IndoPost.com Breaking News, Opinion, Indonesia and USA

Google launched a pet project dubbed as Hotel Finder, with cool features such as free-form shapes to restrict search results to the most visited areas of large cities in America

This weekend Google launched a pet project dubbed as Hotel Finder. The new service allows users to find a list of hotels in top cities in America.  This project was invented by googlers who spent their one-day per week on projects thru Google Labs.  About two weeks ago, the world largest search engine announced to close down its popular Google Labs where many Google services and gadgets were initially innovated thru the Labs, such as Google Maps and Google News.  However, to make stock holders happy, Google new boss Larry Page is working hard to prioritize cash cows projects which will require all googlers valuable time during working hours.

The most interesting feature of the new Hotel Finder is that users can add free-form shapes (highlighted in “blue” color lines) to Google Maps.  By having this shape, it will restrict the list of search results to particular attractive areas in which Google highlighted as “popular areas” in white color. Many comparison sites catered for finding hotels have introduced shapes to filter results (in cycle or rectangle), but there are no one offer free-form shapes to select hotels. As users decide from the full list of hotels (highlighted in "blue" dots), Hotel Finder also lets users to add hotels they like to a shortlist (in "red" dots).

 
(Image: Google Hotel Finder, Santa Monica and Los Angeles)

Dating trend in America: youngsters American in their 20s prefer “Stayover Relationships” instead of “Living Together Relationships” which causing the decline in marriage rate

Young Americans choose to visit their partners, stayover and spending time together two or three nights per week.  By interviewing a group of college-educated couples, a team of researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, found young couples prefer stayover for few days instead of staying together for a full week.  The new dating trend also helps youngsters to make room for them by going back to their own homes within the seven days span.  The study is being published by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

Researchers believe the new dating trend is causing the decline in marriage rate, as many young couples delaying marriage.  According to reuters.com, the latest data from U.S. census data also indicating young people are getting married later in their life.  Citing one of the researchers, Tyler Jamison, reuters.com wrote "It is interesting how separate they felt about their living arrangements to the point where they would act like a guest in the other person's place."

Booming iPhone sales worldwide: Apple’s global mobile phone market share doubled to 5.6% shares in the second quarter of 2011, compared to one year ago which was at 2.6% shares

The world’s largest mobile devices company Apple experienced booming iPhone sales year over year.  According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, the Silicon Valley most valuable tech company shipped over 20.3 million iPhone units worldwide in the second quarter of 2011, surpassing 8.4 million units in the same quarter one year ago. 

Apple’s global mobile phone market share grew to 5.6% shares in the second quarter, compared to one year ago which was only 2.6% shares.  Apple’s total units shipped for year-over-year have increased over 141%.

The version 4 of iPhone was introduced by Steve Jobs in mid-year of 2010 and continued to perform very well in term of sales globally.  High iPhone 4 demand occured everywhere (incl., the new white color) as Apple recorded strong sales in China and many South East Asian countries (incl. Indonesia).  A newer version 5 of iPhone is projected to hit the market sometime in September or October this year.

Other phone makers, especially Nokia, are seeing their handsets sales to continue drop worldwide.  The European top phone maker during the early 2000s era experienced a significant drop in sales in the second quarter of 2011.  Nokia shipped a total of 88.5 million units in the second quarter of this year, compared to one year ago which totaled 111.1 million units (a drop of 20.3% in term of total units).  Nokia’s market share also dropped to 24.2% shares worldwide, compared to one year ago which was at 33.8% shares.

(Table: IDC)

Just one super shot is all you need: researchers from Britain and Switzerland introduce a new type of antibody dubbed as FI6 to targeting all types of flu viruses

Two top researchers from Britain and Switzerland, John Skehel of Britain's National Institute for Medical Research and Antonio Lanzavecchia of Swiss’s privately-owned Humabs, worked really hard to find one-shot treatment targeting all types of flu viruses, as reported by reuters.com.  One super shot is all you need to tackle flu viruses.  The method to fight all types of flu viruses is also known as "super antibody" which in medical term dubbed as FI6.

Pharmaceuticals and flu vaccines producers believe the new method of one-shot could help to reduce cost of producing new formulas to protect human against new types of flu viruses each season.   Medical experts predict that the new universal "super antibody" flu vaccine could protect world’s population from all types of flu viruses for years to come.

