joysticks

Samsung phone grows a joystick

As we continue to monitor its evolutionary process in midstream, we observe that the mobile phone has taken another Darwinian step. A species of the Samsung family has just grown a joystick.

The "Optical Joystick" V960 model is being touted as the first mobile phone with said feature, according to Fareastgizmos. It actually behaves more like a laptop touchpad than a console joystick and is designed for menu navigation, not fragging. The phone, which includes a 2-megapixel camera, also features a new "Smart Lighting" sensor that automatically adjusts screen and keypad brightness.

We're not sure … Read more

Jewelry to get your game on

This being the perfect storm for the gaming world, it's only natural that true aficionados would want to display their allegience to the virtual universe they inhabit. And believe it or not, there is actually more than one gender there.

No one understands this better than the good people of Popgadget, who suggest this joystick necklace to "show your geek pride." The charm isn't functional (it's only $7.99), but it serves its purpose nonetheless.

The mother of all game desks

Japanese companies have historically employed a unique nomenclature in their game products. Think Pac-Man, GameBoy and, when they tired of human references, Pokemon.

But with the "Roccaforte," they hit it spot-on. We have no idea what the name means, but to us it conjures images of something formidable or even gargantuan--both adjectives that can describe this monstrous game station, which can apparently accommodate three monitors, at least two joysticks and all manner of peripherals. (More photos here.)

Kotaku says the set-up is made by a Japanese company called M-S-Y and retails for $500. That's just for the … Read more