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Logitech reveals Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard / mouse tandem
Hard to believe it has been well over a year since Logitech unveiled its original Cordless Desktop, huh? As of today, said outfit is formally introducing the Cordless Desktop Wave Pro, a two-pack that includes the Wave Keyboard and the MX1100 laser mouse. You're plenty familiar with the first half of the equation, but the new critter promises to last up to six whole weeks on a full charge, and the included USB plug enables users to charge and work if they're okay with a temporary tether. You'll also find a 1,600DPI sensitivity rating, MicroGear precision scroll wheel and eight programmable buttons. Look for the happy couple to land in the US in October and Europe in mid-November for $129.99, while the mouse alone will go for $79.99 two months earlier in each region. Full release after the jump.
LapWorks Gamers Desk enables couch-based PC gaming
Or you could say it enables you to keep your fundament firmly planted for, oh, ever. Yes friends, LapWorks' Gamers Desk essentially eliminates the need to get up and move over to the family PC where a mouse / keyboard combo can guide you to victory in yet another deathmatch. This lapboard (no, not that Lapboard) keeps a keyboard and mouse within reach of couch-based gamers, enabling them to fire up WoW on their HTPC and still maintain the edge afforded to them by using the aforementioned KB / critter tandem. The unit itself measures 11-inches wide by 26.75-inches across, is made from ABS plastic and includes non-skid rubber pads on the underside to keep it from slipping around in that pile of Doritos. It's available now in gun-metal gray for $39.95, but a few more hues should be ready to roll later this year for those patient enough to wait around.
Kinesis Freestyle
Kinesis (from the Greek kinetikos, or "damn you, carpal tunnel syndrome!") have released a Mac addition to their Freestyle line of ergonomic keyboards, which allow users to split the keyboard in half for optimal positioning. This is accomplished via Kinesis' Pivot Tether™ technology, which appears to be, uh, a cable that connects the two halves of the Freestyle. Kidding aside, this actually looks like a nice solution for those of us whose wrists are ravaged by unfriendly keyboards. I particularly love the big Esc/Force Quit button up on the top left -- clearly the design team at Kinesis has the same build of Firefox I do.$99 for the Freestyle and $40 each for the Incline and VIP snap-on accessories, which provide a 10 degree slope and wrist supports, respectively.[via Gizmodo]
AlphaGrip Handheld Computer concept mimics Atari Jaguar controller
You never really know what you're going to get when peering through entries in Microsoft's Next-Gen PC Design Competition, and the above pictured device is definitely evidence of that. The AlphaGrip Handheld Computer (or AlphaGrip HC, for short), boasts full-size rocker keys on the front along with a flip-up display and a keypad made specifically for thumb-typing. There's also a trackball for mousing about and a slew of buttons to handle "sophisticated PC games" while standing on a crowded subway. Still, we can't help but notice just how much this thing reminds us of our days tinkering with the defunct-from-birth Atari Jaguar, and we also can't imagine anyone with a shred of dignity ever pulling this abomination out in public. Kudos for imagination, though.[Via OhGizmo]
Dreamcom 10 series laptop is totally adjustable, ergonomic
CeBIT never fails to produce some fairly zany kit, and just like last year, we've got yet another incredibly weird laptop hitting the scene that promises to be your neck's best friend. The Dreamcom 10 series machine features a vertically adjustable LCD along with a docking station to avoid using that totally cramped integrated keyboard. If you can make it past the outside without gagging (okay, so it's not that bad... maybe), you'll find a 2.2GHz T7500 processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a couple of USB 2.0 ports, ExpressCard slot, 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600, Bluetooth / WiFi and a 160GB hard drive for good measure. Not a peep has been uttered in regard to pricing, but c'mon, your health is worth whatever they charge, right? [Via MobileMag]
Wow-Pen's Joy mouse is a like a fat, melted marker
It's strange how "ergonomic" devices rarely look like they'd be comfortable to use. Such is the case with the Wow-Pen Joy, a new mouse that conforms to the hand like a pen would, apparently making your computing experience a little less tough on the wrists. Although it resembles one of your clay sculptures from elementary school, the twisted lump of plastic sports 800 dpi resolution and can be jacked right into any XP or Vista machine. We can't promise this will actually help with the chronic, stabbing wrist pain caused by your "regular" mouse (see inset), though we can tell you it won't break the bank at 20,000 KRW, or about $30.
