TechBytes: Google Phone

Dec. 14, 2009— -- Google appears to be developing its own cell phone. Company employees have reportedly started testing a new device that runs on the company's Android operating system.Pictures of the phone have been surfacing in the blogosphere. Published reports say Google plans to sell the phone online, without being subsidized by a wireless company. Users would have to buy their service separately.

The technology that helped make the iPhone a huge hit is now available on the desktop. Apple's Magic Mouse is the first mouse that lets you use Apple's multi-touch technology. That means users can scroll up and down on a Web page by using a two-finger gesture or zoom in and out of pictures by using a pinching gesture.

CNet's Mark Licea said it's a good mouse, overall, but might take some getting used to. "It's not the most ergonomic design, it doesn't feel very comfortable to hold," Licea said.

The Magic Mouse retails for $70 on Apple's Web site and is included with new iMacs.

The video game industry held its version of the Academy Awards this week. "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" took top honors. It won three prizes, including game of the year and best graphics. "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" is only available for the Playstation 3. "The Beatles: Rock Bands" took home the award for best music game.

Pride yourself on having the best Christmas lights in the neighborhood? Well, try and beat this. A special effects master has turned his lights into a functional, garage-sized game of "Guitar Hero." The so-called "Christmas Light Hero" plays Eric Johnson's song "Cliffs of Dover" and took more than 21,000 lights to create. That's a Christmas light display to make all the kids in the neighborhood envious.