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If the TouchWall had a gambling baby brother

Let Bill Gates have his TouchWall. You can still be the envy of your friends with the "Heads-Up Challenge" digital poker table.

Unlike the "iDealer" or its mahjong counterpart, this one truly brings the game of champions into the Digital Age by using a large touch screen to shuffle, deal, calculate odds, and pay the winner. And get this: It will even let you peel up the cards, according to Chip Chick.

Unfortunately it can handle only two players--hence the name, which refers to a one-on-one game. But it certainly beats that other wireless poker game, … Read more

Want to have dinner with Bill Gates?

This week at the Microsoft CEO Summit in Redmond, Wash., Microsoft unveiled a multitouch prototype called Touch Wall, which has the capability to turn almost any flat surface into an interactive computer.

The technology works via a series of small lasers and a projector, so no expensive hardware is needed, which means it could be integrated into a wide variety of products. Immediately, that empty space above my stovetop comes to mind. What if I could interact with relevant information while I am making dinner?

Recipe books are great, but they would be much more useful if could display them … Read more

Gates: Every surface to be a computer

It's one step removed from the Midas approach, but Bill Gates wants to turn nearly everything we touch into a computer.

Speaking to a crowd of CEOs gathered in Redmond, Wash., Gates showed off prototype technology he said will allow home and office walls to become computers.

While Microsoft's Surface computers are currently shipping for about $10,000, Gates said the hardware costs for such products need not be that high. Within a few years, it could be in the hands of individuals.

"We're saying it will be absolutely pervasive," Gates said. "When I … Read more

Gates demos TouchWall computer

In his waning days as a full-time employee, Bill Gates is getting a little touchy-feely.

I'm not sure whether Gates is getting more emotional, but he is definitely big on the power of new user interfaces, especially touch-screen devices. On Wednesday, he is set to show off Microsoft's latest prototype, known as TouchWall.

The device to be shown Wednesday is something like a giant Surface unit turned on its side.

TouchWall is one of several multitouch prototypes Microsoft Research has created, in addition to the tabletop unit that Microsoft's Surface group has begun to sell commercially. Among … Read more

Hands-on with the HTC Touch Diamond

Is it a Google Phone? Is it the 3G iPhone? Is it something MacGyver put together using a matchbox and his pants? Nope, it's none of those, it's HTC's latest smart phone, the Touch Diamond, which aims to take a bite out of Apple's iPhone cake.

We headed down to its launch today to give it a quick once over and see if this Windows Mobile phone can keep up with the competition. We even took some photos so you can have a proper gander at it--how thoughtful we are.

It's due out in June … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 718: Always worry

We could tell you not to worry, but then you'd e-mail us and tell us why you should. So, new rule. Always worry. And the HTC Touch Diamond ain't all that, but we're not saying the 3G iPhone is going to be all that, either. Don't get your hopes up. This is turning into an Eeyore sort of day, isn't it? Here's some good news: Zune 2.5 offers TV downloads! So...yay! Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 718

Vodafone, Telecom Italia announce massive iPhone rollout http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/05/06/ vodafone-telecom-italia-announce-massive-iphone-rollout … Read more

HTC Touch Diamond officially unveiled

As expected, HTC officially took the wraps off the HTC Touch Diamond at a press conference in London Tuesday and great googly moogly, does this thing look hot! Not only does it look sexy from the outside with its sleek, black casing, but the Touch Diamond also features a revamped TouchFlo 3D interface that gives you a more animated and easier way to access your contacts, messages, and other content. You can do all this via the Diamond's gorgeous 2.8-inch, 680x480 VGA (yes, that's right, VGA) touch screen; plus, there's a new touch-sensitive control below the … Read more

Readers reveal their iPod habits, desires

Very few people have sat out the iPod revolution.

At least, very few people who read CNET News.com and took the time to answer a poll about iPods, that is. Last week we asked readers to participate in an iPod survey to help inform a separate story on the future of the iPod, which ran over here.

A few disclaimers: this survey was not sanctioned by The Official Group That Makes Surveys Officious, and should not be viewed as a competitor to data complied by professional survey companies or market research firms. I think it is more representative of … Read more

A bridge to the future of the iPod

More than six years into the iPod era, Apple still stands atop the music player landscape. But what comes next?

Apple is at a crossroads in the evolution of the product that arguably saved its bacon. Without the iPod fueling Apple's profits and investments, we probably wouldn't have spent the past year talking about Apple's surging Mac business or its game-changing iPhone.

After years of double-digit gains, iPod growth has finally trailed off. The market is arguably saturated: do you know anyone who wants to take their music on the go who hasn't bought an MP3 … Read more