Sony Cyber-shot QX10 & QX100 "smart lenses" for smartphones (video) – update

Credit: Sony

Sony Cyber-shot QX "smart lenses" are a truly unique approach to the shortcomings of phone cameras. Most obvious of these shortcomings is absence of optical zoom; ameliorated to a degree by increasing pixel count. With 8 & 12 megapixels now common in smartphone cameras, 2x digital zoom (or cropping after the fact to achieve the same outcome) yields an image in the 2-3 megapixel range which is quite acceptable for many purposes.

Previous approaches to lack of zoom has been add-on lenses, most commonly wide-angle or macro, although occasionally, moderate telephoto. To my knowledge, all of these have been fixed focus; no zoom. Most have been under $100; at such prices, optical quality is not available.

Another problem with phone cameras is small sensor size. Small size is a major design parameter of mobile (cell) phones. This has included such measures as replacing mini USB with Micro USB, & restricting battery size & so runtime. Camera sensor size has been another casualty. Why is this a problem? All other things being equal, small sensor size leads to poor low-light performance & noisy images.

Finally, any add on lens to date has been a single phone solution, due to the need to optically align the add on with the phone lens. Add on lenses also restrict, or eliminate the possibility of fitting a case to the camera: a deal breaker for some.

Sony's Cyber-shot QX10 & QX100 "smart lenses" are a real thinking outside the square solution to the problems listed above. Part of the creativity of the solution is hinted at by the quotes around "smart lenses", above. These are not just lenses, they are complete cameras: complete at least, apart from a viewfinder. Viewfinder capability is provided by the screen of the attached smartphone. Because they are cameras in their own right, optical alignment is not necessary. As a result, these lenses can be used with any Android or iOS phone they can be physically clamped to. This means almost any recent model smartphone or tablet, including Kindle. Actually, clamping to the body of the phone isn't necessary, as the interface is via WiFi. This brings up a further benefit of the "smart lens" format: remote shutter release (up to 10 metres) is inherent in the design.

Final part of the solution is the 2 "smart lens" models:

QX10: cheaper model, smaller sensor (18.2mp, 1/2.3"), 10x zoom — aimed at a less serious photographer who values low price & more zoom.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/123782-sony-cyber-shot-qx10-review

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/18/sony-qx10-review/

QX100: more expensive, aimed at a more serious photographer who understands the improved image quality afforded by a larger, 1 inch, 20 megapixel sensor & f1.8 aperture, 3.6x zoom, Carl Zeis lens. Also must be able to accept the substantially higher price.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-cyber-shot-qx100-hands-on-preview-22740 / based base Sony Cyber-shot WX200 small Smart Lens unit feature festures 18.2 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor 10x optical zoom lens image stabilisation stabilization built in Wi-Fi near field communication NFC lens camera unit connect any compatible smartphone smart phone device tablet remote operation photo viewing Sony research suggested top 3 issues smartphone photographers include optical zoom image stabilization low light performance 77% smartphone users saying primary use photography provide solution problems inherent smartphone photography Sony has developed develop development Smart Lens system any smartphone Android iOS compatible Kindle other tablets using camera another device as the remote control touch auto focus auto-focus AF Wi-Fi working 10m meter metre meters metres Smart Lens built in one touch connection NFC Smart Lens work with devices connect over Wi-Fi networking Sony Cyber-shot QX10 key features 18.2mp 1/2.3" type BSI CMOS Exmor R better low-light low light performance 10x zoom 25-250mm equivalent full HD Video MP4 NFC Wi-Fi stereo mic Micro SD M2 memory card slot white black transferring transfer images image full resolution images image stored memory card smartphone images transferred 2 megapixels by default full size set up setup camera link transfer images smartphone work without memory card store images directly on the smartphone battery life camera rated 110 minutes 220 photos, with the camera using an N series battery from standard Sony Cyber-shot cyber shot battery can be charged in the camera USB removable charge optional charger physically connected phone used separate camera screen smartphone viewing live view remotely see taking photos connected upgraded Sony Play memories Mobile App available improved number options over previous versions iA Superior Auto Program Auto Aperture Priority QX100 copy connected device white balance self timer self-timer focus mode MF AFS image size preview setting review image size beep setting format movie photo exposure compensation +/-3 app lets you change settings using the touch-screen QX100 QX10 feature tripod socket small LCD display show battery life shutter release zoom control adjustable attachment provided hold lens smartphone work with any smartphone certain size attachment work tablets lens locks into place attachment small button unlock detach detached Sony Xperia Z optional special attachment smartphone more neatly attach Smart Lens unit soft carrying case available storage /

UPDATED: IPCC climate change report is out: It’s warmer and we’re responsible

Credit: IPCC/ Ars Technica

UPDATE — infographic:
http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/climate-science-infographic/

UPDATE — 5 minute summary:
http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CC.report.pdf

http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/09/ipcc-climate-change-report-is-out-its-warmer-and-were-responsible/

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/28/ipcc-climate-change-deniers&sa=U&ei=ZLJHUrfKEemZiAe5sIH4Dw&ved=0CBsQqQIwAA&usg=AFQjCNHbnu6yI1_ux65oWs66YVdxywhMew

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24292615 / Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC publish published publishing publishes assessment current state scientific understanding human caused anthropogenic human-caused climate change assessment based on contributions thousands experts around the world through exhaustive review peer reviewed review peer-reviewed scientific literature rigorous seven year years long several-years-long review process publication fossil fuel fossil-fuel industry front groups lobbyists paid advocates gear up attack malign report mislead confuse public about sobering message release IPCC Fifth Assessment scientific report professional climate change deniers willing abettors enablers distort report actually says genuine scientific evidence reality climate change threat climate change deniers divided preferred contrarian narrative some would have us believe IPCC downgraded strength evidence degree of threat career fossil-fuel-industry fossil fuel industry apologist Bjorn Lomborg Rupert Murdoch's Murdoch Australian United Nations UN UN's mild climate change message lost in alarmist translation serial climate disinformer Judith Curry commentary same outlet announced announce announcement consensus distorts climate picture make up your mind critics mild message distorted picture consistency consistent consistently respond simply hobgoblin of little minds real reality claims members IPCC downgraded scientific confidence plentiful among usual purveyors of climate change misinformation Fox News editorial pages Wall Street Journal various conservative tabloids United States of America USA Canada Germany Australia Fox News even sought to mislead viewers bait and switch bait-and-switch focusing attention instead deceptive similarly named report that calls itself the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change NIPCC regurgitates standard shopworn denialist myths erroneous talking points non-peer-reviewed report published discredited industry front group known as the Heartland Institute publication actual IPCC report divert attention from the actual scientific evidence reality IPCC strengthened degree of certainty fossil fuel burning other human activities responsible warming globe past half-century raising confidence very likely previous report extremely likely current one expresses similar levels of certainty Earth experiencing impacts impact impacted warming form of melting ice rising global sea levels various forms of extreme weather evidence overly conservative in its assessment of the science institutions atmospheric wind patterns associated with phenomena El Niño so-called North Atlantic Oscillation global temperatures hockey stick curve /

Can Google cure death?

Internet search √

Self driving car √

Death ?

