MultiTouch, the company, not the technology, has developed the MultiTouch Cell, a multitouch LCD display that's modular (meaning that many LCDs can assemble to make one big LCD). Beyond expandability, the screens are quite advanced, supporting multiple users and recognising fingers in relationship to the hand as opposed to independent points (which allows for more complex interactions). The tech is still quite pricey—the 32" display runs US$7,000 with the 1080p 46" version reaching US$15,000—but it takes a lot of resources to be a non-crazy version of Tom Cruise. Read on for a pretty fantastic clip of the MultiTouch Cell in use.

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From November you'll be able to buy the OLPC in its classic "buy one for the price of two" offer from Amazon, which should be a smoother way of distributing the device than when the OLPC was originally on sale from the source. This new Give 1 Get 1 program will also cover the Windows XP version, now that Microsoft have finalised it, as well as the Sugar OS version. One thing remains unknown: pricing. The previous G1G1 program went to US residents for US$398, but maybe this time it'll be a little closer to the fabled US$100 price tag. [Electronista and BBC]

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Remember the video above, with our very own and beloved Addy Dugdale cursing and tearing apart Sharp's IFA 2007 sharp-as-knives gigantic swag bags? Well, I'm happy to report that Addy changed the world that day, once and forever. I witnessed the consequences of her actions at IFA 2008:

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While Asus has gone a little Netbook-nuts, their recently leaked N10 is actually a promising revision on the genre dominated by clones. The 1.6Ghz Atom, 10.2" screen and 2GB of RAM—that's all pretty standard stuff. But three things other than its draft n Wi-Fi and face/thumb recognition have us interested in the N10. First, it's got HDMI-out. And with its small footprint, one can easily imagine hooking this little laptop up to their TV. Second, it's loaded with high quality Altec Lansing speakers. Third, Asus netbooks are finally dealing with that whole lack of graphics card issue.

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Yesterday it was AMD, and today PC Watch has got hold of Intel's Atom roadmap: looks like the next-generation of chips, dubbed "Pineview," will hit in Q3 of next year. The 45nm processors will follow the route taken by the current gen, using hyperthreading to double up single and dual processor cores so that the OS sees them as dual-core and quad-cores. The microarchitecture is an update on the current Silverthorne system: like the bigger Nehalem chips, it ditches the idea of a frontside bus, instead using a Direct Media Interface to connect to I-O chips. It'll also integrate graphics core and memory manager right into the chip packaging. Wonder what AMD will come up with to counter that? [PCWatch via RegHardware]

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I hate, hate, alarm clocks. Especially after going out and having way too many straight bourbons. Like yesterday. But I digress. This R2-D2 Alarm Clock will wake you up with real R2 squeeks and electrobabbles. And while it doesn't have the same power as the much-lusted-after R2-D2 video projector, it projects the time on the wall, too, using lasers, or tractor beams, or probably just LEDs. [Wesco via Toyology]

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We brought you leaked photos and some basic specs on Samsung's upcoming toughened A837 mobile phone last week, but the enterprising chaps over at Por Homme have somehow got hold of one and unboxed it. They also revealed more detail on the toughness of the device: it's hardened to meet MIL-STD-810F standards for dust, shock, vibration, rain, altitude, solar radiation and temperature. Sounds like it'll be good for most work environments then, especially since the case is hardened to resist physical damage too. Check out the gallery and see the "cute" tough toolbox the phone came in.

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The two gadgets in that image aren't a separate mobile phone and GPS navigator, oh no, they're something far stranger: a dual-sided gizmo dubbed the Leap K1. From Mio (recently in the news with its Knight Rider themed GPS) the device is a quad-band phone with 2-megapixel cam and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, that also does both GPS and AGPS navigation: you simply have to flip the phone over. A Chinese site has got their hands on one and unboxed it, and you know what? It's actually an attractive piece of kit. We'll have to wait to see if its price is equally attractive, and there's no info on when it'll be released. What's your take on this, guys... weird or weirdly useful? [Mobile01 via Navigadget]

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The last we heard of the upgrade to LG's Prada phone, the Prada II, was a grainy photo and some speculative specifications. Now over at Boy Genius Report they've been given a run-down on the full specs of the phone from a source they trust. The rumoured 5-megapixel camera is indeed there, with flash and VGA video capability. 850MHz/2100MHz HSDPA's there too, as is the 3-inch screen. Read on for more.

