Apple filed a new patent in 2006 which involves research on a 3D remote control system that will be available on the Apple TV, with the ultimate aim of delivering several features akin to multi-touch technology while mimicking the functionality of the Nintendo Wiimote. According to the patent, "the absolute x- and y-positions of [the] remote control can be used, for example, in video games to position a user's character or to otherwise track the movement of the remote control in a user's environment." It can also "zoom into and out of an image or a portion thereof based on the absolute position of the remote control in the third axis", making it seem to fit the photo and video browser components of Apple TV just fine. Should this be released, will the Wii be threatened?

While the iPhone has been out for about a year now, we've seen plenty of custom jobs done on it on an unprecedented level where gadgets are concerned. Knight Creations does not intend to miss out on this money-spinning opportunity, coming up with the Black iPhone custom which has been upgraded with black replacement parts, consisting of an anodized aluminum back as well as TiAlN-treated Apple logo and front bezel. The main drawback I can see is the price - it will retail for a whopping $849, never mind that there is 16GB of memory inside.

Arkados has released a reference design for making interactive software for the iPhone and iPod Touch, basically enabling you to control electronics in your house, such as turning on the fan in your living room even though you have not arrived home yet, and would come in especially handy if you want to cool down your home during those hot summer days. Unfortunately, Arkados has not reached that level of convenience just yet as they currently cater for just audio systems, letting you take control of your entire music library from room to room with the iPhone/iPod touch functioning as a remote control. Hopefully future iterations of the software will see a greater degree of functionality introduced.

Vodafone will be offering the iPhone in 10 countries around the world, where Europeans living in the Czech Republic, Italy, and Portugal; Greece, India, and Turkey as well as folks located in Australia, Egypt, New Zealand, and South Africa will be able to enjoy Apple's magical handset sometime before the year is over. This news might be welcome by some folks, but others who have been holding out for a 3G version will definitely give it a miss.

The rumor du jour is about an alleged White 3G iPhone. While there is no way to confirm this information, it appears to be a match with specifications that 3G iphone case manufacturers would have been given. You got it: the rumors are piling up, but people just can’t stop getting excited.

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3G iPhone leaked?

Kensington just released its Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod, as well as an ultra small and lightweight portable version, known as the Mini Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod. These offerings will not only power the iPod, it charges it as well. Key features of both the Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod include : -

• The rechargeable Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod extends play time on your iPhone or iPod with up to one hundred hours of music, twenty-one hours of video and six hours of extra talk time
• The Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod attaches to your iPod or iPhone, adding more battery life with less hassle than having to carry extra cords or adapters around with you. The device works with iPhone and current iPod models, including iPod with video, and iPod nano
• An AC power adapter with USB allows you to recharge your lithium ion polymer battery pack. A dock connector is also included so you can power and charge your iPhone or iPod while you are recharging your battery pack
• This condensed device fits easily into handbags, backpacks or briefcases and weighs just over three ounces

Ladies and gentlemen, here's another iPhone clone to hit the market, and this time it is known as the FW8800 from China (where else). It comes with a plethora of features that might actually astound you as well.

• 3.5" touch screen display at 480 x 320 resolution
• Multi-touch input
• 2GB internal memory
• Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 GSM
• WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
• 2 megapixel camera

Word on the street has it that the iPhone could soon run some sort of handwriting recognition which works with Chinese characters. Apparently, this will happen as soon as Apple integrates Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional) input into the iPhone. Each time you write a character, you will be presented with a list of possible characters on the right side, pretty much like how current Chinese software works at this point in time on the computer. After all, Apple has already started hiring "Handwriting Recognition Engineers". One thing I can say is this - the Chinese speaking/writing market is just too huge for anyone to ignore.

Guess the iPhone really does more than what it is supposed to, with this unique robotic setup that involves a watering can that is able to take instructions from an iPhone. Whenever the Safari's screen state goes from horizontal to vertical, it will fire a status update to a webserver using Javascript that has been set to move the watering can either up or down. Now if only something can be done to fill up the watering can when it runs dry while you're a few hundred miles away from home as well.

iPod touch and iPod nano owners will be able to enjoy new offerings from Griffin Technology, with the former getting a FlexGrip case while the latter is blessed with the FlexScreen case. The FlexGrip features a two-tone silicone case with a smooth front as well as a textured, nubby rear surface which provides additional grip, making it perfect for those suffering from sweaty palms. Other features include a full-face screen protector (for the touch) and Click Wheel protectors (for the nano). As for the two-piece FlexScreen, you get a clear silicone case featuring the same textured back as the FlexGrip and a clear hard polycarbonate face shield. You won't find all the relevant jacks blocked by either product, as Griffin are old hands at iPod accessories. Both will retail for $15 a piece.

Now this might have come many years too late, with Goldeneye being the James Bond film that features Pierce Brosnan. Still, I believe classics never go out of style, hence the Goldstriker Goldeneye edition of the iPhone. You will get 24-carat gold on its front bezel and rear logo, but what makes this stand out from the rest is the bespoke coloring of the full rear including the bottom section antenna piece. Just like the Solar Star edition that featured paint used on an actual Lamborghini Gallardo, the Goldeneye Edition boasts a metallic winter gold finish of the 2008 Jaguar XK model. I suppose if you could afford the car, surely a £749.95 asking price for this iPhone is not too much to ask?

Check out other Goldstriker stories here.

Now here's an interesting photo of the alleged next generation iPhone - and I am sure that there will be several camps on this. Those who support a Photoshop job, kindly take a step to the left while others who think this is a knockoff can always stick to the right. As for the undecided (or couldn't care less), just remain where you are. Which category do you think this falls under?

The Razer Death Adder is one gaming mouse that is good to look at, and functions pretty well, too. Mac owners have long been left out of the gaming hardware scene, since hardly any good hardcore games appear on that platform, but Razer has been kind enough to release a Mac version of the Razer Death Adder that brings 1800dpi and 1ms response time to the table. No matter how it is named, the Mighty Mouse will whimper in a fragfest, which is why this timely introduction is extremely welcome. The Mac version of the Razer Death Adder will hit retail stores this May 20th for $60.

Goldstriker definitely knows how to beautify the iPhone as well as a plethora of other gadgets, and the Solar Star edition is their latest attempt. Featured on both the front bezel and Apple's rear logo are 24 carat gold plating, while the rest of the case has the luxurious Balloon White paint found on a Lamborghini Gallardo. This white-and-gold color scheme is pleasant to the eye and looks good to the touch, and comes with updated firmware 1.1.4 as well as is unlocked for worldwide GSM use. You get 16GB of flash memory inside, but the £749.95 ($1,477) price tag will definitely put most people off. I'd rather save that dough for a 3G iPhone, and Apple's original design isn't bad to begin with but this over-blinged version isn't suitable in this day and age where consumers' pockets are being squeezed even for the basic necessities in life.