Logitech Unveils Smart Mouse

Rob writes "Computer business Review is reporting that Logitech International, one of the world's largest makers of mice and keyboards, has added to its already large range of peripherals with a new mouse that can receive and process wireless communications from a PC. The new fangled mouse is capable of two-way communication with the PC, it can inform users when their mouse battery is low, and notify them when they receive an email or instant message. Other features include laser tracking, 10 buttons, volume control and probably too many other things."

Comments

Re:Why?

[hool5400]

I had a Genius Netscroll POS that flashed the scroll wheel light when it got email. From memory it could play some shitty MIDI tune from an internal speaker too.

Anyway, it's hardly new.

Re:Mostly pointless.

[imsabbel]

Wireless keyboards i agree...
But wireless mice arent pointless.
In fact that damn wire of my mx500 seems to get in the way of moving the mouse (because blocking somewhere, or slipped down on the side of the desk and pulling the mouse there, too).

Re:Why?

[m4dm4n]

Of course the slashdot article mentions all the stupid additions and leaves out: One function of the new mouse, however, is its ability to sense if there is wireless interference from other devices, an increasingly common problem with today's numerous wireless devices, and to change channels to establish the most secure connection.

Now thats a good addition, not sure if anyone else has done it before, but I've never seen it.

Logitech Press Release

[rpfuller]

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/news/GB/EN,conte ntid=10961,crid=34

Featuring this gem:
"This changes the very concept of a computer mouse, because it is no longer simply an input device"

Re:Bloat...

[zakezuke]

When was the last time you changed the volume of your pc?

5min ago

And when you did, did you think 'I wish I was able to control the volume directly from my mouse'?

The first time I used Winamp... scroll wheel controls volume and 3rd button scroll jumps forward/back. I imagine I could use my keyboard, but that's a tad bulky to carry around.

While I agree this looks like a bloat mouse, I must confess that I would likely buy a "multi-media" mouse/trackball that offers extra buttons such as play, stop, pause forward reverse. It would be annoying for an every day mouse but great couch mouse.

The only interesting feature you will get is that it will tell you the battery is low very often :)

That already exists with the mx-800 and likely the mx-1000. Charging station is the most handy feature considering how much those optical mice suck up the juice. But no two way communication was needed... just a happy little blinking light if the battery is low.

Re:Why?

[masklinn]

You probably haven't seen a Logitech mouse in a while now have you?

The MX1000 already featured no less than 8 buttons plus a tilt wheel, did indeed require you to install drivers to tune said buttons, and does fall back to extended PS2 (makes use of default action on some buttons, like MS mouses) when drivers are not installed.

610 will be the same.