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First we had the leaked info, then some official-looking shots, and now, at last, some proper hands-on images of Canon's upcoming EOS 50D pro-consumer DSLR have hit the intertubes over at Impress. According to the guys there the cam feels a lot like the 40D to hold, but it's a tad easier to grip. It's got a screen that's easier to read, they like the tweaked user interface, the new "creative fully automatic" CA mode, and the 6.3 fps shooting speed (there's an audio file of the cam in action here.) None of that is a surprise, given the evolution heritage of the camera. Check out the gallery, with full images over at the Impress link. Update: Dpreview also has a set of hands-on photos and review, made soon after the 50D's announcement. [Impress]

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Moody, very moody, and quite serious: that's how I'd label the new teaser from Canon that gives the merest hints of an upcoming "serious" EOS camera. Have a look at that bulky shoulder and the smooth curve over the pentaprism mount—classic high-end EOS right there: the apparent lack of pop-up flash is the give-away. Clearly it's time for Canon to draw attention away from Nikon with its swanky new D90, but what's it got ready for us under the "destined evolution" banner? Best guess so far is a 5D upgrade, but over to you in the comments, EOS fans. [Canon]

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Joby's taken it's mighty camera-supporting flexible tripod the Gorillapod and tweaked it to support more than just cameras and lenses. The new Go-Go has interchangeable adapters at its tip, meaning it's good for nearly all your portable gear. There's still the standard camera tripod mount, but now it also comes with a suction cup to attach to the back of flat shiny gizmos and a stickypad for gadgets you don't mind gluing to the back of. Brilliant stuff: now I can manacle my iPhone to the edge of the bed so I can watch movies from my pillow. Available now for US$35 US$30 with free shipping. [Product page via Wired]

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The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 has been released in Australia as well as the US. I've been waiting to try and find out whether or not we'll get a similar deal to the US$99 offer the US is getting, but it's getting late in the day now, so I figured I'd fill you in on what I know now.

The netbook will set you back $599. Dell will begin shipping on September 10, but is available to order now. At launch it will be available in black, with more colours coming in the future. 16GB worth of flash storage, 1GB RAM and Windows XP SP3 keep the Mini 9 running, while Bluetooth, 802.11b/g keep you connected. There's no word on a Linux version.

There's also no word on whether an Australian mobile network is planning on subsidising the mini-lappy for its HSDPA connectivity, but here's hoping.

[Dell]

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This isn't the kind of story we'd usually post on Giz, but it's a Friday afternoon, it's been raining consistently for the past two hours outside my window and some of you might be talented enough to walk away winners.

Canon's second annual Photo5 competition opens for registrations today. If you're not aware, Photo5 is a competition where you register, then Canon sends you a box with five different items inside. You take photos of each of those items, enter one photo for each item and the best photos walk away with part of a $50,000 prize pool of EOS products. Who knows, by the time the winner is selected that might include a 5D Mk II...

It's open to both professional and amateur photographers as well, so there's nothing stopping you from registering and entering. Hit the link to get the process started.

[Canon Photo5 Registration]

Apple fanboys stuck in the last stages of despair over the lack of a Victorian Apple Store can now turn their angst into excitement. Apple has announced that their Chadstone store is set to open at 9am on September 13, 2008.

They'll be selling the same stuff as the Sydney and Chatswood stores, but in Victoria, although the timing will be convenient for anyone looking to pick up a new iPod.

Anyone of our Melbourne readers looking to head down next weekend?

[Apple]

The iPhone 3G is making its Best Buy debut this Sunday, and a copy of the ad you'll see in your local paper confirms that even though Best Buy has the distinction of being the iPhone's first independent US retailer, it'll be the same old Best Buy peddling it.

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When Michael Dell mentioned yesterday that he thinks telcos will subsidise netbooks to sell integrated 3G services, he wasn't quite talking out of his ass—an unmentioned feature of the Inspiron Mini 9 is an integrated 3G card. The first carrier to sell the Mini with 3G is Vodafone in the UK. No carrier announcements in the US yet, but since it's HSDPA (assumedly, because Vodafone UK is, and they aren't letting you pick your 3G card) AT&T would pretty much be your only option here. Pretty nice trick up your sleeve, Dell. [PC Mag, Pocket Lint]

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Tonight in Denver, Panasonic revealed its newest plasma technology, the 65" custom-install-only VX100 monitor, whose specs meet or beat Pioneer's hallowed Kuro. That means 60,000:1 contrast ratio with 7,160 shades of gradation for visible detail in the darker shadows. At 65 inches, you will pay US$10,000 a panel, but not to worry: Panasonic will roll out a 50 incher soon, which is sure to be (a teeny tiny tad) cheaper. We sat in a dark room and got to compare the VX100 with its predecessor, the 65PF. Though the results in the room were startlingly vivid, you can get a sense of what's going on here in our still shots:If you're really crazy about TV technology, jump for a second gallery of slides from the presentation—but, as they say on MythBusters, there's some "science content" ahead, so put the drink down and focus...

