[Off-topic] vijay555:
Guys, I want to ask for a favour.

Ages and ages back I read about what I thought was an amazingly cool gadget.

We like gadgets.

I got speaking with the guy that invented this thing, and was mightily impressed. You'll be able to read my review soon... but this is the gadget:

The Alpha Grip:

It's a keyboard, compressed onto a gamepad like device. The keys are positioned around and under natural finger positions, according to usage and linguistic frequency; others are positions under the controller and used with rocker type switches.

It's difficult to describe, but the thing sits naturally in your hands and you have full keyboard access, in an exceptionally innovative, ergonomic design.

And, there's more - it also has a little trackerball that sits under your thumb position, so you can control both mouse and keyboard functions without ever taking your hands off the device.

It is complicated, and takes some getting used to, but when you are used to it, it's amazingly neat and geeky. I used to play all of my FPS games with a nostromo N52, but this thing lets you even further automate your gaming, macros and keyboard layouts. It's not quite the perfect game controller, but it's damn near close.

It is wired USB. Wires are baaad.

Unfortunately, it is not wireless or bluetooth etc, which is something I've spoken to the inventor about implementing. So, it's not quite ready for our phones yet, but as and when it is, wow.

However, I use it with an OQO mini computer and it's a perfect marriage, compact and highly productive (once you master the learning curve and get used to it). I guess you could use it with an xbox 360 and ps3 too, which would be cooool (although I've never tried). It emulates a standard USB Keyboard and mouse, so is highly compatible and doesn't use special drivers.

Anyway, enough blurb, I'm not selling this thing, I'm not even reviewing this thing here - you'll be able to read a full review from me eventually (and I'm in no way commercially connected or benefited from this).

However, my favour:

AlphaGrip, the company, have superb technical support and customer care. I like the product, I like the company. But you've probably never heard of either.

So: Yahoo have a competition on right now running between various small businesses that need more attention. I think Alphagrip needs and deserves this... so, have a look at the Yahoo page, and see if you think AlphaGrip deserves a vote. You don't have to buy the product, or even like it, but just decide if it deserves some of your mouse click love to get a gadget a bit more attention.

Gracias.

Yahoo Competition

V

PS. If you do buy one, tell Mike Willner, the inventor, that I sent you. I'll try to put in a good word for us and get us a deal.

EDIT: guys, I've just heard back from Mike, and he says that when you're buying the AlphaGrip, if you say that you're a member of this forum and write your XDA forums user ID in the comments section of the purchase page, you'll get $10 off the price.

And if you also mention that you've also voted on the Yahoo competition (quote something from his video interview to prove you've seen it), you'll get an extra $5 off! Go out and buy yourself a free lunch on Mike...

He said that they are certainly interested in doing a wireless adaptor or an all smartphone compatible version, so winning the competition will help get them the resources to do that. Hurry up and click already!

Guys, I want to repeat. I don't work for these guys, and aren't commercially linked to them in any way. I've just found Mike and his guys (and gals) to be a refreshingly helpful and conscientious tech company. They don't over inflate their claims, but make 100% solid and innovative stuff.