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HIndustan Motors to launch redefined Ambassador in May 2011

Just when we thought that the much loved Ambassador which ruled Indian roads for over six decades will go into history books, its promoter CK Birla has announced that Hindustan Motors has roped in foreign designers to completely re-design the original look resembling British classic car Morris Oxford to suit the current times.

Industry insiders believe that the USP of the car is its sturdy body and its well-known accommodation space, and will remain the same. However, latest gadgetry like integrated music system, leather upholstery, power steering, power windows and a host of other features will bring it to the limelight.

Scroll down to see the leaked pictures of the all now Hindustan Motors Ambassador Car, which reminds us Fiat 500. Do tell us what you feel about the New Amby 2011

 Image Source: Topnews.in

Image Source: indianautosblog.com

So watch out this space as we bring you latest news from auto world...

Venky, Signing Off!

Microsoft Kinect enters Guinness book - crosses 10 million-mark in sales

 

Microsoft’s video game sensor, Kinect, has achieved record sales of 10 millions in just 4 months since its launch on November 4, 2010. It comes as a great victory for Microsoft which is betting big on consumer electronics segment with its foray into segments like smartphones (o/s), portable music players or MP3 players, tablet PCs and gaming consoles to drive its future growth, however, has so far struggled to pose any serious challenge to rivals Apple (iPhone, iPod), Samsung, and Google (in smartphones o/s). Its stints into consumer electronics, like in MP3 arena with Zune, and Windows in smartphones (before Windows 7 happened) earlier had proved to be disappointing. But it seems the world’s largest software company has finally cracked the consumer electronics market. Last year, the biggest software firm on the planet sold 50 million Xbox 360 consoles, a jump of 42% over the previous year, which also made it the fastest growing video gaming console in 2010.

Xbox 360 sales were boosted by smash-hit games like “Fable III” and “Halo: Reach,” and the debut of Kinect sensors. The Kinect’s astonishing sales numbers (an average sales of 133,333 units per day for a total of eight million units in its first 60 days between November 4, 2010 and January 3, 2011) have also enabled the Kinect sensor to enter the Guinness World Records 2011. Gaz Deaves, Gaming Editor for Guinness World Records, said, “No other consumer electronics device sold faster within a 60-day time span, which is an incredible achievement considering the strength of the sector.”

Bolstered by the initial success of its gaming sensor, Microsoft promises to add more features to Kinect soon. Beginning this spring, get ready to play more games, watch more movies and TV shows, and enjoy more social experiences with Kinect for Xbox 360, announces the company on its website.

