Cyber Sport Orbita Mouse review: It's pretty weird

Cyber Sport's Orbita Mouse doesn't want to be just another regular, boring mouse -- and its newness goes way beyond looks. We don't review too many mice around these parts, but this one seemed to call for some special attention, so we've spent the last few days trying to give it our exclusive overload treatment. This is not a mouse you can just unwrap and use, in more ways than one. Read on for our full impressions, and some glorious photos of this little dude in action.
We'll be totally upfront with you: we weren't looking for a better way to mouse. Honestly, at this point, it's like looking for a new way to wear pants -- there might be better options out there, but we're pretty happy with what we've got. That said, the Orbita mouse takes some getting used to, and the learning period is a little frustrating. The mouse is comfortable enough in the hand, and its operation is not completely unlike a traditional mouse, but it's different enough to be annoying when you're trying to continue about your regularly scheduled day while getting used to it. There's a lot of accidental clicking at first, shooting you off to zany ads you'd never normally click, or old, disused bookmarks -- because the entire surface of the mouse is a right-click when pressed. Not fun, but part of the process. That said, the company claims that the mouse makes more a more "freestyle, revolutionary" mousing experience, so we stuck with it.
The Orbita doesn't really need to be gripped or furiously clicked the way an old hat mouse does, and a light touch is called for here. The silicone surface feels quite nice in your hand -- though a lot different from most mice. The clicking sound that the Orbita makes is also quite pleasing to our ears. The basic configuration (which can be customized) we found to be the most intuitive with repeated use -- you push down on the surface of the mouse for a left click, rotate the entire mouse to scroll, and squeeze it for right clicks. The scroll feature is a standout -- it's far more comfortable than you'd think -- and makes for a much faster experience than traditional mice. Once you've spent some time with the mouse -- we suggest giving it a full day, at least -- you really can begin to feel the advantage of it.
We'll admit that when we got busy in the midst of day one, we threw the Orbita back onto its dock to our left and reverted back to our old standby, just for the sake of getting things done in a quicker, more comfortable manner. By the second days of use, however, we were really zooming around with the Orbita, and were able to stop thinking about how to use it. And we'll admit it: we were fairly impressed with it in action. There is also a wide array of customization possible -- different profiles for different tasks, and the 3-axis control over 3D objects is impressive. Where it shines, however, is surprisingly as an every day, regular-use mouse. The mouse never once died on us despite hours of usage -- partially due to the fact that it automatically shuts down after about five minutes of idle time, so we figure this isn't likely to be an issue for anyone.

Wrap up
There are a few drawbacks to be considered -- it's not the cheapest mouse, at around $99. If you're not into re-learning how to do things you already know how to do, maybe you want to leave well enough alone. The hub / charging dock needs to be plugged in during use, of course, and it's not exactly small, so this mouse isn't particularly awesome in on-the-go situations, either, and it's probably not going to be big with gamers. Still, if you're a fan of new things, and you don't mind laying down the cash, it may be worth checking out -- but don't blame us if everybody laughs at your crazy new-fangled "mouse."


( Engadget )

• Micro Innovations's bamboo lineup might just save the world... from generic computer peripherals

SteelSeries World of Warcraft Mouse equipped for hands-on impressions, +14 agility

We finally got our hands on SteelSeries' World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse, and took the thing for a little spin across Azeroth. After hiring a rogue to open the complicated packaging and marveling at the mouse's incomprehensible runes, we hooked up the mouse over USB and were treated to the ambient light show. The "cracks" across the back of the mouse glow with subtle colors, though we wish they could light up a bit more dramatically and actually convey game status info -- but we're boring like that. Compared to most mice, the WoW mouse is rather large and "hand supporting," leaving behind the typical friction and frame of reference that a trailing hand and wrist usually supply. It's nice and comfortable, but there's a bit of a trade off, though overall we found the mouse to be incredibly "right" in responsiveness and accuracy. More impressions after the break.
The real draw here, of course, is the 15 individually programmable buttons, which can be assigned to up to 160 interchangeable macros with the downloadable Windows-only software. SteelSeries claims to be "working with Blizzard on the development strategy for a Mac solution" which sounds like they've got a whole lot of nothing ready for the Mac-inclined. Right now they recommend setting up the mouse with the third party ControllerMate software.
That's a shame, because the software is the real strength here. You can set up 10 different profiles for your various alts, play styles and situations, with buttons set to dismount, auto target, target self, toggle bags... you get the picture. Unfortunately, with all that complexity comes a bit of a learning curve. It took our WoW-addled intern two hours of running Heroic Nexus to get used to using all the buttons, and he found that even then he was mainly just using two of the macros, with the rest being forgotten more often than not. A heavy macro user could probably use the mouse all by its lonesome and rid their reliance on a keyboard, but that would take a certain amount of skill and determination. The real strength here is Battlegrounds and raids, but it's clear the mouse isn't really about making WoW more accessible or "easy," rather about enabling power users to kick even more ass. The mouse is available now for $99.

