Oh! Gizmo

By Chris Scott Barr

Remember that cool video I showed you not long ago from Microsoft? I’m referring to the one that showcased all of their ideas for a multi-touch mouse. Well in a completely unsurprising move, Apple has released their own such mouse, dubbed the Magic Mouse.

This new mouse is the first to incorporate multi-touch technology. It uses only a single button, much like every other mouse Apple has released. However, the surface of the mouse tracks exactly where your fingers are, and issues commands based on that. For instance, clicking on the right side will result in a right-click. You can also use some gestures (much like the trackpads on newer MacBooks), though they are limited to scrolling, zooming and navigation back-and-forth through web pages.

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By Chris Scott Barr

My computer setup is rather complicated, as I have a pair of monitors hooked to my desktop PC, plus I use my MacBook with another monitor attached to it. I’ve been using one of Logitech’s Alto laptop stands, which certainly helps things out. It not only gives me a nice stand that keeps the notebook’s screen at the same height as my monitor, but it also has a wireless keyboard that goes with it. Well today Logitech announced the successor to this, the Notebook Kit MK605.

The MK605 Kit comes with a much more simplistic riser than the Alto. No electronic components are integrated into it, but it does have three different angles at which it can hold your laptop. You’ll also find a fairly basic wireless keyboard and mouse set (K340 and M505 respectively) that work with the Unifying technology we’ve seen lately. You’ll just need one tiny receiver for both peripherals. Batteries won’t be too much of an issue, as the keyboard will last 3 years and the mouse 15 months between sets. If you use your laptop for long periods on your desk, this $99 set will be well worth the money.

[ Logitech ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Last month we told you about a new keyboard and mouse set from Logitech called the MK700. At first glance it seemed like any other wireless combo, but under the surface there were a few things to note. Namely the new “Incurve keys” and an amazing battery life. Well I’ve spent a couple of weeks with this pair of peripherals, and today I’ll share my thoughts.

Features

The second-most notable feature are the new Incurve keys, which are concave keys with rounded edges. These are supposed to be more comfortable than your average keyboard. The battery life is definitely the number one feature, as the mouse can go a year and the keyboard a full three years before either needs a new set of AA’s. An LCD dashboard tells you the status of things like your battery, Caps Lock and Num Lock. Hyper-fast scrolling and a 2.4GHz wireless transmitter round out the main features of this duo.

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This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net
In my free time when I’m not gaming I’m generally programming, working on my own hit game. This involves a lot of traversing through source code, generally many lines of it. In the past this act would get very cumbersome, that all changed the day the Logitech Performance MX landed on my desk. The Hyper-fast scrolling feature allows me to reach from one end of my code to the other with a single flick of the wheel.

The Logitech Performance MX mouse also comes equipped with Darkfield Laser Tracking technology that allows it to work on just about any surface. Having a glass desk I found this most intriguing and was surprised at just how well Logitech delivers on this feature. Having spent time using it in both a work environment and gaming sessions I can’t tell a difference when using it on a mouse pad or the glass surface directly.

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By Andrew Liszewski

These days there are mice that cater to everyone from gamers to road warriors, so why should the DJ’ing community be left out? The DJ Mouse from DJ-Tech is designed to work with the company’s Deckadance software and features a multi-function jog wheel for scratching or cuing up tracks that’s also back-lit with a glowing blue ring making it easier to see in the dark. The DJ Mouse also features a scroll wheel and a set of standard mouse buttons that can be configured to control a host of other features in the Deckadance software like triggering loops and samples, controlling knobs and faders or setting cue points. $79 available directly from DJ-Tech.

[ DJ-Tech DJ Mouse ] VIA [ Everything USB ]

By Chris Scott Barr

If you spend most of your workday at a computer like I do, then you’ll want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. A comfortable chair, a nice big monitor to look at and a good keyboard/mouse set are probably the most important. Today, Logitech announced their new Wireless Desktop MK700 keyboard and mouse, which are aimed at being both comfortable and convenient to use.

The new MK700 keyboard features a new type of key that they’re calling “Incurve keys.” These concave keys are supposed to keep your fingers in the right place and have softly curved edges to be more comfortable when moving from key to key. Other features like a cushioned palm rest and longer key travel should make things more comfortable in general.

So what makes this set so “convenient” you say? Well you’ve got things like an LCD dashboard that lets you know things like the status of Caps Lock, Num Lock and your battery life. They’re also using 2.4GHz wireless technology to ensure a strong connection (up to 30 feet away), because no one likes pressing a key and having nothing happen. The real kicker is the battery life. You can expect the batteries in your mouse to last for up to a year, while the keyboard can go up to 3 years without needing changed. Oh, and that’s on 2 AA batteries each. I hate changing out batteries, and measuring the time between changing them in years instead of months should be enough of a selling point for some people. Look for the MK700 bundle later this month for around $100.

[ Logitech ]

By Chris Scott Barr

I can’t honestly count the number of mice I’ve gone through in the last 5 years or so. Sometimes I get new ones to review, other times I just buy one because I think it’ll end up being better than whatever I’m currently using. However, I still usually end up coming back to the same old Logitech wireless mouse that I’ve had for 5 years. The reason? It’s just more comfortable than the rest. Comfort should be the most important factor in a mouse, which is exactly why I would never dream of buying this MouseBlister.

These strange-looking rubber bits you see attached to that perfectly good mouse are what make up the MouseBlister. They are apparently crafted from motorcycle grips to be the most comfortable things out there. The company claims that it will reduce CTS symptoms and minimize the long-term wear and tear on a person’s hand. For $9 you get 25 of those little pads. Or you could just buy a mouse that’s comfortable to use instead of padding a crappy one.

[ MouseBlister ] VIA [ UberReview ]

This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

When it comes to gaming hardware the first things to pop into mind are generally the CPU/RAM and video card. It wasn’t until I set aside the trusty wireless mouse that came with my old Logitech keyboard to review the OCZ Behemoth Laser Gaming Mouse that I realized just how much this device plays into the gaming experience.

Right out of the box my first impression was that it appears rather bulky, I say appears because once it was plugged in and in my hand it felt very comfortable. The extra width comes from the erganomic design which provides a comfortable rest for the ring and pinky fingers. This had a impact during a long gaming session with the new Ghostbuster’s game. One requirement in the game is to target and wear down ghosts which on harder difficulty settings can take a considerable amount of time. The lack of fatigue in my hand afterwards was noticeable.

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By Shane McGlaun

I used to have a HTPC system in my entertainment center, but it kept overheating thanks to low airflow inside the cabinet. The big issues with a HTPC are getting a keyboard and a mouse that work easily with the system. The keyboard isn’t that hard, but finding a mouse that can work while you sit on the couch can be a pain.

If you have a PC in your living room Hillcrest Labs has announced that its Loop pointer is now available on Amazon.com and directly from its website. The pointer looks like a bracelet from the 80’s but it is a full mouse that works in the air and needs no surface.

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