BluetoothMouse
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Dell Streak gets cozy with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, suddenly looks small (video)
Look what we have here? The Dell Streak sure keeps bringing us more and more surprises -- unlike most Android devices that lack the Bluetooth HID profile, here it is paired up with our wireless keyboard and mouse (Apple's Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse, specifically) without any driver hacks. Streak Smart, who made this discovery, had the same experience as us with its iGo Stowaway keyboard and an unknown mouse -- typing was as smooth as cutting butter with a hot knife, but the mouse couldn't do much due to the lack of pointer and scrolling support. If you insist, the forthcoming Nokia N8 is confirmed to support both devices natively, but it shouldn't be long before we see a mouse hack for the green bot. Hands-on video after the break, and do also head over to the source link if you need more convincing. P.S. -- Since commenter dudeville was asking, here's how to pair the Apple keyboard with the Streak: type a four-digit PIN on the phone when prompted, then type the same number on the keyboard and press the enter key. Good luck!
Nokia N8 meets Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, has a good time (video)
No, we're not revealing some great hidden feature here -- Nokias have been able to pair with Bluetooth devices since pretty much forever -- but throw a complete set of desktop implements together with the Finnish company's greatest new phone, and sparks of interest do fly. In this case, a pair of keen fellas have hooked a portable keyboard and a Logitech mouse up to the N8 and had some fun videotaping their exploits. If you're thinking this would make a pretty killer combination with the N8 plugged into an HDTV, well... you'd be right. Catch the video after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Magic Mouse syncs with jailbroken iPad, enabling cursory cursor control (video)
The pun is so obvious it practically insults your intelligence, but we just can't help ourselves -- the iPad has just gotten a little more magical. Using the BTstack application that brought Bluetooth mouse support to iPhone, enterprising individuals discovered the same technique works on a jailbroken iPad as well, and hooked up Apple's own Magic Mouse to show it off to the world. Mind you, while this implementation does look quite useful, we do detect the barest hint of lag -- so it may not be your weapon of choice for pixel-doubled Doom sessions. Video after the break.
Razer Orochi now shipping in limited quantities, we go hands-on
Remember when Razer introduced its first-ever mobile gaming mouse? No worries -- July was indeed a long, long time ago. At any rate, the Bluetooth 2.0 / USB Orochi, which was engineered to fit within knapsacks and backpacks of road warriors the world over, is now shipping to both US and EU customers... on a limited basis, anyway. Razer claims that stock is arriving in spurts, and if you're greeted with a "sold out" message, there's a special sign-up page to be notified of when the next batch comes in. So, why the fuss? %Gallery-75553%
New Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse arrive at the FCC
Well, well, what's this? A new Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse have arrived at the FCC, and they've got new model numbers of A1314 and A1296 -- the current wireless keyboard is A1255 and the Mighty Mouse is A1197. That's pretty much all we know for now, but these keyboard dimensions are also smaller than the current model, which rules out a return of the numeric keypad -- sorry to dash your hopes, Excel jockeys. Is this the new keyboard rumored to accompany an iMac refresh? We'll have to wait to find out -- but on a similar note, AppleInsider says Steve Jobs himself is leading the development of this new mouse, featuring some kind of multitouch and potentially housed in an aluminum shell. That would certainly explain those multitouch mouse patents we've seen in the past, as well as bring the desktop mousing experience in line with the multitouch action found on the MacBooks -- AI says the new mice somehow enable iPhone-style kinetic scrolling, which would definitely be interesting. So... you want to maybe schedule an event to launch all this stuff, Steve? Update: And... Apple's managed to yank the images out of the FCC filings, which is about as fast as we've ever seen that happen. Update 2: Revised images have been posted, carefully cropped to show only the relevant FCC labeling -- although model numbers remain. This is absolutely the fastest we've ever seen the FCC database change, it's rather impressive. Update 3: AppleInsider's revised their post to say an aluminum mouse is just speculation, so this thing could be plastic after all. Read - Apple Bluetooth keyboard at FCC Read - Apple Bluetooth mouse at FCC Read - AppleInsider post on new mouse
Philips puts a touchpad on a mouse, laughs maniacally
Philips couldn't decide whether you asked for a Bluetooth mouse, a USB mouse, or a touchpad, so it Frankensteined all three together. What can we say about aptly named "Bluetooth notebook mouse SPM9800/10?" Well, if you need a Bluetooth mouse, you can use it like a Bluetooth mouse. If the juice runs out, plug it in via USB and you have a USB mouse and recharge the batteries. But the feature that most differentiates this from other, how we say, 'mash-ups,' is that the click wheel has been replaced with a 360°TouchControl sensor, which is essentially a touchpad on the top of the thing. That's right: lift this thing off the table and use the touchpad to move around on the screen. PowerPoint has never been this sexy! Hits the scene in select European markets soon for about $80.Update: USB cable is for charging only. Odd, we know. [Via Engadget China]
Razer intros Orochi portable Bluetooth gaming mouse, fancy Kabuto surface
It's been a few months since the reptile fanatics over at Razer dished out a new input peripheral, but the wait for yet another ends today with the introduction of the ambidextrous Orochi ($79.99; ships mid-August). Rather than shooting for the desktop gamer, the company is aiming squarely at the laptop crowd with its freshest portable Bluetooth laser mouse, which is the first to offer a 4,000dpi Razer Precision 3G laser sensor and dual-mode wired / wireless functionality. There's also seven programmable buttons, Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity and on-board memory for setting up performance profiles. In related news, the outfit is also issuing a new gaming surface in the Razer Kabuto, an ultrathin, ultra-soft mat that's probably nice, but not quite $19.99 nice.
