Google Play Books available in India.

Google Play Books now available in India, Is it Good or Bad?

I have downloaded the app and tried some free books, the app seems to be working pretty good. A bit of of a lag here and there but hope they fix it with the a update. All the new books are available for download and there are lot of free books to download so you can check them out. 

A new tab has arrived in the Play Store. There are no magazines available for subscription hope they bring it soon. The categories are excellent sames as that for the apps. 

The app's interface is good. There are three themes Day, Night and Sepia. And Six Typefaces (font) Default, Sans, Serif, Merriweather, Sorts Mill Goudy and Vollkorn.

The app eats up a huge amount of space but luckily this app can be sent to the sdcard but if you are using a low memory space Smartphone, you have to make up space for this app.

Unlike the Amazon Kindle app instead of downloading and reading a book you can directly read it. As the book store is within the Play Store it is very easy to find books. You can access the books even using an iPhone or iPad.

Overall the app performs good but is it actually competitive with the Flyte ebooks by Flipkart and Amazon Kindle?  

Verdict:

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Internet Explorer 10 Now Available for Windows 7

Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 is now available worldwide.

Microsoft said on Tuesday that Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 is now available worldwide in 95 languages. The company will begin auto updating Windows 7 customers to the new browser in the weeks ahead, but those who have already installed the IE10 Release Preview will see the update kick in starting Wednesday.

"With IE10 we continue delivering the best performance for real world Web sites on your Windows device," said Rob Mauceri, Group Program Manager, Internet Explorer. "As with Windows 8, IE10 on Windows 7 improves performance across the board with faster page loading, faster interactivity, and faster JavaScript performance, while reducing CPU usage and improving battery life on mobile PCs."

In appearance, the new browser looks very similar to Internet Explorer 9. But the upgrade's biggest difference is in speed, a supposed 20-percent improvement across the board with faster page loading, faster JavaScript performance and more while reducing CPU usage and improving battery life on mobile Windows 7-based PCs.

The new browser also provides a 60-percent increase in supported modern Web standards – over 30, according to Mauceri -- including the latest HTML5, CSS3, DOM, Web Performance, and Web Application specifications. As an example, developers can now create rich visual effects with CSS Text Shadow, CSS 3D Transforms, CSS3 Transitions and Animations, CSS3 Gradient, and SVG Filter Effects.

On the security front, IE10 has the Do Not Track (DNT) feature switched on by default.

"In addition to Tracking Protection, IE continues to lead in providing increased choice and control over your privacy online. Customers can choose to turn-off the DNT signal in the options settings in Internet Explorer," Mauceri said. "Our commitment to keeping Windows customers in control of their privacy and data sharing continues, especially in the current environment of so much user data being collected online without explicit consent or user awareness."

The browser also includes improvements to make common, every day browsing activities faster such as integrated spell checking and auto-correct tools for common spelling mistakes. This makes typing texts for blog posts, social updates, and even tweets "faster and less error prone," Microsoft said. A fine-tuned tabs bar also makes closing multiple tabs even earlier.

To show off IE10's new powers, Microsoft is offering hardware accelerated demos like the fully-featured HTML5-based Minesweeper, the Chalkboard and Speed Reading. What you won't experience is a face-full of browser UI, but rather the contents within the displayed web page itself. That's on purpose, as Microsoft wants the browser to be a simple window looking out onto the web, not a busy, tacky frame distracting users from the subject.

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Five Apps for the 2013 Oscars.

Thanking the Academy: Five Apps for the 2013 Oscars.

If you're eagerly awaiting the 85th Academy Awards airing this Sunday on ABC, you may find one of these five apps useful before and during the show -- and all of them are free. Good luck to the nominees!

Oscars

The official app for the event. It's pretty much a US-only affair, and isn't perfect, but it's a handy way to learn more about the nominated performers, creators and films. You can also fill out a virtual Oscar ballot and share it on Facebook. I found it was a somewhat better experience than the mobile version of oscar.go.com (which pushes you to download the app anyway).

Of course, the app really kicks into gear on Sunday night; it will provide Backstage Pass live streams from the red carpet, control room and backstage to deliver a "second screen" experience as you watch the big show. Fair warning: the streams are all sponsored by Samsung, so you may be subjected to a certain amount of iPhone-needling.

Stitcher

The streaming radio service has been amping up the original content lately, and it is now promising exclusive red carpet coverage on Sunday. If you haven't tried Stitcher and you want a different take on the show, this Sunday is a good time to give it a try.

Live From the Red Carpet

Speaking of red carpet coverage, E! has been at it for a long time. While I haven't used this one, the app has a perfect rating on the store. If you are a red carpet junkie, this is probably going to make you happy until the show starts.

