8 Delectable Cupcake Recipes

 
Vanilla Buttermilk CupcakesVanilla Buttermilk Cupcakes
The same basic ingredients that make the cupcake recipe simple also ensure that it is over-the-top delicious. Dress this cupcake recipe up or down for showers, parties, or friendly neighborhood gatherings.
Ingredients
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking bowder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
Preparation 1. In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and all the sugar until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and beat on high speed until well blended.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into another bowl.
3. With mixer on low speed, beat about a third of the flour mixture into butter mixture, then about a third of the buttermilk. Repeat to beat in remaining flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating in thirds. When all the flour is incorporated, beat mixture on medium speed just until well blended.
4. Fill paper-lined or buttered muffin cups (1/3-cup capacity) about three-fourths full with batter (about 1/4 cup in each).
5. Bake in a 350° oven until tops spring back when lightly touched in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on racks 5 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely.


 
Vegan Chocolate Strawberry CupcakesVegan Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes
Make these tasty cakes that helped L.A. baker Chloe Corscarelli win first place on Cupcake Wars.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting & Finishing
2/3 cup nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening
2 2/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
About 4 tablespoons nondairy milk, such as soy, almond, or rice
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup water, the oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and whisk until just combined.
3. Divide batter among cupcake cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cupcakes cool completely in pan.
4. Frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat shortening, 2 2/3 cups powdered sugar, and the vanilla together to mix. Beat in nondairy milk 1 tablespoon at a time and beat until frosting is smooth and fluffy.
5. Cut tops off cupcakes and set aside. Smooth about 1 tablespoon frosting onto each cupcake and cover with a few strawberries. Replace top, then add a dollop of frosting and a few tiny slices of strawberry. Put remaining 1 tablespoon powdered sugar in a fine-mesh strainer and dust cupcakes with sugar.
 
Chocolate Espresso CakesChocolate Espresso Cakes
The batter is goofproof, so feel free to experiment with spices or extracts for other flavor combos.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
About 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup espresso powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chunks
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream
Coffee beans for garnish
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl with a mixer, beat sugar, buttermilk, coffee, oil, eggs, salt, and vanilla on medium speed until well blended.
2. Whisk together flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl to blend. Gradually add to wet mixture; beat on medium speed until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary. Stir in semisweet chocolate chunks.
3. Set baking molds on a rimmed baking pan and fill each about two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers (avoid chocolate chunks) comes out clean, about 27 minutes. Cool cakes completely on a rack.
4. Frosting: Melt bittersweet chocolate with cream in a small saucepan over very low heat and stir with a rubber spatula until smooth and blended. Remove from heat and let cool until thick but still spreadable, about 40 minutes. Spread on cakes. Top each cake with a few coffee beans and dust with cocoa. Let frosting firm up completely before serving, at least 30 minutes.
 
Devil's Food Cupcakes with Marshmallow FillingDevil's Food Cupcakes with Marshmallow Filling
These chocolate cupcakes have a secret: They're loaded with marshmallow cream filling. If you grew up on store-bought snack cakes, these family-friendly desserts will blow your mind.
Ingredients 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow cream
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
Preparation
1. In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir in half the flour mixture into butter mixture. Stir in milk just until blended. Add remaining flour mixture and stir just until incorporated. Spoon batter equally into 16 muffin cups (1/3-cup capacity; cups should be almost full) lined with paper baking cups.
3. Bake in a 350º regular or convection oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed in the center or a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans on racks for 5 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans and set on racks to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
4. With a small, sharp knife, cut a cylinder about 3/4 inch wide and 1 inch deep from the center of the top of each cupcake. Trim off and discard about 1/2 inch from bottom of each cylinder. With a knife, hollow out a small cavity inside each cupcake.
5. Spoon marshmallow cream into pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip. Twist end of bag tightly to secure. Place tip in cavity of one cupcake; without moving tip, squeeze filling into cavity, to 1/4 inch from top. Repeat to fill remaining cupcakes. Insert cake cylinders into holes.
6. Frosting: In a bowl, with a mixer on low speed, beat cream cheese and butter until well blended. In another bowl, sift together powdered sugar and cocoa. Beat into cream cheese mixture until frosting is smooth.
7. Spoon chocolate cream cheese frosting into another pastry bag, fitted with a 3/4-inch star tip, and pipe onto tops of cupcakes, or spread on cupcakes with knife.
 