Game for more: Upcoming features of Xbox and Kinect

• Kinect-enabled Netflix and Hulu Plus: Xbox LIVE is the world's leading social entertainment network with 30 million active members across 35 countries. Starting this spring, you will be able to use hand gestures and their voice to control Netflix on Xbox LIVE. Also this spring, Hulu Plus, which offers full current and back seasons of hit TV shows from ABC, Comedy Central, FOX, NBC, MTV, and more, in HD, will join other world-class partners on Xbox LIVE including ESPN, Netflix, Zune, Last.fm, Sky, Canal+ and FOXTEL. Xbox is the only place to enjoy controller-free entertainment with thousands of live and on demand sports, tens of thousands of movies and TV shows in 1080p streaming, and millions of songs -- all on the biggest screen in your home.
• Avatar Kinect: Also coming this year, Avatar Kinect is a new social entertainment experience on Xbox LIVE that brings your avatar to life. Using the power of Kinect, control your avatar's movements and expressions. When you smile, frown, nod, or speak, your avatar will do the same. With Avatar Kinect, you can hang out with up to seven friends in a variety of creative themed environments and capture animated videos that you can share via Facebook. Whether friends getting together to socialize, social networkers looking for new ways to speak to their community or just fun reenacting your favorite movie lines, Avatar Kinect opens up a whole new world of creativity and social interactivity.
• Body and Brain Connection (NAMCO BANDAI Games): Developed under the supervision of renowned Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, Body and Brain Connection challenges players of all ages to exercise both their minds and bodies with fun, fast-paced mini-games ranging from math, logic, and memory to reflex and physical-orientation exercises using the full-motion capabilities of Kinect. Body and Brain Connection is now available for Xbox 360.
• Michael Jackson The Experience (Ubisoft): Featuring songs from Michael Jackson's extensive catalogue, as well as an array of his signature, awe-inspiring dance moves, Michael Jackson The Experience is the ultimate interactive game that enables players to be the star of the show, with no controllers or microphones required. Michael Jackson The Experience will be available for Xbox 360 beginning April 12.
• The Gunstringer (Twisted Pixel Games): From the developers that brought you award-winning hits like Splosion Man and The Maw comes an all-new Kinect-exclusive title, The Gunstringer for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Take control of an undead marionette in an epic Wild West stage production that requires your puppeteering and quick draw shooting skills to exact revenge on the Gunstringer's enemies, all controller-free. The Gunstringer will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this spring.
• Kung Fu Panda 2 video game (THQ): Po the Panda is back and ready for another epic, action-packed adventure in the Kung Fu Panda 2 video game. The kung fu action is taken to a whole new level with the addition of Kinect as players pick up where the movie sequel leaves off, helping Po and the Furious Five use full-body kung fu moves to save kung fu forever. The Kung Fu Panda 2 video game will be available on Kinect for Xbox 360 this May in line with the theatrical release.
• Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do (2K Play): The Carnival Games series is back with exciting new ways to play! Available exclusively for Kinect on April 12, this full-body experience features 20 new family-friendly games and attractions that bring the midway to life, including Alley Ball, Shark Tank, and a Monkey Barker dance-off, as well as interactive prizes and surprises!
• Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster (Warner Bros. Interactive      Entertainment): Available this fall, kids and parents will embark on an uplifting and funny family adventure exclusively on Kinect. Join Cookie Monster, Elmo, and other Sesame Street characters as they explore a living storybook titled "Once Upon a Monster." Meet zany new monster friends, help them solve their problems, forge friendships, and learn important life lessons along the way.

 Source & image courtesy: Microsoft

Amy

Tags: Microsoft XBox 360, Gaming Consoles, Microsoft, Gaming Titles

Japan's Quake Impact equalled world's nuclear arsenal: Researchers

Earthquakes are common in Japan, but the one that hit the country on 11^th March was so powerful that it caused a 400 km X 160 km wide rupture in Earth’s crust due to the powerful interplay of tectonic plates off the coast of northern Japan, creating a 30 foot wall of water ripping apart the Japanese inland at speeds of 10 km/hr while the other end reached the Pacific Ocean in California about 10 hours later.

Scientists believe the total combined energy released by the earthquake/tsunami was about a thousand times the  world’s nuclear weapons, or to put it simple - around 6.7 trillion tons of TNT.

Japan, being one of the world’s most seismically active centers, is placed around the “Ring of Fire”, making it vulnerable to titanic geological forces and accounts to over 20% of the world’s earthquakes due to the congregation of several continental and oceanic plates like:

•  North America Plate 
•  Pacific Plate 
• Phillipine Plate and 
• Eurasian Plate

The Friday earthquake figuring 8.9 in Richter scale, ripped apart these 30 miles of thick plates made of basalt and granite, creating tsunami waves that swiped of Japan’s north eastern coast damaging buildings, cars, ships and taking many innocent lives.

According to Patrick Dasgupta, Professor of Astrophysics in Delhi University, the powerful quake has moved Japan’s main island, Honshu by about 8 feet, causing Earth’s axis to wobble by about 4 inches, shortening the day by 1.6 microseconds, thus making the globe spin faster.

