Navigating Recession Turmoil: Key Software Trends to Watch

 Title: Navigating Recession Turmoil: Key Software Trends to Watch

In times of economic uncertainty, businesses face unprecedented challenges that demand innovative solutions. The software industry, known for its resilience and adaptability, is poised to play a pivotal role in navigating the stormy waters of recession turmoil. Let's explore some key software trends that are likely to emerge as lifelines for businesses striving to thrive amidst adversity.

1. Remote Collaboration Tools:

   As remote work becomes the new norm, the demand for collaboration tools is skyrocketing. From video conferencing platforms to project management software, businesses are relying on technology to bridge the gap between dispersed teams. Expect to see continued innovation in this space, with a focus on enhancing user experience and security features to support seamless collaboration.

2. Cloud Computing:

   The shift towards cloud computing is gaining momentum as businesses seek cost-effective and scalable solutions. Cloud platforms offer the flexibility to scale infrastructure based on demand, making them an attractive option for companies looking to optimize resources during uncertain times. Additionally, cloud-based services enable remote access to critical applications and data, ensuring business continuity in the face of disruptions.

3. Automation and AI:

   In an effort to streamline operations and reduce costs, businesses are turning to automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. From robotic process automation (RPA) to machine learning algorithms, automation solutions are revolutionizing workflows across industries. By automating repetitive tasks and optimizing processes, organizations can improve efficiency and drive productivity even amidst economic downturns.

4. Cybersecurity Solutions:

   With the rise of remote work and digital transformation initiatives, cybersecurity has never been more critical. As cyber threats proliferate, businesses are investing in robust security solutions to safeguard sensitive data and mitigate risks. Expect to see increased adoption of advanced threat detection tools, encryption technologies, and cybersecurity training programs to fortify defenses against cyber attacks.

5. SaaS Solutions:

   Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings continue to gain traction as businesses seek flexible and cost-effective alternatives to traditional software deployments. SaaS solutions provide subscription-based access to software applications hosted on remote servers, eliminating the need for upfront investments in hardware and infrastructure. This model enables businesses to scale resources as needed and adapt to changing market conditions with ease.

6. Digital Transformation Initiatives:

   In the face of economic uncertainty, digital transformation has emerged as a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to future-proof their operations. From e-commerce platforms to digital marketing campaigns, organizations are embracing digital technologies to enhance customer experiences and drive growth. Expect to see accelerated adoption of digital transformation initiatives as businesses pivot towards digital-first strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In conclusion, while recession turmoil presents myriad challenges for businesses, it also offers opportunities for innovation and growth. By embracing key software trends and leveraging technology to their advantage, businesses can navigate the uncertainties of the current economic climate with confidence. As the software industry continues to evolve, organizations that prioritize agility, innovation, and resilience will emerge stronger and more resilient in the face of adversity.

US Consulate in Hyderabad releases video on prohibited items at Nanakramguda facility

 

Hyderabad: The US Consulate in Hyderabad recently released a video regarding prohibited items at its Nanakramguda facility. The consulate serves as the largest US diplomatic mission in South Asia, and all visitors, including applicants for passport and visa services, individuals attending meetings or events, and even US citizens, must undergo security screening upon arrival.

It is mandatory for visitors to carry government-issued identification, which must be the original document. Photocopies of IDs are not accepted. Additionally, visitors must ensure that the name on their identification matches the name on their appointment.

List of items prohibited at US Consulate in Hyderabad

There are several items that cannot be taken inside the US Consulate General in Hyderabad.

Following is the list of prohibited items at the consulate

1. Cell phones
2. Battery-operated or electronic devices,
3. Bags including purses, travel bags, backpacks, briefcases, and suitcases (Unsealed plastic bags, small cloth bags and zip folders)
4. Food or drink items
5. Cosmetics
6. Sealed envelopes or packages
7. Flammable items
8. Sharp objects
9. Weapons
10. Long-handled umbrellas, and
11. Powders of any kind, including religious-related powders or spices.

As the list is not exhaustive, other items can be prohibited at the discretion of security staff.

Upon arrival at the consulate, visitors will be asked to place all their belongings in a tray that goes through an X-ray machine. If any prohibited items are found, the applicant will be asked to leave the premises and come back after keeping them somewhere outside the premises of the US Consulate.

New address of US Consulate at Nanakramguda

The new facility of the US Consulate in Hyderabad is located at Sy. No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032.