I see two reasons not to proceed with this:

1. We already know how to extend life substantially: eat more fruit & vegetables, cut down on salt, sugar, alcohol, tobacco, red meat & animal fat. Get more (gentle) exercise.

2. By 2050 it is expected that we will be trying to feed twice as many people as we can't feed now. That's with current mortality rates. If the mortality rate fell, population growth would be even greater.

Life extension methods listed above are cheap, or in some cases, cash positive (less alcohol, tobacco, red meat). If the Google project is successful & substantial life extension becomes available to all, & unlike the currently available life extension methods, people choose to use them, without an equally substantial fall in the birth rate, the resulting population explosion will make the 2050 prediction above, seem like a mere fire cracker.

On the other hand, perhaps the life extension methods listed above represent all of the cheap measures, & Google will discover something (or somethings) that are only available to the wealthy. In this case, the actual increase in population will be smaller (depending on just how expensive life extension is), but will cause a disproportionate increase in pollution & other forms of environmental degradation, because, all other things being equal, the wealthier a person is, the more of the world's resources can be consumed, with proportionately greater impact on the environment.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/google-is-launching-a-company-that-hopes-to-cure-death-2013-9#share

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2152422,00.html&sa=U&ei=PbRGUsKWL6f_iAee7YGgBQ&ved=0CCMQFjAD&usg=AFQjCNE6VmyG24Oj2K4DTZXkonnB5RVmNQ

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/bill-gates-on-calico-2013-9

http://www.digitaltrends.com/opinion/google-calico-disrupting-death/ / health food longevity mortality lifespan illness disease meat animal fat sugar fruit vegetable vegetables red fish protein gentle exercise glycemic index saturated fat diet cholesterol alcohol cigarette cigarettes tobacco carcinogen tobacco smoking lung cancer emphysema nutrition saturated unsaturated monounsaturated polyunsaturated fat fats animal protein nutrient antioxidant vitamin mineral carbohydrate calico /

Growth of mobile malware

Increasing use of smartphones & resulting volumes of personal & financial information on those devices mean that criminals will find them increasingly attractive targets.

http://www.idgconnect.com/blog-abstract/3676/the-growth-mobile-malware / mobile malware emerge from proof-of-concept proof of concept stag tool cyber criminal criminals cybercriminal cybercriminals make money illegally huge growth mobile malware different factors factor huge numbers number smart phone phones smartphones variety interesting data stored device device contact contacts photograph photographs text SMS messages message banking credentials credential network social networking logins login log in growing use mobile devices device business lack of awareness organization organizations organisation organisations mobile threats threat survey commissioned 55% businesses considered mobile devices work place workplace serious threat threats variety varieties mobile malware types SMS Trojans SMS messages premium rate premium-rate numbers number potential victims victim persuaded download Trojan application masquerade masquerades adult content cyber criminal criminals cybercriminals cybercriminal search engine optimisation techniques product appear top web searches search Trojans designed steal confidential data device Internet exercise exercising remote control over compromised devices co-ordinate co-ordinating cybercriminal activities download downloading downloads functionality new configuration informatio malware already installed banking Trojan target private banking data mobile variant notorious ZeuS banking Trojan intercepts SMS messages measage authentication bank transactions transaction allowing cybercriminals assume victim victims victim's online identity focused theft thief steal social networking login credentials credential stealing personal information social networking sites potential piece information together commit identity theft securing secure mobile data mobile malware growing volume sophistication only part of the picture increasing increase amounts data being stored mobile devices including confidential business data device unprotected password passwords PIN PINs data stored seldom encrypted encrypt devices lose steal stolen theft thief increasing risk data leakage task secure securing data become harder business businesses employee employees increasingly conduct business outside workplace work place heterogeneous mix endpoint devices hard harder manage geographically distributed diverse businesses growing threat from mobile malware risk data leakage future mobile malware growth continue increase increasingly conduct business sensitive transactions via mobile devicefollow the money mobile banking shopping popular popularity threats target targeting these devices financial data key target personal data harvested frame targeted attacks societal level combat increase mobile malware development legislative framework well developed legislation cross border cross-border co-operation law enforcement agencies market regulation harder set up affiliate network allow successful monetisation SMS-Trojans Russia China technology anti-malware whitelisting blacklisting whitelist blacklist encryption centralized centralised policy management and enclosing of personal and business data (a result of the BYOD trend network Red October targeted attack harvested data /

iOS 7 makes your iPhone waterproof?

Credit: 4Chan/ The Telegraph

After seeing the ad above, would you drop your iPhone in a bucket of water? Apparently the people who tweeted:

"Whoever said iOS7 was waterproof **** you."

&

"Wtf iOS7 isn't waterproof!! Now my phone's at the bottom of the river."

did.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/10330414/iOS-7-users-destroy-iPhones-after-fake-waterproof-advert.html / fake commercial almost identical appeared Apple's Apple poster advertising image images iPhone white background accompanied neat text update iOS 7 become waterproof poster read emergency smart switch smartswitch smart-switch shut off phone smartphone smart phone phone's power supply corresponding components prevent damage iPhone's delicate circuitry explained bottom poster was a promise waterproofing waterproof water proof water proofing covered Apple's warranty policy share sharing shared social media sites user users encouraging people try new feature angry complaints appeared fooled practical joke prank started controversial forum 4Chan chequered history hosting faked material fake host hosted site came criticize criticized criticism fake screen shots posts iOS 7 /

Toxic load: blue-green algae's role in motor neuron disease

Credit: Mark Sadowski/ The Conversation

http://theconversation.com/toxic-load-blue-green-algaes-role-in-motor-neuron-disease-16041 / scientist scientists exposure blue-green algae linked increased incidence neuro degenerative neurodegenerative diseases neuro-degenerative neuro degenerative reason link mystery research published journal PLOS ONE answer algal toxin BMAA long been associated increased incidence motor neurone disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS hypothesis sceptics plausible mechanism theory team cell biologists ethnobotanists BMAA mimics mimic amino acid proteins protein L-Serine toxin amino acid body incorporates human proteins harmful low levels exposure BMAA over long periods ALS appears diagnosis death 3 years fruit bats Guam provided clues BMAA 40 years ago disease ethnobotanist Paul Cox jungles Pacific island Guam searching causes devastating neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Parkinson’s dementia like-complex ALS/PDC killed nearly half adult indigenous population Chamorros /

MacGyver's phone case

Credit: IN1/ The Gadgeteer

Tools:

• blue pen
• red pen
• Phillips head screwdriver
• flat head screwdriver
• kickstand
• nail file
• tweezers
• scissors
• toothpick

This is Swiss Army Knife meets phone case. MacGyver would have loved it!

Unfortunately, iPhone only, at least for now.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/09/25/if-macgyver-owned-an-iphone-he-would-probably-have-the-in1-case-on-it/ / smartphone smart phone case protect IN1 design designer designing designed IN1 case iPhone 5 5s Protect protects your nine useful accessories polycarbonate felt inside protect IN1 case TSA-compliant TSA compliant travel traveller traveling travelers Apple iOS device /

German group claims to have hacked Apple iPhone fingerprint scanner

Credit: Reuters

Recently, I reported on security concerns about reliance on the fingerprint scanner in the new iPhone 5s. At that time, it hadn't been hacked.