Young users versus non-users: mobile phones don't increase risk of developing brain cancer in kids as per a Swiss researcher

With over 5 billion mobile phones users worldwide and among them are young users, researchers around the world have increased interest in possible health risks from cell phones usage in recent years.  Most research findings have found conflict conclusions with mobile phone usages, as some believe prolong use of mobile phones might have increased the risk of certain types of brain tumors (see WHO study).

A latest research study led by Professor Martin Roosli at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel, Switzerland, found the frequent use of mobile phones do not seem to create cancer risk to youngsters aged 7 to 19.  Citing Professor Roosli reuters.com wrote "If mobile phone use would be a risk factor, you'd expect cancer patients to have a higher amount of usage."  The study took place in developed countries such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.  Dataset was compiled between 2004 and 2008.  The study is being published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 

Virtual hangouts: Xbox 360 users can now download Avatar Kinect via Kinect Fun Labs which requires Xbox LIVE Gold membership

For all Xbox LIVE Gold membership holders, today is a fun day as everyone can now download Avatar Kinect via Kinect Fun Labs (file size: 658.59 MB).  The Avatar Kinect was first demoed by Microsoft CEO Ballmer during the CES 2011 conference in early January this year.

The new Avatar Kinect gadget from Xbox team allows users to conduct online chit-chat similar to virtual hangouts.  Each session can hook-up with at least seven people.  This sophisticated Xbox gadget also comes with 24 virtual backgrounds.  Using a $150 Kinect sensor for Xbox 360 gaming console, the newest Avatar Kinect software can recognize users’ facial expressions such as smiling, raising users' eyebrows, mimicking, laughing, and more.

Microsoft also releases a KinectShare.com website which lets users to upload a recorded video session, or chit-chat or performances, and then share those videos with friends and family via Facebook.

(Image: Avatar Kinect and Kinect Sparkler)

Real products but fake stores: authorities in Chinese city to close unauthorized Apple Stores in Kunming

Chinese authorities in the city of Kunming have asked unauthorized Apple Stores to cease operation.  The discovering of fake Apple stores was reported last weekend by an American blogger who traveling to the city.  The fake Apple Stores actually are selling real Apple branded products as reported by reuters.com.

Apple has opened several Apple Stores in China but for now they are only located in two large cities, Beijing and Shanghai.

Many companies are trying to copycat the successful of the world largest mobile devices company, especially two hot gadgets such as Apple iPhone and iPad.   As per the latest earnings, Apple company reported last week that they have sold over 20.3 million iPhones and over 9.2 million iPads during the fiscal Q3-2011 (April to June) worldwide. 

All about Samsung: South Korea-based mobile devices company is now the world’s number one handset maker thru popular Galaxy smartphone by beating Nokia and Apple

As Google Android mobile operating system continues to grab smartphone market share worldwide (about 40% share today), it also helps its top phone maker Samsung.  Citing data from Boston- based Strategy Analytics, bloomberg.com reported that Samsung second quarter of 2011 sales may have beat Nokia and Apple.  Analysts projected that Samsung have sold about 21 million units of smartphones worldwide during April to June.  At the same period, Nokia have only sold about 16.7 million units, while Steve Jobs’s company has sold about 20.3 million iPhones.

The South Korea-based company launched several smartphones include its popular Galaxy S models with large touch screen.  Samsung Galaxy S II runs on Google Android OS with 1.2 GHz dual core processor and 4G speed capability.  It has 4.27-inch touch-screen. 

The newest Galaxy S II model has been selling like hotcakes during the past two months in Europe.  As of the first week of July, tech analysts and tech watchers believe Samsung has sold over three million units within the first 55 days in the continent. This new handset is slated for sales in America in the next few days via several top carriers include AT&T and Verizon Wireless. 

(Image: Samsung)

Worldwide fast-food eaters really love "i'm lovin it" McDonald’s restaurant chain, as sales jumped an average of 5.6% during April to June quarter of 2011 with a whooping revenue of $6.91 billion

Global sales for the world’s largest fast-food restaurant chain increased 5.6% during Q2-2011 (April to June).  According to the latest financial report, sales in its home country America increased by 4.5%.   In Europe sales increased 5.9% while in Asia and Middle East countries increased by 5.2%. 

