The first smartphone to run version 4.0 of Google’s Android platform, dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich.

Which features a number of improvements over the previous ‘Gingerbread’ version of the platform ranging from an improved user interface to better multitasking, system and application notifications.

To the ability to respond quickly by text message when an incoming call arrives.

A voice recognition engine, better camera, voicemail and calendar handling and facial recognition features for unlocking the screen.

Mobile carrier Vodafone has started taking pre-orders for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset to launch on its network, with an anticipated launch slated to occur before Christmas.

Vodafone said in a statement that the Galaxy Nexus would be available on “a great range of Vodafone plans”.

The only way to get the handset for free (with no monthly handset repayment cost) is to buy it on a Vodafone plan of $79 per month or above.

But the company is also offering it for $5 per month on a two year contract on a $59 per month plan.

Ross Parker, General Manager of Devices at Vodafone, said: “We are delighted to offer our customers one of the most anticipated Android™ phones this year, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus™.

Vodafone will be selling this device just in time for Christmas.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus takes smartphones to the next level.

Combining the latest Android operating system with a breath-taking screen and super fast processor.

Vodafone also confirmed that the Galaxy Nexus would support its new 850Mhz network.

Which is being deployed around Australia at the moment to supplement its existing network assets.

The 850Mhz network uses the same spectrum band as Telstra’s Next G network. The company is billing it as being designed for smartphone use.

Vodafone’s news came after Samsung itself confirmed last week that it will officially launch its highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus handset in Australia on 14 December although it did not give any details of carrier availability at that point.

The Galaxy Nexus features one of the largest touchscreens on the market with a size of 4.65 inches, and it runs at a resolution of 1280×720.

It features a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 1024MB of memory.

A five megapixel rear camera which can shoot 1080p video and an in-built near field communications chip for mobile payments.

The Optical Finger Mouse is created by Logisys.

The innovative way of browsing your computer via this optical mouse is just so tremendous.

It seems so easy to use. Just strap the mouse on to your middle finger or index finger and find a flat surface and you can maneuver the cursor on the screen.

With your hand free to do what you want with only slight finger or hand movement. Don’t worry about the typing as.

This mouse allows you to type while using it and much more.

It is connected to the CPU via USB cord and can be used with mobile laptops as well.

I am sure if this mouse is in our market the users will try it out as it is a coolly designed futuristic piece of equipment.

The price range for this mouse is determined anywhere from $16.73 to $23.24 at 4 sellers Filter.

Specifications:

Strap it on your index finger with the sensor tip in alignment with your index finger tip or slightly higher depends on your own comfort level.

Provide support by using your middle finger to hold the finger mouse against your index finger when you are clicking.

Point the cursor with your index finger while your thumb to control the left button ( lower button), right button ( upper button) and scroll weel.

Features:

Secures comfortably to your index finger with an elastic fastening tape consisting of a strip of nylon with a surface of minute hooks that fasten to a corresponding strip with a surface of uncut pile.

Simple and easy mouse cursor control.

Works on virtually any surface except reflective glass.

Dual mouse buttons and scroll wheel for easy navigation.

Comfortable 3 foot 8 inch cloth USB cord.

Frank Gibeau, the head of EA Labels president, told CVG last week during Gamescom that he believes the PlayStation Vita has some unique advantages over the Nintendo 3DS that will allow it to compete better against smartphone competition.

I think that part of the videogame business is tough right now because they have had some significant competition come in that was totally disruptive, and that was the smartphone.Sony has got a shot because they have some really unique innovation in the control scheme, the technology and the screen. It’s got a lot of social features now so that you can actually communicate with your friends and be social. You can’t ring them up by putting the device up to your ear but in general they’ve got most of the capabilities that you’d find in a smart phone, with some unique capabilities that make them stand out.

I don’t think they’re quite in the same boat as the 3DS… the 3DS was a really interesting piece of technology but  there was some confusion over it and the title slate was a little different.Vita has a better chance because it has a stronger title slate at launch. PSP’s had a great run in Europe as a device, it seems to have reached a much larger audience here than it did in North America. So they’ve got a good shot.

The PS Vita is going to struggle at retail, maybe even more than the 3DS. The game lineup is much better, but  what Sony is going to find out is that with unemployment and the economy the way it is right now the consumer market that was willing to spend $250+ for a handheld is much smaller now than it used to be. It seems to be a bit of wishful thinking from anyone who thinks the Vita is going to be a huge sales shot in the arm for the video game industry.

The is latest in Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GF 3line of compact interchangeable lens cameras, and the smallest camera of its type in the world (for now, at least). The design of the GF-series has changed over the years, though not necessarily for the better. The original GF1 had traditional rangefinder styling and plenty of switches and dials. Last year’s GF2 took away many of those dials and added a touchscreen to make up the difference.

The DMC-GF3 is a very different animal. First off, it’s tiny — almost 17% smaller than its predecessor, and 16% lighter. It bears more of a resemblance to one of Panasonic’s compact cameras than it does a rangefinder camera. It has even fewer buttons and dials, a weaker flash — and the hot shoe, stereo microphone, and accessory port from the G2 are all gone, as well. As a GF1 owner, I can’t help but be a little disappointed with the direction Panasonic has taken with the GF3, but apparently smaller is what people want these days.

The biggest changes on the GF3, besides the very noticeable drop in bulk, is the improvement in both autofocus and continuous performance.You have your choice of two lenses with the DMC-GF3. The less expensive option is to get the camera with the 14 – 42 mm lens, which has optical image stabilization built in. This lens has decent build quality (though the lens mount is plastic) and low corner blurring and purple fringing, though overall sharpness could be better. I first used the F2.5, 14 mm pancake lens with the DMC-GF2, and was not impressed. While this lens is compact (and has a metal mount), it suffers from noticeable corner blurring and vignetting.

As with all D-SLRs and interchangeable lens cameras, the DMC-GF3 does not have any built-in memory, nor does it come with a memory card. Thus, you’ll need to pick up an SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory card right away, unless you happen to have one already (as I figure most folks do). If you’ll be taking mostly stills, then a 4GB SDHC card is probably fine. For movie enthusiasts, you’ll want to get something like an 8GB or 16GB card instead. It’s definitely worth spending the extra dollars on a high speed card (Class 6 or higher)especially for movie recording.

Panasonic includes version 6.2 of their PhotoFunStudio HD Edition software with the Lumix DMC-GF3. This Windows-only software handles basic tasks fairly well, though the whole “wizard” system gets old quickly. On the main screen you’ll see the usual thumbnail view, and you can view photos in certain folders, or filter by things as specific as scene mode. The software can learn to recognize faces (much like the camera itself), which offers you another way to browse through your pictures. Other options on the main screen include slideshows, creating “short movies” (basically video slideshows), printing, e-mailing, or uploading to YouTube or Facebook. You can also copy photos and movies to SD cards or DVDs.

Above you can see the still photo editing screen. Here you can adjust things like brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness. Images can be changed to sepia, black and white, or “negative color”, and redeye can be removed with the click of your mouse. There’s also an auto enhancement feature, for those who want to keep things simple.

Movie editing features include the ability to trim unwanted footage from a clip, turn a video frame into a still image, or convert a video to MPEG-2 format.