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Optical Mouse Saves Space in Cellphones
Chris writes "Researchers at Philips have integrated a space-saving optical mouse into a mobile phone for the first time.
Dutch researchers at the Philips Center for Industrial Technology have developed a compact, optical interface for portable electronic equipment. The team says that its new input gadget can be easily integrated in cellphones, laptops and PDAs, providing an space-efficient alternative to a mechanical trackball or touch-pad for example.
The device is made up of a low-power red laser diode and a detector placed beneath a lens. Light from the 650 nm laser is focused on an object, such as a fingertip, creating an external cavity. It is not necessary to touch the lens. A small portion of this light is then reflected back and mixes with the light within the internal laser cavity."
Since when has a mobile phone needed a trackpad/mechanical trackball anyway? We all seem to get along fine with up and down buttons...
Disclaimer: i live in the UK where we have decent networks and handsets. Go Nokia 7110, go!
Feel that power? That's mah MOUSING FINGER
of this incredibly lame-looking thing.
-m
You catch enchiladas by picking them up behind the head and holding them underwater until they don't kick anymore -VeGas
...does anyone need a MOUSE (or any pointint device!) on their cellphone? Frankly, I don't use much more than the number keys and the "start call" button. I honestly can't imagine why anyone would WANT to use their phone for something else. If I want to play games, I go find a computer or a console - or a deck of cards!
Heh. But seriously, imagine the jerk driving, talking on his cell, and trying to figure out how the new mouse-optical-thingy works.
Can I bum a sig?
Somebody would complain because it didn't have three buttons.
So I have a tooth cell phone, that has an optical laser pointing device, and built in cameras?
shesh, I dont think anyone needs live feeds of me operating my laser controlled cell phone with my tongue all while making plans for which pubs we'll be visiting that evening. that's too 'geek' for me... but it would be hillarious!
dmarien
..especially oily fingertips, will eventually lead to nasty build-up partially obscuring the cavity.
I hope they put a little glass window over these rather than leaving it exposed like the bottom of my optical mouse - human hands are just too oily for this kind of thing, especially those of us who are less sanitary than my OCD-laden self. ;)
Now a combination death ray and cell phone -- THAT would be something!
With an optical mouse and web access, how long will it be before I can punch the monkey and win on my cellphone?
-- Adam
Is it just me or did anyone else envision a businessman rubbing a cellphone back and forth on the side of his head to use their laptops while talking on the phone? :)
The other day when I was forced to surf the web on my phone since my wireless PDA was being used to open a bottle of Corona Extra (la cerveza mas fina) I came upon your idea on slashdot where you proposed a spider-web launching add on. Needless to say, I was shocked! So once the beer was opened I used my Handspring PDA as a telephone and called my VC buddy immediately (though he didn't answer- after he installed that Golf Tee extension to his Nokia we can't get him off the links!)
Nonetheless I know he would be interested in funding such a usefull gizmo as he has a successful track record of supporting innovation.
If you are interested I can use my wristwatch to take a digital picture of the contract and fax it to your blue tooth enabled microwave ASAP.
Things are heating up!
Mekka Berzerkor, C.E.O.
In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.