The new consulate office was built with an investment of USD 297 million and is situated on a 12.2-acre site with 54 visa processing windows.

On March 15, 2023, the consulate officially ended its lease of Paigah Palace and began operations at the new facility on March 20, 2023.

Old income tax regime vs new income tax regime: Which one should you choose?

  

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced major changes to the new income tax regime in the Union Budget 2023, including lower tax rates and a tax rebate on income up to Rs 7 lakh. But how does it compare with the old income tax regime? Here is all you need to know.

In Short

• New income tax regime gets major overhaul
• Old tax regime sees no change
• New income tax structure now becomes default tax regime

By Koustav Das: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday gave a makeover to the new income tax regime, with lower tax rates and introduction of standard deduction. However, the old income tax regime -- which allows for deductions such as home loan interest payments -- was left untouched.

While the changes to the new income tax regime, which has now been made the default personal tax structure, have received wide coverage, several are confused about whether the amendments to the new income tax regime make it more attractive in comparison to the old regime.

WHAT CHANGES IN THE NEW INCOME TAX REGIME?

Among the major announcements made by the finance minister, the most important one was the extension of rebate for annual income up to Rs 7 lakh, applicable to people under the new income tax regime.

“Currently, those with income up to Rs 5 lakh do not pay any income tax in both old and new tax regimes. I propose to increase the rebate limit to Rs 7 lakh in the new tax regime. Thus, persons in the new tax regime, with income up to Rs 7 lakh will not have to pay any tax,” the finance minister said.

n addition, a standard deduction of Rs 50,000 has also been introduced under the new income tax slab. This means, a salaried taxpayer would be eligible for an upfront deduction of Rs 50,000 from the total taxable income under the new income tax regime as well -- earlier, this deduction was only available under the old structure.

THE NEW INCOME TAX SLABS

The finance minister also rationalised tax slabs under the new income tax regime, reducing the number of taxable brackets to five. The new tax slabs are 1) 0-3 lakh - Nil, 2) Rs 3-6 lakh - 5 per cent, 3) Rs 6-9 lakh - 10 per cent, 4) Rs 9-12 lakh - 15 per cent, 5) Rs 12-15 lakh - 20 per cent and 6) 30 per cent for anything income above Rs 15 lakh.

The government said these measures will provide major relief to all taxpayers who opt for the new regime.

For instance, any individual with an annual income of Rs 9 lakh will be required to pay tax worth only Rs 45,000, which is just five per cent of his/her income. It marks a 25 per cent deduction over the Rs 60,000 that needs to be paid under the existing structure. Similarly, an individual with an income of Rs 15 lakh would be required to pay only Rs 1.5 lakh or 10 per cent of his or her income, a reduction of 20 per cent from the existing liability of Rs 1,87,500.

Abhishek Soni, Co-Founder of Tax2win, said, “The introduction of new slabs with lesser tax rates under the new tax regime as well as the announcement of introducing a single simplified common ITR form in the future, clearly shows the government's objective to simplify the income tax for the common people.”

“Further, no tax is levied up to Rs 7 lakh of income, a big relief for millions of salaried individuals,” he added.

NEW VS OLD INCOME TAX REGIME: WHAT'S BETTER FOR YOU?

Does the makeover make the new income tax regime make it more attractive in comparison to the old tax structure? Let’s find out.

The new income tax regime should become a clear choice for those earning Rs 7.5 lakh annually, given the introduction of a Rs 50,000 standard deduction, which will make them eligible for claiming a rebate on income up to Rs 7 lakh.

What if your income is higher?

Unlike the new income tax regime, slabs under the old tax structure have not been changed under the budget – income up to Rs 2.5 lakh exempt from tax, 5 per cent tax on income over Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, 20 per cent tax on income above Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and 30 per cent on income above Rs 10 lakh.

The old tax regime has been the mainstay for taxpayers in the country despite higher tax slabs, as it offers more scope for tax deductions to individuals with higher annual incomes and more investments.

You can claim several deductions under the old income tax regime under Section 80C, Section 80D and more. Not to mention, they are also eligible for an upfront standard deduction of Rs 50,000. With these, the taxable income of an individual with investments reduces drastically.

HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

For example, with an annual salary of Rs 9 lakh, you can claim several deductions – under Section 80C, Section 80D, interest on home loan and NPS of Rs 50,000 – to bring your taxable income to literally zero. Simply put, if you can claim deductions to bring taxable income to Rs 5,00,000, the tax amount becomes zero due to the rebate applicable under Section 87A.

