The ANDROID

A brief Preview – Vinayak B. Joshi

Yes, you and I have been hearing about this word for quit some time now. It is the base framework for the “Google Phone”. Yes, you read it right. I think most of you might have already read about it. But still, I thought I can share with you whatever I know about this wonderful product from google.

Like any other application framework like OpenMax or our SHP, it is also a mobile application environment consisting of an operating system, middleware and key applications. You might ask what is so great about it? Hey wait! It is the brain child of Google. So, don’t you think it’s worth spending some time discovering it?

The Search engine legend- The Google, realized the potential of the mobile market, after watching the success story of a Finnish Shoemaker and a Korean TV maker in this Arena. They thought, why not enter this field. Here they come with “Android”. The best part of Android is that, the SDK for android is already released and you can write applications, before the actual platform comes to market. It is the same strategy which Nokia has been using to popularize its S60 framework.

Android offers following features:

ü Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components
ü Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices
ü Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine
ü Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)
ü SQLite for structured data storage
ü Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF)
ü GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)
ü Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent)
ü Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent)
ü Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE

So, it offers every thing that your other frameworks do offer. The presence of SQLite and Dalvik VM are the catching factors in this framework. So far, nobody has used the SQLite so effectively in their frameworks. Here is the architectural view of Android, as shown in figure 1. As per Google, Android will ship with a set of core applications including an email client, SMS program, calendar, maps, browser, contacts, and others. All applications are written using the Java programming language.
Figure 1: Architectural view of Android

Developers have full access to the same framework APIs used by the core applications. The application architecture is designed to simplify the reuse of components; any application can publish its capabilities and any other application may then make use of those capabilities (subject to security constraints enforced by the framework). This same mechanism allows components to be replaced by the user.

Underlying all applications is a set of services and systems, including:

ü A rich and extensible set of Views that can be used to build an application, including lists, grids, text boxes, buttons, and even an embeddable web browser
ü Content Providers that enable applications to access data from other applications (such as Contacts), or to share their own data
ü A Resource Manager, providing access to non-code resources such as localized strings, graphics, and layout files
ü A Notification Manager that enables all applications to display custom alerts in the status bar
ü An Activity Manager that manages the lifecycle of applications and provides a common navigation back stack

Google has formed an alliance with 33 firms to develop this open platform for mobile phones. Then, you would definitely expect something more from this literature regarding, what more it has.
Android includes a set of C/C++ libraries used by various components of the Android system. These capabilities are exposed to developers through the Android application framework. Some of the core libraries are listed below:

ü System C library - a BSD-derived implementation of the standard C system library (libc), tuned for embedded Linux-based devices
ü Media Libraries - based on PacketVideo's OpenCORE; the libraries support playback and recording of many popular audio and video formats, as well as static image files, including MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, and PNG {sounds pretty trivial}
ü Surface Manager - manages access to the display subsystem and seamlessly composites 2D and 3D graphic layers from multiple applications {just like our DAM in SHP}
ü LibWebCore - a modern web browser engine which powers both the Android browser and an embeddable web view.
ü SGL - the underlying 2D graphics engine
ü 3D libraries - an implementation based on OpenGL ES 1.0 APIs; the libraries use either hardware 3D acceleration (where available) or the included, highly optimized 3D software rasterizer.{To meet growing needs for mobile games and other location based java applications}
ü FreeType - bitmap and vector font rendering {off course open source}
ü SQLite - a powerful and lightweight relational database engine available to all applications.

Having said all these, its very important that I should speak about Dalvik VM. Android includes a set of core libraries that provides most of the functionality available in the core libraries of the Java programming language.

Every Android application runs in its own process, with its own instance of the Dalvik virtual machine. Dalvik has been written so that a device can run multiple VMs efficiently. The Dalvik VM executes files in the Dalvik Executable (.dex) format which is optimized for minimal memory footprint. The VM is register-based, and runs classes compiled by a Java language compiler that have been transformed into the .dex format by the included "dx" tool. So, you still can’t run your JAD/JAR based games and applications in Android. You need to port or convert them to .dex .

The Dalvik VM relies on the Linux kernel for underlying functionality such as threading and low-level memory management.

Having said that the whole Android sits on Linux, let’s talk about Linux used. Android relies on Linux version 2.6 for core system services such as security, memory management, process management, network stack, and driver model. The kernel also acts as an abstraction layer between the hardware and the rest of the software stack.

Having tried various UI applications in Android SDK, you will realize that, you need more of XML based tools, than any thing else. This is because of its closer association with the open source community. The UI framework is no way different from what we normally use in the form of miniGUI/GTK.

Overall, we can say, Android looks like “an Old wine in a New Bottle”, but, this time from Google. Let us wait and see how it stands the stiff competition from the S60’s and the MOAP’s {NEC’s MOAP}.
For more:
ü Here I’ve made an attempt to put forward my understanding on Google’s Android, for more:
“Jai Google Devatha”!!!!!!!!!!!
@ http://code.google.com/android/documentation.html
ü This one also sounds good :
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/05/breaking-google-announces-android-and-open-handset-alliance/

My first date - Prasun Roy

Hi friends,
one of my friend had sent this wonderful story from Himanshu Kukreti's blog. I thought, I should share it with you. The original one is http://himanshukukreti.rediffiland.com//scripts/xanadu_diary_view.php?postId=1183986838

Here it goes:
My First Date.. By Prasun Roy

I still remember the first date I ever went on in my life. Usually first dates are memorable to everyone but for me it was something that I can never forget. I went out for my first date with my high school crush when I was in class eleven. It was a day that I planned for weeks and finally she, Rachna, agreed to come out with me, Prasun Roy! In school who was famous for being a person with a cool attitude with no constraints from the family end, whose parents were
more of buddies than dominating guardians! However the fact remained that I too was from a middle class family with core values and principles like all others.

Back home I lied to my parents that I was going out for a school excursion and managed to get the approval of my parents and finally the day arrived.

After a short lunch at a funky restaurant, Rachna and I went hand in hand for a movie. As the evening was drawing to a close we were roaming in the streets of "New Market" talking to each other, about each other. Life suddenly seemed so beautiful.

All of a sudden, out of the forgotten multitude that was alsowalking in the same street, I could see a familiar face quite distinct- why I didn't know. As realization embraced my consciousness, I comprehended that the face of the person approaching me from the other side was of none other than but my FATHER!

