'The Interview' illegally downloaded 750,000 times on Christmas

There are thousands of people currently sharing the movie illegally on BitTorrent. On Christmas, about 750,000 people stole digital copies of "The Interview" by using the file-sharing software, according to piracy blog TorrentFreak.

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing network, allowing people to upload, share and download content. Though there are legitimate purposes for the software, it is largely used as a way for people to host and download pirated movies and TV shows.
Sony (SNE) Pictures opted to release the movie digitally on Wednesday, a day before it hit theaters. That simultaneous digital and theatrical release concerned movie theater chain owners. They worried that making the movie available online would increase piracy and keep people from buying tickets.
But piracy did not appear to have much of an impact on movie theater attendance. "The Interview" had a very limited release: just 331 independently owned movie theaters opted to show the film, and many reported sell-out crowds on Thursday.
The Interview" also scored a lot of legal digital purchases as well. Though Sony said it would not provide the number of online streams, the movie soared to YouTube's No. 1 most-streamed movie on Christmas. "The Interview" also was available for streaming on Google (GOOGL, Tech30) Play, Microsoft's (MSFT, Tech30) Xbox and a special website set up by Sony. 

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Xiaomi banned from selling, importing phones in India: Report

NEW DELHI: Delhi high court has put paid to Xiaomi's surging sales juggernaut in India. At least for now.

Hearing a case filed by Ericsson India against Xiaomi, the court on Monday passed an ex parte order forbidding the popular Chinese manufacturer from importing and selling its smartphones in India, according to a report by Spicy IP.

Though TOI Tech is yet to read the judgement, it has been reported that the ex parte order has injuncted Xiaomi from selling, advertising, manufacturing or importing devices that infringe the SEPs (Standard, Essential Patents) in question. It is not clear if the order will impact all Xiaomi devices sold in India or specifica devices that violate the patents.

In fact, the judge also directed the customs officials to stop the imports under the IPR Rules, 2007. Moreover, local commissioners too have been appointed to visit Xiaomi India offices to ensure the implementation of the order.

The adverse order in the case seems to have come about after Xiaomi allegedly ignored Ericsson's repeated communications.

As per the report, the patents in the Xiaomi case may also be the same ones which are the subject matters of litigation Ericsson had put up against Micromax, Gionee and Intex.

It's worth pointing out that Delhi High Court had earlier asked homegrown handset maker Micromax to pay a royalty that amounts up to 1% of the selling price of its devices to Ericsson for using the Swedish equipment maker's patents on technologies that are essential to manufacture the products.Speaking to TOI Tech, Xiaomi India head Manu Jain informed that the company hasn't officially received any communication from the court or Ericsson. He said that India was an important market for Xiaomi and that the company's legal team was evaluating the situation based on reports in the media. Jain added that Xiaomi intends to be in full compliance of all laws and is open to working with Ericsson to settle the dispute.

Xiaomi had launched its India operations in July 2014 and the country is the second largest market for the company and also the fastest growing one, as per Xiaomi Global VP Hugo Barra. The company had sold more than half a million smartphones till October. It sells phones exclusively through online marketplace Flipkart via weekly flash sales in limited numbers. The company has been panned for creating hype and artificial scarcity with claims to go out of stock in a few seconds. It stopped selling its flagship smartphone, Mi 3, after just one month of introducing it selling a 120,000 units. 

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10 best smartphones in the world

#10 Google Nexus 5

Like all of Google's Nexus devices, the Nexus 5 runs a pure version of Android, meaning you won't find any modifications to the software. It also gets software updates much faster than other Android phones. 

#9 Sony Xperia Z3

Sony's flagship Z3 phone is one of the best Android phones to come out this year. It has a sharp 5.2-inch screen, incredible camera, and is resistant to water.

 #8 Samsung Galaxy S5

Samsung's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S5, is a nice improvement over last year's phone. Instead of weighing the device down with a bunch of unnecessary features, Samsung focused on improving the stuff people care about the most.

#7 Nexus 6

Google's newest flagship phone is the Nexus 6, a massive device with a 6-inch screen. It's made by Motorola and the first phone to run Lollipop, the new version of Android with a brand new design.

