Archive for October, 2010

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PartyPoker releases new software update

October 31st, 2010
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Online poker room Party Poker have this week revealed the newest software update that they have created, a software alteration that has seen additional features adding into its offering for playing members.

The software is claimed to be more secure, streamlined to ensure the fastest and most reliable game play as well as the pledge that the newest roll out will increase the options available to all players.

Taking a look at the new features, there are a number of them that feature in a number of the online poker rooms that are available at the moment but if you are a Party Poker player then you will welcome each and every addition.
The new edition of the software now includes:

Anonymous Heads Up Tables – These tables offer players the chance to compete within the heads up sections of the site without exposing their details to their opponent, such as username or avatar.

The move to add these tables will increase the potential target market for a number of players who play successfully online within other online poker rooms as it means that they are able to enter into match ups without their rival knowing anything about them, who knows who you could be facing off against next?

Show a Card – This is an ability that has been in circulation within the online industry through a number of poker rooms such as PKR but the chance to reveal just one of your starter cards means that you now have the chance to increase the number of mind games that you are able to play, show your flush completing card or show them a low kicker, the choice is yours.

Rabbit Hunting – Again another great addition to the Party Poker online poker room but still not a brand new idea as it has been done by competitors such as the Merge Gaming Network run sites.

Rabbit Hunting is a term given to the chance to be able to have the dealer reveal the next card that would have been dealt should the hand finish before all of the community cards have been dealt into play.

Although there is little that you can do once you have seen the next card, you can find out if you would have hit that flush…

Spot the Party Pro – Although this addition into the software won’t benefit standard players in many ways, the Spot the Party Pro addition means that the growing number of professional players that are sponsored by the site can be distinguished easier as they will now feature an additional marker to make it clear exactly what you are up against, after all, you don’t want to start your online poker journey facing up against one of the best players in the world do you?

Enhanced Tournament Information – The previous software that was used on the site offered very little in the way of tournament information to those who were playing in the tournament and with the site realising that you need to have a firm understanding what you are up against, they have moved to increase the data that they offer you.
They have now included increased information within their Multi Table Tournaments (MTT) as well as Single Table Tournaments (STT):

The size of the smallest, average and biggest stack within the tournament

Your position at that moment within the tournament
The number of chips that are live in play
How much time you have banked to make those tougher decisions
The remaining time before the next break within MTT

If you like the sound of the new additions to the site then all you have to do is log into the site or register a new account and you’ll be presented with the newly released version right there and then. Party Poker is one of the best European poker sites to play at thanks to having great traffic and soft games. The games available are: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, and their new variation Double Hold’em.

Source:http://www.pokernewsreport.com/partypoker-releases-new-software-update-485

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Google spent $1.6B on 40 companies through 3 quarters

October 31st, 2010
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Google said in an SEC filing it snapped up 40 companies through Sept. 30, spending $1.6 billion on AdMob, Slide On2 and 37 others as it seeks to compete with Facebook and others.

Google racked up 40 acquisitions for $1.6 billion through the first three quarters of 2010, a frenetic pace of more than four per month that recalled the buying binges of Cisco Systems in its M&A heyday.

The search engine, which revealed the numbers in a 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Oct. 29, shelled out $983 million of its M&A spend on three companies for talent and technology.

Google said it bought 37 other acquisitions for approximately $626 million in cash through Sept. 30.

The three large buys included mobile ad provider AdMob ($681 million); social software maker Slide ($179 million) and video software maker On2 Technologies ($123 million).

The bulk of the deals, which eWEEK profiled here, included mostly smaller talent acquisitions related to social software, where Google is facing a very real threat to its Internet dominance from Facebook. The social network has 500 million-plus users.

Google bought social search provider Aardvark; widget maker LabPixies; virtual currency specialist Jambool; social aggregator Angstro, gaming provider SocialDeck. Google also reportedly invested $100 million social gaming power Zynga.

There were dozens more, covering all manner of Internet technologies from security (reCaptcha), to mobile e-mail (reMail), to virtual map technology (Quiksee).

