First Impressions Review Of The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mega

Samsung’s Galaxy range of smartphones is well established in the Android marketplace, and depending on your viewpoint, it is the success of galaxy that has helped Android gain the sales and market share it currently has. With the launch of the Galaxy S4 handset earlier this year, Samsung’s latest iteration of the platform set out to continue that dominance. Part of that strategic plan was to bring Galaxy to a significant number of price points and form factors.

Which leads me nicely to the Samsung Galaxy Mega. I’m looking at the GT-i9205 version, with a 6.3 inch screen, a 1.7 GHz dual-core Krait 300 CPU, an Adreno 305 GPU, and 1.5 GB of RAM (a version with a 5.8 inch screen, and a 1.4 GHz CPU is also available). These stats are slightly lower than the flagship Galaxy S4 (1.9 GHz quad-core CPU, Adreno 320 GPU, and 2 GB of RAM), but still provides a smooth experience in the user interface from my initial usage of the device. I am surprised that with two specifications of Mega available one of them isn’t ramped up to the highest specs of the original S4 – if you want the larger screen you’ll need to sacrifice a touch of performance.


Probably the biggest surprise for me was the Mega packaging. It really doesn’t look like the Mega should be able to fit in the box – of course it does, but much of the Mega design and impact is around the dissociation between size and function. Inside the wood effect cardboard box you’ll find a plug-in charger and micro USB cable (although you can charge over USB from your computer or other convenient charger), a basic in-ear headset, and a micro SD to SD adaptor. The warranty card paperwork, and a quick start guide, complete the contents.

If you were to hold the Galaxy Mega up, but a little bit further away from you than the Galaxy S4, you’d be hard pushed to spot the difference. It really is just bigger in the main dimensions, although the power, volume, and home buttons remain the same size. That also means that the design cues in the S4 are replicated here in the Mega, from the slight bulge around the camera and the raised grille for the speaker, to the flimsy plastic rear plate and a distinct lack of features that Samsung used to promote the S4 (air gestures, smart rotation, smart pause, and smart scroll are missing). Your thoughts on the design of the Galaxy Mega will more than likely match that of the Galaxy S4. Personally I think that Samsung has leaned too far towards cheaper materials to keep the build cost down, the tactile experience of the Galaxy Mega does not match up with the cost of the handset (over $450 out of contract).

Using plastic does keep the weight down to just 200g (the Galaxy S4 is 130g), and I think most of that weight is in the large 3200 mAh battery. That’s a good trade-off, and I’m happy to see that Samsung has went for battery life instead of bringing the trend for thinner and lighter handsets into the ‘phablet’ category.

Size is the boon and the curse of the Mega. You can forget about using this handset one-handed unless you have a hyper-extended thumb. The volume and power keys might have been brought lower down the edges to have the carrying hand operate them without having to unbalance the device in your hand, but I could only cover about a third of the screen with my thumb. The other side of that argument is that all the buttons and UI elements are relatively easy to hit, and Samsung has taken the opportunity to add in a row of number keys to the on-screen keyboard when in the Qwerty view, which is a welcome touch.

Of course the key feature here is the screen, and Samsung again has appeared to aim  slightly lower than you would expect. First off, the screen is not an HD resolution, clocking in at 1080×720 pixels. Neither does it have the rich colours or wide viewing angles offered by Samsung’s use of AMOLED technology in the screen – the Galaxy Mega uses a ‘super clear’ LCD screen.

I’m not convinced about the viewing angles on the screen, they’re good for a single user, but with the size of screen here this seems to be a handset that would be used for everyone to come round and watch a YouTube Video. It’s also slightly off-putting that in landscape mode the speaker is on the right hand side of the user, which makes the audio experience of watching video a bit like watching on a thirty year old mono television.
Samsung Starts To Leverage The Galaxy S4 Brand With The New Mini Ewan Spence Ewan Spence Contributor

Samsung has also went for a ‘standard’ camera which performs well, but does not push the envelope in terms of quality or range. The eight megapixel camera will let you take a decent picture when the light is good, but as the light levels drop it does not take long for significant levels of noise to come in to the picture. Again, it’s not as strong as the Galaxy S4, but it’s on a par with other mid-range smartphones that I’ve tested… good enough for social media and personal pictures, but missing out on the highest quality you would get on flagship handsets.

So, out of the box and after a day or so of use, what do I think about the Galaxy Mega?

Well, it’s big, and if your sole consideration was looking for an Android device that pitched itself as a phone to the software and the use cases (as opposed to a seven-inch tablet that uses the tablet versions of apps and phone functionality is an afterthought), then this is the handset for you. But size is not everything, especially with this handset.

Looking at the specs it does seem that Samsung has decided to rein in the potential power of the device compared with other existing handsets (and possibly those in the near future). Step away from the 6.3 inch screen and you have specs that are respectable in a mid range device, but are not stunning in any way. That feels at odds with the use of ‘Mega’ in the branding. I can’t help the feeling that the marketing team did not want to have the Mega in competition with an upcoming Galaxy Note 3 range of phablets. In which case the Mega is a rather cynical product, simply filling in a small niche in the ‘size’ range before the main contender arrives from the South Korean company.

I can see quite a few use cases where the Mega would prove useful. Over the next week I’m going to try them out and use the Galaxy Mega as my regular smartphone (and try to ignore everyone thinking I am Dom Joly when I hold this oversized phone to my head). How will I get on? Is there something that the Mega is perfectly suited for? Are the specs going to make that much of a difference? Or will it simply be too awkward?

source:http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2013/08/11/first-impressions-review-of-the-samsung-galaxy-s4-mega/

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SIM cards vulnerable to hacking

Hundreds of thousands of mobile phones may be vulnerable to spying because of the utilization of outdated, 1970s-era cryptography, in accordance to new exploration because of be presented on the Black Hat security conference.

Karsten Nohl, an professional cryptographer with Protection Research Labs, has discovered a method to trick mobile phones into granting accessibility to the device’s spot, SMS functions and allow modifications to a person’s voicemail amount.

Nohl’s analysis looked at a mobile phones’ SIM (Subscriber Identification Module), the little card inserted into a device that ties it to a telephone amount and authenticates computer software updates and commands sent over-the-air from an operator.

A lot more than 7 billion SIM cards are in use globally. To make certain privacy and safety, SIM cards use encryption when communicating with an operator, however the encryption standards use fluctuate extensively.

Nohl’s analysis found that a lot of SIMs use a weak encryption conventional dating in the 1970s known as DES (Data Encryption Typical), according to a preview posted on his company’s blog.

DES has long been considered a weak type of encryption, and many mobile operators have upgraded now to far more safe types. It truly is reasonably easy to find the private essential employed to signal articles encrypted with DES.

In its experiment, Safety Investigation Labs sent a binary code in excess of SMS to a device utilizing a SIM with DES. Because the binary code wasn’t properly cryptographically signed, it would not run to the gadget.

But although rejecting the code, the phone’s SIM tends to make a essential mistake: it sends back more than SMS an error code that carries its personal encrypted 56-bit private important, according towards the company. Due to the fact DES is thought of an extremely weak form of encryption, it’s achievable to decrypt the personal crucial utilizing identified cracking methods.

Safety Exploration Labs did it in about two minutes on the typical laptop or computer together with the assistance of the rainbow table, a mathematical chart that helps convert an encrypted private critical or password hash into its authentic type a lot quicker.

Using the private DES key in hand, it really is then probable to “sign” malicious software program updates together with the key, and send individuals updates to your gadget. The device believes the software originates from a legit supply after which grants accessibility to sensitive data.

The enterprise outlined an assault situation towards SIM cards that run some type of Java virtual machine, a computer software framework for Java applications.

Making use of the SIM’s personal important, an attacker could force the SIM to download Java applets, that are fundamentally extremely small applications that complete some function. These applets would be “allowed to send SMS, alter voicemail numbers, and query the telephone place, amongst numerous other predefined functions.”

“These abilities alone present lots of likely for abuse,” the enterprise wrote.

Possible treatments for the problem such as ensuring SIM cards use state-of-the-art cryptography and also working with Java virtual machines that restrict applets’ entry to particular information and facts.

Nohl’s presentation, ”Rooting SIM cards,” will consider area in the Black Hat protection conference in Las Vegas on July 31.

source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2044880/sim-cards-vulnerable-to-hacking-says-researcher.html

relate article: Google Earnings: Profit Up but Search-Ad Prices Drop 6%
                Intel announced second quarter earnings: net profit fell 29%
    Hackers ask the federal government not to participate in its annual meetings

Google Earnings: Profit Up but Search-Ad Prices Drop 6%

Google Inc's profit and income continued to climb from the latest quarter, but deceleration from the growth of its primary business of marketing search advertising reignited considerations regarding the affect of mobile gadgets as well as Web giant's push into lower-margin firms.

The results had been reduced than what Wall Street was expecting, sending the company's shares lower in after-hours trading.

Google on Thursday reported a 20% rise in income from its core business awhich excludes its Motorola hardware unit?ain the 2nd quarter, slightly less than the 22% revenue rise in the prior two quarters. The company also posted a 16% rise in revenue to the 2nd quarter in a row.

But Google couldn't stem a drop in search-ad rates. The cost-per-click, or the selling price that advertisers paid Google each time an individual clicked on an ad in its internet search engine, fell 6% from a yr earlier, worse compared to the 4% year-over-year drop in charges all through the 1st quarter. Analysts had expected rates to fall by only about 3% inside the 2nd quarter.

In the course of an earnings phone with analysts, Google's chief economic officer, Patrick Pichette, stated clearly, mobile has some effect, but that general the health from the company was good, given that Google noticed 23% a lot more clicks on its ads within the 2nd quarter compared by using a 12 months earlier, offsetting the reduce costs.

Google's shares fell more than 4% in after-hours trading Thursday following finishing earlier at $910.68, or down significantly less than 1%, over the Nasdaq Stock Industry.

The CPC drop is usually a bit surprising, and perhaps raises once more the question of no matter whether Google truly positive aspects through the Mobile shift, stated Mark Mahaney, a stock analyst at RBC Capital Markets.

Search-ad rates happen to be declining since the fourth quarter of 2011. Analysts attribute the drop towards the fact that prices for showing ads on web sites which have been accessed via mobile gadgets have lengthy been reduce than charges for adverts viewed on PCs.

Google executives have stated repeatedly that they don't believe mobile devices would harm Google's company in the long lasting.

The enterprise is looking to improve the mobile-ad rates by requiring advertisers working with Google's AdWords online-ad system to implement the enhanced campaigns? characteristic and pay out for advertisements on tablet units when they need to market on PCs, amongst other matters

Chief Small business Officer Nikesh Arora explained YouTube's mobile income in June of this 12 months was triple its revenue while in the starting in the year, although he didn't give specifics.

He explained that several advertisers weren't addressing the mobile chance appropriately, and that Google has aided numerous of them to increase their marketing achievement with people on mobile devices.

Google's online-ad revenue growth continues to outpace the general development seen during the online-ad industry, most analysts say. Rival Yahoo Inc. earlier this week reported a 7% drop in income because of market-share losses in its sale of on line adverts. Social network Facebook Inc., Google's other principal competitor during the online-ad market, reviews second-quarter final results subsequent week.

During the analyst phone, Chief Executive Larry Webpage said he would continue to invest the vast majority of our sources and time in our core products, this kind of as Google's Android mobile working procedure that powers smartphones, tablets along with other units.

Far more than 900 million Android products have been activated because the launch of Android in late 2008, and one.five million devices are remaining activated every single day, he said. Google generates income from Web-search, Google Maps, YouTube and other apps which are preinstalled on Android gadgets.

Mr. Web page additional that Google will carry on to invest in riskier, longer-term projects this kind of as working with high-altitude balloons to supply Net accessibility to persons in remote regions, between other efforts.

Google has worked to slim down its troubled Motorola hardware-design and manufacturing unit, which it acquired in May perhaps of last 12 months. But on Thursday, Google mentioned Motorola posted a second-quarter reduction of $342 million, up from a $271 million reduction within the initially quarter.

The business strategies to invest around $500 million to industry Motorola's new flagship smartphone, the Moto X, starting later this year and it's functioning on a number of other gadgets, persons acquainted with all the matter have said.

The losses at Motorola, amongst other elements, contributed to Google's lower-than-expected earnings per share of $9.54 within a 2nd quarter, up 13% from $8.42 a 12 months ago. Analysts had been expected earnings of about $10.80 a share.

While in the get in touch with, Mr. Arora explained development in Google's emerging business lines was accelerating. People consist of hardware, such as laptops based upon Google's Chrome operating system, that are accessible in extra than six,000 brick-and-mortar merchants, and Google's suite of enterprise application and cloud-computing solutions that assistance corporations this kind of as LinkedIn Corp. and Snapchat Inc. run their Net solutions. He didn't give revenue figures.

General, Google's second-quarter profit of $3.23 billion was up from $2.79 billion a yr earlier. Like its Motorola unit, Google's income rose by 19% to $14.eleven billion inside the 2nd quarter.

Its head count was 44,777 at the end of June, down from 53,891 with the end of March, largely due to the layoffs at Motorola earlier this year.

Intel announced second quarter earnings: net profit fell 29%

Intel today released the 2013 fiscal second-quarter earnings. The report shows that Intel's second-quarter revenue of $ 12.8 billion, down from last year's $ 13.5 billion; net profit of $ 2 billion, compared with $ 2.8 billion last year fell 29%. Intel's second-quarter revenue of less than Wall Street analysts expected, and lowered its full-year revenue forecast, thus promoting its shares fell nearly 2 percent in after-hours.
As of June 29 of this quarter, Intel's net profit was $ 2 billion, earnings per share of 39 cents, this performance is less than a year earlier. Fiscal 2012 second quarter, Intel's net profit was $ 2.8 billion, earnings per share of 54 cents. Intel's second-quarter operating profit of $ 2.7 billion, down from last year's $ 3.8 billion. Intel's second-quarter net revenues of $ 12.8 billion, down from last year's $ 13.5 billion.
Intel's second-quarter earnings per share in line with analysts had expected, but sales were slightly lower than analysts' expectations. Financial information provider FactSet Research survey, analysts on average had expected Intel's second-quarter earnings per share of 39 cents on revenue of $ 12.9 billion.
Intel's second-quarter gross profit was $ 7.47 billion, down from last year's $ 8.554 billion. Intel's second-quarter operating expenses were $ 4.751 billion, slightly higher than last year's $ 4.722 billion. Among them, marketing, general and administrative expenses were $ 2.165 billion, higher than last year's $ 2.131 billion; R & D expenditures for the $ 2.516 billion, higher than last year's $ 2.513 billion; and amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions expenditures for 7000 million U.S. dollars, down from last year's $ 78 million.
According to sectors, the Intel Digital Center Group's second quarter net revenues of $ 2.743 billion, compared to $ 2.734 billion; operating profit of $ 1.23 billion, compared to $ 1.365 billion. Intel's PC Client Group's second quarter net revenues of $ 8.1 billion, compared to $ 8.754 billion; operating profit of $ 2.659 billion, compared to
$ 3.44 billion. Other Intel Architecture Group's second quarter net revenues of $ 942 million, compared to $ 1.108 billion; operating loss of $ 608 million, compared with an operating loss of $ 335 million. Intel Software and Services Group's second quarter net revenues of $ 610 million, compared to $ 586 million; operating loss of $ 8,000,000, compared with transport
Operating profit was $ 14 million. Intel other operators Group's second quarter net revenues of $ 416 million, compared to $ 319 million; operating loss of $ 554 million, compared with an operating loss of $ 652 million.
First six months of fiscal 2013, Intel's net profit was $ 4.045 billion, down from last year's $ 5.565 billion; earnings per share of $ 0.79, down from last year's $ 1.07. Intel's first six months of fiscal 2013 revenues of $ 25.4 billion, down from last year's $ 26.4 billion. Intel's first six months of fiscal 2013 operating profit of $ 5.2 billion, down from last year's $ 7.6 billion. Intel's first six months of fiscal 2013 gross profit was $ 14.536 billion, down from last year's $ 16.819 billion.
Intel expects third quarter of fiscal year 2013 revenues of $ 13.5 billion, plus or minus $ 500 million, Thomson Reuters, analysts expected $ 13.7 billion; gross margin was 61 percent, plus or minus two percentage points; operating expenses (R & D, General and administrative) was approximately $ 4.8 billion; and amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions was approximately $ 70 million; equity investments and interest and other income of approximately $ 400 million; depreciation expense of approximately $ 1.7 billion.
Intel also expects fiscal year 2013 revenues were flat year on year, lower than previously expected lower unit percentage growth. Gross margin was 59 percent, plus or minus a few percentage points, less than the previous forecast of 60%; operating expenses (research and development, general and administrative) was approximately $ 18.7 billion, plus or minus $ 200 million, compared with $ 200 million previously expected decrease; and acquisitions transaction-related amortization of intangible assets of approximately $ 300 million, flat compared with the previous forecast; capital expenditures $ 11 billion, plus or minus $ 500 million, compared with the previous forecast of $ 1 billion decline; depreciation expense of approximately 6.8 billion dollars, plus or minus $ 100 million, flat compared with the previous forecast; during this fiscal year, all the remaining quarter, the effective tax rate is expected to average about 26%.
Day, Intel shares on the Nasdaq in regular trading down $ 0.10, to close at $ 24.15, down 0.41%. In the ensuing at 16:37 U.S. Eastern Time (Beijing time at 4:37 on the 18th) until after-hours trading, Intel shares fell another $ 0.45, to $ 23.70, down 1.86 percent. Over the past 52 weeks, Intel's highest price is $ 26.90, the lowest was $ 19.23.

