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.

Apple hasn’t always delivered the best mice, so I wouldn’t be surprised to find that this one isn’t quite up to snuff. However, I’m curious to try one out myself. You’ll find these being sold along with the new iMacs, or you can purchase it separately for $69.

[ Apple ] VIA [ Gearlog ]

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.

First Look

The keyboard isn’t going to win any awards in the looks department, as it simply looks about like any other out there. It’s not a bad thing, as keyboards really don’t need to be flashy. The low-profile keys are definitely noticeable, giving it almost a cleaner look. The LCD dashboard is a bit disappointing, as it’s not very easy to see from an angle. It only tells you about battery life and the status of a few keys, which isn’t generally all that interesting. The mouse looks reminiscent of its cousin, the Performance MX. It doesn’t have a 3-LED battery indicator (just one that tells you when its low), and a few other noticeable differences.

Comfort

One of the aims of this set is to be more comfortable that your current keyboard and mouse. I’m coming from a Logitech MX 3200 set, and I can say that both are much more enjoyable to use. I was skeptical about the Incurve keys, however, I soon came to love them. It is rather difficult to describe the keys themselves, but when moving my fingers across them, it seems like much more of a smooth action. Does it actually improve my typing at all? No. I’ve taken several speed tests both before using it, and just before typing this up. All of them were almost identical, regardless of what keyboard I was using. I will say that the biggest difference in comfort can be noted when switching back to the old one.

The mouse is good, but isn’t anything to really write home about. Logitech has found a good design and rolled with it. It is almost identical to the older MX 3200 as far as shape goes. The one-touch search button is more comfortable to strike than the older one, and the zoom buttons have been removed entirely. The biggest improvement to the mouse is the new Hyper-fast scrolling feature. I’m seriously addicted to this, and really don’t want to go back to a mouse that doesn’t have it. My only complaint with the execution in this particular mouse is that it’s rather inconvenient to turn off Hyper-fast scrolling. You have to actually flip the mouse over and flip a switch  to get your old clicky wheel back. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but I liked being able to just click down on the wheel to change it on my Anywhere Mouse MX.

Performance

There’s really not much to talk about in the way of performance. Both the keyboard and mouse work great, and I didn’t experience any dropped signals. I have two other keyboard/mouse sets operating in the same room, and not a drop of interference was experienced, thanks to the 2.4GHz wireless technology. I’d love to rave about the battery life, but it’s just something that I can’t really test. According to Logitech’s software, my mouse still has 321 days of power remaining, while the keyboard simply says the batteries are full. I use my computer more than a lot of people, so it will be interesting to see how long it will really take to drain the batteries. I’ll try to check back in on this when I do end up changing them. (See you late 2010 and again in 2012 I hope!)

Verdict

Logitech has always been king in my book when it comes to keyboards and mice. They have delivered another solid combo, with enough new features to really give you an incentive to upgrade. The Incurve keys really do make a difference, and really, who doesn’t want to measure battery life in years? If you’re in the market for a new keyboard and mouse, Your $100 would be well spent on the MK700 combo.

[ Logitech ]

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.

This mouse also ships with Logitech’s Unifying receiver, a USB receiver that allows multiple Logitech devices to be connected. This receiver is meant to be added and forgotten, which is not too hard given the small size and profile of the device.

In case all the above wasn’t enough the mouse features a rechargeable power system that is managed via a micro-USB cable to either your computer or a wall outlet. Unlike most rechargeable usb mice the Logitech Performance MX can be used even while charging. Having the option to charge it via a wall outlet while still being able to it makes the Performance MX an ideal companion for use with a laptop on the go.

After over a week of extensive use I believe I’ve found a new favorite mouse in the Logitech Performance MX. It packs a lot of functionality and innovation into contoured design and while the $99.99 MSRP price tag may seem steep at first a quick look back over the features, in addition to the cost of batteries saved, makes for a mouse that’s worth every cent.

[ Logitech ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

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.

Speaking of Ghostbuster’s and its precision requirements for paranormal investigations and eliminations, it provided the OCZ Behemoth another opportunity to shine via it’s high precision double laser engine and an easy accessible hardware dpi selector. Capturing ghosts requires a very precise and steady aim, setting the OCZ Behemoth’s dpi selection to the low 800dpi setting during those times is a sure way to wrangle even the squirmiest of ghosts. Switching back to a higher dpi for moving around the environment was easy and after a few times switching between the two became an afterthought. On my old mouse the sensitivity would have been frustrating at best and even after tweaking would never have matched the precision and ease of use that the OCZ Behemoth provides.

If I’m not busting ghosts I can also be found drudging around Wastelands in Fallout 3. In this type of game where exploration plays as much of a role as combat I like to lean heavy on the mouse to handle most of the controls while traversing new territory. Configuring the OCZ Behemoth’s programmable buttons is a simple process and with the onboard memory those settings can go with you to any PC.

The OCZ Behemoth Laser Gaming Mouse packs a lot of features into its ergonomic black shell, but the best feature by far has to be the price. For other mice with comparable features the range is generally $60 to $100, the OCZ Behemoth retails at $39.99 and can be found at online retailers such as newegg.com for $10 under that. At half the price of most other gaming mice the value the OCZ Behemoth Laser Gaming Mouse provides will be tough to beat.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

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.

The device is silver and black with four mouse buttons and a scroll wheel. The mouse connects to Mac and PC systems via a USB transceiver. The Loop was originally a concept device to show off the Freespace mousing technology but can now be purchased for $99.99.

Hillcrest Labs ]

By Evan Ackerman

Computer mice come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and styles, but generally, they have one characteristic in common: a flat surface on the bottom to keep the mouse stable. I mean, you want your mouse to be stable, right?

Right?

Don’t you?

NO. NO YOU DON’T. IT’S BAD, STABLE IS BAD. Or at least, a stable object that you use repetitively has the potential to maybe cause you some mild discomfort or pain. The Tru:Motion mouse from Smartfish can help alleviate repetitive stress injuries by wiggling around to better conform to your natural hand and arm position. The mouse pivots on its base (a stable base) from side to side and front to back to allow you to keep your wrist more relaxed.

I’m hoping that the mouse in the picture above is just a prototype design, ’cause a mouse like this is targeted at hardcore computer users, most of whom probably expect more than two or three buttons. Personally, I need a minimum of five to be productive.

Smartfish also makes a wiggling keyboard and a wiggling game controller, and they’re somehow working on a PDA, a laptop, a touchscreen keyboard, and power tools that incorporate the same actively ergonomic technology.We’ll see the mouse out at the beginning of August for $60, and the keyboard will follow at the end of August for $150.

[ Smartfish ] VIA [ DVICE ]