Today, Nokia made the music-centric, full touch-screen 5250 handset official. The device will include a 2.8-inch TFT touchscreen with 640 x 360 resolution (16:9 aspect ratio), 512 MB of RAM, quad-band GSM, 2 megapixel camera, micro-SD card slot (expandable up to 16 GB), FM radio, and will be powered by Symbian^1. As an added bonus, your 5250 will come pre-loaded with Guitar Hero 5 Mobile. The device will be available in Q4 and will retail for 115€ (~ $150 U.S.). Hit the read link for the full press announcement.

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While everyone is going “ga-ga” over Apple’s dynamic tactile feedback keyboard patent, Microsoft has quietly filed a patent for several methods of controlling a computer using Electromyography (EMG). The technique would record the electrical activity of muscles and translate those signals into instruction sets which would control a computer. EMG technology is not new, it is used in some advanced prosthetic devices and is the technology behind the military’s research into EMG-controlled flight systems which allows a pilot to control his plane using EMG-based gestures. The Microsoft patent takes this technology and applies it to consumer devices describing, in one example, how a driver could interact with a vehicle navigation system without taking his/her hands off the steering wheel. The electrodes necessary for this EMG-driven interaction would be applied on the forearm for local control or on the head, chest, arms and legs for full body control. Though there are many practical purposes for this technology, the most exciting application would be in gaming. Think of Project Natal on steroids where you would don special gaming clothes embedded with EMG sensors and use your muscle movement to control your onscreen character. We are not alone in conjuring up this entertaining application, Microsoft’s own research labs has put together a quick demonstration video showcasing the EMG-based control of Guitar Hero. Hit the jump to preview the future of gaming.

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Activision made the official announcement today and Guitar Hero fans will not be disappointed. The fourth entry into the Guitar Hero franchise is slated for a Fall 2008 release and it’s packed full of virtual goodness that is sure to appease even the most discriminating couch rocker. New features, check. Let’s start out with an available full drum kit including pedals and cymbals. Punching buttons on a plastic guitar is one thing but seeing how people fair with the new full drum set is going to be fantastic. There’s also a new microphone and Music Studio mode that allows players to “compose, record, edit and share their own rock and roll anthems.” Good lord. Eight-player “Battle of the Bands” mode sounds pretty intense as well; up to eight players can gather online and compete for the the virtual title. High school audience sold separately. The soon-to-be smash will be issued on Xbox 360, Playstation 2 and 3 as well as Wii. Ready ready people, it’s going to be getting pretty nutty.

[Via Electric Pig]

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