Now, just two days later:

Update: link below now broken, but yes, the fingerprint scanner was hacked – see the Reuters article.
http://istouchidhackedyet.com/

Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/23/us-iphone-hackers-idUSBRE98M01X20130923 / Reuters group German hackers crack cracking cracked iPhone fingerprint scanner Sunday two 2 days Apple Inc launched technology promise promised promises better protect devices criminal criminals snoop snooping snoopers seeking access claim verified embarrassment embarrass embarrassing Apple scanner smart phone smartphone new models Samsung Electronics Co Ltd run running Android OS operating system Google Inc. prominent iPhone security experts Reuters Chaos Computing Club CCC success succeed succeeded defeat defeated defeating Apple's Touch ID personally replicated the work Charlie Miller co-author iOS Hacker's Handbook work complete break Touch ID security secure secured new possibility attack attacking attacked attackers Apple representatives did not respond requests for comment CCC respected hack hacker hacking groups posted video website access accessing iPhone 5S fabricated print members member biometrics team had cracked new fingerprint reader few major high-tech features added latest version iPhone group targeted Touch ID knock down difficult crack fingerprints security secure Starbug Touch ID photograph photography photographing fingerprint user print printer printed printing transparent sheet create mold fake finger CCC similar processes crack vast majority fingerprint sensors market Dino Dai Zovi co-author author iOS Hacker's Handbook fool around hype over-hype make political point /

"Terminator" polymer can spontaneously self-heal in just two hours (video)

Credit: CIDETEC Centre for Electrochemical Technologies/ ExtremeTech

Cut, push together, two hours later, it's whole again!

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/166656-terminator-polymer-can-spontaneously-self-heal-in-just-two-hours#disqus_thread / self heal healing self-healing power skin powerful other contexts surrounded sensitive computer components sack sac soft material air water tight air-tight water-tight repairs could end technician suturing shut scalpel hole researcher Ibon Odriozola CIDETEC Centre for Electrochemical Technologies created polymer potential lead future material poly urea-urethane urea urethane elastomeric matrix network complex molecular interactions spontaneously cross link cross-link heal almost most any break this context word spontaneous material needs no outside intervention begin healing process catalyst extra reactant experiment experiments sample cut in half razor blade room temperature healed the cut 97% efficiency efficient just two hours reaction metathesis reaction to dub the material his terminator polymer reference Terminator 2′s 2 T-1000 apt comparison homogenous material resembles thick liquid T-1000′s interior self-healing materials requires catalyst no layering no word on how well it can heal itself over multiple separations potential technology extent life spans lift-spans some plastic parts repetitive strain often slowly acquire minute growing fractures group group’s main goal harder version formed into such parts itself polymer squishy somewhat soft research researcher researchers stretch a single piece to breaking by hand cut, not rigid enough to make parts from just yet self healing self-healing material big challenge artificial skin quickly stop up small wounds on its own potentially grants grant ability grow over time new units of the matrix could be incorporated as the material stretches and tears microscopic level graft artificial skin growing child might grow allow allows easy surgical work self-healing skin body stay shut up tight against germs germ healing mechanism proves robust enough material injected like an adhesive or a sealant impressive combination elasticity strength self healing self-healing advantage leaky window frames painful joints need of some padding stop bones from rubbing together protective coatings inventors search self healing self-healing protective coating top sheet top-sheet soak up small nicks return prior state thick piece cut video healed barely perceptible scar hope transparent coating that heals invisibly screen protectors research paper catalyst-free catalyst free room temperature room-temperature self-healing self healing elastomers based on aromatic disulfide metathesis /

Fingerprint scanner for iPhone 5s raises privacy & security concerns – update

At first glance, the fingerprint scanner on the new iPhone looks like a big step forward for phone security.

Problems with passwords & PINs (which the fingerprint scanner is intended to replace) are well known. But despite the problems of passwords, they can (& should be) replaced on a regular basis for improved security.

Your fingerprint is fixed, forever. If it is compromised, you can't change it. This has caused concerns over Apple's implementation in the new iPhone 5s.

Has the iPhone's fingerprint system been defeated yet? Not as of this writing, but get a more up to date answer at:

Update: link below now broken, but yes, the fingerprint scanner was hacked.
http://istouchidhackedyet.com/

Further discussion at the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/fingerprint-scanner-for-iphone-5s-raises-privacy-security-concerns/2013/09/20/0992cbee-222f-11e3-966c-9c4293c47ebe_story.html / highlight highlights iPhone 5s finger print reader fingerprint scanner facing two concerns Apple cool new feature consumers consumer sale IT information technology department departments employer work company companies authority department government agencies agency employees fingerprint ID IDs unlock iPhones used for work business businesses adopt new technology lawmakers government privacy advocates raised concerns plans plan handle highly sensitive data The iPhone 5s is the first Apple device with a built-in fingerprint scanner on the home button enter entering a four-digit code user needs only to place a finger on the button to unlock the phone store data device encrypted format send sending information own servers block third-party third party apps access accessing company calls iTouch ID senate senator Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) sent letter Apple chief executive Tim Cook noting fundamentally different biometric identifiers from previous ID methods passwords secret dynamic fingerprints fingerprint public permanent tell anyone your password hack hacker hacking hacks password change wrote thumbprint thumbprint use identify impersonate technical possibilities Touch ID diagnostic information transmit transmits Apple third parties wants assurances never share fingerprint data tools tool commercial third partiesimportant question considers fingerprint data contents of communication subscriber identity Stored Communications Act particularly important content data require warrant released law enforcement, subscriber ID or number needs subpoena if Apple considers fingerprint data subscriber information company could be compelled to share national security letter respond request for comment privacy concerns, company companies run test tests list of security measures requiredemployee devices Chris Hertz, chief executive IT firm New Signature begin adding fingerprint data existing protocols security community secure Dave Frymier chief information officer Unisys discussed letting employees fingerprints form of identification thoroughly test the sensor first better company security Frymier require passwords four digit four-digit pins device devices employees often choose codes code easy to crack easy to guess Tim Hoechst chief technology officer software security firm Agilex broad appeal new fingerprint technology secure their devicesbconsumers do not even bother to put up a pass code on their phones more secure than nothing enough consumers adopt technology mobile speed adoption enterprise driven by speed of adoption by users Ojas Rege, Vice President strategy MobileIron firm help businesses manage their employees’ employee mobile devices CEO happen faster /

Kogan Full HD Action Camera - Black Edition (video)

Credit: Kogan/ PC World

Specs not quite as high as the GoPro & results not as good either, but it's a lot cheaper.

