Despite the menacing name of “death adder,” Razer’s latest corded mouse is a guaranteed hit.  Equipped with “the so-called 3G infrared sensor at the heart of the mouse, boasting an impressive 1800 dpi resolution, as well as Razer’s trademark 1000 Hz “Ultrapolling” technology and a barely there 1ms response time,” this mouse is further outfitted with rubber-coated buttons on top, and Teflon feet beneath for smooth-sliding.  The DeathAdder, however, is tailored solely for the use of right-handed people, and it will hit the market just in time for Christmas for only $59.99.

Aeropause recently picked up on ITWorld’s story concerning Microsoft’s new media player, the name of which is “analogous to the F-Bomb in Hebrew.”

Hebrew linguists are divided over Zune. Tsila Ratner, the head of Hebrew courses in the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at University College London, says Zune is an unsuitable name for a product. However, Haggit Inbar-Littas, a 30-year veteran Hebrew teacher with the London Jewish Cultural Center, says while the name is “ridiculous” and close to the bad word, it’s unlikely to be mistaken.

Ridiculous indeed.  Like a newer rendition of the Nintendo Wii naming fiasco.

Amp’d mobile phone? Check.  US residency?  Check.  Then you are eligible to get a bonus Vincent Valentine adventure, Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode, before anyone else!  According to Joystiq, “Square Enix has signed an exclusive deal to give Amp’d customers a three month head start over other mobile providers. In Lost Episode, you can take on the Deepground Soldiers as Vincent, or play against other gamers when the multiplayer functionality is added at a later date.”

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (PS2) ships in August, out-weighing the Japanese version by 40 missions, but lacks the online play of the Japanese version.

Xbox Live is soon going to feature video chat through Microsoft’s new gadget, the Xbox Live Vision Cam (XLV), which is available in stores September 19th.  Furthermore, users will be able to personalize their account by having gamertag pictures, and even send pictures to other users.  No price has been announced, but it’s safe to assume that it will be comparable to the price of a regular Xbox 360 controller.

Have an Xbox 360?  Have wireless controllers?  If you do, then Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Quick-Charge Kit is a gadget you need.  It can charge two 360 wireless controllers at the same time!  Simply plug it into a nearby outlet and plug in your used batteries; you can charge one such battery in less than two hours, or two batteries simultaneously in less than four hours.  Fully-charged, the batteries last 25 hours.  To make the deal all-the-more sweet, the quick-recharger pack comes with a bonus battery so you can keep playing on your wireless controller as its dead battery is being recharged.

This accessory is a “must-have” for all die-hard wireless 360 gamers.  It is available for pre-order from GameStop for $29.99.

Kotaku reviews the Berlin Brain-Computer-Interface and writes:

“A computer controlled by the power of thought alone has been demonstrated at CEBIT in Germany.” Woah. That’s the lead-in to Cognitive Labs report on the “mental typewriter” (aka Berlin Brain-Computer Interface), a device that not only makes you look 8000% dorkier, but will let you control your video games and entertainment devices with pure thought. It could also allow the paralyzed control computers and let amputees control artificial limbs, but the real news is that we can finally dump those crappy Wavebirds!

Just kidding, I love my Wavebird!

Ah, the power of the brain! Finally we can convert those pathetic brain-waves into action, allowing our central-nervous system control of our nerves and our “mental typewriter”.

Mental Typewriter and Game Controller Becomes a Reality

PC Mag has confered its illustrious Editor’s Choice award on Canon’s new ultracompact, ultra-excellent, 7.1 megapixel PowerShot SD550 Digital Elph. For only $409, you can partake in hours upon hours of this high-def goodness. The SD550 is a patched version of last year’s also-praised SD500, and both myself and PC Mag share the sentiment that the SD550 has earned the 50 points. “While matching its predecessor in resolution, the human color-wheels over at PC Mag agree that the SD550 actually takes a better picture than the SD500, and sports a bigger screen to boot (2.5-inches vs. 2.0). Also impressive were the ‘excellent’ flash, ergonomic design, bootup time, shutter lag (or lack thereof), and 30fps VGA video capture that ‘was slightly better than that of the SD500.’ The only quibbles were relatively minor, and involve some obscure photographic wonkiness that we’ll leave to the review.” Methinks this is one for the kids!

Kraft is now offering a free game-pad. Oh wait, there’s a $9.99 shipping & handling fee, so it’s not really free. Let’s try this again…

Kraft is now offering a PC game-pad that utilizes the USB port for only $9.99. What can you do with it when it finally comes in your mail-box? Why, just download the DDR-style games Groove Master and Rockin’ the Boat for free (really!) and let the dancin’ begin!

But enough about the basic features. The true genius of the RAZR lies in its capacity for video games. Totalling 82 Java-based games currently and plenty of top-notch titles like Elektra, Midnight Bowling, and Brother in Arms, the RAZR is the clear winner for video-game support. And for $99, this would be an ideal Christmas gift!