#6 OnePlus One

The OnePlus One only costs $300 unlocked, which is much cheaper than other premium phones like the iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S5, which can cost $650 or more

#5 Moto X

Similar to Google's Nexus 5, the Moto X runs a nearly clean version of Android, meaning you get software updates a lot faster.

#4 HTC One (M8)

Like the original, the new HTC One, which is also called the M8, has a gorgeous design and high-quality metal construction. 

#3 Galaxy Note 4

It has an incredibly crisp 5.7-inch screen, the best display ever used on a smartphone. It also has a metal frame around the edges, which makes the phone feel a lot sturdier than previous versions.   

#2 iPhone 6 Plus

If you want a phablet, the iPhone 6 Plus is the best phone you can buy. Unlike other phablets that can be thick, chunky, and plasticky, the iPhone 6 Plus is thin, gorgeous, and made of metal. 

#1 iPhone 6

The iPhone 6 is the best smartphone. Unless you really like using Android or Windows Phones, the iPhone 6 should be your first choice.
 

 

 

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TOP 5 MODERN TECHNOLOGIES OF 2014

#1. Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

If you ever get tired of having to change the batteries in your wireless keyboard, the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 may be the perfect solution for you. This keyboard is comfortable, powered by light, has advanced 2.4GHz wireless making this keyboard long range without dropouts s delays. This keyboard is only 1/3 of an inch thick making it thin and stylish for its users. The coolest feature of this keyboard, the keyboard charges in light but can stay charged for up to three months in total darkness. It is easy to set up with plug-and-play simplicity technology making this keyboard incredibly easy to buy, install, and use.

 

#2. Livescribe Echo Smartpen

The Livescribe Echo Smartpen is a pen that records live audio while you are taking notes. This is great for students in high school or college. Imagine listening to lecture and knowing you accidentally missed something, the Livescribe Echo Smartpen can save you with the record and playback feature. Maybe you want to transfer the lecture to a computer, Livescribe Echo Smartpen is capable of storing audio on computer and sending and sharing. I should also mention it holds from 400 to 800 hours of audio. That is a lot for a little pen!

#3. iFusion

The iFusion turns your Apple iPhone into a docking station with integrated communications. This integrates many of the Apple iPhone accessories into one device like built in Bluetooth, an ergonomic design to deliver excellent call quality. The iFusion supports the iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4. It provides charging, syncing, and an audio line out port so you can easily hook it up to speaks. The iFusion also features A2DP support allowing users to listen to their music over the internal phone speaker via Bluetooth streaming. It also has a featured handset allowing you to answer calls without having to pick up your cell phone.

#4. Doxie One

The Doxie One is a portable scanner allowing users on the go to scan their documents, pictures, papers, and receipts without having to carry around a computer. This is small and compact allowing the scanner to be stowed away in a small place and set up quickly. The set up includes plugging the Doxie One into a wall socket and feeding your documents through. This is not a bulky flatbed scanner but a thing and easily portable, easy to set up scanner that scans documents in a matter of minutes. The documents are then captured and saved to an SD card so you can later on load them onto a computer.

#4. Doxie One

The Doxie One is a portable scanner allowing users on the go to scan their documents, pictures, papers, and receipts without having to carry around a computer. This is small and compact allowing the scanner to be stowed away in a small place and set up quickly. The set up includes plugging the Doxie One into a wall socket and feeding your documents through. This is not a bulky flatbed scanner but a thing and easily portable, easy to set up scanner that scans documents in a matter of minutes. The documents are then captured and saved to an SD card so you can later on load them onto a computer.

#5. Cobra Tag

Ever have a problem with losing your keys, cell phone, purse, or other items. Then you should look at the Cobra Tag. This is a sensor that is attached to whatever you frequently lose that communicates with your phone through a free app that reminds you if you leave your phone, keys, or purse behind. It is a two-way finder meaning you tap a button to ring your smartphone or you use your phone’s application to find your keys, purse, or other valuables. You can use the Cobra Tag to protect any item you do not want to lose. There is also a PhoneHalo application that secures your phone’s data by locking your phone when you are out of range of the Cobra Tag, pretty Cool.

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