Awards Hero: Oscars Edition

Awards Hero is not just a database of Oscar-related info; it's also a quick way to get a voting pool going with your Facebook friends. If you're looking for some friendly competition over who picks the most winners, this is your app.

IMDb

As the world's foremost online repository of movie information, this one seems pretty obvious. Settle disputes, look up actor histories and lots more with the original "Internet Movie Database." Awards Guide is prettier, however.

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Two Days, Three Events.

HTC-Ububtu-Sony

HTC

HTC event that is going to take place in NYC 10AM ET/3PM GMT (according to verge). New pictures keep surfacing about the new HTC device that is going to be unveiled today. Its was called the "M7" but sources say it will be called as the "HTC One". A picture uploaded by HTC shows it might unveil a tablet too, let us not get our hopes high.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is gearing to unveil its tablet, where is phone was unveiled in the CES 2013. This event is going to coincide with HTC's event. Checked both websites, the countdown difference is by one second. The Ubuntu OS got good reviews and bad reviews, as it was a gesture filled OS. Lets see what Ubuntu brings in the Tablet side.

Sony

Sony is going to unveil its Playstation 4 on 20/02/13 that is tomorrow. According to Wall Street Journal sources, Sony's new console will introduce cross-platform play, meaning the console may interact with other hardware including smartphones. The leaked images of the controller shows it has a screen, lets hope for the best.

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Google Now Widget released.

Google Now officially releases widget, new partners, options.

Google announced a new update to Google Now today, including the availability of a widget for home and lockscreens, a function we first spotted yesterday. The widget is not the only new feature included in this update, the fourth released since Google Now was launched. Google has incorporated Rotten Tomatoes movie ratings on the Movie cards to help you make a decision about what movie to go see. 

Support for Fandago is included so users can pull up their ticket to be scanned at the movie theater. Combined with Google Now’s trip estimating function, you can even get a reminder about when to leave for the theater so you don’t miss the previews.

Another new partner is Zillow which will let you pull up information about nearby real estate listings. For U.S. customers, Google Now includes a music button when a song is playing in voice mode. Sports fans will be pleased to know that U.S. colleges can be added as a favorite to the sports card. Thus far, it appears only men’s college basketball is available.

Nexus 4: Live in the Now

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Bafta games nominees announced!

The Bafta videogame nominees have been announced with the PS3 exclusive Journey leading the field with a whopping eight nominations.

The nominations for the the Bafta games awards have been announced today and Sony's art-house PS3 exclusive Journey is leading the field with eight nominations including Best Game, Best Design, Best Original Score and Best Story.

Telltale Games's sleeper hit from last year, The Walking Dead, has also scored big. It's in the running for seven gongs including Best Game, Best Story, Best Artistic Achievement and Best Mobile & Handheld Game. Far Cry 3 and Dear Esther - two island-based adventures of completely different gaming types - have both been nominated for Artistic Achievement and Audio Achievement.

The full list of nominations are as follows:

Action

Borderlands 2 (Gearbox/2K Games)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (Treyarch/Activision)

Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)

Hitman: Absolution (Io – Interactive/Square-Enix)

Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/EA)

Artistic Achievement

Borderlands 2 (Gearbox/2K Games)

Dear Esther (Thechineseroom/thechineseroom)

Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

The Room (Fireproof Games/Fireproof Games)

 

Audio Achievement

Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Beat Sneak Bandit (Simogo/Simogo)

Dear Esther (Thechineseroom/thechineseroom)

Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

 

Best Game

Dishonoured (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)

Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

FIFA 13 (EA Canada/EA)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)pe

Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/EA)

The Walking Dead (Telltale Games/Telltale)

British Game

Dear Esther (Thechineseroom/thechineseroom)

Forza Horizon (Playground Games/Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft Studios)

LEGO: The Lord of the Rings (TT Games/Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment)

Need for Speed Most Wanted (Criterion Games/EA)

The Room (Fireproof Games/Fireproof Games)

Super Hexagon (Terry Cavanagh/Terry Cavanagh)

Debut Game

Deadlight (Tequila Works/Microsoft Studios)

Dear Esther (Thechineseroom/thechineseroom)

Forza Horizon (Playground Games/Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft Studios)s

Proteus (Twisted Tree Games/Twisted Tree Games)

The Room (Fireproof Games/Fireproof Games)

The Unfinished Swan (Giant Sparrow/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Game Design

Borderlands 2 (Gearbox/2K Games)

Dishonored (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)

Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

The Walking Dead (Telltale Games/Telltale)

XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Firaxis/2K Games)

Family

Clay Jam (Fat Pebble/Zynga)

Just Dance 4 (Ubisoft Paris/Ubisoft)

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (TT Games/Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment)