Q2-2011 revenue jumped 16% to a total of $6.91 billion.  From January to June of this year, the fast-food chain has accumulated revenue of over $13 billion, compared to one year ago which totaled only $11.5 billion (an increase of 13%).

Worldwide fast-food eaters really love McCafe drinks which were first introduced in America in May 2009 and later spread out globally.  McDonald’s executives believe that McCafe drinks boosted the fast-food global sales.  McCafe drinks include cold coffee drinks, fruit-flavored smoothies, and other frozen drinks.

 
(Table: McDonald’s press release)

Health risks of being tall: taller women (above average of 5 feet 4 inches, 163 cm) have significant risk for getting many types of cancers including breast, ovary, uterine, and colon cancer, while shorter women are at low risk

Using samples data of 1.3 million women compiled from 1996 to 2001 and 97,376 cases of cancer, a study managed by Jane Green and colleagues at Britain’s Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, found taller women are at high risk for getting many types of cancers (breast, ovary, uterine, and colon cancer), while shorter women are at low risks.  The study is being published online in the Lancet Oncology.

Citing one of the researcher, Jane Green, webmd.com wrote “…tall people may simply have a greater chance of cancerous cell changes, because they have more cells."

Researchers divided samples into several groups and measurement categories.  According to the dataset, the tallest women were at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) or taller.  The shortest women were at 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) or less.  The average height for the study was at about 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm).

(Image: Three Tall Women, a play by Edward Albee)

$70 billion per year and counting: the world’s largest software company Microsoft reports fiscal full year revenue of $69.94 billion (an increase of 12% from one year ago) and net income of $23.15 billion (an increase of 23% from one year ago)

Microsoft, the world’s largest software company continues to sell a lot of products and services and making a lot of money worldwide.   Top products and services include Windows 7 operating system that was launched in October 2009.  The giant software company also has the newest version of Office 2010 and Office 365 cloud-hosted productivity suites.  Last holiday season the company launched Kinect controller for Xbox 360 and cheaper Xbox gaming consoles. At the same time Bing decision engine continues to grab search engine market share from rival Google.

The company hopes to make more money in the next several quarters thru a newer operating system for desktops and tablets PCs with a code name as “Windows 8.”  In the next few weeks, the company will upgrade Windows Phone mobile operating system with a newer version 7.5 (code name “mango”).

Microsoft called the latest fiscal year calendar as fourth-quarter ended June 30, 2011.  As soon as Wall Street market closed on Thursday afternoon, Microsoft reported fiscal year fourth-quarter revenue of $17.4 billion (an increase of 8% from the same quarter one year ago) and net income of $5.9 billion (an increase of 30% from one year ago). 

Using Microsoft fiscal calendar from July 2010 to June 2011, Microsoft made total revenue of $69.94 billion, so close to $70 billion.  The full year revenue was an increase of 12% from 2009 to 2010 fiscal year.  The software company also pocketed $23.15 billion, or an increase of 23% from prior fiscal year.

No more Google Labs, new CEO Larry Page tries to make sure Googlers spend one-day per week on cash cow projects

The world largest search engine announced to sunset Google Labs.  As per a blog post by Bill Coughran, one of the top guys in the search engine research department wrote that Googlers must switch their extra time (one-day per week) on cash cow projects.  For example, projects related to Google mobile operating system Android or on Google+ social media networking project.

Many Google gadgets and services were invented via Google Labs, including Google Maps and Google News, and many others.  However, as Larry Page the founder became CEO early April this year, the big boss wants to make stock holders and analysts happy.  By prioritizing high value Google products and services, CEO Page tried to pool together all Googlers to make more money for the Wall Street investors.

(Screenshot: Google Labs)

Apple conquers the tech world with a lot of cash on-hand: the company posted new record net profit of $7.31 billion, sold 20.34 million iPhones and 9.25 million iPads

The world largest mobile gadgets company released their fiscal Q3-2011 earnings after the Wall Street stock market closed on Tuesday afternoon, on July 19.  The company fiscal calendar officially ended on June 25, 2011.  The Cupertino-based company posted new record revenue of $28.57 billion.  At the same quarter, the company made a lot of money with net profit of $7.31 billion.

