17 Jun
Posted by scottc as Input devices, Kensington
Kensington just announced 2 new input devices. The SlimBlade™ Bluetooth® Presenter Mouse ($59.99) is a Bluetooth enabled laser mouse with presentation buttons.
The second new mouse is the Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver ($39.99). This mouse features a rubberized exterior and a tiny RF receiver that is so small, it can be plugged into your notebook, and stay there when you stow your machine.
Both products are available for pre-order now and come with an impressive 5 year warranty. Sorry for the silly title, but even Google couldn’t deliver a reliable answer to my question.
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27 May
Posted by Seth as Being productive, Input devices, Kensington, Product Reviews
In the world of external mice for a laptop, there is a very fine line between too bulky to justify making room for in the laptop bag and too small to be functional. The MoGo mouse clearly is the slimest and lightest option on the market, and I’ve been using one for about a year now, so I’ve grown accustomed to its lighter than air feel. Still, there are times when I want something a bit more substantive to use, particularly when I’m deskbound for a few days at a time. And thanks to Kensington, I have found a winner: the Ci75m Wireless Notebook Mouse.
The Ci75m stands 0.65″ off the desk. It is huge compared to the MoGo while folded up, but it is actually the same height as the MoGo when active. And you can actually put weight on the Ci75m without worrying about accidentally closing it and disconnecting. It also includes a clickable scroll wheel which is very nice to have.
Like most of the wireless mice on the market it uses a proprietary wireless transmitter rather than BlueTooth. This is a pet peeve of mine and I cannot figure out how the cost of producing a dedicated transmitter is less than buying a BlueTooth chipset, but that is the only reason I can come up with for why vendors continue in this direction. The wireless is reliable and I’ve had no range issues nor have I had reception issues of any sort. At least the dongle stores in the bottom of the device without adding to the size at all. The wireless runs on a pair of AAA batteries, so easy to replace as necessary, though I haven’t managed to wear mine out yet after a relatively busy week of use.
One unique feature that the Ci75m has is the ability to work in a wired mode, in addition to wireless. The USB receiver has both the radio in it as well as a Mini-USB connector to receive the cable from the mouse. As soon as you go wired the radio shuts off. This is great for working on an airplane, assuming you can find room to use an external mouse. The cable is just over two feet long, providing plenty of range of motion. And in an impressive feat of industrial design, the cable remains stored inside the device while not in use, wrapped up around the outside of the body with the plug safely secured. The top is secured via magnets, so even an incessant fidgeter like me cannot break the plastic catch that is holding the top onto the base.
I love the form-factor of this device, especially compared to the many “travel” mice that seem to be shaped more like a racquetball than anything particularly ergonomic. And I’m willing to cut them some slack on the proprietary wireless connection since the same dongle also adds the wired support for the mouse. Overall, the Ci75m is a keeper. I still like my MoGo for ulta-portability, but this is a great compromise, especially for those with big hands who are worried about “crushing” the little MoGo.
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23 May
Posted by scottc as Deals, Input devices
Hurry up with this one, as of 2pm CST you only have 2 more hours to purchase this kit. For $49.99 you get the MoGo mouse AND the tiny MoGo Bluetooth adapter.
The final discount will be applied when you checkout, so don’t be scared of the $79.99 price you see at first.
Purchase link: Amazon.com
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Remember that MoGo mouse review I posted back in March? If you are a MoGo mouse user, then MoGo have 2 new accessories that might come in handy.
Their new USB chargers allow you to charge the mouse without the need for using the PC Card or Expresscard slot.
Like many of you, I often travel with a broadband cellular card, which means I have no way of charging my MoGo mouse when I’m online. With this USB charger you can recharge your mouse in a matter of minutes, without having to go offline.
USB chargers are available for the MoGo mouse BT (PC Card) and the MoGo X54 mice (Expresscard). Each charger is $19.99 and ships for just $5.
Product page: MoGo store
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18 May
Posted by scottc as Input devices, Mobile applications, Windows Mobile
Back in March I reviewed the Mogo Mouse, and in that review I mentioned that I had used it on my PDA. Several people emailed me asking for more information on how I accomplished that. So I’ll show you how a $14.95 software package and a Bluetooth mouse can help become even more productive on your (Windows) PDA.
Even though my PDA has a touch screen, it’s not always the easiest way to work with it. If it’s on a desk or tray table then it is much easier to use a mouse to do my work. This is where "Bluemouse" comes in handy.
