Western Powers Call for Democracy in Egypt as Muslim Brotherhood Threatens Action

Morsi's ouster could result in increased violence in Cairo

 

 he violence does not appear to be de-escalating as the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's conservative Islamist Party that spread throughout his government, called on supporters to begin a "Friday of Rage."

The instability is beginning to spill over into parts of the already tense region of the Middle East. Militant political party Hamas, which rules the neighboring Gaza Strip, is reportedly jolted by the ouster of Morsi, a known ally. Morsi's alignment with the conservative Muslim Brotherhood was among the sources of discontent in the Egyptian protesters.
"We are not afraid of losing our cause, no fear that our cause will be absent from the Islamic nation's agenda, despite the difficulties and hard circumstances that sometimes the Islamic nation faces," said Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Friday.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. declined to comment Friday on the situation in Egypt.
The question remains whether the events that have occurred this week amount to a military coup. If overtly so the party, has called on supporters to protest. It has said it will not work with subsequent leadership appointed under military rule and says hardliner supporters should engage in a "Friday of Rage" if the military does not back down.
"We declare our complete rejection of the military coup staged against the elected president and the will of the nation," a spokesman said in a statement. "We refuse to participate in any activities with the usurping authorities."

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01 THE qutes

"WHAT EACH KISS MEANS"
- Kiss on the Forehead: We're cute together .
- Kiss on the Cheek: We're friends.
- Kiss on the Hand: I adore you.
- Kiss on the Neck: I want you, now.
- Kiss on the Shoulder: Your perfect.
- Kiss on the Lips: I LOVE YOU...
____________________________________________________
WHAT EACH GESTURE MEANS:
- Holding Hands: We definitely like each other.
- Holding you tight pressed against each other: I want you.
- Looking into each other's Eyes: I like you, for who you are.
- Playing with Hair: Let's fool around.
- Arms around the Waist: I like you too much to let go.
- Laughing while Kissing: I am completely comfortable with you.
____________________________________________________
ADVICE:
- If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you're definitely
in Love.
____________________________________________________
REQUIREMENTS:
- Add this to ur favorites after reading!!
Or you will have a bad year of Relationships.
____________________________________________________
IF YOU (LIKE), (LOVE), OR (MISS) SOMEONE RIGHT NOW:
- and can't get them out of your head.
- then add this to ur favorites within One Minute and Whoever you are missing
will surprise you.

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Jay-Z Android app cloned by hackers

 

Hackers have cloned the Android app of rapper Jay-Z and inserted messages criticising the US government.

The official app is being used by the rapper as a way to promote his latest album - Magna Carta Holy Grail.
Cloned versions of the app available via unofficial sites contain code that unlocked anti-Obama messages on 4 July.
The attack is believed to be part of protests against US government surveillance programs revealed this month.
Security firm McAfee discovered the app on third-party Android app sites. In a blogpost, McAfee researcher Irfan Asrar said the program initially appeared to do everything that the official app did.
However, he wrote, code added to the cloned version copied and sent information to a command-and-control server every time the phone was re-started. Once it made contact, the app tried to download extra code that included the anti-government images and messages.
A timer in this extra code waited for 4 July and then changed the app's wallpaper from pictures of album artwork and Jay-Z to that of President Obama wearing headphones. Above his image were the words "Yes we scan"- believed to be a reference to the NSA's extensive Prism scanning system. It is also plays on the slogan that President Obama campaigned under "Yes, we can."
"The image and the service name NSAListener suggest a hacktivist agenda," wrote Mr Asrar, "but we haven't ruled out the possibility that additional malware may target financial transactions or other data."
To avoid falling victim to this and other mobile threats, users should avoid downloading apps from unofficial sources and ensure security software is kept up to date, he added.

 

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Samsung issues weaker than expected profit forecast

 

Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest mobile phone and TV maker, has forecast weaker-than-expected profits for the April to June quarter.

