The War of the Smartphones

There is a battle in progress - the winner will take a profitable chunk out of the mobile phone market and with it the ad and app revenue generated therein. The problem is that the media, bloggers, journalists and even the public believe there is an on-going battle between Google and Apple/BlackBerry in progress. But in reality this isn't the case, far from it, in reality Apple and BlackBerry are competitors as they have handsets which use a proprietary operating system and then they spend a small fortune marketing the brand. Google does something else. It does not make handsets (granted the Nexus is a Google handset but made and co-branded by Samsung) and it does not sell its operating system (it gives it freely to handset manufacturers under terms which allow Google services to interact within the network and handset to generate advertising revenue).

This creates a quandary whereby Apple and RIM are creating in all intense and purposes 'lifestyle' devices incarceration within a pre-determined ecosystem and enclosed application-based environment but Google leaves the portcullis to the castle open to anyone able to adapt, develop and thereafter resell their software. The problem is that Apple/RIM are intoxicated by their own 'brand', although that is not to say Android isn't a brand it's just what that brand means and therein becomes associated with is completely different to anything Apple or RIM create and distribute.

Market share

So, what the issue here surrounds is that of the public perception whereby 'Google' is going to steal or beat Apple and RIM into inferiority within the smartphone market. However this just isn't the case, in reality a free Google product will help to see an increase in market share, but that does not mean Google captures that market share for its self. HTC or Samsung capture that market. We need to remember that Handsets and Operating Systems, partially due to the success of Android, have become divorced from one another. This cleavage creates a perception  problem and one that needs to be cleared up.

Manufacturer Operating system share

Android is battling BlackBerry and Apple

Apple makes the iPhone. The iPhone is in incredible piece of both technological and marketing accomplishment yet it's operating system iOS is confined to the Apple mobile computing environment. You cant install iOS on a BlackBerry 9780 or a HTC Sensation. So that means Android cannot be compared to Apple or BlackBerry in the same way. Yet, this is what has happened so far. The question is can this be healthy for the future of Android.

The argument about Android's open eco-system are predominantly based on the Wintel arguments of the 1990s where, generally perceived, PC manufacturers and Software manufacturers colluded to bring down quality and technical excellence so as they could compete on a race to the bottom. Price was everything and that's how Intel, Windows and HP/Dell or IBM won out! The arguments are transplanted into the twenty first century that Google's Android will with Samsung, HTC and Sony Erricson's help see 'excellence' eroded through a battle of 'dumbing down' and racing to the bottom and competing on price.

Customer Views'

Yet, the issue here is that we are arguing that BlackBerry and Apple, the undoubted smartphone pioneers, worked hard to keep their phones at a certain cost level so as to retain their incredibly profitable revenue streams from collapsing because of engineering excellence. Apple and RIM make billions from selling phones, so when Android came along and people like DoCoMo, Huwaei and HTC created mid-range phones offering similar experiences to the iPhone or BlackBerry but at a substantially reduced price this created the perfect storm to occur within the mobile phone market. Apple and RIM went tooth and nail for the premium customers whilst Android's open handset alliance went all out for the budget and mid-size customers. The result was the undoubtedly that Android would dominate the smartphone market. Android handsets are shipping at 3-1 to Apple or RIM handsets according to Catalyst/comScore but, importantly, to different customers. 

Apple and RIM are rivals but Google's Android isn't, yet, a competitive rival to these two smartphone rivals.

PHP Captcha Code

In this tutorial I will explain how to create a Captcha in PHP. We are using some of the features available in PHP for creating an image. This is very simple and basic tutorial and we are not using any custom fonts for generating captcha image. And we know that captcha code used to avoid spam/abuse or auto-submission.


       

Captcha.php

<?php
session_start();
$ranStr = md5(microtime());
$ranStr = substr($ranStr, 0, 6);
$_SESSION['cap_code'] = $ranStr;
$newImage = imagecreatefromjpeg("cap_bg.jpg");
$txtColor = imagecolorallocate($newImage, 0, 0, 0);
imagestring($newImage, 5, 5, 5, $ranStr, $txtColor);
header("Content-type: image/jpeg");
imagejpeg($newImage);
?>

Verifying captcha code is equal or not
Here we are storing a captcha code in SESSION variable and while verifying we have to compare the session variable with user entered data.
$_SESSION['cap_code'] - is having actual captcha code
$_POST['captcha'] - user entered captcha code

<?php
if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST')
{
if ($_POST['captcha'] == $_SESSION['cap_code'])
{
// Captcha verification is Correct. Do something here!
}
else 
{
// Captcha verification is wrong. Take other action
}
}
?>

Read This

The below html/CSS/Jquery code I used is just for an extra enhancement only and all the code is not needed actually. The above code is enough to check whether Human Verification is correct or wrong.

index.php
Contains HTML and PHP code. Image scr='captcha.php'