Yahoo's $ 331 million second-quarter net profit rose 46%

Beijing July 17 news, Yahoo today released its year ended June 30, 2013 unaudited second quarter financial results. Results, based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Yahoo's second-quarter revenue of $ 1.135 billion U.S. dollars, a year earlier to $ 1.218 billion, down 7%; net profit of $ 331 million, a year earlier to 227 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 46%.
Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer (Marissa Mayer), "said Yahoo's second quarter, I am encouraged by the performance of our business has maintained a sustained and stable development of the quarter we launched more products than ever before when almost every week to introduce an important new product. Yahoo! News to the new new sports applications, and redesigned Yahoo search, the new Flickr, a new tablet-oriented messages, weather applications, Summly. The quarter, our product line user participation have been amazing progress. "
Yahoo's second-quarter earnings report key data:
- Revenue: Based on the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP, hereinafter referred to as "GAAP"), Yahoo's second-quarter revenue of $ 1.135 billion U.S. dollars, a year earlier to $ 1.218 billion, down 7%; excluding traffic acquisition costs revenue was $ 1.071 billion, down 1%.
- Net profit: Based on GAAP, Yahoo's second-quarter net profit of $ 331 million, a year earlier to $ 227 million, an increase of 46%; $ 0.30 per diluted share, compared to $ 0.18 last year. Based on non-GAAP (Non-GAAP, hereinafter referred to as "Non-GAAP"), net profit of $ 386 million, an increase of 6%; diluted earnings per share were $ 0.35, compared to $ 0.30 last year.
- Operating profit: based on GAAP, operating profit was $ 137 million, a year earlier to $ 055 million, an increase of 150%. Based on Non-GAAP, operating profit was $ 209 million, down 13 percent from a year earlier.
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA): Yahoo's second-quarter EBITDA was $ 369 million, down 7 percent from a year earlier.
- Cash Flow: As of June 30, 2013, Yahoo's cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities amounted to $ 4.8 billion, compared with year ended December 31, 2012 of $ 6,000,000,000 $ 1,200,000,000 reduction.
2013 second quarter to $ 653 million Yahoo repurchase price of 2,500 million shares, and use the $ 1 billion in cash for the acquisition (which includes $ 970 million cash acquisition of Tumblr). These cash outflows were offset from its preferred shares held by Alibaba Group, the resulting $ 846 million.
By division:
- Display advertising departments: Yahoo display advertising revenues for the second quarter of $ 472 million, compared with $ 535 million the same period last year fell 12%. Excluding traffic acquisition costs, Yahoo's display advertising revenues for the second quarter of $ 423 million, a year earlier to $ 473 million, down 11%. Advertising sales (excluding Korea) volume fell by about 2%. Ads Price (excluding Korea), down about 12%.
- Search Department: Yahoo search advertising revenues for the second quarter of $ 418 million, a year earlier to $ 461 million, down 9%. Excluding traffic acquisition costs, Yahoo's search advertising revenues for the second quarter of $ 403 million, a year earlier to $ 385 million, an increase of 5%. Paid clicks (excluding Korea) an increase of about 21%. Price per click (excluding Korea) fell by approximately 8%.
By region:
- Americas: Based on the GAAP (the same below) revenues of $ 829 million, a year earlier to $ 822 million, a slight increase.
- Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): revenues of $ 97,380,000, compared to $ 128 million last year.
- Asia Pacific: revenue of $ 209 million, a year earlier to $ 268 million.
Nasdaq stock market closed Tuesday, Yahoo shares fell $ 0.46, to close at $ 26.88, down 1.68 percent. In after-hours trading, EDT July 16 at 17:15 (Beijing time on July 17 morning 5:15), Yahoo shares fell 1.04 percent, temporarily at $ 26.60. Floating past 52 Zhouya Hu price range: $ 14.59 USD -27.68.

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Hackers ask the federal government not to participate in its annual meetings

Def Con hacker annual meeting request not to participate in the federal government, which is the first time in 21 years to mention meeting this requirement, said Snowden information disclosed on the federal government to make some hackers presence of the person feel uncomfortable.
 
 
"If the federal government does not participate in this year's Def Con conference, good for everyone." Def Con founder Jeff Moss at the meeting on Wednesday night, said in a statement posted on the website.
 
 
August 2 began meeting in Las Vegas expected to have over 15,000 hackers, researchers, corporate security experts, privacy advocates and artists who attend.
 
 
Moss is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security network security consultant, he told Reuters that such a decision is not easy, but he thinks Def Con takes time to accept the recent disclosures about the U.S. surveillance practices.
 
 
"Everyone in the digestion of the federal government over the past 10 years to understand and reach a compromise thing. (To us) some time and a certain distance is beneficial, especially when feeling a bit emotional time." Moss said.
 
 
He said the move is not to create tension, but defuse tensions. "We will not catch a ghost or check the identity and the people kicked out."
 
 
Hacker conference held this past attracted the CIA (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), President of the Secret Service and military officials in the various departments involved.
 
 
Last year, the U.S. National Security Agency Keith Alexander will be published at the conference keynote address. Def Con conference is the world's largest annual hacker conference.


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Twitter surrenders user data to French government

CEO Dick Costolo's Twitter was forced to turn over data that will allow the French government to ID the service's users. Photo: Lionel Cironneau, Associated Press


Twitter has turned over data on its users that will help French authorities identify which of the microblogging service's users published anti-Semitic messages, a violation of French law.

The company had been fighting - and losing - in rounds of appeals in French courts in order to protect the users' identities, going so far as to not immediately comply with a French judge's orders, but eventually acquiesced.

This development does damage to one of the company's largest value propositions: that people can speak freely - and anonymously - on the service. In volatile nations like Egypt, Iran and Syria, dissidents have used the services to organize and communicate during uprisings. Many analysts see such tools as integral in marches toward freedom and democracy. In the U.S., much of the Occupy protests were organized on Twitter.

Yet others counter that Internet tools also create an easy way for governments to identify those dissidents, should they get access to the data, and that's what's happened here. What will happen to the racist tweeters remains to be seen.

"This disclosure puts an end to the dispute between the parties, which have agreed to actively continue contributing together to the fight against racism and anti-Semitism, in keeping with their respective domestic laws and regulations," Twitter and the French Union of Jewish Students said in a joint statement.

In October, the hashtags #UnBonJuif (a good Jew) and #UnJuifMort (a dead Jew) appeared in tweets alongside offensive comments. Twitter promptly deleted the tweets.

The Jewish students' union took Twitter to court anyway, demanding the users' personal information. France has laws against publishing racist and bigoted hate speech.

Twitter has claimed it will always try to follow national laws when dealing with legal matters that pertain to a specific country - but in this case, it tried, unsuccessfully, to fall back on the U.S. protections of freedom of speech.

Human copter? Well, humans can fly now.