LEGO the Lord of the Rings (TT Games/Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment)

Minecraft: XBOX 360 Edition (Mojang/4J Studios/Microsoft Studios Xbox LIVE Arcade)

Skylanders Giants (Toys For Bob/Activision )

Game Innovation

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Treyarch/Activision)

Fez (Polytron Corporation/Microsoft Studios Xbox LIVE Arcade)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Kinect Sesame Street TV (Soho Productions/Microsoft Studios)

The Unfinished Swan (Giant Sparrow/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Wonderbook: Books of Spells (London Studio/ Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Mobile & Handheld

Incoboto (Fluttermind/ Fluttermind)

LittleBigPlanet (Vita) (Tarsier Studios/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

New Star Soccer (New Star Games/New Star Games)

The Room (Fireproof Games/Fireproof Games)

Super Monsters Ate My Condo (Adult Swim Games/Adult Swim Games)

The Walking Dead (Telltale Games/Telltale0

Online – Browser

Amateur Surgeon Hospital (Mediatonic/Adult Swim Games)

Dick and Dom’s HOOPLA! (Team Cooper/CBBC)

Merlin: The Game (Bossa Studios/Bossa Studios)

Runescape (Jagex/Jagex)

The Settlers Online (Blue Byte Software/Ubisoft)

SongPop (FreshPlanet/FreshPlanet)

Online-Multiplayer

Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Borderlands 2 (Gearbox/2K Games)

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Treyarch/Activision)

Halo 4 (343 Industries/Microsoft Studios)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Need For Speed Most Wanted (Criterion Games/EA)

 

Original Music

Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Diablo III (Blizzard Entertainment/ Blizzard Entertainment)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Thomas Was Alone (Mike Bithell/Mike Bithell)

The Unfinished Swan (Giant Sparrow/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

The Walking Dead (Telltale Games/Telltale)

Performer

Adrian Hough (Haytham) - Assassin’s Creed III

Danny Wallace (The Narrator) - Thomas Was Alone

Dave Fennoy (Lee Everett) - The Walking Dead

Melissa Hutchinson (Clementine) - The Walking Dead

Nigel Carrington (The Narrator) - Dear Esther

Nolan North (Nathan Drake) - Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Sports/Fitness

FIFA 13 (EA Canada/EA0

F1 2012 (Codemasters Birmingham/Codemasters Racing)

Forza Horizon (Playground Games/Turn10 Studios/Microsoft Studios)

New Star Soccer (New Star Games/New Star Games)

Nike+ Kinect Training (Sumo Digital Ltd/Microsoft Studios)

Trials Evolution (RedLynx/Microsoft Studios0

Story

Dishonoured (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)

Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)

Journey (That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)

Mass Effect 3

Mac Walters (BioWare/EA)

Thomas was Alone (Mike Bithell/Mike Bithell)

The Walking Dead (Telltale Games/Telltale)

Strategy

Dark Souls: Prepare To Die (From Software/Namco Bandai Games)

Diablo III (Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment)

Football Manager 2013 (Sports Interactive/SEGA)

Great Big War Game (Rubicon Development/Rubican Development)

Total War Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai (The Creative Assembly/SEGA)

XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Firaxis/2K Games)

BAFTA Ones to Watch Award in association with Dare to Be Digital

Pixel Story (Loan Wolf Games)

Project Thanatos (Raptor Games)

Starcrossed (Kind of a Big Deal)

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HTC M7 to feature an awesome Camera.

HTC kicks off a new sound and camera experience in 2013!

HTC has always taken special care of the camera that goes into its handsets, and today the company posted a neat little infographic showcasing the history of photography. There are some interesting facts (and comments on HTC’s part) that make it work a look, but the bottom leaves an interesting hint with a big “?” for 2013.

This is less of a hint and more of a blatant attempt at getting some attention for the M7. And guess what? It’s working. The HTC M7 is bound to be one hell of a phone when it’s released, so we don’t see a problem when we see HTC “hinting” at something that it’s proud of. Expected to be announced at the upcoming events on the 19th in New York and London, the HTC M7 will feature some powerful innards, and you guessed it, a badass camera.

So while you (im)patiently await the official announcement of the HTC M7, take a look at the  infographic below.

Open the pic in a new tab to view it larger.

Sources say that HTC was apparently looking to drop megapixels from the M7 handset in favour of ultrapixels to provide higher resolution images in a similar way to Nokia's PureView technology.

Coupled with today's news, it looks pretty likely that we will see the HTC M7 sporting fancy new camera tech later this month, with previous reports suggesting it will also feature a quad-core processor, full HD 4.7-inch display and Android Jelly Bean.

TechRadar sources say that HTC might conduct the event on Feb 19th.

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