Development services

First Sensor specializes in the development and manufacture of custom sensors, electronics, modules and complex systems. As a solution provider the company offers complete development services from a first draft and proof of concept up to the development of prototypes and finally serial production. Custom sensors and complex systems from First Sensor allow OEM device manufacturers to shorten their design cycle, save development costs and achieve competitive advantages as well as fast innovations to the market.

First Sensor offers comprehensive development expertise, state-of-the-art packaging technologies and production capacities in clean rooms from ISO class 8 to 5. From thick-film technology to the processing of bare dice and mounting of active or passive electronic components up to the encapsulation and sealing in hermetic housings all modular technology steps will be optimized to enable a cost efficient production process. Further, First Sensor performs custom and application specific calibrations as well as test procedures such as design margin testing, screening and qualification according to industrial standards. The company has many years of application experience from development projects in the medical, industrial, aerospace and automotive market. From custom specific development up to serial production all processes at First Sensor are subject to different quality management systems certified according to e.g. EN ISO 13485 (medical device standard), ISO/TS 16949 (automotive industry) or EN 9100 (aerospace standard).

Custom sensors and complex systems from First Sensor are successfully used e.g. in medical ventilators, camera systems, computed tomography systems, driver assistance systems, LIDAR systems, baggage scanners and space probes.

First Sensor is the right partner for OEM device manufacturers when their own development and production capacities are not sufficient, cost and technology risks should be limited or they decide to concentrate on their core tasks.

Infosys to open 1 lakh sq m campus in Noida

Come 2015, Noida is set to get an IT landmark — an Infosys campus. Uttar Pradesh infrastructure and industrial development commissioner (IIDC) Alok Ranjan said the IT giant was headed for Noida with an investment of Rs 1,354 crore. Land has already been allotted and the company is set to begin operations within a year.

"We had reserved 3,04,000 sq m of land for industrial development," Ranjan said at a meeting with the Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities. "We expect the industries coming here to generate nearly 40,000 jobs and bring investments worth Rs 28,000 crore," Ranjan said. "This will not only improve infrastructure but also improve industrial growth in the state."

Infosys has been allotted 1,00,000 sq m of the earmarked land. "The allotment process is almost complete," the chairman of the three authorities, Rama Raman, said. "The value of the land allotted to Infosys is Rs 100 crore while the cost of the total 3,04,000 sq m is Rs 2,600 crore."

Besides Infosys, 14 others will be allotted land. In all, 37 companies sent in applications . Those approved include JDS Apparels (Ritu Wears), Kent, Havells, Mothersons and National Buildings Construction Corporation.

"Talks are on with IBM, Samsung and others keen to invest in UP. We expect talks to materialize over the next few months," Raman said

Contemplating career change? Know what to do and what not to do?

While making crucial decisions such as career change, people often tend to focus on the symptom and fail to realise the cause, hence make wrong assumptions. So, be sure and admit to yourself that you need a change in your career. 

What to do?

Vijay Kumar, founder & CEO, Peepal Technology & Management Consulting shares with us 5 key pointers to consider while contemplating a career change:

• Understand your motivations for making this decision; be sure you want a change in career and not just a change of environment.
• Start investigating the possibilities based on your dreams. Be realistic and practical.
• Learn from your mistakes, write down the things you hated the most in your previous job and look for alternatives.
• Make a comprehensive list of all the associated risks and formulate ways to avoid them. Have a very strong back up plan, just in case your plan ‘A’ fails. This is particularly important if you have people dependant on you. 
• Finally, ensure that you have thoroughly explored your new career choice because it is more likely that your new career isn't any more fulfilling than your old career. 
• What no to do?

Any wise decision is incomplete, unless you know what to avoid. Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Arvind Singhal, chairman, Technopak Advisors alerted us on 5 things one should avoid to make unsuccessful career changes: 

• Making too frequent changes (changing jobs every 5 years or earlier) without any clear rationale.
• Making a job change primarily to get more money, even if the earlier job offers good working environment and adequate professional satisfaction.
• Making a job change, to change sectors, simply because of the attractiveness of that new sector, rather than on the basis of having more relevant skills for the new sector.
• Inability/unwillingness to spend enough time in understanding the culture and strengths/weaknesses of the new employer.
• Inability/unwillingness to invest in personal time and effort in upgrading personal knowledge and skills set from time to time, and instead, leaving this entirely on the employer to do so, through training programs.