OK, maybe we won't be flapping through the Grand Canyon any time soon, but researchers have managed to get a human-powered helicopter to stay aloft for about a minute.

In a video that might remind one of the crafts trying to get airborne during the time of the Wright Brothers, a contraption called Atlas remained aloft for 64.11 seconds and reached an altitude of 3.3 meters. In doing so, a collaborative group in Canada called AeroVelo was declared the winner of the Igor I. Sikorsky Human Powered Helicopter Competition by the American Helicopter Society. They'll bank $250,000 for the effort.

And effort is certainly the keyword. As you can see in the video - online at http://bit.ly/12wWoDj - human-powered flight has a long way to go. The contraption is completely - hilariously - impractical and the guy powering the bike, which makes the rotors turn, has quads that would make a linebacker jealous.

But the group is optimistic nonetheless.

"We would like the public to understand that with innovative engineering and creative design we can find sustainable and environmentally conscious solutions to many of the technological challenges facing our generation," the group wrote in a blog post.

Human-powered helicopters may be a long way off, and not a solution to world problems. But this one at least captures the imagination - if only for a minute.

source: http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Twitter-surrenders-user-data-to-French-government-4662952.php


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Google reportedly prepared to spend $500M marketing Moto X

Google is apparently going all in to support the Moto X, the first flagship handset released by Motorola Mobility since being acquired by the Web giant a year ago.

Google is expected to allow the unit to spend up to $500 million marketing the highly-anticipated smartphone in the U.S. and overseas, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. The device is expected to be available on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless this fall, sources told the Journal.

With an emphasis toward customer convenience and customization, Motorola has reportedly taken steps to limit "bloatware," the apps and services pre-installed on handsets by carriers that are often useless and difficult to remove without rooting the device. Customers will be able to choose the colors for the back of the device and the trim and engrave a name or message to the back cover, ABC News reported earlier this month.

A Motorola spokesperson declined to comment on the report.

Beyond a solid partnership with Verizon, Motorola has struggled to sell its Android smartphones. With Google's backing, the Moto X represents Motorola's best chance in years to make inroads against Apple and Samsung.

After months of rumors and speculation, a sign-up page for the Moto X handset finally went live earlier this month, offering users access to the product information and promotional offers. The page, which touts the Moto X as "the first smartphone designed, engineered and assembled in the USA," promises that the handset is "coming soon."

Motorola said it expects to have more than 2,000 new employees at a Fort Worth, Texas, facility building the phones. The domestic location will enable the phones to arrive in customers' hands within days of their order, according to ABC News.
source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57593202-94/google-reportedly-prepared-to-spend-$500m-marketing-moto-x/

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US boss Chip Starnes released from China factory

US businessman Chip Starnes is freed soon after currently being detained by workers in his factory in China for just about a week in excess of a dispute.

Mr Starnes along with a union official explained an agreement had been reached overnight.

Mr Starnes, co-owner of US enterprise Speciality Healthcare Supplies, mentioned employees had "barricaded" him in just after demanding severance pay.However the workers stated the dispute was above pay out arrears, and that some had not been paid for two months.

There are already various labour disputes in China's factories lately, the place workers are not often completely protected.
'Profits and pitfalls'

The incident during the factory in Huairou, Beijing, reportedly began on Friday.

Mr Starnes stated staff blocked all exits and, when he experimented with to rest, banged on doors and windows.They had demanded severance packages whilst not all of them had been laid off, he stated.

The practical experience was "humiliating" and "embarrassing", he additional.However, staff mentioned they had not been paid for two months, some thing Mr Starnes denied.

The employees feared the plant was closing and remaining personnel might be left with no severance payments, regional labour official Chu Lixiang explained in an earlier interview.

On Thursday, she explained the dispute had "been resolved to just about every side's satisfaction", including that the deal was not finalised right up until the early hrs of morning.Area police did not intervene, saying the matter was a civil dispute for that two sides to resolve themselves, the BBC's China Correspondent Damian Grammaticas reviews.

The incident is definitely an illustration in the way executing organization in China might be successful but in addition stuffed with pitfalls, our correspondent adds.

 source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23063829

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Canada Confident Keystone XL Will Be Approved

Canada's natural resources minister said Tuesday he's confident the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline project from Canada to Texas will be approved because it meets President Barack Obama's requirement that it not lead to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Joe Oliver responded to Obama's comments earlier Tuesday that the pipeline should be approved only if it does "not significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution."
Oliver pointed to "Obama's very own State Department" which he said concluded in a report this year "that there would be no increase in greenhouse gas emissions."
The long-delayed project carrying oil from Alberta's oil sands requires approval from the State Department because the project crosses the border. Republicans, and business and labor groups, have urged the Obama administration to approve the pipeline as a source of jobs and a step toward North American energy independence.
But environmental groups have been pressuring Obama to reject the pipeline, saying it would carry "dirty oil" that contributes to global warming. They also worry about a spill.
Canada has said the project would be a welcome economic boost, and Alberta's premier has warned that its rejection would mar relations with the U.S. The northern Alberta region has the world's third largest oil reserves, with 170 billion barrels of proven reserves.

Canada needs infrastructure in place to export its growing production. The country relies on the U.S. for 97 percent of its energy exports.
A State Department report on the pipeline this year acknowledged that development of the oil sands in Alberta would create greenhouse gases, but it also made clear that other methods to transport the oil — including rail, trucks and barges — also pose a risk to the environment. For instance, a scenario that would move the oil on trains to mostly existing pipelines would release 8 percent more greenhouse gases than Keystone XL, the report said.
"This pipeline has been the most studied pipeline in the history of the world," Oliver said.
A lack of pipelines and a bottleneck of oil in the U.S. Midwest have reduced the price of Canadian crude, costing oil producers and the federal and Alberta governments billions in revenue. Obama's initial rejection of the pipeline last year went over badly in Canada.
Oliver said "we're comfortable the project will be approved" if the facts and science are taken into account.
TransCanada, the Calgary-based company that has proposed the pipeline, said in a statement it was pleased with Obama's comments setting out criteria for pipeline approval.
"The almost five-year review of the project has already repeatedly found that these criteria are satisfied," said Russ Girling, TransCanada's president and chief executive.
The pipeline would carry 800,000 barrels of oil a day across six U.S. states to refineries along the Gulf Coast. A southern leg from Oklahoma to ports near Houston already has been approved, and construction is proceeding.
Greenpeace Canada spokesman Mike Hudema said industry and the Canadian government have said "that the Keystone pipeline is key to accelerate tar sands expansion plans, which would lead to more carbon pollution."

source:http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/canada-confident-keystone-xl-approved-19487489#.UcqX8djxrcc

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China’s Stocks Decline, Led by Property, Material Companies

China's stocks fell for your ninth time in 10 days, dragged down by house developers and materials producers, following Beijing tightened guidelines for genuine estate projects to incorporate a rebound in house costs.

