By 2016, only 3% of smartphones won't have a touchscreen

According to research firm ABI, by 2016 a mere 3% of smartphones will be without a touchscreen. Of course, that means that if correct, the study expects 97% of all smartphones to have a touchscreen of some type aboard. Part of the credit for the success of touchscreens on smartphones has to go to the Apple iPhone. In 2006, the year before the launch of Apple's iconic device, only 7% of smartphones had a touchscreen and that figure rose to 75% by 2010. ABI says that the touchscreen together with 3G connectivity are both responsible for the huge growth in smartphone users.

Today's touchscreen is a lot different than they were pre-Apple iPhone. Back then, the typical touchscreen display was resistive which meant that they responded to any pointy object that touched the screen. Even after the iPhone launched with its capacitive display, the next year or two saw many of the so-called "iPhone killers" come to market with un-responsive resistive screens like the one on the LG Voyager. Resistive screens are pretty much extinct now, replaced by the capacitive display which responds to electrical impulses on your fingertip and will not work with a stylus or a pen cap (which we recommended Voyager owners use to navigate around its external touchscreen).

Even BlackBerry phones are leaving the non-touchscreen smartphone design behind. The new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 took one of the most loved BlackBerry form factor, one with perhaps the best physical QWERTY keyboard ever placed on a smartphone, and added  touchscreen functionality to its 2.8 inch display. As we reported, RIM recently added two more touchscreen models to its lineup with the BlackBerry Torch 9810 and the BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860. Even the lower priced BlackBerry Curve line is getting a model with a touch screen display. And the early word from sources says to expect RIM's lineup of QNX powered Superphones, expected to launch during Q1 of 2012, to be touchscreen models without a trackpad in sight.

Apple sued by 27000 South Koreans

Software technology giant Apple is facing a lawsuit brought by 27000 South Koreans who claimed it had invaded their privacy by storing a hidden log of their movements on their iPhones.

The practice emerged in April, when two British security researchers found the file on both iPhone handsets and the computers with which they were associated.

The unencrypted location data it contained stretched back almost a year, the Telegraph reports.

Apple was then ordered by a South Korean court to pay Kim Hyung-souk, a lawyer, one million pounds won in compensation as a result. 

His firm, Mirae law, now represents 27,000 iPhone users in a class-action.

Each user is seeking the same compensation, which would mean a total payout of more than 15.2million pounds, the paper said.

A week after the existence of the hidden log was publicised, Apple announced that it would update iOS to fix a "bug" that made storing location data hard to turn off. 

It also said it would stop backing up the file on the computer associated with each iPhone, and encrypt it.

A Water Resistant Phone

Finally, a  new post from me in August, I short one I guess. Recently, I bought a new phone after my previous one was broken with water involved, rain and wet clothes bla bla bla. Thanks to my beloved sister who gave me some extra money so that I can buy a new phone to replace the broken one. After days of surveying the market, I finally bought a Motorola Defy. It is a water resistant phone and it comes with Gorilla Glass making it almost invincible.

Now, I won’t have to worry about using my phone during the rain or putting it inside my wet clothes or even dropping it inside a pile of water. That’s all for now, I’ll post more about the phone in the future when I’m free. Currently busy with my Research Assistant tasks. 

Bangladesh face spirited Zimbabwe in the one off Test

Bangladesh remained upbeat ahead of the one off Test against host Zimbabwe which starts tomorrow at Harare Sports Club ground despite their humiliating loss against the second-string Zimbabwe selected XI in the only 3 day practice match. The victory gave Zimbabwe the upper hand in the historic Test match in which Zimbabwe will mark their return to the top fight after a self inflicted 6 years absence.

The preparation for the arguably the most important Test match of 2011 for both sides could not have been more different. While Zimbabwe embarked on a long preparation ending with competitive longer version cricket involving A-sides of Australia and South Africa, Bangladesh heavily relied on the month long fitness camp and could only muster couple of 90-over match against the GP BCB Academy boys before the sole practice match where they were badly exposed by the Test team wannabes of the hosts. Both Bangladesh coach and skipper played down the loss and vowed to come back hard in the Test match to demonstrate their superiority over their closest opponent in world cricket.

Bangladesh face selection dilemma as none of the contenders for the 3 and 4 position of the batting line-up showed any sign of form in recent months while most batsmen except Mushfiqur Rahim fared badly in the practice match. Imrul Kayes is likely to retain his place in the opening pair despite scoring only 8 and 0 in the practice match, but Junaid Siddique might lose his place to debutant Shuvogoto Hom after failing to make an impression in the same match.

The enigmatic Mohammad Ashraful is likely to bat at number 4 despite not doing anything in recent memory to justify his selection even in the touring squad. He is hoping for a turnaround in his fortune under the new coach Stuart Law, and he must start performing with the bat to justify the faith of the selectors. Another important decision will be the selection of the second spinner for the playing XI. The lacklustre form of Abdur Razzak in the practice match again highlighted his lack of penetration in the longer format of the game, and Bangladesh may opt for an additional seamer in a 3 pronged pace attack with Mahmudullah Riyad stepping in as the second spinner.

Zimbabwe will be sweating on the fitness of the promising fast bowler Brian Vitory who got hurt in the practice session yesterday. The only other talking point is the selection of veteran wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu who was highly critical of ZC in a recent interview with Cricinfo.

The match is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local time (8:00 AM GMT) at Harare Sports Club in the capital of Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh (likely) : Shakib Al Hasan (C), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique/Shuvogoto Hom, Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak/Rabiul Islam.

Zimbabwe (Squad): Brendan Taylor (capt), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Chris Mpofu, Ray Price, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis.