Sony SMU-WM10 wireless mouse reinvents the hand
By Marc Perton 
posted March 31st 2006 11:26AM
posted March 31st 2006 11:26AM
posted March 31st 2006 11:26AM
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That mouse looks uncomfortable...I bet it works better than it looks though, there's only way to find out. But no way in hell am I paying $50 for a mouse.
Why Sony, why? There was a time I would have defended you from Mac fanboys by touting your VAIO line (I used to love the TR series laptops) and even bought a VAIO over a Powerbook (bought the V505 laptop for $1,600+) then, you started to kill the product lines, I could not get any support for my UX50 Clie or my Laptop, and now my pretty decent VAIO sits there, booting Ubuntu instead of XP and I now own an iBook... This is too much, I am sorry Sony, it is me, not you, please do not call me again, remember I love you as I still own many of your TVs, the first Minidisc player you put out and my car stereo and changer are all Sony.
The article mentions, "we just can't imagine using it is a very comfortable experience."
Am I to imply that means the article was written about how uncomfortable it might be without even using it?
Way to bash on something without giving it a go first.
True enough, it is indeed a boxy design, but at 2.2"W x .7"H x 3.3"D, it's fairly small, which would be good for those of us with smaller hands. I'd give it a test-drive at least. They do need to get the price down though, no matter how techie it is (800 counts per inch).
The round iMac mouse definitely deserves its reputation as an umitigated disaster, but the original boxy Mac mouse wasn't so bad. I never found it uncomfortable in daily use.
Those are disturbing. I kind of see where the scroll wheel is but what is the function of the single round button?
Can I place a phone call with it?
@ Lee
This is ENGADGET writing about a SONY product. Of course they're going to bash it without trying it.
Leave it to Sony to reinvent the definition of failure. (ATRAC, UMD, Rootkit)
Looks about as good as their MP3 Players and will probably as successful :)
That thing better be so good it works on water.
It's um... different. Of course there are definitely those who chose style long before comfort or practicality hence the success of the women's shoe industry.
And style is often simply anything different. But sometimes there is a good reason why everyone does something the same.
I for one like it. I mean, as a traveling mouse (i.e. not used on a continual basis such as WoW). The problem I've had with most travel mice is the bug hump which adds space and the hump doesnt have any ergonomic benefits unless you have the hands of a howler monkey.
It's a mouse for crying out loud - some of you here need to chill.
Following on daschupa's comment... It looks like the USB dongle for it can be stored inside the mouse. Nice for traveling to keep them together.
How quick we all are to forget. I, for one, am still committed to not buying Sony's crap...err products.
I have to agree that for a travel mouse this can make sense. It appears to be fairly flat so it would slip into a briefcase or thin computer bag much easier than a typical travel mouse. Totally inappropriate for desktop/full-time use. CT lawsuit in the waiting.
"Am I to imply that means the article was written about how uncomfortable it might be without even using it?"
They were saying that it doesn't seem like it would be comfortable. That's not passing judgement that's making a preliminary guess.
"This is ENGADGET writing about a SONY product. Of course they're going to bash it without trying it."
Can you name a specific sony product that this website "bashed" that turned out to be the bees knees?
I definitely don't ever actually let my hand rest on the top of my mouse. I hold it with my thumb and pinky on the sides and the pointer and middle on the buttons... but my fingers are too long that they would go a good inch off the mouse if I rested it on the curvature. So, if this will work with my MacBook... I may just be getting one.
Looks like a fantastic mouse for when traveling. My current Microsoft travel mouse, while great, doesn't fit in any of my pockets in my laptop back due to the curved suraface, something that would fit in the pocket holders of my bag would be great.
While Marc Perton bashing Sony is all too common, it's doesn't take a genius to figure out that the mouse isn't meant to compete with high-end gaming mouses and is rather a compact solution. Probably folks at Engadget should try out the mouse or at least figure out what its meant for before it starts spouting bullshit again.
Finally, a flat mouse. When you think about it, round/tall mice are bad for your wrist, in the way that people generally use them: with their arm lying flat on the desk and their palm/hand arched up over the mouse to get at the buttons. This puts strain on your wrist, and is why RSI treatments usually involve putting the mouse on a platform below desk level, or having a riser pad on the desk, in front of the mouse. Either treatment will make sure that hand, wrist and arm form a single plane that is parallel with that of the desk. Which is what you'd also get by using a flatter mouse.