In comparison, people opting for the new income tax regime will have to pay Rs 45,000 as tax on an annual income of Rs 9 lakh as they cannot claim deductions to reduce their taxable income.

In fact, individuals with annual income slightly above Rs 10 lakh will also have a lower tax outgo under the old tax regime as they can claim all the deductions to bring down their taxable income drastically. On the other hand, those with an annual income above Rs 10 lakh will have to pay tax at a flat rate under the new income tax regime after standard deduction, in the absence of deductions.

MADE UP YOUR MIND? WAIT..

The old tax regime still looks more lucrative for people with higher annual incomes, but only if they have the investments to claim enough deductions.

However, for individuals who do not want to invest in too many long-term tax-saving schemes or do not have a housing loan, the new income tax regime could be the answer.

US Consulate General Hyderabad asks visa applicants to visit its new centre This new location will be effective from January 8

 

Hyderabad: The US Consulate General Hyderabad on Thursday asked all applicants visiting the Hyderabad Visa Application Centre for their scheduled appointments, document submission and passport collection to visit the new location i.e., Lower Concourse, Hitec City Metro Station, Madhapur, Hyderabad.

This new location will be effective from January 8.

Job cuts at Amazon: Reasons, probable number, India employees and more

 Jet Airways will send nearly one-third of its employees on leave without pay or slash their salaries by up to 50%, reported The Times of India quoting sources. 

The carrier, which suspended operations in 2019 and remained grounded for three years, was granted licence to resume commercial flights by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in May this year.

According to some employees of the airline, the 50% salary cuts will start taking effect from December 1.

The airline management, meanwhile, said that two-thirds of the staff will not be impacted by the move. For the remaining one-third of the employees, it added, their pay will be reduced temporarily.

The management said that only a small portion of the staff will be given leave without pay and that no employee was being laid off, the report added.

The Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC), current promoters of Jet Airways, recently said that it had not breached any terms of the insolvency and might have to take difficult decisions to manage cashflow.

“…while we await the handover of the company as per the NCLT process, the longer-than-expected time being taken for the same may result in some difficult but necessary near-term decisions to manage our cashflows to secure the future while the airline is still not in our possession,” the consortium said in a statement.

The insolvency resolution process of Jet Airways started in June 2019 after its then-promoters failed to provide liquidity.

While JKC's resolution plan was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) last year, the airline is yet to resume operations even after obtaining the air operator certificate (AOC).

Post a commentIn the statement, the consortium also said that it has deposited ₹ 150 crore as required by the court-approved resolution plan and will invest the remaining amount “only after the next steps of NCLT are fulfilled in terms of handover of the company to us”.

OxygenOS updates for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series bring minor fixes and updated security patches

 We first got introduced to the OnePlus 7 series of smartphones two years ago. The OnePlus 7 was merely a refinement of its predecessor, the OnePlus 6T, which wasn’t a bad thing at all: it followed the same “flagship killer” DNA that, until that point, was a key selling point of OnePlus phones. But the OnePlus 7 Pro was OnePlus’ first jab at a “truly premium” flagship and managed to lift the bar much higher for OnePlus. The OnePlus 7 Pro is credited with making high-refresh-rate smartphone displays more common among the general public and provided not-yet-before-seen quality, cameras, and performance for OnePlus. Then, the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro followed in the footsteps of both devices with substantial improvements, particularly in the OnePlus 7T. Now, these phones are getting an update to OxygenOS 11.0.1.1 after the Android 11 rollout.

Despite what the minor number bump may tell you, this is a pretty modestly-sized update that comes with a lot of targeted bug fixes to make for an overall smoother experience after the arrival of Android 11 to this device series. Among other improvements, these phones are getting their respective May 2021 security updates (just a few days after their predecessors, the OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T, got those patches as well), and OnePlus also mentions bug fixes such as improving the swiping experience of Shelf, improving the loading speed of pictures in the Gallery, as well as other targeted fixes in the Phone app, the camera, and even network fixes as well, including Wi-Fi and 4G stability.