Chocolate Pumpkin CupcakesChocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes
These treats make the perfect addition to a fall party spread. The canned pumpkin in the batter keeps these cupcakes moist, reducing the amount of oil you need to use.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Frosting
8 ounces mascarpone cheese
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Topping
About 1 1/2 cups sweetened whipped cream
22 chocolate pastilles
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, pumpkin, salt, and vanilla until well blended.
2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Gradually add to wet mixture, beating on medium speed until smooth.
3. Line muffin pans with muffin cups and fill each cup with 3 tbsp. batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 minutes. Cool completely.
4. Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat mascarpone, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin, vanilla, and salt with a mixer until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar. Chill until firm, 1 hour. Spread on cupcakes and top each with whipped cream and a pastille. Chill until frosting is firm, about 30 minutes.
 
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Orange ButtercreamRed Velvet Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream
These electric magenta cupcakes get their color not from the usual food coloring but from puréed roasted beets, which also add a subtle flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound red beets (3 medium), scrubbed
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, beaten to blend
2/3 cup canola oil
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange Buttercream
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure orange oil, such as Boyajian brand, or zest of 1 large orange
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Wrap each beet in foil, put on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast until tender when pierced, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Let cool. Peel, cut into chunks, and purée in a food processor. Measure 1 1/4 cups purée.
2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan (1/2-cup size) with paper liners. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Whisk together beet purée, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl. With a plastic spatula, stir in flour mixture one-third at a time just until smooth.
4. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling each almost to the top of the liner. Bake until cupcakes spring back when gently pressed and a toothpick inserted in center of one comes out with a couple of moist crumbs clinging, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely.
5. Frosting: Beat butter with a mixer on high speed until very smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange oil, and vanilla; beat on low speed to blend, then on medium until fluffy and smooth.
6. Spread a thick layer of buttercream on cupcakes, swirling it decoratively. Or pipe frosting from a pastry bag, using a star tip.
 
Strawberry Rose CupcakesStrawberry Rose Cupcakes
A few scattered rose petals on a plain cupcake can add a real wow factor. But when your guests bite into these strawberry-rose jam-filled treats, you'll really be hearing the oohs and aahs.
Ingredients
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup strawberry jam
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons rose water
2 1/2 cups small rose petals (organically grown)
 
Cream Cheese-Rose Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons rose water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line 16 muffin cups with liners. Beat butter and sugar with a stand mixer until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk; beat until well blended. 2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Gradually beat into butter mixture until well blended. 3. Whisk together jam and rose water to taste in a small bowl. Spread 2 heaping tbsp. batter in each liner. Top with 1 tsp. jam mixture, then another 2 heaping tbsp. batter, carefully spreading it to cover jam. 4. Frosting: In a bowl with a mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, rose water, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. 5. Bake cupcakes until a toothpick inserted toward the edge comes out clean, 25 to 27 minutes. Let cool in pans 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Spread with frosting and decorate with rose petals.
 
Coconut CupcakesCoconut Cupcakes
Chef Amber Bonny Burhans tells us these buttery cupcakes are one of her signature dishes. We think they are a safe bet to sweeten any gathering.

Ingredients
2 3/4 cups butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons each vanilla and almond extracts
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda, and salt
1 cup coconut milk
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut, plain or toasted
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream together 2 cups butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in 1 1/2 teaspoons each vanilla and almond extracts.
2. In another large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter and sugar mixture in 3 batches, alternating with coconut milk. Stir 1 cup flaked coconut into the batter.
3. Fill 30 paper-lined muffin cups (1/2-cup capacity) in two or more muffin pans about 2/3 full with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing muffins from pans. Cool completely.
4. Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup butter, and 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and almond extract until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with remaining coconut.

MasterChef recipes: Saundhi Meethas

We bring to you a bunch of recipes from the Masterchefs themselves. Make sure you try out this recipe out at home.