Within a fraction of a second all romanticism vanished from my heart and a fear engrossed it instead. I could interpret in that short time the amount of humility and shame I would face suddenly as my father would recognize me, scold me after we meet, and that was
inevitable! Apart from the scorn that I would face at home, I could also feel the embarrassment I would face in front of Rachna, who recognized as the cool guy ... in school as well as back home!

Crippled with the fear I only prayed that the earth would open up and I would hide there from all the humility. However there seemed no practical escape from it. Then some thing happened.

My father came near me, along with the now not-so-forgotten multitude, looked into my eyes as a stranger and passed by me rubbing his shoulder against mine and passed by without even
recognizing me. It was the biggest shock and relief of my life. I still don't know which emotion was predominant at that moment.

After sometime, Rachna went away to her home oblivious of the fact what ever I just revealed, and I came back to mine.

At home that night, life seemed to me like a prison. I went for dinner with a fearful heart and a lost appetite. To my surprise, everything was so very normal. My mother served dinner and we all ate the usual way. This made my life more miserable. I quickly finished my food and went back to my room. Questions crowded my mind and I couldn't figure out what might have happened after my father came back home and revealed about my forged romantic rendezvous. Whyeverything was still so normal pained my mind even more!

Presently my father calmly came into my room and sat beside me. I looked into his eyes with fear in mine but discovered a smooth comfort in his! He soothingly asked, "So Sunny Boy, how was your date, I must say she was a pretty and sweet lady!"

Like somewhat mesmerized I revealed everything to him about my first date and added, "Dad, it was simply out of this world, but the day passed away like a few minutes only!"

He smiled and said, "You know what, Albert Einstein once said ... Put your hand on a hot oven for a minute and it would seem like and hour; put your hand upon those of a pretty lady for an hour and it would seem like a minute! Now that's relativity. Its all relative, the fact is how much you cherish what you gained ... RIGHT! This is the biggest lesson of life my son"

I had never seen my father being like this before; he was more of a buddy than my guardian actually. I could feel within me that I would never ever be able to hide anything else from him, he actually understood me much more than my own self.

We talked for an hour and I would remember those words forever perhaps! I couldn't interpret whether it was my First Date with my dream girl or the First Date of knowing my father actually. However I knew that I realized how much I loved and respected my father after that. Just as he was leaving my room I called him and said "Thank You daddy! Thank you so much!"

Both of us knew what I was thankful for and required no mentioning. He turned towards me with his dreamy eyes and said these words...

"Hey son, how could I ever let you down my child, never! I would just say, whatever happens in life and whomever you love in your life and to whatever degree, you only remember one thing that your Daddy has loved you 18 years more than that. 18 years more than that dear!"

He switched off the light and went to his room. In the mild blue and gray of the moonlight ushering into my room through the window I too could feel one thing ... Yes, its truly 18 more years of Love, I, or any child, can never ever cover up! It was in fact my First Date, the first one of actually realizing the Love I had taken for granted for all those Eighteen Years perhaps! It truly was so .

WHY EMPLOYEES LEAVE ORGANISATIONS ?

WHY EMPLOYEES LEAVE ORGANISATIONS ? - Azim Premji, Wipro
_______________________________________________________________
Every company faces the problem of people leaving the company for better pay or profile. Early this year, Arun, a senior software designer, got an offer from a prestigious international firm to work in its Indiaoperations developing specialized software. He was thrilled by the offer.

He had heard a lot about the CEO. The salary was great. The company had all the right systems in place employee-friendly human resources (HR) policies, a spanking new office,and the very best technology,even a canteen that served superb food. Twice Arun was sent abroad for training. "My learning curve is the sharpest it's ever been," he said soon after he joined. Last week, less than eight months after he joined, Arun walked out of the job. Why did this talented employee leave ? Arun quit for the same reason that drives many good people away. The answer lies in one of the largest studies undertaken by the Gallup Organization. The study surveyed over a million employees and 80,000 managers and was published in a book called

"First Break All The Rules". It came up with this surprising finding: If you're losing good people, look to their immediate boss. Immediate boss is the reason people stay and thrive in an organization. And he 's the reason why people leave. When people leave they take knowledge,experienc e and contacts with them, straight to the competition. "People leave managers not companies," write the authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. Mostly manager drives people away? HR experts say that of all the abuses, employees find humiliation the most intolerable.
The first time, an employee may not leave,but a thought has been planted. The second time, that thought gets strengthened. The third time, he looks for another job. When people cannot retort openly in anger, they do so by passive aggression. By digging their heels in and slowing down. By doing only what they are told to do and no more. By omitting to give the boss crucial information.

Dev says: "If you work for a jerk, you basically want to get him into trouble. You don 't have your heart and soul in the job." Different managers can stress out employees in different ways - by being too controlling, too suspicious,too pushy, too critical, but they forget that workers are not fixed assets, they are free agents. When this goes on too long, an employee will quit - often over a trivial issue. Talented men leave. Dead wood does'nt. "

Jack Welch of GE once said. A company's value lies "between the ears of its employees".

Who is Dumb ?

Today, I got this wonderful article from one of my dearest people. I think, it would be the worst things if I don't share it with you guys.
_______________________________________________________
Who is Dumb ?
_______________________________________________________

A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his Customer, "This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you."The barber puts a five rupee coin in one hand and two one rupee coins(1+1=2) in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, "Which do you want, son?"The boy takes the two one rupee coins and leaves. "What did I tell you?" said the barber.
"That kid never learns!"
Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store. "Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take two one rupee coins instead of five rupee coin?"

The boy licked his cone and replied, "Because THE DAY I TAKE THE FIVE RUPEE COIN, THE GAME IS OVER ............

Moral: When you think the other person is dumb, you are making a fool of yourself....

Being a tax payer in India

- Vinayak

This is a story written by a frustrated tax payer or india. Yeah! Absolutely. India is a rich country of diversities. It is a "rich" country of "Rich" heritage, "Rich" culture, "Rich" in minerals and ores, "Rich" in population and perhaps "rich" in percentage of employed out of the "worlds population". The paradox is that, india is a biggest democratic country where least amount of care is taken about the tax payee. Yes! its true.