The M&A spend could have soared past $2 billion if Google had closed its deal to purchase travel software maker ITA Software, a $700 million deal that is being closely scrutinized by the Justice Department. Google expects to close the transaction in 2011.

The company, which had $33 billion in cash through the third quarter, vowed to continue its shopping spree into 2011as it seeks to fend of Facebook in social networking; Apple in mobile; and Microsoft Bing in search.

“Acquisitions will also remain an important component of our strategy and use of capital, and we expect our current pace of acquisitions to continue,” the company said.

Keeping the talent will be crucial, too. Unfortunately for Google, the company lost AdMob founder Omar Hamoui and others from that company.

Source:http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/Google-Spent-16B-on-40-Companies-Through-3-Quarters-548307/

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Software AG reports 3Q revenue

October 31st, 2010
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Software AG reported significant revenue growth in all business divisions in the third quarter of 2010.

In a release dated Oct. 26, the Company said total revenue rose 29 percent (22 percent at constant currency rates) year-on-year to EUR275.3 million (2009: EUR213.6 million). In particular the services business performed well reporting higher revenue than the second quarter of 2010, contrary to normal seasonal development. The successful integration of IDS Scheer AG has resulted in this new corporate division reporting revenue growth for both products and consulting services. In addition, foreign currency rates had a positive impact on both revenue and earnings, particularly in the Americas.

Group operating earnings, net income, and earnings per share again reached record highs, returning two-digit growth rates. This performance is a result of the improved utilization of consulting capacities, cost synergies achieved through the merger with IDS Scheer and the positive, third quarter exchange rate effects. Software AG expects this earnings trend to continue in the fourth quarter and has therefore raised its fiscal year 2010 outlook for profit growth from the previously announced 10 to 12 percent to between 18 and 20 percent.

The third quarter 2010 results again confirmed Software AG’s growth strategy. The new business area, known as Business Process Excellence, encompassing software products for the integration of enterprise applications and processes, continued to grow (product revenue webMethods/ARIS + 27 percent compared to the previous year) and delivered an increased earnings contribution. The objectives of the August 2009 merger with IDS Scheer, namely revenue and cost synergies, had a very positive impact on earnings for the first time in the quarter under review. The earnings contribution from the Enterprise Process Innovation (IDS Scheer) division more than tripled to EUR14.6 million (2009: EUR4.5 million).

“Now that the organizational integration is complete, we are reaping the benefits of a significantly larger company,” said Karl-Heinz Streibich, CEO of Software AG. “Our product business with ARIS is entering new dimensions. And, opportunities for more profitable consulting projects have noticeably increased.”

The upturn in demand in the Americas, apparent in the first half of 2010, continued in the third quarter. Thanks to the large U.S. and Brazilian markets, Software AG again achieved two-digit growth rates in the region. Business in Germany, Australia, and the Middle East appreciably outperformed the Group average.

Growth in all business divisions

The Enterprise Transaction Systems (Adabas, Natural) business division has demonstrated a moderate rise in revenue during the course of the current fiscal year. Third-quarter revenue was EUR101.4 million-five percent above the previous quarter (Q2 2010: EUR96.3 million) and two percent above the same quarter in 2009 (EUR99.2 million). In the product business, license and maintenance revenues were both around six percent higher year-on-year. License revenue totaled EUR36.6 million as compared to EUR28.0 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 31-percent increase notwithstanding the normal seasonal effects. This was on a par with the record results from 2009.

The webMethods division achieved EUR86.6 million in total revenue or 14-percent growth in the third quarter of 2010. This reflects the typical seasonal trend as compared to the second quarter of 2010. A number of large-scale projects with new customers confirm the Company’s strategy of positioning itself as an innovative market leader in the process automation growth market.

This strategy includes the acquisition of IDS Scheer AG, whose contribution to revenue from the Enterprise Process Innovation division totaled EUR87.3 million in the third quarter (2009: EUR38.6 million). Of that, EUR23.4 million (2009: EUR10.4 million) can be attributed to the product business and EUR63.9 million (2009: EUR28.2 million) to IDS Scheer Consulting. The increase over last year is partly a result of consolidation. The 10-percent rise over last quarter (Q2 2010), however, illustrates growth in the consulting business.

