We have enough reasons to worry about carpal tunnel, which is one reason why the Rubik’s TouchCube is so awesome. Instead of actually turning the segments, users simply swipe their finger in a straight line or an ‘L’ shape (for rotations). Of course, at $US150 you would incur a more severe financial penalty for tossing it at a wall in frustration. [Rubiks via Gizmodo]

Did you know that there is a version of Clue called “Secrets & Spies” that uses text messaging? Are you surprisingly angered by this?

Agent Mustard, Agent Scarlet and the rest of the colourful Clue characters are now on assignment to thwart C.L.U.E. (Criminal League for Ultimate Espionage) and take down the evil Agent Black. At the beginning of the game, players check in at Hasbro headquarters via text from their own mobile phones. As the game proceeds, Hasbro sends six text messages back to move the action along. An ultraviolet decoder, included with the game’s activity cards and other pieces, also reveals information.

[Hasbro via Gizmodo]

There have been several attempts to add electronics to the old fashioned beer pong table over the years, and this particular version is typical in that it includes LEDs — 120 RGB LEDs to be more precise. It also features a wireless module that will connect with a scoreboard. As we noted earlier “it’s one of the most advanced tables you could ever puke on”. [Gizmodo]

Purist or not, Marubot foosball would be hard to resist. The game is played with four individually-controlled robots. [Ir Robot via Gizmodo]

With our society slipping faster and faster into a crippling world of germaphobia, the classic thumb war is slowly dying out. This electronic version prevents you from having to touch hands, and it also ups the ante with an electric shock for the loser. [Firebox via Gizmodo]

Paul Fryer’s Vacuum Tube Chess set features pieces that light up when plugged into the sections on the board. [Gizmodo]

Sink your opponent’s battleship and their battle with alcoholism with the Enigma Battleship drinking game. The design of the case was inspired by the Enigma encrypting machine. The radar screen marks the shots of each player and displays a list of the ships remaining. Unfortunately, the Enigma version is only a concept, but there are simplified versions of the game that are available for purchase. [Coroflot via Gizmodo]

You would have thought Jenga would be the one game that would stay pure, but even a game about tumbling blocks isn’t safe from progress. This cheap monochrome display version requires the player to slide in two plastic blocks with just the right amount of force to prevent the whole tower from coming down. [Gizmodo]

Maybe it’s just me, but an arm wrestling game that shocks the loser is a little Over the Top. [Latest Buy]

Each player starts with $US3 million. They can buy any street in the world to erect houses, stadiums and even skyscapers allowing them to collect more and more daily rent (ranging from $US50,000 to $US100 million per property). The goal? “Play to beat your friends and the world to become the richest property magnate in existence”.

Streets will vary in cost, of course, with the White House’s Pennsylvania Ave. listed at $US2 million, while Downing Street (London’s home to the senior British cabinet) goes for just $US231,000. (America, f–k yeah.)

If anyone sees a spot to register, please say so in the comments. So far we’ve only tracked down the game’s official site and blog. And if we don’t start playing right when this game starts, we’ll lose out on another rare opportunity to be financially humbled by the real estate market. [Monopoly City Streets via Daily Mail via DVICE]

F = 8 points
O = 1 point
P= 5 points
U = 4 points
Y = 4 points
E = 1 point

[Atlanta Journal Constitution via CraziestGadgets]

The answer, even if you do attempt every possible combination, is no. But according to Microsoft Research, there’s a way to “solve” the puzzle to within 1%, even if the board had 1000000 bulbs. The funny thing is, the algorithmic solution to the puzzle (originally built by Elwyn Berlekamp in 1960) can be used as a way to bypass brute-force computing in solving problems. The researchers at Microsoft are more interested in that whole thing, but I’m more interested in how some guy got to build this nice electronic board game as part of his day job, just for Show and Tell. Way to go, dude.

Here are the rules, in case you want to make your own home version (Phil Torrone, do you hear me?):

Microsoft’s TechFest is an annual jamboree of innovation and gadgetry from Microsoft Research, which means that while none of it is coming out as is in products in the near future, it’s essentially what product development people use to add cool stuff to their actual releases. I’m here all day.

This latest Jenga handheld by Zizzle toys features two real (non-wood) blocks that you actually slide in and out of place. Use too much force and the virtual tower will come tumbling down, but unlike in real Jenga you can sneeze to your heart’s content. Aside from the movable blocks, it also features the option to zoom in for precision work and options for 1 and 2-player modes.

It’s no technological powerhouse, but for $US20 at Walmart (and more retailers soon), it’ll shut those kids up in the backseat without sacrificing your beloved Nintendo DS to Barbie computerdom.

Keyhole Surgery is Operation reinvented for lockpick enthusiasts. You view a 3D schematic of the lock on the computer, then try to guide the key through the maze of tumblers without striking the walls. He who has the least mistakes wins. He who has the most mistakes will require a good lawyer.

A concept for now, if you really like the device, we’re sure some perceptive, agile manufacturer will come around to borrow the idea soon enough. [Moritz Waldemeyer via bbGadgets]

The effect works thanks to a board made out of a glass material with embedded LEDs (LightPoints) and chess pieces made from clear glass with the negative shape of a traditional, delicate Staunton chess piece enclosed within it. Placing the chess piece on the board completes a circuit that illuminates the negative shapes, making them visible. There is even a clever nod to a passage in the book where the White Knight talks about being able to think better when he is upside down. In the Alice chess set, all of the white knights on the board will not illuminate unless placed in the upside down position. All-in-all, the ‘Alice’ concept is interesting new twist on the traditional game. With any luck, a real world product will come down the line sometime in the future. [Project Page via Pan-Dan via DVICE]