The democratic governments of India has made it a point to provide equal status to all, irrespective of their cast, creed, religion and region. Perhaps, this is the only country in the world where every one is treated the same. Think again! In the story coming up next I will make you tothink again. India has just emerged as one of the most advancing economies of the 21st century. It has heralded as the new leader in the world economy.Out of it's 60 years tenure as a free country {From the grips of british monopoly}, it has developed in many areas like agriculture exports, SOFTWARE exports,Machinery exports, textiles and space etc. Perhaps, the tax payer has been justified in paying his due tax to the government. The punch line for the government so far has been, "Serve the poor and deminish the divide between rich and poor". But, how far it has beenachieved ? thats a mind boggling question. The rich continue to remain as super rich and the poor have been pulled on to roads from their huts.Thats the true story in india. The TV channels, the news papers and the magazines always draw the "Big" picture of this booming indian economy and India, off-course, just to grub the FDIs. Nobody is ready to gulp the truth, nobody is ready to show off whats happening.

The revenue for the government comes from the taxes collected from imports, exports, from the salaries of employees of variousorganizations and from various forms of taxes collected from selling various forms of goods. The biggest pie of this is mainly contributed by the so called"Middle" class families of India. These are the people whose salaries range between 3 Lakhs per annum to 10 Lakhs per annum {This is purely my classification}. These people form the major population of India. Unfortunately, these are the people who fall under the private sector companies. Most of them donot have a post retirement pension schemes also. Every year, the government takes away, 20-30% of their salaries as tax. Government collects road taxes for improvement of roads, it collects taxfor education of children as educational cess, it collects tax for imports and exports so that the same amount is used for building dams, bridges and militaryfunctions. Unfortunately, in India, none of them reaches the "Aam aadmi" {the common middle class man}. The educational cess is being used ineducating a poor children of the country who donot have access to education. But, how far it is fair? The government provides 27% reservation for the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Casts and Other Backward classes. This is to enable themto have access to the "sweet pie"- Education. This is a wonderful idea that Dr. B R Ambedkar came up 60 years back. How far does it holds good today?Since 60 years of indian independence, people have been using this facility. Atleast 40% of the total Population, who belong to this category, might have atleast got a decent job and would have earned sufficiently, so that they can provide education to their children and live their life. Still.the Indian government extends the low margin entry in to prestigeous institutions of India, without any hastles of struggling and scoring more foracquiring a seat. Where as a General Merit candidate, even after scoring 90 % plus grades in the exams fails to make it big. There is no support from the government for the son of a tax payee for his education. The Education Cess that the government had deducted from his fathers salary,doesn't reach him. He is betrayed of his eternal right that his father had saved from him. Atleast 1% of the amount from his/her parents total paid educational cess would have met his some of the requirements. Give the underprivileged people the school fess, give them clothes, give them food, provide them free transportation. But, reservation is not the solution. The younger talent which will define the future of india is being killed by our own government. The brain drain is increasing. He has been betrayed of his rights. Given such a circumstances, why shouldthe person pay the tax ?
Millions of Indian Rupees is collected as road tax by governments {Central and state}, millions in the form of corporation tax and in the formof other taxes. What is given as free for the tax payee in return to the tax that he has already paid. For every thing he has to pay. There are notenough good amount of roads in the major cities, the drains are not properly maintained they spur out filth now and then, there is not enough electricity,there is not enough drinking water. The roads near to my house not have been asphalted for decades, I suppose. As soon as it is 7.00 PM IST inthe evening, we keep the candles and charge lamps ready for the electricity shutdown. It's a daily gag. Where is the money going ? Is there someone to address ?Given such a circumstances, why should the person pay the tax ?

These so called Netas {Politicians}, the Muncipal corporation employees, the police , the defence and almost all the government officialshave become the money eating demons. They gulp the money released for these public works. 99.99% of them are corrupt. Even with all the proper documents you need to pay the bribe to get a ration card or even a passport. Where is India Heading ? Why should I pay tax ? RatherI'll bribe the people and get my work done. The U.A.E. doesn't take any tax from the citizens, but still they have state of the art roads, state of theart buildings etc. Given the natural resources and human resources that India posses, there is no one in the world who can compete indiafor ecenomica growth. But, still we are "one of the growing ecenomies", why?

When will we "The Indians", will learn to behave like true customers? When will we get back the true value for the money {Tax}that we pay ? Is there some one to address it?

Do you know Why British Left India ?

This photo is from an unknown source. But, I felt pretty interesting and Valid.

General Motors Hywire concept

Hey friends,
It is the new Generation Concept Car with a flat bed. It will take the automobile industry to a new era. Just check out this cool link and get elightened.
General Motors Hywire concept From URL : http://archive.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2002/paris/preview/gm-hywire/