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/kogan/full_hd_action_camera/525156/

http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/gopro-camera-along-for-the-ride-20130829-2sreu.html / compact fixed lens fixed-lens video camera record Full HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second 720p HD video at 60fps smoother smaller video files cost slight drop in quality Black Edition Full HD Action Camera Kogan $139 plus delivery Silver version without mounting accessories standard tripod mount $119 $20 cheaper Kogan’s action camera Swann Freestyle HD lens on a box design lens-on-a-box design Kogan’s lens offset left right no filter protection front lens getting scratched protective case mounting hardware front camera bare lens Kogan’s logo top two buttons recording video stills still photos photographs photograph camera’s sides house various outputs HDMI USB microphone microSD card slot 32GB 4GB card included back few more buttons dice way five-way navigation pad menu power playback power/playback mode toggle 1.5 inch 1.5-inch full colour color full-colour display built into in camera camera’s body optional accessory GoPro range Contour Action Cam lacks lack Black Edition bundle Kogan's Full HD Action Camera includes include variety many mount mounts two sticky mounts suction cup mount roll bar roll-bar handlebar mount helmet mount 30m 30 m meter metre waterproof 2m 2 m shock proof shock-proof case mounts internal tripod screw mounting point menu video photo quality Swann Freestyle HD lacked some features important, but Kogan has made its Action Camera good purchase niche uses dash cam dash-cam loop recording motion acrivated motion-activated recording time lapse photo modes mode compete GoPro HERO3 Contour ROAM 2 Sony’s Sony Action Cam /

Will the Oppo N1 be the first CyanogenMod phone? (video)

Credit: Oppo/ GigaOm

The "leak":

http://youtu.be/lV1c8nzDp5s

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/20/is-oppo-releasing-the-first-cyanogenmod-phone/

Looks likely that the phone will be able to dual boot Cyanogen & the Oppo version of Android:

http://www.androidauthority.com/cyanogen-leaked-conversation-oppo-dual-boot-271596/

Other interesting features:
• touch sensitive rear panel
• 5.9 inch screen
• plug in lenses

Not so promising:
• no auto focus (possibly a consequence of the "plug in lenses")
• no front camera

Specs:

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/OPPO-N1_id8133/photos / CyanogenMod Cyanogen company release hardware CyanogenMod software device partner teaser video Oppo’s YouTube account phone September 23 video CyanogenMod co-founder Steve Kondik pair Google Glass attend attending Oppo event Bejing exciting news screen goes to black text Oppo N1 appears Possibilities unfold on September 23 running CyanogenMod proven manufacture manufacturing manufacturer high quality high-quality devices software experience gain exposure China best known high end high-end Blu-ray players player play partnership hardware game spread software through app Google Play two versions of the phone running CyanogenMod Oppo’s modified version of Android flavour flavor offered rear touch panel A brand new user experience UI user interface apps applications application software engineer OS operating system manager management manage architect architecture code support firmware ROM distribution release update Android Google proprietary /

Cyanogen Inc: Steve Kondik builds a company around CyanogenMod, secures $7 million in funding, & opens Cyngn.com

The crew
Credit: Cyanogen Inc.

CyanogenMod is a family of replacement ROMs for Android devices. They offer:

• raw Android user experience
• few critical enhancements
• improved speed in most applications
• absence of the bloatware installed by manufacturers & carriers
• faster updates than provided by manufacturers & carriers
• continuing support of your device, after it has been abandoned by the manufacturer
• free & open source
• among the best replacement Android ROMs, if not the best.

Now a company is being built around CyanogenMod with major capital support:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/09/18/cyanogen-inc-steve-kondik-builds-a-company-around-cyanogenmod-secures-7-million-in-funding-and-opens-cyngn-com/ / Steve Kondik Kirt McMaster Koushik Koush Dutta Devkota ciwrl Abhisek ninja Chris ctso Soyars Danesh M app apps applications application software engineer OS operating system manager management manage Ethan Chen Ed Ricardo Christine Chua Cerqueira operations Dobie Wollert architect architecture code support Fan Zhang Henry Mason quality management assurance Jason C Jeff Huisman Cooper Bubbles Fin security virus malware firmware ROM Tom Moss board distribution release update Android Google proprietary /

GM developing Tesla Model E Rival: 200-Mile, $30,000 electric car?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1086989_gm-developing-tesla-model-e-rival-200-mile-30000-electric-car

http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=31281

And this is something GM is doing about it:

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/9/18/smart-energy/gms-battery-breakthrough-quest?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=425527&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / Tesla Model S plug in plug-in electric cars 200 miles more electric range Tesla Motors prepares roll out more affordable Model E late 2016 face serious competition General Motors GM EV electric vehicle LiIon lithium ion battery cell BEV develop development developing Tesla-rivaling rival Tesla rivaling car 200 miles 321 kilometres km charge cost $30,000 The Wall Street Journal reports technology build go on sale particularly soon high battery costs Douglas Parks GM's Vice President global product programs opening expansion battery test lab at the company's Technical Center in Warren Michigan lowest battery cost per kilowatt-hour thousands of Panasonic commodity cells specially designed design less expensive laptop many patents unique approach automaker 200 mile 200-mile range sell price GM CEO Dan Akerson breakthrough breakthroughs battery technology Envia Systems Newark California-based California based company GM invested $17 million 2011 Envia specializes specialize specialise lithium-ion cathode technology create batteries greater energy density 400 watt-hours per kilogram much higher 140 Watt-hours per kilogram Nissan Leaf's battery pack Watt hours wait waiting battery technology LG Chem cells Chevrolet Volt Cadillac ELR battery electric battery-electric car Chevrolet Spark EV maximum range of 82 miles /

iOS 7 to be released today

Credit: Boy Genius Report

iOS 7 — Apple has promised release on 18 September 2013. Historically, on the US West Coast, users get new releases around 10 am, US Pacific Time.

So, what's it like?

http://bgr.com/2013/09/17/ios-7-review-release-date-photos/

And just in time for those who won't be upgrading (or at least, not just yet), access to "last compatible version" of apps:

http://bgr.com/2013/09/17/ios-app-store-older-apps/ / release iOS 7 developers update apps app application compatible update flat flatten flattening icons fit new design update most significant yet Apple Apple’s iOS platform iPad iPod mini iPhone owners recent update App Store download the last compatible version app operating system OS out of date sigh of relief iPhone 4 4S 5 users iOS 7 3G 3GS owners still have access last working versions Jony Ive’s Ive creation Apple’s task renovate renovation renovating mobile platform iOS 7 balancing act popular computing platforms platform revamp revamped operating systems, users system company companies fail corporation old new now longtime users Apple platform due overhaul smart phone mobile cell smartphone tablet markets market change balanced new look completely overhauled realistic textures mimicked materials leather paper flat minimalist minimal minimalistic interface iOS 7 interface familiar fresh look major changes build built application colours colors brighter control center centre toggle flashlight torch flash slider AirDrop AirPlay notification centre new today tab task manager app switcher webOS card cards Palm /