The changelog for this update goes as follows:

• System
  • Improved the system fluency
  • Fixed the occasional issue that Google Fi SIM card cannot accept incoming calls
  • Updated Android security patch to 2021.05
• Shelf
  • Improved the swiping experience of Shelf
• Gallery
  • Improved the loading speed of previewing pictures
• Phone
  • Fixed the occasional issue that incoming call interface delays to display
  • Fixed the occasionally abnormal display issue when making a call
• Camera
  • Fixed the occasional issue that the mirror effect fails to work
  • Fixed the abnormal issue with the camera when zooming in macro mode
  • Fixed the abnormal issue with some buttons when taking pictures continuously in Nightscape mode
• Network
  • Improved 4G network communication
  • Improved the stability of Wi-Fi connection

OnePlus says that this update will have a staged rollout, meaning that some users will be getting it first while it rolls out in waves to the rest of the users. It’s currently live for the OnePlus 7, the OnePlus 7 Pro, the OnePlus 7T, and the OnePlus 7T Pro. If you want to skip the line, however, you can get the update right now by checking out the links below.

OnePlus 7 Global:

• Full OTA to 11.0.1.1

OnePlus 7 Pro Global:

• Full OTA to 11.0.1.1

OnePlus 7T India:

• Full OTA to 11.0.1.1
• Incremental OTA from 11.0.0.2

OnePlus 7T Pro India:

• Full OTA to 11.0.1.1
• Incremental OTA from 11.0.0.2

OnePlus 7T Pro Global:

• Full OTA to 11.0.1.1
• Incremental OTA from 11.0.0.2

You can check out more information about the updates on the respective official forum posts for both the OnePlus 7 series and the OnePlus 7T series.

COVID-19 & the HR Industry: How employee relations are changing

The COVID-19 pandemic that originated in China in December 2019 has spread across the globe by now and will continue to proliferate in the foreseeable future. Apart from inducing panic and uncertainty amidst the general population about who the next victim will be, the pandemic has also significantly disrupted the way business works. New norms about working from home are changing the way employees and managers interact – which, for many, is a source of potential concern about what ‘business as usual’ will look like in the future. This is particularly relevant for the Human Resources Department, which is directly involved in recruiting and managing talent.

Why is HR concerned?

The chief concern that HR officials have is about communicating the company’s stance on the COVID-19 situation to its employees. Several unreliable news sources are spreading false or unverified information about the pandemic online, which is heightening the sense of panic and fear among employees. Given the fact that offices around the world are now working remotely, the company cannot communicate face-to-face with its employees, which could increase the sense of distance from the top management and thus from what the company actually thinks. 

Another area of concern relates to maintaining employee morale. Without physical proximity, activities like team events or open discussions with senior leaders are no longer possible. This erodes the personal touch to some extent, which makes it harder for employers to connect with their teams and help boost their spirits. There is also the possibility of employees feeling isolated as they work alone in their homes away from the rest of the team.

How is employee behavior changing?

New mandates from governments worldwide are compelling employees at all levels to work from home. Contrary to HR expectations, however, this is, in fact, boosting their productivity. A significant amount of time that would otherwise have gone on the commute and getting ready for office is now saved. Employees can use this extra time to bond with their loved ones, engage in various hobbies and interests and maintain a less hectic schedule. As a result, they are in a more relaxed frame of mind and can concentrate better on the work that they have. 

Given modern technological advances, moreover, connectivity and coordination is an easy matter even when working remotely. Meetings are now being conducted over a call or video chat, while communication channels like Slack are being used to share messages and files. Both employees and clients are now witnessing for themselves how effective working from home can be with the help of technology. This could potentially lead to a major shift in the way business is conducted, with remote working and virtual meetings becoming the norm even after the spread of the virus has abated. 

How is management behavior changing?

The current state of affairs allows managers at mid and senior levels to display their leadership and decision-making skills in new ways. At times like this, keeping employee morale up through regular motivation and recognition is more important than ever and virtual communication is ideally suited for that. Managers should stress the fact that working from home gives employees additional accountability and that the company trusts them to make the best use of that accountability. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage upskilling through online learning platforms –the HR department can subsidize or even fully sponsor the cost of learning and offer incentives for successfully completing courses. Accomplishments can be shared publicly on group emails and Slack channels so that everyone can celebrate wins. Moreover, personal messages and calls acknowledging the difficulties that each employee may be going through go a long way in improving their sense of self-worth as valued team members.

Conclusion

COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis that is testing professional and personal relations around the world. It is the responsibility of each member of each organization to put in their utmost and maintain smooth business relations. While certain concerns may initially slow down progress, steady and positive communication from all parties will help maintain everyone’s morale and keep employee relations intact as the world moves through this challenge. 