Operating earnings confirm a successful acquisition strategy

Operating earnings (EBIT) in the third quarter climbed 23 percent to EUR69.1 million (2009: EUR56.4 million) as a result of business expansion (primarily in the services unit), advantageous foreign currency rates and the realization of synergies and scale economies from the merger with IDS Scheer. Net profit rose 20 percent to total EUR45.6 million (2009: EUR38.1 million). Earnings per share went up to EUR1.61 (2009: EUR1.35).

“These are our first quarterly results for the consolidated organization since the acquisition of IDS Scheer and we have surpassed expected revenue and earnings growth rates. An improved profit margin and lower cost ratios, with respect to the services unit as well, are contributing more and more to our results,” said Arnd Zinnhardt, CFO of Software AG. “With an EBIT margin of 25 percent, the quarter under review has already reached a level that we had envisaged further down the road.”

Net debt in the third quarter fell EUR42.5 million to EUR249.6 million. At the end of 2009, this figure was EUR320.1 million. Software AG’s free cash flow amounted to EUR42.6 million (2009: EUR47.0 million) in the third quarter.

First nine months of 2010 document a quantum leap in Company’s development

Software AG’s total revenue in the first nine months of 2010 generated a record-breaking EUR792.9 million (2009: EUR555.3 million), a 43-percent rise year-on-year (37 percent at constant currency rates). Revenue in foreign currencies benefited from the weak Euro. In total, exchange rate effects accounted for EUR30.7 million in revenue growth. Product revenue went up 19 percent to EUR474.8 million as compared to the first nine months of 2009 (EUR399.4 million). Maintenance revenue climbed 21 percent to EUR275.1 million (2009: EUR228.2 million), and license revenue grew by 17 percent from EUR171.2 million to EUR199.7 million.

The webMethods division reported 14-percent revenue growth to EUR257.3 million as compared to EUR226.0 million in the same nine-month period in 2009. The ETS division achieved EUR286.6 million in revenue, which was slightly below that of the previous year (EUR290.7 million). The new business division, Enterprise Process Innovation, representing IDS Scheer, contributed approximately one-third of revenue with EUR248.7 million. The previous year’s revenue figure (EUR38.6 million) accounted only for the period of consolidation (August 20-Sept. 30, 2009).

Furthermore, the expanded company, including IDS Scheer, attained a new level of earnings. EBIT grew 26 percent to EUR174.6 (2009: EUR138.8 million). Net profit rose 20 percent to EUR111.0 million (2009: EUR92.7 million). Free cash flow in the nine-month period increased to EUR138.7 million (2009: EUR119.8 million), which is 16 percent higher year-on-year. As of Sept. 30, debt was down at EUR351.2 million as compared to EUR514.5 million on the same date in 2009. The Group equity ratio was 44 percent as compared to 37 percent on the same date in 2009.

Software AG had a total of 5,708 employees (full-time equivalents) as of Sept. 30. Of those, 2,089 were employed in Germany. The figure from 2009 (6,086/2,196) was calculated prior to the operational integration of IDS Scheer AG.

Profit forecast for fiscal 2010 raised considerably- EUR1 billion revenue mark will be surpassed

Software AG confirms its current revenue forecast for fiscal year 2010 which remains significantly above one billion Euros. Compared to 2009, total revenue is estimated to grow between 25 and 30 percent and product revenue between 12 and 15 percent, at constant currency rates.

As a result of improved utilization of service capacities, lower cost ratios, and cost synergies achieved through the merger with IDS Scheer, Software AG now expects (based on the results from the nine-month period) a considerably larger increase in net profit and earnings per share. The Company’s revised forecast for fiscal year 2010 foresees 18 to 20 percent (previously 10-12 percent) earnings growth compared to the last fiscal year.

Software AG is a provider of business process management solutions.

Software AG had revenues of EUR847 million in 2009 and has more than 6,000 employees serving 10,000 enterprise and public institution customers across 70 countries.