Video isn’t breaking the internet: The industry giants are

Credit: gigaom

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/16/video-isnt-breaking-the-internet-the-industry-giants-are/ / Web handle video Comcast people watch television content pay TV service using the Web home would consume 648 gigabytes per month not nearing some technical tipping point Netflix YouTube Hulu pay TV’s on-demand applications about to break the web worse point where web giants ISPs ISP backbone providers content companies trying make rational decisions about delivering video avoid servers server network assets sit idle avoid over-investment over investment result consumers stuck in the middle know what’s wrong who who’s fault online video stream sucks fail fails peering battle between Verizon Cogent causes poor Netflix experience inability high quality YouTube stream consumer experience feel like an after thought problem ivideo delivery Web fragmented Netflix video Amazon’s cloud delivered via Level 3 Akamai Cogent ISP’s ISP network cached ISP’s data center Netflix Open Connect box movie stream last mile traverse ISP hit hitting your home flakey Wi-Fi network congested pipe to the house multiple points of failure report out Monday Sandvine many points of failure Sandvine makes deep packet inspection gear for ISPs tracking traffic Internet trends report tackle opaque world peer peering interconnects show where Web failing why business sometimes problems arise content company doesn’t have enough servers meet simultaneous demand content something Sandvine happens YouTube during lunchtime rush chart problems caused congested ports where middle mile provider Cogent Level 3 meets meet ISPs’ ISP network report explain how internet works where those points interconnect interconnection interconnections detailing some technical truths illustrate ISP behaving badly network congestion example report explains companies Netflix Google can save content serving costs deliver delivering packets big burst bursting behavior drive the last mile network operate at its peak causing problems latency sensitive packets VoIP driving up peak driven peak-driven network capital cost streaming servers more efficient when less context-switching content switching switch switched packet incentive incents content provider content-provider hosting provider CDN burst towards toward user switch another user pulse-width-modulation pulse width modulation bandwidth reduces context switches server additional bandwidth served hosting facility when other end stream reaches consumer bursts cause considerable additional cost access provider report accuses sites use adaptive bit rate streaming Netflix Hulu degrading performance other traffic user user’s network pushing aside non adaptive non-adaptive content gaming VoIP HTTP conclusion each player network being selfish cost quality Internet experience for Don Bowman CTO Sandvine recommends solution selfishness isn’t regulation transparency data on cost quality published interconnection point helps consumers regulators where to place blame all players act altruistically altruistic altruism more fairly secrecy around peering arrangements many conflicts interests within players between them create perfect opportunity speculation accusation little chance constructive change /

Galaxy S4 Vs. HTC One Review: Which is the best Android in the world?

Credit: Boy Genius Report

Declaration of interest: my phone is a Samsung Galaxy S4.

Reasons: performance. Benchmarks, battery endurance, screen size & resolution, how well it fits in a pocket, resistance to knocks & bumps, ability to easily swap batteries, or fit a larger battery, camera. The list goes on.

In the review linked below, a different view is taken: "hardware" appears to be synonymous with "appearance", & seems to be valued above all else.

The good news is that there is a big market, lots of choices & a "best" phone for all tastes.

http://bgr.com/2013/08/13/galaxy-s4-vs-htc-one-review-best-android-phone/

Another review of the HTC One:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/htc-one-android-smartphone-review.html

Or build your own:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/phonebloks-is-stunning-idea-for-phone.html / choose choosing choice select pick choosing best Android phone planet easy easier task HTC One world has ever seen perfect best no-compromise smartphone smart-phone smart phone review reviewing reviewed value a smartphone’s physical design build materials OS operating system software user experience One seems like a clear choice declare HTC One clear winner something about Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Samsung rethink my position Beneath pile gimmicky features truly fantastic smartphone gorgeous display cutting edge cutting-edge specs specifications decision use using opinions invariably change over time device attention majority phones phone’s gimmicky bells and whistles discover discovers features useful use novelty novelties Samsung’s gesture controls absolutely useless most situations more reliant on Air View features ability view message previews containing more half sentence text without having email open emails SMS text messages changed my workflow for the better on the S4 camera another example of an area of the Galaxy S4′s software more filter, scene mode options overwhelm overwhelmed overwhelming takes some time to sift through pick out favorites get a feel interface access different modes quickly changes the way you take pictures with your phone comparatively cheap feel has become less issue over time choosing device for personal use phone’s appearance hardware is just as important to me as the software experience total package Samsung historically failed repeatedly deliver fit and finish match smartphones’ user experience rarely carry Samsung devices review reviewed reviewing improvements in the quality of materials and the feel of the phone are minimal something different thin displayed display gorgeous cheap feel doesn’t deliver hardware experience approaches hero phones offered most other smartphone vendors thinner case less of an issue fit and finish flagship smartphone unlike thin pliable plastics HTC uses beautiful aluminum unibody design build quality close match apple Apple’s iPhone 5 rival vendor ever achieved impeccable back curves sit perfectly in your hand glass face spills over the sides continues lines polished chamfered edges micro-drilled holes micro drilled grill cover speakers personality fantastic design elements combine create truly unique gorgeous smartphone watch movies play music loudspeaker no rival smartphone match matched matching audio quality HTC’s BoomSound speakers read about gadget blogs software appears major pain point stock Android Jelly Bean sold sell selling directly Google $600 perfect smartphone combines HTC’s sleek hardware Google’s pure vision Android most users gadget bloggers smartphone enthusiasts enthusiasm enthusiast tend gravitate toward pure Google mass market mind vendor contributions most popular Android phones in recent history Galaxy S4 Galaxy S III 3 2 4 Galaxy Note II LG Optimus G, and HTC One, shipped 5 million units first month of availability feature featured very heavily customized versions of Android most lauded software features added by vendors personally very much enjoy HTC’s additions Jelly Bean hardware is clearly the star of the show with the HTC One, but the phone’s software is a tremendous compliment to its industrial design. The dark gradients and hard angles that characterize the Sense 5 user interface fit perfectly with the look of the phone. HTC also introduced several great new features alongside the One’s new version of Sense /

Phonebloks is a stunning idea for a phone that comes apart like Lego (video)

Credit: Dave Hakkens/ YouTube/ Huffington Post

With mobile phone use close to saturation, most new phones are bought as an incremental improvement over a still adequate previous phone. In my own case, a 3.5 inch screen just wasn't cutting it any more.

What if, instead of replacing the entire phone, you could just replace the screen, camera, Bluetooth, or whatever other component is no longer performing to spec, or has been superseded?

Phonebloks may be your answer.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/12/phonebloks_n_3908611.html

http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/technology/cell-mobile-phones/phonebloks/ / Dave Hakkens buy electronics inherently wasteful phone feature phone smartphone smart phone new device comes out old one tossed garbage rubbish trash dump shelf to collect dust Netherlands Dutch designer change Lego-like device Lego like parts of the phone entire device can be replaced new phone threw away many good components bluetooths speakers displays thrown out away one other component is broken email This felt like a real waste introduction introduce introduced develop development developing design designer designing Phonebloks smartphone detachable components front back everything processor camera easily upgraded without discarding the rest of the phone contraption held together by a pegboard-style pegboard style base screen also replaceable mounted on the front one block camera lens battery storage block plug into the base blocks base screen secured together two screws individual blocks can be replaced become outdated simply break broken breaking electronic waste drastically reduced phone keep good parts replace the bad ones cell mobile video outlining the device pictures photographs photograph picture pop in high-resolution camera storage music larger storage block hardware would be built on an open platform product production fruition service called Thunderclap Phonebloks enthusiasts companies launch product consumers buy /

Microsoft pulls "fly on the wall" anti-iPhone ads

Credit: CNET

Another insight from the same company whose then CEO said of the newly introduced iPhone in 2007:

"There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57602902-75/microsoft-pulls-fly-on-the-wall-anti-iphone-ads/

http://www.tuaw.com/2013/09/13/microsoft-laughs-at-apples-new-iphones-in-fly-on-the-wall-in-c/ / Microsoft removed series online video advertisements critical Apple's latest iPhones iPhone smartphone smart phone videos title A fly on the wall in Cupertino? depicted fictional meetings Apple Apple's headquarters Cupertino California posted Microsoft's Windows Phone YouTube account two minutes unlikely to be shown on TV advertisements ill received ill-received mock mocked numerous social networks observers also suggested that similarities between fictional executive late Apple CEO Steve Jobs poor taste campaign intended lighthearted poke friends from Cupertino off the mark decided to pull it down Microsoft representative mirrored version of the main video /

Google Translate — future enhancements aim to end language barrier

Google has begun a project with the objective of nothing less than a real time voice enabled translator. I.e., an application which can act as interpreter for a conversation between two people who have no language in common.

http://bgr.com/2013/09/13/google-translate-future-enhancements/#more-1219387 / Google’s Google moonshot moonshots project projects company pursues far fetched far-fetched defining features. Spiegel Translate team ambitions eliminate language barriers develop development voice enabled voice-enabled universal translation system started working translator smartphone app translate different languages language Franz Josef Och Translate department fairly slow and clunky improvements text based text-based Translation similar leaps and bound biggest barriers subtle nuances language syntax ambiguity employ linguist team Translate app is designed get better with experience Google’s specialty collecting sorting analyse analyze analyzing data algorithms designed understand grammatical rules Spiegel search through the clutter gather data and learn along the way syntactical detective work to really sound like proper English perfect perfecting the service /

This cup is full of music

Credit: speeCup/ The Gadgeteer

It doesn't just look like a travel mug, it fits in your car's cup holder too.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/09/12/this-cup-is-full-of-music/ / audio system travel mug and fits car’s cup holder, but it is a 8″ 8 inch tall portable Bluetooth speaker phone speaker phone car home power options rechargeable Li-ion battery LiIon lithium ion recharged recharge car’s DC outlet USB AC charger USB port computer audio-out audio out in jack speeCup wirelessly stream audio your car’s speakers car home sound system noise reducing noise reduction noise-reducing microphone hands-free hands free handsfree calling use voice commands Siri S Voice use gestures control music playback phone calls calls peeCup black white red /

HTC One Android smartphone review

Credit: The Gadgeteer

Battery not replaceable? :(

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/09/11/htc-one-android-smartphone-review/#more-139338 / phone purchase phones Android smartphones HTC One glossy plastic Android smartphones smartphone smart phone HTC One style department glossy plastic shell matte aluminum body zero gap construction industrial look fit and finish aluminum body no wireless charging option available battery is not replaceable front edge to edge display beveled edges curved back comfortable in hand front facing speakers display front facing camera status LEDs LED back side LED flash rear camera lens second 2nd microphone flash card micro SD microSD card 3.5mm headphone jack power wake button power button small almost flush casing home button Samsung Galaxy S3 tiny wake button infra red infrared IR transmitter power button Sense TV app TV remote micro USB connector socket plug sandwich construction aluminium aluminum glass white plastic center centre left side of the phone SIM slot volume rocker LiIon lithium ion battery rechargeable charge slippery matte aluminum 4.7” display crisp vibrant display 1920 x 1080 resolution screen show smudges fingerprints thin gloves interact display soft touch buttons HTC logo left button back button right button home button dedicated menu button double tap home button see recent apps buttons backlit light up total darkness illuminated camera hardware spec specs specification specification specifications rear facing camera pixel pixels ultra pixel ultrapixels megapixels focus size pixels low light pictures image grainy picture flash noisy exposure contrast HTC Zoe /

Do we have enough room in the cloud to Skype?

Credit: Scott Adams/ www.dilbert.com

More at:

http://www.dilbert.com/strips/ / did you get the email i texted you email text texted SMS emailed cloud do we have enough room in the cloud to Skype we can store some files on the wifi we upgraded to a cumulonimbus cloud Dilbert /

Virgin Galactic's new SpaceShipTwo promo (video)

Credit: MarsScientific.com/ Clay Center Observatory/ SlashGear

http://theweek.com/article/index/249358/watch-virgin-galactics-new-spaceshiptwo-promo-sounds-like-a-carnival-cruise-ad / Sir Richard Branson spare $200,000 adventure promo for Virgin Galactic's Galactic sub-orbital sub orbital suborbital orbit pilot thrill rides second time ever SpaceShipTwo broke sound barrier dropped mothership WhiteKnightTwo altitude height 46,000 feet SS2's wing mounted wing-mounted rockets rocket ignited blaze blasting space plane maximum max altitude 69,000 feet the bleeding edge of space video cheesy vacation soundtrack Carnival Cruise space junk /

iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c revealed – available next week

New iPhone(s). As predicted: 5S with fingerprint reader in the home button, multicoloured, lower spec 5C.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/iphone/10300495/Apple-iPhone-5S-and-5C-fingerprint-sensor-and-plastic-make-iPhone-5-debut.html / 5 multicolored specification Apple subcutaneous finger print /

The five most beautiful bikes from Brooklyn's first handmade bike show

Credit: Gizmodo

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/09/the-five-most-beautiful-bikes-from-brooklyns-first-handmade-bike-show/ / two brief days last month hand crafted hand-crafted bike bicycle ever wanted Warsaw Concert Hall Greenpoint Brooklyn inside antique Polish dive bar reps Horse Rosko Coast Ceremony display custom frames cyclists The Bike Cult Show sponsored Core 77 Cane Creek custom frame builders shop showed off latest and greatest custom frames to compete for best in show beautiful level of craftsmanship frame visionaries visionary five frames stood out personal road bike Thomas Callahan Horse Cycles tour shop Brooklyn showroom floor classy pink road bike made by JP Weigle color colour frame accented accent chrome really stand out crowd Ceremony newer builder out of Brooklyn fixie’s beautiful colour scheme company company’s bikes simplicity Rick Jones frame builder from Long Island vibrant green road frame Rosko Cycle’s road bike booth wear and tear race races paint matte red fast highlights Bike Cult Show website /

Tesla Model S takes on Aston Martin Rapide S in the ultimate luxury saloon drag race

Credit: hybridCARS/ Autocar

They couldn't have made it any easier for the Aston Martin:

• started at 30 mph, minimizing or eliminating the Tesla's biggest advantage: massive low speed torque;
• gave the Aston Martin a start; &
• waited 'till the Aston driver put his foot down.

Race starts just after the 2:30 mark.

/ EV electric vehicle internal combustion engine ICE LiIon lithium ion battery range drag race magazine road test charge recharge range hydrocarbons hydrocarbon petrol carbon dioxide CO2 accelerate acceleration fuel range British American America USA US Great Britain England performance speed traction low speed torque horsepower kilowatt kilowatts handling centre center of gravity minimising minimize minimise /

NSA's secret campaign to crack, hack, trash, & undermine Internet encryption

You've encrypted it so its secure, right?