According to the press release, Steve Jobs’ company sold over 20.3 million iPhones during the fiscal Q3-2011 (April to June).  The company also sold over 9.2 million iPads.  In term of growth from one year ago, iPhones sales increased over 142%, while iPads sales increased over 183% from the same quarter one year ago. 

The latest iPhones version 4 was launched in the spring last year, while the new iPads version 2 was launched during this spring.  The next generation of iPhones version 5 is scheduled to be launch sometime this fall, just before this year’s holiday shopping season started around September or October.

Please let grandmas and grandpas drive the kids, as they are safer in the car with their grandparents driving than their dads and moms.

A joint team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, found kids driven by their grandmas and grandpas suffered less injury in automobile crashes.  Researchers believe kids were safer with their grandparents driving than their dads and moms.

The current study is now being published by the journal Pediatrics with a title “Grandparents Driving Grandchildren: An Evaluation of Child Passenger Safety and Injuries” and authored by a team of researchers include Fred M. Henretig, MD; Dennis R. Durbin, MD, MSCE; Michael J. Kallan, MS; Flaura K. Winston, MD, PhD.

Data for the study was collected from January 15, 2003 to November 30, 2007 with total count of injury was 1302 children.  Injury rate for kids with grandmas and grandpas divers was only 0.7% per 100 child occupants, compared to 1.05% injury rate with dads and moms drivers.

(Screenshot: book’s cover via Amazon)

Facebook disliked Google+ ad on the social networking Internet property

Facebook apparently had discontinued serving ads related to Google+.  The Google+ services just launched few days ago and almost a copycat of Facebook social networking. 

As reported by techcrunch.com, a web developer tried to place an ad on Facebook this weekend, but somehow Facebook has suspended the online campaign. The web developer’s ad was to ask other Facebook users to allow the developer name into Circles on Google+.

The side effects of alcohol and drugs on the brains of teenaged girls, not boys: drinking may harm teen brain development and damage memory skills

Heavy alcohol consumption can have long-lasting side effects on teen girls.   It may hit teen girls’ brain harder than young boys.  A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and Stanford University found drinking too much alcohol in young girls could be bad for brain development and damage memory skills.  Researchers defined heavy alcohol consumption or “binge drinking” as drinking four or more serving of alcohol (i.e., 4 bottles of beer).

Citing psychiatry professor Susan Tapert, one of the two authors of the study from Stanford University, AFP wrote that heavy alcohol consumption have higher side effects on teen girls' brains than on boys due to “girls' brains develop one to two years earlier than males.”

Sing-Lo: pop singer and superstar J-Lo to go solo, as Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s marriage has finally hit a freeway closure

While most Los Angeles residents are facing the I-405 freeway closure and roadblock on Friday afternoon, a big announcement was made in New York City.  American Idol’s judge, pop singer, and superstar Jennifer Lopez will go solo or single or sing-lo.  The pop singer is well known as J-Lo, announced Friday she is going solo and breaking up her marriage with third husband Marc Anthony.  This was Anthony's second marriage.   Citing the couple’s publicist, usatoday.com wrote that the decision to end their marriage a "very difficult decision."

The Latina pop diva married in 2004.  The superstar couple has two 3-year-old kids.  Both are twins, Max and Emme.  The kids were conceived in Los Angeles first class hospital Cedar Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills. 

Unfavorable view of President Obama's re-election prospects on the rise as any Republican’s President Candidate could beat the incumbent by 8 points

Thinking about re-election? President Obama's prospects look very unpromising as Gallup poll just published their latest data.  The data was based on telephone interviews on 897 randomly selected registered voters from July 7 to July 10, 2011.

According to Gallup poll, any Republican’s President Candidate would receive 47% of total votes, compared to only 39% of votes for President Obama, or a margin of 8 points.  Republican’s Candidate lead is significant due to margin of error at 4 points.  However, Gallup warned that the latest data can not be used to predict the future, as the next election will be occured in over one year from today or exactly in November 2012.

(Chart: Gallup)

World’s computer hardware manufacturers shipped over 85.2 million PCs, as HP remained the top seller with 17.5% of market share while Acer dropped to fourth place with 10.9% shares in Q2-2011

Gartner, the world's top IT research company just published a report showing worldwide PC shipments during Q2-2011 (April to June 2011).  According to the report, computer hardware manufacturers shipped over 85.2 million PCs for the period, compared to one year ago which totaled 83.3 million PCs, a growth of 2.3%.

