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. /

Oppo shows first plug-in mobile camera lenses: OIS & up to 15x zoom

Credit: Oppo/ phoneArena.com

Absence of optical zoom is the biggest single shortcoming of a phone camera IMHO. Problem solved. Optical image stabilization (OIS) is a plus too.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Oppo-shows-first-plug-in-mobile-camera-lenses-OIS-and-up-to-15x-zoom_id46888 / Oppo Chinese company hearing smart phone smartphone photography Oppo teased plug in plug-in camera lenses lens switch attach to its smartphones first batch of plug-in lenses uses 16-megapixel Sony CMOS sensors support optical image stabilization OIS two lenses planned initially smaller with up to 10x 10 x zoom larger one supporting zoom of up to 15x 15 x new flagship smartphone Oppo N1 support NFC expandable storage via microSD micro SD cards whole Oppo teaser plug-in lenses ends with a hashtag #Oppo N1 Oppo N1 release date September 23rd lenses appear great camera first smartphone touch panel back /

Samsung smartwatch to appear 04 September (screenshots)

http://www.phonedog.com/2013/08/29/screenshots-of-samsung-gear-manager-app-leak-out-ahead-of-smartwatch-s-sept-4-debut/ / Samsung executive company Galaxy Gear smartwatch more details upcoming wearable, the exec spill many other details device rumor mill screenshots Gear Samsung Gear Manager posted Twitter @evleaks Galaxy Gear connect NFC-enabled smartphone tapping the device charger connect phone watch Bluetooth pair pairing second screenshot reveals model number SM-V700 list of apps settings user Clocks Find my watch hard details Samsung Galaxy Gear available possibility unveiling /

Spigen Slim Armor View Case for the Samsung Galaxy S4 hands-on (video)

Credit: Spigen

How to make the perfect case for the Samsung Galaxy S4?

Spigen's take is to start with their dual layer (TPU & polycarbonate) Slim Armor Case & add a hinged screen cover with a window to take advantage of the S4's S-View capability. Finally, they've added a clip to keep the screen cover closed.

Does it work? Some think so:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Spigen-Slim-Armor-View-Case-for-the-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-hands-on_id45045

http://youtu.be/plT3Ng2eRfs

http://youtu.be/ZWV2OjVz9Vs / Samsung Galaxy S4 owners versatile cases premium accessory maker Spigen popular case series Spigen Slim Armor series Ultra Flip View Spigen Slim Armor View case part protective case S View cover solution owners waiting official S View cover smart phone smartphone front cover flimsy Ultra Flip View case cheaper better protection Sammy Spigen Slim Armor View case sturdy sturdiness Spigen’s Slim Armor case dual layer dual-layer dual-layered case design level of protection polyurethane thermoplastic urethane material hard polycarbonate front scratch resistant viewing window held hold closed clip latch S View cover alternatives form fitting soft touch coating case ports and buttons easily accessible cutouts earphone ear bud earpiece home button viewing window front provides some pertinent information time date notification battery level $49.99 rather expensive, viewing cover protective encapsulating nature justified original S View cover should’ve been like from the outset /

There's a fingerprint scanner in your smartphone future

Apple, & now HTC are rumoured to be including finger print readers in their forthcoming top-of-the-line smartphones.

http://bgr.com/2013/08/28/htc-one-max-specs-fingerprint-scanner/

Look for other manufacturers to follow suit soon, too. / rumor rumour rumored Apple’s next generation next-generation iPhone 5S feature embedded fingerprint scanner phone’s key differentiating features top tier top-tier handset market fingerprint scanning technology report HTC One Max phablet tablet in-built fingerprint scanner back device new leaked photos confirm news images published ePrice forum member show cutout back HTC device physical scanner setting phone’s software includes fingerprint icon rumored HTC One Max specs include 5.9 inch 5.9-inch full HD display quad core quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor 2GB RAM UltraPixel camera 3,300 mAh battery Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie leaked photos photo photographs photograph /

Sir Lancelot’s Armor Holy Grail Glass Screen Protector for iPhone 4/4S review

Credit: The Gadgeteer

Problem: Scratches on the glass screen of your smartphone.

Solution: Screen protector.

Problem: Screen protectors are hard to fit accurately & bubbles become caught underneath.

Solution: Sir Lancelot’s Armor Holy Grail Glass Screen Protector.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/08/28/sir-lancelots-armor-holy-grail-glass-screen-protector-for-iphone-44s-review/#more-137315 / smart phone phones smartphones 2-year contract 2 year upgrade device protection screen protector manufacturers products plastic film screen protectors gorilla hard tempered tempered-glass screen protectors Kickstarter project successfully funded company try Holy Grail Glass Screen Protector iPhone 4S devices cheap-o plastic film type screen protectors installation replace hard glass screen protectors increasingly popular tempered glass screen protectors highly scratch resistant absorb energy impact dissipate transfer transferring phone phone’s screen proprietary tempered glass silicon based silicone-based adhesive black white iPhone 4 4S iPhone 5 iPad 2 3 4 Mini Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung Note 2 warranty lifetime button cover sticker concave convex screen clean cleaning instruction instructions speaker home button sensor sensors opening opaque /