Tech Ka Masala

In this episode - Manan & I talk about the topic that may well turn out to be the biggest tech story of 2011 - Steve Jobs announcing his retirement. While there cant be a replacement, the succession plan has been well planned. The other stories discussed include Google's Motorola purchase, Samsung Annoucing ChatON, Reliance's 3G Tab, MapMyIndia's Carpad and we had almost forgotten HP's big announcement.

Brendan Greeley joins us after a long time to talk about his feature story in BusinessWeek on Spotify entering the United States. In this podcast, he talks about how Spotify cracked the long standing question. How do we make something so much more convenient than piracy that we get people to pay for it. He also talks about his recent article on the US debt crisis and explains the standoff between the Democrats and the Republicans through the concept of game theory.

Manan and I talk about the much talked about Google Street view mapping program being launched but as soon as it did the Bangalore police sent them a shut down notice. YouTube also launched the Box Office with Band Baja Baaraat seems to be making an aggressive push into publisher content. We also spend sometime talking about 100 glorious years of IBM and wonder which new age company will still be around 100 years from today. We also briefly talk about Aaramshop.com, and NIC website getting hacked.

I have two TV Tech Show hosts - Sudhir Sayal of ET NOW and Aalaap Ghag, formerly of UTVs Techtree. We talk about Microsoft buying Skype - one of the most high profile acquisition in recent times. Microsof has received a lot of bashing in the press for the sort of money they spent to buy skype but here is the TKM panels take on it. Also, after discussing about the huge VC investments in the US, Indian enterpreneurs are finally seeing their share. There are no prizes that eCommerce is the focus area for VCs but is it too concentrated in one segment remains to be seen.

In this longish episode of Indicast, Manan and I talk about the 15 long years that India has had internet and we did get a bit nostalgic sharing our personal dial up internet stories. India ranks 4th in the world with 81 million users and 1 million domain names registered however, the stats dont consider the quality of internet service which has been a huge problem in India. We hope that the upcoming 3G launches brings respite to us. In other topics, we discuss about mobile app stores hitting India, PPL digital revenues surging, 12th Planning Commission launching a page on facebook, the big Nokia and Microsoft alliance and BTW, we might be in a tech bubble.

Talk about coincidence, While discussing 35 Pakistan sites being hacked by the Indian Cyber Army, we get news that the CBI site has been hacked by the Pakistan Cyber Army. Sounds like a fun game - trying to out do each other. We have a feeling that there is more to come. IN other news, Google is attempting to make its biggest ever acquisition by buying GroupOn for $6bn, Microsoft is launching a new loyalty program, Apple gets patent for glasses-less 3D and facebook is responsible for 20% of all divorces in the US.

The latest to hop on the the social media train is Pune traffic police with an initiative to use Facebook to fine parking violations. It will be carried out for two weeks starting 25 November and is a way to get people involved in policing. The much awaited mobile number portability has been initiated in Haryana and would be rolled out to the rest of India in a phased manner. Other topics discussed include Rediff's VuBites purchase, Facebook messaging platform, and password cracking using Amazon EC2.

The launch of Google Music India, a legal music streaming service, led Manan and I to spend significant time talking about how companies have started experimenting with internet business model. We talk about the various initiatives that Times Internet has also undertaken. The other topics on this episode include MapMyIndia Traffic, Nokia N8 launch and its dilemmas and Virgin Galatic.

It's a big day for Microsoft and Manan was there to witness it. Microsoft announced the Windows Phone 7 and, according to Manan, they have got it right this time. The hardware and software are completely redesigned to be a worthy contender for your money. Manan dropped off after talking Windows phone but Rati Chaudhary, Principal Science & Technology Correspondent at CNN IBN, kept me company to discuss DRDO's attempt to create an OS for India, Microsoft and Adobe getting cozy, and a few other topics.

We spoke about MakeMyTrip.com IPO a week back and the stock has surged 90%. The best opening on Naqdas for a tech stock after a very long time. That isnt the only good news, the blackberry vs India finally seems to be coming to be an end but RIM caving in to India's demand. in other stories, Oracle sues Google, blackpad, and Tata Docomo and Tata Tele launches Call n tweet service.