Part of the iPods success is due to the number of color choices the consumer has. If only the iPhone had the same colorful options. Currently it’s only available in black or white and is in desperate need of a color refresh.

Sadly, unlike Gaming handhelds, a color change won’t result in multiple purchases by the same owner. And so it isn’t worth it for Apple to produce them. There’s also the monthly subscription fee. Still, it’s nice to see what they might look like.

Here’s some exciting news for gamers. Microsoft is apparently deep into the development process for the successor to the Xbox 360 console. Blizzard’s Rob Pardo has confirmed that his company has taken part in talks with Microsoft about this next console.

We all knew they would launch another console eventually, but the news suggests the company plans to replace its current 4-year-old system very soon. Pardo didn’t provide any hardware details, just that Blizzard is “actively in discussions with Microsoft” about the new gaming hardware.

Here’s another entry from Microsoft’s Next-Gen PC Design Competition. The AlphaGrip Handheld Computer (or AlphaGrip HC, for short), features full-size rocker keys on the front with a flip-up display and a keypad for thumb-typing. It also has a trackball for mousing and some buttons for “sophisticated PC games”.

Thing is, you may have noticed two things, both unappealing: It’s bulky and the top is shaped somewhat like a heart. I can’t imagine ever using this in public, but despite that fact, I like it. It took some imagination and looks a lot like the Atari Jaguar.