WhatsApp groups can now have up to 256 members

WhatsApp has just bumped the user limit in chat groups on its platform to 256 members from 100 irrespective of the mobile platform - Android and iOS.

The popular messaging app, which just crossed a billion users globally, had initially raised the number to 100 from 50 in November 2014. Currently, over 70 million people use the popular instant messaging platform in the country.

Since February 2014 when Facebook acquired WhatsApp, several changes have been made to the messaging app. In April 2015, the messaging app officially added voice calling, a long-teased feature that was previously available only by invitation. Users now call their contacts worldwide for free over a WiFi or 3G/4G connection.

Also, the app might soon get a video calling feature and a multi-tab user interface. A German website named Macerkopf had revealed screenshots that shows an ongoing video call in WhatsApp on iOS. If the screen shots are real, WhatsApp’s video calling interface is somewhat similar to its voice-calling one. Users would be able to mute calls and also switch between the front and back cameras.

The app has also waived off the 99 cents yearly subscription charge but founder Jan Koum has however said that the company will be experimenting with different revenue models.

IAF personnel told not to use Xiaomi devices, scandals that have rocked the Chinese brand

Oct 24, 2014

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has indirectly accused Xiaomi of spying and asked its personnel and their family members to stop using phones from the Chinese brand. This is not the first time such allegations are being leveled against the company which has now pledged to move user data to Amazon AWS data centers situated in California and Singapore for starters.

You’re probably wondering what exactly Xiaomi has done to invite such criticism and whether it’s a plot by rival mobile vendors. So let’s take a look at all the privacy scandals which have rocked the Chinese brand since it started becoming a threat to competitors in the market. That’s right, Counterpoint Research named the Hongmi Red Rice and Mi 3 in the list of top 10 smartphones, in a February 2014 report.

Samsung and Apple were the only other companies on the aforesaid list. Back in July, a story broke out about a Redmi Note user Kenny Li, noticing that his device was transferring his data to a server in China when it connected to Wi-Fi. On 3G, this activity manifested as a handshake, or low data transmission. Now Xiaomi does have a Mi Cloud service which backs content on its handsets, but it was apparently turned off when the observation was made.

Also see: Xiaomi transfers some phone user data out of Beijing on privacy concerns

The Redmi Note appeared to be beaming Li’s photos from Media Storage to the Chinese server. He noted that text messages were being routed using similar means. A report originating from Taiwan and security solutions company F-Secure, both felt Xiaomi handsets were sending phone numbers to data centers in its home country. A post on Hugo Barra’s (Global VP of Xiaomi) Google Plus page revealed that the MIUI Cloud Messaging service is automatically activated through IP communication protocol with the company’s servers.

This is done in order to offer free text services to users. It requires SIM and device identifiers such as the phone number, IMSI and IMEI for carrying out the task. But as of August 2014, an OTA update is stated to have altered it to become an opt-in service. Barra also insisted that such information in not stored for longer than absolutely necessary. What about the owner of the IP address to which Li’s Xiaomi handset made a connection? APhone Arena reader had something interesting to say about this.

The Chinese government is supposedly behind the company listed as the owner of the IP address. Based in Beijing, CNNIC is the administrative agency responsible for Internet affairs which is under the Ministry of Information Industry of the People’s Republic of China. But it’s not only Xiaomi that’s facing such accusations. Ars Technica points to a WSJ story about US and South Korean officials signing a pact to route government communications over networks not supported by equipment from Huawei.

So is the IAF and the Indian government going to consider banning its personnel from using all Chinese products and not just Xiaomi phones? It may be a very tough decision to implement if it ever comes to that.

Source: http://www.mobiletor.com/119529/iaf-personnel-stop-using-xiaomi-phones-scandals-rocked-brand/

Yahoo acquires India-based cloud docs startup Bookpad

Yahoo’s acquisition spree has just hit India as the tech giant bags Bangalore-based year-old startup Bookpad, which specializes in providing cloud-based document hosting and editing capabilities.

The yet-to-be official acquisition has cost Yahoo $8.3 million, Economic Times reports. The Times of India, however, claims the internet giant has bagged the startup for the higher price of $15 million.