Microsoft CEO race: Ford chief Mulally pulls out

Microsoft is closer to naming a new CEO, but it lost a front-runner candidate when Ford chief Alan Mulally pulled out from the race.

Microsoft is closer to naming a new chief executive, according to a source familiar with the board's thinking, but it lost a front-runner candidate on Tuesday when Ford Motor's chief, Alan Mulally, said he would not be going to the software giant.

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(Microsoft is closer to naming…)

Microsoft is closer to naming a new chief executive, according to a source familiar with the board's thinking, but it lost a front-runner candidate on Tuesday when Ford Motor's chief, Alan Mulally, said he would not be going to the software giant.

Mulally's comments reignited the guessing game over who will take over at Microsoft, following the 

WINDOWS9

With Windows 8.1 floundering, Windows 9 rumors have picked up steam. What can you expect from the next version of Windows?

7 Mistakes Microsoft Made In 2013

After keeping a low profile at last week's International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft is back in the headlines this week, thanks to a flurry of reports about Windows 9.

Based on its tepid usage share, Windows 8.1 isn't persuading many people to upgrade. Windows 9 will allegedly offer at least two improvements that could help Microsoft turn things around: the return of the Start menu, and the ability to run windowed Modern apps on the desktop. But if those items sound enticing, you'll have to be patient. The update isn't expected to appear until spring of 2015. Here is what to expect:

1. Windows 9 will introduce not only new features, but also a simpler Windows lineupAs mentioned, Windows 9 is expected to restore the Start menu, which has been absent since the original version of Windows 8. It will also allow Modern apps, currently confined to the tile-oriented Start screen, to be run in floating windows on the desktop, presumably just like legacy applications.

Windows 8.1 brought back Windows 7's start button and added a boot-to-desktop mode that allowed PC users to bypass the tablet-oriented Start screen. The changes haven't been enough to tempt longtime customers into upgrading, let alone into buying new PCs. Perhaps Windows 9's nods to the mouse-and-keyboard crowd will be better received.

To some users' chagrin, Windows 8.1 brought back the Start button but not the Start menu.

Windows 9 will also likely introduce a more unified code base among Microsoft's various Windows platforms. With assets such as SkyDrive, Windows 8 already enables users to seamlessly translate data across various devices and services. Windows 9's common code should only advance this agenda.

Facebook Might Launch Its Mobile News Reader This Month

After Google pulled the plug on Google Reader, many start-ups and established companies have rushed in to fill the space. While many are just standalone feed aggregators, Facebook is rumored to be building its own reader which could aggregate content and news from the web.

According to this post on Re/Code, the social network is putting the finishing touches on its news reader which is being built exclusively for mobile devices. This reader called Paper is supposedly going to be similar to the Flipboard experience. Flipboard is an online content aggregator which brings all your favorite content into a beautiful viewing experience on the phone. Facebook’s Paper is also going to have a similar aesthetic.

From what we can figure from the post, Paper will feature breaking news from prominent news groups and arrange them in a visually pleasing format akin to how newspapers carry the news. Users may also get to their add their own content streams, however this is not confirmed yet. Stories appearing on Paper will also have status updates from Facebook users for context.

Facebook has been working on this project for a couple of years. The project has also seen numerous delays but is expected to be finished soon. The rollout predicted to be later this month, in Facebook fashion, is expected to be limited. It might take many months for all users to get it and start using it. The Paper effort is being driven by the Facebook Newsfeed team and it remains to be seen how Facebook’s new reader could compare to other readers in terms of functionality and adoption.

Vining While Driving: The Deadly Trend Millions Are Watching

Buckle up, crank the engine and … record a Vine video? Whether to yell at crazy drivers or poke fun at unknowing passersby, Vine users are filming a scary amount of footage while driving

And as the fastest growing app of 2013, more users are watching and filming their own Vine videos behind the wheel.

“For me, I get more ideas when I’m in my car,” says Alx James, who, at the time of writing, has the 11th most-followed Vine account. James’ Vine videos are mostly recordings inside his car; many he records while driving.

See also: The 33 Best Vine Videos of 2013

Google to bring Shoppable Hangout to India

NEW DELHI: Search engine giant Google will unveil its 'Shoppable Hangout' in the country on January 20, which will allow users to interact with each other and shop online simultaneously.

