World marks 20 years of SMS

                                       

It’s now 20 years since the first Short Message Service by Neil Papworth on December 3, 1992 to a mobile phone.

The innovation went almost unnoticed for the next half-decade, theregister.co.uk reports.

The website reports that the SMS took a while to take hold, longer still before network operators realised what a cash cow SMS could be, and longer again before they noticed SMS was proving to be one of the most disruptive technologies ever to hit telecommunications and one whose implications they would live to regret.

61-year-old computer springs back to life

                                  

Of course, if you're a computer historian, you already know that WITCH refers to the Wolverhampton Instrument for Teaching Computation from Harwell.

If not, here's the story: The 2.5-ton machine, first constructed in the 1950s as part of an atomic research program, became the "world's oldest original working digital computer" after a museum in the UK restored and then rebooted it on Tuesday. Unlike today's nearly mute devices, the massive computer clicks, clacks and flashes like something out of an old sci-fi movie.

Grandpa gets First class in UI

                                 
A grandfather, Mr. Aderemi Alli, was among the 21 first class graduates produced by the University of Ibadan at its convocation on Thursday in Ibadan.
The university graduated a total of 1,582 students for the 2011/2012 academic session with 243 graduating in Second Class (Upper Division) and 920, Second Class (Lower Division).
A total of 135 of the students graduated with Third Class and 203 Pass.

Justice Kayode Esho Dies at 87

                                                                                                 

                            

It seems the season of death in Nigeria as one eminent citizen after another passes on.

The latest is the death this morning of one of Nigeria’s eminent jurists, the Ibadan based Justice Kayode Esho.

He was aged 87.

He died in London this morning.

His son, Olumide confirmed t that Justice Esho died at the Hammersmith Hospital in London today.

Justice Esho since the beginning of this year had stayed more in the UK than Nigeria. He only returned home in October to receive his country’s belated honor, Commander of the Order of the Niger. Esho was also decorated last December by civil society groups in Lagos, with the honor of the Defender of Anti-corruption.

Olumide described his father as a very resolute man and a wonderful father.

Obama bribed women and youth to win – Romney

                                                

The candidate of the Republican Party in the just-concluded presidential election in the United States of America, Mitt Romney, said at a conference call with donors, on Thursday, that Barack Obama won the 2012 presidential campaign because of “gifts” given by the administration to black, Hispanic and young voters.

“The President’s campaign focused on giving targeted groups a big gift, so he made a big effort on small things. Those small things, by the way, add up to trillions of dollars.” Mr Romney said.

He said moves like the president’s healthcare reform legislation and a decision to suspend deportation of certain illegal immigrants who came to the country as children proved “highly motivational” on Election Day.

Mr Romney also said he had “gotten beat up pretty bad” on issues including his immigration stance and personal wealth.

How four companies took over the Internet

                             




There are four tech companies controlling the industry's direction: Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook. Will they still be ruling the tech field in a decade?
"At least three have established very deep moats," meaning that it's almost impossible for newer rivals to overtake them, Internet analyst Mark Mahaney (formerly of Citigroup) said Sunday during a panel discussion at the Techonomy conference in Tucson, Ariz. "Probably Apple, too."

Google (GOOG, Fortune 500) and Facebook (FB) have the richest data sets on their users, but Amazon's data graph is probably the most valuable, Mahaney believes, because it tracks where customers are actually spending their money.

The world's 'poorest' president, who is he?

                             

It's a common grumble that politicians' lifestyles are far removed from those of their electorate. Not so in Uruguay. Meet the president - who lives on a ramshackle farm and gives away most of his pay.

Laundry is strung outside the house. The water comes from a well in a yard, overgrown with weeds. Only two police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep watch outside.

This is the residence of the president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, whose lifestyle clearly differs sharply from that of most other world leaders.

Microsoft to Replace Windows Live Messenger with Skype

                                          

Microsoft has announced it intends to "retire" its instant message chat tool and replace it with Skype's messaging tool.

The news comes 18 months after the software giant announced it was paying $8.5bn (£5.3bn) for the communications software developer.

Microsoft said Windows Live Messenger (WLM) would be turned off by March 2013 worldwide, with the exception of China.

5 big tech issues await Obama in second term

                      

Technology policy didn't get much air time in the 2012 presidential election, but the Obama administration will face serious issues over the next four years.

The country is facing a shortage of qualified technology workers. Potential cybersecurity attacks threaten the nation's power and transportation infrastructures.

Privacy advocates fear the seemingly unchecked digital tracking of consumers by private companies and law enforcement agencies. And the online piracy of music, movies and other content remains a thorny issue.

Here's a look at five of the biggest tech issues facing President Barack Obama, and the country, in his second term:

Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 10 browser for Windows 7

                           

The latest version of Microsoft's Web browser is now available to the vast audience connecting to the Internet on personal computers running on the Windows 7 operating system.

The redesigned browser, Internet Explorer 10, made its debut last month when Microsoft released Windows 8, which makes dramatic changes to an operating system that has been powering PCs for decades.

Internet Explorer 10 initially is being introduced Tuesday to Windows 7 users in a "preview," or test, mode. The new browser isn't compatible with XP, Vista and any other older Windows version. 

Banks to stop charging N100 for Inter-bank ATM withdrawals

                                  
The Banker’s Committee on Tuesday in Abuja unanimously agreed to stop interbank ATM charge of N100.
Briefing journalists at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director of First Bank, Bisi Onasanya, said the decision was in line with “popular trends” in other parts of the world.
“Presently when you use the ATM of a bank other than your bank, there is a charge of N100 which is borne by the account holder.
“We have decided that we will work out the modality and ensure that with immediate effect we would pass on this cost to the respective banks which bear the cost of providing services.
“No matter where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM.
According to him, the new policy does not cover withdrawals inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off.

