Ideas|Products|Startups|VCs

If you looking for some free stuff like mp3, movies etc on the internet you are inviting trouble, McAfee has published in its recent report such searches and subsequent downloads lets virus and malware invade your system.

It is found that prefixing the word “free” in software, MP3s, videos to searches increases the risk of landing on a malicious site. McAfee also revealed that cybercriminals hide malicious content in music and movie-related sites, and even fan clubs sites. The research found that adding the word “free” to a search for music ringtones resulted in a 300 percent increase in the riskiness of sites returned by major search engines in English.

Searching for “MP3s” added risk to music search results, while searching for “free MP3s” made those searches even riskier. Even when a consumer indicated that they wanted to pay for the MP3 in their search, results still sent them to pirated content.

Malicious advertising or “malvertising,” where an ad is used to distribute malware or exploit the user’s browser, is a common means of infection.

How to remain safe -

• Try to avoid searching searching for “free” content. Look for reliable content provider preferably a paid site.
• Avoid clicking on links in banner ads on music, movie and download sites that aren’t well-established
• Use common sense: Beware while clicking on links posted in forums or on fan pages, Better avoid it.
• Realize that the more popular a topic, movie or artist is, the more risky the search results.
• Use a quality antivirus software.

Arzoo , one of India’s leading online travel portals is launching a dedicated website for the convenience of the tourists/visitors of commonwealth games in Delhi, which will sense them as a ready reckoner giving out information related to the games and everything tourists need to know about India, its tourists attractions and essential services. Arzoo.com is amongst the top four online travel portals in India and it is acknowledged by over 200 million people in India and oversees.

The newly launched website, commonwealthgamestravel will provide various types of information to the visitors which will include information on hospitals, hotels, cafés, shopping destinations, chemist, etc in Delhi. It is not only a significant event for sports fraternity but also a huge opportunity for tourists to explore India and is cultural heritage. According to an official estimates, Common Wealth Games 2010 will be visited by around two million foreign tourists and 3.5 million tourists from different part of India.

Arzoo.com boasts of a wide network of over 10,000 PSA’s(Preferred sales agents) and over 100 franchises. The website is also endorsed by their numerous corporate clients. Arzoo.com is equally strong when it comes to serving individual customers. The website is known to provide complete travel solutions, personalized services and dedicated support to several corporate houses as well individual customers.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

Fantastic offer for book lovers, Popabook has announced 20% flat off on MRP in all the books available in their store for vcBytes readers. Use “vcb20” in the promotion coupon text field in the checkout page.

This book ‘Devil in pinstripes’ carries 10% off, after applying the coupon code i get further 10% off (flat 20% off on MRP). Make most of this offer, Popabook delivers at your doostep all over India.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

Karur Vysya Bank has introduced Travel Cards in the market which are powered by enStage Technology prepaid platform. These travel cards are designed for international travelers and are available in three currencies – US Dollars, Euro and Singapore Dollar. These travel cards are valid in all countries expect India, Nepal and Bhutan.

This VISA affiliated travel card can be used at any  merchant that accepts Visa cards, ATM and also purchases over internet. The travel card can be obtained at any of the designated branches of the bank. Both Bank’s customers and non customers can avail this travel card . Karur Vysya Bank now has gift cards and travel cards in its prepaid portfolio.

Karur Vysya Bank chose enStage’s ACCOSA platform for its prepaid card portfolio as it provides the flexibility and configurability that the bank was looking for in order to offer innovative solutions to their customers.

enStage is a leading provider of innovative payment solutions to meet the demands of today’s payment needs while innovating for the future. enStage products offer a range of payment channels to cater to payment needs on the Internet, POS, and mobile devices while facilitating global payments.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

pinkWhale Healthcare Services a bangalore based startup, today announced the launch of its comprehensive range of services for individuals who would like to consult Specialists and doctors remotely for their health ailments. pinkWhale’s integrated personal healthcare solutions allow users access to doctors anytime and anywhere, by providing facilities like – ‘Call a Doc’ (consultation over the phone) or ‘Web Consult’ (Live chat with the doctor) ’. The other key service is, members can request Expert/ Second Opinion from a panel of experienced Specialists who are associated with leading hospitals.

pinkWhale’s eHealth services are targeted at individuals who would like to access healthcare from the convenience of their homes or while on the go. Also, people who miss their physicians after getting relocated to other parts of the country or oversees can benefit from these services. The key benefits to members are 1) Convenience in resolving minor medical queries 2) Easy Access to Experienced Specialists 3) Anonymity for those who seek privacy in their consultations 4) Ability to manage lifestyle related issues remotely

pinkWhale has formed strategic partnerships with various service providers to offer premium home-based healthcare services such as collecting blood and urines samples for diagnostic tests from home. A number of preventive Test packages are available as part of these services.

pinkWhale also allows individuals to manage their Personal Health Records online. Users can manage the complete lifecycle of their personal healthcare by creating and updating their personal health records (PHR) on their customized web portal.

pinkWhale has used advanced web-based technologies and telephony to develop a unified eHealth management platform aimed at overcoming traditional barriers to healthcare access, including geography, mobility and time constraints. As per Anita Shet, Founder and CEO the motivation behind creating such a platform was to relieve individuals from the hassle of stressful travel and to provide them access to qualified and cost-effective medical advice anytime, anywhere. PinkWhale aims to bridge that gap, connecting remote areas with no access to proper healthcare to specialized medical professionals. ”

The company already has a number of users around the World, who are extremely happy with pinkWhale’s online eHealth services.