Moreover, the natural catastrophe severely damaged Japan’s nuclear installations triggering panic worldwide. The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency confirmed that the power plant at the quake-hit Fukushima Prefecture had lost all its cooling capability, and with Tokyo Electric Power Company confirming the agency of an emergency at the Number Two reactor at its Fukushima Number One power station after the reactor’s emergency cooling power system broke down, experts fear another hydrogen explosion. Earlier a Japanese official had confirmed that around 22 people suffered from radiation contamination and up to 190 may have been exposed, its high time that the mankind realized the dangerous side of these nuclear technologies.

The Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident have been the biggest crisis Japan has encountered in the 65 years since the end of World War II,” and added, “We're under scrutiny on whether we, the Japanese people, can overcome this crisis.”, it remains to be seen how the international community helps the world’s third largest economy bring on track.

Meanwhile, aids have been pouring in from all the developed as well as emerging nations like India to help the country rattle out of the biggest disaster since WWII and with techies from Google Crisis Response, Facebook associating with Blue Cross raising their voice for the donations and awareness about the incident is really commendable.

You can click here for donating the Japan’s earthquake victims at Google Crisis Response site or check and update the persons missing in the earthquake and tsunami below:

We wish Japan a speedy recovery!

Venky, Signing Off!

IAEA Reported flaws in Fukushima Plants 2 years ago: Wikileaks

  

One might wonder how the world’s third largest economy could not foresee the flaws in its power supply and stand-by operations at the 6 reactor Fukushima Daiichi Plant, until the powerful tsunami and earthquake rattled the country on March 11 2011.

The latest revelation from Wiki leaks states that IAEA had insisted that the safety and security procedures in 2009 at the Fukushima Daiichi Plant was out-of-date and would pose a “serious threat” in the advent of earthquake or tsunami, if not upgraded. However, it also reveals that Japan had commissioned an Emergency Response Center at the same Plant to withstand any threat from the natural disasters like earthquake up to a magnitude of 7.0 Richter scale.

Unfortunately, the quake that hit the country on March 11, 2011 measured 8.9/9.0 on Richter scale has completely shut down the nuclear plant, that is now threatening a radiation leak forcing its residents in and around 20 Kms radius to leave the city.

Meanwhile Japanese military helicopters and fire trucks are pouring water on the overheating spent-fuel pool at the No. 3 reactor, which is at a greater risk of spewing radioactivity in the atmosphere, causing serious hazards to humans, while US  Scientists believe that the fourth reactor might have run out of water, posing higher threat of radiation leak into atmosphere. 

On the other hand, rescue operations are on as engineers are trying  to fix one km long power cable from the main grid to restart the water pumps to cool the spent-fuel pipes, however, officials were unsure if the motors would work, especially after the explosion occurred during the couple of days.

Already countries like USA and India are sending air crafts to bring their citizens back home, as IAEA states “the situation continues to be very serious”. 

Amidst this scenario, Indian IT companies like Infosys has stated that it will continue serving operations to their clients, as Infosys COO Shibulal said, “Business will continue. The servicing given to clients will continue because they are very very important,” he clarified to media and added, “We have capacity all over India, Japan's works happen in many of our developing centres, it could be Mysore, Bangalore, Chandigarh. People are going back to wherever is the base location of the corresponding programme,” he said

Commenting on the Japan’s nuclear disaster French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, “the accident in Japan had "provoked across the world a number of questions about the safety of nuclear power stations and the energy mix,” and added, “France would continue to rely on nuclear energy, which is an essential element of its energy independence and the struggle against greenhouse gases. I remain convinced of the relevance today of those choices." France is currently the second largest producer of nuclear energy  after United States of America.

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Global Imbalances: Are we heading for another crisis?

To keep the global economy on the growth track, balancing the global imbalances is need of the hour. If not there will be a weak world recovery; at worst, the seeds of the next financial crisis will be sown.

