Awesome Stuff: Rethinking The Mouse (Finally!)
from the crowdfunding-picks dept
So folks seemed to enjoy last week's crowdfunding picks post, and the Saturday morning time slot seemed to work, so we'll stick with it. Still not sure on a name, but someone suggested "awesome stuff," and it's hard to argue with that. I reserve the right to change it at some point, but at least this week, we're going with Awesome Stuff. And, this week we're also going to test out a "theme." These are three crowdfunding projects that all revolve around reinventing the mouse. It's been almost 45 years since the humble computer mouse was first demonstrated by Doug Engelbart, in a presentation that I rewatch every so often. It's quite incredible when you realize just how much of the future he's showing off. The clip below should start right at the point where he discusses the mouse (if not, it's right around 30 minutes, 45 seconds):- First up, we have the EGO! smartmouse, which does a whole variety of things to try to take the concept of a computer mouse further. Beyond regular mousing, and being able to work in 3 dimensions, rather than just 2 (yes, you can lift it up and gesture with it in the air), it also can easily authenticate and switch to different computers on the fly, even bringing files along with it. On top of that it can act as a remote control or a gaming controller. Some of these features we've seen elsewhere, but pulling them all together in one device seems pretty impressive.
- Why does a mouse need to always sit next to your keyboard? What if it was wrapped around your finger? That's the premise behind the Mycestro. As someone who spends a lot of time moving my right hand between the keyboard and the mouse, there's something quite appealing about being able to keep my hands in one position and still be able to use the mouse. You can see the details in the video below. Like the EGO! mouse above, this is also a 3D mouse, recognizing gestures to move the mouse, but it also lets you click and scroll with your thumb. It's difficult to describe without seeing it in action, so check it out.
- Finally, we have another Kickstarter project that ended yesterday without hitting its goal. I debated if we should still include it, but it definitely seems to fit with the theme. It's the Mauz device that clips onto an iPhone to turn the iPhone itself into a mouse. Like both of the above examples, it enables 3D gestures, but also has a lot of flexibility in terms of features that can be used on the screen. I'm somewhat surprised that it failed to reach its goal. This seems like the kind of Kickstarter project that would take off.
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Filed Under: awesome stuff, crowdfunding, input, mice, mouse
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I blame Mattel and Nintendo for this the failed project...
;-)
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those look retarded
toys for geeks that like toys. not evolutions in productivity.
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Finger Mouse
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Re: Finger Mouse
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I've been trying to invent a better mouseTRAP!
;(
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But if that was truly what he would've needed to kick it off...
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not surprising that Mauz failed
It sounds like a terrible idea. The mouse is supposed to be an always on, always available device. Something that sits there waiting for input. Nobody wants to have to turn the Mauz on every time they want to use the computer, and if it was always on, the battery life would be terrible.
Plus, what if you get a phone call? Now you have to decide whether you want your phone to be a phone or a mouse. How often do you need to access something on the computer while you're on the phone? If you're like most people, I would say that's pretty common.
Further, people want a mouse to be inexpensive. Using something that costs hundreds of dollars as a pointer is as pointless as using the iPhone as a coaster for your can of pop.
The other devices look promising, however.
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Re: not surprising that Mauz failed
The best thing for the mouse was what we used to call the "doggie dick" in the middle of an IBM laptop. You can keep your hands in position and click with your thumbs. It never caught on because you could never point with precision. And it looked like a doggie dick.
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Everything else is either changing how it plugs into the computer, cosmetic, or extra features that approximately five people in the world find useful.
I'm not saying that it can never be improved upon. It's going to damned near take divine inspiration though because the humble scroll mouse is very close to perfect for its job.
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Re:
Want to keep it a list of three? Okay:
1) Adding more (possibly programmable) buttons, one of which is a scroll wheel
2) Getting rid of the ball and going optical
3) Making them wireless
And I'm sure I'm overlooking some other useful innovations as well.
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It's things like this that led me back to wired PS/2 mice. I eventually switched to USB when computer manufacturer started putting a decent amount of usb ports on their systems.
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When was the last time you took the plunge and tried a wireless mouse?
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2. spousal unit loves them, BUT, she is constantly scavenging batteries from all the remotes in the house, 'cause she is constantly running out of juice in them... battery eaters..
3. *BEST* innovation of the mouse has been the scroll wheel; absolutely great for zooming in/out when using CAD/graphics progs...
makes surfing (most) too-tiny websites easy peasy japanesy...
oh, trackpads suck... i think my kirlian fields make them bonkers or something, but i can't get the damn things to stop jumping all over the place... trackballs suck, too...
damn kids: a brick with metal conduit back to the mainframe is all anyone needs...
art guerrilla
aka ann archy
eof
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damn embedded code crap...
grrrrr
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without brackets:
"control-scroll wheel"
grrrr
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Wireless though? Unless you have a specific need for it, all you get is a slightly less responsive mouse that now needs batteries. I'll even be nice and count the "oooh, shiny and new! must have!" crowd under specific need.
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Batteries. Hm. I did own a few wireless mice (otherwise, I couldn't comment on them and hadn't found out that I don't really need them), but none of them needed 'common' replaceble batteries. They used Li-Ion accumulators, lasted days on a single charge (my pc is on almost 24/7 and being actively used for the vast majority of my spare time) and charged in a perceived flash at the least, or overnight at the most. It wasn't all that bad.
