Google may soon replace passwords with 'physical keys'

Search giant Google is set to kill off passwords and is experimenting with USB keys, mobile phones and even jewelry that can act as a physical 'key' to give users access to their account.

Google Vice President of Security Eric Grosse said: we feel passwords and simple bearer tokens such as cookies are no longer sufficient to keep users safe," the pair write in their paper.To log, users simply place the tiny Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive into their computer.

The firm is also believed to be experimenting with wireless chips that are already built into some mobile phones, and can even be built in jewelry. "One option uses a tiny USB key called a YubiKey. When the user plugs the key into a latop, they are automatically logged into all of their Google accounts - without ever having to type in a password," .

Nokia Unveils Rebranded Mapping, Location Service Named 'Here'

Nokia India on 20 November 2012 launched its re-branded mobile map services in the Indian market. 

The new cloud computing-based map service is called as HERE and offers maps and location-based services across multiple devices and operating systems. The main aim of the service is to inspire a new generation of location services and devices that make the mobile experience more personally significant for people everywhere.

Presently, the service is available free on Nokia handsets but it will soon start working with Android-based device makers such as Samsung. The service is also available in the Apple AppStore iOS, through which users can save an area to their device so that they can explore even without data coverage. 

The service is based on HTML5, and it also includes offline capabilities, voice-guided walk navigation, and public transport directions.

Microsoft Unveiled its Windows 8 version of the operation System in India

Global software major Microsoft late on Thursday unveiled its Windows 8 version of the operation system in India as part of its worldwide launch.

The bundled version will be available on form factors ranging from tablets to laptops and ultra notebooks from 14 OEM (original equipment manufacturer) partners, including Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HCL, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Wipro and Zenith Computers.

Over 250 Windows 8 enabled devices, including 23 new SKUs (stock keeping unit) of Windows 8 PCs are available across 100 cities and over 2,500 retail stores.

Unlike its earlier versions, including Windows 7, Windows 8 boasts of an intuitive start screen and tiles with rich content and update in real time.

"As Windows anytime upgrade (WAU), the latest version is

Nokia launched low-budget Lumia 510 Windows phone in India

Nokia on Tuesday launched Lumia 510 in India, the first country where this phone is being introduced.

It will be launched in other countries including China and Finland soon.

The company is targeting youngsters aged between 18 and 24 years. The Lumia 510 will be available in the market from the first week of November. The exact pricing was not announced but the company said it is expected to cost less than Rs 11,000, making it the cheapest in the Lumia range

Features
• This is a Windows 7.5 smartphone. No word on whether this will get an update to Windows 8.

• The smartphone has a 4-inch-screen capacitive touch-screen with a 800×480 pixel screen resolution.

• It has a 5 megapixel rear camera but no front camera.

The Nokia Lumia 510. Screengrab from the Nokia website.

• The smartphone has Qualcom Snapdragon S1 processor clocked at 800 Mhz with 256MB RAM. It has 4GB memory plus 7GB of free SkyDrive cloud storage. The smartphone does not have a microSD card slot for additional storage.

• This one is also quite colourful like the other Lumia devices. It will launch in five colours: red, yellow, cyan, white and black.

New Samsung Chromebook Launched by Google for $249

Google, in collaboration with Samsung electronics has launched a newer version of Chromebook, Google Chrome OS powered netbook, today. The new Chromebook is available on Amazon and several other retail chains to pre-order now and priced at $249 in USA and £229 for the residents of UK.

The ultra-slim XE303C12 model Chromebook is powered by Samsung Exynos 5250 ARM chipset, 2GB of RAM and 16GB SSD. It features an 11.6-inches display screen with stock resolution of 1366×768, ultrathin with 0.8 inches thick and weighs only 1.1Kgs. It gives battery life of 6.5 hours in a single charge.

Other features include 1 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, combo headphone/mic jack, secure digital memory slot, HDMI Port, Bluetooth 3.0, two 1.5W speakers, Wi-Fi, and full-size Chrome keyboard.

Google is offering 100GB of free cloud storage for 2 years on its popular cloud storage service, Google Drive, with every new Chromebook. It boots up in less than 10 seconds and resumes instantly. High-resolution videos (in 1080p) are beautiful to watch and when using the touchpad, it gives smooth scrolling experience due to a hardware-accelerated user interface.

MiniFlame Virus, a New Cyber Espionage Tool is Infecting Computers in Middle East

The Security Researchers from Kaspersky Lab on 15 October 2012 announced that a new cyber espionage tool miniFlame related to Flame virus was infecting the computers in countries like Lebanon, Iran and others.

The virus named as miniFlame was developed in July 2012 is a small but a malicious flexible program designed to steal data and control the infected systems during targeted spying operations. The smaller version miniFlame Virus is developed on the same platforms on which Flame Virus was developed by the company. The miniFlame is able to operate independently and can create screenshots and easily spy the programs instant message as well as software and browsers like Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, Mozilla and Internet Explorer.