Ingredients:
2 cups - Rice
1 litre - Amul Milk
200g - Mawa
100g- Gud (Jaggery)
200ml - Amul Cream
To taste - Sugar
50g - Kaju Paste
2-3 pods - Elaichi Powder (Green Cardamom)
Few strands - Kesar (Saffron)
2 tbsp - Gulabjal (Rosewater)                                                        
Method:
In an earthen pot, boil basmati rice with milk.
When the rice is cooked, one by one add gud, kaju paste, mawa, sugar, Amul cream and elaichi powder.
Stir continuously till all elements are mixed with rice.
Mix few saffron stand in 1 tablespoon of milk and add saffron in rice mix.
Once Kesar flavor is infused, take the pot off the flame and add gulabjal.
Serve lukewarm/cold.

Top 5 world's most expensive ingredients

Money, money, money – is truly funny in a rich man’s world.
Oh to have all the wealth in the world to spend on the most luxurious things – that would be any man’s dream. Where larger parts of the world are riddled by starvation and poverty, here is a list of the most expensive foods in the world.

1. Most Expensive Spice:
This has to be saffron. Although grown worldwide, it is derived from the essence of the saffron crocus flower. A rare celebrity in its own world, about half a kilogram of dry saffron is extracted from 75,000 flowers. That is the area of 5 Olympic level swimming pools. Since it requires so much effort to procure and manufacture, the spice is priced at INR 5500 – INR 55000 per kilogram.

 

2. Macadamia nut:
The Macadamia nut, although utterly humble in looks, truly shocks you when you ask about its price and origins. It is the world’s most expensive nut, and accounts for the delicious chocolates that remain a rage throughout the world. The manufacturing alone is such a time-consuming process that it adds to the overall value and pricing of the nut. A tree can only produce these nuts after a decade of rearing. It requires fertile soil and very heavy rainfall. The wonderful thing about these nuts is the creamy white kernel, which tastes like heaven on a platter, that is, only after you manage to crack open its tough exterior. The kernel is composed of 80 pc oil and 4 pc sugar and its price exceeds INR 1650 per kilogram. 

 

3. Most Expensive Caviar:
It has been the dream of every high-roller to savour the tastes of life with caviar and bubbly in their hands. However, the most expensive caviar in the world doesn’t make this dream any easier. The Beluga Caviar is literally the Godfather of all the caviars available. This luxurious caviar comes from a fish whose ancestry dates back to the Jurassic Period, and has remained the only living survivor of those 120 million years. With such a royal and grand heritage, how can it be cheap? A mere kilogram of Beluga Caviar costs more than INR 2,75,000. Talk about expensive fish eggs! 

 

4. Most Expensive Mushroom:
Just when the world thought that mushrooms can sing happy and colourful songs in cartoon films, does the most expensive mushroom come around to surprise you. The white truffle mushroom grows in the fertile Piedmont Region and lives up to reach 12 centimetres in diameter and nearly 500 grams in weight. Nevertheless, it is the price that takes away the cake – the white truffle mushroom costs a whopper INR 2,79,984 per kilogram.

 

5. Most Expensive Potato:
Who would have thought that something as common as a potato would make this list? La Bonnotte is the world’s most expensive potato. With only 100 tonnes of this potato reared every year, a single kilogram can cost up to INR 34,998. Why? Because these potatoes can only be grown in the presence of a rare seaweed fertilizer in a climate shaped by the sea. This rare climate and seaweed, incidentally, can only be found on the island Noirmoutier in France. Now, wouldn’t you like to roast one of these on a spit?
Knowing such luxurious delicacies out in the world must make you ache with the desire to possess them. But since money only comes to those who seem to work hard, it might take a few lifetimes before you can afford these foods. Till then? Happy dreaming! 

Top 6 drinks to fight ageing

These six drinks fight aging. See what they are and when to down them.

1. Water.

 

2. Coffee.

 

3.  Green Tea.

4. Milk.

 

5. Red Wine.

 

6. Hot cocoa.

How much it cost to design these famous logos

The ‘Swoosh’ cost $35 or Rs 1921. The Nike corporate trademark was created in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, while she was a graphic design student at Portland State University. But over course of time, Nike made sure the designer was paid handsomely for creating one of the world’s most iconic brands. 

 

The Pepsi logo came at a hefty price tag of $1,000,000 or Rs 5,48,80,000! According to Stock Logos, the new Pepsi logo was designed by the Arnell Group in 2008.
Note that the logo prices include a complete branding package unless otherwise noted.

The ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking) group logo redesigned in 2009 cost the organization $15,000,000 or Rs 82,32,00,000. 

 

The Accenture logo is priced at a whopping $100,000,000 or Rs 5,48,80,00,000. It was designed by Landor Associates in 2000, according to Stock Logos.

 

Coca-Cola logo also didn’t cost a paisa. The famous logo was created by the bookkeeper of the inventor of the beverage.
“The typeface used, known as Spencerian script, was developed in the mid-19th century and was the dominant form of formal handwriting in the United States during that period,” stocklogos.com says.

Now this logo is famous. And it cost nothing to design. According to Stock Logos, the original Google logo was designed in 1998 by Sergey Brin, one of Google's founders.
“Later it has been fine-tuned several times, but the original concept was kept intact.”

The brand was in the News in India just over a decade back: The Enron logo came at a price tag of $33,000 or Rs 18,09,225. 

 

The new BP logo (redesigned in 2008) had a price tag of $211,000,000 or Rs 11,57,96,80,000.

 

This was one of the most controversial logo designs when it was first revealed. The London 2012 Olympics logo was loved by many, slammed by as many and it came at a price tag of $625,000 or Rs 3,42,65,625. The logo was designed by Wolff Ollins in 2007. 

 

One of the world’s most admired brands and recognizable logos, the BBC one redesigned in 1987 cost $1,800,000 or Rs 9,87,84,000. 

 

TWITTER: The original Twitter logo was in use from its launch in March 2006 until September 2010.According to Stock Logos, the price tag was $15 or Rs 823. 

Know all about 'Facebook Home' app for Android

Facebook unveiled its most ambitious attempt yet to enter mobile computing without a phone of its own, introducing a new app that replaces the home screen on some Android smartphones. Here are some facts about the 'Facebook Home' app:

The 'Home' app will be launched first on HTC First phones and from April 12 it will available for download for free from Google Play.

 

With Home, everything on your phone gets friendlier. From the moment you turn it on, you see a steady stream of friends’ posts and photos. In simple words, after installing the 'Home' app, a user will see images from Facebook updates cover the entire screen, while status updates and icons of friends float on top.

 

The app has a feature called 'News Feed', that enables you turn on your phone or press the home button, you see a stream of posts. Cover feed puts the spotlight on whatever friends are sharing now—photos, status updates, links and more.The Home app also has a feature called 'Chat Heads' that allows users to see small icons of friends when they send a Facebook or text message.

The new app lets users comprehensively modify Android, to prominently display their Facebook newsfeed and messages on the home screens of a wide range of devices.

 

The idea behind the software is to bring Facebook content right to the home screen, rather than requiring users to check apps.

 

Notifications about calls, events, updates and other apps appear on your home screen and stick around until you need them.

 

Instead of traditional wallpaper or a lock screen, users with Home installed will see a new Facebook cover feed that displays a rolling ticker-tape of photos, status updates - and eventually, ads - from Facebook's network.

Zuckerberg said features like cover feed will be ad-free initially, but he envisioned advertising as another form of content that will eventually be integrated. Offering Facebook messaging, social networking and photos on the very first screen that Android users see could divert attention from the panoply of services, such as search and email, which generate advertising revue for Google.

'Water-Droplet' shaped building in India

The form of The Indra Tower is composed of different depths of the balconies on each floor.

 

Facebook aims to take centerstage on Android phones

MENLO PARK, California (Reuters) - Facebook Inc on Thursday unveiled its most ambitious attempt yet to enter mobile computing without a phone of its own, introducing a new app that replaces the home screen on some Android smartphones.

Called "Home," the new software lets users comprehensively modify Android, the popular mobile operating system developed by Google, to prominently display their Facebook newsfeed and messages on the home screens of a wide range of devices - while hiding other apps.

"Why do we need to go into those apps in the first place to see what's going on with those we care about?" Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg told the hundreds of reporters and industry executives gathered at the company's Menlo Park campus.

"We want to bring all this content to the front."

The "Home" software will be available for download for free from Google Play starting April 12. In addition, AT&T Inc has exclusive rights to sell for $100 the first handsets, made by Taiwan's HTC Corp, that come pre-installed with the software starting the same day. France Telecom's Orange will be offering the phone in Europe.

