Special People Centre

Pakistan get, receives US surveillance aircraft:

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:28:52 +0000

The Pakistani navy took delivery of two high-techs, US-made surveillance aircraft nine months after Islamist militants destroyed two similar planes, officials said. Pakistan said the P3C aircraft, modified with the most up-to-date avionics, are designed to get better surveillance in the North Arabian Sea, one of the world’s most significant shipping routes intensely disturbed by Somali piracy. ’The two aircraft have been delivered to the Pakistan navy. These aircraft have been provided under the foreign military funding programme,’ a spokesperson for the US embassy in Islamabad.

Relations between Pakistan and the United States were sternly damaged last year by a covert American raid that killed Osama bin Laden and air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, and the coalition remains apprehensive. The navy said the aircraft would assist, help ‘maintain necessary vigil in our very important area of interest in the North Arabian Sea‘, which it said was ‘home to intense maritime activity both legal and illegal and thus warrants continuous guard’. Pakistan is to take delivery of six P3C aircraft from the United States in three batches. The first two, received in 2010, were destroyed during a 17-hour siege of a key naval base in Karachi last May blamed on the Taliban. The attack killed 10 personnel and deeply embarrassed the military, just three weeks after bin Laden was killed in the garrison town of Abbottabad KPK Pakistan.

Source via The Express Tribune:

Nokia Launches Three Smartphones Powered by Symbian Belle:

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:34:26 +0000

Nokia has announced (Karachi – 20th February, 2012), the launch of three feature-packed, mass market smartphones, bringing the most modern and latest smartphone functionality at attractive and pretty price points and including market-leading innovation and advancement with Symbian Belle. The Nokia 700, Nokia 701 and Nokia 603 extend the range of available designs, features and functionality in the Nokia Symbian smartphone range. Symbian Belle powers all three, with single-tap NFC technology sharing and pairing, the most personal user interface up to now and a more powerful mobile Web browsing experience. In addition to allowing content to be shared between devices, NFC capabilities allow any of the three new smartphones to pair with NFC-enabled mobile accessories such as speakers or Bluetooth headphones and headsets. To extend the range of available NFC-enabled accessories, Nokia is also announcing the launch of the Nokia Essence Bluetooth Stereo Headset, which can be paired with any NFC-enabled smartphone simply by tapping the two devices together.

Despite the fact that all three smartphones contain recognizable Nokia features, they each represent an incredibly distinct set of priorities to allow users to choose and prefer what matters most in a smartphone. The most compact touch screen mono block smartphone in the world (Nokia 700); a sleek and stylish smartphone with the world’s brightest mobile display for indoor or outdoor use (Nokia 701), and Nokia’s smartphone built to match the pace of your life (Nokia 603) all bring firsts to the Nokia product portfolio.

Nokia 700, Nokia 701 and Nokia 603 smartphones introduce and launches latest Symbian software update while new NFC-enabled stereo Bluetooth headset takes benefits of NFC pairing and sharing functionality!

Nokia 700: Nokia’s smallest smartphone:

At only 50 cubic centimeters, weighing 96gm and at 110 x 50.7 x 9.7 mm, the Nokia 700 not only becomes Nokia’s most compact smartphone in the Symbian range, it is the most compact touch mono block smartphone in the world. What it requires and lacks in size it makes up for in functionality, with single-tap NFC sharing and pairing capabilities, a GHz processor, 3.2 inch AMOLED screen Clear Black display, 2GB of internal memory (with the option of using a 32GB micro SD card for a total of 34GB), HD video capture and 5MP completely and full focus camera with LED flash. The Nokia 700 is also Nokia’s most environmental, Eco-friendly smartphone. With a long battery life, far-reaching and extensive use of ecological materials and features to minimize battery utilization, consumption it is the ideal and perfect smartphone for any environmentally-conscious smartphone user.

