Pakistan to shut down BlackBerry services from December

KARACHI: The Pakistani government plans to shut down BlackBerry Ltd's secure messaging services by December 1 for "security reasons", the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said. 

Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 180 million people, is plagued by militancy, criminal gangs and drug traffickers. 

"PTA has issued directions to local mobile phone operators to close BlackBerry Enterprise Services from November 30 on security reasons," an official with the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority said in a text message. 

He asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of discussing communications and intelligence. 

BlackBerry was not immediately available to comment. 

A report released this week by British-based watchdog Privacy International said Pakistan's powerful military intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was seeking to dramatically expand its ability to intercept communications. 

BlackBerry encrypts data such as emails and its BlackBerry Messenger messages sent between a user's phone and public networks, ensuring greater privacy for users but making life harder for police and intelligence agencies. 

The company has faced similar problems in the past in India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. 

The Privacy International report said the ISI had few legal checks on their surveillance. 

"Pakistan's intelligence agencies have abused their communications surveillance powers, including by spying on opposition politicians and Supreme Court judges. Widespread Internet monitoring and censorship has also been used to target journalists, lawyers and activists," the report said.Pakistan to shut down BlackBerry services from December

Sony India Launches New Bravia Android TV Range Starting Rs. 69,900

Japanese electronics major Sony's India arm on Thursday introduced five new series of smart Bravia TVs and the slimmest LED TV that will run on Google's Android operating system.

The five new series will comprise of new models ranging from 43-inch to 75-inch panels starting at a price of Rs. 69,900. All the TVs run on Android 5.0 Lollipop-based Android TV operating system with Bravia UX user interface on top.

The TV, that Sony claims is the thinnest, will come in the 4K LED format.

"Over 90 percent of Indian consumers use the Android platform for mobile phones and that is why we choose this platform for our new series of TVs," said Sony India's Bravia head Sachin Rai.

All the new TVs will be able to connect to the Google Play store for downloading apps and will also support voice command for searching the Web or within Google Play.

The Japanese firm has also added unique features to the TVs like 'Serial AbTak' for catching up with TV serials. Also, there is Notify Bravia, which is an exclusive app for uninterrupted TV viewing experience by notifying customer about a call, SMS, or email.

Last month, Sony India Managing Director Kenichiro Hibi said the company is "seriously" looking at participating in the government's 'Make in India' initiative and is considering setting up a manufacturing plant in the country. However, he declined to share any information on time frame and investment in the new unit.Sony India Launches New Bravia Android TV Range Starting Rs. 69,900

Moto G (Gen 3) to have 2GB RAM, water-resistance?

NEW DELHI: With the launch of the next generation of Motorola products scheduled for July 28, we are seeing more details of the third-generation Moto G smartphone surface almost every week. Now, two recent reports have shed more light on what we might expect from the Moto G (Gen 3). 
Moto G (Gen 3) to have 2GB RAM, water-resistance?

According to import tracking website Zauba, Motorola has imported a total of 192 units of the third-generation Moto G to India for testing purposes. The data by Zauba shows that the upcoming Motorola smartphone will have 2GB of RAM, along with a 5-inch screen, 8GB internal storage, and white and black colour options. 

This report contradicts earlier speculation that Moto G (Gen 3) will come with only 1GB RAM, like its predecessors. With 2 gigs of RAM, the smartphone will be better positioned to take on the competition as most smartphones under Rs 15,000 now offer 2GB RAM. 

The second report, by technology website Android Syrup, says that Moto G (Gen 3) will be IPX7 certified, meaning it will be not be damaged if submerged under water (up to 1 metre) for half an hour. However, unlike other water-resistant smartphones, it will not be dust-resistant. This feature will help Motorola set the third-gen Moto G apart from the rivals, since no smartphone under Rs 20,000 features water resistance. 

Other likely key features of the upcoming Motorola budget smartphone include 5-inch HD (720p) screen, 1.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Snapdragon 410 processor, 8MP or 13MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, 5MP front camera, and 2,470mAh battery.