Shares in Facebook finished trading up 82 cents, or 3.1 percent, at $27.07; Google stock closed at $795.07, down $11.13 or 1.38 percent.
Analysts say should the new software take off, it may begin to draw users away from Google services. Offering Facebook messaging, social networking and photos on the very first screen that Android users see could divert attention from the panoply of services, such as search and email, which generate advertising revue for Google.
Instead of traditional wallpaper or a "lock screen," users with Home installed will see a new Facebook "cover feed" that displays a rolling ticker-tape of photos, status updates - and eventually, ads - from Facebook's network.
Facebook's executives, acknowledging that messaging and communications remain the most fundamental use for smartphones, also showed off a new "chat heads" messaging interface, which would combine SMS text messages and Facebook chat messages under one tool.
"On one level, this is just next mobile version of Facebook," Zuckerberg said. "At a deeper level, this can start to be a change in the relationship with how we use these computing devices."
People who used the software and the HTC phone on Thursday appeared impressed by the highly visual design and interface that featured a multitude of pictures. But analysts say the jury is still out on whether Home has appeal beyond habitual Facebook users.
Some were skeptical consumers would leap at the chance to make Facebook so central to their lives.
"Facebook thinks it's more important to people than it actually is," said Charles Golvin, an analyst at Forrester Research.
Golvin said that in markets like Spain and Brazil, mobile users spend far more time in messaging apps like Whatsapp compared to the Facebook app.
"For the vast majority of people, Facebook just isn't the be-all and end-all of their mobile experience. It's just one part," he said. "I see a more apathetic response among Facebook users than Facebook might be expecting."

COMPETITION WITH GOOGLE

Facebook's wide-reaching mobile strategy could heighten its competition with Google, the dominant Internet search engine and the developer of Android with whom it is locked in a battle for Internet users' time online and for advertising dollars. But if it proves to be popular among Android users, Home could also place the two companies in something of an uneasy partnership.

More than 750 million mobile devices featuring Android have been activated to date, according to Google, more than gadgets based on Apple Inc's iOS, the runner-up.

Zuckerberg downplayed the rivalry even as he praised Google's willingness to let other companies tinker with Android. He said he was confident Google would not make changes to Android that would hamstring Facebook.
"If 20 percent of time people are spending on their phones is in Home, I really think they're going to have a hard time making a rational decision" to limit Home's functionality, Zuckerberg told reporters.
Google issued a neutral statement, saying the new phone demonstrated Android's openness.
"The Android platform has spurred the development of hundreds of different types of devices," the company said. "This latest device demonstrates the openness and flexibility that has made Android so popular."
Not everyone is sure that Google will remain neutral.
"Google has made Android open, but as they release the next version, are they going to be as open?" said Simon Mansell, the chief executive of TBG Digital, an advertising technology provider. "Facebook is hiding all the Google stuff with their own stuff, and how Google will respond is interesting."
For Facebook - founded in Zuckerberg's dorm room in 2004 as a website - bolstering its mobile presence is critical. Nearly 70 percent of Facebook members used mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to access its service at the end of 2012, and 157 million of Facebook's roughly 1 billion users accessed the service solely on a mobile device.
The company has stepped up efforts to ensure that its revenue-generating ads can be viewed on mobile devices and Zuckerberg has said that the company's engineers are now focused on creating "mobile-first experiences."
Zuckerberg said features like cover feed will be ad-free initially, but he envisioned advertising as another form of content that will eventually be integrated. Analysts say the company treads cautiously when introducing ads into any of its services, wary of infuriating users.
"This is about becoming more deeply embedded in the operating system on mobile devices, and creating a broader platform," said Jan Dawson, chief telecoms analyst for the research firm Ovum. "It will allow Facebook to track more of a user's behavior on devices, and present more opportunities to serve up advertising."
But "that presents the biggest obstacle to success for this experiment: Facebook's objectives and users' are once again in conflict. Users don't want more advertising or tracking, and Facebook wants to do more of both."
Reports that Facebook was developing its self-branded smartphone have appeared sporadically and Zuckerberg has shot them down, as he did again on Thursday.
But with specialized software that adds a layer on top of Android, Facebook may get many of the benefits of having its own phone without the costs and risks of actually building a hardware device, analysts said.
"It's much lower risk than developing a phone or an operating system of its own, and if it turns out not to be successful, there will be little risk or loss to Facebook," Dawson said. "If it does turn out to be successful, Facebook can build on the model further and increase the value provided in the application over time."