It has estimated an operating profit of 9.5 trillion won ($8.3bn; £5.5bn) for the quarter. Most analysts had expected a figure closer to 10.1tn won.
The success of its smartphones has been key to Samsung's recent growth.
However there have been concerns that its growth rate may be slowing despite the launch of new models.
Samsung shares fell 3.8% after the profit guidance. Its shares have dropped more than 15% since early June, after a various brokerages downgraded their outlook for the firm.
"The slowdown in its handset business appears to be worse than expected and the disappointing result simply reinforces the market view that Samsung's smartphone growth momentum is slowing," said Lee Sei-chul, an analyst at Seoul-based Meritz Securities.
'Diversification key'

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

One of the biggest risks for Samsung Electronics going forward is that 70% of total operating profit comes from mobile business”

Jeff Kim Hyundai Securities

Samsung has enjoyed tremendous success in the smartphone market in recent years. The popularity of its Galaxy range of smartphone saw it replace Nokia as the world's biggest mobile phone maker last year.

According to research firm Strategy Analytics, Samsung accounts for almost 95% of the Android smartphone sector's profits.
But despite all that success, there have been concerns in recent weeks that the rate of growth that Samsung's smartphones have enjoyed in recent years may be slowing, a trend that may eventually hurt profits.
Earlier this month, South Korea's Woori Investment & Securities cut its earnings forecast for the technology giant. That was followed by similar moves from JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and others.
The concerns have been triggered in part by the launch of new products from rival manufacturers as well as relatively low-cost smartphones by Chinese firms.
Analysts said that for Samsung to be able to maintain its high growth rate the firm needed to come up with new and innovative products and also reduce its reliance on the mobile phone business to drive growth.
"One of the biggest risks for Samsung Electronics going forward is that 70% of total operating profit comes from mobile business," said Jeff Kim of Hyundai Securities.
"Diversification is key. Wearable devices are the next stage in a saturated industry that needs constant innovation to survive.
"We'll see flexible smartphones in the fourth quarter from Samsung and LG Electronics, and iWatch and Galaxy Watch are expected to be one of the first waves."
However, some analysts were sceptical about whether wearable devices would bolster earnings.
"It's more likely to complement its earnings at best," said Byun Han-joon, an analyst at KB Investment & Securities.
Jung Sang-jin, a fund manager at Dongbu Asset Management, added: "The problem is no one is sure whether these products can really wow investors and consumers."

 

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Human gestures perplex Asimo, Honda museum robot guide

 

Honda's popular robot Asimo faced problems with gesture recognition on its first day as a museum guide at the Miraikan science museum in Tokyo.

The machine struggled to differentiate between museum-goers raising their hands to ask a question and raising their hands to take photos, Associated Press reported.
It is "working" as a tour guide at the museum for the next four weeks as a trial.
Asimo cannot respond to voice commands.
The robot is instead designed to answer 100 questions selected via touchscreen from a written panel.
But during a demonstration it froze and asked: "Who wants to ask Asimo a question?" repeatedly when people pointed their cameras at it.
"Right now, it can recognize a child waving to it, but it's not able to comprehend the meaning of the waving," said Honda robotics technology specialist Satoshi Shigemi.
'Not able to comprehend' Asimo has been in development since 1996.
Speaking to the BBC last year, Prof Chris Melhuish, director of the British Robotics Laboratory at Bristol University, said that interaction with humans was the next big step for robotics.
"The key thing, and it's what we're working on at the moment, is safe human-robot interaction," he said.
"That's not just making the robot compliant, it's making it have advanced social intelligence. If a robot is handing you something hot or sharp, for example, it needs to know whether it has your attention."
Honda's head of robotics, Satoshi Shigemi, told the AP news agency: "Right now, it can recognise a child waving to it, but it's not able to comprehend the meaning of the waving."

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Despicable Me 2': The Reviews Are In! Critics say the sequel is not as strong, but still very entertaining.

In case those ubiquitous billboards featuring funny-faced yellow pills hadn't tipped you off, "Despicable Me 2" is coming to theaters this week, reuniting Gru with his wacky Minions for a whole new set of adventures. In this follow-up to the 2009 blockbuster, Gru (Steve Carell) trades in his supervillain costume in exchange for the life of a super-dad, only to find domestic bliss — and single-parenthood — challenged by the arrival of Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig), a government operative hoping to enlist him to hunt down another former baddie who's disappeared.

Whether or not Gru becomes a bona fide hero, the film certainly promises some hilarious hijinks. But do they live up to the ones in the original "Despicable Me?" MTV News took a look at some of the reviews that popped up as the film nears its July 3 release date and compiled some critics' thoughts about the film.

