Tech companies of 2015

(Business Insider/Eugene Kim) Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff welcomes Uber CEO Travis Kalanick into the winners' circle.
Investors and technology enthusiasts focus on the new: New companies, products, and technologies.

But the real runaway successes — the hundred-billion-dollar companies — come when a tech product has become such an integral part of everybody's lives that nobody thinks about it anymore. It's just there.

Think about the Windows PC. The web browser. Google. The iPhone.

In 2015, there weren't a lot of great new tech products or categories. What was the iPhone of this year? The Apple Watch? Hoverboards? Please.

Mostly, existing products and companies consolidated their gains.

These five companies exemplified that trend. None of them rocked the world with a new product or category, but all of them quietly consolidated and are well-positioned to dominate in 2016.

Uber

This was the year that the world's largest "startup" became part of the standard vocabulary in the US, like Google did in the last decade. "Let's get an Uber" has replaced "Let's call a cab." Uber has even become common in hip-hop lyrics.

Behind the scenes, Uber continued its clever strategy of making its app available anywhere and everywhere — an expensive prospect that few other app companies bother with — and so far it hasn't been dented by lawsuits that seek to force it to reclassify its drivers as employees rather than contractors.

One of Uber's earliest competitors, Sidecar, just threw in the towel. The other big one, Lyft, keeps raising money, but outside of San Francisco and techies in a few other cities like Austin, nobody calls a Lyft. They call an Uber. Lyft's main play now is teaming up with international competitors like Didi (China) and Ola (India) to stop Uber's expansion into those countries.

Barring some major black swan — a huge global downturn that makes it impossible to raise cash to cover its expansionary burn, some major legal or personnel setback — look for 2016 to be the year where Uber vanquishes all doubt. One big tech winner emerges from the ranks of startups in every generation — Amazon from the dot-com era, Facebook from the web 2.0 era. Uber is the winner of the current post-recession era.

Uber is still private and restricts its stock trading, but its most recent valuation of $62.5 billion puts it into pretty good company:

(Statista) 

Facebook

Facebook was already ubiquitous in most people's lives before this year, but the company consolidated its gains in 2015, expanding beyond a place where people share news about their families and into one of the top communications companies in the world.

Forget Apple's iMessage — Facebook doesn't even have a mobile-phone platform and its Messenger app — which is just getting started — and WhatsApp apps reach more than a billion people between them.

Instagram has replaced Facebook as the social app of choice among teens — which is fine, since Facebook owns it. Facebook is turning into one of the top destinations — alongside Google's YouTube — for online video. It's also scaring the pants off of the media industry as it becomes the top way people share news stories.

But perhaps the best evidence of Facebook's consolidation over social media can be seen relative to its two biggest competitors. Twitter's number of monthly average users stalled this year, and it went through a troublesome CEO change and layoffs. LinkedIn is doing better — its monthly average user base grew 11% between Q3 2015 and a year before — but it's a fraction of Facebook's size, at around 100 million monthly users, versus 1.55 billion for Facebook.

Android N

Will Not Use Oracle's Proprietary Java APIs, Google Confirms

Amid its years-long lawsuit with Oracle, Google may have found a way
to circumvent the situation. The search engine giant has confirmed that
it will strip the parts of Android that are being disputed by Oracle and
switch to an open source alternative instead.

Google has confirmed that Android N will ship without Oracle's proprietary
Java application programming interfaces. Instead, the company will be
utilising OpenJDK, an open source version of Oracle's Java Development
Kit. As you may wonder, OpenJDK is also controlled by Oracle, but Google
is legally permitted to use it.

"As an open-source platform, Android is built upon the collaboration of the
open-source community," a Google spokesperson told VentureBeat. "In our
upcoming release of Android, we plan to move Android's Java language libraries
to an OpenJDK-based approach, creating a common code base for developers
to build apps and services."

In 2010, Oracle sued Google on the grounds of copyright and patent infringement.
Oracle, which had acquired Sun Microsystems earlier in the same year, said that
Android cannot use Java's API without permission. In 2012, a judge found that
Google did not infringe on Oracle's patents. The decision was, however,
reversed in 2014 in Oracle's favor, adding that Java's APIs can be copyrighted.