The Internet Of Things is the next big market for Cloud

In recent years two technologies have combined synergistically, the cloud and mobile. Without the cloud many of the mobile apps we have today would not exist. They rely on the existence of powerful cloud-based syncing and storage technology to provide a compelling cross-platform user experience. Cloud-based notifications are an essential part of the mobile ecosystem. Without cloud compute, devices wouldn’t be capable of tasks that require advanced processing like speech recognition and image manipulation.

Mobile devices are growing ever more powerful, but they still lag behind desktop and server hardware in processing power and storage, so in order to provide the experience that users expect, a symbiosis has developed between mobile devices and the cloud.

But mobile is just the beginning. As processors become ever smaller, cheaper, and more powerful, they are finding their way into objects that were not traditionally “intelligent.

Infosys mulling double-digit salary hike

 Infosys is considering double-digit pay raises as chairman NR Narayana Murthy looks to keep the workforce of 1.5 lakh motivated, people aware of discussions in the company said. 

Although growth is showing signs of picking up, several senior executives have left the Bangalore-based company in recent months, making it imperative for attractive pay raises to keep employee morale high.

"Not only have they decided to hand out bigger pay increases, there will also be more promotions," said a senior industry executive on condition of anonymity. "Hikes could fall in the 8-12% range to motivate employees," the person said. 

Infosys usually announces pay increases in June. A spokeswoman for the company declined to comment. Last year, Infosys raised salaries for staff in India by 8% on average, shortly after founder Murthy returned to lead the company as executive chairman in June. 

"I think Murthy's going to offer higher wage hikes because a combination of hikes and other factors will be critical to retaining people," said Ajit Isaac, managing director and chief executive of Ikya Human Capital Solutions, a staffing company that serves the Indian IT sector. 

Analysts said the decision to offer higher pay hikes is a welcome one although it could impact the company's margins. "At this point, improving employee sentiment matters more than worrying about dip in margins," an analyst with a foreign brokerage firm said on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media. 

Attrition at Infosys was 17.3% at the end of the September quarter, the highest among the tier-1 Indian IT providers, illustrating that the company had become fertile poaching ground for rivals, as demand picked up for the $108 billion outsourcing industry. 

In comparison, Tata Consultancy Services, which had announced a 5-10% pay increase in April, had an attrition of 10.9% at the end of second quarter. 

Last June, Wipro said it was raising salaries by 6-8% for its employees.

Apple Acquires SnappyLabs, Maker of SnappyCam Burst Photo App

Apple has acquired SnappyLabs, a one-man app maker behind the now-discontinued SnappyCam app. The app was removed from the App Store -- along with its website and social media presence -- within the past few days. According to TechCrunch, which first reported the acquisition: Sources have since affirmed that the company was acquired by Apple, and that there was also acquisition interest “from most of the usual players”, meaning other tech giants. I don’t have details on the terms of the deal, and I’m awaiting a response from Apple, which has not confirmed the acquisition.Back in July, SnappyCam was upgraded with new technology, detailed in a now-deleted blog post (still viewable via Archive.org), that explains how developer John Papandriopoulos was able to redesign how JPG images are compressed, allowing the iPhone to shoot full-quality burst mode photographs at significant higher frames per second than other competing technologies, including the new burst mode built into iOS 7.With the acquisition, it seems likely that Apple will integrate the SnappyCam technology into its native iOS and OS X camera programs and APIs. Apple added burst mode photo shooting to iOS 7, allowing iPhone 5s owners to shoot 10 photos per second at full resolution, in order to get the best shot in action scenes or with fast-moving children. SnappyCam is no longer available for download from the App Store. Pricing and other details were not revealed, and Apple has not yet confirmed the acquisition.

How technology is changing workplace culture?

With the advances in technology, end users are being offered easier and faster options to communicate and work efficiently. Mobile devices are playing a huge role in allowing today’s workforce to be at distant locations and yet be productive. Kiran Datar, vice president, Moxtra (A company into mobile applications) shares some of his thoughts as to how technology is increasingly changing workplace culture.

Communication is an essential part of life. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is one of the skills that businesses look for in employees. More than 81 per cent of employees use their personal mobile devices and 91 per cent of recruiters use social media for recruiting. As technology keeps growing and helping in making communication easier than how it used to be few years back, companies expect their employees to engage actively on social media. The technological advances achieved during the past few decades, have brought about a revolution in the business world, affecting nearly all aspects of a working life. People all across the world, can reach others in a matter of seconds, with cost being increasingly negligible.

