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Activision raises 2009 outlook, shares climb

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7 (Reuters) – Activision Blizzard Inc (ATVI.O) posted quarterly results that trumped Wall Street estimates, and raised its 2009 forecast on what the video game publisher called its strongest slate of upcoming titles.

The publisher of the “Guitar Hero” and “Call of Duty” franchises, whose shares rose 2.7 percent after the results, said it will continue to focus on proven big-name titles and it is planning 11 major releases in the second half of 2009.

“The base business is stable and the new business growth is offsetting base business decline, if there is any,” said Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter.

Some analysts fear growth in the hugely popular “Guitar Hero” game, which passed the $2 billion sales mark in the first quarter, will start to fade. But Pachter said those fears are overblown, expecting “Guitar Hero” to be at minimum a $600 million a year business for at least the next five years.

“They’re a victim of their own success. The better they do the farther there is to fall,” he said.

Activision raised its forecast for full-year earnings per share, excluding items, by 2 cents to 63 cents a share, and boosted its non-GAAP revenue forecast by $100 million to $4.8 billion. Wall Street was expecting earnings of 64 cents per share on revenue of $4.77 billion.

Chief Executive Robert Kotick told Reuters in an interview he continues to be cautiously optimistic about growth prospects for the video game industry.

“The confidence we have in raising our outlook for the year is really coming from more visibility on the back-half titles,” he said. “You listen to some of our competitors and they’re still struggling with what’s going to work for consumers, and when you look at our lineup, it’s by far the best lineup we’ve ever had.”

HIGH HOPES

Kotick said Activision has high hopes for forthcoming titles such as “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” “DJ Hero” and “Band Hero.”

The company was formed through the merger of Activision with “World of Warcraft” developer Blizzard, the former games unit of France’s Vivendi SA (VIV.PA), in a deal that closed last July.

Activision reported a net profit of $189 million, or 14 cents a share, for the first quarter. Excluding items, profit was 8 cents a share, ahead of analysts’ average forecast of 5 cents according to Reuters Estimates.

Non-GAAP revenue came in at $724 million, easily beating Wall Street’s estimate of $594 million. The company said last month that its first-quarter results were tracking ahead of its previous outlook.

For the current quarter, Activision forecast adjusted earnings of 6 cents a share, on non-GAAP revenue of $775 million. Wall Street was looking for profit of 9 cents a share on revenue of $835.3 million.

In the first the quarter, “Call of Duty” and “Guitar Hero” remained two of the top-five best-selling franchises in the United States and Europe, Activision said, citing research group data.

The Santa Monica, California-based company’s shares have risen more than 25 percent this year. The stock rose to $11.30 after the results, from their Nasdaq close of $11. (Reporting by Gabriel Madway; Editing by Richard Chang)

Obama orders review of NASA return to the moon

As agency presents its $18B budget, White House calls for closer look at space flight plans

Plans for NASA to send humans back to the moon might be in jeopardy.

President Barack Obama’s administration today called for an independent review of NASA’s human space flight activities.

Looking at possible alternatives to programs already in the pipeline, the review is geared toward making sure the country’s human spaceflight program remains “safe, innovative and affordable” after the space shuttle is retired, NASA says.

Acting NASA Administrator Christopher Scolese said in a statement, “The thousands of workers who have given so much over the years to bring human spaceflight to where it is today deserve nothing less than a full assurance their commitment will be applied in the smartest and most practical ways.”

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Google rolls out search changes.

Google has launched two experimental products will change the way users search for pictures and news

A feature known as Similar Images uses a picture rather than text to find other matching images.

Timeline presents information already available in Google News but organised and displayed chronologically.

Alongside these features is a new version of Google Labs, in which users can take a peek at what its thousands of engineers are working on.

Amid past criticism that Google has wasted too much time and effort on projects that have little impact, the aim of the Labs upgrade is to make prototypes available earlier.

“The idea we are trying to build here with Labs and the culture of innovation is to close the gap at the point of which a new idea is hatched and the time it takes to get into the hands of users for feedback,” said Google director of product management R J Pittman.

For More Please visit:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8009400.stm

Defense project of USA and UK hacked

Chinese hackers suspected of penetrating the Joint Strike Fighter programme

Hackers have broken into the US Department of Defense’s $300bn (£206bn) Joint Strike Fighter programme, which is partly funded by the UK.

