CordlessMouse
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Logitech's V550 Nano Clip-and-Go Mouse with 18 months of go at a clip
Today Logitech is unveiling its V550 Nano cordless laser mouse. This $60 mouse packs a few tricks including that itty bitty 2.4GHz USB nano receiver, 18-month life off 2x AA batteries, and "Clip-and-Go Dock" which affixes to your laptop. the 3.91 x 2.28 x 1.34-inch V550 also features Logitech's superb hyperfast scrolling. Expect it to ship sometime later this month in the US and Europe.
Buffalo intros mobile mouse with retractable USB
If you're looking to cut down on cable clutter in your laptop bag but not willing to go all out for a cordless mouse, you may want to take a gander at Buffalo's latest offering here, which manages to pack a retractable two-foot USB cable into its tiny shell. Apart from that bit of innovation, however, the mouse looks to be entirely unspectactular, with Buffalo only saying that it has "high accuracy tracking" of an unspecified resolution. It does pack the advantage of coordination though, with the mouse available in your choice of silver, white, or black, each setting you back 3,980 Yen ($33). And if you want to take the plunge and go cordless, Buffalo's got you covered there as well, announcing a nearly identical-looking mouse that replaces the wind-up USB with a wireless receiver, and a promised 157 hours of use from the required two AA batteries. Look for it to run a slight premium, demanding 5,320 Yen ($44) when it launches later this month.[Via Akihabara News]
Logitech MX Revolution laser mouse reviewed
The most telling line from ExtremeTech's review of the $99.99 Logitech MX Revolution mouse -- which we also got our hands upon recently -- is: "The MX [comes] with a learning curve". The reason for this? An inordinate number of features that results in a mouse that takes some getting used to. Starting with the scroll wheel, Logitech has devised a way of integrating both the ratcheted type of scroll with the free-spin variety: by default, the mouse will switch between the two modes depending on how fast the user is scrolling. Users can tweak the speed at which the mouse will switch into free-spin mode, and yes, there's a ratcheted only option. The next notably new feature is the "document flip", a second scroll wheel located just above the thumb rest that functions as an application switcher if you decide not to change the software settings. Finally, there's a dedicated search button on the top of the mouse that will either, a) start an internet search for a selected word or, if you don't have anything selected, will b) take you to the homepage of your preferred search engine. In practice, the reviewer found the new features to be in need of a little polish: the scroll wheel was a little too eager to switch into free-spin mode (and doesn't double as a middle mouse button), the document flip felt a little redundant, and the one touch search button bugged-out a few times. Underneath all the features is a relatively basic, multi-buttoned cordless laser mouse -- the 800 DPI sensitivity is nothing to write home about -- but the ergonomics and design live up to the high standards we've come to expect from Logitech. The reviewer concludes that the extra features probably aren't necessary, but could in the long term increase user productivity if prospective buyers spend some time customizing the button functions and getting used to the new features. If you think you can do without the new features, you might consider picking up one of Logitech's other no-frills gaming mice, which feature much higher sensitivities and equal, if not lower, prices.
