Logitech Reveals Mouse Mat That Is a Giant Wireless Charging Pad (theverge.com)

Logitech has just revealed a new Powerplay technology that builds wireless charging directly into its mouse pad, allowing compatible wireless mice to charge constantly while on the pad. The Verge reports: The wireless charging tech built inside the Powerplay mouse mat is proprietary to Logitech, and the company claims it took more than four years of research and development to make it a reality. I asked Logitech why it didn't go with something more ubiquitous like the Qi standard, and the answer I received was that it wouldn't have been possible to cover the whole surface (275mm x 320mm) of the pad with Qi. Alongside the Logitech G Powerplay, which is to be priced at $99.99 and released in August, Logitech has also announced the first two mice officially compatible with it: the G903 and G703. The G903 is a very modest upgrade from the G900 while the G703 is practically identical to the well liked G403; both of the two new models use the PMW3366 optical sensor and just add improved switches rated to last longer. The G903 will cost $149.99 and the G703 will be $99.99 when they go on sale later this month.

Comments

All of you get off my lawn

[Jeremi]

I had a mouse with this same functionality back in 1992, and it cost much less. It even came with a wire to keep it attached to the computer, so it wouldn't get lost.

Re:All of you get off my lawn

[tlhIngan]

It's much easier to unplug than fiddle with the wireless receiver - which had a nasty habit of waking up my laptop from sleep whenever a button on the mouse was accidentally clicked while in my backpack.

I just switch my mouse to OFF when I do that. Heck, it lets me charge the mouse still in OFF, but buttons won't make up the computer.

Most wireless mice I've seen had an on/off switch on the bottom.

What is the point of a wireless mouse.

[jellomizer]

When you need a wired mousepad.
I am not a big fan of wireless mice anyways. But the main benefit is it keeps your desk clean of excess wires But if your mousepad needs a wire then what is the point.

Re:What is the point of a wireless mouse.

[Rakhar]

Not having a wire dragging against your mouse movements if it gets caught on something, or just the weight of the cable dragging if you let it hang under the tray.

Re:What is the point of a wireless mouse.

[Anonymous Coward]

if you have that sort of problem, you need to rethink your space. five minutes spent, and perhaps an extension cable or cable hanger, and you're set. no need to further help destroy the environment with more toxic batteries. wired mice are far superior, particularly for gaming, even ps2 ones, which are better than wired usb.

Re:This is going to be so awesome on my wedding ri

[sl3xd]

No man can serve two masters. You're either committed to your marriage, or your mouse.

If you try to do both, expect to be burned.

Going forward in reverse?

[Rick Schumann]

Wasn't one of the big selling points of the 2nd-generation optical mice is that you didn't need a mouse pad anymore, you could use it on more or less any surface, even an uneven one? Now they want to sell you an expensive mouse pad? Seems backwards.

Re:Forgot about the patent?

[Dragonslicer]

I wonder if Logitech forgot about the patent on this

Why would it matter? That isn't a patent, it's a patent application. The application was rejected in 2005 (because of prior art) and abandoned by the PTO when the lawyers didn't respond for 6 months.

You can see the complete history by going to USPTO PAIR, searching for application 10/737483, and going to the Image File Wrapper tab.

Re:Wtf is wrong with you Slashdot?

[ChunderDownunder]

you don't have to deal with charging anything, it just works, and it works better

Maybe once every 12 months I take the rechargeable AA battery out of the mouse and stick it in a battery charger overnight; hardly a major inconvenience.