Argument Número Uno: apparently this gestures-in-the-air control requires real magic powers. Watch Helga and myself getting frustrated, trying to control the pointer on the screen.

Argument Two: I can't think of any really useful application except having the ability to control your computer without having to touch your keyboard or screen at any time—and therefore, keeping them clean of any crumbles and/or fluids.

The idea is good. The implementation is bad. Unfortunately, the whole experience is quite frustrating, and while they are showing the same technology in an experimental TV—which has greater potential—it doesn't really work well there either.

I asked the german Kirsten Dunst and she told me an example of this being useful: if you are "cooking" and have your hands dirty, you wouldn't like to touch the keyboard or the mousepad, so you can use gestures to control de computer. Fair enough, that's one market right there: "dirty hands chefs who use their computers while they are cooking".

I can see this being useful in TVs, however, replacing the remote completely. And maybe in computers too, but not for pointer dragging and clicking. That's just useless. This technology needs a completely new graphic user interface to be really successful—like the simple Wii interface or the stuff shown in Minority Report. An interface that will allow to intuitively point at something or doing a hand gesture to trigger an action.

As it is now, it just doesn't fly. What do you think? Do you think this is useful? Is there any else to this than its "wow!-what?-why?" factor? [More IFA 2008 coverage]

It lets you swap between standard clicky scrolling, or Revolution-style freewheel turbo spin that'll take you through 10,000 lines of an Excel spread sheet in just seven seconds. Besides on-the-fly DPI adjustment (up to 1600DPI) it's also got 10 programmable buttons, including a hidden thumb one at the bottom that was just shy of being too easy to mash accidentally. Overall, it's standard Logitech quality, so good stuff. It's $130 for the set, which is not too shabby when the mouse is $80 alone.

Logitech Offers You Its Highest Level of Comfort
with Cordless Desktop Wave Pro
Popular Wave Keyboard Now Available
with New, Exceptionally Comfortable MX1100 Mouse

FREMONT, Calif. — Aug. 19, 2008 —Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) is now offering you its highest level of comfort with the introduction of the Logitech® Cordless Desktop® Wave Pro™ keyboard-and-mouse combination. The second-generation Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro combines the field- and laboratory-tested comfort of the Logitech® Wave Keyboard™ with the exceptionally comfortable, rechargeable Logitech® MX™1100 Cordless Laser Mouse. If you’re looking to upgrade your mouse only, a battery-powered version of the MX1100 mouse will be sold separately.

“Independent research clearly demonstrates that the Wave Keyboard can help improve the comfort of your typing experience,” said Denis Pavillard, vice president of product marketing for Logitech’s keyboards and desktops. “The keyboard’s wave-like shape is popular because it provides comfort without requiring people relearn how to type, unlike traditional ergonomic keyboards. And with the addition of the MX1100 mouse, which was designed according to ergonomic principles, our new desktop gives you even more comfort than the original Logitech® Desktop Cordless Wave™.”

Wave Keyboard Improves Comfort
According to an independent study by Peter W. Johnson, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, the Logitech Wave Keyboard improves comfort. Combining three distinctive elements, the newest Logitech keyboard offers you an innovative wave key frame, a U-shaped constant curve and a cushioned, contoured palm rest. In comparison to ergonomic keyboards, you can use a Wave keyboard immediately – there is no learning curve. The Comfort Wave Design guides your hands and cradles your fingers to create a naturally comfortable typing experience.

MX1100 Cordless Laser Mouse
A perfect complement to the Wave keyboard, the MX1100 mouse is designed to support the naturally curved shape of your hand. Logitech’s newest mouse features an elegantly contoured, full-size shape that fits your hand for maximum comfort, providing exceptional palm support.

When sold in the desktop bundle, with its included USB plug, the MX1100 mouse allows you to fully recharge your mouse while you’re working – you don’t need to stop what you’re doing. A 15-minute charge gives you enough power for up to one day. A 7-hour charge provides up to six weeks of power. Or, for your convenience, plug the USB cable into the included AC adaptor and recharge your mouse using any available wall outlet. (When sold separately, the stand-alone MX1100 offers up to nine months of battery life and uses two AA batteries.)

The mouse’s MicroGear™ Precision Scroll Wheel has two scrolling modes, including hyper-fast scrolling for flying effortlessly through long documents and Web pages. Eight programmable buttons allow you to get to the information, the Web pages, the files and the applications you want – fast. With software installed, a stealth thumb button makes application switching easy and zoom controls allow you to zoom in and out of documents with the press of a button. The mouse also features adjustable dpi (up to 1,600 dpi), which can come in handy when editing an image at the pixel level or, alternatively, when you need to move the cursor quickly within a document.

Logitech’s Advanced 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology
To give you a secure, reliable signal in a busy wireless environment, such as an office, Logitech’s advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology dramatically reduces interference, effectively eliminating delays and dropouts. In fact, Logitech’s wireless technology exchanges data between the receiver and the mouse 300 times faster than conventional 27 MHz wireless technologies for cordless mice – and 800 times faster than conventional 27 MHz wireless technologies for cordless keyboards. Plus, Logitech’s advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology provides 128-bit AES keyboard encryption for advanced security.

