Archive for the 'Web Technologies' Category

WWDC 2010: Apple introduces iPhone 4 and Safari 5

From the latest WWDC 10 keynote, all the focus has been put on the new iPhone 4 design and its functionalities, there is no other releases heard from the rumors such as iTunes.com, new Apple TV, Mac or Macbook, probably only in the upcoming special events then they will announce.

Some of the key features from iPhone 4:

  • FaceTime – Two cameras for video calling
  • Retina Display – Four times the pixel count of previous iPhone models
  • Multitasking – Switch between apps instantly — without slowing down the performance of the foreground app or draining the battery unnecessarily
  • HD Video Recording and Editing – Shoot and edit your video on the the fly
  • 5-Megapixel Camera with LED Flash – Advanced backside illumination sensor captures great pictures even in low light

For more details about the features, just visit: http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/

The major part in iPhone 4 lies in its OS, which Apple also re-branded from iPhone OS 4 to iOS 4, which help to make things more inline for its marketing strategy, and easier to pronounce and remember it. However, the iOS4 will only be available on iPhone 3G (limited functions), 3GS and 4G only. As for iPod touch, it will be available for iPod touch 32GB and 64GB models (released in late 2009).

iPhone 4 will be available for pre-order (US) on the 15th of June, and on sale starting from 24th of June. There are two different models for you to choose from (16GB or 32GB flash drive).

Another side note, Apple is getting into the protective case business – Bumpers, which slip over the stainless steel edge of your iPhone 4. They come with metal buttons for volume and power and are made of a combo of rubber and molded plastic. Its available in six colors (white, black, blue, green, orange, or pink).

Other that iPhone 4, Apple also announces the next generation browser – Safari 5, but its not included in the keynote. They only announced it in the afternoon.

Some of the key features from Safari 5:

  • Safari Reader – Removes annoying ads and other visual distractions from online articles
  • HTML5 – Greater support with full-screen view and closed captions for HTML5
  • Better Performance – Enhancements to the Nitro Engine in Safari 5 mean you experience web browsing at greater speeds than before.
  • Bing Search – Offering another Search Engine option

For more details about the new features, just visit: http://www.apple.com/safari/whats-new.html

Preparing Your Web Content for iPad

Apple has released the official documentation to encourage more people to optimize their sites for the iPad. Some sites such as CNN, NTY, Reuters and etc. are already featured under the iPad ready websites. iPad is basically running Safari as its default mobile browser, that supports the latest web standards, including HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Therefore, just remember no Flash support on the iPad.

DreamPlus Studio and tysoh.com have long removed all its Flash items long time ago, therefore running on the iPad should have no problem at all. However, I have yet to see how the sites are being rendered on the iPad. Hopefully, I will be able to get my iPad very soon, once its been release in Singapore.

What can you expect from Internet Explorer 9 (IE9)?

I know this day eventually has to come, Microsoft can’t just leave out of this browser war thing. And true enough, Microsoft will be embracing HTML 5, CSS 3 and improving Javascript engine in Internet Explorer 9.

Although its still pretty early, only until about one year’s time before Microsoft will officially release IE9, however you can actually download the platform preview to see demonstration of the new features.

Adobe Flash threatened by HTML 5 Video?

I have always been skeptical about using Adobe Flash on web browsers, because of its high CPU usage, requirement to install plugin or sometimes just refuse to work well. However, for now with the introduction of HTML 5 Video in 3 major browsers, Google Chrome, Apple Safari  and IE with Chrome Frame installed (Get Chrome Frame), I believe very soon if not now, there are already many sites using videos as their core service, have already started migrating over to HTML 5, one recent good example is YouTube, they are already testing out their videos in HTML 5 Beta. Although some of the features such as Fullscreen or video ads are not supported, but I think its not going to affect much about its functionality. HTML 5 certainly has its own potential to provide more complete features in the near future, one thing I especially like about it, is that no plugin is required, its basically powered by Javascript in the backend, hopefully we will see more sites implementing HTML 5, showcasing the various possibilities of this next upcoming hit.

We have to make Online Search more relevant

As we know, currently there are lots of companies or groups seeking out ways to improve the Online Search function, trying to make it as relevant as possible for the users, and for some trying to make it as visual as possible. Including Google itself (the current biggest Search Engine), is probably working on their next generation Search Engine. But, who is going to make it right, we have yet to see. It’s not going to be easy to read the users mind, as we know different people have different habit of entering their search queries. Just to analyze the patterns alone, can be overkill. I’m currently working on this Search project, hoping to enhance the current Search Engines, although its not going to be easy, but I believe its still worth trying out, and see how the users will response to it. Who knows, it might turn out to be great. Just look out for it!

Ajax Contact Form with Validation from jQuery and Anti-bot service from reCaptcha

Are you looking for an Ajax contact form, which can validate using jQuery, and uses anti-bot service from reCaptcha to prevent spamming. This is probably the right post for you. This script was originally created for tysoh.com (take a look at the demo). I have attached the full source code for your own testing too. However, there are 3 steps you will need to change before the form can work for you. Please see below:

1) Open up the file index.php, go to line 65, and change to your own reCaptcha public key. (You will need to sign up at recaptcha.net to get one)

ajaxform_1

2) Open the file ajax.recaptcha.php, go to line 8 and 9, and change to your own reCaptcha public and private key.

ajaxform_2

3) Open the file sendemail.php, go to line 7, and change to the desired email you want the form to forward to.

ajaxform_3

Further Modifications:
If you are slightly more ambitious, all the error and thank you messages can be configured under the file – submitform.js. And the theme for reCaptcha can be configure under the file – index.php.

Other Useful Resources:
jQuery Documentation
reCaptcha Documentation

Scripts Updates:
15/Jun/2010 – Version 1.3 released with Sender Name displayed in the mail
17/Jan/2010 – Version 1.2 released with bugs fixed

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