OreObject SPHEREtouch mouse is a $155 ball of touch-enabled steel
By Joanna Stern 
posted February 1st 2010 8:01PM
posted February 1st 2010 8:01PM
Emeryville, CA – February 1, 2010 – OreObject, a newly-launched manufacturer of upscale ergonomic and lifestyle peripherals, today introduced the revolutionary SPHEREtouch handcrafted mouse. The SPHEREtouch represents the flagship product in OreObject's premier line of personal computing peripherals and features innovative, touch-sensitive buttons that are significantly less strenuous on a user's fingers than the conventional mouse.
The innovative touch-sensitive buttons and the vertical button placement are designed to allow fingers to 'dangle' freely when no button actuation is required. Whereas the conventional mouse requires force exertion by the finger every time the mouse button is clicked, a slight tapping motion is all that is required for the SPHEREtouch mouse to accomplish the same task. Base on an internal study conducted in 2009, an average mouse user clicks well over 800 times per day. "You can imagine how much exertion that is applied to a single finger which also does scrolling," said Charles Tseng, founder & chief designer at OreObject.
OreObject's design offers creativity, innovation and luxury that have never before been seen in a computer mouse. OreObject has gone through an intensive material selection process to ensure that the SPHEREtouch possess both advanced functionality and timeless durability. Constructed out of a medical- grade stainless steel enclosure, the solid feel of the mouse in conjunction with the high quality ceramic feet provides the user with a feeling of weightlessness on smooth/non-abrasive surfaces.
The use of multiple high-precision bearings and a large horizontal scroll wheel allows the users to smoothly scroll through long documents or zoom in and out of applications such as Google Earth very much the same as a DJ spins the turntable. "It's very intuitive and creative way of scrolling. You will never go back to scrolling with your index finger again," said Charles Tseng, founder & chief designer at OreObject.
Pricing & Availability
SPHEREtouch is now available for pre-order through OreObject's online boutique (www.OreObject.com). Expected ship date in early March. Three precious metal trims will be offered at the launch – STEEL with satin stainless steel finish for $155, TITANIUM with polished titanium coating for $175, and the PLATINUM with polished platinum finish for $225. Each SPHEREtouch comes with a nylon-mesh tangle-free USB cord, duo- mode buttons, laser-engraved logos, and a microfiber travel pouch. It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X Leopard version 10.4 or later. SPHEREtouch is designed for left or right-handed users.
OreObject is pioneering a new line of upscale, personal computing peripherals. OreObject is committed to providing the most innovative designs in addition to the most intuitive, practical experiences for its end users. Founded in 2009, every OreObject product is assembled by hand at its own assembly facility.
For additional product information: www.OreObject.com
The innovative touch-sensitive buttons and the vertical button placement are designed to allow fingers to 'dangle' freely when no button actuation is required. Whereas the conventional mouse requires force exertion by the finger every time the mouse button is clicked, a slight tapping motion is all that is required for the SPHEREtouch mouse to accomplish the same task. Base on an internal study conducted in 2009, an average mouse user clicks well over 800 times per day. "You can imagine how much exertion that is applied to a single finger which also does scrolling," said Charles Tseng, founder & chief designer at OreObject.
OreObject's design offers creativity, innovation and luxury that have never before been seen in a computer mouse. OreObject has gone through an intensive material selection process to ensure that the SPHEREtouch possess both advanced functionality and timeless durability. Constructed out of a medical- grade stainless steel enclosure, the solid feel of the mouse in conjunction with the high quality ceramic feet provides the user with a feeling of weightlessness on smooth/non-abrasive surfaces.
The use of multiple high-precision bearings and a large horizontal scroll wheel allows the users to smoothly scroll through long documents or zoom in and out of applications such as Google Earth very much the same as a DJ spins the turntable. "It's very intuitive and creative way of scrolling. You will never go back to scrolling with your index finger again," said Charles Tseng, founder & chief designer at OreObject.
Pricing & Availability
SPHEREtouch is now available for pre-order through OreObject's online boutique (www.OreObject.com). Expected ship date in early March. Three precious metal trims will be offered at the launch – STEEL with satin stainless steel finish for $155, TITANIUM with polished titanium coating for $175, and the PLATINUM with polished platinum finish for $225. Each SPHEREtouch comes with a nylon-mesh tangle-free USB cord, duo- mode buttons, laser-engraved logos, and a microfiber travel pouch. It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X Leopard version 10.4 or later. SPHEREtouch is designed for left or right-handed users.
