Google in exploring human body

Google has come out with another innovative approach which is an educational tool called as Google Body Browser which uses HTML5 technology to let you examine the human body in fully layered, three-dimensional detail.

Google Body Browser does not load in any general browser as the app uses WebGL, a plug-in-free programming interface, to power its 3D graphics. WebGL is a relatively new standard, and most major browsers are still testing its implementation. Very soon the stable versions of Chrome and Firefox (and most others) will also offer integrated WebGL support other than just the beta versions.

Google showed off the app at the WebGL Camp. WebGL is a cross-platform low-level 3D graphics API that is designed to bring plugin-free 3D to the web. It uses the HTML5 Canvas element and does not require Flash, Java or other graphical plugins to run.

When you open Google Body Browser in a WebGL-enabled program, you're greeted with a three-dimensional layered model of the human anatomy that you can zoom in on, rotate and search. While you start using the Google Body Browser layering tool, located below the zoom controls is the layering tool that allows peeling back layers of the body to see detailed views of the human anatomy. With the help of a compatible browser, the Body Browser home page can be visited that shows off the human body. The various layers of skin, muscles, tissues and the skeletal system can be adjusted very easily. The most interesting fact drawn is that if organ or bone or ventricle system is typed down, it directly takes the viewer to that area in the anatomy, zoomed in. The labels can turn labels on or off and the app supports multitouch so users of trackpads multi-touch mice can zoom in with ease.

Another fact that is worth being mentioned is that the body browser adjusts its URL so as to save a particular where all what is required to be done is to copy the current web address. It has been presumed that the browser has been designed for healthcare industry but it is also capable of educating students and lecturers as well. 

Indians at number three in Google searches

Indians stood at number three position after Chinese and Americans in terms of Google users, a top official of the popular search engine said today.

"India is a big market for Google and is behind China and US," Vinay Goel, country head (products) of Google India told a press conference here.

He, however, did not specify any period in this regard.

India is a bigger market than the UK, Japan and Germany, he said, adding Google users had been steadily rising in the country.

"Three years ago, Google had 20 million users. Now it is at 100 million."

He said that revenues were directly related with the number of users.

Speaking about Google's latest offering, Google Instant, he said that it was a new search interface which was very fast and predictive.

"It saves between two and five seconds on typical searches," he said.

3G mobiles more vulnerable to hacking

As 3G mobile services are set to be rolled out soon in the country, cyber experts sound a word of caution about the high tech enabled mobile phones, which they say are more vulnerable in the world of technology related crimes.

While the next generation technology aims to make life simpler enabling downloading of movies and music within minutes, it can also be used for various unscrupulous activities.

"With 3G, cellphones will have faster broadband Internet and with such speed you can watch television live, make video calls and download music and movies in no time. But through spying software and virus, the hacker can easily break into your system," says Ankit Fadia, an ethical hacker and cyber security expert.

"The hacker can record all the audio conversation and video files. Not many people in India install anti-virus in the phones. I would recommend them to install anti-virus and fireballs while using 3G, says Fadia who recommends switching off the bluetooth function of the phone when not required to protect the user's password.

Not limited to an individual's privacy issues, the 3G technology will also lead to increase in piracy of films and music, thereby giving a staggering amount of losses to the entertainment industry that is battling the piracy threat.

"It will become extremely easy for anybody to download an entire Bollywood film in few minutes using 3G. This is going to lead to further tremendous growth of websites like torrents," says advocate Pavan Duggal, a cyberlaws expert.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) points out that Bollywood would be hit most by the 3G and wants service providers to adopt a stricter approach to check cybercrimes.

"Today it takes several hours to download a new release Bollywood film but with 3G it will be in minutes that will encourage people to use illegal means to view a film," says Rakshit Tandon, consultant, IAMAI.

According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report titled, "Indian 3G broadband subscribers," the mobile subscriber base is projected to cross one billion in 2014. The 3G broadband subscriber base is expected to cross 107 million by 2015.

Indian law enforcement lacks the necessary training to deal with cyber-crimes and there is a distinct need for amending the law and making security agencies aware about the Internet, say experts.

"Laws are there to protect but our police agencies are yet not ready to take-up the cyber crime challenges, especially 3G. They need to be trained to tackle the growing usage of Internet by criminals," says Fadia.

Duggal, who is a Supreme Court lawyer, says there is a distinct need for amending the law so as to provide for far more broad generic provisions which can withstand the onslaught of any other new technology.

"Further adequate statutory protections needs to be given to users so that whatever limited right to privacy they have in the context of the electronic ecosystem are not appropriately compromised with the advent of new technology," he says.

As mobile handsets is becoming an integral part of the consumer experience, the availability of a large number of feature-rich handsets at affordable prices or in attractive bundled offers is likely to further drive the adoption of 3G value-added services, according to a report by RNCOS.

The industry analysis provider also predicts that the number of 3G mobile subscribers is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 80 per cent during 2011-2013.