Ask Engadget: Best Bluetooth mouse out there?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Sang-Jung, who is desperately in search of the perfect cordless critter to take some of the strain away from that trackpad."I'm heading to university next year, and I've purchased a MacBook. I'm also taking my four year old desktop, just in case I'm left with no computers when the MacBook is being repaired or whatnot. With only two USB ports on a MacBook, I want a Bluetooth mouse. Budget is about $100, and of course, it needs OS X support. Thanks for the help!"Alright folks, it's time to get serious. Do you own a Bluetooth mouse that you can recommend? Recommend against? Be sure to spill your thoughts in comments below, and feel free to send in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.
Logitech debuts M555b Bluetooth mouse
Logitech may have thrown caution to the wind with the designs for its recent V220 RF-based laptop mice, but it looks to have brought things back to basics for its new M555b Bluetooth mouse, which packs most of the featured you'd expect in a clean and simple package. That includes five programmable buttons, a 1,000 dpi resolution, an "ultra-fast" scroll wheel, space for a pair of AA batteries, and a sleep mode to help those last a bit longer. Sold? Then plan on spending $59.99 when this one lands later this month.
Sony Japan's aluminum VGP-BMS10 Bluetooth laser mouse
You know, we thought this Vaio mouse that Sony Japan just introduced looked a little familiar -- that's because it's almost a metallic doppelgänger of the company's mouse / VoIP phone combo first spotted way back in the heady days of 2006. The VGP-BMS10 Bluetooth mouse features an aluminum case and a sliding cover (which does double duty as an on/off switch) meant to protect the buttons and jog wheel. And no, you can't place any phone calls with it.[Via Akihabara News]
Razer cranks out Pro|Click Mobile Bluetooth mouse
Razer has certainly been on a tear of late, and the firm is keepin' the new gear flowing with the Pro|Click Mobile. Shipping worldwide today (to retailers, we presume), this diminutive critter touts an ambidextrous design, Bluetooth 2.0, an optical sensor, and four interesting titled colors including "naughty, nice, sugar, and spice (black, white, pink and red respectively)." Unfortunately, interested customers won't be able to get their hands around one until "mid-October" for $49.99
BlueMouse brings mousing to Windows Mobile
Teksoftco has what appears to be a groovy new bit of software for your mobile companion coined "BlueMouse." Installing the software on your Windows Mobile device (we couldn't find mention of what flavors are supported, though we see what appears to be a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC over there to the right) will let you pair and get working with any Bluetooth mouse just like you were at home on your desktop. The software includes 17 custom actions for things like scrolling, opening and closing programs, switching between tasks, and is even GAPI compatible for mobile gaming. While BlueMouse doesn't support the Widcomm Bluetooth stack -- found on some Asus products, for example -- users of most other Windows Mobile devices should be able to click themselves into semi-mobile nirvana with this little software toy.[Via Bluetooth Source]
MacMice ships The Mouse BT II
If dropping 70 bucks on Apple's one two-button Bluetooth Mighty Mouse just wasn't going to happen, then it's highly unlikely you'd spend the same amount on a third-party alternative that may never arrive. Although MacMice hasn't been in the news of late for mysteriously missing shipments, we're still not sure what to make of the company. Nevertheless, it's releasing a new version of The Mouse BT that sports a white outfit in favor of the previous silver, plays nice with OS X and Windows XP, and supports the Bluetooth v1.2 standard as well. This honest-to-goodness two-button mouse certainly resembles the Mighty Mouse, but in place of Apple's miniature trackball is MacMice's "MicroScroll" (i.e. your run-of-the-mill notchless scroll wheel). While The Mouse BT II doesn't support single-battery operation, it does include a nifty USB charging base where you can park your pet for the night to recuperate. Although the company may have a shaky past, the real issue here is the questionable pricing -- unless a charging station just rocks your world, it's unlikely MacMice will win over any potential Bluetooth Mighty Mouse customers by just matching Apple's (debatably high) $69.99.
Apple's Bluetooth Mighty Mouse reviewed
So we're sure there's a select few who have managed to resist the temptation to cut the cord and pick up Apple's newest Mighty Mouse, and unless you simply wouldn't feel whole without having it in your collection, you should probably stick with your current rodent. The Unofficial Apple Weblog tried their best to give an unbiased account on the long-overdue device, and while they appreciated the improved accuracy over typical Bluetooth mice (probably due to its laser), it was pretty much downhill from there. We can't say we're surprised that complaints stemmed from the (still) unergonomic design and the difficulty it presented in mousing to tiny targets. Although it performed well over a myriad of surfaces, TUAW thought it still couldn't provide the precision that USB critters can, and offers up no substantial features (aside from Bluetooth) to justify the hefty $70 price tag -- though they still liked it. Besides the fact that this is the same 'ole Mighty Mouse minus a tail, it would appear to these jaded eyes Apple just hasn't provided a compelling reason to ditch your current pet in favor of one with no strings attached.