( Engadget )

Kensington SlimBlade trackball for the smooth operator

Yep, Kensington is still making desktop trackballs for all of you out there still rocking your original Macworld '92 T-shirts, and its latest model is actually quite attractive -- the SlimBlade trackball features a minimalist low-profile base with four buttons and a ruby red ball. The drivers are equally slick, displaying mode changes on screen in an HUD, letting you know when you've flipped from cursor to media control to view control profiles. Not a bad way to spend $129 if you're into trackballs, we suppose -- and we wholeheartedly support any product whose press release claims it'll turn us into "smooth operators." Video after the break.


( Engadget Chinese )

The Jet Mouse Locks In On That Promotion [Peripherals]

That sterile, beige mouse just isn't getting the job done for you. How do we know? We just know. The USB Aircraft Mouse, packed with enough plastic, LEDs and USB-connectivity to only be made by our friends at Brando, will turn your mouse hand into the best fighter pilot in the office. If only the thing we wireless, you could perform a radical flyby on a coworker's monitor, establishing yourself as the alpha and the omega of spreadsheets while showing the world what upper middle management is really made of.


( Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog )

Razer offers up Mamba wireless gaming mouse, Carcharias headset

It's been a few months now since we've heard anything from Razer, but the outfit's hitting us up with two new pieces here at CES that are definitely worth a look. Starting things off is yet another gaming mouse, this one coined the Mamba. It features 2.4GHz "gaming grade" wireless technology, an optional, detachable cord, first-in-class polling rates of 1-millisecond, a "world's fastest" 5,600DPI Precision 3.5G Laser sensor and a battery life / DPI stage indicator. Moving on, we've got the Carcharias circumaural audio headset, which rocks a fully adjustable headband, inline remote and a 3-meter braided cable. The devices are set to start shipping in February and January, respectively, at $129.99 / $79.99. The release is hosted up in full after the break.RAZER™ UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT SUITE FOR GAMERS
New products reveal renewed focus on product design and proprietary technologies
Las Vegas, NV – January 8, 2009 – Today, at the Consumer Electronics Show, Razer™
unveiled a cutting edge of gaming peripherals including the Razer Mamba™, a high precision
wireless laser gaming mouse, and the Razer Carcharias™, a circumaural audio headset. Product
demonstrations will be held at the South Hall, meeting room 35166.
This new suite of Razer products will give gamers the competitive edge and allow for enhanced
game play for longer periods of time. With an emphasis on product design and a focus on
proprietary Razer technologies, these latest products will help gamers amplify performance levels
with faster response times, increased precision and offer unique design features.
"The best entertainment experiences happen when you are fully immersed in your game, and
hardware shouldn't get in the way of that," said Razer president Robert "Razerguy" Krakoff.
"We've put every bit of advantage available in the hands of our gamers with the new Razer
Mamba, and the Razer Carcharias. These products are for gamers who understand how minimal
wireless lag time, high quality audio communications and increased precision can mean the
difference between winning and losing."
PRODUCT OVERVIEW:
The Razer Mamba™
Razer has unleashed the full potential of gaming mice by designing an ergonomic, lag free
gaming mouse with 2.4GHz gaming grade wireless technology, making it the fastest mouse both
on and off the cord. With dual mode wired/wireless functionality, the Razer Mamba lets users
immediately and seamlessly switch from wired to wireless play. With first in class polling rates at
1ms as compared to traditional wireless mice that poll at 8ms, players will have virtually lag free
game play.
The Razer Mamba also includes a host of features like Razer Synapse™ on-board memory that
lets gamers store and bring their mouse settings wherever they go. And the world's fastest
5600DPI Razer Precision™ 3.5G Laser sensor, the Razer Mamba wireless gaming mouse lets
