We all wanted one. Many of us got one. Some of us wish we hadn’t.

Whatever your opinion of Apple’s iPhone, it was undoubtedly 2007’s Gadget of the Year. So much so that Apple’s competitors are once again playing catch-up. Which brings us to the inevitable battle between the iPhone and the Blackberry, and the ensuing business prop bets.

We learned Wednesday that Research in Motion is working on a Blackberry with a touchscreen, apparently to be released in the first half of the year. Will they also release a device called “Teal” or “Semillion” as rumored? How about a G3-compatible device? Betting is open for both.

Apple won’t sit still, of course. The MacWorld Expo is Jan. 15, and iPhone users are praying for new developments, including a G3 phone, increased storage and a price cut. You can wager on all three, as well as the long-awaited introduction of the Beatles catalog to iTunes.

Bet on some financial props here.

Another week in college basketball, another week for the North Carolina Tar Heels atop the rankings. They’ve been No. 1 all year on the AP Top 25; UCLA had a cup of coffee on the ESPN/USA Today poll before losing to Texas and returning the throne to North Carolina.

How long the Tar Heels will stay there remains to be seen. Their non-con schedule hasn’t been all that difficult, leaving North Carolina at No. 19 in RPI and No. 12 on the Pomeroy efficiency charts. Some stiffer competition is in order. The Heels won’t get any, though, until they visit Clemson on Jan. 6.

Meanwhile, UCLA, Memphis and Kansas lurk in the weeds, joined now by Texas and Duke. Even Georgetown has managed to snatch a first-place vote or two away from North Carolina. There isn’t a huge talent gap separating them from the Heels, so expect one of these contenders to wear the crown in January.

“Where the world comes to play” is the message of the Australian Open 2008. In the tournaments 103 year history it will be host to the strongest field ever. Participating will be all of the 100 top ranked men and 99 of the top women.

Roger Federer, the three time champion will be heading the men’s draw while top-ranked Justine Henin and Australian Open’s 2004 champion will be the women’s number 1 seed.

“At this stage, it’s the strongest field in the event’s history and we’re sure this will equate to one of the most exciting tournaments yet,” said Craig Tiley, the Australian Open tournament director.

The men’s field will be completed by 16 qualifiers and eight wild cards, while the women’s field has 12 qualifiers and eight wild cards.

The Australian Open will be making some changes as well. Organizers have designed a spectacular new surface and a trademarked “Australian Open True Blue” court color at the Rod Laver Arena. This will ensure greater visibility for players, spectators, officials and TV viewers alike.

As the first Grand Slam tournament of 2008, its going to offer $20.6 million in prize money, with the men’s and woman’s singles winners each collecting $1.37 million – seven per cent up from last year.

Set to take place on December 29, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada UFC 79: Nemesis features two equally exciting main card matches: 1) The long anticipated fight between Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva, as well as 2) the highly anticipated rubber match between former UFC Welterweight Champions Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. If that weren’t enough to entice you to watch, PRIDE light heavyweight sensation Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou is set to make his UFC debut against undefeated Lyoto Machida.

The main event was originally to pit The Ultimate Fighter 6 coaches Matt Serra and Matt Hughes for Serra’s UFC welterweight championship, but Serra withdrew from the fight due to a back injury.

So…you’ve never bet on a mixed martial arts event before?

Not to worry. Betting on UFC 79: Nemesis is a snap. Here’s an easy-to-understand article that explains what to look for in a matchup and how to make your picks.

It’s time to get serious about college football. It’s bowl season, and there’s tons of money to be made as the betting public hops on the bandwagon. Here’s this year’s schedule.

Poinsettia: Utah vs. Navy, Dec. 20
New Orleans: Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic, Dec. 21
Papajohns.com: Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, Dec. 22
New Mexico: Nevada vs. New Mexico, Dec. 22
Las Vegas: UCLA vs. BYU, Dec. 22
Hawaii: Boise State vs. East Carolina, Dec. 23
Motor City: Purdue vs. Central Michigan, Dec. 26
Holiday: Arizona State vs. Texas Dec. 27
Champs Sports:Boston College vs. Michigan State, Dec. 28
Texas: TCU vs. Houston, Dec. 28
Emerald: Maryland vs. Oregon State, Dec. 28
Meineke Car Care: UConn vs. Wake Forest, Dec. 29
Liberty: UCF vs. Mississippi State, Dec. 29
Alamo: Penn State vs. Texas A&M, Dec. 29
Independence: Alabama vs. Colorado, Dec. 30
Armed Forces: California vs. Air Force, Dec. 31
Humanitarian: Georgia Tech vs. Fresno State, Dec. 31
Sun: South Florida vs. Oregon, Dec. 31
Music City: Kentucky vs. Florida State, Dec. 31
Insight: Indiana vs. Oklahoma State, Dec. 31
Chick-fil-A: Clemson vs. Auburn, Dec. 31
Outback: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee, Jan. 1
Cotton: Missouri vs. Arkansas, Jan. 1
Gator: Texas Tech vs. Virginia, Jan. 1
Capital One: Michigan vs. Florida, Jan. 1
Rose Bowl: Illinois vs. USC, Jan. 1
Sugar: Hawaii vs. Georgia, Jan. 1
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. West Virginia, Jan. 2
Orange: Virginia Tech vs. Kansas, Jan. 3
International: Rutgers vs. Ball State, Jan. 5
GMAC: Bowling Green vs. Tulsa, Jan. 6
BCS Championship Game: LSU vs. Ohio State, Jan. 7