Felt Mouse puts a different spin on ergonomics

We have little choice but to take Joey Roth's word for it, but we've got our reservations about this one. The so-called Felt Mouse forgoes the typical dome shape that most mice made this millennium share in favor of a totally blockish -- and likely uncomfortable -- design. Conceptually, at least, the critter is indeed wireless, and while you will notice a right and left click, you can forget about finding one of those fancy "scroll wheel" contraptions. The unit is said to be constructed primarily from "natural wool felt and laminated bamboo ply," and the former will apparently conform to your hand when you grab hold. Check out the underbelly after the jump -- we promise carpal tunnel syndrome can't be contracted visually.

[Via YankoDesign]

[Kurt MacD @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:38PM]

The next alternative to the "Mouse-Mouse" for those against taxidermy?

[Derry Quinn @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:40PM]

"the world without a click" http://dontclick.it

[DickHardknocks @ Nov 4th 2007 1:11AM]

That looks like an Apple product.

[RDM @ Nov 4th 2007 1:46PM]

Apple reinvented the mouse: Mighty Brick

[RDM @ Nov 4th 2007 1:47PM]

Update: Don't update to 1.1.1... You might brick your Mighty Brick

[thethirdmoose @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:38PM]

This actually looks kind of cool. If the felt does conform to the shape of your hand, it just might work

[oGMo @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:21PM]

Yeah might actually be one of those "why didn't i think of that!" sort of things... someone should make one with that memory foam stuff for even better molding.

[Reader @ Nov 3rd 2007 8:06PM]

Agreed. I would totally buy it, if it had some type of scroll wheel.

[Chuckles McGee @ Nov 3rd 2007 8:38PM]

Or perhaps discomfort is all part of that "vintage" styling.

[michael @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:40PM]

Or, you could get a Microsoft Natural Wireless 6000.

They're made for ergonomics, and they actually "look" ergonomic. Best thing I've ever seen in the world of ergonomics.

This mice looks like the complete opposite of an ergonomic mouse. It doesn't conform to the curves of your hand, there's no smooth scroll wheel to view long Word docs/web pages, and it looks more like a paperweight than anything.

Nice try Yanko. This is a joke right?

[michael @ Nov 3rd 2007 7:31PM]

Why is everyone ranking me down?

I was just pointing out that the mouse looked un-ergonomic than it's labeled to be. That it was ridiculous sounding.

I was comparing this to a Microsoft mouse, because they're known for quality, where as this one is the complete opposite.

Sorry if I said something wrong.

[nate @ Nov 3rd 2007 9:04PM]

i think it might be because you didn't actually compare the egonomics of the mice, or even say that you'd tried either. just because the microsoft "looks" egonomic doesn't mean it is, and just because this one doesn't "look" ergonomic doesn't mean it isn't. Ever seen a bed? They're big and square, but they're still pretty darn comfy.

[Wwhat @ Nov 4th 2007 8:34AM]

Yeah you didn't even read where it said it's foam, foam that adapts to your hand.
Instead you did your MS ad as you seemingly got payed to do or something.

I used to have a MS mouse, it would suddenly stop working in the middle of games until I un/replugged it, it was ergonomic though, except for the damage it did to my hands as I slammed my desk of course..

[michael @ Nov 4th 2007 9:36AM]

@wwhat:

MS ad? Please. You're kidding?

I mean, it's perfectly all right for any old Mac fanboy to throw in the old line "Get a Mac" with an Apple link, but..

just innocently mentioning a Microsoft mouse, and pointing out the quality in each is wrong?

And every user has a different experience/thought so your's isn't any more significant than another.

[mike @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:47PM]

Good news for the Honda Robot. He finally got a company that understands his needs..:)

[labrats5 @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:55PM]

Am I the only one who thought 'NES' when I looked at that?

[melloncollie @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:36PM]

Yes.

[Kurt MacD @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:36PM]

I'm still trying to figure out where the D-Pad is.

[hurricane @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:58PM]

@ kurt

Last time I checked, the NES didn't have a d-pad (that would've been the controller)...

[labrats5 @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:15PM]

@hurricane

I don't know man, I think that's just your NES, mine has a d-pad.

On a somewhat related note, I really love China Town.

[John @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:07PM]

if it conforms to your hand, wouldn't that make clicking difficult, or too easily accidentally triggered?

[James Buckley @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:08PM]

looks like a board-eraser with a light...

[kelley @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:14PM]

its ergonomic and felt, so instead of carpal tunnel syndrome you get carpet tunnel syndrome

[Hung @ Nov 3rd 2007 9:08PM]

Zing!

On a side note, I don't think this thing has "anti-sperm" technology. Not that a mouse of mine would need one.

[roberto @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:37PM]

As ergonomic as a hockey puck...


...is this felt from Apple?

[labrats5 @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:49PM]

What kind of low hitting comment is that? This mouse clearly isn't from Apple..... it doesn't look anything like a cube!

[Josh @ Nov 3rd 2007 5:54PM]

It doesnt have a circle or a touchscreen either - it must not be from apple.... besides it has 2 buttons - who needs to right click anyways?

[Zach @ Nov 3rd 2007 7:25PM]

Yes. Apple is back with the Lisa MCMXVIII.

[Wwhat @ Nov 4th 2007 8:35AM]

It isn't even white or cranberry transparent either.

[au @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:07PM]

the birkenstock of mice...

[iptydafu @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:23PM]

Gret--one of dem' coffee-table mice I heard big-city folk leave out fo' comp'nee.

[Dan @ Nov 3rd 2007 7:24PM]

Mental illness, spotted soon enough, can be successfully treated.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 3rd 2007 9:13PM]

Feel
Felt
Found

[Ricardo @ Nov 3rd 2007 9:27PM]

Well, at least you won't be able to "brick" it with a firmware update, it is already a brick...

[Matt @ Nov 3rd 2007 10:31PM]

Everyone is just so witty. I love Engadget readers.

[Eric Leung @ Nov 4th 2007 3:12AM]

yeah... as far as im concerned, everyone here should be in mensa or something

[sam @ Nov 4th 2007 2:11AM]

My hand is really too big to fully cop a feel on most mouses (mice?) anyway. My fingers end up hanging off the front and it isn't very comfortable.

A block mouse wouldn't really feel much different probably.

[Wwhat @ Nov 4th 2007 8:37AM]

Ha, well my hands are 'too big' too in that sense, but I'm glad because I'm not some ape who has to hold a mouse with all of his hand, I hold it with my fingers/thumb.

[majortom @ Nov 4th 2007 10:07AM]

well, a mouse fits comfortably in my hand, does that mean that I have a small... oh wait, that only correlates to SHOE size! Got worried for a second.