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Besides the slick and probably expensive editing designed to make Jerry Seinfeld look like the more awkward of the pair, there's not a whole lot of special effects in this clip. In fact, there's not really a whole lot of anything, including laughs, information or pimping of Vista. It's kinda like Seinfeld's really long, really rambling Superman ad for Amex he did a few years back. We hope the rest of the campaign is better.

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Not that there's anything inherently wrong with riding a scooter, but only one of us at Gizmodo proudly admits to owning one. Maybe if Jenny Silverwoman had one of these roving Wi-Fi hotspots capable of "long distance war driving, GPS navigation, Skype calls...and the ability to record TV programs," that'd really be something for her to brag about. Or, you know, cry when it would get stolen really quickly. [Thougtlab via MAKE]

It was just the other day that Activision answered our call by giving us the Australian release date of their new Guitar Hero World Tour game. Now Kotaku's been graced with the other information we've been desperately seeking - the price.

It's not cheap, but it's not too expensive either, and in comparison to some of the figures that were being thrown around for Rock Band, it's positively bargain basement.

For the full kit, which include the game, guitar, microphone and drum set, you're looking at $330 for Xbox 360 and PS3, $320 for Wii and $300 for PS2. The game itself tops out at $90 on Xbox 360 and PS3 as well, so if you are just a Guitar Hero with the previous games and don't want to be in a band, this is a pretty decent option.

The full pricing is below the fold. I think I've just found my Birthday present this year.

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Let's face it: if you own a 17-inch laptop, the last thing you'll want to be doing is popping it into a backpack or a shoulder bag and carrying it around. Those things are heavy. Especially when you've got to get other stuff in your bag as well, like chargers, PSPs, iPods, clothes, toiletries, blow-up dolls... the list goes on and on.

That's why the STM Rogue Roller looks like it could be the perfect overnight laptop bag. Not only will it fit in your 17-incher without a drama, it also has wheels. So you can roll it around without having to do any manual lifting. And knowing the type of people who read Giz, heavy lifting isn't a favoured pastime of anyone here.

While the design isn't anything revolutionary, it is made by STM, and in my experience their stuff is well-made and comfortable. If you want one of these for yourself, they come in a grey/black combination and a grey/red combination for $179.95.

[STM bags]

Back when Sprint's US$100 million shot to the iPhone's nuts kicked off, the Instinct had two big things the iPhone didn't: 3G and GPS. Now, the iPhone's got both of those, making the Instinct a non-contender, right? Not in Instinct vs. iPhone, 3G Redux. We won't spoil it for you, but guess who wins by Sprint's count with a bigger 3G network, turn-by-turn directions, and sprinkles. Yes, sprinkles. [Sprint]

Apple Multi-Touch Data Fusion Adds Camera, Voice, Force Sensors
It looks like multi-touch is really starting to get interesting, if not useful.

Brilliant: HP Packages Laptop in its Own Bag
It's good to see companies thinking outside the box. Literally.

How Firearms Work In Super-Slow-Motion
It's slow-mo day, from the looks of it, but this is the pick.

Good News, Everyone!
Anyone interested in the inner-workings of Giz US, know that Blam has been promoted to Editorial Director and Chen is now editor. Here's hoping we see more pantsings...

First Person View of an Epic Parachute Fail
Ouch. Ouch ouch.

Sony's Prototype 400-Disc Blu-ray Mega Changer Spied in Dark Corner
As it said in the article - if only there were 400 Blu-ray movies worth watching...

Earlier today, Nyko unveiled the Wing, a wireless controller for the Wii, based on Nintendo's own classic controller. Aside from the whole no wires thing, they've put their own spin on the accessory by tweaking the ergonomics, incorporating a battery charger, and adjusting the button spacing. After spending a bit of time playing some Megaman 9 and Street Fighter II with the Wing, I think it's a suitable classic controller alternative when it hits stores in mid-October.

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Good news for HTC phone owners, Qik is bringing its popular video streaming service to the Touch Dual, Touch Diamond and the TyTn-II. They are also adding two other Windows Mobile phones to the list: The AT&T Tilt, and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. All you need to do is set up a free account on the Qik website and you will be streaming video from your handset in no time. [Qik]