The Joint Strike Fighter project is a development initiative to replace ageing fighter aircraft with next-generation F-35 planes.
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The F-35, with its advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, propulsion systems and firepower, is to be the next fighter jet for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The UK has invested $2bn (£1.37bn) in the F-35’s development – the largest single contribution from the programme’s eight partner nations.

US officials believe the attacks could have originated in China, having tracked the intruders to known Chinese internet protocol addresses, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The hackers copied data relating to the aircraft system design by exploiting network vulnerabilities in computer infrastructure belonging to contractors helping to build the new planes.

Lockheed Martin, the lead contractor on the project, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The hackers encrypted the data they stole to stop officials knowing the extent of the breach. However, according to reports the most sensitive design information, such as flight controls and sensors, was not touched because it resides on computers not connected to the internet.

The UK last month purchased its first three F-35s, signaling its commitment to the upcoming test and evaluation phase of the project. The UK plans to eventually buy 138 F-35s.

More than 100 British companies have been involved in the programme, including BAE Systems, which produces the aircraft’s aft fuselage and tails, and Rolls-Royce, which is developing and manufacturing the shaft-driven lift fan and other propulsion components.

Chrome 2.0 Offers Thumbnail Control, Tabs Options.

Gives users the option to remove thumbnails from the New Tab Page.

Google has released an update for Google Chrome via its Preview Channel which gives users the option to remove thumbnails from the New Tab Page .

The latest Chrome version for those signed up for the Preview was released on Thursday.

Along with more control over the thumbnails this version also gives users the option to undo an accidental tab close. This very useful undo close tab feature has been incorporated owing to increased demand for the same. Chrome’s Beta and normal versions already come with the feature; but you would require to open a new tab and then click on the recently closed options.

The aforementioned features are available only for those who have signed up for the Dev Channel releases.

For normal beta seekers, Google has announced an update to the existing Beta version on Wednesday . This one fixes some bugs and crashes.

Unborn kids can listen to music on ‘baby iPod’

LONDON: Music-loving mothers-to-be may soon be able to play tunes to their unborn child, courtesy a specially designed “baby iPod”.

A contoured belt called a B(l)aby boasts a built-in MP3 player. Brainchild of Geof Ramsay, a series of special “speakers” transmit vibrations from the music to the fetus.

“For years scientists have talked about music being a catalyst for an unborn child’s mental growth,” the Sun quoted Geof, as saying.

“This simple device gives mothers a chance to try out that theory. Of course, classical music is what the experts have suggested be used. But there is nothing to stop you playing your favourite

Beatles track or even Led Zeppelin,” he said. Canadian Geof — a design student — has included a bonus for the mum. He said: “Three tiny mechanisms in the back of the belt provide the mother-to-be with a relaxing massage.”

Expert addresses the future of amphibians.

The discovery of a dozen species of Western Ghats tree frogs that are new to science is evidence of significant biodiversity surviving in certain parts of India. It is at the same time a cautionary tale on how mindless development can wipe out species that have not had the opportunity even to enter the scientific record. The recent find, together with the rediscovery of the Travancore bush frog which was thought to be extinct, is certainly a moment to celebrate. Scientists have made an educated guess that only a tenth of the earth’s likely biological diversity has been described. In the case of amphibians, the first comprehensive global assessment, involving more than 500 scientists, came up with 5,743 species. The study’s distressing conclusion was that a third of these creatures — mainly frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and limbless caecilians — faced the threat of extinction. It is evident that habitat loss is the primary cause of population declines of species. Contamination of the environment by chemicals, especially pesticides, is a less visible but serious threat. Invasive species and fungal attacks are other factors. The loss or severe pollution of water bodies, which are essential for many amphibians to complete their life cycle, is decimating their numbers. Further, global warming takes a toll of amphibian-rich ecosystems.

Scientists hold the view that all species on earth, of which amphibians are a major part, constitute irreplaceable natural capital. To explain the effects of extinction, biologists at Stanford University have used the ‘rivet-popper’ hypothesis, according to which each species lost is akin to a rivet removed from an aircraft wing. As the losses continue, the wing gives way, resulting in a crash. Such concerns make it vital that the beautiful Western Ghats frogs, their newly revealed Colombian counterparts and several other amphibian species, charismatic or not, are conserved. Some of them may need to be sheltered in biodiversity areas that lie outside national parks and sanctuaries — in farms, plantations, wetlands, and even islands of life within cities and towns. Seven of the newly described Indian tree frogs were found in plantations and human habitations that were forests in the past. It is vital to stop the thoughtless exploitation and conversion of habitat, the excessive pesticide use, and filling in ponds and lakes. State governments and local bodies must lead communities in doing the right thing. Amphibians are good indicators of the health of the environment, and a decline in their population often bodes ill for people.