Technology affects almost every aspect of our lives. As much as our personal lives have changed, the business world has also been revolutionised, almost beyond recognition, over the past few decades. Many argue that technology has blurred the line between professional and private lives. Here are few pros and cons: 

Pros:

• Speed: Work can get done faster
• Convenience: Available anytime, anyplace and hence, allows people to be productive outside office
• Network: Can connect with people more easily

Cons:

• Change: Getting used to the easy way of doing things                   
• Dependence: Becoming a slave to technology
• Limitation: Not everyone is updated with the latest technology

Hardware advances like wireless internet, smartphones and tablets have made it easy to work from home.  Similarly, software in the form of apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Line and others made it easier to communicate and collaborate. There is no question technology and mobile devices have changed the way we work and communicate. Technology in the workplace allows businesses to expand quickly and efficiently. Business technology such as video conferencing, social networks and virtual office technology has removed workplace boundaries that previously limited business expansion. By adopting these new technologies, businesses can now target a wider customer base and grow to higher levels.  

Technology has transformed the workplace significantly in the past few years. Remote access means thousands of people can work from home office instead of commuting. Computers allow businesses to continue working while traveling. We are sure to witness more positive changes in the workplace due to technology. Obtaining and sharing knowledge 24/7 is becoming easier and faster as mobile and internet devices are becoming more accessible in emerging markets and from more remote locations. Allowing people to work remotely increases the opportunity to utilise people capability without requiring people to move.

Microsoft Skype's Facebook, Twitter accounts hacked

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(Obama and his national security…)

LOS ANGELES: The Syrian Electronic Army, an amorphous hacker collective that supports Syrian PresidentBashar al-Assad, claimed credit for hacking into the social media accounts of internet calling service Skype.

The group also posted the contact information of Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's retiring chief executive, on its Twitteraccount along with the message, "You can thank Microsoftfor monitoring your accounts/emails using this details. #SEA"

That message was an apparent reference to revelations last year by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden that Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, was part of the NSA's program to monitor communications through some of the biggest US internet companies.

A message posted on Skype's official Twitter feed, apparently by the hacking group, read: "Don't use Microsoft emails (hotmail, outlook), They are monitoring your accounts and selling the data to the governments. More details soon. #SEA"

Similar messages were posted on Skype's official Facebook pages and on a blog on its website before being taken down in late afternoon. The SEA later tweeted out copies of the message "for those who missed it."

Representatives for Microsoft could not be reached for comment.

The NSA's practices essentially made Microsoft and other technology companies partners in government surveillance efforts against private citizens in the United States and elsewhere.

Last month Microsoft joined seven other top technology companies in pressing President Barack Obama to rein in the US government's electronic spying in a meeting at the White House.

Media companies, including the New York Times and the BBC, have repeatedly been targeted by the Syrian Electronic Army and other hacker activist groups that deface websites and take over Twitter accounts.

Apple‘s Mac Pro easy to repair: iFixit

Apple's latest Mac Pro appears straight out of a sci-fi flick but it has scored high on repair company iFixit's repairability scale. 

The Mac Pro is fairly easy to be taken apart as iFixit found its cylindrical design closer to that of an aluminum soda can than a trash can, to which it was initially compared. 

According to Cnet, opening the 3,000 dollars Mac Pro requires just a snap of the lock switch thereby exposing the first layer of cards and components. 

iFixit said that the RAM modules are easily accessible and replaceable, and one simply needs to turn a screwdriver to reveal the flash storage and flash controller. 

However, the data connectors for the graphics card are a little tricky and the iFixit team said that this stacks up fairly well for current Apple GPU offerings, the proprietary nature, and lack of an elegant external GPU option, may age this device before its time. 

The team found that the logic board, the dual graphics cards, and the I/O port board all connect to a single disc-shaped 'daughterboard' and despite few tricky parts, the Mac Pro is relatively easy to dismantle. 

iFixit said that the computer's design is 'surprisingly modular and easy to disassemble', but added that with some proprietary new connectors and tight cable routing, working on the device without a repair manual could be risky. 

The device scored 8 out of 10 on the repairability scale, for 10 being the easiest to repair, the report added.