GM Hy-wire concept to debut at Paris Motor Show
Click for larger images 'Skateboard' chassis concept demonstrated in the AUTOnomy concept at the 2002 North American Interational Auto Show AUTOnomy at the 2002 North American Interational Auto Show AUTOnomy at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show Bertone Filo with Drive-by-wire system by SKF, at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show	Feb 26, 2002 - August 14, 2002 - General Motors has revealed a first look at Hy-wire, the first drivable vehicle that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with by-wire technology. Hy-wire incorporates the features first envisioned in the AUTOnomy concept vehicle at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Geneva Motor Show. Hy-wire will be introduced to the public at the Paris Motor Show September 26. "The fact that we developed Hy-wire as a drivable concept vehicle in just eight months (from its introduction in Detroit) shows our commitment to this technology and the speed at which we are progressing," said Rick Wagoner, GM's president and CEO. "With AUTOnomy, GM shared a vision. Hy-wire accelerates our progress with a functional proof of concept which strengthens our confidence in our ability to gain marketplace acceptance of production fuel cell vehicles." Larry Burns, GM's vice president of research and development and planning, said, "We are driving to have compelling and affordable fuel cell vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. With Hy-wire, we have taken the technology as it exists today and packaged it into an innovative drivable vehicle comparable in size and weight to today's luxury automobiles. "All of the touring sedan's propulsion and control systems are contained within an 11-inch-thick skateboard-like chassis, maximizing the interior space for five occupants and their cargo. There is no engine to see over, no pedals to operate - merely a single unit called X-drive that is easily set to either a left or right driving position." GM designers and engineers in the United States developed the vehicle chassis and body design, as well as the engineering and electrical system integration. Engineers at GM's research facility in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, integrated the fuel-cell propulsion system, which is the same system used in the HydroGen3 concept, based on an Opel Zafira and shown at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. American designers also worked closely with Italian design house Stile Bertone in Turin, where the body was built. The SKF Group, headquartered in Sweden, developed the by-wire technology in the Netherlands and in Italy. "By combining fuel cell and by-wire technology, we've packaged this vehicle in a new way, opening up a new world of chassis architectures and customized bodies for individualized expression," said Chris Borroni-Bird, director of GM's Design and Technology Fusion Group and program director of the Hy-wire concept. According to Wayne Cherry, GM's vice president of Design, the chassis architecture provides designers the freedom to create a number of different body styles. "Until now, fuel cells and by-wire have been demonstrated as if they were an end in themselves," said Cherry. "But we look at this technology as enabling us to create a number of exciting new body styles for consumers to choose from. This is just the second interpretation of many to come." "Hy-wire is a luxury vehicle in the sense that it is a luxury to have the kind of space and visibility this car provides," said Ed Welburn, executive director of GM Design for Body-on-Frame Architectures. "The design is built around the fact that there is no engine compartment; the vehicle is very open from front to rear. This is intentional to highlight the openness in the interior and the range of possibilities." To show off this radically new architecture, the front and rear panels are made of transparent glass. Onlookers can see through the car from front to rear; the liberal use of glass and the absence of a hood also provide a greater visual command of the road for the driver. To reinforce this effect even the seat backs are open. There is no B-pillar between the front and rear doors. Drivers and passengers have greatly enhanced legroom. "The most dramatic view of this car may be from the driver's seat," Welburn said. "Imagine having no engine, instrument panel or foot pedals in front of you - an open, yet secure cockpit with a floor to ceiling view." The X-drive, which allows steering, braking and other vehicle systems to be controlled electronically rather than mechanically, provides greater freedom for the driver. Drivers now have the option to brake and accelerate with either the right or left hand. The driver accelerates by gently twisting either the right or left handgrip, and brakes by squeezing the brake actuator also located on the handgrips. The handgrips glide up and down for steering. The X-drive, which also incorporates an electronic monitor for vital car functions, shuttles easily from side-to-side on a horizontal bar that stretches across the full width of the vehicle. It provides another example of the extreme flexibility of the car's architecture. A single docking port provides the electrical connection between the all-aluminum chassis and the fiberglass body. Mechanically, there are 10 body attachment linkages. The fuel cell stack, which produces a continuously available power of 94 kilowatts, is installed in the back of the chassis. Most of the chassis is 11-inches thick, tapering to 7 inches at the edges. The electrical motor drives the front wheels and is installed transversely between them. Three cylindrical storage tanks are located centrally in the chassis. Hy-wire weighs 1,900 kilograms (4,180 pounds) with 20-inch tires in front and 22-inch tires in the rear. Putting all technical elements into the chassis provides a low center of gravity, giving the architecture both a high safety and driving dynamics potential. Passive safety requirements will be fulfilled using impact-absorbing elements, so-called crash boxes, at a later stage of development. "Most of the powertrain load has been evenly distributed between the front and rear of the chassis so there is a lower center of gravity for the whole vehicle, without sacrificing ground clearance," Borroni-Bird said. "This contributes to the overall safety of the vehicle by enabling superior handling, while resisting rollover forces, with the tallest body attached." GM has more than 30 patents in progress covering business models, technologies and manufacturing processes related to the Hy-wire concept.

Another Good Post about salary

Hey,
Here is a post about, "How to design a tax-smart salary package". It's again taken from Rediff @ URL: http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/may/25tax.htm

Here it goes :

How to design a tax-smart salary package
A N Shanbhag
May 25, 2007 13:32 IST

Corporate India is witnessing unprecedented growth. Consequently, the demand for savvy talent is also growing apace. In a bid to attract and retain the best people in their fold, companies are competing with one another in offering high salary with attractive perks.

Realising that the income tax takes away a good portion of the pay packet, and also that individual needs differ, companies often consult their employees in designing their own salary packages.

Here is a checklist to help you work out tax-smart salary and perk options:

Major tax-smarts

1. Interest paid on housing loan is deductible u/s 24 up to Rs 1.5 lakh (Rs 150,000) on self-occupied property, and without any limit on a rented out house.

2. The repayment of housing loan from specified sources is also deductible, irrespective of whether the house is self-occupied or given on rent within the overall ceiling of Rs 1 lakh (Rs 100,000) under Section 80C, taken together with contributions to other avenues under its umbrella.

3. Where the accommodation provided to the employee is taken on lease by the employer, the perk value is the actual amount of lease rental, or 20% of the salary, whichever is lower. Understandably, if the house belongs to a family member who is at a low or nil tax zone, the family benefits. Yes, the maximum benefit accrues when the rent is over 20% of the salary.

4. Chauffeur-driven motorcar provided by the employer has no perk value. True, the company would pay FBT (fringe benefit tax). It is @30% on 20% of the value, thereby bringing down the effective rate to 6%. Better still, if the employee owns the car and the employer pays the cost of petrol and maintenance.

5. Contributions up to Rs 1 lakh per annum to a Superannuation Fund (SAF) of the employee are not taxed, either as fringe benefit in the hands of the employer or as perk in the hands of the employee.

6. Contributions to certain specified schemes (Company PF, PPF, NSC, life insurance, etc.) qualify for a deduction u/s 80C from gross total income with an overall ceiling of Rs 1 lakh. PPF has a ceiling of Rs 70,000 to contributions made to the accounts of self and minor children whereas the contributions to accounts of self, wife and children (major or minor) attract the deductions.

7. Employer's contribution to Company PF in excess of 12% of an employee's salary is taxable. Employee contributes an equal (or higher) amount to his PF account. Again, any excess over 27% of salary contributed by the employer to Company PF and SAF put together is to be treated as a taxable perk.

8. Any death-cum-retirement gratuity received up to Rs 3.5 lakh (Rs 350,000) -- subject to certain conditions -- is tax-exempt.

9. Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) given as reimbursement of expenses incurred by the employee and his family for travelling while on leave is exempt, once in two years.

10. Transport allowance for commuting between residence and place of duty is exempt up to Rs 800 per month.

11. Reimbursement, not exceeding Rs 15,000 in a year, for medical treatment from any doctor for himself and his family members is tax deductible.

12. Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, a deduction up to Rs 10,000 paid as medical insurance premiums on the health of an assessee, the assessee's spouse, dependent children or parents is allowed. Where an individual has insured a senior citizen (dependent parent), a higher ceiling of Rs 15,000 is available.

13. Professional tax paid by a salaried employee (around Rs 2,500 p.a.) is deductible under Section 16(iii).

14. As a tax-smart strategy, the salary (basic + DA) should be low, the rest should come by way of such allowances on which the employer pays FBT; the employee, then, does not have to pay any tax thereon.

15. ESOP has been brought under the purview of FBT by Budget-07.

Other tax-smarts

In respect of HRA, the least of the following is exempt from tax under Section 10(13A):

(a). 40% of salary (50% for Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai).

(b). HRA for the period the house is occupied by the employee.

(c). The excess of rent paid over 10% of salary.

Please note that an employee who lives in his / her own house, or where s/he does not pay any rent, is not eligible for this exemption. If you are staying in a house belonging to your family members (preferably not your wife), start paying rent to the owner and ask for HRA from your employer.

• A helper engaged at home for the performance of the duties of an office or employment of profit is not considered as a perk.
• If the employer employs a gardener for the building premises belonging to the employer, it would not be treated as a perk. The possibility of it being extrapolated to other servants is logical.
• Perk value of concessional loan to the employee for purchase of house or motor cars shall be the difference between the interest payable calculated at the rate of interest for similar loans charged by SBI, and the actual interest charged.
• Loan for medical treatment specified in Rule-3A is exempt, provided it is not reimbursed under any medical insurance scheme. Where it is reimbursed, the perquisite value shall be charged from the date of reimbursement on the amount reimbursed but not repaid against the outstanding loan taken specifically for this purpose.
• Small loans from the employer up to Rs 20,000 in the aggregate are exempt.
• Expenses on meals provided to the employee during his hours of duty are not treated as perks.
• Employer pays FBT on the value of any gifts to an employee. Gifts up to Rs 50,000 in a year received without consideration by an individual from any person are tax-free in the hands of the donee. However, there is a risk that the IT Department may claim that such gifts are in lieu of salary.
• Employer pays FBT on the value of the facility of credit cards and expenses for the club.
• Where an employer transfers a movable asset to an employee directly or indirectly, the perquisite value shall be the actual cost to the employer minus the cost of normal wear and tear @10% for each completed year during which such asset was put to use. In the case of motor cars, the normal wear and tear would be @20% whereas in the case of computers, data storage and handling devices, digital diaries, printers, etc. it would be @ 60%. These do not include household appliances (i.e., white goods) such as washing machines, microwave ovens, mixers, hot plates, ovens, etc.
• Uniform allowance to meet the expenditure incurred on the purchase or maintenance of uniform for wearing during the performance of the duties of an office or employment of profit is exempt from tax.
• Expenses for soft furnishings (table linen, curtains, etc.), including their maintenance at the residence in the case of employees who entertain guests at home for official purpose are also exempt.
• Goods at concessional rates, membership of professional associations, subscriptions for technical and business journals and newspapers are not considered as taxable perks.
• Payment or reimbursement by the employer towards bills on telephones and cellular is not a perk.

Tailpiece

It is unlikely that good employers would add the FBT payable by them as a part and parcel of the pay package. For instance, take the case of chauffeur-driven car, which has a cost to the company of Rs 120,000. FBT has to be paid on 20% of this amount. The tax payable works out at Rs 7,416 (= 30.9% of 20% of Rs 120,000) only.

Excerpt from:

Taxpayer to Taxsaver (F.Y. 2007-08)

By A N Shanbhag

For Every Software Engineer > Salary: How to avoid getting 'CTCed'

Hey guys,
I'm back again after a long gap. Today, my friend mailed me this interesting article from Chandnee shah on rediff. I thought, it will be pretty usefull to you.
The URL is : http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/may/28perfin1.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary: How to avoid getting 'CTCed'
Chandnee Sinha
May 28, 2007 12:05 IST

'If you pay peanuts, you will get monkeys,' goes an adage. These days with a shortage of good talent in the job market, the saying doesn't really hold true. Companies are willing to offer good salaries to the right candidates.

But even after this there are things that individuals should keep in mind while negotiating their salaries. What may look like an increase in salary may not lead to a real increase.

This is primarily because these days most companies quote annual salary packages they offer to their employees in terms of what is known as 'cost to company,' or CTC.

Cost to company is a term which essentially implies the amount of expenses the company will spend on an employee in a particular year. What may be an expense for the company need not be salary for the employee.

Hence very rarely does it happen that the CTC divided by the number of months in a year, i.e. twelve, comes down to the actual monthly salary that an individual receives.

Let's look at the various ways in which companies boost the CTC packages they offer to their employees.

a) Useless allowances: These days individuals get various kinds of allowances. The reason offered is that this brings down the taxable component of the salary. Fair enough. But at times some allowances are subject to producing bills.

Let's take the case of mobile allowance that companies offer. An individual has a mobile allowance of Rs 3,000 per month. He will get that money only if he runs up a bill of Rs 3,000 during the month. Now if the individual does not really use this to the hilt, and usually gets a bill of around Rs 1,200 a month, then he faces a clear loss of Rs 1,800 in a month. This amounts to a loss of Rs 21,600 during a year.

So while negotiating the CTC packages individuals should beware that companies are not stuffing up the CTC with such allowances, which he or she may never be able to claim.

b) Food coupons: Food coupons are the rage these days with companies. The primary reason is that this helps bring down the taxable component of the salary. Food coupons, up to a maximum of Rs 60,000 in a year, are non-taxable.

But having this as a part of the salary may or may not suit everybody. If you are single and don't cook at home, then there is hardly any way that you are going to use them.

Some companies offer subsidised food to their employees. This subsidy is also at times added to the CTC salary. By doing this the subsidy does not remain a subsidy, the employee is actually paying for it.

c) Interest subsidy: This trick is a favourite with private sector banks recruiting fresh candidates. Let's see how this works.

The bank may promise a candidate a maximum loan of Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) to a candidate during a year at a favourable rate of 3% per annum. The interest subsidy the candidate receives is directly added onto the CTC package.

What this means is that if an individual after joining the bank were to take a loan from the bank of Rs 10 lakh, he would pay an interest of Rs 30,000 (3% of Rs 10 lakh) in the first year. If he had taken the same loan at a market rate of, let us say, 12%, then he would have paid an interest of Rs 120,000 during the first year.

