Priyanka Joshi, New Delhi

Stories by Priyanka Joshi, New Delhi

Helping bloggers make money

Helping bloggers make money

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2009

Blogertize does not require bloggers to spend time to promote their blogs. That's the job Bhatia's site would do. It creates a link (in the form of an image) to a blog that would be placed on Blogertize for a minimum of three years at prices starting as low as Rs 750. "Without spending even a single minute on our website, bloggers stand to make thousands of dollars per year just by placing the link to our shopping portal on their blog," says founder Dushyant Bhatia.

Gaming 2.0 picks up steam

Gaming 2.0 picks up steam

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2009

Data from web analytic firm Comscore shows that last year, social networking traffic saw a surge of a whopping 51 per cent in India. Social games are simple games such as word puzzles, antakshari or quizzes. Also referred to as Gaming 2.0, this form of gaming does not require high-end PCs or 3D graphics. ComScore reports that networking sites like Orkut, Facebook, MySpace, iBibo and Hi5 draw maximum number of social gamers.

Satyam: IBM, WL Ross tie-up buzz gets stronger

Satyam: IBM, WL Ross tie-up buzz gets stronger

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2009

The buzz refuses to die down even though other PE players, investment bankers and analysts say such an alliance is highly unlikely. Wilbur Ross, meanwhile, is understood to have completed the due diligence of the scam-tainted IT company. When contacted, a company official declined comment.

Bharti, AXA likely to end mutual fund tie-up

Bharti, AXA likely to end mutual fund tie-up

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2009

While a company spokesperson said Bharti would either dilute its stake or exit the venture, the fund house is trying to rope in a bank to strengthen its distribution network. In addition, an asset management venture is seen to have closer links with banks, which are looking to offer a wide range of financial products.

Fiscal lesson: Money scarce, use it wisely

Fiscal lesson: Money scarce, use it wisely

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

The aggression shown by corporate houses till not a long ago has given way for consolidation in the backdrop of current economic downturn and the companies in the next fiscal, beginning tomorrow, would need to focus on growing their core businesses and conserving the resources, global consultancy firm PwC executive director Sanjeev Krishnan told PTI.

Worm infecting MS Windows may fool on April 1

Worm infecting MS Windows may fool on April 1

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

As April Fool's Day draws closer, Windows XP and Windows 2000 users are being advised by security experts to brace themselves against the third variant of the deadly Conficker worm which may begin a new cycle of spreading spam, stealing data or carrying out online scams.

New channels defy downturn fears

New channels defy downturn fears

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2009

If you thought television channels in India have been hurt by a slowdown in companies' spend on advertisements, consider this: In three months, Indian viewers have seen the addition of four new channels and two-three channels are expected to debut later this year.

Teams from bidders camp at Satyam HQ

Teams from bidders camp at Satyam HQ

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2009

The bidders had started sending teams from departments like human resources, finance and legal, who were holding discussions with their counterparts at Satyam, the sources added. The Satyam stock was up 4 per cent at Rs 42.20 on BSE. It had dropped a little over 10 per cent in the past month. "Between this week and next week, there will be several meetings between various bidders and company officials," confirmed Satyam's Hari Tallapalli.

Mahindra eyes full pie in 2-wheeler biz

Mahindra eyes full pie in 2-wheeler biz

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2009

The Mumbai-based company will take on Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto and HMSI and will have models in the 100cc, 125cc and 150cc mobike segments, and also in the ungeared low and high-powered scooter segments. Hero Honda has a 60 per cent share of the motorcycle segment, while HMSI commands a 58 per cent of the scooter market. Anand Mahindra said: "Our two-wheeler project is complete; we have already begun marketing the fleet in Bangalore."

Now, SMS-friendly phones from LG

Now, SMS-friendly phones from LG

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2009

Touch screens, slide-out QWERTY keypads, dual SIM phones and even a transparent phone will soon make their way into your hands from the LG stable in 2009.

What an IBM-Sun deal could mean for India

What an IBM-Sun deal could mean for India

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2009

The news of global IT giant IBM buying Sun Microsystems has been doing the rounds for years. So, despite the Wall Street Journal reporting that an approximately $6.5 billion buyout is imminent, analysts remain sceptical.

Crisis? Diversify and prosper

Crisis? Diversify and prosper

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2009

Ronnie Screwvala, the chairman and CEO of UTV Software Communications, opens the door of his plush Breach Candy apartment himself. Once seated in the comfortable surroundings, Screwvala makes no attempt to brush off the fact that the media and entertainment industry in which he operates has been hit by the slowdown.

After CEO, Sony TV loses business head, others

After CEO, Sony TV loses business head, others

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2009

On February 18, CEO Kunal Das Gupta had put in his papers. Company sources say around a dozen senior executives also resigned with Almeida on Thursday. Based on viewership ratings, Sony TV is currently a distant fourth in the rankings of entertainment channels, behind Star Plus, Colors, and Zee TV.

Check out these sleek ultraportables

Check out these sleek ultraportables

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2009

For those with the money to spare and the need of a functional ultraportable notebook that can slip into a large coat pocket, this could be a winner. We guarantee that if you pull this out of your pocket at a meeting, it will definitely get you envious glances. Promising to give the Sony Vaio P competition is the HP Mini-Note 2133 that shares Sony's striking looks.

Google works on monetising Orkut for IPL

Google works on monetising Orkut for IPL

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2009

In discussion with IPL to create brand positioning campaigns and even an IPL profile page for Orkut users, Google is serious about monetising its social media portal. "Last year, we built a stronger base of marketers and invested in internet advertising. In 2009, we should make revenues from our social media platform," says Google India Managing Director Shailesh Rao.

Capgemini freezes onsite recruitment

Capgemini freezes onsite recruitment

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2009

Capgemini has gone back on its previous expectations of modest growth in the first half of 2009, following a significant deterioration in the wider economic environment since the third quarter, said John O'Brien, senior analyst at advisory and consulting firm Ovum. Capgemini now expects to see a modest decline in the first-half sales, while maintaining an operating margin of 6.5 per cent.

IT cos extend reach in Egypt

IT cos extend reach in Egypt

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2009

Indian companies are also actively participating with the Egyptian government in training university graduates to acquire the proper set of skills needed to work in the BPO industry. Egypt has already added new curriculums across six of its universities to produce job-ready graduates.

Ads@ mobiles enthuse advertisers

Ads@ mobiles enthuse advertisers

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2009

Nokia, Airtel sign deal to push commercials to mobile websites. Accessing the Internet on mobile phones is no longer a novelty. For most professionals, it is a necessity. So, mobile websites, also known as .mobi sites, have emerged as the latest advertising opportunity.

Apparel retailers offer up to 80% discount

Apparel retailers offer up to 80% discount

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2009

Though end-of-season sale is common in the first week of February, what is interesting this time around is the quantum and timing of the offers. Retailers are giving away 20-25 per cent additional discounts, compared to the last year. Also, they began giving discounts at least three weeks before the ususal timing.

PNB chief leads race for RBI Dy Governor's post

PNB chief leads race for RBI Dy Governor's post

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2009

Punjab National Bank Chairman and Managing Director K C Chakraborty has emerged as the frontrunner for the post of the fourth deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).