-Hitesh

Citrix Systems today announced its strategic expansion plans for India, including moving its research and development (R&D) team to a new facility in Bangalore, second in size only to that of the US R&D organization, as well as expanding its sales team and opening to a new sales office in Mumbai to accommodate them.

Citrix CEO Mark Templeton today opened the new R&D centre and detailed the company’s expansion plans for India. The new facility will handle all aspects of research including design, coding, functional testing, engineering, management. As a result, Citrix can better partner and interact with its customers as early as the product development stage, in order to provide them with the best solution to meet their business needs.

“India has some of the best information technology talent in the world and the expansion of our R&D team here ensures we can take best advantage of this highly regarded expertise,” said Templeton.

Citrix has five R&D centres worldwide, with other facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.

Rakesh Singh, Vice President and Managing Director for Bangalore Research and Development said the local team was responsible for the development of key products for Citrix and that they were extremely proud of the leading edge products that were conceived, developed and ultimately brought to market due to Indian know-how.

Sanjay Deshmukh, Area Vice President, India Subcontinent at Citrix, said: “As a rapidly growing market, India holds immense potential for our company and we are proud that we can meet the demands of this dynamic, expanding market with a strengthen sales and R&D team.”

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

Shopping for facility management services was never so easy before, AppartmentAdda launches marketplace for vendors and associations called Buzaar.  You can use Buzzar to shop for facility management related services and products for your apartment community.

Pain points AppartmentAdda found out, majority of the Associations felt that enough information is not available on

1)      The existing and reliable vendors who provide service

2)      The Apartments, the vendors are serving/have served

3)      The experience of other association owners about the vendor’s quality of service

4)      Availability of Quotes in standard formats, and in a central space where all MC members can review.

Buzzar addresses the issues mentioned above and aims to reduce the time taken for evaluating facility management vendors by

1)      Sharing exhaustive list of VERIFIED vendors who provide wide range of services related to facility management.

2)      Providing DETAILED information of vendors , the gated communities they have serviced

3)      Making the Quotes sent by Vendors available in ‘Admin Files’ of your Adda.

Buzzar provides the following features for Associations -

1)       Shop for facility management related services/products

2)       Provide/View feedback on existing vendors

3)       Refer a vendor

Buzzar allows you to request for quote for variety of services which are generally used in gated communities. Those are Housekeeping , Security, Pest control, Upgrade/AMC/Repair for Sewage treatment plant , Swimming Pool , Generator , Transformers, Bore well/Pumps , Gym equipments.  Buzzar will be expanding to more categories under facility management and we look forward to your active contribution towards this.

You can even earn reward points for your Association for utilizing the Buzzar services. These reward points can be encashed for premium SMS , Free Add Ons or substantial discount for Premium Adda subscription.

Certainly a very useful utility for associations to carry out facility work in their complexes. Give a try and share your feedback.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

Twitter who recently announced 20 billion tweets on their system is down since few hours and for a change this is planned maintenance as described in this pic.

Atleast as a user i feel better encountering the maintenance page rather than a temporary out of service page which used to come before frequently. Surprisingly twitter having millions of users have adopted this way of pushing the new code/new release in its production server.

Twitter should take a cue from eBay and Google which pushes the code seamlessly without bringing the system down.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com

After covering few Indian group discount sites and their related news i have successfully insulated myself from buying any of the coupon since i am not crazy about discounted items. I buy things, if they have discount well and good but i never buy items just they carry discount.

I bought a coupon (paid Rs. 150 for Rs. 300 bill) for a chinese restaurant which is located close to my office from a bangalore based grouping site. I am a regular customer of this restaurant and  i quite like their food. That’s the prime driving factor for me to go for the coupon.

The ordeal starts from the moment i proudly inform the manager that i have a coupon and would like to avail the offer. He gave me a perplexed look since i am his regular customer. He took back the menu from the table and brought a laminated paper which was supposed to be menu for coupon users.

I was surprised seeing laminated paper menu and told him to get the original menu and give a 50% discount on 300/- bill since i wasn’t interested in this menu.  He declined and said it doesn’t work that way and you will get food listed in the laminated paper menu. I thought let me try and find out the reality

Demerits of Group Discount Coupons –

• Coupon users have customized menu and food is very different.
• Be ready to eat a very mediocre food.
• Don’t get good treatment and service as if restaurant is doing some charity by offering free food.
• Discount is valid on per user and never on bill, Pay Rs.150 for Rs.300 bill discount -50% is meaning less. Its a ploy to catch attention. My bill comes generally Rs. 130-140 in this chinese restaurant and i come out with satisfied feeling but after paying Rs.150 i was feeling cheated and served with ordinary food

Tata Communications, a leading provider of the new world of communications, and Google India today announce plans to combine their global resources to offer a portfolio of web-based, collaborative business connectivity tools that provide email, instant messaging, calendar functionality, video and office presentation tools for business’ across India.

The portfolio of business tools, powered by Google Apps™, is a significant move by both parties to bring value-added applications to Indian enterprises while offering localized pricing, billing and support.

The service is simple to subscribe, easy to use and streamlines the complexities of IT while allowing businesses to pay for only what they need. Indian organizations, particularly the emerging enterprises, will now have expanded access to Tata Communications’ cloud-based software services, helping them migrate their IT requirements to a pay-as-you-use business model. Building on Tata Communications’ leadership position as a SaaS service provider, the portfolio will help organizations reduce IT cost and complexity and be more productive. It will be particularly beneficial to companies with fast growing teams, offices spread across the country, or staff who travel frequently.

-Hitesh, vcBytes.com