Among world’s computer hardware manufacturers, HP remained the number one producer with 17.5% market share of worldwide PC shipments.  HP shipped close to 15 million PCs for Q2-2011, compared to one year ago which totaled 14.5 million PCs, or an increase of 3.0%. 

The hardest hit was Acer Company. This company captured 14.0% of world’s PCs market share, but now dropped to 10.9% share.  The number two PC maker one year ago has now dropped to the fourth place.  This company used to be known as the world’s number one maker of mini-notebooks and low-priced consumer notebooks.  However, in the past two years weak demand for those products has harmed the company’s earnings.  Acer shipped only 9.3 million PCs for Q2-2011, compared to one year ago which totaled 11.7 million PCs, or a drop of (-) 20.4%. 

(Table: Gartner)

Facebook launches mobile app for “Every Phone” to hook up with 2,500 different phones worldwide, plus a special offer of 90 days free data access thru selected wireless carriers

The world’s largest social networking just launched a new Facebook for Every Phone app.  The new app is catered to hook up with 2,500 different phones worldwide.  According to the official blog post, the new app helps users to upload photos and finds Facebook’s friends easily, plus it has all popular features include News Feed, Inbox, and Photos.

There are two ways to install the new app.  First, global mobile users just need to go to m.facebook.com to download the new app.  Second, users can also go straight via mobile browser to a designated download site located at d.facebook.com/install.

Facebook also works with several wireless carriers around the world to offer a 90 days free data access.  As per Facebook blog post, Indonesian’s wireless carriers that are currently offering free data access for a limited time include:

• Indosat
• Smartfren
• Telkomsel
• Three
• XL

(Screenshot: Facebook)

400 million licenses and counting: Microsoft Windows 7 operating system is now running on 27.13% of all personal computers worldwide

During the opening remarks for this year’s Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles Conference Center, the world’s largest software company CEO Steve Ballmer announced that the company has sold over 400 million licenses of Windows 7 operating system.  Based on Net Applications, Windows official blog also posted that Windows 7 OS is now running on 27.13% of all PCs around the world.   The blog post also proclaimed that Windows 7 OS is selling at 7 copies per a second worldwide.

Windows 7 was officially released on October 22, 2009.  This powerful OS has been getting very popular among new PC buyers as many continue to upgrade their old PCs running on Windows XP or Vista.   The giant software company continues to prosper due to the new OS which continues to help the company’s quarterly earnings report.

Microsoft is expecting to announce many new services and products during this year’s Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles, such as Cloud-based services, products and applications for the next generation of Windows 8 operating system, etc.  The conference is scheduled from July 10 to July 14, 2011.

(Image: Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference)

Microsoft continues to pouring billions dollar into Bing decision engine to build machines that could one day understand the world of users, as CEO Steve Ballmer welcomed Imagine Cup Worldwide Finalist in New York City

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has officially opened the final competition of Imagine Cup Worldwide in New York City this weekend.  According to the organizer, there were over 13,000 projects were submitted, but only 134 projects were picked for this year's Imagine Cup finalists.  Only 400 students and finalists were invited to attend this year’s competition.

During the opening remarks Ballmer gave more explanations about the future of Bing decision engine who has gained search market shares from its rival Google since its launched two years ago.   The world’s largest software company will continue to pouring billions dollar into Bing decision engine.  During the speech, Ballmer mentioned that the giant software company has been building machines that could one day understand the world of users.  Microsoft’s boss added that “The truth of the matter is, computers, search engines, nothing really understands verbs today.”  Ballmer believed that his company’s search engine is being built to tackle those issues and could one day helping users to do stuffs they commanded as he said “And the core technology we're developing to understand and try to simulate the world of users and what they're interested in, and how they want to get it done is all being done in Bing.” 

In the "Software Design" category, Indonesia is represented by a team of students dubbed as Gatotkaca from Telkom Institute Of Technology.

As Ballmer welcomed students, celebrities and business leaders to this year’s Imagine Cup Worldwide in New York City, the 400 students broke into booming cheers as Ballmer announced that all finalists will receive a Kinect controller for Xbox 360 gaming console.

