Logitech has unveiled a PC gamepad with an interesting feature: it keeps the hands of gamers cool and dry. The ChillStream has a built-in 40 mm fan that circulates up to 3.41 cubic feet of air per minute. Three narrow vents on each side of the controller push air directly onto the four fingers, the base of the thumb and the palm of the hand. The air stream can be set at continuous, interval or off modes. The controller will be available in September for USD 40.
Logitech today introduced its EasyCall desktop bundle including a full-duplex speakerphone and a stereo headset for Internet calling. The cordless keyboard includes a communications panel that lets users control calls and easily launch VoIP applications or instant messaging software. The package is completed with a MX 600 laser cordless mouse. The EasyCall Desktop will be available in mid-September for USD 130. Logitech announced two other keyboard/mouse combos: the MX 3200 (USD 100) and the LX 710 (USD 80).
Apple has released a wireless version of its Mighty Mouse. Apart from Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, the device is very similar to its wired counterpart, featuring a touch-sensitive plastic case that conceals the two main buttons. Another change is the use of laser instead of traditional optical tracking. The wireless Mighty Mouse uses either one or two AA batteries. Retail price is USD 69.
Microsoft has announced its first keyboard and high-definition mouse combo specially designed for Macintosh computers. The Wireless Laser Desktop includes a Comfort Curve keyboard that for the first time drops the Windows Start button. Instead, it offers Mac modifier, zoom, eject and hot keys. The silver-finished kit should be available this summer for a suggested retail price of USD 100.
Ideazon, a company specialized in gaming keyboards, has just released their newest model, MERC. It provides 34 gaming keys, three thumb keys and 11 weapon keys, plus multimedia keys, and it tilts 11 degrees to match natural wrist position. Also, core game commands are labeled for quick access, including run, walk, jump, crouch and reload. It uses USB interface. With a suggested price of USD 39.99, you should check this new keyboard out if you are a serious gamer.
Russian design studio Art Lebedev claims that it will launch a tiny version of its famous, but not yet available, Optimus OLED keyboard in May. The miniature device, called Optimus mini three has only three keys and will be plugged with a USB 1.0 connector. Each key features a 96x96 pixels screen and polycarbonate coating. The studio will offer a basic set of plugins with the keyboard Configurator and expects programmers to add new applications. Art Lebedev will start taking pre-orders this week, for USD 100 a piece, and expects to begin shipping the product on May 15.
Creative announced at CES a new gaming mouse “co-developed” by top gamer Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel. The Fatal1ty 2020 reaches 2,400 dpi resolution and is equipped with an adjustable weight system based on five changeable modules. Another insteresting feature is the possibility of setting the resolution with a button and checking the current level through a color led readout. Suggested retail price is USD 70. A second model (1010), with 1,600 dpi max resolution, is available for “casual gamers” (USD 50).
Inventor John Parkinson and its New Standard Keyboard (NSK) company plan to reintroduce a design intended to substitute the long standing QWERTY standard. The new USB equipment is set to be presented at CES, in January, and sent to distributors in February. Parkinson’s product has only 53 keys, alphabetically organized, and is split in two parts, one for each hand. The NSK is also smaller than a traditional keyboard.
Microsoft has introduced the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, featuring a “gull wing” design, with a 14-degree gable that puts the keys closer to the users’ fingers. It also offers an optional palm rest for a 7-degree reversed slope, a wrist rest and a 12-degree split. Additional features include a Zoom Slider located in the middle of the keyboard as well as Back and Forward and My Favorite Keys. Suggested retail price is USD 64.95. The company has announced two other ergonomic products: the 6-degree curved Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 (USD 24.95) and the Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 (USD 29.95).
Logitech will start selling in September two new gaming mice capable of resolutions of up to 2,000 dpi. Both the laser G5 and the cordless G7 handle 6.4 megapixels of image processing per second and sport full-speed bi-directional USB connection which delivers 500 reports per second. The G5 is packaged with adjustable weight cartridges to give users better control. The G7 features a five level power indicator and twin hot-swappable Li-ion batteries. Suggested retail prices are, respectively, USD 70 and USD 100. Logitech will also release in October the G15, a gamer keyboard, including built-in auxiliary LCD display, 18 programmable keys and advanced software to set up custom commands. The device will be priced at USD 80.
