Logitech launches Wii Mote-like 'in-air' mouse
Wave it around or put it on a desk, the choice is yours
Updated With a rather ostentatious claim that "the future of PC navigation starts now", mouse-maker Logitech today unveiled an input device that's as at home being waved around in the air as it is being pushed around a desk.
Logitech's MX Air: you point, it clicks
Called the MX Air, this mouse owes more than a little to Nintendo's Wii Remote. According to Logitech, the MX Air allows users to "select and play media files with just a flick of the wrist" thanks to the mouse's "effortless in-air navigation" and "gesture commands".
Logitech's MX Air: wireless remote control
Logitech wants you to think of a fancy TV remote control when you use the sleek, contoured MX Air this way. The rodent is wireless - courtesy of the company's own 2.4GHz technology rather than Bluetooth - and comes with a system-side recharging cradle. The mouse itself has dedicated play/pause, volume, mute, back and select keys in addition to the usual buttons and - in this case - scroll keys.
Logitech's MX Air: dedicated media keys
Logitech may claim the revolution "starts now", but you won't be able to get your hands on the MX Air until August, when it goes on sale across Europe and the US. Expect to pay $150 (€109). Brits will pay £100.
COMMENTS
Gyration Rule
Got 2 Gyration airmice (1 always on charge) would never use anything none gryo again. Software could be much better in the gesture area. Keyboard could be better. The kby/mouse combination is not compatable with KVMs that do usb kby via emulation when u want to switch PCs.
Still Gyration do rock
nothing new here
First year ravensbourne College Interaction Design students have been doing most of this with a Wii controller pretty much from the off. they cost gbp32.
Does it require their software?
Logitech's hardware is unbeatable, but if it requires drivers or software from Logi, forget it. Until standard "gesture recognition" software is being shipped with Windows, I'll pass.
All (and I mean all) of my computer's peripherals are from Logi, because they make nice hardware. Their software? Bleah! I keep waiting for a release of the G15 keyboard software that will consistently load the correct game's macros. Etc. Since this product basically requires software support, I smell trouble. (And it'd be too tempting to throw the darn thing when it acts up.)
Problem solver
I helped an 80-year-old set up her first-ever computer — an iMac. The first time she held the mouse she waved it around and pointed it at the screen like a TV remote.
Neil Anderson
http://www.cyclelogicpress.com
Oh my..
First the news of O2's 'new' sim-only contracts, and now this! Either I'm a Time Traveller from the future, or we've had this before, I have something very similar in my hot little hand right now! Logitech's Surfman/Trackman Live, wireless, hand held presentation device/mouse. Bought mine (the first one anyway) in 1997 for about 40 quid. Cracking little thing, beautifully simple and yet configurable, and lovely to hold.