<?php
session_start();
$cap = 'notEq'; // This php variable is passed to jquery variable to show alert
if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST')
{
if ($_POST['captcha'] == $_SESSION['cap_code'])
{
// Captcha verification is Correct. Do something here!
$cap = 'Eq';
}
else
{
// Captcha verification is wrong. Take other action
$cap = '';
}
}
?>
<html>
<body>
<form action="" method="post">
<label>Name:</label><br/>
<input type="text" name="name" id="name"/>
<label>Message:</label><br/>
<textarea name="msg" id="msg"></textarea>
<label>Enter the contents of image</label>
<input type="text" name="captcha" id="captcha" />
<img src='captcha.php' />
<input type="submit" value="Submit" id="submit"/>
</form>
<div class="cap_status"></div>
</body>
</html>

Javascript

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/
ajax/libs/jquery/1.4.2/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
$(document).ready(function()
{
$('#submit').click(function()
{
var name = $('#name').val();
var msg = $('#msg').val();
var captcha = $('#captcha').val();
if( name.length == 0)
{
$('#name').addClass('error');
}
else
{
$('#name').removeClass('error');
}
if( msg.length == 0)
{
$('#msg').addClass('error');
}
else
{
$('#msg').removeClass('error');
}
if( captcha.length == 0)
{
$('#captcha').addClass('error');
}
else
{
$('#captcha').removeClass('error');
}
if(name.length != 0 && msg.length != 0 && captcha.length != 0)
{
return true;
}
return false;
});
var capch = '<?php echo $cap; ?>';
if(capch != 'notEq')
{
if(capch == 'Eq')
{
$('.cap_status').html("Your form is successfully Submitted").fadeIn('slow').delay(3000).fadeOut('slow');
}
else
{
$('.cap_status').html("Human verification Wrong!").addClass('cap_status_error').fadeIn('slow');
}
}
});
</script>

CSS

body{
width: 600px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 0;
}

#form{
margin-top: 100px;
width: 350px;
outline: 5px solid #d0ebfe;
border: 1px solid #bae0fb;
padding: 10px;
}

#form label
{
font:bold 11px arial;
color: #565656;
padding-left: 1px;
}

#form label.mandat
{
color: #f00;
}

#form input[type="text"]
{
height: 30px;
margin-bottom: 8px;
padding: 5px;
font: 12px arial;
color: #0060a3;
}

#form textarea
{
width: 340px;
height: 80px;
resize: none;
margin: 0 0 8px 1px;
padding: 5px;
font: 12px arial;
color: #0060a3;
}

#form img
{
margin-bottom: 8px;
}

#form input[type="submit"]
{
background-color: #0064aa;
border: none;
color: #fff;
padding: 5px 8px;
cursor: pointer;
font:bold 12px arial;
}

.error
{
border: 1px solid red;
}

.cap_status
{
width: 350px;
padding: 10px;
font: 14px arial;
color: #fff;
background-color: #10853f;
display: none;
}

.cap_status_error
{
background-color: #bd0808;
}

Motorola RAZR review

Motorola has formally announced the slimmest 4G LTE networks supporting new Motorola RAZR in US. This new handset will be made available as Motorola DROID RAZR through Verizon Wireless exclusively. The Motorola RAZR has 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display that supports quarter-HD resolution. Packing a dual-core mobile processor, the contract-free pricing of this handset remains unknown and will be available from next month onwards.

Previously, the handset was known as the DROID RAZR, DROID HD and even Motorola Spyder. Sanjay Jha, CEO for Motorola Mobility unveiled the new Motorola RAZR at the launch even in US. Motorola RAZR promises external strength with the chassis built from KEVLAR fiber and measures mere 7.1-mm stunning slim. Also it comes with water repellent nanocoating that protects the phone against water spills.


Design


The 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display promises sturdy nature with Corning Gorilla Glass technology to be scratch resistant. Motorola RAZR is the first smartphone with qHD (960x540) resolution and featuring Super AMOLED display. For the eager souls, this smartphone runs Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread with a touch of new Blue Blur custom user interface.

The Hardware

Under the slim body, the Motorola RAZR houses a dual-core 1.2 GHz mobile processor coupled with 1GB RAM on board. By default this smartphone will come with 16GB onboard memory and 16GB memory card bundled with it.


This smartphone will support high speed 4G LTE networks for data connectivity and also offer HD quality video chat. The front facing HD camera is usable for HD video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or WiFi networks. Also the 4G LTE mobile hotspot features accommodates up to eight WiFi devices at once.

The 8-megapixel image sensor bearing HD camera at the back comes with 1080p HD video recording capability and image stabilization technology for clear and crisp imagery. Besides that, this smartphone contains GPS chip, low energy consuming Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi support.


Loaded with enterprise level security features, Jha also gave a sneak peak to the new MotoCast feature that creates a personal cloud for the user to stream data from PC. To power this super slim yet big screen bearing smartphone, Motorola has added 1780mAh battery that will make it last longer, especially on 4G LTE networks.


Launch & Price


Motorola will make this phone available in early November along with bunch of accessories like the Laptop Dock 500 with bigger keyboard.


Clove will be selling the phone for a sim-free price of £379, with the first stock expected around November 1st.