China Vanke Co., the nation's biggest developer, slumped 3.4 % on speculation stricter residence curbs will hurt earnings. Anhui Conch Cement Co., the largest producer of your constructing materials, declined to a nine-month minimal. Tasly Pharmaceutical Group Co., a standard medicine business, led drugmakers for the largest get amid field groups.
China Health-Care, Renewable Power Stocks Favored4:41

June 17 (Bloomberg) -- Catherine Yeung, Hong Kong-based investment director at Fidelity Investment Management Ltd., talks about China and Japan stocks, and investment technique. Yeung also discusses Federal Reserve monetary policy. She speaks from Singapore with Rishaad Salamat on Bloomberg Television's "On the Move." (Source: Bloomberg)

The Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) slipped 0.3 percent to two,156.22 with the shut, with trading volumes 24 percent lower compared to the 30-day regular. The index fell final week immediately after reviews showed industrial manufacturing and exports trailed estimates and higher money-market costs stoked concern about tighter liquidity. The CSI 300 Index dropped 0.5 % to 2,403.84. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) acquired 1.1 percent, snapping 12 days of losses.

Investors are nevertheless digesting news about negative financial data and tight liquidity, explained Mao Sheng, an analyst for Huaxi Securities Co. in Chengdu. The lack of flows from the market may well persist right up until early July. People are staying away from corporations such as home developers because of the financial concern. We may see occasional technical rebounds, but any gains are going to be short-term.

Beijing Curbs

The Shanghai measure has fallen 11 % from this year's higher on Feb. six. The index trades at eight.9 occasions 12-month estimated earnings, in contrast with all the three-year regular of 10.eight, data compiled by Bloomberg showed. Its 30-day volatility was at 15.9, in contrast with this year's average of 19.1, the data showed.

The government might release foreign investment data as early as today, though May well housing rates are scheduled for tomorrow. China's house charges rose 10.7 % inside the to start with quarter of 2013 through the earlier 3 months, the biggest achieve amid fifty five global real-estate markets, according to Knight Frank.

A gauge of property stocks within the Shanghai index declined 0.7 %, the most amongst 5 business groups. China Vanke dropped 3.4 % to ten.33 yuan. Poly True Estate, the second-biggest developer, fell 0.9 % to ten.97 yuan, when Gemdale Corp. misplaced 1.9 % to 6.64 yuan.

Anhui Conch paced declines for material producers, dropping 1.eight percent to 14.20 yuan. Jiangxi Copper Co., the largest Chinese copper producer, slid 1.eight percent to 18.93 yuan.
Tightening Outlook

Beijing will require non-residential projects and residential developments larger than an normal 140 square meters (1,506 square feet) to meet prerequisites on building progress in advance of applying for presale permits, the regional housing bureau stated June 14. China necessitates developers to obtain presale permits from regional housing authorities ahead of they are able to sell apartments beneath construction.
 

Beijing's new pre-sales measures imply housing policies may well turn into additional localized, Credit score Suisse Group AG analyst Jinsong Du wrote within a note dated yesterday. Although this new measure should really not have close to phrase impact on Beijing's housing supply, some may possibly see it as a sign of additional tightening measures to come.

A gauge of drugmakers inside the CSI 300 rose 1.9 %, essentially the most between ten sector groups. Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. surged five.1 percent to 88.20 yuan. Tasly climbed two.5 % to 41.31 yuan. Tasly is optimistic more than the next few years about its products Tasly Danshen Plus Capsule, which recorded two billion yuan in income in 2012, Fortune CLSA Securities Ltd. wrote inside a report dated nowadays, citing meetings with corporation officials.
Tackle Pollution

In China especially, we like health-care names as a consequence of the reforms the government is placing in location, Catherine Yeung, director at Fidelity Investment Management Ltd., stated in the Bloomberg Tv interview in Singapore now. Over the weekend the State Council came up with ten measures with regards to strengthening air good quality.

China's cabinet adopted a 10-point plan to tackle pollution on June 14. The efforts include expanding levies around the discharge of pollutants, controlling large energy-consuming and polluting industries and improving handle of airborne particles measuring less than 2.five microns in dimension, called PM2.5.

The package is the very first milestone within the country's anti-pollution campaign which could last for 18 years, Ma Jun, Deutsche Banks chief economist for Greater China in Hong Kong, wrote in the note. In the next number of many years, dozens of much more particular policy measures might be necessary.These may well involve limits on coal consumption for important areas and greater subsidies for shale gas, wind and solar, he stated.

China might introduce policies on solar electrical power subsidies as early as June, the China Securities Journal reported today, citing unidentified folks. Hareon Solar Technological innovation Co. surged 2 percent to six.71 yuan.
Bearish Options
Choices traders are paying out the most in two months to protect towards drops inside the greatest Chinese exchange-traded fund inside the U.S. on concern a community money-market money crunch will deepen a slump in Asia's most significant economy.The expense of three-month puts to the iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund (FXI) soared towards the highest considering that September final week, option data compiled by Bloomberg showed. The 4.3-point premium of puts over calls was the widest due to the fact April 17. The Bloomberg China-US Equity Index slumped essentially the most in 4 months final week, led by a sixteen % drop in Yanzhou Coal Mining Co.The planet Financial institution, Morgan Stanley and UBS AG all cut 2013 gross domestic solution estimates for China last week. China can handle to determine a rebound in development in case the government conducts needed reforms like opening up some areas to private traders ranging from high-speed railways to water provide, Li Daokui, a former academic adviser for the People's Bank of China, explained at a forum in Beijing on June 15. 

