Firefox, Chrome adding 'Do Not Track' tools

Firefox and Chrome

NEW YORK: The Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers are getting tools to help users block advertisers from collecting information about them.

Alex Fowler, a technology and privacy officer for Firefox maker Mozilla, said the "Do Not Track" tool will be the first in a series of steps designed to guard privacy. He didn't say when the tool will be available.

Google Chrome users can now download a browser plug-in that blocks advertisers - but only from ad networks that already let people decline personalised, targeted ads.

According to Google Inc, these include the top 15 advertising networks, as rated by the research group comScore, a group that includes AOL Inc, Yahoo! Inc and Google itself.

The next version of Microsoft Corp's Internet Explorer browser, which is still being developed, will include a similar feature, though people will have to create or find their own lists of sites they want to block.


Google and Mozilla, however, are developing tracking-protection tools that will work automatically - once people decide to turn on that privacy feature, that is.

Microsoft, Google and Mozilla's promises of stronger privacy comes on the heels of government complaints that online advertisers are able to collect too much data about people in their quest to target ads.

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission recommended the creation of a "Do Not Track" tool that would invite consumers to restrict advertisers from collecting information about them, including the websites they visit, the links they click, their Internet searches and their online purchases.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department last month called for guidelines that would require online advertisers to warn consumers what information about them they are collecting and how they plan to use it.

Consumers, the department said, should be able to "opt out," or decline, some or all of that data collection. And if companies do collect information, they would be required to store it securely.

Google product managers Sean Harvey and Rajas Moonka said the new tool in Chrome will allow for more permanent ad blocking.

Before, opt-out settings were typically stored through small files known as cookies; when users clear cookies, however, the opt-out settings get erased, too.

Another benefit is that the new tool allows users to opt out of all participating ad networks at once, rather than one at a time.

Google eventually hopes to develop a similar plug-in for other browsers as well, Harvey and Moonka added. - AP

Firefox, Chrome adding 'Do Not Track' tools

Firefox and Chrome

NEW YORK: The Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers are getting tools to help users block advertisers from collecting information about them.

Alex Fowler, a technology and privacy officer for Firefox maker Mozilla, said the "Do Not Track" tool will be the first in a series of steps designed to guard privacy. He didn't say when the tool will be available.

Google Chrome users can now download a browser plug-in that blocks advertisers - but only from ad networks that already let people decline personalised, targeted ads.

According to Google Inc, these include the top 15 advertising networks, as rated by the research group comScore, a group that includes AOL Inc, Yahoo! Inc and Google itself.

The next version of Microsoft Corp's Internet Explorer browser, which is still being developed, will include a similar feature, though people will have to create or find their own lists of sites they want to block.


Google and Mozilla, however, are developing tracking-protection tools that will work automatically - once people decide to turn on that privacy feature, that is.

Microsoft, Google and Mozilla's promises of stronger privacy comes on the heels of government complaints that online advertisers are able to collect too much data about people in their quest to target ads.

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission recommended the creation of a "Do Not Track" tool that would invite consumers to restrict advertisers from collecting information about them, including the websites they visit, the links they click, their Internet searches and their online purchases.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department last month called for guidelines that would require online advertisers to warn consumers what information about them they are collecting and how they plan to use it.

Consumers, the department said, should be able to "opt out," or decline, some or all of that data collection. And if companies do collect information, they would be required to store it securely.

Google product managers Sean Harvey and Rajas Moonka said the new tool in Chrome will allow for more permanent ad blocking.

Before, opt-out settings were typically stored through small files known as cookies; when users clear cookies, however, the opt-out settings get erased, too.

Another benefit is that the new tool allows users to opt out of all participating ad networks at once, rather than one at a time.

Google eventually hopes to develop a similar plug-in for other browsers as well, Harvey and Moonka added. - AP

Firefox, Chrome adding 'Do Not Track' tools

Firefox and Chrome

NEW YORK: The Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers are getting tools to help users block advertisers from collecting information about them.