Philips doles out new mice and keyboards
In typical Philips fashion, the firm has yet again chosen to unleash a barrage of new gear simultaneously, and this time around its the mice and keyboard lineups getting a few new siblings. Starting us off is the SPM8713 1,600 DPI laser mouse, which was designed on the small side to cater to laptop users, and the "soft silicon cushions" purportedly keep that cramped hand a bit more comfortable. The SPM7711 borrows most of the same features as the aforementioned critter, but markets itself to the desktop user while maintaining the "one-year battery life." The SPM4701 boasts a sleek, black design and internal LED optics, while the unfortunate SPM4700 gets a tail and sports "just" 1,000 DPI. Closing up the rear is the SPT5701, which matches the SPM4701 with a dashing keyboard that touts "drainage holes that can resist some accidental spillage." Unfortunately, we've no idea how much these new input peripherals will run you, but be on the lookout for a May launch in the US and Asia.[Via EverythingUSB]
Saitek's sexy Obsidian mouse incorporates touch-sensitive scroll
If you've found yourself pacing in tense anticipation for Apple's touch-sensitive mousing device, Saitek's latest could definitely calm your nerves and satisfy your desires simultaneously. The sexy Obsidian mouse touts a 1,000 DPI optical tracker, four-way touch-sensitive scroll, a bundled recharge cradle with wireless transmitter, five total buttons, support for Windows / OS X systems, Teflon feet, and best of all, it even includes a pair of Li-ion batteries to keep you mousing all through the night. Additionally, the curvaceous critter doesn't play favorites with dominant hands, as both righties and southpaws alike shouldn't have any qualms handling this one. Currently, the Obsidian is available now for £39.99 ($80) for our pals across the lake, but if you'll just be patient, the device is slated to land on US soil for a mere $49.95 real soon.[Via I4U]
LG's SV280 "banana style phone"
Well, well! Who's copying who now, LG? The Korean firm rethinks (or, at the very least, rips from the Motorola RIZR Z8) ergonomics with its new SV280, apparently inspired by nature's perfect food: the banana. When closed, this clean-lined white slider looks like any other of its kind, but once opened (or is that peeled?), the handset curves to better fit against your face -- and we can easily see the ap'peel' (we so had to get that in somewhere) in that. Features include a 1.3 megapixel camera hidden under the slider, QVGA screen resolution, flashing sidebars for message notification, and an MP3 player. The rest of the phone's spec sheet is a bit of a mystery, but one thing that did pique our curiosity was the mention of "aromatherapy" -- and hey, who doesn't want the subtle scent of delicious fruits wafting toward their nostrils while they're on a call? In light of the local-market "Cyon" branding, expect this one to launch stateside in your wildest dreams only.[Via AVING]
Hela rolls out ergonomic Glider Mouse
While the FINGER, Fluffy Soap, LogiNoki, AquaPoint, and Head$h0t mice definitely border on the weirder side of input peripherals, at least Hela's Glider Mouse seeks to decrease the amount of worldwide carpal-tunnel complaints with its creation. Although it isn't the most flattering design, the ergonomic device attaches to the bottom of your keyboard and sports a central mousing surface, left / right wrist pads, and a sure-to-be-misplaced "glider" that bears a striking resemblance to an air hockey striker. Your cursor is controlled by maneuvering the glider around the center pad, and its forthright location deems it useable for righties and southpaws alike; moreover, the 12 integrated buttons are ideal for the plethora of WoW macros you probably rely on nightly. The Glider Mouse is available in both 15.7- and 18.9-inch flavors to function with just about any notebook or awkwardly-shaped keyboard, but the £149 ($288) and up pricetag will likely have you resorting to more wrist-damaging options anyway. [Via PopGadget]