Founded in 2013 by IIT-Guwahati alumni including 25-year-old engineering design graduate Aditya Bandi, 24-year-old computer engineer Niketh Sabbineni and 23-year-old chemical engineer Ashwik Battu, Bangalore-based Bookpad is well known for its Docspad application.

The application works similar like Google Docs and allows for cloud-based document hosting, viewing, editing and annotation within a website or app. It supports a range of files types, including Word, Powerpoint, Excel, PDF, ODT, ODP, ODX, ePub 2.0 and image formats and works across devices.

As per terms of the acquisition, the Indian startup’s staff will move to Silicon Valley. However, it’s still unclear if Bookpad will shut down its products as part of the deal.

The talks started in May this year when Bookpad founder Niketh Sabbineni met Yahoo officials during Nasscom’s Silicon Valley InnoTrek trip that was designed to help Indian startups to meet US technology giants and familiarize them with the startup environment there.

BookPad is the second Indian firm to be bagged up by a tech giant, the first being Bangalore-based Little Eye Labs which was bought by Facebook for around $10-15 million in January this year. Little Eye Labs builds performance analysis and monitoring tools for Android mobile apps.

Windows Phone 8.1 gets native file manager app Files

File managers can be a godsend when you have to look for a particular file within any app, which is why it’s surprising the neither of te big mobile platforms have a native file manager. Until now that is, as surprisingly, Microsoft is the first to correct course.

While it cannot be denied that Windows Phone has been slower in adding apps to its store, Microsoft has built a lot of nifty native features within Windows Phone 8.1, the latest build of the OS. Now, a native file manager called Files has popped up. Microsoft had revealed that Files would be coming earlier during a Reddit AMA.

The app features a whole set of utilities which are seen in most file managers and allows users to access files on the SD card and the phone memory. It lets you search for particular files, as well as share one or multiple files. In addition, basic folder creation, copying, renaming and moving and deleting functions are also present.

The Files app is only available on Windows Phone 8.1, which still hasn’t rolled out for all devices. However, for those who are itching to get their hands on the latest version of Windows Phone, there’s a simple method in which that can be accomplished. All you need to do is register yourself as a developer and follow the steps mentioned in this article.

Adobe hacked, 2.9 million accounts compromised

Adobe Systems, which makes softwares like Photoshop and Acrobat, today said credit card information of 2.9 million customers have been stolen from its website in a cyber attack.

In a blogpost, Adobe said its security team discovered sophisticated attacks on its network, involving the illegal access to customer information as well as source code for numerous Adobe products.

"Our investigation currently indicates that the attackers accessed Adobe customer IDs and encrypted passwords on our systems. We also believe the attackers removed from our systems certain information relating to 2.9 million Adobe customers.

"This includes customer names, encrypted credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates and other information relating to customer orders," it added.

Adobe said while it believes the attackers did not remove decrypted credit or debit card numbers from its systems, it is working internally and with external partners and law enforcement to address the incident.

The company said it is notifying customers and resetting passwords. It has also alerted banks processing Adobe payments to help protect customer accounts and is working with federal law enforcement on its related investigation.

"Cyber attacks are one of the unfortunate realities of doing business today. Given the profile and widespread use of many of our products, Adobe has attracted increasing attention from cyber attackers," Adobe chief security officer Brad Arkin wrote in the blog post.

Microsoft and Nokia weave an entangled patent web

Summary: The patents component of Microsoft's recent deal with Nokia is far-reaching and complex. But it's also potentially lucrative for both companies.

The patent pieces of the recently inked deal between Microsoft and Nokia got short shrift in most coverage of the deal. But the terms and implications for both Microsoft and Nokia are quite interesting.


Microsoft and Nokia announced on September 3 that Microsoft would be buying Nokia's handset business and licensing various patents.
Microsoft and Nokia already had a cross-patent-licensing deal in place, dating back to the two companies' original agreement via which Nokia went all-in on Windows Phone in 2011. I asked Microsoft officials for more details on what was covered by this original cross-licensing deal and was told that was not something on which Microsoft would comment.
That said, Microsoft officials are commenting rather extensively on the the many twists and turns of the new patent-licensing agreement they are striking with Nokia.
Here's what the Softies have said so far:
Microsoft is acquiring outright 8,500 "design" patents from Nokia. These patents are what distinguish the physical features of one mobile device from another, officials said during a conference call explaining the deal.
On top of that, Microsoft is licensing on a non-exclusive basis for $2.7 billion another set of 30,000 "utility" patents which Nokia will continue to own. This group of patents includes all of Nokia's patents -- except for the Nokia Siemens Network (NSN) telecom infrastructure patents -- and will be used by Microsoft across a variety of products and devices, not just phones.  Microsoft officials have said they'll be converting the 10-year license it obtained to a perpetual license after the original 10-year license is up. This will mean that Microsoft will have patent coverage for this body of patents for the life of all of those patents.