What's worth noting is that Google has never denied of utilising Java APIs in
Android,though it insists that APIs cannot be copyrighted. These APIs make
it easier for Java programmers to write apps for Android. APIs, for those
unfamiliar, enable two applications to interact with each other.

It isn't clear whether Google is just being clever and trying to remove
reliance on controversial APIs, or if it is a result of an internal settlement
between the two companies. Google insists that it has been
 using OpenJDK alongside Java APIs for quite some time.

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Modi wants to revamp cabinet, but can't find the people

NEW DELHI After a drubbing in a state poll in November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to overhaul his cabinet to weed out underperformers and improve his government's image. Problem is, several sources said, he can't find the right replacements.

As New Delhi buzzes with speculation about changes in several ministries, senior members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a close aide to Modi said some changes could come early next year but the talent pool was too shallow to engineer a major revamp.

Pressure is mounting on Modi to revive his party's fortunes. Nearly two years after he swept to power on a promise of jobs and growth, the shine is coming off - reforms to revive investment have withered and the economy is stuttering. Rural distress has grown after two successive droughts.

"The challenge is to identify the right candidates who can deliver fast-paced reforms and policies in their work sphere," the prime minister's aide said.

Articulate and suave, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been considered for the defence portfolio, another high-profile role that is crucial to Modi's geopolitical ambitions and plans to boost Indian industry. But there was no one to take Jaitley's place in finance, the sources said.

A spokesman for Modi declined to comment.

An official in Jaitley's office said they didn't have any knowledge of a possible reshuffle.

Modi tends to keep such decisions close to his chest, and the sources said the final decision lay with the prime minister. They added that he has yet to make up his mind on the changes, and that nothing has been confirmed.

Another close aide to the prime minister dismissed talk of a reshuffle as speculation, saying it had no basis.

DEARTH OF TALENT

The problem with the government's search for talent is that Modi's Hindu nationalist administration is loath to tap people who are associated with other ideologies, such as liberals or the left.

At the same time, the right-wing intelligentsia has not developed after decades of rule by the centrist Congress party, under which liberal institutions flourished.

"Compared to the Congress, we have a smaller talent pool and less exposure, but it's only a matter of time that we expand our base," BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said.

He said Modi has "embarked on the process of fine-tuning the government machinery and also send a concrete signal that inefficiency will be checked."

BJP's defeat in Bihar state polls earlier this year led to calls from within the party and the Hindu group that is its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to remove ministers and party officials who failed to deliver.

Although a general election is not due until 2019, the government's fortunes will depend on upcoming provincial polls, including an election in bellwether Uttar Pradesh state in 2017.

Top RSS and BJP leaders are expected to meet in New Delhi in the second week of January, where these issues are likely to be discussed.

A revamp is also expected to send the message that Modi will not tolerate remarks by ministers that fan intolerance against India's non-Hindu minorities.

Junior ministers Giriraj Singh and Niranjan Jyoti could be removed after they made public remarks construed as anti-minority, the sources said. Singh's and Jyoti's offices said they have no information about Modi's reshuffle plans.

Some ministers are also looking for a change. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked to be moved to a portfolio with a more domestic focus, the sources said.

Swaraj's office said they will not comment about her plans.

Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari was offered additional charge of the agriculture ministry, but he declined saying he already had too big a job, the sources said.

A source in Gadkari's office declined to comment, calling it a "hypothetical question."

Modi is looking to the RSS and may go further afield in southern and northeastern states to find new, lesser-known faces to bring to his government, his aide said. That would also give his cabinet a more pan-India feel, the aide said.

(Additional reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj in New Delhi; Editing by Paritosh Bansal and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

Guess What! You Will Soon Reach Manori Island Fron Mumbai In 5 Minutes Flat!

Gorai Beach

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned to construct a roadway bridge that will make it possible to travel directly from Borivali to Gorai in five minutes. The new road once constructed will allow the travellers to access major tourist attractions on Manori Island within five minutes instead of the present, inconvenient detour that takes 45 to 90 minutes.

1. Gorai Beach

The Gorai Beach is popular for its beautiful surroundings and villas. It’s a long, flat beach that you can drive on.

