Archive for January 2011

Mobile Number Portability at Rs. 19

1:32 PM 0 Comments A+ a-

You can now switch your cellphone provider without changing your cell phone number. It'll cost you Rs. 19 and you're guaranteed the change in less than a week.

Mobile Number Portability across India was launched formally by the Prime Minister on Thursday evening. Describing telecom as one of India's great success stories, Dr Manmohan Singh stressed that India adds an average of 50 million new cellphone subscribers a month.




"More Indians have been touched by this revolution than any other program in the history of our nation," he said.

Telecom Minister said he has proved that the customer is king.

How to switch

To switch operators, Type PORT, leave a space, type your mobile number and text it to 1900. You will receive a reply from 1901 with a unique code and date.

You then have to submit your identity proof, address proof, and photograph with the code to the service provider you want, by the date given to you.

In the next seven days, the master clearing house will check if you have any outstanding dues and then process your request. Your new service will then start on your old number.

Restrictions include a minimum stay of three months and the subscriber can't change the circle. Portability began in November 2010 in Haryana.

What Operators say
Bharti Airtel, India's largest cellular operator says it is confident of retaining its customer base. "I think the customer at the high end is very discerning and is looking at sustainibility and therefore large networks,innovative services,bringing in value addition life enriching services are all going to play a very vital role." said CEO Sanjay Kapoor.

Google to Launch Groupon Competitor

1:17 PM 0 Comments A+ a-

It looks like Google is preparing to launch its own version of popular deal service Groupon. Mashable just published a copy of what looks like a leaked fact sheet for the service, called Google Offers.
Google Offers


Google famously tried to buy Groupon for $6 billion, but the search giant was eventually rebuffed, and Groupon instead raised $950 million in funding and is reportedly preparing for a $15 billion public offering. Google, meanwhile, still has its sights on the local market, including local deals, signaled most obviously by the fact that it recently put high-profile executive Marissa Mayer in charge of local products.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the details revealed in the fact sheet is how closely they mirror the Groupon model. Back when the acquisition was still on the table, VentureBeat’s Owen Thomas wrote that it could be bad for Groupon — Google is notoriously tech-focused and algorithm-driven, while Groupon is a bit of a throwback, distributing its deals through email and emphasizing the importance of good writing.




In the case of Google Offers, it sounds like Google will distribute the deals across its ad network and on the Google Offers site, but Google emphasizes the fact that the deals will go out in a daily email. Google even has a writing team that will “craft a compelling write-up for your offer … and couple it with an engaging image.”

Basically, it sounds like Google has decided that Groupon has a model that works. The one difference that I can see is that the discounts offered through Google Offers appear to be purely time-based — you have to claim the deal by a certain deadline. Groupon offers, on the other hand, require a certain number of users to sign up before the deal is activated.

Google normally declines to comment on stories like this, but I’ve emailIed the company on the off chance that it will respond.

Groupon Raises $950 Million [CONFIRMED]

2:33 PM 0 Comments A+ a-




Group buying site Groupon has confirmed earlier rumors that it has raised $950 million in a recent round of financing, a little more than a month after it rejected a $6 billion acquisition offer from Google.

Several venture capital firms and late-stage investors participated in the round, which values Groupon at $4.75 billion, including Andreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures, Greylock Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Mail.ru Group, Maverick Capital, Silver Lake, and Technology Crossover Ventures.

Groupon will use the funds to further fuel global expansion, develop its technology, and pad the coffers of its employees and early investors, according to statement released Monday.

“We’re thrilled that Groupon has earned the confidence of some of the world’s most respected investment firms,” Groupon CEO and founder Andrew Mason said. “With their support, we will continue on our mission to change the way people shop locally and serve the world’s local businesses,” he added.

FACEBOOK WILL END ON MARCH 15th!

3:30 PM 0 Comments A+ a-

PALO ALTO, CA –Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will be shut down in March. Managing the site has become too stressful.

“Facebook has gotten out of control,” said Zuckerberg in a press conference outside his Palo Alto office, “and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness.”




Zuckerberg went on to explain that starting March 15th, users will no longer be able to access their Facebook accounts.

“After March 15th the whole website shuts down,” said Avrat Humarthi, Vice President of Technical Affairs at Facebook. “So if you ever want to see your pictures again, I recommend you take them off the internet. You won’t be able to get them back once Facebook goes out of business.”

Zuckerberg said that the decision to shut down Facebook was difficult, but that he does not think people will be upset.

“I personally don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said in a private phone interview. “And to be honest, I think it’s for the better. Without Facebook, people will have to go outside and make real friends. That’s always a good thing.”

Some Facebook users were furious upon hearing the shocking news.

“What am I going to do without Facebook?” said Denise Bradshaw, a high school student from Indiana. “My life revolves around it. I’m on Facebook at least 10 hours a day. Now what am I going to do with all that free time?”

However, parents across the country have been experiencing a long anticipated sense of relief.

“I’m glad the Facebook nightmare is over,” said Jon Guttari, a single parent from Detroit. “Now my teenager’s face won’t be glued to a computer screen all day. Maybe I can even have a conversation with her.”

Those in the financial circuit are criticizing Zuckerberg for walking away from a multibillion dollar franchise. Facebook is currently ranked as one of the wealthiest businesses in the world, with economists estimating its value at around 7.9 billion.


But Zuckerberg remains unruffled by these accusations. He says he will stand by his decision to give Facebook the axe.

“I don’t care about the money,” said Zuckerberg. “I just want my old life back.”

The Facebook Corporation suggests that users remove all of their personal information from the website before March 15th. After that date, all photos, notes, links, and videos will be permanently erased.
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