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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]
Razer's DeathAdder gaming mouse reviewed
So you've thrown down some major cabbage and gotten yourself a serious gaming PC for the new year, and now you want a mouse just as fitting -- well look no further than Razer's DeathAdder, say the guys over at ExtremeTech. They took the sinisterly-named peripheral for a spin, all the while pitting it against their previous fav, the Logitech G5. Well after some grueling rounds in the pits, the DeathAdder eked out a tie with the champ, garnering a 10/10 rating and the lofty distinction of being one of the best mice they have ever used; Team ExTech loved everything about the slithery rodent, from the feel of the rubberized shell to the perfectly placed thumb buttons to the fully customizable drivers. So based on the review, it seems that any gamer even remotely serious about their ranking should be considering, if not knocking down the doors to add this glowing glory to their arsenal -- if they can deal with "only" five buttons, that is.
Apple receives patent for hybrid low-power Bluetooth mouse
Although it took Apple quite awhile before taking its Mighty Mouse to the Bluetooth realm, it looks like Cupertino could have yet another mousing device up its sleeve, this time requiring a few less AA cells to keep that cursor moving about. In a recent patent granted to the company, plans for a "hybrid low-power computer mouse" were laid out, including mention of the Bluetooth protocol. In a presumed attempt to please environmentalists and cut down on battery requirements, the new device would sport both an accelerometer and an optical tracking engine (hence the "hybrid" moniker), and wouldn't activate the latter until the accelerometer's "tracking information is deemed inadequate," hopefully reducing the power usage in its optical mouse. Of course, we've no idea if (or when) Apple plans on implementing this snazzy new design into their current mice, or if it plans to kick out a different animal altogether, but Mr. Jobs would probably love nothing more than for regulators to grab hold of this and force other mice breeders to lay down royalties for the sake of Mother Earth.[Via SlashGear]
Elecom's PRUMIE mice combat the dreaded "accidental side scroll"
We've got to hand it to peripherals manufacturer Elecom for thinking outside the box and trying to solve a perceived problem with its new PRUMIE lineup of mice -- unfortunately, in our opinion, they addressed the wrong problem. All three PRUMIE models come with the increasingly-standard multi-direction scroll wheel -- meaning that it scrolls both up and down as well as side-to-side -- and in order to combat the dreaded issue of mis-scrolling, the mice come with a "tilt guard" to prevent accidental left and right clicks. Now we can't speak for everyone, but we never really find ourselves side scrolling when we're trying to navigate a page vertically; instead, our biggest problem -- which isn't much of a problem at all, really -- is pushing the wheel too hard and triggering a downwards "scroll click." So if Elecom could do something about this occasional nuisance, we'd be sold, but we certainly wouldn't pick up a PRUMIE for the sole reason of thwarting an "issue" that we never encounter. Still, if accidental side-scrolling just happens to be the bane of your existence, you can grab the M-P1UP2R series (available in six colors) for 3,000 Yen ($26), the M-P2UP2R (three colors, adds thumb buttons) for 3,600 Yen ($31), or the M-P3UP2R (three colors, adds thumb buttons and a "high accuracy laser sensor system") for just 4,800 Yen ($41).[Via Slash Gear]
"His" and "hers" mice for the criminally insane
We're not going to lie to you: we have no idea what the crap is going on here. From what we can glean, these two artifacts are both mice, of the computer variety, with various glitter, glam and appendages to denote "his" (warudekomausu) and "hers" (kawadekomausu) editions. What we can't figure out is why anyone would ever buy one of these. No matter, it won't be our 12,600 yen (about $109 US) down the drain.
Six axis controller constructed from three mice
We've seen some rather interesting mouse mods in our day, with some admittedly being more worthwhile than others, but an engineering mind over at LushProjects has definitely raised the bar quite a bit with his latest. Dubbed Three Blind Mice, the project consisted of two waves and more work than he ever expected, but yielded a very successful six axis (not that SIXAXIS) controller to use in 3D graphics applications such as VVVV. After realizing that panning and shuffling around camera angles with a 2D mouse / keyboard tandem was wasting entirely too much of his life, he embarked on a journey to "run three threads round three rollers from old mechanical mice." After realizing that Windows wasn't exactly keen on making things easy, he diverted his efforts into connecting the mice to the PC via an AVR microcontroller connected to the serial bus. By adding weights to an "opto-mechanical mouse with two horizontal rollers," as well as mounting a shaft and shaft-encoder through the middle of a mouse, he was able to realize all axes and utilize "mind bending math" to translate the mice data to on-screen orientation. While the full skinny is entirely too complex to be covered here, be sure to hit the link if this stuff suits your fancy, but make sure you've got oodles of time before even considering duplicating this one at home.[Thanks, Harry]
Slava Tyukalov's handmade wireless mice
Geek craftsman Slava Tyukalov has put his considerable skills to work to create a mouse for those not satisfied with mass produced, off-the-shelf options, recently unveiling three handmade mice that should better suit your taste. Available in "Black Pearl" (above), "Cold Steel", and "GoldenEye" designs (check out the latter two after the break), each mouse is constructed from a graphite/aluminum composite metal matrix material (which, like Tang, is used by NASA) and is covered with genuine Italian leather, with each also coming packaged in an equally stylish case. The mouse itself is a wireless, optical number, with an adequate 800dpi resolution and three buttons accessible underneath its leather covering. While not one of a kind, the mice are definitely limited and priced accordingly, costing $397 apiece.