Alex Fowler, a technology and privacy officer for Firefox maker Mozilla, said the "Do Not Track" tool will be the first in a series of steps designed to guard privacy. He didn't say when the tool will be available.

Google Chrome users can now download a browser plug-in that blocks advertisers - but only from ad networks that already let people decline personalised, targeted ads.

According to Google Inc, these include the top 15 advertising networks, as rated by the research group comScore, a group that includes AOL Inc, Yahoo! Inc and Google itself.

The next version of Microsoft Corp's Internet Explorer browser, which is still being developed, will include a similar feature, though people will have to create or find their own lists of sites they want to block.


Google and Mozilla, however, are developing tracking-protection tools that will work automatically - once people decide to turn on that privacy feature, that is.

Microsoft, Google and Mozilla's promises of stronger privacy comes on the heels of government complaints that online advertisers are able to collect too much data about people in their quest to target ads.

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission recommended the creation of a "Do Not Track" tool that would invite consumers to restrict advertisers from collecting information about them, including the websites they visit, the links they click, their Internet searches and their online purchases.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department last month called for guidelines that would require online advertisers to warn consumers what information about them they are collecting and how they plan to use it.

Consumers, the department said, should be able to "opt out," or decline, some or all of that data collection. And if companies do collect information, they would be required to store it securely.

Google product managers Sean Harvey and Rajas Moonka said the new tool in Chrome will allow for more permanent ad blocking.

Before, opt-out settings were typically stored through small files known as cookies; when users clear cookies, however, the opt-out settings get erased, too.

Another benefit is that the new tool allows users to opt out of all participating ad networks at once, rather than one at a time.

Google eventually hopes to develop a similar plug-in for other browsers as well, Harvey and Moonka added. - AP

Upcoming mobile devices leak before Mobile World Congress

It is rumoured that Samsung is coming up with a new device 
dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S2 for the Mobile World Congress.

EVERY year, in the leadup to the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC), leaked documents and photos of mobile devices spawn rumours about what might be unveiled at the event.

The four-day event is typically accompanied by a string of high-profile mobile device announcements from leading manufacturers and thus is the most hotly followed event in the mobile industry.

This year is no different. An invite for Sony Ericsson's Barcelona press event reveals the company will show off new Xperia devices at the event.

Insiders are expecting Sony Ericsson to finally unveil the "PlayStation phone," aka the Xperia Play - a touchscreen mobile device with a slide-out game controller - pictures of which have been circling the Web for months.

Mobile-Review has posted a very thorough preview of Sony Ericsson's Vivaz 2 (aka MT15i, aka Halon/Hallon), a second device that might get its official debut at MWC.


Photos of a Nokia-branded MeeGo prototype device have appeared on various web forums and blogs in the last couple of days, however, little information is known about the device.
According to various reports, Samsung has been working hard to ready a Galaxy S smartphone successor for MWC.

The device, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S2 and internally codenamed "Seine," is said to have a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3in or 4.5in Super AMOLED plus screen, an 8-megapixel camera, NFC chip and will run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

While blogs speculate about the photos and information appearing on the Web, one thing is certain: "Mobile World Congress will offer attendees a view into the future of mobile and how mobile is transforming the way the world lives and works," says Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA.

Approximately 1,300 exhibitors and 50,000 industry members from 200 countries will attend the 2011 edition of MWC.

A full programme of conferences, keynotes and panel discussions will run alongside an exhibition of the hottest new products and concept designs from the top mobile companies in the field.
GSMA Mobile World Congress will take place from February 14 to 17 in Barcelona, Spain.

Upcoming mobile devices leak before Mobile World Congress

It is rumoured that Samsung is coming up with a new device 
dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S2 for the Mobile World Congress.

EVERY year, in the leadup to the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC), leaked documents and photos of mobile devices spawn rumours about what might be unveiled at the event.

The four-day event is typically accompanied by a string of high-profile mobile device announcements from leading manufacturers and thus is the most hotly followed event in the mobile industry.

This year is no different. An invite for Sony Ericsson's Barcelona press event reveals the company will show off new Xperia devices at the event.

