Who would have ever thought that there would ever be a market for gaming mice? I guess no one ever thought World of Warcraft would ever take off the way it did. I never did like the controls on those MMORPG games, and it’s only natural someone made them simpler.

For example, Belkin, a company famous for tech accessories, has created the n52te, a gaming mouse with tagline of “Built for speed. Built to Dominate. Built to Destroy”. Dang! It sounds like the n52te is designed for MMORPGs, but it is also created for FPS or RTS games.

The n52te has 15 fully programmable keys that are completely customizable, so a gamer can do very quick things at the touch of a button. There is also a programmable 8-way thumb-pad with a removable joystick. The user can also easily toggle between 3 keymap states.

In short, this lets a gamer really get into the game. It appears that ergonomics were also in mind in this design. There is an adjustable soft-touch wrist pad for comfort, and nonslip rubber pads to grip in place.

Communicating with your family and friends over an instant messaging program is one of the cheaper (or even free) ways to keep in touch across a few thousand miles. Unfortunately, technology hasn’t exactly caught up with the high definition craze that is sweeping across living rooms in Europe and the US - until now, at least. Quanta and ooVoo have teamed up to offer high-quality, real-time video communication over the Internet, as long as you have a HDTV or notebook . Guess girlfriends who are talking to their boyfriends over this new technology will have to put even more foundation on their faces in order to hide the zits that seem to sprout up like nobody’s business.

CC Leung, vice chairman and president at Quanta Computer said, “The world is just beginning to realize the promise of high definition video as more and more HDTV sets are sold and more HD programming and content becomes available. Quanta is delivering the highest-performing computer hardware platforms since 1988. We are now looking to the day when the benefits of high definition will move from a passive, entertainment-driven technology to one where connecting with friends and collaborating with colleagues is possible in HD. Whether at home, work or on the go, the promise of high definition video opens new possibilities when it is put in a social context. HD video chat is just the first step.”

Quanta and ooVoo’s collaboration has resulted in a system that merges both the latest in video compression/decompression technologies so that users will be able to experience HD delivery in a multipoint environment. High-throughput H.264 codec is used here to great effect, requiring a mere minimum of 512kbps bandwidth for one-way 720p video transactions at 30 fps. Not quite full HD (1080p) at this point in time, but it sure as heck beats 640 x 480 resolution that most people settle for these days anyway.

Today Gartner reversed its opinion on the iPhone: Before, it said the iPhone wasn’t business-friendly, but today, the firm grants it “appliance-level” status, meaning that with the upcoming enterprise-friendly iPhone 2.0 update, it’ll officially be safe enough—and functional enough—for hardcore suit-wearers.

We journalists tend to think of Gartner as a good place for stats and opinions, but IT honchos look to the company for guidance on how to spend their multimillion-dollar budgets. In this case, Gartner explains its decision in terms that IT buyers will appreciate: blockquote Appliance-level status permits the iPhone to be used for PIM, e-mail, telephony and browsing applications. It also permits the device to be used for other dedicated functions where the software is supplied by a third party, functionality is kept to a restricted set, the software supplier offers support for a backup platform and IT development resources are not needed to program custom code locally residing on the device.

But this here’s the deathblow, dealt by Gartner vice president and distinguished analyst Ken Dulaney:

The iPhone will thus match up initially in several segments against its main smartphone competitors—BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60.

Hotel Hingarae, is a futuristic six-star development to be built on the western slopes of Lake Taupo. X.Pace, a Sydney/Singapore-based design studio is on the verge of helping redefine the ultimate lifestyle solution - the ultra luxurious Hingarae residences and resort located in Lake Taupo on New Zealand’s north island. Nearly every aspect of a superior style of living has been taken into consideration during the conception and development phases of Hingarae. Unlike anything in the world, this New Zealand destination will soon embody the ultimate expression of escape for those of us able to get in - as prices start from US$1.9 million. 

Designer Kyle Cherry has envisaged a new type of computer with creatives in mind. Called simply “Canvas”, the computer is designed to increase the quality and productivity of the designer or artist. It is intended to allow a user with little or no experience to make the switch from traditional to digital workflows by building the system around a more familiar interface. This concept should even make Wacom Clinq owners jealous. 

In the ultimate merger of Technology and Fashion, these funky boots are highly popular with teens all over Japan. I don’t know if i’d be seen wearing them though. Surprisingly the Gameboys are still playable! Just pop it out and play, anytime anywhere.

Romanian artist and graphic designer Matei Apostolescu has designed three skins to go with a limited edition white Olympus Mju 1020. The point-and-click 10-megapixel camera has a 7x optical zoom, Panorama function, face detection technology and can shoot up to VGA resolution at 30fps with sound. Full specs and the other two designs after the jump.

• 7x optical zoom
• 10.1 Megapixels
• 6.9cm/2.7″ HyperCrystal II LCD with extra bright display
• 23 scene modes
• Slim, metallic body
• Underwater shooting up to 40m possible in combination with optional underwater case PT-042
• Dual Image Stabilisation
• Face Detection Technology
• Correct exposure of other image areas
• BrightCapture Technology
• New in-camera Panorama function
• Movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
There are just 5,000 Apostolescu-designed Mjus available, but there’s no word on price as yet.