Practically speaking, I think this is a case of better design taking second place to convention. I predict this will be about as successful as the Dvorak and split keyboards.
Can you name a specific sony product that this website "bashed" that turned out to be the bees knees?
Minidisc players
Engadget was like omgosh no one uses those then in about 100 posts 95% of the people said they used them still
It's a mobile mouse meant for laptops. Damn, Engadget can be stupid sometimes.
Here are some good pictures of the mouse:
http://www.pcdvd.com.tw/showthread.php?p=1078357918
It's small (18mm thick), compact, and runs on 2 AAA batteries, designed to be taken with you. What is Engadget going to say next, we have to redesign our eyes for small screen tvs? Sometimes being compact has its benefits.
That "curvature" of most mice doesn't serve any purpose. Or are you telling me that you actually rest your palm's weight ontop of your mouse? You must be 5 years old. Because even a small adult hand wouldn't be able to do that and never mind actually moving the thing.
>>"Can you name a specific sony product that this website "bashed" that turned out to be the bees knees?"
Can you tell me any Sony product that they bashed that they actually touched?
Seriously, any half-nut hick can write an article on Engadget, 99.9% of the gadgets shown on this site here none of these "writers" have even touched much less actually laid eyes on the real product:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/31/want-to-write-for-engadget/
"Minidisc players"
Minidisc players?
"Along with Philips and Matsushita' Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) system, the MiniDisc was targeted as a replacement for analogue cassette tapes as the recording system for Hi-Fi equipment but, as a consumer format, MiniDisc has met with only limited success, though it has enjoyed a loyal niche following in some circles."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minidisc
Minidisc is niche at best and a defunct format at worst.
"Can you tell me any Sony product that they bashed that they actually touched?"
I'll say it again, they didn't bash it, they said that they didn't see it as particularly ergonomic or comfortable. That's not bashing it that is a preliminary judgement.
"Seriously, any half-nut hick can write an article on Engadget, 99.9% of the gadgets shown on this site here none of these "writers" have even touched much less actually laid eyes on the real product"
I'm not sure how an open job application is an indictment.
So a comment to Sanford....first of all you obviously read Engadget, so calling the writers half-nut hicks is somewhat counterintuitive. If they're so bad, why visit the site?
And as far as your comment "have even touched much less actually laid eyes on the real product:", technically wouldn't touching an object be better than laying eyes on it. Wouldn't you be able to tell a better story about something if you handled it (especially something like this mouse)? Shouldn't your comment have read have even laid eyes on much less touched the real product? Seriously, if you're going to insult the engadget writers, you should at least do it correctly.
Why all the Engadget bashing lately? This blog has always had a somewhat skeptical, sarcastic tone to it. Are you guys all new readers or something?
I always find it funny that Sony come out with products similar to everyone else after others have done it first and well usually better too...
http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/18/the-scythe-foldable-mouse/
http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/14/the-mogo-mousebt-stows-away-in-your-pc-card-slot/
Square and portable lol
Just more confirmation that the folks over at Sony are completely asleep at the wheel. How sad that the once mighty Sony has sunk so low!
>>"Why all the Engadget bashing lately? This blog has always had a somewhat skeptical, sarcastic tone to it. Are you guys all new readers or something?"
While I can't speak for other people on this page, it used to be that Engadget was one of the few good tech websites, now there are so many better tech sites out there that aren't just about linking. I find myself coming here less frequently.
This article is daft, it clearly is a laptop mouse, there are many like it, I'm sure if it wasn't from Sony Engadget would have written it out differently, but the Engadget bashing has also gotten a little harsh recently.
"24. That "curvature" of most mice doesn't serve any purpose. Or are you telling me that you actually rest your palm's weight ontop of your mouse? You must be 5 years old. Because even a small adult hand wouldn't be able to do that and never mind actually moving the thing.
Posted at 2:07PM on Mar 31st 2006 by Cy 0 stars"
I'm interested in your definition of "small adult"... I'm 5'0', 31 years old and my hand rests on a standard mouse just fine. With my wrist and arm on a flat surface, my fingers hit the mouse keys in exactly the right spots.
It takes all kinds in the world, even small kinds ;). Therefore, it's going to take all sizes of mice to fit the all sizes of hands.
