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A mouse is an essential device for any computer user… So why do people try to make them difficult to use?
Why would I want a Super Slim 3D USB Optical Mouse? It’s a regular mouse, except it was cut in half so it measures just under an inch in width, which sounds painful for my hand. Even laptop mice still have a normal shape (and they are not very comfortable either). The scroll wheel is on the side, and it has one button on top for back/forward navigation.
I’m sorry, but innovation is not my cup of tea if it takes away functionality. I want a comfy mouse with all the buttons where I am used to them.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.32 on DealExtreme.com.
Via Coolest Gadgets
Bad circulation is one of my problems, so in winter my hands are frozen half of the time when I’m working. Windows that don’t close properly, thermostat set too low, work-mates who were born in the Antarctic… all of these have made me at one time or another wish for something that could warm my hands and allow me to work at the same time.
I found one of the answers a while ago in the USB Heating Gloves., but the problem is that they’re a perfect target for office jokes. Today’s product, the USB Infra-Red Warmer Mouse, at least won’t get you funny looks.
The mouse has a infrared generator inside, and a switch turns the function on or off, allowing the surface to heat to 40-45°C (104-113°F). As for the rest, it’s a normal 800 dpi mouse with no other special features. Another novelty item, obviously, but it could come in very handy if you have issues with the cold and don’t mind a mediocre pointing device.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.99 on USBFever.com.
Via OhGizmo!
How would you feel to pass by your faithful employees and realize they were not, in fact, hard at work at that report, but instead they were engaged in a thrilling game of multiplayer Hearts? Not happy, I presume.
Sorry, there’s no solution for preventing this (except for deleting all games, filtering internet access etc.), but there is a way of making you at least think they’re working. A month ago we all saw the Phantom Mouse. Now we’ve got the USB Smart Privacy Mouse. The principle is the same: look busy by pushing one button.
You can choose from one of its three modes: hide current window, hide all windows and hide all windows except the ones defined by you, which I find very useful. Just make Yahoo Messenger dissapear and Excel pop up - Hey boss, this report is taking longer that I thought!, or hide that *ahem* interesting website from your mum and act like you were just writing the paper for tomorrow.
Besides, it’s cheaper and looks much better than the Japanese version.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on USBFever.com.
Via OhGizmo!
I’m sorry, I can’t help it. It’s another wacky mouse. This time, it sucks. Literally. Well, figurately too, to an extent.
Without further ado: the USB Vacuum mouse. As basic 3-button mice go, it’s very ugly. Even the cheapest mice I ever owned looked better than it. But what’s supposed to make it special is its special function: vacuuming. If you often use your desk as a table and get crumbs all over it, the Vacuum mouse could help you. Just flip a switch and the mouse turns into a miniature vacuum that gets rid of all the mess.
It might be useful… but I can find much easier ways of cleaning my desk. Decent mouse + a tissue > Vacuum mouse. No thanks, Thanko.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$19 on Thanko.jp.
Via ubergizmo
Here’s another item in the series of weird mice. This time, it’s actually interesting - though I doubt it works very well.
The innovation of the Wrist Pad Optical Mouse is the silica gel rest for the wrist, which is supposed to make using the mouse more comfortable. Great idea, I say. I haven’t (yet) got any Repetitive Stress Injury, but working on the computer all day in a not-very-good position is not very nice for my hands.
However… I think it would be difficult to move the mouse around if you have the wrist pad trailing after it. I hope I’m not right, though, because I really love the idea of being able to use my laptop with no pain even when I want to lounge on my couch instead of sitting at a desk.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on USBFever.com.
Via Gadgetizer
I’m starting to this it’s a competition to invert the craziet mouse ever. A finger mouse, a mouse with speaker and microphone (?!)…
The Phantom Mouse is a little crazy, but at least it does something (sort of) useful. It’s a normal mouse in all aspects, only it has an extra button. Therein lies all its appeal: the button can be programmed so that, when you click, a certain application is brought to the front or all the windows get minimized. An anti-boss tool if there ever was one. Now you can play Solitaire all day and you’ll only need one click to make it look like you were hard at work doing that report.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $24 on Thanko.jp.
Via Coolest Gadgets
Some people have a thing for “n-in-one” products, even when it’s pretty obvious they aren’t any good and. I personally am a bit suspicious of too-many-in-one things, because many times it just means that, instead of having one good function, you get 3 or 5 crappy ones.
Unfortunately, the 3-in-1 Mouse with Speaker and Microphone seems to be the perfect example. First of all, why would you need your mic on a mouse?! It would have to be a pretty damn good one, unless you’re willing to keep your face at desk level during a conversation (so you won’t see the display, so you won’t be able to use the mouse) or to lift the mouse (so you won’t be able to use the mouse, again). And, at $15.99, I doubt it can perform one function well enough, let alone three.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $15.99 on USBFever.com.
Via Gadgetizer
The mouse has evolved a lot since its first days, but through it all it has kept its shape basically the same. Is that about to change?
With the long name Flexii Finger 3D USB Optical Mouse, this pointing device is completely different. I’m not sure if it can be called a mouse anymore, since the features that were similar to the rodent’s are gone. Anyway, it’s a device made to be worn on the finger (but not too tight, you don’t want to stop blood flow) and you control the (virtual) right button, left button and scroll wheel with your thumb.
I’m not that excited about this, because I can’t really picture how it works. It sounds kind of complicated to me, but then again, I’ve never tried to use it. One thing that bothers me is that it’s not wireless, so if you forget about it and try to walk away from the PC… oops.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.50 on Vavolo.com.
Via Fosfor Gadgets
