Top 10 Tech Stories from

May 2013

Issue 3: May 2013

Contact us: socialimpact@ict.gov.qa

Twitter: @ictqatar

Introduction

We read the technology and Internet related news so that you don’t have to.

This month’s list highlights the news that were the most eye-catching ones to

us. We hope you enjoy these and don’t feel shy to share your views on what

technology and internet related news caught your eye.

Happy reading!

Uspy101bit.ly/http://Image:

1. Yahoo Acquires Tumblr, Promises ‘Not to

Screw It Up’

• The speculation is over. Yahoo has acquired Tumblr, according to official statements

from Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and Tumblr CEO and Founder David Karp.

• In a press release, Yahoo promises it will not “screw up” the popular microblogging

service.

• Read more: http://on.mash.to/14nz12Z

Image: http://tcrn.ch/11LA6UR

2. Snapchat Accounts for More Photo Shares than

Instagram as Pic Sharing Set to Double in 2013

• Photo uploading and sharing is growing at an incredible pace, according to

data shared by KPCB’s Mary Meeker in the Internet Trends report she

presented on stage at D11.

• Facebook still accounts for the lion’s share of social photo activity, according

to data shared in one slide of the Internet Trends report, but its growth is

being supplemented more and more by activity on Instagram, and, to a

remarkable degree, on Snapchat.

• Read more: http://tcrn.ch/10HBXnB

Images: http://bit.ly/XnQQwu , http://bit.ly/17oHesE

• The Snapchat growth is especially surprising, as

activity on the semi-private network has easily

surpassed that of Instagram in the past two years,

and looks on pace to at least double every two

months based on past trends.

3. BBM Will Soon be Available for iOS and Android

Devices

• One of the main reasons that Blackberry users find it difficult to switch loyalties is moving away from the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), but all that will change this year.

• Read more: http://bit.ly/17mpEWc

Images: http://bit.ly/13UyTIn , http://bit.ly/eE4Ugb

• At the BlackBerry Live 2013 event

that was held in Orlando, the

company announced a free BBM

app that will soon come to the iOS

and Android platforms.

4. Biggest News from the Google I/O 2013

• Google held the annual Google I/O developer’s

conference, we’ve got the highlights for you.

• Read more: http://bit.ly/19ur0cL Images: http://cnet.co/Wx6kg0 , http://bit.ly/17qitGV

• The big headliners:

– a new single-button Google Checkout

system,

– a way to play a game where multiple

tablets and phones connect to form one

big touchscreen,

– the “All Access” music service that Google

hope will rival Spotify,

– an app store for education,

– brand new Google+ features,

– and some big improvements to search.

5. As TV Falls Apart, Tumblr and Twitter Aim to

Pick Up the Pieces

• For years, it’s been said that Internet use would cut into the

time U.S. consumers spend watching television.

• Today, in the US those premonitions are beginning to reach

the tipping point.

• TV ratings have dropped by 50 percent over the last

decade.

• Goldman Sachs recently called the decline “the sharpest

pace on record.” The writing has been on the wall for some

time.

• Back in 2004, for example, studies indicated that television

viewing would be one of the first leisure activities to be hit

by Internet use and online socializing.

• Read more: http://tcrn.ch/15jVbnk

Image: http://tnw.co/ch1N6c

6. Microsoft Releases Details on the New

Windows 8

• Microsoft announced the new Windows 8 and

detailed a slew of changes set to be introduced

in the system’s upcoming 8.1 update.

• Most notable is the re-introduction of the iconic

Start button.

• Read more: http://bit.ly/15nYXve

Images: http://cnnmon.ie/17raYST , http://bit.ly/UqW74D

• Other new features include the ability

to better customize the Start screen

with new colors, wallpaper and more

tile sizes.

• Internet Explorer 11 is also now

included as standard.

7. Razer Unwraps Sharp New Blade

• The world is going mobile, but for serious gamers, playing on a

tablet or smartphone doesn’t really scratch the itch.

• Lugging around a laptop that packs the power needed for

hardcore play has been the only portable option — up to now.

• Read more: http://bit.ly/14JGivd

Images: http://bit.ly/A4ksLC , http://bit.ly/p2yQ3U

• “We’ve stuffed the power of [a typical

gaming machine] into a form factor

thinner than a standing dime,” said

Razer spokesperson Kevin Scarpati.

8. Star Trek’s Tricorder Becomes Reality with

Scanadu’s Scout

• If you’ve been longing for the day you can just scan

your body at home to find out what’s wrong when

you’re sick rather than head to the ER — your day is

here.

• Meet Scout, a device that can monitor and track your

vital signs, temperature, ECG, heart rate, oximetry

and stress by just holding it up to your forehead for

10 seconds.

• Read more: http://on.mash.to/1a5D7xk

Images: http://bit.ly/XFmx22 , http://cnet.co/WUdj0i

9. Microsoft’s Xbox One: The details

• Microsoft has unveiled the new Xbox,

and it’s called Xbox One.

• It’s Microsoft’s first new console in more

than seven years.

• Read more: http://cnet.co/191NWCJ

Images: http://tcrn.ch/10ybyJ2 , http://bit.ly/11Z7gxI

• Here’s what you need to know in regards

to its design, specs, home entertainment

feature, new controller, smart glass,

Xbox live, games and TV on Xbox

feature.

10. Wi-Fi Network Breaks Speed Record

• Think your network is fast? Getting a gigagbyte-sized movie

over your local wireless network to your hard drive in a few

seconds is old hat.

• Now there’s a network that claims it can push a 2-hour, high-

definition movie to a computer a mile away in less time than it

takes to read a single word.

• Read more:

http://on.mash.to/14dVKyn

Images: http://bit.ly/16itMlA , http://on.mash.to/14dVKyn

Thank you for reading. Comments, suggestions and feedback for future issues are

welcome.

Visit: http://www.slideshare.net/ictQATAR/ for previous and future issues.

Disclaimer: all content in these slides is in the public domain and referenced so that you can read the original sources.

Any omissions, errors or mistakes are mine, and mine alone.

Contact us: socialimpact@ict.gov.qa

Twitter: @ictqatar