Election Commission directs candidates to declare social media accounts

New Delhi: In what is seen as a recognition of the impact of the Web on election results, the Election Commission of India has brought the Internet in general and social media in particular under the election code of conduct. The Election Commission has issued a notification according to which candidates are required to declare in addition to their assets, educational qualification and criminal records, details of their social media accounts. The Election Commission's definition of social media is broad and includes in addition to social networking services (such as Facebook) and microblogs (such as Twitter), blogs, collaborative projects (such as Wikipedia), content communities (such as YouTube) and virtual game worlds (apps).

The restrictions that have so long applied to political advertisements in the traditional media have also been extended to the social media. Which means that all political ads need to be pre-certified before they are posted online. Candidates will also have to declare the expenditure on campaigning through the Internet.

Patent filing shows Samsung's Google Glass rival

Seoul: A patent filing shows Samsung Electronics is working on a device it calls sports glasses in a possible response to Google's Internet-connected eyewear. A design patent filing at the Korean Intellectual Property Office shows a Samsung design for smartphone-connected glasses that can display information from the handset. ALSO SEE Gear Glass: Samsung's answer to Google Glass reportedly in the works It said the glasses can play music and receive phone calls through earphones built into the eyewear's frame. It also gives hands-free control over the smartphone.
Reminiscent of the Google Glass design, Samsung's sketch shows a thumbnail-sized display over the left eyeglass. Google's eyewear has a tiny display over the right eyeglass that shows information and websites. ALSO SEE Google Glass: Battery, speaker the biggest letdowns It was not clear from Samsung's sketch and description whether its eyewear would be equipped with a touch control and a camera like Google Glass nor whether it would connect directly to the mobile Internet or be a slave to a smartphone. The name and the description specify the Samsung product is designed for outdoors activities or sports. ALSO SEE GlassUp, a cheaper competitor to Google Glass Samsung did not respond to an email and a call seeking comment. Google is testing an early version of Google Glass with 10,000 people in the US after giving the public a first look at its Internet-connected eyewear in June last year. The early version can take pictures, record videos, navigate maps and works without a smartphone. ALSO SEE Google Glass review: First peek through the smartglasses impresses Other tech companies are also exploring ways to bring mobile computing to everyday objects such as watches and glasses. Samsung introduced a smartphone-connected watch called the Galaxy Gear last month. Sony also announced a smart watch. Samsung filed the application for the eyewear design patent on March 8. 

Sony launches 3-in-1 device that works as music player, speaker, headphone

New Delhi: Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony launched three headphones, targeting the youth segment using smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Enthused by over three-fold growth in the headphone market every quarter in India, Sony launched MDR 1, MDR-10R and NWZ-WH303 loaded with advanced features. NWZ-WH303, priced at Rs 8,990, has three modes - music player, speaker and head phone. It has music player inside it and can also work as speaker and headphone. MDR 1 and MDR-10R are priced at Rs 14,900. MDR 1 has advanced features like beat response control, digital noise cancelling, digital equaliser and amplifier, while MDR-10R is a fully digital blue-tooth sound headphone and has one touch easy connection. It has features as wireless music playbackand hand free systems. According to Sony India Consumer Unit Head (Mobile Division) Tadato Kimura, the company is looking at big opportunities in this growing segment. "This category has lot of opportunities in these growing categories. We are enjoying almost triple growth every quarter," he said. The company is expecting a growth of 588 per cent rise in head phone market in the third quarter this year, said Kimura. According to Kimura, the company is focusing on the youth segment and it present across the price spectrum. Sony's range starts from entry level earphone costing Rs 250. "Starting from Rs 250, there are lots of models in each price segment. There is no issue for the younger generation to buy if they wish...they can even upgrade. We have suitable products at right price points," he said. He further added that the company is also launching microphone-embedded headphone and earphone for the youth, who are switching towards cheaper smartphones. "We are increasing our line up in order to cater the smartphone customers. This is also the second reason why we believe that we can capture those smartphone users," he said.