HolidayIQ traveller Nishitha K n shares, “Gorai Beach is located quite away from the center of the city. Its very beautiful. Nice place to play indeed. I had lots of fun at this beach along with my friends.”

2. Global Vipassana Pagoda

via: globalpagoda.blogspot.com

It is one of the largest hollow stone masonry structures in the world having Gautam Buddha’s relics. The remaining domes have been placed on the top of the first dome. The Global Vipassana Pagoda also has bone relics, discovered in a stupa at Sanchi, which were jointly donated by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Mahabodhi Society.

HolidayIQ traveller Vishal Aggarwal shares, “Entrance to the temple is huge and welcoming. The site is by the side of a preserved forest and open space. Inside the Pagoda, only meditating people are allowed. A peaceful and nice place away from hustle & bustle of the city.”

3. Marve Beach

Technology to Look Forward to in 2016

The new year is bringing plenty to look forward to in the world of technology.

From virtual reality to new products and the next planet that NASA plans to explore, here are some of the things we're most looking forward to in 2016.

Oculus Rift

Will Facebook's $2 billion bet on Oculus pay off? We're about to find out with the release of the hotly anticipated Oculus Rift consumer headset.

The headset will ship with a wireless Xbox One controller and adapter to enhance the gaming experience, Brendan Iribe said earlier this year. It will work with Windows 10, making it easy for gamers to jump-start their experiences and stream their existing games to Oculus.

It's expected the headset will ship in early 2016, but it's unclear at what price point. For reference, Oculus has previously charged around $350 for its developer's kit.

HoloLens

Ever since Microsoft's HoloLens was first shown off last January, the mixed reality headset has generated buzz and ideas for how the technology can be used. Developers will be able to get their hands on the futuristic glasses early next year for around $3,000.

So far, the software company has showed off a variety of ways the technology can be used, including NASA exploring the surface of Mars, using the glasses to virtually design a new product and a holographic video game in a world you're a part of, among others.

Next up, they're ready for developers to create experiences for the holographic headset before Microsoft ultimately releases a consumer version.

New iPhones

Ever since the iPhone was released, Apple has rolled out a new model -- or in the most recent cases -- models of its flagship phone. While the team in Cupertino isn't confirming anything, it's a safe bet we'll see a new iPhone next year.

The iPhone maker could be planning to nix the traditional 3.55 millimeter headphone jack on an upcoming iPhone model in favor of its lightning connector, according to the latest rumors on various technology blogs. Apple hasn't commented on the speculation -- so for now fans will have to let their imaginations run wild.

New Apple Watches

Apple released the Apple Watch, its first-ever wearable, in 2015. The company tends to follow a yearly cycle in releasing new its next generation of products, so it's possible 2016 could include a new edition of the popular wearable.

Sensors

We've seen sensors in wearables and in our homes, but we're only just beginning to harness the use of them. Dr. Michael Bjorn from Ericsson said in the company's annual hot consumer trends report he expects sensors will be more integrated into homes in 2016. Imagine having tiny sensors in bricks that could monitor leaks, mold and other issues.

Connected Home

Speaking of sensors in the home, expect to see even more products equipped to work with the connected home and Apple's HomeKit, which acts as a dashboard for many connected home products, making it easy to control everything in one place.

So far we've seen smart locks, lights, plugs and entertainment systems. It's a safe bet we'll see even more integration in 2016.

Juno

NASA's Juno spacecraft is set to begin orbiting Jupiter next July, and the hope is that it will yield new insights about the largest planet in our solar system.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3, a smaller version of the Model S without the sticker shock, could be unveiled as early as next March with production ramping up in late 2017.

While the date is tentative, it's enough to get Tesla admirers dreaming up what to expect from the car, which analysts predict will be priced around $35,000.

8 interesting facts about the Indian Rupee

Money plays an important role in each one’s life. Earning, spending and saving patterns determine how one can manage wealth. The Indian rupee has been in the market for ages now. But, how much do you know about the currency?

Here is a list of some interesting facts about the Indian currency, according to the Reserve Bank of India:

1. A symbol of Independence: At the outset it was felt that the King’s portrait be replaced by a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Designs were prepared to that effect. In the final analysis, the consensus moved to the choice of the Lion Capital at Sarnath in lieu of the Gandhi Portrait. 