Source:http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/idsrf_stwry_software-ag-reports-3q-revenue-1270525.html

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Spy bubble – spying software with amazing features

October 31st, 2010
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SpyBubble is cell-phone tracking software which allows its users to track and spy on any cell-phone using the amazing features of the software. The software which is being spied on can be viewed from any PC. Once you install the software on the phone and on the PC, it does not matter where you are located.

SpyBubble allows its user to track the number that was called to, the number the call was made from, what times the calls took place, duration of the calls, word-for-word SMS that has been sent or received, all the phone numbers that are registered on the phone and the location of the phone.

For a long time this kind of software has been a dream of many people. No one could ever imagine that once upon a time this sort of spying software would be available for everyone and at a cheap price. SpyBubble offers a 100% cash back guarantee. So, you can actually buy the software after trying it out and seeing its real worth.

So, if you want to get rid of eternal doubts and have genuine proof of what someone is doing, you just get the SpyBubble and get yourself going. You will no more have to wonder where your wife is, what she is doing, where your children spend their time and what your employees or business partners think about you. SpyBubble will be a relief for you and the main source of information that has been always hidden for you.

Source:http://seerpress.com/spy-bubble-%E2%80%93-spying-software-with-amazing-features/11376/

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Isle tech firm moving to network medical data

October 31st, 2010
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Health care is front and center on the national agenda these days, and the Aloha State is no exception. There’s also a quiet IT revolution going on in Hawaii medicine that’s changing the way docs connect with patients. One of the companies behind this is TeamPraxis, a locally grown technology firm that’s been around for 18 years and now has 150 employees.

According to CEO Creighton Arita, business has never been better.

His company, which serves about 1,000 physicians in the state, is digitizing medical records and building a state-of-the art network for doctors. By digitizing records and making them accessible online, docs can better automate everyday tasks such as billing, scheduling and writing prescriptions and patient charts.

The need is enormous, and Praxis has partnered with Allscripts, a publicly traded mainland company, to sell its locally developed software outside of Hawaii.

Although it’s a complex process to tie health care entities such as hospitals, physician’s offices and labs together, Arita says that the concept is simple. Once physicians are able to integrate health records with a data delivery system and share it with other stakeholders, patients can be much more easily tracked and properly treated.

For example, the network would allow a physician to automatically flag patients for high blood pressure. If the data don’t look good, the patient can be e-mailed with an appointment and administered attention. Or, if there’s a drug recall, physicians on the network will know which of their patients was prescribed the product in question and can make the adjustment immediately.

However, it’s not strictly a one-way street. The new network also means patients can access their records and lab tests, and communicate directly with physicians. They also will be in a position to better understand treatment options.

Says Arita, “Extending information to patients gets them engaged, and that’s a good thing.”

The growth of the TeamPraxis network has been impressive. As more medical data speeds along the network, the need for greater bandwidth is commensurately higher. Arita says he’s seeing in excess of a 30 percent annual growth for bandwidth requirements.

TeamPraxis, along with DRFortress, is also creating a medical exchange. Doctors, hospitals, labs and medical insurance companies can connect to and through the exchange to transfer

information between each other. Of course, all information that moves is done in a secure and confidential manner compliant with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act policies and requirements.

The bottom line: Providing medical data means physicians can better manage chronic diseases and patients can play a greater role in their own health care.

Source:http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/20101031_Isle_tech_firm_moving_to_network_medical_data.html

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Laplink PCmover Ultimate review

October 31st, 2010
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We reinstall our operating systems from time-to-time. A fresh install of Windows does wonders for your PC’s performance and clears out the clutter on your hard disk. It concentrates your mind on whether you’re using the best software for the task at hand, or if you need to search for or buy anew.

On the other hand, we accept that such an undertaking fills many people with tedium – or even dread. Confronted with moving to a new PC, they simply want to take all their old programs, settings and files with them, making the new machine as much like the old one as possible – it’s for just such users that Laplink’s PCmover is designed.

The software allows you to migrate files, settings and applications from your old PC to a new one. You can migrate from XP, Vista or Windows 7, and the new PC must have the same or a more recent version of Windows. PCmover has to be installed on both PCs first, and then you can make the migration via a USB lead, a network connection or using a portable hard disk. The version we tested came with a crossover Ethernet cable in the box, with which to connect the two PCs.