Nokia 701: Nokia’s brightest smartphone:

The Nokia 701 is a shiny, sleek and slim smartphone incorporating the world’s brightest ever mobile phone display, based on a 3.5 inch Clear Black display that makes it perfect and wonderful for indoor and outdoor use. It also has active noise cancellation for the clearest sound quality and, similar to the other new smartphones provides single-tap NFC pairing and sharing capabilities, allowing content to be shared and sound to be streamed wirelessly to headphones and NFC-enabled speakers. Based on the popular Nokia C7 design, the Nokia 701 smartphone also has a 1GHz processor, 8MP full focus camera with dual LED flash and 2 X digital zoom, 2nd front-facing camera and HD video capture. It comes with 8GB internal memory and the prospect, option and possibility to enhance, increase to 40GB by installing a 32GB micro SD card.

Nokia 603: Nokia’s fast, dazzling and fully featured smartphone:

The Nokia 603 smartphone has a processing speed of up to 1 GHz to match your life’s fast and rapid pace. With amazing and remarkable colors and a bright user interface of 3.5” Clear Black touch screen, it has six entirely, fully customizable home screens that allow you to have all your contacts, messages, widgets, music and friends on your home screen. The Nokia 603 is an NFC-enabled device through which you can play games and share files just by touching your phone to another NFC-enabled handset. With a full focus 5MP camera you can capture wonderful pictures and shoot 720p HD videos. The phone has an internal memory of 2GB with ability to increase to 34GB using a 32GB micro SD card.

Video Link Please Click here:

Source via Syntax Communications.

WFP food packages for Person with disabilities:

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:34:53 +0000

The World Food Programme would provide monthly food packages to families of paralysed people, an official said. An agreement value of $ 3 million was signed between the Afghan Work and Common Welfare Ministry and the World Food Programme (WFP) in this regard in Kabul. Talking to reporters after signing the agreement, the Afghan Minister for Work and Common Welfare, Amna Afzali, said under the agreement food packages would be distributed among 19000 families of disabled, handicapped people in Kabul. Moreover, she said they were endeavoring and striving to provide and give the same food packages to families of martyrs and more paralysed people. Each monthly package included various kinds of edibles worth $ 150, she said, adding the packages would be given to paralysed people on cards valid for six months. On the event, the WFP Representative for Afghanistan, Burdli Gerand, said they were struggling to extend efforts towards disabled people in other parts of Afghanistan. After receiving the card, a disabled person told the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) he was contented to acquire the package, saying he would hardly make both ends meet with his low monthly income. According the ministry of work and common welfare approximately one million Afghans have disabilities.

Source via Frontier Post/AIP!

International Cricket Council ICC expects & hopes disabled cricket gains momentum:

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:14:19 +0000

The first-ever physically handicapped, disabled cricket series between Pakistan and England has taken the sport into up-to-the-minute territory and will gain impetus, momentum in time, an International Cricket Council official said. The physically challenged cricketers played two T20 and three one-day matches here between February dated from 11 to19. Pakistan won the T20 2-0 and the one-day series 2-1. Haroon Lorgat, CEO of the ICC said he was impressed with the remarkable ability and talent of the disabled players.

“It was an historic series in the sense that it created a massive amount of awareness, understanding for many of us,” Lorgat at the series prize giving ceremony. “It is an area we have not focused much on in the past, but indeed with the efforts of these players and organizers in this series it has certainly created awareness,” said Lorgat. Moreover Lorgat said disabled cricket will have to go through the normal process to get recognition. “I would liken it to women’s cricket in the past, the ICC was not involved with women’s cricket but it went through a process and is at the moment under the ICC, so disabled cricket will also have to go through a process,”

Lorgat said the Chief Executive Committee (CEC) meeting next month will also discuss this recent brand of the game. Lorgat said the skill; talent levels seen and observe during the series were amazing. “It was fascinating to watch, the skill level and the type of cricket these players played despite their disability was a treat to watch,” said Lorgat, admiring the talent of Pakistan cricket disabled team.

Qureshi, who bats left handed after he lost his right one in an accident, scored a century in the first one-day and was named Man of the Series.

Source via The News!

COMSATS Provide Training to Visually Disabled/Handicapped Students:

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:58:44 +0000

COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) in joint venture with Directorate of Special Education & Social Welfare completed a 6-week web design training course to a group of 25 visually impaired, handicap students at National Library and Research Center (NLRC), Islamabad Pakistan. The training was carried out from January 2nd, 2012 to February 10th, 2012 at the library by Manager Software of CIS, Mr. Abid Rizvi. The training covered many web design topics including HTML, CSS, page layouts, Notepad as editor, Dreamweaver, Firebug, domain registration & hosting, and website update and maintenance.

