Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson earned just over $100 million in incensing fees from the game in 2012 according to a report in the Swedish financial press. The outspoken creator is still all a bit taken back by the fame and fortune, as he recently discussed in a thread on Reddit.
As the video game programmer and designer describes it, he grew up in a relatively poor family. Once he got a decent job, he never really had to worry about money. His hobbies were playing video games and programming – neither of which are real cash-suckers. He said he still had to save up for trips and to be able to buy consoles or computers but all of that just felt normal.
Thanks to the way modern society works, he wrote, he now has more money than he knows what to do with. Notch said he still likes to play video games and program and after buying the latest computers and consoles, where isn’t much more to spend the money on besides traveling. He said he might even consider getting a driver’s license and buying a car.
As for what to do with is fortune, he said the right thing to do would be to set aside a good bit to make sure his family is comfortable. He would also like to live out some dreams and then simply use the rest to try to make society a better place overall. For him, that includes giving to charities that help children and supporting groups that promote freedom like the EFF.
Design wise, both handsets borrow heavily from the Samsung Galaxy S3, as do all the new Galaxy handsets - probably in an attempt to get away from any potential law suits with Apple.
The Galaxy Frame sports slightly better features than the Young with a 3.5-inch 480 x 320 display, 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB internal storage, 5MP camera, VGA front snapper, NFC, 1,300mAh battery and Android Jelly Bean (version 4.1).
Jelly Bean for all
Probably coming in slightly cheaper than the Frame, the Samsung Galaxy Young has a smaller 3.27-inch display, the same 1GHz processor and Jelly Bean OS - but surprisingly more RAM at 768MB.
NFC doesn't feature on the handset and you only get a 3MP camera round the back, while the Bluetooth technology is version 3.0 instead of the Galaxy Frame's 4.0 offering.
TechRadar spoke to Samsung regarding pricing and availability of the Galaxy Frame and Galaxy Young, with the manufacturer confirming that "availability for the UK will be week commencing March 25."
Both handsets will likely be knocking around MWC 2013 at the end of February, and we'll be there to get hands on with both of them, so stay tuned for our early findings.
So you bought an iPhone 5. That's a valuable piece of tech in your back pocket, especially if you plumped for maximum capacity.
Now imagine dropping it. Apple's new baby stands up to knocks fairly well, but even a scuff or a scratch on a half-grand device is going to grate. Isn't it time you put an iPhone case on it?
Here's our pick of the best iPhone 5 cases available now.
1. Griffin Protector - $14.99 (£9.50)
The Griffin Protector case acts as a middle ground for those wanting increased protection without the military-spec and bulk of the Griffin Survivor. The reinforced silicone iPhone 5 case boasts extra thickness at the edges, providing added assurance that your device is safe from mid-grade knocks, while the matte finish ensures a decent grip.
This more elegant iPhone 5 case marries a lush fascia with a clear polycarbonate, bevel-edged surround that offers decent covering for the edges of your phone. The QDOS case feels rigid enough to stand up to at least mild abuse, but steers well clear of the camera lens and doesn't impede access to buttons.
Griffin's über-protective technology is already renowned for its Defense Standard specification, and this iPhone 5 version doesn't buck the trend. Shatter-resistant polycarbonate as well as hinged button and dock plugs cloak the phone, while a built-in screen protector seals in your device, keeping it safe from dirt, sand, rain, shock – pretty much anything the world can throw at it. The equivalent of wrapping your phone in cotton wool.
Suave yet simple, the rawHIDE is cut from hard black polycarbonate and wrapped in a layer of genuine leather. The iPhone 5 case's shell is stiff enough, but those wanting added protection with a little give on the rim and corners may want to look elsewhere.
Soft and durable grippiness defines the PixelSkin HD. Its rubbery, flexible casing pops on and off with ease, but only when you need it to. The raised bevel of this case protects the front panel well, and shields the buttons from dings without impeding access.
If you've got it, flaunt it. Griffin Reveal stays true to the maxim with what at first appears to be a classic bumper. Closer inspection of this iPhone 5 case, though, reveals a transparent polycarbonate shell lined with a rubberised edge, providing fair-to-middling protection without veiling the machined beauty of your superior tech.