Teksoft’s Bluemouse application allows you to pair almost any Bluetooth mouse (and keyboard) with your PDA. The system requirements are simple; you need a WindowsMobile device (professional/classic/PocketPC only) and a compatible Bluetooth mouse.
Using the program is easy, once your mouse has been "paired", it will automatically connect with your PDA each time you turn it on. BlueMouse has options for changing the cursor speed, the cursor shape/color and for selecting the action for button presses.
Teksoft BlueMouse costs $14.99 and comes with a trial mode that allows up to 30 clicks of your mouse. I suggest trying before you buy, so you can be sure that your Bluetooth mouse works correctly.
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Take one part James Bond, mix in a little Star Trek, and put it all in a sleek pen. That pretty much describes the Livescribe Pulse smart pen.
This handheld computerized pen can capture anything you write, and even allows you to add audio notes to your own scribbles using the dual integrated microphones.
Your documents can be uploaded to the "My Livescribe" service, where you’ll be able to store 250Mb worth of writing. The real power of the pen is in its ability to be updated with applications. A scientific calculator is already built in, as well as a piano. Future applications will include a translator.
The Livescribe Pulse smartpen is available in a 1Gb ($149) and 2Gb ($199) version and can be purchased from the Livescribe store.
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Some Microsoft boffins based out of their Cambridge research unit have taken whatever spare time they had, and designed a method of controlling your portable PC by twisting and squeezing it.
They also saved a lot of research money by making the prototype built out of pieces of wire and sticky tape.
The concept looks interesting, and would certainly make one-handed operation of portable PC’s a lot easier. If they combine this technology with the accelerometer system you find in a Wii controller, then you really would end up with a computer you can use anywhere you want, without having to tap away at the screen.
And whoever thought that scientists don’t have a sense of humor was wrong, as they named their research paper:
I Sense a Disturbance in the Force:
Mobile Device Interaction with Force Sensing
Source: BBC news
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16 Apr
Posted by scottc as Communicate, Input devices, Microsoft, Mobile Computing, PDA and Smartphone
I’d written about the planned acquisition of Danger by Microsoft a few months ago, but now the deal has been completed. Your trusty little Sidekick or Hiptop is now a Microsoft product. It’s still unknown exactly what Microsoft has planned for them, as the press release has been translated from English into Marketingish.
REDMOND, Wash. — April 15, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. has completed its acquisition of Danger, Inc., the company announced today. Danger’s expertise in building great, intuitive client software for mobile handsets connected to powerful hosted back-end services fosters rich consumer experiences in communication, media sharing, entertainment and personalization. The combined force of Danger and Microsoft strengthens the company’s ability to provide innovative mobile experiences to more consumers.
Danger will become a part of the new Premium Mobile Experiences (PMX) team, a group within the Mobile Communications Business (MCB) of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. The PMX team focuses on consumer-facing mobile projects and is led by Roz Ho, corporate vice president of Premium Mobile Experiences, reporting to Andy Lees, senior vice president of the MCB. Danger co-founders Matt Hershenson and Joe Britt will join the new organization, reporting directly to Ho.
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04 Apr
Posted by scottc as Input devices, Mobile applications, Windows Mobile
If you own a Windows powered PDA (with a touch screen) and have always salivated over the pretty keyboard on the iPhone, then this is your chance to stop being jealous.
PocketCM keyboard is optimized for finger use, has gesture support and autocomplete. Best of all; it is now free of charge.
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27 Mar
Posted by scottc as Bluetooth, Input devices, Mobile Computing, Product Reviews
Before I show off the 2 products being reviewed today; an admission. I’d seen this product years ago, but for some reason I never felt it would be worth reviewing (this review will show how wrong I was).
The MoGo Mouse BT and MoGo Mouse X54 Pro are mice that can be stored inside your laptop expansion slot. Both require Bluetooth to connect. I’m going to review 2 of the products MoGo make; the original MoGo Mouse BT and the new MoGo Mouse X54 Pro.
MoGo Mouse BT
The original MoGo Mouse was revealed back in 2005. It’s an optical mouse with 2 buttons, Bluetooth and an integrated rechargeable battery. So far the description sounds like most other wireless mice, but the MoGo mouse is different; It’s the thickness of a PCCard (used to be called PCMCIA). This means it’ll fit right inside your notebook when you don’t need it.
When it’s in your notebook (and the notebook is powered on) it recharges in a matter of minutes.
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