Gizmodo: computer mouse

Chinese-Themed Microsoft Arc Mice Can Get Lost In Your Pottery Collection

Elaine Chow — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:30:00 EST

During my visit to Hong Kong, Brian showed me to a local design store called G.O.D. (Goods Of Desire), which kind of reminded me of a China kitsch-themed Urban Outfitters. When I get a chance to go back there, I'm definitely saving up some money for these laser mice, a Microsoft Arc and G.O.D. mashup. Man, could you even tell computer mice were in the picture? Fooled me at first glance!

There's two G.O.D.-designed ARC mice for sale, one with a traditional Chinese tea pottery scheme and the other with an old-timey “mouse” drawing and character. Cute! Both use 2.4GHz wireless technology with a range of about 30 feet. Like the regular ARC, these can fold to half their size. No price was listed, but they're probably a tad more expensive than the $60 the regular ARC goes for. [QK123]

Mouse Uses "Alien Technology" to Relieve Stress and RSI

Sean Fallon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Whenever a gadget is focused on ergonomics, buckle up for some seriously weird looking design. A prime example of this phenomenon can be seen in this "Alien Mouse" concept from designer Mizanur Rehman. The idea was to create a mouse that would strictly adhere to the principles of ergonomics and provide maximum comfort by molding itself to the user's hand with a body constructed of soft gel and cellulose. It even features a pulsating central core that reverberates throughout the frame to help relieve stress.

As for the controls—all functionality is handled by the sphere-shaped section at the top. A central joystick is flanked by fairly standard right and left click buttons, but the layout of the controls means that the mouse never needs to be physically moved. As mentioned, the Alien Mouse is only in the concept stage at this point, so I doubt that we will be seeing it on store shelves anytime soon. Hell, we may not even be using a computer mouse in 5 years time (if "experts" are to be believed). [Project Page via The Design Blog]

Computer Mouse R.I.P. In Five Years, Experts Say

Jack Loftus — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EDT

Is the end of the venerable computer mouse at hand? Analyst firm Gartner seems to think so, and says its case is bolstered by the meteoric rise of technologies found in, and made popular by, Nintendo's Wii controller and the Apple iPhone. Piling on is the slowly maturing field of facial recognition technology, which companies like Panasonic are now testing in the home electronics field. It's a combination that does not bode well for the mouse, said Gartner analyst Steven Prentice, which saw its beginnings at the hands of Douglas Engelbart at the Stanford Research Institute in 1963. One caveat worth noting in all this peripheral doom-and-gloom is that the keyboard is here to stay. PC FPS fans can rejoice at their convenience. [PC Authority]