Insiders are expecting Sony Ericsson to finally unveil the "PlayStation phone," aka the Xperia Play - a touchscreen mobile device with a slide-out game controller - pictures of which have been circling the Web for months.

Mobile-Review has posted a very thorough preview of Sony Ericsson's Vivaz 2 (aka MT15i, aka Halon/Hallon), a second device that might get its official debut at MWC.


Photos of a Nokia-branded MeeGo prototype device have appeared on various web forums and blogs in the last couple of days, however, little information is known about the device.
According to various reports, Samsung has been working hard to ready a Galaxy S smartphone successor for MWC.

The device, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S2 and internally codenamed "Seine," is said to have a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3in or 4.5in Super AMOLED plus screen, an 8-megapixel camera, NFC chip and will run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

While blogs speculate about the photos and information appearing on the Web, one thing is certain: "Mobile World Congress will offer attendees a view into the future of mobile and how mobile is transforming the way the world lives and works," says Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA.

Approximately 1,300 exhibitors and 50,000 industry members from 200 countries will attend the 2011 edition of MWC.

A full programme of conferences, keynotes and panel discussions will run alongside an exhibition of the hottest new products and concept designs from the top mobile companies in the field.
GSMA Mobile World Congress will take place from February 14 to 17 in Barcelona, Spain.

Upcoming mobile devices leak before Mobile World Congress

It is rumoured that Samsung is coming up with a new device 
dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S2 for the Mobile World Congress.

EVERY year, in the leadup to the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC), leaked documents and photos of mobile devices spawn rumours about what might be unveiled at the event.

The four-day event is typically accompanied by a string of high-profile mobile device announcements from leading manufacturers and thus is the most hotly followed event in the mobile industry.

This year is no different. An invite for Sony Ericsson's Barcelona press event reveals the company will show off new Xperia devices at the event.

Insiders are expecting Sony Ericsson to finally unveil the "PlayStation phone," aka the Xperia Play - a touchscreen mobile device with a slide-out game controller - pictures of which have been circling the Web for months.

Mobile-Review has posted a very thorough preview of Sony Ericsson's Vivaz 2 (aka MT15i, aka Halon/Hallon), a second device that might get its official debut at MWC.


Photos of a Nokia-branded MeeGo prototype device have appeared on various web forums and blogs in the last couple of days, however, little information is known about the device.
According to various reports, Samsung has been working hard to ready a Galaxy S smartphone successor for MWC.

The device, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S2 and internally codenamed "Seine," is said to have a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3in or 4.5in Super AMOLED plus screen, an 8-megapixel camera, NFC chip and will run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

While blogs speculate about the photos and information appearing on the Web, one thing is certain: "Mobile World Congress will offer attendees a view into the future of mobile and how mobile is transforming the way the world lives and works," says Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA.

Approximately 1,300 exhibitors and 50,000 industry members from 200 countries will attend the 2011 edition of MWC.

A full programme of conferences, keynotes and panel discussions will run alongside an exhibition of the hottest new products and concept designs from the top mobile companies in the field.
GSMA Mobile World Congress will take place from February 14 to 17 in Barcelona, Spain.

Quick review of Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s

LENOVO has launched two business-class laptops, the ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s.

The E220 has a 12.5in screen and the E420 has a 14in display, and both have a chic and eye-catching design.

The more portable of the two, the E220s measures less than an inch thick and weighs less than 1.58kg. The slightly larger E420 is one inch thick and weighs 1.81kg.

Internally, the E220 and E420 can be configured to run on a second-generation Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor, and include a hard disk with up to 320GB of storage space.

For system memory, the notebooks can be configured with up to 4GB RAM for the E220 and 8GB RAM for the E420.

Thinkpad Edge E420s

To maintain a slimmer profile, Lenovo left out the optical drive for the E220. The E420, on the other hand, has a slot-loading DVD burner. Both the laptops also have a spill-resistant keyboard.

When it comes to entertainment, both laptops offer enhanced sound with Dolby Home Theatre audio.

Other standard features for both laptops include a high-definition webcam, HDMI port and card reader.

The local pricing and availability for the notebooks have yet to be announced.