Despicable Me 2

How Worthy — Or Necessary — Is This Follow-Up To 'Despicable Me?'
"This new picture feels like... a hastily thought-up opportunity to put our characters through some kind of adventure. Any kind of adventure. Whereas the original had Steve Carell's evil genius and his cache of spazzed-out weapons trying to hijack the moon, this film sends him to the mall." — Jordan Hoffman, Screencrush

Still, What Can Audiences Look Forward To In the Sequel?
"After reluctantly admitting that he made a second-rate baddie at best, Steve Carell's overcompensating character gets a chance to prove himself a first-class hero, providing ample opportunity for comic support from his Minions. While not quite as charming or unique as the original, 'Despicable Me 2' comes awfully close, extending co-directors Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin's delightfully silly sensibility to a bit larger universe." — Peter Debruge, Variety

How Are Steve Carell And Kristen Wiig As A Comedic Couple?
"Steve Carell's Slavic inflections as Gru do the trick, as before. Wiig's clever hesitations and comic timing help save the day." — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Pharrell's 'Despicable Me 2' Soundtrack Makes Him 'The Luckiest Guy'

Will Grown-Ups And Kids Be Enertained?
"Little kids won't be too bored, but adults who found themselves charmed by the first "Despicable Me" may or may not be along for the ride this time. Universal has already announced a third sequel, 'Minions' (which, sadly, isn't solely centered on those walking ids), and here's hoping Gru can be a little despicable-r next time." — Alonso Duralde, The Wrap

How Funny Are Those Minions?
"The minions also routinely score on the comedy front, though let's be clear, they are basically glorified little yellow stooges. Their humor is completely based upon miscommunication and physical comedy. Again, not a bad thing, but a worry as the series goes forward, because physical comedy tends to wear thin if continually repeated." — Laremy Legel,Film.com

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Samsung buys set top box maker Boxee

Samsung is buying Boxee - an Israeli firm that makes media streaming devices.

The South Korean electronics giant said it had "acquired key talent and assets" from the company.

"This will help us continue to improve the overall user experience across our connected devices," it added.

Boxee's latest product lets subscribers record TV shows onto its servers and then stream them to TVs, computers and smart devices "from the cloud".

It had previously raised $26.5m (£17.3m) in funds from a range of US and Israeli investors.

Samsung is the world's best-selling maker of smart TVs - screens which which offer access to apps, video-on-demand and other internet content without the need for a separate set-top box.

According to Informa Telecoms and Media, 54 million smart TVs were sold worldwide in the last year, and it expects that number to grow to 221 million in 2017.

The consultancy suggested the takeover might prove a good match because, despite its apparent success, Samsung was still struggling to convince consumers to use its services rather than those of others.

"When people are going into stores they may end up with a smart TV by default but at the moment they have little desire to use their internet functions even if they have a fast enough connection," said Paul Jackson, principal analyst at Informa.

"But within the TV industry there is a lot of optimism that consumers will want to use these kind services in the future.

"Boxee has been playing with its own TV user interface and has a good reputation for making a link between its hardware and a back-end service.

"But it's still early days for cloud TV services and it's been difficult for Boxee to make money. It makes more sense for it to be part of a wider offering rather than selling itself as a single function device."

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Computer mouse inventor Doug Engelbart dies at 88

Dr Engelbart's first ever moThe inventor of the computer mouse, Doug Engelbart, has died aged 88.

Engelbart developed the tool in the 1960s as a wooden shell covering two metal wheels, patenting it long before the mouse's widespread use.

He also worked on early incarnations of email, word processing and video teleconferences at a California research institute.

The state's Computer History Museum was notified of his death by his daughter, Christina, in an email.

Her father had been in poor health and died peacefully on Tuesday night in his sleep, she said.

Doug Engelbart was born on 30 January 1925 in Portland, Oregon, to a radio repairman father and a housewife mother.

'Mother of all demos'

He studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University and served as a radar technician during World War II.

How the computer mouse got its name

He then worked at Nasa's predecessor, Naca, as an electrical engineer, but soon left to pursue a doctorate at University of California, Berkeley.

His interest in how computers could be used to aid human cognition eventually led him to Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and then his own laboratory, the Augmentation Research Center.

His laboratory helped develop ARPANet, the government research network that led to the internet.

Engelbart's ideas were way ahead of their time in an era when computers took up entire rooms and data was fed into the hulking machines on punch cards.

At a now legendary presentation that became known as the "mother of all demos" in San Francisco in 1968, he made the first public demonstration of the mouse.