gamers move with lightning speed and precision to easily escape from becoming prey.
Cost: US- $129.99; Europe- €129.99
Available: Razerzone.com Feb, 2009, Worldwide Q1 2009
Features:
• Detachable seven-foot, lightweight, braided cord
• Battery life & DPI stage indicator
• Ultra-large non-slip Hyperesponse™ buttons
• Ergonomic design
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick™ Teflon feet
Specifications:
• Gaming Grade Wireless Technology
• Dual Mode Wired/Wireless Functionality
• Razer Synapse™ On-board Memory
• 5600DPI Razer Precision™ 3.5G Laser sensor
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms response rate
• Up to 200 inches per second*/ 50g acceleration
• Approximate size: 128mm x 70mm x 42.5mm
• Battery Life: 14hrs (continuous gaming); 72hrs (normal gaming usage)
*Depends on surface used
The Razer Carcharias™
The Razer Carcharias is the essence of uncompromised comfort and audio clarity. The Razer
Carcharias contain certain key features focused on comfort, like a circumaural shape to allow full
over-ear coverage, interchangeable ear pads for a custom fit and a fully adjustable headband.
The Razer Carcharias headset boasts superior audio clarity, deep, thumping bass and a noise
filtering microphone. An inline remote lets users quickly and easily adjust volume and mute the
microphone.
Cost: US- $79.99; Europe- €79.99
Available: Razerzone.com Jan, 2009, Worldwide Q1 2009
Headphone:
• Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 _ at 1kHz
• Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): 102 ± 4dB at 1 kHzMax.
• Input Power: 200 mW
• Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium Magnets
Microphone:
• Frequency Response: 50 – 16,000 Hz
• Sensitivity( @1kHz, 1V/Pa): -37 ± 4dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50 dB
• Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional
• Cable: 3 meters, Braided Fiber Sheath
• Connector: 3.5 mm jack (headphone and mic)

( Engadget )

Logitech axes 15% of salaried workforce as it restructures

Logitech may be bringing the heat at CES, but that doesn't mean it's not feeling the pinch. Alongside a few new pieces of kit, the outfit has also announced that it will be undergoing a serious restructuring as it moves forward. According to president and chief executive officer Gerald P. Quindlen: "During the December quarter, the retail environment deteriorated significantly, and moreover, we expect the economic environment to worsen in the coming months and we are therefore taking significant actions to align our cost structure with what is likely to be an extended downturn." Sadly, those "actions" involve sending home some 15% of its salaried workforce worldwide, and it's expecting the savings from all of this to show in Q1 of fiscal year 2010. Ouch.

( Engadget )

• logitech 's Harmony 1100 remote is more touchscreen, less buttons

Clip-on mouse from Logitech - stop the juggling

Logitech managed to make a mouse that docks on to the lid of notebook  with new V550 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse . It includes “Clip-and-Go Dock” that sticks onto the laptop’s lid. This one makes it stand out from the rest, once supposed to be impossible.For those , don’t fancy notebook’s touchpad, and are on the move this should come handy. About this novelty mouse ,CNET says it is a bit bulky , but the receiver is so small it should become the standard Once the mouse is clipped onto the dock it is fairly secure with no problem.The V550 Nano mouse is packed with tiny USB receiver, a USB extension cable dock for desktop users, AA batteries,. the docking attachment is black and silver and a dock removal tool. The company claims two AA batteries will last for a total of 18 months, which should be good , considering  $60, which is already being spent on a clip- on ravel mouse. 

Video: Z-Nano Mouse is world's smallest and most absurd

Even if we could verify the claim, what's the point? The world's smallest mouse is likely to be as useful as the world's smallest keyboard. The Z-Nano USB mouse measures 42 x 21 x 17.65-mm and, amazingly, includes itty bitty left- and right-click and up- and down-scroll buttons. Available now for $60. See it in action after the break.


( BBGadgets )