The outline of the Group of 20 nation’s summit of financial leaders in Paris limited both optimistic and pessimistic views on global economic recovery. The two-day financial summit issued a statement on February 19, 2011 saying that economic recovery was strengthening, but is still uneven, although there was a “persistent misalignment" of exchange rates. Given that, the G20 finance ministers have arrived at a cooperation deal to correct global economic imbalances while expressing concern over excessive commodity price volatility impacting the world food security, an issue pressed by India. The world’s mighty group, The G20 was formed in 1999 and accounts for 85% of worldwide trade.

One of the main reasons behind threatening global imbalances is: as major economies are rationally pursuing their own self interest, these actions had collective consequences which threaten the sustainability of the recovery in global demand. Mervyn King, Bank of England’s Governor, has warned that a failure in addressing this issue will lead to another crisis. He suggests that policymakers should reach in an agreement on the right speed of adjustment to the real pattern of spending and should take many policies in addition to exchange rate changes.

It is often said that the key cause of the global financial crisis is regulatory failure in the mortgage and finance industry. However, along with regulatory failure there was a large global imbalance between East (mainly China and rest of Asia) and West (mainly US and UK) caused, or at least exacerbated, by the financial crisis in the recent past. The graph on current account balances of different countries clearly explains this dichotomy. Economists say the persistency of global imbalances is mainly the policies of the US economy. The world’s largest economy is depending on capital inflows to sustain its ever-rising current account deficits mainly because the rest of the world is dependent on the US market and its buoyancy for growth.

China’s Connection

During the last decade, both advanced and developing nations have grown in fundamentally different ways. The trade and financial relationship between China and America (the consumer of last resort) has been best illustrated for growing global imbalances. China invests a large portion of its surplus in the US debt, implying that it essentially lends to America the capital to buy Chinese exports. This results into the enduring imbalance between the two and also involves a trade imbalance and an imbalance of financial flows. Thus, the dragon has an excess of savings after investing in its burgeoning economy, while the US national debt has grown to about $14 trillion, equivalent to about 100% of its GDP. Similar imbalances are then replicated as many countries such as the UK and Spain run deficits, and Japan, Germany and the major oil-producer countries run surpluses. Thus the growing imbalances between nations have come to be seen as particularly taxing because of their role in the financial crisis.

Rebalancing or Restructuring?

Thus rebalancing is one of the key concerns that global policy makers are facing today. Most emerging nations blame the advanced world’s slow recovery from the financial crisis, on the other hand, the US criticizes China’s yuan policy. But on the whole, there seems little commitment to make the necessary restructuring changes. Against this context, economists suggest that it would be better to have the aim of restructuring and rebuilding rather than rebalancing. And through these efforts a more balanced economy is likely to emerge soon.

Jany, Chief Economist

Oil: Will it Impact Asia

Publish Post

Spiraling oil prices pose serious threat to growth of Asian economies, notably India and China.

Asian economies, especially India and China might not be able to sustain the growth tempo which has driven the global economy.  The ongoing unrest in the Middle East may lead to double inflation rate and growth rates cut across in Asia. Runaway oil prices pose several risks to Asia. High fuel costs could induce slower global growth rate which in turn cuts demand for the region’s exports and would slow domestic consumption in the region. Investors concerns that oil prices could rise further if turbulence spreads to other major oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia. Oil prices continue to drive equity markets lower across the globe.

Economists warn that China, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand are at risk from inflation given their high correlation between energy prices and core Consumer Price Index (CPI). Report indicate that if oil prices stay around $120 per barrel, India’s growth rate could fall to 6% from 8.1% and China’s would be cut to 8.8% from 10%. Frederic Neumann and Sherman Chan, economists at HSBC are of the view that “Asian exporters will feel some pain, as could consumers in the region. US consumers, faced with another shock at the pump, will cut back on trips to the mall. Therefore, it all circles back to Asia eventually.” These developments would deprive the global growth driver just as developed countries start to get back on track.