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NSA hacks China, leaker Snowden claims

Hong Kong (CNN) -- U.S. intelligence agents have been hacking computer networks around the world for years, apparently targeting fat data pipes that push immense amounts of data around the Internet, NSA leaker Edward Snowden told the South China Morning Post on Wednesday.

Among some 61,000 reported targets of the National Security Agency, Snowden said, are thousands of computers in China -- which U.S. officials have increasingly criticized as the source of thousands of attacks on U.S. military and commercial networks. China has denied such attacks.

The Morning Post said it had seen documents provided by Snowden but was unable to verify their authenticity. The English-language news agency, which operates in Hong Kong, also said it was unable to independently verify allegations of U.S. hacking of networks in Hong Kong and mainland China since 2009.

Snowden told the paper that some of the targets included the Chinese University of Hong Kong, public officials and students. The documents also "point to hacking activity by the NSA against mainland targets," the newspaper reported.

The claims came just days after U.S. President Barack Obama pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping to address cyberattacks emanating from China that Obama described as "direct theft of United States property."

Snowden's allegations appear to give weight to claims by some Chinese government officials that the country has been a victim of similar hacking efforts coming from the United States.

His claims came as Gen. Keith Alexander, the National Security Agency chief, testified at a U.S. Senate hearing that the country's cyberinfrastructure, including telephones and computer networks, is somewhat vulnerable to attack.

On a scale of one to 10, "our critical infrastructure's preparedness to withstand a destructive cyberattack is about a three, based on my experience," he said.

In the Morning Post interview -- published one week after the British newspaper The Guardian revealed the first leaks attributed to Snowden -- he claimed the agency he once worked for as a contractor typically targets high-bandwidth data lines that connect Internet nodes located around the world.

"We hack network backbones -- like huge Internet routers, basically -- that give us access to the communications of hundreds of thousands of computers without having to hack every single one," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

A "backbone" is part of the inner workings of a computer network that links different parts of that network. It is used to deliver data from one part of the network to another and, as such, could expose data from multiple computers if hacked.

'Trying to bully'

Snowden, 29, worked for the Booz Allen Hamilton computer consulting firm until Monday, when he was fired after documents he provided to journalists revealed the existence of secret programs to collect records of domestic telephone calls in the United States and the Internet activity of overseas residents.

While he has not been charged, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the leaks, and he has told The Guardian that he expects the United States will try to prosecute him.

Snowden told the Morning Post that he felt U.S. officials were pressuring his family and also accused them of "trying to bully" Hong Kong into extraditing him to prevent the release of more damaging information.

He vowed to resist extradition efforts if it comes to that, saying he "would rather stay and fight the United States government in the courts, because I have faith in Hong Kong's rule of law."

"My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate," the South China Morning Post quoted Snowden as saying. "I have been given no reason to doubt your system.''

But Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip, a former secretary of security for the territory, said Tuesday that while any extradition process could take months, Snowden isn't necessarily beyond the reach of the United States.

"If he thought there was a legal vacuum in Hong Kong which renders him safe from U.S. jurisdiction, that is unlikely to be the case," she said.

The newspaper said Snowden has been hiding in undisclosed locations inside the semi-autonomous Chinese territory since checking out of his hotel room Monday -- a day after he revealed his identity in an interview with The Guardian.

Snowden told the Morning Post he is not trying to evade U.S. authorities.

"People who think I made a mistake in picking Hong Kong as a location misunderstand my intentions," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality."

The NSA and the National Intelligence director did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment.

Asked during a media briefing on Wednesday for comment on Snowden's latest claims, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki declined. She said she had not seen the latest Morning Post report.

On the defensive

The revelations have renewed debate over surveillance in the United States and overseas in the name of fighting terrorism, with supporters saying the programs revealed by Snowden are legal and have helped stop terror plots. Civil liberties advocates, however, call the measures dangerous and unacceptable intrusions.

Such criticisms have put Obama and his allies on the issue -- both Democrats and Republicans -- on the defensive against mounting criticisms from a similarly bipartisan group of critics demanding changes to rein in the programs.

There also is a sharp division among Americans over the issue.

A Gallup poll released Wednesday found that 44% of Americans believe Snowden did the right thing by releasing details about the classified surveillance programs, while 42% said it was wrong and 14% said they were unsure.

The poll for that question had a 6% margin of error.

It also found that more Americans disapprove than approve of the government's surveillance programs, 53% to 37%. Ten percent had no opinion.

The poll for that question had a 4% margin of error.

Those differences were on display Wednesday when Alexander, the director of the National Security Agency, testified at a hearing into cybersecurity technology and civil liberties.

Officials have been unable to explain controversial data mining programs because they have been classified, Alexander testified.

But Alexander rejected the Snowden's claim that the NSA could tap into any American's phone or computer.

"I know of no way to do that," Alexander said.

But he testified that phone records obtained by the government helped prevent "dozens" of terrorist events.

He would not discuss disrupted plots broadly, saying they were classified. But he did say federal data mining appeared to play a role in helping to disrupt a plot in recent years to attack the New York subway system.

Alexander said information developed overseas was passed along to the FBI, which he said was able to identify eventual suspect Najibullah Zazi in Colorado and ultimately uncover a plot. Zazi pleaded guilty to terror-related charges in 2010.

While not on the roster for Wednesday's hearing, another administration official in the spotlight is Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, whom Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden has singled out for how he answered questions about the telephone surveillance program in March.

In March, Wyden asked Clapper whether the NSA collects "any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans?"

"No sir," Clapper said.

On Saturday, Clapper told NBC News that he answered in the "most truthful or least most untruthful manner" possible.

Clapper told NBC that he had interpreted "collection" to mean actually examining the materials gathered by the NSA.

He previously told the National Journal he had meant that "the NSA does not voyeuristically pore through U.S. citizens' e-mails," but he did not mention e-mails at the hearing.

EU questions

Fallout over revelations about the NSA's intelligence-gathering has reached the European Union's governing body, where Vice President Viviane Reding raised concerns that the United States may have targeted some of its citizens.

Reding said she plans to raise the issue during a meeting Friday with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

"The respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law are the foundations of the EU-U.S. relationship. This common understanding has been, and must remain, the basis of cooperation between us in the area of Justice," Reding, the EU commissioner for justice, said Wednesday.