Specifications

Networks:	2G:	GSM 850/900/1800/1900   CDMA 800/1900
	3G:	HSPDA 850/900/2100   CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / LTE
Operating System:	Android v2.3.5 (Gingerbread)
3.5 mm jack:	Yes
USB:	Yes, microUSB v2.0
Display:	4.3-inches Super AMOLED screen, 540X960 pixels
Camera:	Primary		8MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
	Secondary		Yes, 2MP, 720p videos
Memory:	Internal		16 GB storage, 1GB RAM
	Card slot		microSD, up to 32GB, 16GB included
Size:	Dimension		130.7 x 68.9 x 7.1 mm
	Weight		127 grams
Bluetooth:	Yes, v4.0 with LE+EDR
GPS:	Yes, with A-GPS support
Battery:	Standard Li-Ion, 1780 mAh
	Stand-by		up to 204 h
	Talk time		up to 12 h 30 min
Special features:	-  Java, via MIDP emulator        -  HDMI port        -  Digital compass        - MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player  - MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV player
Processor:	1.2 GHz, dual core

HTC Sensation XL Review

The HTC Sensation XL has arrived with a magnificent 4.7-inches WVGA LCD display to fill your Android ambitions. HTC Sensation XL is the latest phone to launch by HTC, that was much rumoured and leaked, now unleashed upon the world. This handset picks up much of the Windows Phone 7 enabled HTC Titan and also equally provides you the Android equivalent, thrown in with a few treats.


                


The Sensation XL is the third Sensation phone to come from HTC and the second handset to feature Beats audio technology and SRS Surround Sound for great multimedia experience. But can this phone bite, more than it can chew?


Design


Let's begin with the design of the phone. HTC have fixed to their tried and experienced approach of a machined aluminium back, with a bottom section finished in rubberised plastic to ensure plenty of reception. You'll feel like a solid and hard phone holding in your hand. No plastic section has been added to creak as to manipulate it, also no sign of odd panels or coloured sections.


                  


In comparison with the regular Sensation, this phone is not that attractive in design and looks more sophisticated with it's speaker cutout and contoured screen edges. The flat front of the screen gives you four touch controls across the bottom, home, menu, back and search. On the top you have the normal standby button and 3.5mm headphone jack, with volume controls on the side. A single Micro-USB is on the bottom edge - there is no HDMI out, as you might find on rival devices. 


It does dwarf other devices. The iPhone 4 looks positively dinky next to it and HTC's existing big screened device the HTC Sensation is dwarfed too. The HTC Sensation XL just about pulls this off because it still remains usable, but at 162.5g, it's a pretty hefty phone. The dimensions are 132.5 x 70.7 x 9.9mm for stats fans.


The Hardware


The 4.7-inch touchscreen on the front is vibrant, but at 800 x 480 pixels, has a fairly low pixel density of 198ppi. OK, it isn't a low density per se, but we know that some are going to see this as a missed opportunity to pack in a higher resolution display - especially as the HTC Sensation has a 960 x 540 resolution. As a result, even though you can get plenty on the display, you'll still need to zoom to resolve finer details, such as text on a web page.


                   


Some might also question the Qualcomm MSM 8255 1.5GHz single core chipset (and 768MB RAM) rather than the more fashionable dual core processors you'll find in other large display models, including the Sensation XE. There is no external memory option, so you can't add a microSD card. Internally there is 16GB of storage, but only 12.64GB is available for the user. This might be limiting for some, especially if you want to carry a large movie selection to watch on that huge screen. 


HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio


            

Music lovers would adore this phone, however, you're probably eyeing the pair of Beats headphones that come gratis with the phone. The ear buds that you’ll get along with this phone are not the same sort you can get in the store. These ear buds are specially designed to accompaniment the Beats algorithm software in the phone. The ear buds are well designed and they fit comfortably in our ear, while playing music. As said by HTC, the headphones alone cost about $100, so this would exciting to see how much the HTC Sensation XL gets priced in the market.

Launch & Price

HTC announced that the HTC Sensation XL could arrive in the market on October 24th. Unfortunately, HTC haven't announced any price tag to the phone yet but Expansys has it pegged at £519. This is only about £20 more than the Sensation XE. 

Specifications

Networks:	2G:	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
	3G:	HSPDA 850/900/2100
Operating System:	Android v2.3 (Gingerbread)
3.5 mm jack:	Yes
USB:	Yes, microUSB v2.0
Display:	4.7-inches WVGA LCD, 480X800 pixels
Camera:	Primary		8MP, autofocus, dual-LED flash
	Secondary		Yes, 1.3MP
Memory:	Internal		16 GB storage, 768MB RAM
	Card slot		No
Size:	Dimension		132.5 x 70.7 x 9.9 mm
	Weight		163 grams
Bluetooth:	Yes, v3.0 with A2DP
GPS:	Yes
Battery:	Standard Li-Ion 1600 mAh
	Stand-by		up to 360 h (2G)/ up to 460 h (3G)
	Talk time		up to 11 h 50 min (2G)/ upto 6 h 50 min (3G)
Special features:	-          Beats Audio -          Beats Headset -          Digital compass
Processor:	1.5 GHz Scorpion processor