Chart: Crude Oil Prices Movement

 

Source: www.thisismoney.co.uk

India is one of the top-risk countries in terms of the cost of heavy oil subsidies. The economy could see inflation double to 14% in the coming months from the currently predicted 7.2%. If crude oil prices cross $150 per barrel, Indian government would be forced to deregulate diesel prices. Although the economy is vulnerable to an external oil price shock, but the country’s public sector finances are in a healthy position and growth is fairly robust. However, economists say it a negative, but it is not going to be enough to cause economic recession or to reverse growth in Asian economies. They are optimistic that oil will probably not stay that high, because its sentiment driven, and will probably come down a bit.

However, the UK-based www.liveoilprices.com forecast that oil prices into the spring and summer of 2011 (October 2011 – $150 oil), will go higher than the current $120 per barrel as global oil demand is higher than oil supply and there is another bubble emerging in the oil market. It cites the following two reasons for the same. It further adds “Of course, many short to medium term situations over the world could change this view (Middle East or Asian Conflicts) but most of the potential situations would only make oil prices go even higher. According to the website, the only way oil prices would see a big fall in 2011 would be if the US dollar makes a massive recovery, back to the 90 – 100 level.

Image Source: shawnlazarus.info

Jany, Chief Economist.

Food for thought: SUBWAY finds its way to the top

Move over McDonald’s, Subway, is the new king of the global fast food restaurant chains. Don’t believe it? Look at the numbers: Subway had 33,749 restaurants vis-à-vis McDonald's 32,737, across the world, at the end of 2010, according to cnnfn.com. Subway has since then grown its number of stores or restaurants further to 34,225, currently, as per the latest data available on the company’s website. 

Subway began as a healthy alternative to fast food offering Submarine sandwiches and salads. Some of its best selling items include Chicken Cordon Bleu, $5-Footlong Subs and Meatball Pepperoni amongst others.  

Boost from recession!

Fast food chains like Subway and McDonald’s have got big boost from the worldwide recession post-2008 that has seen even ultra-affluent consumers switching to fast foods from expensive dining at posh restaurants. For instance, in the US, affluent consumers increased spending at QSRs (Quick Service Restaurant) by 4%, and average consumer spending rose slightly more by 5%, in contrast, the casual dining category spending decreased by 3%, a latest study by American Express Business Insights shows. The report further highlights that the QSR category also gained from a jump of 6% in spending by large businesses in its domestic market.

SUBWAY Saga 

The Subway saga began in August 1965 when 17-year-old Fred DeLuca, who was still in his college, along with Dr. Peter Buck, a family friend, joined hands to start Pete’s Super Submarines in Bridgeport, Connecticut, US, offering healthy alternative to fast food restaurants. After the first few years, the duo changed their company’s name to Subway. Nine years later, in 1974, the founders decided to experiment with the franchisee format to fuel the company’s growth. 

“It’s a feeling of accomplishment, for sure…But we didn't set out to surpass anyone in particular,” told Subway’s spokesman Les Winograd to Cnnfn.com.  

While Subway’s feat is really commendable, it would be interesting to watch how McDonald’s responds after being relegated to the second spot in the ivy league of QSRs. 

Amy, Chief Editor

Vodafone Zoo Zoo...The Real World Cup Winner!

On one hand while top cricketing teams sweat out to make it to the knock out stage, ESPN Star is busy cashing in on the cricket craze by hiking its 10 second slot from Rs. 4 Lakh to a staggering Rs. 24 Lakh for the same ten second slot disappointing advertizers, however, it is Vodafone Zoo Zoo 3G Ads that steals the show with its funny characters.