The 6-week training was concluded by a certificate distribution ceremony at NLRC where Director General Special Education & Social Welfare, Mr. Syed Mustafain Kazmi was the chief guest on this event for Disabled students. Other guests were also included in this occasion, Mr. Asim Shahryar Husain, CEO, COMSATS Internet Services, and Ms. Munazza Gilani, Manager, Sightsavers Pakistan.

On the event CEO Comsats Internet Service draw attention to that mission of COMSATS is to utilize technology for social advantage through programs such as telehealth and training and it is a proud moment for COMSATS that it has trained these visually impaired, handicapped students to be able to design websites at home. Because handicapped, person with disabilities can play an important role improving the country’s economic conditions.

Telenor Cellular Company Djuice 500 MB Mobile Internet Bundle Package:

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:05:40 +0000

Telenor cellular company has just now and lately introduced and launches 500MB GPRS bundle for those Djuice prepaid customers who would like higher data transfers on their cell phones.

Charges Internet Bundle:

Telenor Djuice customers can avail and benefited from this 500MB GPRS package for Rs 250 per month.
There is no tax on any GPRS/EDGE package.
This GPRS bundle is not available for Telenor talkshawk prepaid customers.

Activation Procedure:

Dial *345*904# from your Djuice to avail this offer
To check your Telenor GPRS validity and usage detail dial *999# (10 paisas charges of *999#)
GPRS charging pulse is 64KB

To configure your mobile for Telenor internet settings click here. This 500MB is the largest GPRS bundle from Telenor for its prepaid customers.

Source via Telenor:

Mobilink Jazz USA and Canada IDD Package, Offer:

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:19:46 +0000

Mobilink Jazz brings its valuable customers an indomitable IDD offer. Now you can talk with your loved ones in the US and Canada at an extremely remarkable charge of Rs. 14.99 for an entire 30 minutes. To avail and benefit from this special promotion, just dial 456 before desired number and connect across borders with unrivalled convenience. Mobilink Jazz believes in rewarding its customers with offers and products that are without comparison in value. With the largest customer base in Pakistan, Mobilink Jazz guarantees unmatchable rates and quality of service that you can always depend upon.

Terms & Conditions:

Customer will have to dial 456 before the number e.g. he will have to dial 456001.
Every call that the customer makes to USA with the prefix 456 will be charged at Rs. 14.99 +tax for 30 minutes.
Government taxes apply on Rs. 14.99 / 30 minutes and the deduction will be Rs. 17.91 / 30 minutes
This offer is not valid and applicable to premium numbers of USA
No subscription and daily charges apply
New charges, rates will be valid for 24 hours a day (no time window restriction)
The package, offer is valid till 29th February, 2012
Offer will be available for all Jazz, Jazba and Indigo customers.

Source via Mobilink.

Rovio Announces and Publicize Angry Birds Space Release for March 22:

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:40:41 +0000

Rovio’s next huge title will be Angry Birds Space, where you’ll be capable to initiate and launch birds at their porcine enemies in the absence of gravity. As the teaser site and the video insinuate, the space setting will play an immense component and part in the gameplay. Yahoo scored some details from Andrew Stalbow, the GM of Rovio North America. You’ll be throwing birds on wholly new planets while contending with zero gravity, leading to new gameplay elements like slow-motion puzzles and “lightspeed” destruction. And identical to with other Angry Birds games, expect those outer-space physics to be at close range and dead on.

The last major Angry Birds title, Angry Birds Rio, saw minor tweaks, a few new birds and an enormous movie tie-in, but on the whole it wasn’t excessively different from the original. While Angry Birds Space will characteristic, features the same level rating system, supported from NASA should make for some fun new game physics. Rovio says as well it will be launching “simultaneously in mobile gaming, animation, retail, and publishing.” That fundamentally means and signifies you can expect tons of Angry Birds merchandize, goods and media to hit the market once the game is released in month of March dated, 22.

