Windows 7: Microsoft unveils ‘Life without walls’ in India

Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. today announced the availability of Windows 7 for its customers in India. In line with Microsoft’s commitment to releasing a new OS at periodic schedules, keeping in mind evolving technologies, lifestyles and business needs, Windows 7 is designed to be more reliable and responsive, delivering a simplified PC experience for consumers.Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for customers to do the things they want on a PC through a streamlined user interface and several new features that make everyday tasks faster. This launch marks a significant milestone for Microsoft and is a result of extensive feedback from millions of customers and partners around the world.

Announcing the Windows 7 launch, Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman - Microsoft India said, "Proactive engagement and feedback thereof with partners and consumers was fundamental to the development of Windows 7. It has helped deliver what is the highest quality OS in the history of Windows. It enhances the user experience by its sheer simplicity and caters to their connected lives across work and play. We are delighted by the initial reviews from partners and the technology community. Over 90% of testers from around the world have rated it as "good" or "extremely good" and consider Windows 7 to be responsive, simple to use and stable."

Over 600 new feature ideas for Windows 7 were tested through global quantitative research early in the engineering process, helping Microsoft determine the features that best address consumers' top needs. Further, Windows 7 saw the largest beta testing program in the history of the industry, with 8 million testers worldwide.

Nielsen blames Ishant Sharma's decline on lack of support

Australian cricket team coach Tim Nielsen believes that young Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma is not getting adequate support from the management or the coaching staff at a time when he is clearly declining from a form point of view.

Nielsen believes the sacking of fast bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh reflects grave fears about the development of Sharma and other young players.

"That's may be one of the reasons why they've changed their staff, trying to spark a bit of a change of message or voice to their younger players who might've gone a little off the boil over the last little while," Nielsen said.

"Sharma's an example of young players when they do start well there's expectation on them the whole way through, they find it difficult, they become targeted by opposition teams. Rather than being the second or third fast bowler in the group, you all of a sudden become the one everyone's very aware of," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Nielsen, as saying.

He also finds it amazing that Prasad and Singh had worked with the Indian team on a series-by-series basis since their appointment in 2007 and neither were ever permitted to sign a contract.

They were crudely informed of their removal via the Indian media, and there appear no plans to have fresh staff in position by the time the one-day series against Australia begins at Vadodara on Sunday.

"'I am deeply disappointed and hurt by the way in which it has been handled," Prasad told the Hindustan Times.

Chandrayaan: India leaves its mark on the Moon

Chandrayaan, India's solo mission to the moon, is symbolic of India's footprints on the Moon. Among the major breakthrough findings, country's first ever Moon probe, established the fact that there is water on the Moon.Chandrayaan, India's solo mission to the Moon, is also symbolic of country's footprints on the celestial body. On the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-1 launch, we recreate the magic of India's mission to the Moon.

Among the major breakthrough findings, country's first ever moon probe, established the fact that it generates water; that there is iron in its rock like structures; and that Apollo, the US fourth mission was not hoax.

The next sequel of the moon quest then boils down to the query if Moon is fit for habitation. NASA recently bombed Moon surface and has yet to come back with detailed findings on water probe. Chandrayaan established that water on the Moon is in molecular form and not in moisture or gas form.

Vettaikaran to Valiban for Anushka!

Here’s the latest buzz from our sources - Before starting on the last schedule of Gautham Menon’s ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ Silambarasan had got in touch with Andhra girl Anushka.

So what’s the reason behind this call? - was our question...

After completing this romantic entertainer with Trisha, Silambarasan will jump into the process of making his ‘Valiban’. Looks like the entire script of ‘Valiban’ is ready now.

Silambarasan had contacted Anushka for ‘Valiban’ through his producer S.S.Chakravarthy’s production manager. But, the beauty had replied that she will call back if her role in the film was a strong one. Following this Silambarasan had asked if he can contact Anushka through SMS. Instantaneously Anushka had called our hero and both had deep discussion over phone for nearly half an hour.

Know what? Sources say that Silambarasan will be narrating the script of ‘Valiban’ to Anushka as soon as he is back from the shoot of ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’. But even before that producer S.S.Chakravarthy’s people are trying their best to get the actress’s call-sheet.

Adadaa... Anushka is shifting from Vettaikaran to Valiban’s hands soon!?!

Tanisha goes to Hollywood

Bollywood actress Tanisha Mukherjee, who had acted in the 'Neevalle Neevalle', is all set to feature in a movie produced by a US studio. Reports say that Tanisha is in Los Angeles for the last few weeks preparing for the shoot.

If sources are to be believed, the actress, accompanied by her sister Kajol, met a couple of producers in Los Angles earlier this year, where they saw her previous work and agreed to rope in for their projects.

“She is playing an Indian girl who's recently relocated to the US and how she comes to terms with the clash in culture. She is happy to be the part of the project,” sources were quoted as saying.

It is also said that the actress is presently staying in LA with a friend and will only return once the shoot is complete. “She plans to extend her stay there if required, but as of now she's gone for a couple of months.”

Strength of narrative attracts Aswini Dutt

A new film by Prakash, a software engineer trained in New York Film Institute, has been launched with Navdeep, Kajal, Bindu Madhavi and Nikhil in the lead roles. Prakash's unique narrative reportedly spell binded ace producer Ashwini Dutt (of Vyjayanthi Movies) who gave a green signal to the project.

Three Angels, owned by Dutt's daughter, which recently produced Banam, is the banner under which this film titled Om Shanthi is going to be canned from first week of November.

Pretty girls Kajal Agarwal and Bindu Madhavi will be seen opposite Navdeep and Nikhil.

Navdeep, who hasn't had a single hit, is expected to become a name after Arya2's release (the young lad is playing an interesting role in the Allu Arjun-starrer).

Nikhil Siddharth of Happy Days too didn't strike gold since his debut film. Seems that Om Shanthi is a film that is coming with the weight of its story and script than names.

Kurbaan poster is symbolic – Kareena

‘Kurbaan’ is making noises with its bold visuals and steamy scenes. The ‘Kurbaan’ poster that has Kareena and Saif featuring topless is garnering lots of ooohs and aahs. The movie also promises sizzling lengthy lip-locks. But the lady who dared it out is pretty cool and confident about it.

The actress said that she didn’t feel awkward even once while shooting any scene for the film. “It's always easier to shoot for romantic and passionate scenes with someone you are dating, because of the comfort level. Also I am very close to Rensil D'Silva (the director) while Karan is like family and I trusted them completely. I knew whatever they shot would come out very classy. And the poster proves that,” revealed Kareena. She feels that everything in the poster is symbolic; like Saif's wound and her wet hair represents passion, sensuality and emotional violence.

“Kurbaan is a love story with an undertone of violence a combination of love and violence. Everyone - from my mom to my sister Karisma is eagerly waiting for Kurbaan to release. It will remain one of my top three favourite films along with Omkara and Jab We Met,” added the hot gal.