Gizmodo: Pointing

TAD Customizable Finger Mod for Better Touchscreen ... Touching

Kit Eaton — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:48:44 EDT

The TAD gadget is designed to help fat-fingered folks (or just plain clumsy typists, like me) who have trouble with touchscreens or tiny buttons on cellphones. It's simply a plastic ring with a customizable "nubbin" for better contact than your fingertip offers— you can choose rounded for buttons and pointy for touchscreens. The makers claim better accuracy, reduced wear on keypads and even that it protects long nails. My wife's found that long nails are perfect for a Chumby touchscreen, but what the heck. Available in six colors and sizes up to 0.7-inches for $6. [Reghardware]

Simtrix Swiftpoint Slider Mouse Uses Your Keyboard for a Mousepad

Kit Eaton — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:30:14 EST

The Simtrix Slider joins the list of strange pointing devices like the finger mouse designed for mobile computing. Held between thumb and finger, it's designed to slide right over the keys on your laptop, making the whole keyboard a mousepad. Supposedly this offers efficiency savings, as your hands don't have to dart off to a touchpad or grab a mouse, and Simtrix says it may reduce the risk of RSI. Seems like a good idea, though we wonder how you avoid dt causing typos dçe] by ?- rando,m keypresse;'ss. No idea when you'll see it as a real product. [Simtrix via PCPro]

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 Gussied Up for Version 2.0

Charlie White — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST

Here's a sneak preview of version 2.0 of Microsoft's Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 that's currently making its way through the FCC, since, after all, it is a wireless device. It's not altogether clear exactly what's been changed here, but aside from that flying-saucer-gold paint job with the black trim, its shape is similar to its predecessor. You've seen the top, now take a look at the underbelly of this beast and compare the mouse to its predecessor.

Notice that extra button just behind the scroll wheel up top. Besides that, the whole thing's been smoothed out a bit. We'd like to get our hands on this pointer, but nobody's talking about when it might hit the streets. One thing's for sure, we really like Microsoft's mice and their associated drivers, and if Microsoft's previous releases are any indication, we expect this next version of the Laser Mouse 6000 to be an improvement. [iStartedSomething]

Avago Creates Hybrid Pointing Device, Destined for Harmony Remotes?

Charlie White — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:50:00 EDT

Betting that someday soon there will be computers in home theaters, Avago Technologies created an input device module that works like a mouse, scroll wheel or joystick depending on your situation and preference. Keep in mind, we're not talking about the picture of the remote here, just that little black circular input device. But this picture above has caused a bit of a stir, because its user interface and button layout is similar to the one used in today's Logitech Harmony 880 remote controls.

Here's a trio of pics of the button in use in other devices, including a gaming joystick and a PDA.

But what about that remote? As the reasoning goes, that pic looks like a Logitech design, Logitech does make mice as well as remote controls, and mice such as the Logitech MX Air that we reviewed last week aim to be useful in the home theater, and the next Logitech Harmony remotes might be hitting the market fairly soon. Come to think of it, the Logitech Harmony 880 is getting a bit long in the tooth, and its button layout is similar to this one, especially the soft keys on either side of that color screen. Put all these together, and you might think this little navigation button will be on the next Harmony remotes.

Or not. Looks like the company's trying to do a sales pitch on Logitech with this illustration, and Microsoft, too, with this Xbox 360-like mockup. Even so, it's still a useful idea for a pointing device. [AVing USA, via Remote Shoppe]

USB Calculator Mouse Puts the Numbers Where You Need Them

Charlie White — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:03:01 EDT

Yesterday we showed you a mouse with a keypad under its lid, but here's an idea for number-crunching road warriors that might be even better: a USB mouse with an integrated calculator. Just like that keypad mouse, this could useful for laptop users who don't have a keypad that's easily used. A major difference is that this calculator mouse is a real, shipping product, and that keypad mouse is just a design concept.

This $30 mouse is also an improvement over that numerical keypad because its screen shows you the results of your calculations, and you don't need to use any of your precious laptop's screen real estate to see that calculator application running, nor do you need to run any additional apps just to add up a few numbers.

Now all they need to do is make this sucker wireless and place a little lid on top so you're not always feeling those calculator keys on your palm, and it might be worth taking along in the travel bag. [Prezzybox, via Coolest Gadgets]

Bulletmouse, For Straight Shooters and Gun Nuts Only

Charlie White — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:03:58 EDT

Look out everybody, it's the Bulletmouse! Now available for $24.95, this chrome-plated, scroll wheel-equipped slug is guaranteed not to go all Elvis on you and put a bullet into your screen. It's so unique, it bills itself as "the original Rifle Bullet computer mouse." We're not quite sure what message you'll be sending by using such a pointing device, but just don't point it at us. [Bulletmouse]

Infrared Thermometers Give You a New Pickup Line

Jason Chen — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:30:59 EDT

Although it's not specifically used for wine, like the Nuvo Vino, there's nothing technically stopping you from taking temperatures of your drinks with these infrared thermometers.

They come in three sizes—keychain, pocket, and radar detector—and all are able to measure anywhere between -76 degrees F to 938 degrees F. Word of advice: If you're pointing this at something and it's reading 938 degrees F, back away. – Jason Chen

Largest Size [X-Treme Geek]

Pocket Size [X-treme Geek]

Keychain Size [X-treme Geek]

MicroNav 360: World's Tiniest Mouse

Charlie White — Mon, 01 May 2006 10:56:18 EDT

With electronics manufacturers constantly striving to make everything smaller, here's the latest shrinkage, a pointing device destined for handheld devices, cellphones and such, called MicroNav 360. This OEM pointing device is 10mm square and scarcely thicker than 1mm, which makes it about the size of your pinky fingertip.

We were just wondering, what's the problem with directional controls, or one of those little miniature joysticks? Perhaps this OEM device is destined to be a strap-on fingertip mouse, giving you the ultimate in road-warrior portability. Or something.

Product page [Steadlands, via RealTechNews]