(BTW, I know some really smart five year olds that probably would be capable of posting just fine. Insult with caution :)
I like this as a travel mouse. I think $50 is a bit steep, but otherwise, it is quite cool.
>>I like this as a travel mouse. I think $50 is a bit steep, but otherwise, it is quite cool.
The MSRP is around $38 (4,550 yen) in Japan, but you can find it for around $30 (3,500 yen).
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000B9OBGE/qid=1143839052/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/250-8172255-6379466
http://www.kakaku.com/prdsearch/detail.asp?PrdKey=01607010711#titlebar
This mouse isn't sold in the US yet, I'm not sure why Engadget is saying $50 (they should probably say its from some importer that inflates prices, I'm sure if and when Sony does release it here it will retail around $35.
honestly, i'm with Pharoah on this one - i sure as hell don't grip my mouse, i hold it with two fingers for the added control. it's not the way I game, but i can move all over the screen without moving my wrist and greatly prefer it for photoshop work. this is one sony product i actually am interested in.
I don't see the problem with the mouse. With the mouse I'm using now, and ones from the past, the only part of my hand actually touching it, where the tips of my fingers, and the bottom of my hand for the back of the mouse. So there really isn't any benefit, at least not for me, for the hump being there. I'm going to assume it will almost be like using a 'RAZR' as a mouse....well sort of.....and it doesn't seem that bad.
yeah i agree with the last few posts: you only really touch the mouse with your finger tips anyway. obviously. people should think before they get all hot and bothered. that goes out to the bloggers as well. some of the things you guys write are a little mindless.
I, for one, think that this mouse is gorgeous! Of course, it's hard to say how comfortable it would be.
BTW, it appears that the round button releases the receiver from the body.
Sony mice: Doing for your hand what ATRAC did for your music
According to audiocubes, who sell the device, the dimensions are:
External size: W58 x D18 H86 mm
which, as I take my ruler to my old wired macally iMouse, are pretty large specs. The dongle in the mouse idea is cool, and I, too, liked my SE's old square mouse. But this is on the edge: a potentially really cool idea busted by either design (size) or price (maybe).
Here's a handy tip for young players - If you don't like it, then don't buy it. Freakin' whining complaining bitches, get over it or start your own god damn electronics company. You're whinging isn't changing anything, so DO something about it or shut the hell up.
Rest assure that your worthless opinions go duely un-noted by manufacturers who know the nerds that would never buy a style mouse in the first place's opinions mean crap all. Welcome to reality.
Looks OK to me. I really hate many of these "ergronomic" mice. I DON'T want to cup my entire hand around a mouse. I only use 2 fingers to move my mouse, and another 2 hover over the buttons. The Apple hocky-puck mouse was actually very nice to use, apart from the lack of buttons, scrollwheel, and the fact that could never tell which way around it was without looking at the bloody thing.
Small mice == good. I hope I never see one of those, big, rounded, cup-you-whole-hand-round-it mice again.
Engadget, are you honestly suggesting that placing your entire palm of your hand on a mouse is ergonomically the best way? Are you kidding? Just stop and think of how many muscles and joints have to be in action in order to move the damn thing. THAT is the way to get joint and muscle damage. The ergonomically best way is to move your mouse with your thumb and little finger and let the three middle fingers hover or rest on top of buttons and scroll wheel. This way you pretty much use only your thumb and little finger to move the animal. This Sony-mouse does allow this kind of ergonomic use. Maybe even more so than the odd-shaped, oversized and tall Logitech monstrosities.
I've got one of these - but not the wireless one. They're really small, one of the smallest mice out there. And yes, they're extremely uncomfortable, but also extremely sensitive(laser/dpi). Somehow it makes a great extra mouse to carry around in my laptop bag :)
@33, Geezer. I agree with you, when Sony made this mouse they obviously new it wouldnt sell like an ipod, the point is they found some benefits to making such mouse and knew some users would like it.
I also agree that most of the weblogs bash anything sony and if it's not why does it feel that way?
I've tried it. Have to admit that it works much better than I thought it would be. Didn't take much afford to get use to.. considering the flat shape, I actually prefer to carry this mouse around with my laptop rather than the rounded mouse. I believe that's what it meant to be.. not to replace your desktop mouse at home.