At the same event, he held the first video teleconference and explained his theory of text-based links, which would form the architecture of the internet.

He did not make much money from the mouse because its patent ran out in 1987, before the device became widely used.

SRI licensed the technology in 1983 for $40,000 (£26,000) to Apple.

At least one billion computer mouses have been sold.

Engelbart had considered other designs for his most famous invention, including a device that could be fixed underneath a table and operated by the knee.

He was said to have been driven by the belief that computers could be used to augment human intellect.

Engelbart was awarded the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT prize in 1997 and the National Medal of Technology for "creating the foundations of personal computing" in 2000.

Since 2005, he had been a fellow at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

He is survived by his second wife, Karen O'Leary Engelbart, and four children.use demo

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Yahoo's pre-fireworks news: We're buying Xobni

With purchase of email startup, Yahoo might be looking to take over your mobile phone from every possible angle, including where you store your contacts.

Yahoo can't seem to go one week without adding another startup to the portfolio.

Just before everyone takes off for Independence Day, the rejuvenated technology giant is making moves to acquire Xobni, a self-described "smart address book."

With products for Microsoft Outlook and Gmail, Xobni (or "inbox" spelled backwards) developed a platform that essentially aggregated everyone you have possibly contacted (whether it's via email, text message, phone call, etc.) and tried to unify and organize that data to provide more comprehensive contact files. Those files were also populated with updates from Facebook and Twitter.

Xobni also offered teams and enterprise subscription options for automatically managing emails, contacts, and folders with little to no IT help required.

The Xobni team confirmed the merger in a blog post on Wednesday, positing that Yahoo understands the startup's vision and benefits beyond just the "inbox or smartphone."

Xobni, which is based in San Francisco, will be moving its operations down to the Valley at Yahoo's headquarters in Sunnyvale.

While some current users (including existing business subscribers) will not be affected initially (or even until one year from now), a number of changes are going into effect immediately.

Xobni has an entire FAQ page for current and perhaps prospective customers ahead of today, explaining which products and features will continue to be available after today.

The most notable difference is that Xobni is no longer accepting new purchases of premium products. Furthermore, Smartr Contacts for Android and Xobni for BlackBerry are no longer available to download, signalling that these services are likely going to be folded into something else Yahoo is cooking up.

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but AllThingsD reports that Yahoo is paying approximately $30 million to $40 million more for Xobni.

Rachel King is a staff writer for ZDNet based in San Francisco.

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Egypt's Morsi had Twitter, the generals had the tanks

As the Egyptian leader was ousted by the military, he and his allies live-tweeted their side of the events. Now the world can read these tweets, because of Twitter's new translation tool.

By now it's almost cliche to note Twitter's involvement in breaking geopolitical news. The service has become so widely used globally, that it's almost expected to be part of any big story.

Even so, it was fascinating to watch Mohamed Morsi's use of the medium as he struggled to retain his presidency -- even after the Egyptian military officially declared him to be unemployed.

In the days leading up to his fall on Wednesday, Morsi and his comrades sent out a series of tweets, some defiant, some pleading, and all negating the legality of the president's takedown by Egypt's military.

This is Morsi's final tweet posted on Tuesday:

The official Egyptian presidency page was even more active in the lead-up to Morsi's ouster. Earlier today, it tweeted a quote from Morsi saying, "For the sake of #Egypt and for historical accuracy, let's call what is happening by its real name: Military coup." And then later it tweeted, "Pres. Morsy urges civilians and military members to uphold the law & the Constitution not to accept that coup which turns #Egypt backwards."

Typically, many of these tweets would be understandable only to those who read Arabic. However, Twitter began testing a Bing-powered English translation tool on Morsi's and other prominent Egyptian's accounts, so that users worldwide could understand what they were tweeting during these historic moments.

"As part of our experiment with Tweet text translation, we've enabled translation for some of the most-followed accounts in Egypt," a Twitter spokesperson told CNET, "so people around the world can better understand and keep up with what's happening there."

Included among the notables is Morsi, of course, along with prominent opposition leaderMohamed ElBaradei and Arab Spring activist Wael Ghonim. Twitter has also created a list of people to follow who are actively tweeting what's currently happening on the ground in Egypt.

Even though the novelty of Twitter live-broadcasting news seems to have worn off a bit, it appears that new features like the translation tool can help keep the world's breaking events fascinating on the social network.

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