New Technologies from Microsoft’s India Lab

Here is an article which throws light on three new technologies currently under development at Microsoft’s India Research lab. Many Ventures members and infact SMU students have worked on very simillar ideas to SixthSense, one of the technologies. SixthSense used RFID to identify misplaced objects around the house. The other two technologies are also quite interesting. Read on to find out more…

Posted by Aditya Maru

New Delhi: Imagine how easier life would be for people driving on India’s roads, if they could avoid a traffic situation, a crowded junction, or a road full of potholes, just by using their smartphones.

 

Microsoft Research (MSR) India, the research arm of Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software firm, is currently researching a software solution, TrafficSense, which will help smartphone users automatically monitor road and traffic conditions while they are on the move. TrafficSense uses different sensors on these phones—radio such as bluetooth or cellular wireless; microphone; global positioning system or GPS; an accelerometer; or even the camera—to help phone users monitor traffic and save time.

Managing Corporate Identities

Here is an interesting article from the IHT which shows how two very different companies make use of the same logo to market themselves. The symbol, an apple, has become a critical component of their branding and marketing efforts. So for new companies deciding on their branding and marketing, this would be quite helpful. It shows how the same object can symbolize different things for people in different industries. Follow the link to find out more…

Contributed by Nivedana Jalan

An odd couple takes a bite from the same apple:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/15/arts/design15.php?page=1

Entrepreneurs are Serial Risktakers, Not Gamblers

Here is an article from Knowledge@SMU which dwells into the character and psycology of an entrepreneur. The article is based on the research findings of Phillip Phan, visiting professor at SMU. He delivered a lecture at SMU recently about the escense of entrepreneurship, how to identify entrepreneurial opportunities, and the role of governments in supporting entrepreneurs.

To read the full article, visit the following website.

http://knowledge.smu.edu.sg/article.cfm?articleid=1165

Locomi – New Facebook Application

 

‘Locomi’ is a new facebook application developed by Ravi Bhushan along with You-At. Ravi is an SMU graduate and former Ventures V-P. You-At is an India-based firm looking to develop location based services for Asian markets. Here is the description of the application as it appears on Facebook.

“Locomi is for all you people fond of the good life. Check out the stuff close to your place – the restaurants, malls, theaters and what not. Read what others have to say and add your two cents along the way.

Locomi is currently available for Facebook users in Singapore, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune. We will be adding other cities as we go along. Plans are underway to expand to more cities in Asia.”

 

The application currently has 210 monthly active users and growing rapidly.

Here is the Facebook link for downloading the app.

http://www.new.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=9976203821

Happy Discovering!