If toughness isn't your thing and you can live with faux-leather then this Proporta iPhone case is a decent enough take on the 'c-clip' style cover. It's lightweight, soft to the touch and covers the front and rear completely without interfering with button access or camera operability.
This snug-fitting hard iPhone 5 case from Proporta really looks the part without smothering the iPhone's sleek aesthetic. The logo of outdoor sports fashion brand Quiksilver sits front and centre in its blue check design, although the protection on offer can't be said to match such ideals. It'll keep knocks and scratches at bay no problem, just keep it far from the surf.
Scosche doubles down on protection with its latest sports cover, combining a textured polycarbonate outer case with a rubberized interior to absorb shock. The open design ensures connections and controls remain accessible, while an integrated kickstand only adds to the slick feel. The screen and chamfer do feel a little over-exposed for active lifestyles though.
If you're looking for a cute and crazy iPhone 5 case you could do a lot worse than this Griffin case. Thick silicone encases the handset, while a lovely round rim envelopes the display, which also serves to protect the screen from falls. The goofy design is perfect for kids – if you can trust them with a £500+ device…
If you're willing to spend a little more to protect your iPhone 5 then definitely check out this case from Piel Frama. The Spanish company's handmade cases only use the highest quality cow skin leather, and it really shows. The inner lining is as luxuriant as the outer cover, which folds over the screen and stays there, secured by hidden magnets. It even comes with a removable belt clip.
The close-fit and smooth bevelled edges of the UrbanShield emphasize the solid protection it gives your iPhone against keys and coins in your pocket. Meanwhile the rubber rim around the front panel of the case protects the glass from falls, and dips into a nice carbon weave detail on the aluminium rear. A screen protector seals the look.
The Otterbox weds industrial protection with style in its multi-layer defence against heavy knocks and falls. A candy-coloured polycarbonate skeleton houses a solid inner shell with built-in screen protector, and a large belt clip holsters the entire unit for a third layer of protection. Not too slim then, but a very secure iPhone case.
Rocking an oblong rear window and polka-dot fabric, X-Doria's Dash looks straight off the haute couture fashion line. It's not delicate either, thanks to its hard polycarbonate shell and rimmed edges, offering good resistance against everyday impacts.
The Snugg Squared is made of rubberized silicone that stands up well against drops and shocks and feels grippy in the hand. The rounded rim puts ample space between the display and the floor to protect the glass and limit impact shock. Mould size has been known to vary on this range, so try before you buy if possible.
We can't go a day, or even an hour, without some sort of HTC M7 related news at the moment, with the flagship smartphone now apparently showing up on retailer's databases.
According to Pocket-Lint, it has been handed an image showing the inventory for UK retailer Carphone Warehouse where the HTC M7 is listed in both black and silver along with a screen protector and hard case.
It's not just the British firm which has apparently let slip its inventory: German site HTC Inside also claims to have received a snap of Vodafone's system showing the HTC M7.
It's coming
There's no doubt that the HTC M7 will arrive soon with the Taiwanese firm's February 19 event the likely stage for the new flagship handset to be announced.
Although specifications and the final launch name are still unconfirmed, the M7 looks set to pack a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 4.7-inch full HD display, 13MP camera with ultrapixel smarts and Android Jelly Bean.
TechRadar will be at the HTC event to bring you the latest from the Taiwanese firm and a hands-on review of the M7, if it does indeed arrive then.
The much anticipated HTC M7 has been brought into sharper focus by a small hint on HTC's website, promising big image quality.
The Taiwanese firm has just launched an infographic on "The Brief History of Photography", and while that may sound pretty innocuous, things take a teasing turn towards the end.
The final section, which falls under the 2013 banner, reads: "HTC kicks off a new sound and camera experience in 2013."
Say cheese
A trusted TechRadar source has confirmed that this refers to the event on February 19, where we expect to see the HTC M7 launch.
Yesterday we heard reports that HTC was apparently looking to drop megapixels from the M7 handset in favour of ultrapixels to provide higher resolution images in a similar way to Nokia's PureView technology.
Coupled with today's news, it looks pretty likely that we will see the HTC M7 sporting fancy new camera tech later this month, with previous reports suggesting it will also feature a quad-core processor, full HD 4.7-inch display and Android Jelly Bean.