Thanko's hand-warming / snow globe holiday mice
If you just so happen to be in the market for a new mouse or off-the-wall hand-warming device, Japan's own Thanko has just the things. If you're down with a bit of holiday cheer, the admittedly unsightly snow globe mouse sports a bright, smiling face across the buttons, actual snow globe in the casing, and USB connectivity; additionally, Frosty can get his party on with the seven color-changing LEDs that light up the dome. If all that glitz just screams overkill, the hand-warmer mouse can keep your palm toasty as the snow trickles down outside your window, and the adjustable temperature knob can prevent unnecessary perspiration from accruing. Both mice sport 800dpi optical sensors and light-up when connected to a powered USB port, and the heater-equipped version can be had for ¥2,980 ($25), while the Santa-approved variety demands just ¥980 ($8.32).Read - Thanko's hand-warming mouse [Via The Raw Feed]Read - Thanko's snow globe mouse [Via The Raw Feed]
MacMice announces Danger Mouse Red
Digging MacMice's laser-based Danger Mouse but not so keen on its unassuming color scheme? Well, the company's aiming to please and to do good deed as well with its latest mouse, taking inspiration from a certain other (RED) organization. While you likely won't be seeing Bono and Oprah sharing a few clicks with one of 'em, MacMice will still be donating a portion of the profit ($3, specifically) from each Danger Mouse Red to a worthy effort, the Peace Village School & Orphanage in Kenya, Africa. Apart from the eye-catching color, the mouse is exactly the same as the regular Danger Mouse, with two buttons to lighten the load on your control key and 1600 DPI to keep your cursor on track. The Danger Mouse is also not the only product getting the "other red" treatment, with a brightly-colored GarageKey MIDI keyboard also available for pre-order. Both should be shipping by the end of the month, with the Danger Mouse Red running $30 and the GarageKey setting you back an even $100.[Via MacMinute]
Mice at KES 2006: Thin is in
As much as we love wrapping a hand around the sexy curves of our ergonomic Logitech mouse, the rather bulky input device isn't always practical for the geek-on-the-go, which is why companies like Samsung have developed waifish little mice such as the model pictured above. On display at this year's Korean Electronics Show, Sammy's travel mouse measures in at only 8-millimeters thick, yet manages to pack in five buttons, a scroll wheel, and the increasingly-obligatory LED light show. Not only that, the little rodent is even able to swallow its own tail, so to speak, thanks to a winding mechanism that draws the USB cord almost completely inside its minuscule body. If for some reason this model is too thick for your tastes, a company called iCantek has taken a cue from the MoGo MouseBT and built its own PC card-sized device (pictured after the break), although this one unfolds a little differently and lacks its competitor's wireless capabilities. And if you're really looking to go small -- small enough that it's uncomfortable to maneuver -- check out the LG FINGER mouse we featured earlier this year, which was recently taken off the market after it was discovered that LG was making them with real fingers.Read- SamsungRead- iCantek
Meet the DN-UM3K, the mic'ed up mouse with a USB hub tail
There's nothing that gets our heart pounding like a good input device, and even though the new DN-UM2B and DN-UM3K aren't exactly going to give the Logitech VX/MX Revolutions a run for their money anytime soon, we're still having palpitations. The DN-UM2B comes in a bright pastel blue, includes a retractable cord, and sports a dual port USB hub at the tail end; its companion, the DN-UM3K (pictured above) comes in a more subdued black, packed with all the same features, plus an integrated microphone that plugs into your PC's audio in port. The pair of mice sell for ¥1,000 ($8.50) and ¥1,300 ($11), respectively -- but now that we think about it, we'd probably rather spend our Hamilton on one of these DVD players, or better yet, a decent lunch.[Via TechJapan]
Soviet-era computer mice were plain, functional
You know, there was a time when the Soviet Union produced some of the greatest technology on Earth. Only problem was that was around 1957 -- and the USSR took another 30+ years to die a slow, painful death. Sometime during the Gorbachev era, scientists discovered "personal computers," and thus began a long tradition of making high-quality computer mice. In fact, the Russians were so good at making mice that they decided to write the word "mouse" on them in Cyrillic and include a little picture so that people wouldn't forget what it was. Perhaps there's a market for this type of antique obsolete computer hardware? Or maybe Logitech's next mouse will be inspired by this classic showing of Russian functionality -- surely that would be better than its sleek designs of today.[Via digg]
Blast from the past: Biker Mice From Mars trailer
Some are calling this a hoax, while others seem to think it a legitmate trailer. We won't fan the flames of speculation and will let you make up your own mind (we're nice like that), yet can't help but think how hard it would be to live as a biker mouse, let alone one that is from Mars. Poor guys, they're just trying to live the American dream!
