For what it's worth, marketing firms have been encouraging folks to interact with billboards and the like with their cellphones for some time now, but prototype software developed by gurus in the UK has enabled a cameraphone to control a desktop computer. As expected, the application enables users to "move and manipulate onscreen items simply by waving a handset around in front of a [display]," but giving mobile owners a second-rate 3D mouse is just the beginning. There is promise for it (or something similar) to one day be used in more public settings, but while it's still locked inside the house, we'll probably just continue using our entirely more comfortable Wiimote for any atypical mousing exercises. Hit up the read link for a video demonstration.

[Via NewScientist]

Sandio's Game O' 3D mouse managed to catch our eye back in May of '06, and now the firm is just getting around to unveiling the successor. Still touting that oh-so-catchy 3D moniker, the 3D Game O2 allows Google Earth / Virtual Earth users to "fly through without dealing with keyboard or on-screen navigation tabs." 'Course, it didn't miss the opportunity to inform Second Life residents that they too can enjoy more realistic flying motions with this here device, and users of CAD software could also find a few obvious benefits. Regarding improvements from the previous version, this one reportedly rocks "improved hardware quality and software usability as well as auto-loading of key 3D application drivers and plug-ins." Best of all, there's no waiting involved in acquiring one -- so long as you're parked in the US, Canada, China or Japan, you can grab one at your convenience for $79.99.

No doubt we've seen some snazzy takes on mousing instruments, but when Popular Science dubs your twist on the critter we couldn't do without an Invention of the Year, you've accomplished something. A team of WPI undergraduate students were able to win such an honor by crafting the MagicMouse, a "three-dimensional computer mouse" that allows users to "control and manipulate items on a computer screen just by pointing at the monitor." While we've seen similar ideas for helping disabled individuals interface with a computer, this wee iteration actually fits around one's finger and "uses an array of receivers to track the motion of a tiny ultrasonic transmitter." The cursor is moved by waving one's hand back and forth, while moving closer and backing away enables zooming functions to be utilized, which should make handling those CAD drawings a good bit easier. Perhaps most notable, however, is the relatively low cost of assembly, as the entire contraption (rechargeable Li-ion and all) cost just $155, and we're sure you know how far that could fall if a bulk buying manufacturer brought it to commercialization. A few more pictures after the jump.

[Via Popular Science and Gizmag]

While we've seen more than a few folks get a little mod-happy when it comes to crafting their own mousing devices, Cylo Technology is offering up an apparently well thought-out device that should have audio / video editors going wild. If you feel more comfortable spinning a jog wheel than you ever have manually moving a cursor, the "three-dimensional" 3style mouse is right down your alley, as the hybrid input peripheral handles the typical X and Y axes as well as giving users the ability to scroll in any direction with a simple spin. Utilizing a ball bearing pad, the knob can spin freely with just a nudge, and can interpret Z-axis data as well as offering up right-click functionality by squeezing the edges. While some may envision faint similarities to the iMac's hockey puck mouse of days past, this rendition could probably last a bit more than 30 seconds before becoming destined for the trash bin. Nevertheless, the 3style mouse can be used wirelessly as well as in a wired form, and can purportedly work seamlessly with any application that supports a scroll wheel or jog dial, but we'll have to wait until this thing actually hits store shelves before testing out these bold claims ourselves. Click on through for a live demonstration.

[Via HackedGadgets]

Serious gamers are always looking for an edge, so any product that promises to transfer to a mouse the movement commands that were formerly restricted to the keyboard is bound to draw some interest. Sandio Technology is showing off one such mouse, the Game O', at E3 this year, calling it "the first and the only six degrees-of-freedom 3D mouse in the IT industry."  From what we can tell, the 2000 dpi laser mouse seems to allow players to move in around in 3D space by translating mouse motions into 3D in-game movement, as opposed to just aiming a weapon's crosshair's, when the button above the scroll wheel is depressed. Sandio will be releasing the Game O' "soon," for the not-unreasonable price of $80.

Update: Although all the details are still unclear, Ars Technica got a brief hands-on with the Game O', and states that 3D movement is actually accomplished by a joypad on the left side of the mouse that's controlled with your thumb (they say that the top button, or perhaps second joypad, didn't even work in the demo). Oh, and AT doesn't seem all that thrilled with the whole concept, either.

[Via MobileWhack, picture courtesy of 4Gamer]