Blackberry 10 to be launched in January, RIM announces

                               

The next Blackberry smartphone, which manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) hopes can revive its fortunes, will be introduced on 30 January.

RIM, once a leading name in smartphones, has struggled to keep up with the likes of Apple and Google in recent years.

The new range will run on Blackberry 10, an upgraded operating system.

RIM has not said when the smartphones, which have been set back by multiple delays, will be available to buy.

Mitt Romney Sheds Friends on Facebook

Nobody "likes" a loser.

As if losing the presidential election wasn't enough, Mitt Romney has been hemorrhaging Facebook friends.

People began unliking Romney's official Facebook page soon after the election results came in last week. The Washington Post noticed the drop on Friday, when the GOP presidential candidate's page was losing 593 likes an hour.

Kenyan mother names twins Barack Obama and Mitt Romney

                          

A young Kenyan mother has named her newly born twin boys after the U.S. president-elect and his defeated Republican challenger.

Millicent Owuor, 20, gave birth to Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on Wednesday at the Siaya District Hospital in southwest Kenya.

Owuor told the Kenyan news outlet her sons' names will always remind her of the election in the United States.

Whitney Houston posthumous song hits the web

                              

Almost nine months after her death, Whitney Houston is giving fans a new song to remember her by.

The track “Never Give Up,” recorded shortly before her death, according to E! News, hit the web on Tuesday. The hip-hop song, posted on YouTube, has a modern beat and is about those who are struggling in life and want to give up.

Man behind anti-Islam film to return to jail for a year

                        

The convicted California scam artist behind a crude anti-Islam film that stoked protests against the United States across the Muslim world was sent back to jail for a year on Wednesday over probation violations stemming from his role in the video.

In a tightly guarded federal courtroom in Los Angeles, Mark Basseley Youssef admitted to using aliases and lying to his probation officer, breaching the terms of his supervised release from prison this year after serving time for bank fraud.

Four more years for Obama

                       

President Barack Obama rode a wave of broad support from minorities, women and moderates to win re-election Tuesday by defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney in Democratic strongholds and key battleground states.

According to CNN projections, Obama surpassed the decisive 270-vote threshold in the Electoral College with victory in Ohio. That and a later projected victory in another swing state -- Virginia -- gave him 303 electoral votes to 206 for Romney, according to the CNN call based on unofficial returns.

Joyful supporters danced and cheered at Obama's victory party in Chicago, and the president thanked them for ensuring the nation will continue to move forward while warning the battle for change they seek will continue to be difficult.

5 ways to keep your phone charged in a power outage

                                   

In our increasingly digital world, a mobile phone or other portable device is often a one-stop communication device. Phone calls, text messages, social media and even radio and television can all come from the same gadget.

Human edges out robot car on race track

                                

A race between a robot car and a human has ended with a win for the humans.

The race was run on Thunderhill Raceway in California between an Audi TTS that can drive itself and a racing car driver familiar with the circuit.

The human driver completed a lap around the circuit a few seconds faster than the robotic car.

The race was part of research to develop control systems that will help to make domestic cars more autonomous.

Fan's 'monkey gesture' probed

                                     
London's Metropolitan Police Force announced on Thursday they had launched an investigation after a Chelsea supporter was photographed apparently making a racist gesture towards a black Manchester United player.
The picture, published in several British newspapers, was taken during Chelsea's dramatic 5-4 League Cup win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and appeared to show a fan making a monkey gesture at striker Danny Welbeck.

Ex-minister’s son dies in power bike accident

                                       


                                

Mohammed, the first son of ex-Minister of Power and Steel, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, has died in a power bike accident.

It was learnt that 34-year-old Mohammed died on October 1 on his way to Abuja after participating at a bikers’ convention in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

 Mohammed, according a source, had told his driver to drive along while he rode on his power bike.

Although there were reports that he fell from his bike before he was crushed by two oncoming vehicles, findings show that a trailer actually hit Mohammed from behind before he was crushed by an oncoming vehicle.

Pakistani teen blogger in critical condition after Taliban attack

A Pakistani teen activist shot by the Taliban was moved to a military hospital in Rawalpindi Thursday in critical condition.

Malala Yousufzai, 14, was flown by helicopter from the military hospital in Peshawar to one in Rawalpindi.

The latter city houses the headquarters of the Pakistani military, three officials said. They did not want to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media about the matter.

10 tips to make your phone's battery last longer

     

'Even hi-tech smartphones can last for days - as long as you follow a few basic procedures to keep the battery at full.'

As smartphones have become more capable -  for playing gaming, watching movies and shooting video -  battery performance has worsened and now most modern smartphones won’t last a full a day before you need to reach for a charger.

Phone manufacturers are working hard to improve battery performance - Motorola in particular with their RAZR i and RAZR MAXX - but if you buy most other smartphones, be ready to charge every evening.
Here are some tips to help conserve your mobile phones battery life:

Google warns Gmail account users of hackers

                                   

Google is issuing a warning similar to one it had sent in June to tens of thousands of Gmail users to inform them that their accounts may be targeted by hackers. “We believe state-sponsored attackers may be attempting to compromise your account or computer," the warning reads in black text on a red banner. "Protect yourself now," a link to Google support page said.

14 year old blogger shot in Pakistan

                          
A 14 year old blogger, Malala Yousafza, was shot for blogging against the Talibans in Pakistan. We learnt she was wounded with other girls on their way home from school on Tuesday. He's is slowly recuperating after an operation was performed to remove the bullets on her on Wednesday. We wish her quick recovery

Facebook agrees to pay $10 to each 'Sponsored Stories' victim

                     
Facebook is agreeing to pay up to $10 each to users who appeared in the social-networking site's "Sponsored Stories" advertising program without their permission.