Bluetooth Mighty Mouse power save hack
When it comes to wireless peripherals, every little bit of battery life counts, so a modder named Ram Sripracha was a little concerned when he noticed that the LED on his new Bluetooth Mighty Mouse stayed lit even when the device was on standby. Since he was already handy with the tools of the trade, Ram cracked open the mouse to test its power consumption with his trusty multimeter, and discovered that it was actually sucking more juice when sitting idle (about .0450 amps) than when in use (around .0285 amps). With the rodent already splayed out on his desk, Ram decided to remove the LED himself and retest the current draw; sure enough, it only used .0017 amps without the light on, or about 3.9% of its draw in an unaltered state. Luckily for you, he also posted an illustrated, step-by-step guide on how to perform this surgery yourself, but be warned that Apple's crack design team made sure that disassembly is more difficult than just unfastening a couple of screws. Also bear in mind that this is just one person's experience, so you'll probably want to make sure that your Mighty Mouse is putting on this perpetual light show as well before you break out the silicone glue and soldering iron.[Via Hack-A-Day]
Unboxing the new Mighty Mouse
While we're certainly not rushing out to snatch up Apple's new Wireless Mighty Mouse, the heavy response to this Bluetooth-equipped rodent makes us think that a lot of you Macheads out there are eager to learn more before laying down your $70. With that in mind, we figured a full gallery of unboxing photos would be just the cure for your Mighty Mouse jones. Keep on reading for a few more pics -- including a comparative shot with the wired version (spoiler: they look exactly alike, save for the "tail") -- and then hit up the Read link to check out the entire set...
Bluetooth Mighty Mouse already available
Well now we know why Apple "forgot" to file for ye olde confidentiality agreement on the Bluetooth Mighty Mouse FCC filing: they were planning on releasing the wireless rodent into the wild just hours after the documents went live. That's right, if you're looking to cut the cord and add some sweet laser-guided precision to your first-gen Mighty Mouse, you can pick up one of these models immediately for $69 (compared to $49 for the wired version). About the only new bit of information revealed on the official product page is the fact that this mouse will operate with either two or just one AA batteries -- you know, for those times when you're looking to shave every conceivable gram off of your travel weight. As much as we love Apple products, the Mighty Mouse has just never been all that comfortable to use; Bluetooth and laser-tracking are certainly nice additions, but until they make these things more ergonomic, we're holding on to our Logitech gear.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Microsoft's Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac
Proving that it still has (some) love for the fiercely-loyal army of Mac enthusiasts (especially the dual-booters), Microsoft has released its first Wireless Laser Desktop for Cupertino-created computers. This new keyboard and mouse set, which features a Comfort Curve ergonomic 'board and high-definition laser mouse, sounds almost identical to the company's Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 (pictured above) which was released last year for Windows machines, except for the addition of Mac-specific modifier and hot keys. Available immediately, this package will set you back $100.
Sandio's Game O' 3D gaming mouse
Serious gamers are always looking for an edge, so any product that promises to transfer to a mouse the movement commands that were formerly restricted to the keyboard is bound to draw some interest. Sandio Technology is showing off one such mouse, the Game O', at E3 this year, calling it "the first and the only six degrees-of-freedom 3D mouse in the IT industry." From what we can tell, the 2000 dpi laser mouse seems to allow players to move in around in 3D space by translating mouse motions into 3D in-game movement, as opposed to just aiming a weapon's crosshair's, when the button above the scroll wheel is depressed. Sandio will be releasing the Game O' "soon," for the not-unreasonable price of $80.Update: Although all the details are still unclear, Ars Technica got a brief hands-on with the Game O', and states that 3D movement is actually accomplished by a joypad on the left side of the mouse that's controlled with your thumb (they say that the top button, or perhaps second joypad, didn't even work in the demo). Oh, and AT doesn't seem all that thrilled with the whole concept, either.[Via MobileWhack, picture courtesy of 4Gamer]
Play against your pets in virtual reality
If you've ever wanted to play something more meaningful than "Fetch!" with your pets, this research project might prove just the thing. A collaboration between the Emerging Art and Architecture Research Group and the Mixed Reality Lab, Singapore, Mice Arena allows your hamster to chase you -- in a virtual reality.By using a tank with an elastic floor, which is manipulated to reflect the digital terrain, pets can experience the virtual world first-hand. It's an interesting idea, though we're hard pressed to see a practical side to it. Still, the researchers are hoping for "unexpected results", so you never know -- we just may learn something after all.[Via Engadget]
Your mighty mice!
Yesterday, we linked to an image that showed up on Flickr that seemed to be the red, glowing visage of a mouse as generated by the light on the underside of an Apple Mighty Mouse. Whether or not Apple intended for their mice to put on this little display is really irrelevant, as it's just fun to show people ("Hey, want to see my mouse's mouse?"). A number of you sent in pictures of your own mice generating the little guy (apparently it works with the older Apple Pro Mice, too). Thanks to Zach, Jason, Jonathan and Gary. We're happy to receive more, so feel free to link to an image of your own mouse's...um...inner mouse.**Kids, do not say "mouse" this many times at home. I am a professional.
