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Airborne Mouse

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the toys-to-want-to-have dept.

edpin writes "CNN is reporting this new mouse that works without a surface. You hold the device in your hand and tilt it to where on screen you want it to go. It uses a similar technique to "rock and scroll" developed by Compaq (now HP) a while ago."

6 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. New? Not. by jfrumkin · · Score: 5, Informative

    This isn't anything new - for about the last year or so, we've had a mouse just like that for presentations here at my university - in fact, I think we've got one in each of electronic classrooms for instructors to use. And it doubles as a laser pointer!

    --

    "What we have here, is a failure to communicate." - Cool Hand Luke
  2. reinventing the wheel by Astrorunner · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's been done before

    its been around for what.. two years now? and its at least 5 times smaller.

  3. A good product, actually by SonicBurst · · Score: 5, Informative

    We've been using the Gyromouse Pro from these guys for a while now. It works great and the recharging base is a plus. The only difference I can see from what we use and the new one is that the new one is optical when you use it on the desk, whereas the gyro pro still uses old ball technology.

    --

    Geek used to be a four letter word. Now it's a six-figure one.
  4. Got one, don't really like it by vondo · · Score: 5, Informative

    We had an earlier version of this (Gyro Mouse, same company I think).

    I never really liked it. Control is not so good. I think the only place I would want one of these is for giving a presentation in a lecture hall where you need more functionality than "next slide/last slide."

    We were using it in a small conference room, everyone seated around a table. Eventually we switched to a cordless trackball. Much better, in my opinion. I also use a cordless trackball when I use the computer and the TV together. (It sits on the armrest of the sofa.)

  5. Re:New? Not. even ,it's really old. by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've had a "flying mouse for over 4 years now. Made by Handykey and built into their twiddler device.

    you simply press the mousing button and gesture to move the mouse.

    and in fact I remember back in 1993-1994 many MANY people using nintendo powergloves as mice for windows 3.11 and Logitech had a wireless "airmouse offering back in the mid 90's.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  6. I've got one by greenrom · · Score: 5, Informative
    I bought a gyration mouse and keyboard a few months ago, and they're great. Gyration has been making these for a while now, so I don't really know why it's news.

    The mouse does take some getting used to if you're going to use it without a surface. Instead of using it like a normal mouse, it's designed to be held and pointed like a flashlight. Wherever the "flashlight" would shine on the screen, that's where the mouse goes. I must admit, this isn't really practical for most uses outside of things like presentations and such. The best part about these mice isn't the gyroscope feature, it's the wireless range. The model I purchaced is supposed to have a 25ft range, but in practice the real range is closer to 35ft. There's also a 50ft model that's significantly more expensive. These things are great for home theatre PCs. It's really difficult to find an RF wireless mouse and keyboard with a range greater than 6ft.