Mountain Lion vs. Windows 8: consequently incredibly dissimilar:

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:33:02 +0000

Microsoft’s Windows is a barefaced reproduction of Apple’s Macintosh. You can deliberate whether that’s factual. You can’t, however, dispute that it’s not conventional perception, wisdom: Apple has even comic story about it in product launches. But it may be the conventional wisdom of a time that’s passed. At the moment that we be familiar with what Apple is doing with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, due this summer, we can compare it to Microsoft’s approach with Windows 8, arriving sometime this year. In fact, the two companies’ upgrade strategies couldn’t be additional different.

Between Lion and Mountain Lion, Apple is revising OS X with suggestions and ideas borrowed from iOS: the Launchpad, the App Store, full-screen mode, AirPlay, Messages, Notes, Reminders and much more. It’s also making iOS-like gesticulations, which you perform on Macs’ oversized touch pads, increasingly significant. But for all the sweeping iOS pressure, Apple is leaving a lot of material alone. OS X’s Dock, desktop, menu bar and windows are largely untouched in Mountain Lion. That’s both good and bad: They remain entirely recognizable, but you might be apologetic that Apple didn’t provide them extra TLC if the company’s fascination with iOS-ification doesn’t request to you.

And then there’s Windows 8. With the touch-centric Metro interface, Microsoft is starting from scratch. It’s built a thoroughly innovative look and sense and added new features, and expects developers and users to make an enormous jump forward. Support for old-school Windows is still there, but it’s been shunted off to one side. It’s a essential acknowledgement that Microsoft couldn’t merely do away with the Windows we’ve known for 26 years overnight.

Dissimilar approaches:

It’s not tough to figure out. Apple and Microsoft may have competed in the PC market for decades, but they discover themselves in incredibly different positions in 2012. With the iPad, Apple is as well-positioned for a post-PC world — or as a minimum a world in which “PC” means and signifies something new — as any company on the planet. It doesn’t require reinventing OS X. It almost certainly isn’t frightened by the outlook of an epoch in which Macs are less significant than they once were. It can comfortably maintain that Macs are healthier without touch screens.

Microsoft, alternatively, has been so full of activity being PC-centric that it seemed unwilling to contemplate the prospect of a post-PC age until recently. The Tablet PC failure. Windows Phone, as good as it is, hasn’t up till now caught on. If a consequential percentage of Windows users abandon it for something else, it would be dreadful news for Microsoft’s bottom line. So the company is reinventing Windows as a post-PC product, in a astonishingly aggressive way. If the PC of the future is a touch-screen device that might not have a physical keyboard, Microsoft wants it to run Windows and it’s enthusiastic to modify everything about Windows to make that realism.

There are no guarantees that it’s going to work — a heck of numerous people won’t even abandon Windows XP — but it’s a courageous and ingenious move. Here’s another bit of conventional wisdom: Apple is bold, and Microsoft is conservative. With their strategy for their aging PC platforms, though, that’s no longer precise. Apple is giving OS X careful squeezes and push. Microsoft is trying to take Windows-8 places where no conventional operating system has gone before. It’s going to be attractive to observe how it all develops over the next few years.

Thank you for Reading!

Digital technologies overturning extermination or extinction of languages:

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:14:25 +0000

Digital technologies are the new life-saver for languages on the edge of disappearance extinction, linguists said as they publicized and announced eight new dictionaries at a major science conference in Vancouver. We’re turning the digital divide into a digital opportunity, prospect said David Harrison, a National Geographic Fellow at Swarthmore College near Philadelphia.

More than half of some 7,000 languages active today were considered on the brink of extermination within a century, “threatened by cultural changes, ethnic shame, government oppression and other factors,” the scientists said in a paper. But use of technologies, even by peoples without written languages, “is an inspiring inclination,” said Harrison. “Language extinction is not inevitability, certainty.

“Using social media, Youtube, text messaging, to expand their voice, expands their presence (is) the flip side of globalization,” said Harrison. ”You can have a language spoken by only 50 or 500 people, only in one location, and at the moment through digital technology that language can achieve a global voice.” Languages issue, said Harrison, because linguists and other researchers “gain enormous insight, approaching into human cognition, botany, pharmacology. All disciplines of scientific inquiry are vastly enhanced.