Kerry Kriger, an international champion for amphibians, will discuss threats to the world’s frogs and salamanders — and possible ways to save them.

One-third of the world’s 6,468 amphibian species faces extinction from a host of causes — climate change, disease, development and capture. The threat isn’t limited to tropical forests. The Northwest’s native species also are in decline and some, including the Oregon spotted frog, are being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Kriger, a wildlife biologist and conservationist, has researched the spread of the devastating chytrid fungus among the world’s amphibians. He founded Save the Frogs!, a nonprofit that raises money and awareness about the threats to amphibians.

Kriger will speak at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way in Vancouver, and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Audubon Society of Portland, 5151 N.W. Cornell Road. Both events are free.

India’s spy, education satellites to be put in space on Monday

Chennai (IANS): The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) rocket will early Monday put into orbit the country’s first all-weather spy and educational satellites.

The 229-tonne Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C12 (PSLV) will blast off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, 80 km north of here, at 6.45 a.m.

The rocket’s payload or the luggage will have Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-2), which can see through fog, clouds and even at night, and Anusat, the first educational satellite developed by the Anna University.

A rocket navigation system developed by the ISRO will be guiding the PSLV on its 15th flight.

ISRO first tested its new avionics systems called Advanced Avionics Module (AAM) on board PSLV that was launched in April 2007 with two equipment bays.

The first bay had ISRO’s regular navigation systems while the second one had the 185 kg AAM. The weight was lower than the existing navigation systems.

Satisfied with the test flight results, the Indian space agency initially thought of inducting the indigenous systems into operation first in its bigger rocket Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and later in PSLV. However, the scheme of deployment has been reversed now.

“The ISRO developed microprocessor Vikram is faster than what is being used till date,” S. Satish, director of publications and public relations, told IANS.

While ISRO officials termed RISAT-2 – an all weather satellite to be used for remote sensing purposes – the presence of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) built by Israel Aerospace Industries gives it defence capabilities.

None of ISRO’s other remote sensing satellites are equipped with the SAR. ISRO is in the process of developing its own SAR that will be fitted on a much bigger satellite.

RISAT-2 weighs 300 kg and will have a life span of three years.

Meanwhile, the micro-education satellite Anusat, with a weight of 40 kg and a life span of one year, will carry out drought and wasteland monitoring, urban planning and other studies.

“Anusat is expected to prod other Indian universities to built satellites and focus on space technologies,” Mr. Satish said.

Mobile service provider Airtel to Offer DTH Service for Cars,Buses, Trains etc

After launching its direct-to-home (DTH) services across India last year, now Bharti Airtel is in talks with companies to launch its DTH mobile services for luxury cars, buses, and trains, according to a Business Standard report.

The company has been in talks with various automobile companies to install their mobile DTH units.

How it Works

A special auto-tracking antenna is placed on the roof of the car; this tracks the company’s satellite placed in orbit at 36,000 km. This is how signals will be fed to the set top box placed near the television set inside the car for transmission of satellite channels in the vehicle.

Market and Availability

The installation of a DTH unit in a vehicle costs exceeds Rs. 1.5 lakh.

Due to the high installation cost, the company is aiming this mobile DTH service for the higher-end market. Hence, expect to watch your favorite channels on-the-go if you can afford a chauffeur-driven luxury car; or when traveling by bus or train.

On the other hand, the report also states that dish TV is ready to launch its smaller version of the mobile unit as well. This will come with a smaller antennae and set top box that can be mounted on any kind of vehicle.

Bharti Airtel is still in talks with various companies to collaborate with in order to launch this service.

Interestingly, the ongoing elections are a major puller for this service, says a company spokesperson. “Politicians and other interested parties need information round the clock so this keeps them connected to the news all the time. This service is substantially present in the metros,” he says

In order to clarify pricing and availability, Techtree tried to get in touch with the Airtel’s (DTH) spokesperson, in vain. Watch this space for updates.