out bouquets which we feel are the best for each area, depending on their language and financial patterns, like more Gujarati channels in the bouquets for areas in Mumbai with Gujarati domination, more regional channels for other areas and so forth.”

Broadcasters seem unsure as of now about their course of action.

One could be moving the High Court to ask TDSAT to take a definite stand on their stay order plea, but senior broadcaster sources said that is not a good option.

The decision from broadcasters, since the efforts are being made, at very senior levels, will be clear after the Christmas holidays, with just five days to go for the implementation of the Order.

As part of this agreement, Publicitas Digital will advise marketers and facilitate online media buys, provide digital marketing and creative online media solutions for Yahoo! India in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat.

The online solutions provider will liaise between advertisers in these regions and Yahoo! India, creating a platform that caters to advertisers‘ marketing needs. Advertisers stand to derive maximum value from being featured on Yahoo! and benefit from focused consumer targeting through Yahoo!‘s unique geo-targeting functionality.