Controversies may continue to court IPL (2013)

Fasten your seat belts, and get ready to be launched into the world of fast paced and explosive cricket via the much-awaited IPL6. The now famous Indian Premier League championship has got everything the players and fans of cricket have ever dreamt of – loads of excitement, constant dosage of international level cricket, instant fame and tons of money, plenty of entertainment and nail-biting ebullience! Besides the lure of cricket, it's the additional paraphernalia in the form of cheerleaders, the music and the nerve whacking atmosphere of the stadiums that adds to the attraction of IPL. The current and the sixth edition of IPL – the Pepsi IPL 2013 is slated to open at 7:30 pm (IST) on 2nd April'13, Tuesday at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
However, despite the hype and hoopla surrounding it, IPL has managed to gather storms time and again. It has been consistently rocked by controversies. What lies ahead for this edition? Ganesha, with the help of Vedic Astrology, reads the opening ceremony chart of IPL to predict the way ahead for IPL6.
Astrological Observations
In the opening ceremony chart of IPL, the Lord of Ascendant, Venus is exalted and placed with two fiery planets, Sun and Mars. This combination promises the glitter and glamour not limiting itself to cricket during this IPL season. The months of April and May will be witness to a power packed and entertaining cricketing action in India. The entire scenario promises added fun and entertainment to make it more interesting for the fans. Speculations are bound to be at their peak too.
There is no doubt that IPL 6 will  provide a healthy dose of entertainment to its fans and will also remain a darling of the media; not just because of the glamorous cricket it promises, but also because of the probable controversies that may rock the tournament. As the retrograde Saturn is placed in the Ascendant with Rahu, this season shall provide the media enough fodder to chew on. Also, the dark shadow of banning the Sri Lankan players and the resultant political gimmicks may disrupt the harmony of sports. The forthcoming eclipses may also aggravate some controversies and a few unpleasant situations. All in all, get ready to enjoy a power packed MASALA cricketing tournament.
Team-wise IPL 2013 Predictions
The retrograde Saturn-conjunct Rahu and transiting Mars may not augur well for the front-runners Chennai Super Kings during the first half of the IPL season. Hence, they may have to contend with only moderate success, during the first half of the IPL-6. But as the tournament progresses, their performance is likely to improve. Stars may favour Dhoni, the team's captain, and this shall also support the entire team. In short, Chennai Super Kings' performance will pick up gradually, and they will have good chances of securing their place in the top four teams.
The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders shall get support from the transiting Mars and Mercury. But, the transiting Jupiter may not provide them the required support. They may start their campaign on a slightly weak note. But, the transiting Sun and Mars will help them from mid-April onwards. In team's captain Gautam Gambhir's chart, the transiting Saturn and Rahu are passing through the 5th House over the Natal Mercury, and are also aspecting the Natal Moon. Consequently, he only has a moderate support from the planets. However, the latter half of the IPL-6 looks set to be better for him. Nonetheless, Kolkata Knight Riders will win some important matches, and shall remain in the race for the top four spots.
Jupiter in Taurus will help the Delhi Daredevils Team. However, the transiting Venus is not very supportive, and hence they will have to work hard to find glory. Also, the transiting Saturn and Rahu may not be favourable for them. So, they will have to work very hard for achieving success. Mahela Jayawardene, the captain, though has good support of the transiting Jupiter, which may help his team march forward. However, the path could be rather difficult for this team.
Mumbai Indians will find strong support from the transiting Jupiter during this IPL season. However, the transiting Saturn and Rahu may restrict their progress. So, their performance will be inconsistent. The transiting Ketu in the Ascendant and retrograde Saturn in the 7th House of Ponting's chart may not support his team much. However, the transiting Sun and Mars will cast benefic rays in his chart post 20th April. So, Mumbai Indians will display some outstanding cricket after this date. They will have a strong case to cement their place in the top four teams.
The retrograde Saturn and Rahu conjunction in Libra will hamper Royal Challengers Bangalore's progress and Kohli's performance as a Captain. However, due to strong support of transiting Jupiter and Mars, they are likely to play positively. Their performance will improve significantly from 25th April. Chances of getting a place in the top four are good for them.
Kings XI Punjab will have strong support from transiting Venus and Mercury. But transiting Mars and Jupiter may not help them much during this season. So, their performance may remain inconsistent throughout this tournament. The transiting Saturn conjunct Sun in Adam Gilchrist's chart may also restrict the progress of the team. So, despite performing well in some matches, chances of getting a place in Top four are not so bright for them.
Pune Warriors have a strong support of transiting Jupiter and Mars. So, they are likely to surprise their opponents. Also, Angelo Mathews will have support of transiting Mars, Sun and Jupiter during this season. His positive approach will also help his team. However, during the later half of tournament, this team might stray wayward. But they will certainly try hard to find their place in the top four.
Rahu and Saturn in Libra may cause problems for the team Rajasthan Royals. Also, they may not get desired support from the transiting Jupiter, and hence their performance may not reflect their actual potential. However, Ganesha notes that the team captain Rahul Dravid's personal chart looks better, and here is where the team may find its silver lining. This may be supportive for  help the team to remain in contention for the top four slots.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will have the support of transiting Jupiter throughout the tournament. However, the planet of glory, Venus will not support them. Also, lack of support from attacking Mars may restrict their progress. The transiting Saturn and Rahu may, however, spell difficulties for the captain Kumar Sangakkara. Overall, the performance of this team may only be average during this tournament.
With Ganesha's Grace
The GaneshaSpeaks Team

