How cool is Google Earth for Indians?

Not much, methinks.

Read our review of Google Earth from an Indian perspective here.

In essence, Indian metros come off decently in Google Earth, but not so the smaller and less prominent states, cities and villages.

Let's explain that. We are based in Mumbai, and the quality ios so good that I can easily spot my house from some satellite's point of view, view the streets around, watch the train tracks, and even count the trees when they are big enough. Even motorcycles are visible as spots.

Check out Kerala, India's southern state afterwards. Forget streets, we can't even make out the general geography of Kerala's political capital. Same goes for Kochi, the financial and business center.

With great ingenuity and guesswork, we managed to locate the little town where my family hails from - the lights and nearby rivers we could locate - but anything down to an individual hil or bridge or a large church or temple or something - nope.

Hope Google Earth manages to land some great high resolution photographs of the rest of India soon.

Nokia 3250 music phone

And here's another music phone. After the Sony walkman phone w800i and the Motorola ROKR (which was a big disappointment, that is).

Nokia finally seems to get it. Why is it so? It can store 750 songs. The ROKR (if you use iTunes) can store and play a 100. That number is artificially restricted. If you don't use iTunes and just try to play your MP#s, how many would go in there? I have no idea.

The Sony Walkman W800 too has a capacity of a 100 songs.

So if carrying your music around is your thing, and unless you have already been corrupted by your iPod and iPod Mini / Nano, the Nokia 3250 should be what you buy.

Regulations for news web sites in China just got tougher

Chinese government's Ministry of Information has announced some new regulations for news web sites on the Internet in China. Though the norms are not yet clear, they are expected to strengthen the state's grip over Internet. The move follows reports that the Chinese rate of growth of Internet users is the fastest growing in the world. The Chinese government has been on the "Internet control" move for quite sometime, by shutting down cybercafes and web sites by accusing them of dissidence and pornography.

Microsoft Windows Starter editon in English - now for India!!

Microsoft plans to tap the English-speaking population of India with its cheap Microsoft Windows Starter edition for India, which will be available in India from the beginning of next year. Currently , the cheaper Windws starter edition is avaliable in India in local languages, but not in English. Microsoft hopes to catch up with the growing popularity of open source software with its new cheaper stripped-down Windows.

Mattel's digital video camera reviewed

Mattel has launched its new Vidster digital video camera which can withstand external shocks or careless abuse from kids. Mattel's digital video camera which costs only $80 comes in a gray-plastic housing to absorb shocks. Vidster digital camera which uses SD cards for recording has a microphone and a 2X digital zoom. Movies can be made by the digital camera and can be seen on a TV screen.

Nintendo unveils Nintendo revolution controller

Nintendo unveiled its Nintendo Revolution controller which is expected to set a new standard for gaming with its free-hand style device at the Tokyo Game Show. The launch of Nintendo revolution controller follows the success of Nintendo revolution and the Nintendogs , which captured the markets. The Nintendo controller looks like a small remote controller, which can translate the motion of this device to the on-screen action. Depending on the gaming scenario, the controller can be used as a sword, gun, keyboard or a baseball bat.

Authors Guild files lawsuit against Google print

Google probably thinks this is making mroe of the world's information accessible to everyone. The Author's Guild doesn't think so.

Read our story for details: Google Print faces lawsuit

They have filed a suit against Google and its Google print service for massive copyright infriongement.

The weight of legal opininion seems to be on the side of Author's Guild. Google may have bitten off mroe than it can chew with its Google print beta service.

We have

Google trial runs its free Wi-fi service

Search engine giant Google is conducting trial runs for its free Google Wi-fi service in a few selected locations, as part of expanding its services. The free Wi-fi service is named as "Secure Access". The Google Wi-fi service supports encryption through a downloadable utility and connections to corporate networks through existing VPN channels.

Opera 8.5 free browser is here - finally!

Norwegian software company Opera has announced that it will start giving its Opera 8.5 browser free with an intent to capture a larger market share and to catch up with its main rival Firefox. A Google searchbar will be incorporated in the Opera 8.5 browser. The hardcore Opera fans are waiting for the "banner ad and user fee" free browser with much expectations.