Exclusive: HTC scales back production lines as cash flow worsens

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC Corp has halted at least one of its four main manufacturing lines, accounting for at least a fifth of total capacity, and is outsourcing production as a sales slump puts pressure on its cash flow, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

A Reuters reporter who visited an HTC factory at the company's former headquarters in Taoyuan, about an hour's drive from Taipei, saw loading docks shuttered and a sign on a locked lobby door that read: "Lobby is temporarily closed for use. Thank you for your cooperation."

HTC launched its latest version of the flagship One series handsets this year but has struggled to gain traction in a market dominated by larger rivals Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Dubai inaugurates first phase of mega solar energy project

Dubai inaugurated the first phase of a solar energy park on Tuesday as the Gulf emirate seeks to diversify its energy sources, official Emirati news agency WAM reported.

The park, named the “Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum Park” after the emirate’s ruler, will produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity when completed, and will cost 12 billion dirhams ($3.3 billion), WAM said.

The first plant of the solar energy megaproject is 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the city of Dubai and can produce 10 megawatts of energy on its own.

Apple unveils iPad Air, new MacBooks for holidays

Apple Inc on Tuesday offered free upgrades for life on its operating system and business software, and unveiled thinner iPads and faster Mac computers ahead of a competitive holiday shopping season.

The debut of the one-pound iPad Air and MacBook Pro with sharper 'retina' display repeats a pattern of recent launches with improvements in existing lines rather than totally new products, and Apple shares fell 0.3 percent for the day.

Apple said upgrades to its Mac operating system and iWork software suite, which compete with Microsoft Corp's Excel, Word and other applications, will now be offered for all MacBooks and Mac computers.

Nokia launched frist-ever Tablet PC in Abu Dhabi

Nokia, whose handset division is to be acquired by Microsoft, launched its first-ever tablet computer in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, aiming for a stake in a fast expanding sector.

The Windows 10-inch screen tablet, Lumia 2520, was one of six new devices unveiled in the Emirati capital, including two so-called "phablets" -- large screen smartphones.

The Nokia Lumia 2520, available in red and white in a glossy finish as well as cyan and black in matte, is to go on sale in the United States at an estimated price of $499 by the end of the year.

Apple unveils new iPad Air 2013

Apple announced the new iPad Air at their event in California on Tuesday.

The iPad Air is 25% thinner than the previous iPad and weighs one pound.

Three years ago, Apple unveiled the original iPad, boxy and thick and heavy by comparison. Four iPads later, we’re here, welcoming the fifth generation iPad into the world.

Samsung Galaxy S5 rumoured to include eye-scanning technology

Samsung could be looking to one-up rival Apple with the introduction of an eye-scanning sensor in its next-generation Galaxy S5 smartphone, which is expected arrive next year.

Smartphones and other devices with fingerprint scanners have existed before, but the Touch ID technology chosen by Apple for its latest iPhone 5S handset is a little different. Instead of swiping your finger over a strip-like sensor, which can lead to inaccurate readings, Touch ID works by simply pressing your finger against the home button to unlock the phone.

It's a neat trick, although its contribution to security was brought into question when a group of German researchers were able to create a fake fingerprint and unlock the device using little more than a camera, printer and PVA glue.

CM Punjab inaugurates Quaid-e-Azam Solar Energy Park in Cholistan

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday inaugurated the 1000-megawatt Quaid-e-Azam Solar Energy Park project in Cholistan.

Addressing an inauguration ceremony, he said that the energy crisis being faced by the country is due to the corruption and incompetence of the previous government.

But he said that the present government is making concerted efforts to end the energy crisis.

The proposed is project is spread over 10,000 acres in Cholistan desert which will have the capacity to produce 1000 megawatts.

Solar Powered AC, Next big thing in Pakistan

Pakistan’s industry looking toward alternative solution for needs of energy. Now could be the next big thing in Pakistan are “Solar Power AC’s”.

With a serious power crisis and rising fuel prices, Pakistan’s industry appears to be looking toward alternative solutions to overcome its energy needs.

The industry’s predicament also seems to have piqued the interest of foreign companies trying to find new markets for their eco-friendly, energy-efficient products.

Interenet access through lightbulbs (LiFi Technology)

Successful experiments by Chinese scientists have indicated the possibility of the country’s netizens getting online through signals sent by lightbulbs (LiFi), instead of WiFi.

Four computers under a one-watt LED lightbulb may connect to the Internet under the principle that light can be used as a carrier instead of traditional radio frequencies, as in WiFi, said Chi Nan, an information technology professor with Shanghai’s Fudan University, on Thursday.