The difference between the two interests amounts to Rs 90,000 (Rs 120,000 - Rs 30,000). This is known as the interest subsidy and added to the CTC package. The issue that arises here is that an individual may not want to take the loan of Rs 10 lakh. Or he might take a part loan. And even if he does take the entire loan, with the interest subsidy being added to the CTC, he is paying a market rate of interest.

d) Variable salary: These days companies also offer a variable component in the salary subject to the candidate reaching certain set goals during the course of the year. Usually the maximum possible variable salary that an employee can get in a year is added onto the CTC.

Achieving this may or may not be possible. Currently this may not matter much because the Indian economy is doing well and individuals may be able to achieve their high targets.

e) Gratuity: At times even gratuity gets added onto the salary. Now this is a payment that an employee gets only if he quits after having spent at least five years in an organisation. Going by the rate at which individuals change jobs these days, it's been a long time since one heard anyone getting a gratuity.

f) High leave travel allowance (LTA): This is another standard trick that organisations use. The leave travel allowance usually is paid to an employee with the salary of the last month of a financial year. So this financial year's leave travel allowance will be paid along with the salary of the month of March 2008, nearly 10 months from now.

Even though an individual gets the amount in the end, he will lose interest on that amount had he chosen to invest it, if he got the amount month on month.

For a company this makes utmost sense, because they don't have make a payment month on month and can earn an income from investing that amount.

WYSIWYG (pronounced Wizwig) is an acronym commonly associated with computers and stands for 'What you see is what you get.' Now that is certainly not true of CTC salaries.

The simplest way for individuals while negotiating salaries is to clearly ask what the take home salary at the end of the month is going to be.

Imperative Statement of my Life

Today, the May 5th 2007, when I first opened my mail box, bang ! there was a wonderful mail qouting one of the most wonderful comments of my life....
It read something like this....
--------------------------------------
You are Rich or Poor in life by...
Smiles around you.
Friends you make.
People you are with.
Ideas you have.
Dreams you chase.
Love you spread.

How rich are you now ?
- Anonymous
{Picked from www.pravsworld.com}
--------------------------------------

How true is this statement ? Some times, I feel, we forget ourselves in the glittering tout that we are doing about ourselves. We forget the sweet memories that we had with our loved ones, we forget relationship, we forget friends. Even we forget to wish our friends a costless/effortless "Hi" or a smile. What am I chasing after all ? the 'Happiness'. Am I not happy now ? If not why is it so ?

I wanted to get the job in an MNC with good salary. Is it not there ? It is there and is more than what you expect. But, still what is that your mind still searching ? What is that you want to attain ?

When is this frenzy-inordinate behaviour to happiness going to come in your life ? Till what time you can keep yourselves away from the ecstacies of this life ?

You have become a wimp! You are rejecting the happiness, each time you see your friend/colleague growing. You are just cuddling the venomous hatredness which will not only destroy all your happiness, but also, will destroy you as a human being.

Find happiness in whatever you have, whatever you do, whatever you are given... whatever you are as a human being.

As Lincon had told "Before you ask some one what he has given to you... ask yourselves what you have given to him...."... See how you can make your nearest and dearest feel good.....

Then, only, you can feel the richest person in this world!
You will still be poor, even after earning billions, if you don't do these simple things of life.


Disclaimer : All the comments below/in my blog are my views only. They are not written with an intention to hurt any ones Emotions or his personality.

SALARY !!! - April-May season

Here is an interesting writing about salary revisions that happens in this season. It was sent to me by one of my colleague named Al-Ameen. Here it goes....
__________________________________________________________

April-May season. And suddenly the National anthem has changed. Everyone stands up to say,
"We want more hike".
Is that a justified ask?


An Employee's perspective.

This is not something that happens every day. It is one year of hard toil, different learning, different emotions, and different experiences. And whatever happens or happened, I have and had done my best. Then why me???

A subconscious pledge

A fresh fiscal year begins with a fresh mind and fresh ambitions. This year, I am going to give my best shot to be the top performer. I shall do all I can to make my figures soar.


Reality

Different issues pop out. Deadlines, customer satisfaction, late nights, mind boggling issues, delivery numbers, rhetorical questions, resource issues, learning curves, mentoring, extra curricular, and reporting. You have been through it all. Everyone's been through it. To re-affirm your ambitions, you get nominated for a spot award as well. An even bigger surge of enthusiasm runs through your spine. You sit erect and decide to plunge deeper in to the black hole skipping brunches.

The D-day arrives with the big guys waiting with a pleasant smile. For a second you feel like the chosen one. And then came the neatly crafted letter. Jhapaaaang !!! Those figures stare at you like loaded arrows. A silent smile tries to cover your frown you just gave birth to. The manger whom you worshipped all year suddenly resembles the devil's accomplice. Your eyes blur and the Big Boss who just handed over the letter resembles a modern version of the Yamraj. A sudden impulse of hell runs through your spine but you still manage to hold than pen without trembling and imprint your lovely name as signature on the paper. Words' though refusing to come out of your mouth, a bleaky 'thank you' escapes your lips. A subtle exit from the room follows.

Post Mortem

Questions !! Questions !! Questions !! A never ending list of questions fills your already light brain. What did I do wrong? What more could I have done? What went unnoticed? What would actually make me happy? Is this Justice for all? Is Justice dead?
And back to your cube you blast Linkin Park's 'In the end' followed by GodSmack's 'I Stand alone' in your headphones. An aura you always seemed to enjoy now makes you uneasy as if in a middle of a swamp. Now thoughts replace the questions. Looks like the time has come. Looks like the world out there needs me more than in here. It's time Lord. Here I come. Take me…

Peoplesoft => HRMS => Employee self service => Submit …….follows…..


