Jelfin ball-shaped mouse hand-on

Some wanted to call the Jelfin ball-shaped mouse a crapgadget, but that was until they wrapped their hands around the spherical mouse. We aren't saying the Jelfin is the best mouse in the world or that it makes you forget about your mouse-woes -- that's if you've even ever had them -- but the gel covered ball is comfortable. At first it was a bit odd to navigate our MacBook Pro 13's desktop with a ball in hand, but we got the hang of it. But while we like the feel of the buttons, which are differentiated with raised gel lines, they don't have enough give and we had to press too hard to double click. We also aren't thrilled that its got a long white USB cord, either. Chances are you'll be better suited by a Logitech for real productivity, but we did enjoy using a ball as a mouse more than we ever could have imagined.

Jelfin mouse hands-on

[Acey Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:35AM]

Ew

[MoonWalkerCTE Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:42AM]

@(Unverified)

Ditto

[TonyMontana2367 Posted Jan 10th 2010 11:29AM]

@(Unverified)

Balls-on?

[sharkync Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:42AM]

I'll stick with my Razer Salmosa thank you - all around a great, responsive mouse.

[s2m0 Posted Jan 10th 2010 11:57AM]

@sharkync I have three of these I got from Woot.com at $13.37 apiece and they're a great mouse to give away to family members but it sucks not having a thumb button.

[JoeJoeJoeJoeJoe Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:44AM]

Hasn't anyone learned a lesson from the mice that came with those fruity colored iMacs?

[CJ Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:17AM]

The iMac mouses were MUCH flatter. Like, the flatness of a normal mouse, just half the surface area.

[barry99705 Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:41AM]

@CJ That's not the point. The mouse would turn in use then up wouldn't be up and the pointer would go off in odd directions.

[TikiTeko Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:49AM]

Nothing like the Microsoft Natural Wireless Mouse:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=086

I've been using it for years now. I used to have wrist pain associated with mouse / keyboard use. After I got the MS Natural set (the keyboard is awesome too) the pain is gone. I carry it everywhere I go.

I saw another vertical mouse being sold at dell, but it was too tall. It is called KeyOvation. It is expensive too:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/I_O_Devices/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=A1985434

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:56AM]

@TikiTeko
You carry your mouse everywhere you go? I'm feel really sorry for you..

[CoffeeCoffee Posted Jan 10th 2010 12:02PM]

@TikiTeko

Microsoft whore.

[Dummy00001 Posted Jan 10th 2010 4:10PM]

@CoffeeCoffee. C'mon. MS does some decent hardware. Mice, tracks balls and keyboards are all of good quality. I wouldn't for their software - but I use for past 10+ years their "Natural" keyboards and my experience is nothing but positive. Had to replace only once because Space button surface wore off...

[Nubee Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:51AM]

at least it's comfortable (?)...
it'd be kinda hard to stick that thing in your laptop bag...

[NaJaKwa Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:06AM]

Gel or no, that is a crapgadget if I ever saw one.

[DaytonXD9 Posted Jan 10th 2010 4:40PM]

@NaJaKwa Tried this out at the show. Feels cheap and awkward--like it's going to give you bad hand cramp. Not to mention the booth owner waaaaaaay over selling the thing (including the "free" can that it's sold in to use as a portable carrying device). I'd give it a crap-gadget award.

[NaJaKwa Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:07AM]

@(Unverified)
that is sooooo straight.

[To Hell Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:09AM]

Guys already surf the net half the time with ball in hand.

[To Hell Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:12AM]

I shall name that Dell jobbie Mount Mousemore.

[Wwhat Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:13AM]

Seriously I think the secret is that designers say 'how would a toddler use electronics' and then come up with touch interfaces and balls and soon pacifier controllers if they find a plausible disguise for it.

[CJ Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:20AM]

Couple of these in each hand and it's a typical Friday night, eh fellas?

... Or maybe I just end up at the wrong clubs...

[iMiiTH Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:23AM]

The Puck Mouse has evolved.

[VF34WRX Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:27AM]

Word

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:40AM]

If those are a man's hands, you seriously need to cut your nails.

[Hotrod Posted Jan 10th 2010 12:22PM]

@(Unverified) Those are definitely a chicks hands, they're hairless.

[Shawn Posted Jan 10th 2010 2:46PM]

@Hotrod It's the hand of Engadget editor Joanna. I believe she is pretty new to the Engadget team as she has only done about 35 articles so far.

[shakeoctane Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:16PM]

@Hotrod And finely manicured

[hq Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:59AM]

"At first it was a bit odd to navigate our MacBook Pro 13's desktop with a ball in hand"

So how do you navigate porn sites then? :P

[scotttherobot Posted Jan 10th 2010 11:50AM]

How in the world is that optical mouse working on that glass table?

[amnesia Posted Jan 10th 2010 1:02PM]

that's NOT unique at all... Sony had a similar mouse (I used to use it in 2002 I think).

It was red, wireless, came with a little dock unit.

So I would dig that one up engadget...

[ColorblindMonk Posted Jan 10th 2010 1:36PM]

Carpel Tunnel at its finest.

[schneiderman Posted Jan 10th 2010 2:04PM]

I have a review on my site

[ijames99 Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:07PM]

What's your site?

[schneiderman Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:18PM]

@ijames99 Gadgetmac.com

[Drlau9 Posted Jan 10th 2010 8:04PM]

I have a hunch that this is not going to catch on.

[shakeoctane Posted Jan 10th 2010 9:15PM]

Until I get a hand's (ball's?) on I will think this looks stupid...

[mtnDewFTW Posted Jan 10th 2010 10:44PM]

This is something you would give to a friend you don't care about as a joke.

I'd much rather stick with my Magic Mouse.
It just looks like the Jelfin mouse would get dirty and that ball would probably attract all kinds of dirt and sticky stuff to it.

[keithwwalker Posted Jan 12th 2010 4:23AM]

Soon to be featured in SNL's Appalachian Emergency Room...