OreObject is pioneering a new line of upscale, personal computing peripherals. OreObject is committed to providing the most innovative designs in addition to the most intuitive, practical experiences for its end users. Founded in 2009, every OreObject product is assembled by hand at its own assembly facility.
For additional product information: www.OreObject.com
thats cool! i can see that going bluetooth.
@HAWKZ
A bluetooth object wrapped in steel or platinum? Would that even work?
This looks like someone has been taking pricing pointers from Art Lebedev.
@Sofabutt
maybe but it would look cool. like someone could be like hey wat is that thing and u coukd say oh its ny computer mouse.
thats cool! i can see it goin bluetooth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAOoXN8LLC0
@BrianH
wtf?
@BrianH
ok that is off topic.
@BrianH
it's not off topic at all, just expresses my opinion of this in video.
it's a overpriced piece of crap, a no no
@BrianH
o ok then
Any more pictures of it or videos of it in action? Looks interesting....
@Emitor
http://www.oreobject.com/pages/main-page
"Dare we say that circular-shaped mice are actually becoming a trend?"
Dare I say you are more about form over function? Hold a ball all day in your hand that size and see how long it takes before your hand turns into a claw that pains in agony.
@thetoad that's what she said
Interesting, but not very practical. How am I going to play CoD:MW2 on that thing?
Agreed...for such a price, it should be bluetooth or something. What benefit is there to justify the price?? If it's just the "platinum" materials than they can take a flying leap...
I'm getting sympathy carpel tunnel pains just looking at it.
What I find funny is that if this were an apple product, there would be an uproar. There would be great debates, snarkey comments, you name it. I love engadget commenters.
@greenestofteas
what are you talking about, this is a piece of shit, and the only people how would buy something like this are the same people who would buy an iPad.
yea, i went there.
@BrianH
Scoll up and see how many people actually think this is a useful product? This thing appeals to the gulliable mac users and thus it needs to be mac compatible. That is all, and that is the truth.
@greenestofteas there seems to be a consensus this belongs in "crapgadget" category.
@thetoad Not practical, just awesome because it's the intersection of input devices and jewelery. If you don't like jewelery, you wouldn't like this either.
@YpoCaramel
Only women or really feminine men wear jewelry. I use gadgets for their functionality not form.
@00iEye00
Phantasm, great movie.
Do they come in brass?
this thing is tight. i would buy one.
@Alexandertron
I'm assuming you own a Mac?
@MrPacMan36
Na i have a windows 7 pc. I am fond of semi-spherical mouses. i feel they are more natural feeling in my hands.
Does it come with the new book "How to get repetitive strain injury faster than ever!"?
@thetoad Begone.
I good product to "persuade" me not to touch it during winter....
STUPID
Will go well with the Microsoft keyboard that can input 26 keystrokes at once.
Balls of STEEL!
@robohoe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XmnN8-1Ld0&NR=1
You can touch my balls for FREE
@00iEye00
I loved Phantasm. Very underrated. The Tall Man and Reggie were awesome.
Looks like the Apple puck mouse and Magic mouse got in a fight. Not pretty....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgls9IwWUyU
Looks like the apple "i"
Yes it’s a ball of steel. However here are some real balls of steel!! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XmnN8-1Ld0&NR=1
I see this as a thing for computers that don't actually get used a lot, maybe on the desk of newsreaders or something, and posh offices where they don't use the actual mouse that much, maybe the reception at an art gallery or something
Looks like a ben-wa ball with a safety cord. Are you sure this is supposed to be manipulated by hand?
I was thinking it looked like a thermal detonator...
@MrVanker
I think homeland security might need a word with you...
@00iEye00
You mean the 'Phantasm' movies, those were great.
This is one case where corded is far better than cordless. How would you wield your steel orb mouse of death without a cord to swing it by?
I've got balls of steel
pretty neat, i should rip apart an old optical mouse and cast one of these in bronze at the shop
Reminds me of the orgasmic orb: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgasmatron
Dude, you're getting a OoGhiJ MIQtxxXA!
150$ for a mouse with "touch-enabled steel"... Must be made by apple. They love charging large amounts of money for things with basic features that look fancy,