Wanna bet?

http://www.propublica.org/article/the-nsas-secret-campaign-to-crack-undermine-internet-encryption / The National Security Agency long running long-running secret war on encryption supercomputer super computer super-computer supercomputers technical trickery order court orders behind-the-scenes persuasion behind the scenes undermine major tools protecting privacy communication communications Internet age newly disclosed documents reported partnership between The New York Times Guardian ProPublica based documents The Guardian James Ball Julian Borger Glenn Greenwald Nicole Perlroth Scott Shane Jeff Larson agency circumvented cracked encryption digital scrambling guards global commerce banking systems protect protects sensitive data trade secrets medical records automatically secures email emails e-mail e-mails Web search searches Internet chats phone calls America Americans documents show users assume been assured Internet companies their data safe prying eyes government NSA N.S.A. agency recent successes deciphering protected information among M most closely guarded secrets restricted cleaeance cleared highly classified program code named code-named Bullrun documents provided Edward J. Snowden former N.S.A. contractor NSA has secretly break many types encryption widely used technology impossible read intercepted communications 2010 British document stated encrypted Internet data exploitable British memo brief briefing briefed foreign tech companies introduce weaknesses commercial encryption products backdoor access data users believe is secure deliberately weakened the international encryption standards adopted developers around globe hack hacker hacking hacked target computers snare messages encrypted influence experienced code maker covertly covert introduce weaknesses encryption standards hardware software developers develop development /

Mechanical wizardry behind the teeny, tiny new Jambox

Credit: Jawbone/ Alex Washburn/ Wired

http://www.wired.com/design/2013/09/mini-jambox/#slideid-221151

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/09/14/jambox-goes-mini-while-the-sound-stays-maxi/ / tireless experimenting CNC bit paths Jawbone settled 5 different patterns balanced costs efficiency cost-effectiveness cost-efficiency cool WIRED Jawbone’s first wireless speaker favorite gizmos were being subsumed smart phone phones smartphones Jambox standalone survivor novel music wirelessly box attractive I-wanna-play-with-one-of-those-things I wanna play with one of those things package designer Yves Behar competition competitors improved one exceeded bested audio quality retained undeniable cool factor visibility increasingly crowded category last year Jawbone expanded line dance party-ready Big Jambox Mini Jambox takes advantage all-new manufacturing cool factor Mini Jambox available for preorder today $179 slimmer sharper version rubber that capped the top and bottom; the new gone device cool metal first impressions exudes superior quality complete reinvention purpose sound size Mini Jambox makes good on its name nearly half the size of the original Jambox volumey look minI does feel mini pocket purse backpack important Behar Hosain Rahman Jawbone’s CEO under an inch of thickness room skinny jeans jacket hoody hoody’s pouch manufacture manufacturer manufactured original Jambox drivers passive resistor Bluetooth antenna other guts were housed sealed plastic enclosure package that thin piece of metal stamped with industrial-grade presses speaker beloved texture creating internal seal essential for good sound outer, stamped piece was largely cosmetic Jambox Remix swap in differently colored grills end caps desired Mini Jambox outside integral to the functioning of the inside new version Jawbone moved from stamping to CNC milling streamline internal design of the speaker Mini’s body single piece of extruded anodized aluminum device’s outer shell sealed box for the sound cavity inside too. /

Sony QX Series add on lens for your phone camera

Credit: Sony/ Gear Hungry

Best camera is the one you have with you. That often means the camera in your phone.

On the other hand, camera phones are quite limited compared to all but the very cheapest of point-&-shoots, with small sensors & no manual focus or optical zoom.

Sony's solution is a peripheral with a large sensor (1 inch, 2.54 cm), manual focus & 10x optical zoom.

http://gearhungry.com/2013/09/sony-qx-series-lens-style-cameras.html / smartphone ultrafast processor massive HD high density display memor optics Sony QX Series clip on clip-on lenses WiFi near field communication NFC lens standalone lenses pair Android iOS device snap quality pics physically connect connecting adjustable adapter physically dissociated phone independent camera cameras QX10 18.2 megapixels 10x optical zoom QX100 large 1″ 20.2 megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor Cyber-Shot RX100 3.6x optical zoom BIONZ image processor dedicated control ring manual focus zoom adjustment /

Sleep deprivation makes us appear unattractive & sad

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/sleep-deprivation-makes-us-appear-unattractive-and-sad/279239/ / research health healthy wrinkles wrinkled fine lines paler pale less intelligent unhealthy health more droopy corners of the mouth droop look sleep-deprived sleep deprived tired University of Stockholm unhealthy less attractive researchers researcher academic journal Sleep doctoral candidate Tina Sundelin team photographed photograph research subjects two separate occasions once after eight hearty hours sleep after 31 hours awake forty people then rated photographs scales fatigue sadness ten metrics of physical appearance perceived sleep deprived sleep-deprived subjects as being sadder having paler skin more wrinkles wrinkle fine lines droopy corners of the mouth Discovery Health recently ran article called 10 Signs You May Be Deprived of Sleep believe Mood swings swing medical problems problem relationship troubles trouble diminished motor skills poor decision making vision problems increased appetite inability to concentrate poor memory inability handle stress practical implications faces contain information which humans base interactions fatigued a person appears may affect how others behave toward them Sundelin press release part innate sense of empathy go easy on this tired person ability identify exploit weakness weaknesses /

Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch

Credit: Samsung/ Time

Samsung has just announced their Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

Do you need one?

My take after a few months of using a Pebble is that a smartwatch can provide a useful extra information channel to help take advantage of a smartphone without it getting in the way:

• Incoming calls when the phone is on silent, in another room, or in a noisy environment.

• Is that SMS, email or calendar reminder important enough to interrupt whatever is happening?

• Who's calling?

Inherent in all this extra functionality is shortened battery life, compared to a conventional watch (dumbwatch?) — 10 days plus in the Pebble. Unfortunately, Samsung's Gear has this problem in spades — 1 day of battery life (sic) is a deal breaker for me. YMMV.

Other problems:

• At the moment, it only works with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 & yet to be released Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition. There is a question mark over future integration with other phones.

• Price? $300!

More at:

http://techland.time.com/2013/09/04/samsungs-galaxy-gear-is-a-very-samsung-smartwatch/ / big gaudy packed with fancy hardware loaded software features useful usability never use Samsung Galaxy Gear company’s company first attempt modern smartwatch with everything 1.63-inch 1.6 inch AMOLED display 320-by-320 resolution 800 MHz processor 512 MB RAM 4 GB internal storage 1.9-megapixel camera 1.9 megapixel speaker built into wrist strap microphone on board making calls Bluetooth smartphone connection glanceable notification machine informing inform incoming calls texts messages alerts clever integration Samsung’s smartphones so when you take the phone out of your pocket messages instantly appear big screen built-in microphone Samsung’s S Voice virtual assistant dictate text messages set alarms create calendar entries hands free hands-free speakerphone voice connection safety assistance feature sends user user’s location trusted contact within 1.5 meters paired smartphone allows user bypass the phone’s phone lock screen bad news /

10 things your spouse won’t tell you

Lots of surprising information here, such as:

"Nearly one in four Americans say honesty about money is more important to them than honesty about an affair."