On the press and analyst call on September 3, Microsoft Executive Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith said:
"One of the reasons we focused so much on securing this license, one of the reasons it has a high price tag, is because of the very substantial value of Nokia's patent portfolio. When we look at the industry, and in particular, when we look at patents that are relevant to wireless connectivity using the CDMA standard or the GSM standard or 3G or 4G technologies, we really believe that Nokia has one of the two most valuable portfolios in the industry. The other is Qualcomm's."
Nokia has more than 60 patent licenses with various third parties, company officials have said, and Microsoft gets the protections and benefits of all of these. Qualcomm, with which Nokia negotiated a 15-year license that went into effect in 2008 is one of them. Qualcomm obtained a number of Nokia patents as part of this deal. Microsoft "now benefit(s) from that arrangement," said Smith.
Other companies with whom Nokia has patent agreements include IBM, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions, as noted by Florian Mueller, author of the FOSS Patents blog. (Microsoft is one of Mueller's clients, as he has disclosed previously.) Microsoft and Nokia shared this information in a slide deck meant to supplement its conference call yesterday.

This means that a Motorola-Nokia license deal struck a few years ago apparently goes with Nokia's wireless devices business," Mueller blogged. "As a result, Google's Motorola can't sue Microsoft's future smartphone business for the remaining term of that agreement," he claimed.
In 2011, Microsoft and Samsung signed an Android-centric patent license deal, via which Samsung pays Microsoft. That deal will extend to the wireless device business that Microsoft will own after the Nokia deal closes without requiring any additional payments, Mueller said. He added, however, that Samsung may still need a license to cover "various Nokia non-standard-essential patents," Mueller.
"Microsoft will also benefit from its prior or continuing agreements with Apple, LG, Nortel, Kodak, and others at no additional cost" according to the aforementioned slide deck.
Few real specifics are known about Microsoft and Apple's cross-patent deals, as Mueller blogged. LG signed a patent-protection license with Microsoft in January 2012. And Nortel's patents were acquired by a consortium that included Microsoft in 2011.

Google fully implements security feature on DNS lookups

Google has fully implemented a security feature that ensures a person looking up a website isn't inadvertently directed to a fake one.

The Internet company has run its own free public Domain Name System (DNS) lookup service, called Public DNS, since 2009. DNS lookups are required to translate a domain name, such aswww.idg.com, into an IP address that can be called into a browser.

[ Security expert Roger A. Grimes offers a guided tour of the latest threats and explains what you can do to stop them in "Fight Today's Malware," InfoWorld's Shop Talk video. | Keep up with key security issues with InfoWorld's Security Adviser blog and Security Central newsletter. ]

But DNS systems can be tampered with by hackers. In an attack called "cache poisoning," a DNS server is hacked and modified so that a user looking for www.idg.com is directed to a different website.

ISPs and other network operators have been slowly implementing DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), which uses public key cryptography to digitally "sign" the DNS records for websites.

DNSSEC requires a fair amount of work to implement. Domain owners have to ensure their sites are digitally signed. About one-third of top-level domains are signed, but most second-level domains are not, according to Google. ISPs and other network providers must also configure their systems.

Google said it is now checking the digital signatures on DNSSEC-formatted messages, an important step in ensuring correct DNS queries.

"Previously, we accepted and forwarded DNSSEC-formatted messages but did not perform validation," wrote Yunhong Gu, team lead for Google Public DNS. "With this new security feature, we can better protect people from DNS-based attacks and make DNS more secure overall by identifying and rejecting invalid responses from DNSSEC-protected domains."

Google's technical pages on DNSSEC state that if it cannot validate a domain, it will return an error response. But if a very popular domain is failing to validate, it may exclude the site from its blacklist until the problem is fixed.

Google's Public DNS answers more than 130 billion queries from more than 70 million IP addresses per day, Gu wrote. Only 7 percent of those queries request DNSSEC information, however.

"Overall, DNSSEC is still at an early stage and we hope that our support will help expedite its deployment," Gu wrote.