No more waiting for the end of the over, as we bring you a complete Vodafone Zoo Zoo Videos package. Scroll down to watch the videos:

Vodafone Zoo Zoo 3G Ad Superman




Vodafone Excited Girl ZooZoo Interview Zoozoo



Vodafone Zoozoo Game Trailer



Vodafone Angry Zoozoo interview



Vodafone Zoo Zoo Pilot Interview: BIRD OR PLANE



Vodafone UFO or Alien - Coming soon



Vodafone Zoo Zoo Fashion Tips



Vodafone Zoo Zoo Ads all in One - All 25 Vodafone ipl ads




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Tags:Commercial of Volkswagen 2012 VW Jetta GLI Reveal Video

ET turns 50: Long Live The Economic Times

Many of us who’ve lived in non-metros of India would just remember how we would wait anxiously till 4 PM everyday to grab a copy of our favorite Economic Times or ET as our favorite pink daily used to arrive in our cities from New Delhi or Mumbai via air in the afternoon only before the publishers Bennett, Coleman & Co decided to print it from outside the Metros as well. Today, as India’s largest business newspaper celebrates its 50th anniversary (ET was launched in 1961 as India’s first business newspaper or pink daily), it is published from 10 cities, much to the relief of its fans, which include from business tycoons to b-school students, who eagerly wait every morning to grab a copy of this highly intellectually stimulating pink daily and update themselves on developments in the business world in India and abroad.

ET has since beginning been a change leader, be it moving from printing black & white pictures to publishing color images or introducing reader-friendly features such as Investor’s Guide, ET 500, The Political Theatre, Brand Equity, and now The ET Wealth. Despite facing stiff competition from old players as well as new entrants, the pink daily has also successfully maintained its market leadership since beginning.

We wish ET a very happy 50th anniversary.

Amy, Chief Editor

Full Profile | E-mail: businessbanter@gmail.com

The author regularly writes on topics related to Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Services and Markets.

Tags: The Economic Times, ET, Pink daily, The Times Group, The Times of India, Business News Paper.

2012 VW Jetta GLI Reveal Video

Watch out the latest 2012 VW Jetta GLI Reveal Video

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Tags:Commercial of Volkswagen 2012 VW Jetta GLI Reveal Video

Funny Commercial of Volkswagen Passat "The Force" 2011....Hilarious!

Watch out the Funny Commercial of Volkswagen Passat 2011 where the kid tries to frighten the new Car....!

Keep watching this space as we bring you more rib tickling videos. 

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About the Author:

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The author covers latest news/events from the world of Gadgets, Internet & Technology and of course Videos!

Tags:Funny Commercial of Volkswagen Passat 2011, Kids Videos, Humor

Apple iPad 2 hits US!

As Apple launches its next generation iPad, we bring you the specs and videos of this tablet that redefined the way we communicate online.

Check out the Video of Apple iPad 2 below:

Specifications:

Processor: 1GHz dual-core A5 chip

Camera: Two (Front - VGA resolution, also at 30fps & Back - 720p video recording at 30fps with 5x digital zoom)

Battery Life: 10 hours

Pricing: Range starts from $499 for 16GB WiFi-only — $829 for WiFi + 3G SKU with 64GB

Connectivity: HDMI output capable of 1080p

Resolution: 1024 x 768 resolution

Size: 33% thinner than First Generation iPad,

Length: 8.8 mm

Weight: 600 g

If you are a Apple Fan in India, have to wait for some more time, until the company announces its release date in India, Until the, let’s see these photos… 

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Tags: Tablet, Apple iPad 2, Computer

TATA Pixel launched at 81 Geneva Motor Show

Hold your breath as we bring you the most stunning and package efficient four-seater on the planet from none other than India’s trusted brand – TATA Motors. The company has launched a new car — PIXEL at the 81st Geneva Motor Show.

Scroll down to see the beauty!

 

Features:

• Parking Assistance: Innovative 'Zero turn' drive maximizes maneuverability
• Innovative 'scissor' door system
• Emission: CO2 of just 89 gm/km
• Fuel Economy: 3.4 litres/100km
• Revolutionary 'My Tata Connect' -- the first integrated human-machine interface (HMI) concept that enables seamless integration of the user's smartphone or tablet with the vehicle's infotainment system and also allows controlling key functions of the car.
• Engine: A 1.2 litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, positioned at the rear of the Tata Pixel, gives lively performance.

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Tags: Tata Motors, Tata Pixel, Europe, 81st Geneva Motor Show

Source: TATA Motors.