Critical Analysis

Ok Guys…. after that little horror story, its time to face it. A baker makes cakes and a guy serving him won't get paid until the cakes are sold. More cakes sell, you are in good luck and in good shape to get a raise. Most of our worries or anxieties per se come from relative comparisons both within and peer groups. The moment you have made this comparison, all you have got is a delta in the figures that is enough to shoot you to the bone and nothing else.
Any group we work as a part of is a constituent of this really huge apple pie. Yummy Yummy. Everyone's wish is to have a nice big bite of it. That is exactly what strives us to perform better. Some parts of the pie go stale, some parts grow bigger, and some stay the same. Now nobody decides these things but trends in the industry. So it’s nothing personal out here. You are one lucky candidate if you are part of the growing pie. Bad dreams if you are part of the stale constituent. All said and done never look at your neighbor’s wife. All you will end up with is jealousy and discontent. Rather search for a good one yourself. Hey…I aint advertising for a shaadi portal. So firstly if your chaddi dost in a different group is walking away with a fancy mobile and you still own a nokia 1100 then this is just the reason.
Next case is within the group itself. Everybody is not born the same. You thought you did your best then there’s somebody out there who has always done better. I mean that's how we learn, we benchmark and we become better. There is nothing personal out here as well.

So. When nothing is personal out here why do we take it personally and swear against our immediate superiors??? This is exactly why…because the reason for the differentiation and the justification never comes out. It stays silently under the sheets of confidentiality. Now if we all just pause for a second and think about it, this confidentiality is causing more harm than safe play. I mean c'mon. This is such a networked world. Even a swiss bank's password gets leaked. Are we talking about neatly wrapped envelopes?

Take this case. If everybody knows everybody's figures in an official manner tagged along with the exact justifications in terms of group performance, turnover and the little extra the individual packs, it not only silences the unnecessary critics but paves a way as a great benchmark for the employees to get direction as to where he should pump his effort and skill to get better or at least equal it. If the big shots featuring in the annual report are justified then this should be. Of course, it is definitely added work for the Human resources but the benefits are just way too much than you can imagine.

And finally, there are indeed a few, very few cases where the superior makes this a complete personal business that spoils the way everybody thinks. This one's getting weeded out too with this process and then we have a smooth Rolls Royce rolling in everyone's mind.

Guys…. Ready for the next pledge??? ;-)

All about IIT-Kanpur...

I'd heard a lot of IIT's and IITians. But, after reading this blog I've changed my mind.........
thecruisemaniac.com » Blog Archive » Megabucks - Rest of the Event

From Repercussion to Reperfusion....

Sounds strange ain't it? But, it is true. As a REPERCUSSION of a hasty decision which I made a year back, I'm heading back to the world which I left a year back. All my dreams were shattered in to bits and pieces and are being fed to the road hawks. I'd great expectations out of my current organization. If I glance through the achievements that I've made in the past 1 year, I think I'm aghast by the development. I've lost all my technical competency and have become a "bench man". I don't know where me and my career is heading towards. It's a big "?" ....

Now, I'm again back on my cruise to find my destiny.......Hope god is with me.....

"Help me to help myself.... Save me please..."

The journey from "Repercussion to reperfusion " has begun........ Is there an end to it ?

This is the absolute test of my Patience...

I think this is the absolute test of any ones patience. The current company, in which I'm working. has been testing my patience to the maximum extent. They have been promising me the work and continuously, they are betraying me of my eternal right, i.e. "Work". I've been dumped in to an abyss, called "Bench". It was better in my previous company. They never used to promise and betray me. They just knew, how to squeeze the talent, till the last drop. Here, there is no respect for individual. The so called, "People First".. seems to be a procrastination.

They say - "You are good... I believe only in you.... You are the best.......".. But, ultimately, it boils down to "You are an idiot..! If you stay here for more, it's your mistake...". This organization is the exact opposite of my previous firm, which used to say...

Previous : "I'll not pay you. I treat you like a daily wage laborer. I'll squeeze your talent till the last drop of blood that you have. I'll never let you to waste even a single second of your life".

Current : "I'll not pay you. I'll not treat you as an individual with brain either. I'll put you in bench till you lose all your competencies, that you have. This will enable me to put you in any crap assignment that I've. You can neither leave the organization, nor survive here. The only way that you can escape would be to commit suicide."

Oh god ! is there some one to Save me ?

Before, I got in to this organization, I was promised on site opportunities {Abroad}, recognition for my work and a good pay package to survive. Not even 1% of it is fulfilled not any body tried to do something towards it. "Life Sucks here....".

My friends are earning big bucks with whatever they have. Even though, I presume, I'm no way less either. But, still I'm here........

Some usefull Windows CE related info

For Windows CE, Windows Mobile and Windows XP embedded
1) http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/aa731253.aspx
2) http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/default.aspx
3) http://channel9.msdn.com/showpost.aspx?postid=252046 -> Speech by Mike Hall, Douglas Boling.
4) http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/aa731228.aspx ->Mike Hall's blog for all Windows CE related articles
5) http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/code07.aspx -> MSDN Magazine

Brain Tonic for All Windows CE freaks

'Mobilize: Explore The New Features In Windows Embedded CE 6.0,'bloggerForm','scrollbars=no,width=475,height=300,top=175,left=75,status=yes,resizable=yes: "Paul Yao presents an overview of Windows Embedded CE 6.0."

The Japanese Buisiness Culture.

Hey!
This is a wonderful article from Mr. Kartik, the president of Nihango Bashi, published in Rediff News, at the URL: http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/feb/21japan.htm

Thanks to Mr. Phani, who took time to enlighten us with such a thought.
______________________________________________________________________________

Punctuality: The Japanese way of business

Karthik Tirupathi February 21, 2007 15:39 IST


Economic relations between India and Japan have probably never been better, as both sides continue to reinforce their commitment to leverage each other's competencies and strengthen bilateral cooperation. This has opened a new world of opportunity for Indian professionals and businesspeople desirous of working or doing business in Japan.

However, success in business in Japan requires a strong understanding of Japanese business and culture. In the first of this three-part article based on my observations during many years of working with the Japanese, I note some essential pointers that will hopefully stand the Indian professional in good stead.

Part 1: Basic values that embody Japanese business people:

No surprises: Punctuality, timeliness and sticking to commitments: The Japanese believe strongly in 'no hidden surprises' and are committed to a very high degree of predictability and consistent reliability (not just reliability). This is reflected in their business practices and everyday living, such that the train or bus schedule would read "Arrival: 8.23 p.m." and the train or bus would pull in exactly at that time!

In fact, being on time every time, is the first step towards building trust and reliability in Japan. This is true both in business as well as personal relationships.

Being organized and efficient, and adherence to deadlines (and a host of other similar virtues) are considered a way of life in Japan.

In India, arriving late for scheduled appointments is an acceptable practice. Perhaps, it owes itself to olden times when transportation was not efficiently organised and important people sometimes got held up and arrived late.