"Trust that the rule of law will be respected is also essential to the stability and growth of the digital economy, including transatlantic business. This is of paramount importance for individuals and companies alike."

source:http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/12/politics/nsa-leak/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
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Europe denies wine product subsidies to China

Following Europe's provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panel makers, China also launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into European wine. Even though lots of analysts feel trade tensions are mounting concerning China and Europe, the European Commission believes the two sides are nonetheless far far from a trade war.

On Wednesday China's Commerce Ministry announced it will launch an investigation into no matter if European winemakers are getting improper subsidies in exporting their items to China. The European Commission denied such allegations and expressed willingness to cooperate with China on its inspections. If evidence of dumping is located, France, Italy and Spain, are 3 big wine-making countries that could be impacted.

The European Commission says it doesn't think the probe is in direct relation with the provisional tariff imposed by Europe on Chinese solar solutions. It also doesn't believe the two sides are about the verge of a tit-for-tat trade war.

China's Commerce Ministry announced it really is opening the investigation into European wine imports in response to obtaining complaints from domestic wine makers last 12 months. China's wine makers allege that unfair government subsidies from Europe is damaging China's domestic wine sector.

Wine sales from Europe to China quintupled in the past 5 years, from 140 million euros to recent product sales of 760 million euros.

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Li slams EU's trade measures against Chinese products

Going to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday criticized the European Union (EU) for its current trade measures against Chinese mobile telecommunications tools and solar panels.

The measures will "harm other folks without the need of benefiting oneself," Li explained inside a speech delivered at a luncheon with organization and financial leaders.

China has been actively pushing forward multilateral trade techniques and regional trade arrangements and it is towards trade and investment protectionism in all types, Li explained.

China is quite substantially concerned in regards to the EU's selection to carry out anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations towards Chinese photovoltaic products and mobile telecommunications products, he said.

The measures will result in injury to relevant industries, enterprises and employment in China. On the exact same time, they will also harm the interests of European consumers and individuals, Li noted.

The measures, Li mentioned, will make it possible for protectionism to possess its way. Hence China is resolutely opposed to them, he added.

The Chinese premier urged nations to preserve a stable and open global trade atmosphere and be cautious in applying trade remedy measures.

He said China has been normally in favor of solving trade frictions by means of dialogues and consultations.

China hopes the EU will give considered for the total China-EU economic and trade relations and uphold principles of totally free trade when dealing with the two situations, he added.

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Germany opposes EU probe into Chinese telecom products: Chancellor Merkel

Germany opposes EU probe into Chinese telecom products: Chancellor Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel mentioned Monday that Germany firmly opposes a trade probe initiated from the European Commission into imports of Chinese mobile telecommunications solutions.

Merkel manufactured the remarks over breakfast with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, that is in Berlin for an official check out to Germany, the last leg of his very first journey abroad as premier.Throughout the breakfast, the 2 leaders held a frank and in-depth exchange of views to the relations between China as well as European Union (EU), the issues in China-EU trade, the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and various issues of typical concern.

The Chinese premier clarified and expounded Beijing's stance over the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probe that the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has planned on its own initiative to launch into Chinese mobile telecommunications items.

For her part, Merkel explained Germany understands and pays large focus to China's concern, and is prepared to consider company action towards the planned probe. 

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Google Fiber Not Reaching a Town Close to You

People today are thrilled about Google (NASDAQ: GOOG ) Fiber. The search giant's foray into gigabit fiber optic broadband service represents a vital catalyst to the business, even though also embodying a probably disruptive risk to incumbent cable companies which might be intent on holding America captive as a result of substantial charges and slow speeds.

The corporation has also picked up the speed. After the initial rollout in the Kansas City region, Massive G subsequently announced growth into Austin, Texas, and Provo, Utah. Individuals back-to-back announcements have been encouraging signs that possibly Google had grand ambitions to increase Fiber's attain.

Could Google potentially roll out Fiber nationwide and actually place the heat around the cable organizations? Never hold your breath.Less complicated explained than carried out
Industry researcher IHS isn't going to consider it can be feasible for Google to deploy Fiber nationwide, despite the fact that the Austin and Provo announcements were so rapid. Google will often be a "minor player" during the U.S. broadband market place, based on IHS. Rolling out on such a scale would only be as well costly.

The researcher estimates that the complete population within every one of the at present planned cities is about one.four million, or about 0.4% of all U.S. households, that is reasonably shut to my preliminary estimates prior to Provo was announced (Provo has a comparatively smaller population of an estimated 115,000). Even when Fiber have been to dominate the markets that it truly is readily available in, Google would have only about 0.2% marketplace share of all U.S. properties.

In comparison, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA ) has 18.3 million broadband subscribers, AT&T (NYSE: T ) has 16.4 million, Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC ) boasts 10.9 million, and Verizon (NYSE: VZ ) enjoys 8.8 million subscribers.

Source: IHS (May 2013).

The broadband business favors large incumbents, because of high infrastructure costs that inevitably result in an oligopoly industry structure. AT&T and Verizon have shifted their focus away from the wired side, content to let Comcast and Time Warner divvy up the business, in order to focus about the high-growth wireless segment. Google has very little chance of making a meaningful dent in these companies' overall subscriber bases unless it truly is willing to invest billions in infrastructure. IHS analyst Dexter Thillien doesn't feel Google will be willing to match how much AT&T and Verizon have plunged into their own fiber networks over the years.

However, Google has some cost advantages. By slowly rolling out in select locations immediately after receiving incentives from local governments, it can offer lower rates than its rivals. The flip side is that competitors can request similar incentives to build their own networks, much within the way AT&T did when it announced "intent" to upgrade its fiber network in Austin if it could score the same incentives.

Google Fiber is very much what Internet support should be, but making it a reality is much simpler said than carried out.

As one of the most dominant Internet companies ever, Google has made a habit of driving strong returns for its shareholders. However, like many other Web corporations, it can be also struggling to adapt to an increasingly mobile world. Despite gaining an enviable lead with its Android operating system, the industry isn't sold. That's why it is more important than ever to understand each piece of Google's sprawling empire. From the Motley Fool's new premium research report on Google, we break down the risks and potential rewards for Google investors. Simply click here now to unlock your copy of this invaluable resource.

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