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-things-your-spouse-wont-tell-you-2013-08-23/print?guid=AEC4CB50-0C1B-11E3-B473-00212876B3FC / spend more on my lover than I do on you 15% married Americans admit extramarital affair rate stayed relatively steady past couple decades General Social Survey tracks extramarital affairs married couples cheating spending hard earned hard-earned cash on their lovers your hubby’s husband mistress likely spend $125 on her holiday gift compared with just $60 on yours according survey AshleyMadison.com matchmaking site for married individuals looking for affairs women are less likely to buy pricey gifts for their lovers tend to be more cautious about leaving behind evidence affair, says AshleyMadison.com CEO Noel Biderman secret bank account Bernie Madoffs secret bank accounts 15% fifteen percent married people couples joint finances bank account they keep hidden from their partner 2011 National Endowment for Financial Education Forbes study survey reasons secret account innocent enough opened account before they were married haven’t gotten around to closing it yet others intentions far more nefarious married people sometimes like to keep secret bank accounts in the event of divorce pursue expensive hobbies other interests Tina Tessina, a psychotherapist based Long Beach California author Money Sex and Kids Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage more common with men may secretly spend on things like like gambling or drugs women keep secret stashes money gifts for the children going out with friends shopping for accessories for themselves home secret account secret-account holders beware most of the time the spouse finds out usually by accident opening a letter from the bank Lisa Helfend Meyer founder law firm Meyer Olson Lowy Meyers Los Angeles fallout can be serious including divorce separation harassment office spouse she remembers your birthday she even knows about the marital troubles your parents are having catch she’s not your wife one in three people has an office spouse colleague he or she is close to platonic survey career site Vault.com role serves working partners someone share office secrets exchange support companions on the job often relationship relationships completely harmless especially when individuals open spouse spouses source of immense jealousy partner thinks spouse sharing too much co-worker psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo author of Happy You Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness women, it may be even worse study published 2010 journal Psychological Science both sexes experience jealousy emotional infidelity women tend to view it as an even worse betrayal than sexual infidelity pretend I never bought cost nearly 35 years Wilmington Syble Solomon educator who helps people deal with financial issues kept many purchases secret from her husband misled him about what they cost Solomon buy new blouse often hide her dresser for weeks husband asked when she finally wore it had it forever growing up mum mom Don’t tell your father not telling one in 10 people say misrepresented cost purchase partner American Express survey motivation avoid conflict partner spouse won’t approve item cost results lying disastrous emotionally financially advised multiple clients felt compelled file divorce discover discovering series secret purchases purchase earn more than you bread winner traditional role depend dependent satisfaction breadwinner /

“How can they be so good?”: The strange story of Skype

Skype went live on 29 August 2003, & revolutionized the world of telecommunications.

Recently, the organization was claiming 250 million users monthly, & one third of all international telephony.

http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/09/skypes-secrets/ / Skype millionaire Jaan Tallinn Tallinn, Estonia technology is 10 years old eternity Internet Age five children, sixth care about his creation August 29 2003 Skype went live for the first time 2012 Telegeography Skype accounted for 167 billion minutes cross border cross-border voice video calling year 44 percent % growth over 2011 increase in minutes more than twice that achieved all international carriers world combined is to say Skype today serious threat largest telcos planet made Jaan Tallinn other early Skypers rich something changed along the way no longer upstart refused to put signs on its offices dodged international lawyers kept kiddie pool boardroom real story how global brand truly began more detail than ever before by those who launched it encrypt compress algorithm communication /

Griffin PowerDock 5 Charging Station review

Credit: The Gadgeteer

If you have a lot of devices to charge & need to keep it tidy, this could be for you, but you'll need to stump up $100, plus provide all your own cables.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/09/01/griffin-powerdock-5-charging-station-review/#more-138801 / gadget gadgets charge everything dock docks market charge multiple gadgets Apple products Android gadgets mixture various operating systems OS phone phones tablet tablets Bluetooth headset headsets surge protector USB chargers gadget gadgets laying everywhere charge PowerDock 5 Griffin offers solution store your gadgets neatly charge from single power source box charger iPad iPhone iPod actually work any USB-chargeable gadget USB charging cables included charging station iOS devices Griffin included couple 30-pin 30 pin cables supply your own cables huge problem since gadgets come with charging cables this price couple cables power brick separate cable US style US-style plug other international plugs included cable to attach them to the power brick plugs have identical ports on the back cable included for them base made hard plastics black top white sides no status lights product branding charging base one side five standard USB jacks technical specs specification specifications jack jacks provide 5V at 2.1A Volt Amp Ampere enough power charge iPad Griffin port ports work with most USB-chargeable devices caution device devices may charge slower than normal expect more power Leah Hallet’s Asus TF101 tablet need needs needed more power Eagle Tech Neptor Battery pack recently reviewed could provide little groove in the bottom right side for the power cord to fit through upper left jack for the power supply pegs middle apparently to control extra length of the power cable review PowerDock 5 store your devices charge package contains 5 clear plastic plate plates snap groove grooves top dock form backrests charging devices device identica groove furthest away from the power cord channel special panel embossed with Griffin’s Griffin logo backplates in place between backplates room accommodate most iPad cases Martian Watches G2G smart watch gathered up cables everything devices fit into their spaces plug plugs socket sockets USB jacks worked power gadget gadgets simultaneously simultaneous lightning bolts battery icon icons o iOS devices charge charging red LED G2G watch charging screen went dark case cased iPhone nice compact setup charging multiple tablets phones other devices main problem charging dock little 4″ 4 inch Amazon’s Basics Lightning cable attached to the iPhone with the lighted screen just long enough plug phone cables are unsightly clutter Amazon Basics Lightning buying more cables /

Evolution of G (infographic)

1G, 2G, 3G, next G, 4G (5G?)

http://bgr.com/2013/08/31/wireless-technology-evolution-infographic/ / Wireless carriers process transitioning 3G 4G from fake 4G to 4G chatter surrounding eventual transition 5G carriers CommScope infographic history of cellular communications data VoIP perspective The evolution of the G infographic details history cellular networks starting 1G Japan 1979 modern 4G wireless networks 4G networks until the ITU International Telecommunication /

Can software ever be an invention?

Apparently, not in New Zealand.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/08/in-historic-vote-new-zealand-bans-software-patents/ / patent bill passed vote New Zealand's Parliament five years of debate banned software patents relevant clause patent bill states computer program not an invention get around the wording of the TRIPS intellectual property treaty requires patents available for any inventions products or processes in all fields of technology processes patentable computer program merely way implementing patentable process patent claims that cover computer programs not allowed some leeway computer programs directly tied to improved hardware bill includes example better washing machine improvements are implemented with a computer program the actual contribution new improved operating washing machine gets clothes cleaner uses less electricity patent awarded Member of Parliament deeply involved debate Clare Curran quoted head heads software firms complaining patenting process allowed obvious things patented in general software patents are counter-productive quoted one developer near impossible software developed without breaching some of the hundreds thousands patents granted around the world for obvious work heavyweight heavy weight heavyweights new economy in software development head of New Zealand's Institute IT Professionals Paul Matthews celebrated passage bill tweeting "Software patents are now disallowed in New Zealand #Historic #Awesome #Yay Matthews new law new patent applications existing software patents continue apply stand New Zealand open question other countries will take up New Zealand's example outright ban on software patents in the US seems unlikely given the large corporation corporations tech oppose unprecedented concern about patent trolls six bills introduced Congress addressing issue in last several months. /