Recent News

Since emails are now the preferred mode of communication, the security of their content has become a major concern for both users and serv¬ice providers such as Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, to keep electronic communication out of the reach of hackers as well as snooping agencies. Recently Google said that it would add another security layer called “end-to-end” to encrypt data in user’s Gmail account. Microsoft said its messaging service Microsoft Exchange has TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption enabled by default. A Microsoft spokesperson said, “We are currently rolling out TLS encryption for popular email service Outlook.com. We are also further strengthening encryption of customer data moving across our networks and services.”

It’s kick-off time in the land of football. Brazil is all set to host the FIFA World Cup and afaqs, looks at the marketing efforts by its official Indian broadcaster, Sony Six and the on-air sponsors it has attracted for the event. Last month, Sony Six had launched a television promo featuring John Abraham. Conceptualized and created by Havas Worldwide, Abraham is seen encouraging viewers to join in the party to catch the “ultimate footballing extravaganza” in the campaign, titled ‘Live the Magic’. Besides the main TVC, the channel has 3-4 shorter promos that are running on various channels. MSM has roped in Microsoft as the ‘powered by’ sponsors. According to Jyotsna Makkar, CMO, Microsoft India, “Any event that features the best in the world is followed across the world and it cuts across categories. The Oscars, Grammys, Olympics, IPL, and FIFA World Cup are examples. The youth in our country follow these passion points and therefore it becomes good vehicle for brands to ride on.”

In an interview to BGR India, Gurdeep Singh Pall, Head of the Skype team, spoke of the Skype translator, competition from the like of Whatsapp and many more exciting announcements. When questioned on Whatsapp, he said, “I’ll agree with you and I’ll also disagree with you. I think what you see WhatsApp as doing is disrupting SMS. Skype is what’s disrupting voice and video calls. So they are slightly different. Now you can say they are adjacent, and they are good questions and we will keep working in that space. The great news is that comms itself has become very exciting”. He also spoke about how neural language which was scrapped about 20 years ago, was helpful in the development of the Skype translator.

Asar Dhandala and Prithvi Raj Pawar of ‘Team Seven Summits’ were declared the national winners of Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014, a premier student technology competition. The youngsters will now repre¬sent India at the internation¬al level of the event to be held in Seattle in July and would compete with other global teams for the first place. The winners of the event will walk away with a prize of $ 50,000. The gamers are students of Backstage Pass school of Gaming in Madhapur.

Microsoft has announced that Xbox One will launch in India on September 23, 2014. The Xbox One will be available for Rs 39,990 without Kinect and Rs 45,990 including Kinect. The Xbox One will come with one wireless controller and a 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold for new members. Microsoft will however be 9 months behind Sony which has already launched its PS4 in the country. Anshu Mor, Director – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft India, said, “The Xbox One gaming launch line up in India will be colossal, bringing the best line up of exclusive blockbusters, including AAA titles like “Forza Horizon 2” and “Halo: The Master Chief Collection,” which comes with the highly anticipated “Halo 5: Guardians” multiplayer beta”.

Microsoft’s next big device named ‘McLaren’ is likely to offer 3D touch, reports Windows Phone Central. ‘McLaren’ will basically give the flat UI of Widows Phone some added depth. Users will be able to hover over live tiles in a less tacky manner compared to Samsung’s Air View and will be able to see a lot more in the form of previews compared to what live tiles already offer today. When it comes to typing, one can expect to move the cursor by hovering your finger over the screen. The device will pack in a heap of sensors similar to those found in the Xbox and will even be able to generate heat maps with the same, thanks to lessons learnt from Microsoft’s Kinect project. It is also expected that the 3D touch, if successful will offer great support in controlling apps.

Nokia MixRadio, the popular global music streaming service today announced its collaboration with talented musician and popular artiste, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The company has already partnered with the likes of Lady Gaga and Priyanka Chopra. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will also be exclusively curating playlists for Nokia MixRadio giving music lovers across 31 countries exclusive access and insight to the singer’s renditions and musical tastes. This service will be available across popular ranges such as the Nokia Lumia and the Nokia X family. Viral Oza, Director Marketing, Nokia India Sales, a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobile Oy says, “As Nokia MixRadio expands into the emerging market of digital global music streaming in developing markets, it is slated to see an upswing of growth resulting in one in every fifteen users coming from India”.