29/12/2010

1. HTC launches Windows Phone 7 Smartphone: HTC Corporation on

Tuesday unveiled India's first Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Smartphone, HD7. It
will be available in exclusive tie-up with Bharti Airtel. Priced at Rs.29, 990, the
phone will available at authorized HTC resellers in India.“Windows Phone 7
operating system is an entirely fresh mobile experience, on which HTC is excited
to be going big. We see tremendous customer opportunities with the integration
of Microsoft's most popular services,” said HTC India Country Head Ajay
Sharma.“The value Microsoft is bringing to mobile customers around the world
sets a new benchmark for the industry and HTC is proud to be the first in bringing
in the brand new Windows Phone 7 experience to India in partnership with Bharti
Airtel,” he said. Airtel customers are being offered exclusive data pack to
download 2GB data a month for six months at a special price of Rs.300.

2. Isro: snapped connectors failed GSLV: BANGALORE: The snapping of

connectors that take a signal to the first stage of the rocket is believed to have led
to the failure of the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle ( GSLV) on December 25. Isro
spokesperson S Satish told TOI that the crash did not have anything to do with the
cryogenic stage or engine of the rocket but was related to the snapping of
connectors within the first stage. "Connectors between two critical systems
within the first stage snapped. Four connectors that take a signal to the first stage
for controlling the rocket could have snapped. We are trying to understand why
the connectors snapped, which caused loss of control and eventual failure of the
mission," Satish said. 

3. Tech Mahindra opens CRM lab focused on Telecom Service

Providers: As a part of the initiative, Tech Mahindra has inaugurated a Microsoft
Dynamics CRM Lab in Noida, which is the first lab in India to focus on providing
CRM offerings to telecom service providers globally. The lab will offer four
essential services, namely, provide LIVE demonstrations of Microsoft Dynamics
CRM products for prospective customers, showcase the lab for client sales and
solutions teams, provide a training ecosystem that will create a resource pool for
 future requirements and serve as a product incubation centre for customized
offerings Ravichandran, President, IT Services, Tech Mahindra said, “As a global
player with a strong foothold in the telecom ecosystem, Tech Mahindra is pleased
to work with Microsoft, world leader in software services and solutions for
Microsoft Dynamics CRM services. Together we will help understand customer
needs and enable telecom companies to service their customers better, helping
us to move from customer care management to product management. The
solutions developed in the lab will also be cloud enabled on MS Azure platform.”

4. Capart will collapse if it does not change role: Joshi: New Delhi, Dec 28
(IANS) The Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology
(Capart) needs a new institutional framework to develop linkages with panchayati
raj institutions, Rural Development Minister C.P. Joshi Tuesday said warning that
the organization will collapse if it did not bring about a change in its role.Calling for
a 'radical change' in the role of Capart, an autonomous body functioning under the
aegis of the ministry, Joshi said social inequities will grow if grassroots
organizations were not provided technological inputs. In his valedictory address at
the two-day workshop on appropriate technology for rural development, the
minister also said that Capart has to play a crucial role in spreading information
among the people to enhance their livelihood opportunities.’ The issue of
panchayati raj institutions has not been addressed... You can't work in isolation. A
new institutional framework is needed to have organic linkages,' he said.

5. THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COMING TO UK IN MARCH 2011:

The best selling model C-class from the stables of Mercedes Benz will have
refreshed version coming out soon in UK the coming year. The new C-Class will be
launched in spring 2011 and is a comprehensive modernization. The front and rear
sections of this best selling model have a more striking design. There is now a high-
resolution color display screen in the instrument cluster, an elegant new
dashboard with grained surface and prominent decorative trim emphasizing the
premium character of the interior. Fuel consumption has been improved by up to
31 per cent. Efficiency-enhancing measures including new engines, the improved
7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function also
feature. Ten new driving assistance systems ranging from the standard ATTENTION
ASSIST drowsiness detection system to the optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity
control system are also now available for this model series for the first time
1.Sanjay Dutt: Sheriff attaches property in Mumbai: Bollywood
star Sanjay Dutt has been given a notice by the Mumbai High court to pay up a
compensation of Rs.2.03 crores to producer Shakeel Noorani for leaving his film
titled Jaan Ki Baazi half way through and neither giving back the signing amount
of Rs.50 lakh paid to him nor giving suitable dates to complete the film.

2. Aamir pays surprise visit to Big B: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan

was reliving memories of shooting on floor number one of Mumbai's Film City
when actor-producer Aamir Khan paid him a surprise visit.
"In the middle of the shoot Aamir Khan dropped by to have a chat and it was as
always wonderful," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.
Amitabh was nostalgic as he was shooting for an advertisement at the same place
which he inaugurated almost 30 years back.

3. Prabhu Deva's costly divorce!: It is already being talked about as the

costliest ever divorce settlement in Kollywood.Finally Prabhu Deva has worked out
a "sweetheart deal" divorce settlement with his wife Ramlath. A joint affidavit
signed by the couple was submitted in the 1st additional family court on Tuesday
(Dec 28) seeking divorce by mutual consent. The settlement, which will be
formalised by a court decree after a period of six months, has brought to an end
rather stormy court battle. Ramlath agreed to withdraw her petition, seeking
restoration of her conjugal rights and to restrain Prabhu's marriage with
Nayanthara. In their joint petition, they say : "it had become very difficult rather
impossible for them to live together or to lead a normal life."

4. Ajay-Katrina most profitable celeb of 2010: Bollywood has seen many

ups and downs throughout this year but managed to give some really big movies
with huge earnings. Today, some of the actors, directors and producers will be
awarded at the ‘ETC Bollywood Business Awards 2010’ for being most profitable
this year. Surprisingly, Ajay Devgn and Katrina Kaif have managed to get the top
slot defeating other A-listers. Ajay had total six releases this year including
recently released Toonpur Ka Superrhero. Apart from Aakrosh and the recent
release, Ajay’s other four releases were big hit at the Box Office. His other
four films includeRaajneeti, Golmaal 3, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Once Upon a
Time in Mumbaai.
This is for the first time, the evaluation is being done on the basis of return on
investment. Considering the economic quotient of the movies, theactors are
chosen to be on the top spots. As per the ETC research, the Indian viewers paid a
total of Rs.282 crore to watch the films of Ajay.On the other hand, Katrina Kaif
became the most profitable heroine as Indian viewers paid a total of Rs.142 crore
to watch her movies Raajneetiand the recently released Tees Maar Khan.
Debutant Abhinav Kashyap became the most profitable director for his
blockbuster Dabangg,  which became the highest grosser of 2010. Audiences paid
a total of more than Rs.140 crore to watch this movie. The same movie made
Arbaaz Khan the most successful producer of the year.

5. Shah Rukh Khan to turn villain for Krrish 2: Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik
Roshan have been bonding big time for a while now. Their personal rapport is
likely to extend to a professional level as well. Khan has been offered a role in the
Roshans' home production Krrish 2.Says a source, "Shah Rukh and Hrithik are the
best of pals in the industry today. It was but natural for Rakesh to etch a role in his
son's flick for his buddy as well. SRK's character in the film will have shades of gray
to it."Adds the source, "The Roshans have already sounded Khan off about having
him in their project. And he has told them that he can be available only after the
release of his production Ra.One."The sequel to Rakesh Roshan's 2006 flick has
been in the pipeline for a while. After the debacle of Kites and Guzaarish , Rakesh
Roshan has taken it upon himself to ensure that his son's career gets back on
track. And considering that Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish did well at the box office, it is
time Hrithik wore his superhero cape to create magic again on screen.