However, that has also resulted in situations where, if the relationship is strained, one person deliberately makes the other wait.

People in Japan, on the other hand, arrive for meetings at least 5 minutes before a scheduled 9:00 a.m. appointment! The simple logic is that it takes about 5 minutes to get seated and settled in and the meeting is support to START at 9 a.m.

Given the state of transportation infrastructure in India (roads and traffic jams mainly), there may be several unpredictable factors that can affect one's punctuality; However, lack of timeliness is not limited to meetings that require travel; the malaise of 'flexible time' seems to be prevalent with teleconferences too.

This practice of getting late can be overcome with advance planning and adequate preparation. At the very least, should one be getting late, it is important to inform well in advance so that the other person is not waiting and wasting time.

When the Indian associate says: "I will submit the report to you on Monday," the Japanese side expects it on Monday morning 9:00 a.m. Japan time, and not anytime during the day. It is therefore important to keep the 3.5-hour time difference in mind, Japan being ahead, when doing business with Japan.

In India, on the other hand, as long as one submits the report before midnight, it is considered as being submitted on Monday. If there is any delay, the Japanese expect to be informed well in advance and not at the last minute or after the delay has occurred!

Given "flexible" business practices, it is quite usual for Indians to factor such delays in their project, while the Japanese are accustomed to extreme precision. This often causes a lot of friction in a team where both professionals from both nationalities need to work side-by-side.

"No problem" syndrome :

An Indian professional seeks to impress the Japanese counterpart with speed and efficiency. This is seen in immediate responses during discussions whereby the Indian says: "Sure, sure. . . no problem."

The Japanese interpretation of this phrase is, "How can the Indians say 'no problem' without even taking some time to consider all aspects of the problem? Surely they would not be professional."

What is needed in this situation is a response which goes like this: "We think we can do it, however, please give us 1 or 2 days to get back to you." It may seem bureaucratic, but the idea is to assure the Japanese that the matter has been given the due thought it deserved.

After the meeting, the Indian side has to remember all the committed deadlines and then get back to the Japanese counterpart with a "Yes, it can be done and will be done by XYZ date."

Of course, in the end this submission must be timely.

Preparing for a meeting :

In keeping with the "no surprises" approach, the Japanese ensure that the agenda is agreed upon well in advance and all the necessary people from their side are invited and duly briefed.

I've seen seasoned senior Indian executives walk into a meeting empty-handed whereas the Japanese side comes in with a daily planner/agenda book, copious notes, a writing pad and a few big files!

This great reliance on the powers of memory by the Indian executives may be a bit unnerving for the Japanese, who see it as a potential cause for the proverbial 'slip through the cracks.'

The Japanese want to make it absolutely certain that nothing discussed at the meeting, whether of importance or not, is missed or forgotten.

The Japanese interpret not taking notes or recording dates and schedules as a sign of "lack of seriousness." What is needed for all Indian executives is to carry their respective note pads and make notes, even if they may not seem very useful. This will demonstrate the "symbolic" commitment to the relationship.

To the Japanese, an eye for detail and perceived importance towards quality are important evaluation criteria before entering into a partnership.

Quality before profit :

Once a contract has been finalised, the Japanese expected certain minimum quality standards from the vendor. This quality need not necessarily have to be the best in the world, but it should be of mutually acceptable standards.

During the pre-sales phase, the Japanese would always take great pains to define this. Let's assume that this contracted quality is 70% of "best available quality." The Japanese would expect this benchmarked quality "time after time -- every time" and any reduction in quality below this accepted baseline is considered a major deviation.

A better quality level will be considered an improvement and highly appreciated, but the emphasis here is again on "no surprises ever." The focus is on consistent and reliable delivery of agreed quality all the time.

A general perception about India in Japan is that whilst good quality is available sometimes, good quality is not available consistently enough. There are wide variations and this is visible especially in manufactured products or in service standards.

This perceived "imprecision" (or range of deviance) seems to manifest even during our interpersonal interactions where one often hears "I will meet you around 2:00~4:00 PM" or "We will deliver it sometime this week."

TOMORROW: Part II: Simple socio-cultural aspects to remember when doing business with the Japanese

The author is the president of Nihongo Bashi.

The i.MX.21 application processors from freescale

I'm not a technomaniac who knows everything about everything ! But, I've been working with the i.MX21 board from freescale semiconductor from quit a some time now. In the begining, I was wondering why the heck I've to develop applications on top of it. It looked a very bulky junk peice filled with Some common chips. But, it made me to watch my words when I actually started developing some crazy applications on it. I've been using MontaVista CEE and Windows CE 4.0.net on it. The performance has been mindblowing.

It has

• ARM 926EJ-S core
• ARM Jazelle Technology for Java acceleration. That means you can use Esmertec's JBed technology on top of it.
  
• 4xUART's and IrDA
• USB OTG (Two host port) (((((((((Wow))))))))
• High Speed CMOS based sensor /Camera interface. Looks like a nose strip.

Many more....

The Speciality of the Jazelle Technology is that, it swings your Java applications in no time. The J2ME or Java Mobile based applications just go Vrooom........ The burden on the software based virtual machine is reduced significantly and is dumped on to the hardware to juggle.

The i.MX21 has the eMMA hardware block, which consists of the MPEG-4 and H.264 Codec for pre- and post-processing. This gives an exceptional video rendering.

Due to the presense of the powerful ARM core, it provides you the availability of abundant free open source softwares.. Even if you donot have the hardware support for the Media Codecs, you can use FFMPEG ...

Officially, the VOIP is provided by Trinity Convergence's "VeriCall Edge 3.0" Platform, which is pretty expensive, for small scale developers. Even I tried it...! Any ways we have Linphone 1.5 ... 1.5.2 ... 1.6 from Simon Morlet , available free for download. But, You can't use Symbian or WinCE for this. Then again you have to go to the costlier Mobi Linux or MontaVista Devrockets..... This is the biggest tradeoff of the OS's on i.MX21.

This board welcomes the use of OpenGL -ES libraries also. Wow...! it's the best reciepe for the 3d Programmers on Mobile's....

Currently, this DragonBall based Application platform is used by Sony....!!!!!!!!!
To be specific it's Sony -Mylo... If you really donot want to miss the excitement visit the link.

Sony-Mylo

Chalo........ Wait till I discover Something new for you to Gulp.....

Take Care...
Vinayak J.