You can select if you want to make a full migration, just files and settings or simply files. You get a checklist of applications, so you can pare off ones you don’t require. PCmover recommends you uninstall any software from the new PC that replicates applications you’re trying to migrate – a good example being Microsoft Office trials. You can also pick which folders of documents you want to move. Finally, it will transfer user profiles from your old PC, great if you have multiple users with access to different applications, and again you can pick the ones you want.

We migrated our aging Windows Vista office PC onto a new Windows 7 laptop. It’s a well-used PC, so we had to migrate a huge 57,627 files, plus 229,135 settings and 76GB of data. With the network cable, PCmover estimated this would take six hours, so you’d be best off leaving it overnight.

Starting up the new PC after the migration, PCmover informed us that it had disabled all Startup programmes and provided a list of tick boxes so we could select the one we really needed – a sensible way of not bogging down your new PC with your old PC’s clutter.

All our documents and files were transferred correctly, including browser favourites, emails and shortcuts. You may have trouble playing DRM-restricted media files such as music and video, and even unprotected media files may not play initially, as the audio and video codecs required weren’t transferred – though using a migrated program such as VLC media player, which has its own built-in codecs, worked fine.

A quick test of applications gave pleasing results. Starcraft II ran fine, but one of our Java-based games failed as we needed a graphics driver update on the new PC (not PCmover’s fault but indicative of problems you may come across). Paint Shop Pro worked, as did Acrobat reader. Even Microsoft Office transferred successfully. PCmover doesn’t transfer device drivers, so any external hardware you want to switch over to your new PC will need reinstalling. Security software is not transferred, as this can cause a lot of problems, so you’ll need to reinstall it on your new PC.

Also included in this Ultimate edition are a range of extra tools. Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant helps you upgrade your current PC to Windows 7, with all the options available for the standard migration. Essentially it copies off the data required, makes a fresh install of Windows 7, and then migrates your files onto that. SafeErase is provided, so you can wipe your old hard disk clean of any remaining information. Finally there’s PCsync, which keeps file synchronized between multiple PCs.

Source:http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/1280422/laplink-pcmover-ultimate

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HP unveils interactive software experience at KidZania

October 31st, 2010
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Using HP Create, kids choose a character they aspire to be – from a pilot to fashion designer – and use the local currency they earn, kidZos, to design a computer for their character.

With 10 minutes on the clock, and kidZos in their pockets, kids are guided through a step-by-step process, and learn about the components required to build the perfect computer for their customer.

Kids choose components from the following categories:
1. Form factor – standard, mini, pad, tablet
2. Screen – touch or non-touch
3. Screen Size
4. Battery (Life)
5. Disc capacity – 250 GB, 640 GB, 1TB
6. Graphics card – Internet Browsing, Facebook, e-mail; Engineering & 3D design; Gamin
7. Color & pattern
8. Additional elements – webcam, DVD drive, 3D glass, finger print access
9. Additional accessories – wireless mouse, carry case, tote bag, headphone, mini speaker.

“At HP, we’re committed to providing our youth with fun and educational experiences,” said Salim Ziad, General Manager HP Personal Systems Group Middle East. “As the IT Marketing Partner at KidZania, our mission is to introduce children to technology in a hands-on and creative environment, where they are challenged to use their imagination to create innovation. These are the qualities we practice everyday in our labs at HP.”

Will Edwards, Governor, KidZania, said, “The introduction of the HP establishment, which promotes advanced technologies in information and communication technology and encourage learning of computer know-how in kids, adds more value to our young visitors. The HP activity in Dubai is the first of its kind among all KidZania’s around the world and was specifically created for KidZania Dubai, and HP played an instrumental role in its development. We are committed to offering fresh experiences for our young visitors by continuously introducing new establishments, professions, and activities in KidZania.”

The edutainment theme is infused throughout the software experience as kids practice money management and develop an understanding of finance when given the responsibility to build a computer with their hard-earned money. Through this unique partnership, HP and KidZania give kids the opportunity to identify their true talent while promoting intellectual growth for future technology leaders.

Source:http://www.ameinfo.com/247328.html

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