Padma Awards 2013: List of awardees

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday conferred Padma Awards to 108 eminent personalities from various fields.

Following is the list of the recipients:

Padma Vibhushan

Raghunath Mohapatra, Art, Orissa

S Haider Raza, Art, Delhi

Prof. Yash Pal, Science and Engineering, Uttar Pradesh

Prof. Roddam Narasimha, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Padma Bhushan

Dr. Ramanaidu Daggubati, Art, Andhra Pradesh

Sreeramamurthy Janaki, Art, Tamil Nadu

Dr. (Smt) Kanak Rele, Art, Maharashtra

Sharmila Tagore, Art, Delhi

Dr. (Smt) Saroja Vaidyanathan, Art, Delhi

Abdul Rashid Khan, Art, West Bengal

Late Rajesh Khanna, Art, Maharashtra

Late Jaspal Singh Bhatti, Art, Punjab

Shivajirao Girdhar Patil, Public Affairs, Maharashtra

Dr. Apathukatha Sivathanu Pillai, Science, Engineering Delhi

Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Science and Engineering, Delhi

Dr. Ashoke Sen Science and Engineering Uttar Pradesh

B N Suresh, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Prof. Satya N Atluri, Science and Engineering, USA

Prof. Jogesh Chandra Pati, Science and Engineering, USA

Padma Bhushan

Ramamurthy Thyagarajan, Trade and Industry, Tamil Nadu

Adi Burjor Godrej, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra

Dr. Nandkishore Shamrao Laud, Medicine, Maharashtra

Mangesh Padgaonkar, Literature and Education, Maharashtra

Prof. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Literature and Education USA