By optimizing the power management system, the improved wireless technology delivers a 3-year keyboard battery life – Logitech’s longest lasting – effectively eliminating the hassle of changing batteries.

Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in October and in Europe beginning in mid-November for a suggested retail price of $129.99 (U.S.). When sold separately, the Logitech MX1100 Cordless Laser Mouse is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in late August and in Europe beginning in mid-September for a suggested retail price of $79.99 (U.S.).

Logitech® MX™1100 Cordless Laser Mouse
Take hold of the next level of comfort
Announcement Date: August 19, 2008 Shipping: August 2008
Price: $79.99 Available at: www.logitech.com
Product Overview
Whether you’re up early checking out the latest news headlines or up late finalizing an important
presentation, now you can work in comfort with the Logitech MX1100 cordless laser mouse,
featuring a contoured shape that naturally conforms to your hand. The MX1100 also offers
hyper-fact scrolling for quickly navigating the longest of documents and an adjustable-dpi laser
engine for smooth tracking and precision.
Key Features
•Contoured shape naturally fits your hand for maximum comfort.
•Hyper-fast scrolling lets you fly through long documents and Web pages.
•Adjustable-dpi laser engine (up to 1600 dpi) provides two smooth-tracking modes for
customizable precision.
•Logitech’s advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology provides you with a powerful, reliable
connection with virtually no delays or dropouts – even in the busiest wireless environments.
•Stealth thumb button – one of ten programmable buttons – makes application-switching
easy.
System Requirements
•Windows-based PC with Windows® XP or Windows Vista® or
Mac® computer with Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later)
•1 USB port
Product Specifications
•Dimensions (L x W x H) : 4.80 x 3.45 x 1.91 inches
•Weight:
•4.48 ounces without receiver
•4.66 ounces with receiver
•5.54 ounces with reciever and 2 AA batteries

[Logitech]

Called the IMI WAVE, it is a camera mounted next to the gun, soldiers can sit inside and assess the situation from a video control panel that can automatically lock on to targets. Not only is it the only vehicle of its type to have this tech, but it will the risk of soldiers getting hit while standing and firing outside a vehicle. Check out this earlier Discovery Channel clip of the WAVE in action. It's like the best video game ever. [Aviation Week]

The star of the show is Logitech's first ergonomic keyboard in a while. Its contoured design and cushioning hold your wrists comfortably in place, while the keys themselves have their own waves, to cup your fingers gently. We actually showed it to you a while back when it hit the FCC, but the pic was a top-down view which couldn't convey the comforting waviness. The desktop set adds an ambidextrous cordless laser mouse that looks vaguely familiar, though I can't place it. The mouse's big trick is a Windows Vista Flip 3D button, and it can go for six months on a set of batteries. (The keyboard can go for 15.)

Fact Sheet Logitech® Cordless Desktop Wave™ Get More Done, with More Comfort Announcement Date: July 26, 2007 Shipping: Late August 2007 Price: $89.99 Available at: www.logitech.com

Product Description
Because the average computer user types more than 2,000,000 keystrokes per year, the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave mouse-and-keyboard combination introduces a new design for more comfort. The Logitech Comfort Wave Design naturally guides people's hands into a more comfortable position, while the high-performance laser mouse provides superior precision and rubber side grips.

Key Features
• Logitech Comfort Wave Design combines Logitech's new wave key design, a U-shaped constant curve and a cushioned palm rest to guide people's hands into a more natural position - significantly increasing comfort.
• Wave key design gradually varies the vertical position of the keys, taking into consideration the length of people's fingers. The keyboard's wave-shaped contour comfortably and naturally cradles the user's fingers.
• Constant curve positions the consistently-sized keys in a gentle U-shaped curve so the wrists and arms are at a more natural angle.
• Cushioned palm rest provides a comfortable surface for the palms.
• High-performance laser mouse is designed to complement the striking design of the keyboard. Its laser tracking engine provides pixel-precise navigation, while soft rubber grips on either side of the mouse support both left- and right-handed users.
• Laser tracking outperforms optical mice. Laser technology delivers smoother cursor control on virtually any surface (except mirrors or clear glass).
• Tilt Wheel with Flip 3D enables side-to-side scrolling and quick access to Flip 3D on computers running Windows Vista™.
• Programmable buttons add extra hand-control.
• Logitech cordless technology provides a hassle-free wireless experience and reduces cord chaos.
• Easy-access hot keys make accessing frequently used applications and Web sites as easy as the push of a button.
• Media buttons offer one-touch control of media (e.g. Play/Pause, Volume, Mute and more).
• Long battery life of up to 15 months of typing and 6 months of mousing power. Both mouse and keyboard take two AA batteries. Battery status indicators help users avoid unexpected surprises.

System Requirements
• PC with Windows® XP, Windows Vista or Macintosh® computer with Mac® OS X (10.2.8 or above)
• 1 available USB port
• CD-ROM drive

We're getting pumped up, since it's almost our turn to get in.

Video by Sarah Meyers and Richard Blakeley