(Photo by ImagineCup via flickr.com)

America’s children demography stats: birth rate of girls ages 15-17 dropped to 20.1 per 1,000 teenagers in 2009, compared to 21.7 in 2008, and 22.1 in 2007, as Hispanic children will be the majority by 2050

According to data published by America’s government thru a new report with a title "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2011," there were 74.2 million children from newborn to age 17 in 2010.  This represents about 24% of total population in America. 

With declining of White population, there are more diversity among population in America include high number of Hispanic and other races.  The report also showed that by 2050 majority of children in America will be Hispanic which consists of 39% of total population, compared to 23% in 2010.  Hispanic children population will overtake White children population which is projected to hit only 38% of the total in 2050.

Teenage birth rates in America are down.  Citing the government data, birth rate of girls ages 15-17 dropped to 20.1 per 1,000 teenagers in 2009.  Compared to year 2008, it was 21.7 per 1,000 teenagers.  While teenage birth rates in 2007, it was 22.1 per 1,000 teenagers.

(Logo: childstats.gov)

America’s distracted drivers: smartphones, mobile devices and gadgets tied to 25% of car crashes include minor property damage to fatal injury

A first ever comprehensive report on the side effects of smartphones, mobile devices and gadgets on America’s drivers was released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).  The study with a title “Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do” was sponsored by State Farm who is one of the best company to handle automobile insurance in America.  The study compiled research from more than 350 scientific papers published between 2000 and 2011.  Click here to download a full report in .pdf format.

The study found driving distractions while using smartphones, mobile devices and gadgets involved in about 25 percent of car crashes in America, include minor property damage to fatal injury.

On the report the GHSA urged measures for states, organizations, and employers to cut down distracted drivers such as laws banning hand-held cellphones usages while driving. 

The report urged highway planners and designers to add more rumble strips to centerline and edge of freeways to alert drivers when they have taken other drivers’ driving spaces. 

For states lawmakers, the report also urged them to continue enact a cellphone texting ban and required hand-free cell phone for all drivers.

(Image: ghsa.org)

Fat Ol’ Miss: Mississippi is the fattest state in America while Colorado is the least obese as more Americans have been eating junk foods and doing less exercise activities

There are 12 states in America reached above 30% in term of adult obesity rates.   Mississippi, the south eastern state in America, is the fattest state with an adult obesity rate of 34.4%.  The data was cited by reuters.com which was based on an annual report with a title "F as in Fat" and was released by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The skinny state is located in mid-west America.  Colorado is the least obese state according to the report.  The state of Colorado’s adult obesity rate is 19.8%.  This is the only state in America with low number of fat people and its obesity rate was the only one at less than 20%.

America’s health experts blamed the increasing rates of obesity in America due to several factors including high consumption of junk foods and doing less exercise activities, especially for kids.  Experts believe that high obesity rates could create higher cost of healthcare and may also reduce productivity for working people.

With the help of Skype, Facebook to launch video chat and video calling to over 750 million social networking users worldwide and available in over 70 different languages

The world’s largest social networking website Facebook announced early this morning to let over 750 million social networking users to video chat and video calling with friends and family.  It is a free service.  The announcement was made by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the social superpower's headquarter in Palo Alto.  The technology is based on Skype peer-to-peer (p-2-p) VOIP that will bring video calling worldwide.  According to Facebook blog post, the new feature will also available in over 70 different languages.

Microsoft recently announced to acquire Skype for over $8.5 billion.  The deal recently gained a thumb up from America’s Department of Justice.  Many tech watchers believe Microsoft will have a full ownership before the New Year eve of 2012.

During the announcement, Facebook engineers promised to let users setting up video calling just by two clicks away.   Facebook friends can now talk to others on different parts of the world easily.

America’s smartphone market share for March, April, and May 2011: Google Android captured 38.1% shares, Apple iOS had 26.6% shares, while RIM BlackBerry dropped to 24.7% shares

America’s smartphones population has reached 76.8 million people by the end of May 2011.  This was an increase of 11% from the end of February 2011, as per data provided by comScore’s MobiLens service.  Google Android mobile operating system controlled 38.1% of all America’s smartphone market by the end of May 2011.  Google’s market share was at 33.0% by the end of February 2011, this was an increase of 5.1% from the previous three months (December 2010 to February 2011).

