mousepad
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Microsoft's useless "Designer Series" USB Hub mousepad
Besides the fact that mousepads are technically made obsolete by the existence of optical and laser mice, this is one particularly backwards example of a mousepad. The Microsoft Designer Series 4 Port USB Hub Mousepad is just that: a mousepad with 4 USB ports. About the only thing that it brings to your desk is a bunch of cable clutter, as the Hub itself is only USB 1.1 compatible, and as the image above shows, there's a fair degree of curling at the edge due to its roll-up packaging, and curling has to be the biggest no-no when it comes to mousepads. Move along, nothing to see here.
QinetiQ develops mouse-less mousepad
U.K. defense and security firm QinetiQ -- you may remember them from such fun-filled gadgets as exploding ink and the Millimeter Wave see-it-all-o-vision -- have turned their attention to slightly more mundane endeavors, developing what is effectively a mouse-less mousepad. Dubbed for patenting purposes the "non contact human-computer interface," the system consists of an array of infrared emitters and sensors that work in conjunction to detect the position of a hand moving above them (as artfully illustrated above). While it can be used to control simple cursor movement, the device one-ups the venerable mouse in at least one area, boasting the ability to recognize various gestures to perform more complex tasks -- for instance, moving your hand in a circle to shut down your computer, or flashing a gang sign to open up your favorite website (we're hoping). While there's no word when it might actually be available, QinetiQ says it should be fairly inexpensive, as it relies on the same infrared diodes commonly used in television remotes, and we all know there's no shortages of those.[Via New Scientist Tech]
Thanko's hand-warming mousepad is Shamu-approved
Just in case you're too manly to rock the oh-so-toasty G-Gloves, and the hand-warming mouse wasn't functional enough, Thanko's busting out yet another zany offering to get your fingers (and hand, and wrist) nice and warm during the sub-zero winters some of us must endure. The USB / AC-powered, um, blue whale sports an insulated compartment to stuff your plain ole mouse as well as your mousing hand. There's also a "high / low" switch to control the fiery depths within, and just in case you'd rather not use your insulating mammal while on the PC, you can optionally connect it to any AC power source and attempt to shove both hands in simultaneously. The warm whale mousepad is available now to heat up those long, freezing evenings spent perusing through Engadget archives for just ¥2,480 ($21).[Via Akihabara News]
The Reaper gaming mouse and FragMat mouse pad from Ideazon
If you've been looking for a dedicated gaming mouse to give you the upper-hand during those endless hours you spend enveloped in virtual worlds, but aren't willing to lay down some serious cash for products like the $100 Heäd$h0t, custom keyboard manufacturer Ideazon may have just the rodent for your needs. You probably already know Ideazon from the configurable keyboards it makes (the ones with replaceable keysets covered in game-inspired graphics), and now the company has branched out in order to occupy your right hand along with your left, recently announcing the ominously-titled Reaper. The highlights here -- 1,600 DPI resolution, six programmable buttons, and rubberized left and right clicks -- make the Reaper sound like a good-but-not-great fragging accessory, although its $40 price tag should help you overlook the lack of adjustable weighting, in-depth macros, and multitude of LEDs found on pricier models. Also scheduled for a November release is the $15 FragMat, an oversized, slim profile mouse pad whose gliding surface apparently makes it far superior to the magazine or Garfield-themed pad you're currently using to wreak digital havoc.Read- The ReaperRead- FragMat[Via CrunchGear]
F1's $500 carbon fiber mousepad for the rich and insecure
We thought $50 was a lot to spend on Kokuz's mousepad made of 200-year old elm wood, but apparently we hadn't seen anything yet. F1 racing is hocking a mousing surface made of polished carbon fiber, leather and Italian suede for a whopping $489.34 ($470.52 if you don't need the leather surface), boasting that it was made by "specialist composite technicians." Sure, it will probably look great sitting next to your new Acer Ferrari 1000/5000 and Pininfarina-designed external HDD, but we can't help but think how much more impressed we'd be with someone who took a little initiative and built their own air-cooled mousepad or, better yet, embraced the unique pointing technology of the Novint Falcon.
