A4Tech's wireless and battery-free NB-57D optical mouse: "magic magnetism" unleashed!

A4Tech just busted out another new mouse novelty for Royche retail in Korea. Meet the NB-57D battery-free wireless optical mouse. Yeah, battery-free as in no battery required, which solves at least one of the biggest issues with setting the mouse free, or nearly so since the USB mouse pad is a critical part of the magic. See, it all works via a process dubbed "magic magnetism," which is an apparent A4Tech cocktail of electromagnetic induction and RFID technologies bundled into the kit. The mouse delivers an 800DPI sensitivity and features 7-buttons plus a scroll-wheel which can be endlessly mapped to shortcuts via the included 2X-Office software. According to AVING, it's yours for right around 20,000 Korean Won or just about $21 -- that's a big tech bang for the buck. Just don't go wearing your fancy Bluetooth watch while mousing around that potentially volatile mouse pad, ok folks?

[Via AVING]

[Ssco @ Oct 31st 2006 6:33AM]

What's the point of a wireless mouse that can only be used on a tethered mouse pad?

Doesn't that take away the whole point of it?

[LittleJoe @ Oct 31st 2006 6:42AM]

No... there are other downsides to a wired mouse other than not being able to take it away from your desk.

A wire off the back of a mouse can put tension on your mouse and slightly force it to go in some direction away from the cord when resting.

[DT Jacobs @ Oct 31st 2006 9:42AM]

I think it charges a small capacitor while you're using it on the mousepad, and then uses that power store for when you go off the mousepad. Otherwise it's pretty pointless.

[Ssco @ Oct 31st 2006 6:46AM]

But with a normal wireless mouse I'd be able to move it anywhere I wanted and still not have the worry of cord tension.

[Lt_Ladle @ Oct 31st 2006 7:45PM]

well if thats the case, isnt it smarter to make mouse cords long enough...?

[LittleJoe @ Oct 31st 2006 6:53AM]

And you expect it to transmit the power wirelessly too? Its a give and take thing buddy.

[Ssco @ Oct 31st 2006 6:57AM]

I realise that. I just don't think it's a worthwhile sacrifice, that's all

[z @ Oct 31st 2006 7:04AM]

Wacom offers this product with their tablets since years now...

[slojohn @ Oct 31st 2006 8:59AM]

You're right and though I'm not really sure of the resolution, I've never had a problem with mine.

[Lee, ChihCheng @ Oct 31st 2006 7:06AM]

I really this A4 Tech's battery free mouse.
I brought 5 pcs for my and friend's computers.

[EddN @ Oct 31st 2006 7:40AM]

I just thought it was worth pointing out that Wacom no longer ship mice with thier tablets, starting from the 'Intuos 3 - A5 Wide' version. Although I assume you can probably still buy one. Also the Wacom mice are really horrible to use because it has to be used on the axis of the tablet which sucks, no-one used it for this reason and thus they no longer bundle them.

[iDean @ Oct 31st 2006 7:40AM]

I had this with my wacom tablet like 5 years ago....

[BruceR @ Oct 31st 2006 7:54AM]

I've bought one similar to this on eBay. It played havoc with my WiFi connection so it went in the bin.

[Loretta S. @ Oct 31st 2006 8:47AM]

So do these things run on batteries? *Crunches on apple*

[arbilli @ Oct 31st 2006 9:49AM]

Right now I happen to be sitting in Pyongtech with a ton of time on my hands. Anyone have an idea in which store I could find one of these? I probably have to head to Seoul, but thats not a problem.

[simulacrum @ Oct 31st 2006 10:11AM]

Why not just make one like those battery-free flashlights, with the magnet/coil charger? It could be arranged so that it was constantly charging itself when in use, or with a gentle shake every now and then.

[James @ Oct 31st 2006 11:13AM]

Those shake flashlights use the same principal as this mouse does: induction.
A magnet moving through a coil of wire induces a current in the wire, either charging a battery or capacitor. In the case of the mouse, I think just having the mouse sit on the pad is sufficient to charge it.

[kerunt @ Oct 31st 2006 10:42AM]

I've been using a simpler model from the same brand (and the same working concept) for about 2 years now. No problems, nice little mouse but not "truly" wireless.

[opello @ Oct 31st 2006 11:57AM]

For power to be generated, the field has to be in flux. That doesn't happen if the mouse is just sitting there (there has to be some motion).

Unless the pad has some sort of mechanism to cause the magnetic field to flux, of course.

[James @ Oct 31st 2006 12:18PM]

Not necessarily; I have a Sonicare electronic toothbrush that charges via induction, and all I have to do is place it in its charging base at night. No movement needed.

[simulacrum @ Oct 31st 2006 7:41PM]

Just moving the mouse back and forth in normal use should be sufficient to charge it. If not just shake it a bit to get it going. Same idea as self-winding watches many years ago before they were all battery powered. In fact the principle may work with watches too as long as the power requirements are low enough.

[polobunny @ Oct 31st 2006 7:28PM]

Err guys, i've had two of those to sell like 6 months ago, seriously. =|
Please bring something new A4tech, real "new" things alright?

[Peter Williams @ Oct 31st 2006 8:50PM]

It's Won, not Wan

[187 - John Doe @ Nov 1st 2006 9:03AM]

I like the idea of the technology, but seriously, if it was any other company than A4 I would try it out. A4Tech just makes these mice that make my hand cringe.

[Bauke @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:07PM]

The good folks at AfroTechMods already made a DIY version of this year ago :)
http://www.afrotechmods.com/cheap/arnoldpad/arnoldpad.htm

[Chris @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:06PM]

This doesn't seem really new, per se. I have a Wacom Graphics Tablet, and that comes with both a stylus and a battery free mouse, both of which only operate on the tablet.

And--while I love my Wacom tablet--the mouse is a complete waste, and it is much more comfortable to use my old battery-driven Logitech wireless.

[Ionium @ Apr 5th 2009 1:44PM]

Been using an unbranded 5 button version of this I bought from Netto's of all places! My version has a rather nice and handy arm rest I love it totally no batteries worries the mat/tablet is big enough for me in any application or game I have ever played just wish it had more programmable buttons. For those thinking wireless give me a battery dependent mouse... think again the tablet/mat does not cause any of the problems a wired mouse does and the fact I never need to stress about the battery running down in the middle of a long gaming session is wonderful. When I have to replace this it will be a sorry day indeed.

[Eua @ Apr 14th 2009 3:37PM]

I'm worring about health: is it safe to use such mouse? My hand is everytime in the magnetic field... I am not physician, can anybody ensure me?
I used such mouse ~1 year and I feel no changes with health, but several days ago my sister washed mouse with water and it died. Now I think, have I to buy the same or to avoid it.