Apple iOS which run on popular devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods, had a total of 26.6% of the smartphone market share by the end of May 2011.  iOS captured about 25.2% shares by the end of February 2011, an increase of 1.4% from the previous three months.

RIM BlackBerry continued to delay new products launching and had negative impacts on its market share.  By the end of May 2011, RIM BlackBerry OS had only 24.7% shares compared to the previous three months ended on February 2011, BlackBerry OS had 28.9%.  This was a drop of 4.2%.

The giant software Microsoft’s newest Windows Phone 7 operating system for mobile users replacing previous Windows Mobile 6.5 OS had seen its popularity fading.  Windows Phone 7 OS was launched in America during the first week of November 2010.   By the end of May 2011, Windows Phone 7 OS and its legacy OSs had only 5.8% shares compared to the previous three months ended on February 2011, Windows mobile family OS had 7.7%.  This was a drop of 1.9% shares.

(Table: comScore)

Microsoft’s Bing decision engine penetrates the Great Wall country by signing a partnership deal with China’s largest search engine Baidu to provide searches in English language

As many tech watchers have rumored for many months, Baidu announced that the largest search engine in China has finally signed a deal to partner with America’s largest software company’s decision engine to provide searches in English language.

The announcement was also coincided with the big holiday celebration of Independence Day in America on Monday July 4th.   With the latest deal, Bing will extract search results in English-language to Baidu users. 

As reported by reuters.com, Baidu captures over 80% search market share in China today.  Over one year ago, the world’s largest search engine Google decided to leave China.  Google’s hiatus was due to heavy censorship by China government.  With China’s growing Internet population which many believe close to 500 million users, the partnership with Baidu could help Microsoft’s Bing to gain more web traffics from outside America, especially from mainland China.

Samsung hits new record of 3 million sales with Galaxy S II in Europe, a new generation smartphone running on Google Android OS with 1.2 GHz dual core processor and 4G speed capability

South Korean’s technology company and the maker of popular brand Samsung hit new record sales this week.  The company’s next generation handset dubbed as Galaxy S II has sold over three million units within the first 55 days in Europe, as reported by electronista.com.

The new smartphone or “superphone” has not entered America’s market yet, while Apple claimed that the latest Samsung handset has copied Apple’s iPhone user interface.  In recent months, both tech companies have been fighting in court to deny any wrongdoing.

Galaxy S II runs on Google Android OS with 1.2 GHz dual core processor and 4G speed capability.  The device has display size at 4.3-in with super Amoled touchscreen.

Google Android OS controlled about 38% market share in America, ahead of Apple iOS and BlackBerry OS. 

In America, both top wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon will start selling the new Galaxy S II smartphone in July 2011.  AT&T may nickname the handset as “Attain,” while Verizon could call it as “Function.”

(Image: samsung.com)

American carmakers kicked the Japanese carmakers' asses in June 2011, as GM’s sales increased 10% to 215,358 cars and Ford rose 14% to 194,114 vehicles sold for the month

General Motor’s sales jumped 10% to 215,358 in June 2011.  As one of the top American carmakers, GM recently launched several new models such as compact Chevy Cruze.  The company has sold about 1.3 million cars from January to June of this year, an increase of 16.8% from last year's total.

As per data provided by Autodata and reported by AFP, other American popular carmakers, Ford’s sales gained 14% in June and selling 194,114 cars for the month.  From January to June, the carmaker of popular small cars such as Focus and Escape experienced an increase of 12%.  Total sales so far for the year were 1.1 million cars.

Two of the top Japanese carmakers, Toyota and Honda, continued to see their sales slumped due to short supply of cars and parts from Japan.  This was due to March’s earthquake that hit the Rising Sun nation very hard. 

According to Autodata and cited by AFP, Toyota's sales fell 21% to only 110,937 cars in June.  The total count for the first six months of 2011 was only 402,487 cars, a drop of 4.4%.  Honda also saw its sales dropped 21% to 83,892 cars in June.  However, the Japanese carmaker of popular models includes Accord, Civic, CRV and Odyssey experienced an increase of 2.3% to 593,909 cars from January to June total sales.