Full Coverage: ICT

31.01.2008 The next generation Nokia cell phone, loaded with software that turns text on photographed documents into speech, promises to make lives convenient for the visually impaired.

28.01.2008 First of its kind in India, the Rajasthan State Cooperative Department has launched the ‘Kisan SIM card’. Farmers can now get free tips on various aspects of farming from weather updates to guidance on livestock rearing to crop infection through SMS and voice messages.

28.01.2008 First of its kind in India, the Rajasthan State Cooperative Department has launched the ‘Kisan SIM card’. Farmers can now get free tips on various aspects of farming from weather updates to guidance on livestock rearing to crop infection through SMS and voice messages.

28.01.2008 Google IncÂ’s YouTube has recently made all its videos available on certain latest generation mobiles. With the service being offered initially in 16 countries besides the United States and 10 languages besides English, it hopes to reach out to even more people.

23.01.2008 Recently in north IndiaÂ’s prosperous state of Punjab, another telemedicine project has been inaugurated. Using the modern Broad Band VPN technology, the tele-linking will be used to make available the health facilities and expert opinions to those in need of urgent medical attention in far-flung areas.

23.01.2008 Recently in north IndiaÂ’s prosperous state of Punjab, another telemedicine project has been inaugurated. Using the modern Broad Band VPN technology, the tele-linking will be used to make available the health facilities and expert opinions to those in need of urgent medical attention in far-flung areas.

22.01.2008 An initiative to boost computer literacy in southern IndiaÂ’s Kerala has achieved a new milestone under an ambitious scheme that has provided a software to 15,000 primary school children in their mother tongue. Learning computer skills in oneÂ’s own language greatly enhances the grasping power.

22.01.2008 An initiative to boost computer literacy in Kerala in southern India has achieved a new milestone under an ambitious scheme that provides a software to 15,000 primary school children in their mother tongue. Learning computer skills in oneÂ’s own language will greatly enhance the grasping power of these children.

21.01.2008 BangladeshÂ’s caretaker government has made substantial cuts in the rentals and tariffs of submarine cable. The country has a very low Internet penetration, where only 0.3% of the population can access it. It is now hoped that by this move more people will be able to use it.

18.01.2008 With computerisation of local governing bodies, e-governance in India is likely to take deep roots. If central government accepts the recommendations submitted by an expert group, some 250,000 panchayats will go online over next three years, benefiting grassroots organisations and bringing in transparency.

17.01.2008 Video Volunteers and local NGOs are helping rural communities in India voice their issues to a global audience. Locally relevant video produced by community video units, are empowering people to lead, change and take action.

15.01.2008 The Delhi Cabinet in the Indian capital has given the nod to online Project Jeevan that would provide a single-window facility on various government services to its citizens. To begin with, computerised kiosks will enable easy payment of various bills, issue of forms, applications and information brochures.

14.01.2008 The designers of the "$100 Laptop" are driving modern technologies to be more accessible and relevant to the vast billions who previously lacked access.

14.01.2008 New technological innovations in agriculture, electronics and medicine have helped boost income and reduce the number of people living in poverty, says a new World Bank report. Developing countries also need to strengthen the spread of technology through better infrastructure and improved research, the report adds.

14.01.2008 Bitcomp, a software company known for developing software for agriculture and forestry, has come out with a unique SMS service for farmers in Finland, Poland and Czech Republic. Known as RemoteAdvisor, the service is based on centralised Internet application called WebWisu.

11.01.2008 The United Nations Secretary-General emphasised the role of international community in overcoming the digital divide at a recent UNGAID meeting at Nevada. The need is to reverse the lack of access to information and communication technology (ICT) that separates poor communities from affluent ones in developing nations.

11.01.2008 All Rwandans at the cell level could have access to ICT facilities by the end of next year if plans presented by district mayors yesterday are implemented. A cell is the second lowest administrative level.

10.01.2008 A new mobile phone service launched in Singapore aims to extend the reach of government e-services to the public and business users on the move.

09.01.2008 Maharashtra government is planning to set up thousands of Internet kiosks in this western state of India to boost e-governance. Once operational, the move will greatly help people in accessing various government services while making the process transparent and less time consuming.

09.01.2008 Mobile SMS messages are AfricaÂ’s coming media. The Ethiopian Government banned them because they were used to organise opposition protests but found it impossible to let them stay banned.