Air Mouse?

[Sara Noel]

Airborne computer mouse unveiled
Device could help those whose wrists hurt

The Ultra Mouse senses motion.

(AP) -- Much of personal computing is about "can you top this?" development, so a mention a few weeks ago about a rechargeable wireless optical mouse brought in another rechargeable, wireless mouse.

The difference is, this one's airborne.

Meaning, like all optical mice, it doesn't need a desktop mouse pad. But it also doesn't need a desk.

The $79.95 Ultra Cordless Optical Mouse from Gyration, Inc., of Saratoga, California, uses gyroscopic sensors to control the cursor movement as you move your wrist, arm, whatever through the air.

And, says the specs, it will do it from 25 feet away. Could be — the review unit was only tested from 10 feet, because farther than that, the reviewer couldn't see the cursor anyway.

When it's sitting on a surface, the Ultra Cordless functions like most other opticals, with left-click, scroll and right-click buttons. But when you lift it, the usual red optical glow disappears and the gyroscopes take over when you depress a big button on the underside.

Practice your technique
The best technique is to move the cursor to where you want to go and then release the underside trigger button. The cursor freezes on screen, and you can then click or whatever.

Using it makes you seem like you're trying to catch fruit flies in one-handed slow motion, and will probably draw a few curious stares from family or colleagues. And then they'll want to try it out.

Installation involved popping the receiver into a USB port and giving the mouse a nine-hour charge in the supplied charging pod.

Beyond the obvious application for those who willfully lay Powerpoint presentations on their fellow human beings, those whose wrists hurt when they mouse ought to give this a look. With a little experimentation, the reviewer found that he could easily control the cursor by moving his whole arm, or, with the mouse held in both hands, his whole torso.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/ptech/1....ap/index.html

This is a spinoff on pre-existing technology. I am not sure I would want to hold a mouse up in the air. I'm thinking if I point and click towards Gabe and it somehow creates an instant muzzle, I may invest heavily into this company. (til then...no thanks, I'll stick with my little logitech optical mouse)

*poor Gabe* I shouldn't even kid like this about him. He just bought me a water cooler. Love ya froggie. hehe

Sara

[heaven]

that was really nice of him. I was thinking i would look really stupid waving my hand in the air. LOL

[~Sherry~]

Looks cool, but I'd probably lose it... or Tyler would hide it. LOL

[captclearance]

This would be fun to have and stand behind dh and use it without him knowing......

[homesteadmamma]

Lori - roflmao


I don't think I would want one either. Can't you just see everyone's arms waving in the air. As someone walks past, either the window or you, they'll be waving back!!

Edited to add: Because were all frugal here, we wouldn't even think of purchasing another mouse for $79.95 when we already have a mouse, right!!