Hemendra Singh Panwar, Civil Service, Madhya Pradesh

Maharaj Kishan Bhan, Civil Service, Delhi

Rahul Dravid, Sports, Karnataka

H Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, Sports, Manipur

Padma Shri

Gajam Anjaiah, Art, Andhra Pradesh

Swami G C D Bharti alias Bharati Bandhu, Art, Chhattisgarh

B Jayashree, Art, Karnataka

Sridevi Kapoor, Art, Maharashtra

Kailash Chandra Meher, Art, Orissa

Brahmdeo Ram Pandit, Art, Maharashtra

Vishwanath D Patekar alias Nana Patekar, Art, Maharashtra

R Nageswara Rao alias Surabhi Babji, Art, Andhra Pradesh

Lakshmi Narayana Sathiraju, Art, Tamil Nadu

Jaymala Shiledar, Art, Maharashtra

Suresh Dattatray Talwalkar, Art, Maharashtra

P Madhavan Nair alias Madhu, Art, Kerala

Apurba Kishore Bir, Art, Maharashtra

Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan, Art, Assam

Hilda Mit Lepcha, Art, Sikkim

Sudha Malhotra, Art, Maharashtra

Ghulam Mohammad Saznawaz, Art, Jammu and Kashmir

Ramesh Gopaldas Sippy, Art, Maharashtra

Mahrukh Tarapor, Art, Maharashtra

Balwant Thakur, Art, Jammu and Kashmir

Puran Das Baul, Art, West Bengal

Rajendra Tikku, Art, Jammu and Kashmir

Pablo Bartholomew, Art, Delhi

S Shakir Ali, Art, Rajasthan

S K M Maeilanandhan, Social Work, Tamil Nadu

Nileema Mishra, Social Work, Maharashtra

Reema Nanavati, Social Work, Gujarat

Jharna Dhara Chowdhury, Social Work, Bangladesh

Late Dr Ram Krishan, Social Work, Uttar Pradesh

Late Manju Bharat Ram, Social Work, Delhi

Prof Mustansir Barma, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Avinash Chander, Science and Engineering, Delhi

Sanjay Govind Dhande, Science and Engineering, Uttar Pradesh

Prof. (Dr) Sankar Kumar Pal, Science, Engineering, West Bengal

Deepak B Phatak, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Dr. Mudundi Ramakrishna Raju, Science and Engg, Andhra Pradesh

Prof. Ajay K Sood, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Prof. Krishnaswamy Vijayraghavan, Science and Engg, Karnataka

Dr. Manindra Agrawal, Science and Engineering, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Jayaraman Gowrishankar, Science and Engineering, Andhra Pradesh

Prof. Sharad Pandurang Kale, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Vandana Luthra, Trade and Industry, Delhi

Rajshree Pathy, Trade and Industry, Tamil Nadu

Hemendra Prasad Barooah, Trade and Industry, Assam

Milind Kamble, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra

Kalpana Saroj, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra

Dr. Sudarshan K Aggarwal, Medicine, Delhi

Dr. C Venkata S Ram alias Chitta, Venkata Sundara Ram, Medicine, Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Rajendra Achyut Badwe, Medicine, Maharashtra

Dr. Taraprasad Das, Medicine, Orissa

Prof. (Dr.) T V Devarajan, Medicine, Tamil Nadu

Prof. (Dr.) Saroj Chooramani Gopal, Medicine, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Pramod Kumar Julka, Medicine, Delhi

Dr. Gulshan Rai Khatri, Medicine, Delhi

Dr. Ganesh Kumar Mani, Medicine, Delhi

Dr. Amit Prabhakar Maydeo, Medicine, Maharashtra

Dr. Sundaram Natarajan, Medicine, Maharashtra

Prof. Krishna Chandra Chunekar, Medicine, Uttar Pradesh

Dr. Vishwa Kumar Gupta, Medicine, Delhi

Prof. (Captain) Dr. M Sharaf-eAlam, Literature and Education, Bihar

Dr. Radhika Herzberger, Literature and Education, Andhra Pradesh

J Malsawma, Literature and Education, Mizoram

Devendra Patel, Literature and Education, Gujarat

Dr. Rama Kant Shukla, Literature and Education, Delhi

Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Literature and Education, Delhi

Prof. Anvita Abbi, Literature and Education, Delhi

Nida Fazli, Literature and Education, Madhya Pradesh

Surender Kumar Sharma, Literature and Education, Delhi

Dr Jagdish Prasad Singh, Literature and Education, Bihar

Late Shaukat Riaz Kapoor Alias Salik Lakhnawi, Literature and Education, WB

Prof. Noboru Karashima, Literature and Education, Japan

Christopher Pinney, Literature and Education, UK

Premlata Agrawal, Sports, Jharkhand

Yogeshwar Dutt, Sports, Haryana

Hosanagara Nagarajegowda Girisha, Sports, Karnataka

Subedar Major Vijay Kumar, Sports, Himachal Pradesh

Ngangom Dingko Singh, Sports, Maharashtra

Naib Subedar Bajrang Lal Takhar, Sports, Rajasthan

Ritu Kumar, Fashion Designing, Delhi

Dr Ravindra Singh Bisht, Archaeology, Uttar Pradesh.

The selection committee this year included actress Ratna Pathak Shah, scientist Anil Kakodkar and home secretary R K Singh, among others.