2. Size of notes: The lean period of the early sixties led to considerations of economy and the sizes of notes were reduced in 1967. In 1969, a commemorative design series in honour of the birth centenary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi was issued depicting a seated Gandhi with the Sevagram Ashram as the backdrop.

3. Cost-benefit: The Cost-benefit considerations prompted the Bank to introduce Rs. 20 denomination notes in 1972 and Rs. 50 in 1975. Government of India continued to issue currency notes till the Reserve Bank of India was established on 1st April 1935. When the one-rupee note was reintroduced as a war time measure in August 1940, it was issued by Government of India with the status of a coin. The government of India continued to issue Rupee one notes till 1994.

4. A new set of Notes: The 1980s saw a completely new set of notes issued. The motifs on these notes marked a departure from the earlier motifs. The motifs appearing on Indian currency notes reflect the changing socio-cultural ethos and the world-view of the times: buccaneering mercantilism, colonial consolidation, domineering imperialism etc. It emphasises on symbols of Science & Technology (Aryabhatta on the Rs 2 note), Progress (the Oil Rig on Re 1 and Farm Mechanisation on Rs 5) and a change in orientation to Indian Art forms on the Rs 20 and the Rs 10 notes. (Konark Wheel, Peacock).

5. Design: The responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906 as amended from time to time. The designing and minting of coins in various denominations is also the responsibility of the Government of India. Coins are minted at the four India Government Mints at Mumbai, Alipore(Kolkata), Saifabad(Hyderabad), Cherlapally (Hyderabad) and Noida(UP).

6. Dominance of Hindi:  In 1953, Hindi was displayed prominently on the new notes. The debate regarding the Hindi plural of Rupaya was settled in favour of Rupiye. High denomination notes like Rs 1,000, Rs. 5,000, and Rs. 10,000 were reintroduced in 1954.

7. Currency management: The Rupee 500 note was introduced in October 1987 with the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. The water mark continued to be the Lion Capital, Ashoka Pillar. Management of Currency had to cope with the rising demands of a growing economy, together with a fall in purchasing power.

8. New techniques: With the advancement of reprographic techniques, traditional security features were deemed inadequate. It was necessary to introduce new features and a new ‘Mahatma Gandhi Series’ was introduced in 1996. 

7 most common resume mistakes to avoid

There’s nothing better than impressing your employer with some extra work on your resume. If you’ve chosen to do a video resume, there’s more than just showing off your creative and presentation skills. If you want to go that extra mile to get that job you’ve applied for, be sure not to make these mistakes while recording yourself for a company.

1. Untidy environment: A video captures more than just what you’re speaking. Apart from paying attention to what you’re saying you’re recruiter will definitely observe the environment you’re filmed in. Be sure to pick a space that’s clean and tidy.

2. Audio: Always remember that if you’re not speaking clearly or if there’s some problem with the audio, it will definitely annoy your employer. Avoid referring to notes while recording a video resume. The camera will make it very obvious that you’re reading notes instead of making eye contact with your recruiter. Check your camera’s audio and watch your video reassure yourself that you aren’t speaking too fast.

3. Camera shy: Don’t look at a desk or your friend whose help you’re taking to film your resume. Treat the camera as your interviewer and look at it at all times when making a video resume.

4. Body language: You might have someone you know recording your film for you. Be sure not to get too comfortable that you forget to switch on your formal mode. Pay attention to your body language and make the right hand gestures because your recruiters will be watching you very closely.

5. Inappropriate outfits: Avoid keeping things too casual when you’re filming a video resume. This means steering away from slang and other abbreviations. Apart from making a fun video be sure to choose the correct language, location and outfit in order to make a great video resume. 

6. Time duration: Video resumes are meant to be a trailer and not the film. Keep your video resume short and sweet. You need to remember that it’s difficult to interest your recruiter, especially when they’re busy. Ideally, your video resume should not be more than a minute.

7. Thank your recruiter: You might have plenty of ideas to end your video resume with a bash. However, don’t forget to thank your recruiter in the end for taking the time to watch your video.