Whether I really need it or not, not being tangled up in a mess of cables/wires is what I would call a 'useful innovation'.
I also never had to re-sync when I put them on/took them off the charging dock.
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So yes, I prefer a wired mouse on a desktop machine, but I far prefer a wireless on a laptop/notebook/whatever.
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Moreover you clearly never used the old-style square-cornered, flat mouse. Those things made the hand so sore. Even the gently rounded one that came with my Power Mac was painful. It is impossible to overstate how much the current ergonomically designed mouse is an improvement over those early designs.
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Alternative Mice?
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Maybe a pointer on the floor that you can move with your feet to accompany the mouse. It won't replace the mouse but maybe it can supplement it. You can move it around with your feet, you can separately set the sensitivity, and you can put more pressure down to click on it. That way you don't always have to move your hand from the keyboard to the mouse and back every time you want to click something. It should still allow the foot to rest on it, you shouldn't have to life your foot, just add a tap or a little extra weight to click it down, and it should have like a wheel or something (a slider or maybe a foot pad, kinda like a laptop pad) so that it's easy to roll but you, of course, have the option of taking your foot off of it and maybe setting the click sensitivity if needed.
Of course, when you really need mouse intensive work, the mouse should still be there next to the keyboard. But if I want to do something simple I can use my foot pad.
I dunno if something like that could provide enough high speed accuracy and testing would need to be done to determine the extent that your foot might be tired. Don't think it would really work that well but I think, while on the computer, what's missing is input from your feet so if some sort of foot input can be added, maybe another mouse button even or some sort of directional input (too many buttons on the regular mouse tends to clutter it and make it so that you either keep accidentally clicking it or it makes it harder to click the right button).
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Whatever is used needs to focus its attention on removing the inconvenience of having to lift your hand up and move it back and forth from the mouse to the keyboard every time you want to transition.
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It's a gimmick that may prove useful in some limited ways but that's all.
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I'd say it's perfect, why fix what ain't broken?
It's that old, the silver paint has worn off where my fingers usually sit and it looks like it's sticking two fingers up at me!
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They'd probably become trillionaires overnight if they put it for sale on Adam & Eve rofl.
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Wireless?
Have a G9 now - with wires!
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Re: Wireless?
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Mouse-free for Years
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Re: Mouse-free for Years
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Re: no keyboard
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As someone who likes a good mouse and dont mind paying whatever price i can tell you no way in hell i would buy this mouse.
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I want a new trackball
1. MS to make a NEW common driver for mouse/trackball. Im tired of OVERLAYS that arnt compressed.
2. a NEW trackball. NONE of the Makers have improved on what was made 10 years ago.. They have gone WILD on the mouse, and forgotten the trackball.
NOW if they would replace the BALL with a glide point, or track pad that could do alot. Then add a few buttons on the side to change its use and configuration..
1. 5x5 keypad
2. 10 key input
3. quick keys
4. scroll
...
I know TONS of people that would buy it..
PS..I HATE GESTURES..
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I just keep a pack of 4 AA batteries spare, but I have not had to open that pack yet. It also have extra and fully programmable buttons and a great wheel, that can be switched between 'clicking' and 'smooth' spin. Best mouse I have ever owned. It also warns you when the batteries get low WELL before changing them is required (days). Giving you plenty of time to buy a new set before it stops working.
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Cordless or Nothing...
I have one RF trackball and a bluetooth opitcal that I use for my desktop. They both work excellent.(both Logitech)
The trouble with the RF ones is the base signal is very directional. Once you find where the signal is, they work well, with no special software. Battery use is via rechargeable double A's,(2 for the RF,1 for the Bluetooth) about once a month.
The bluetooth works really great and I use it while on the sofa.
As to moving your iphone in the air, theres a free app for that called Air Mouse.It works great over Wifi.
Once you get some really good cordless action going, you'll never go back!
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Using Gesture to control your screen
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I'd back such project.
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What about Leap Motion?
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I understand your differing preferences, but the arguments people are using against them went out the window years ago, for the most part.
I have a bluetooth mouse that never needs re-syncing, lasts for months on 2 rechargeable AAA batteries, works over a great distance, has a high degree of accuracy, works well for gaming, and costs under $20. Going wireless also saves me quite a bit of time and hassle, as I never have to plug or unplug it, nor wind or unwind a cable.
My recommendation is that if you're ever willing to give wireless mice another shot, and buy one from a reputable brand such as Lenovo, Microsoft, or Logitech, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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house
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sell buy
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Best wireless mouse
Thanks.
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On great idea?
In the tablets there is the pen/sylus.
In the computers and laptops there are mouses and touchpad.
Both in the last can give physical problems.
Why not an "simple ideia"::: transport what you have in the new mouses (with optical, lasers and etc) into an efficient pen/stylus, changing the form of the mouse into an pen form???
Everythink nowdays is small.
Does anybody can produce an efficient product like that?
Possibilities:
1-pen/stylus (form) with the technology of the mouse, because when you use an pen/stylus the hand is more neutral.
2-pen/stylus (form) with the technology of the mouse with any type of touchpad, if it is not possible the 1.
If someone can produce this product I think it will win a lot of money. So i give this ideai for free to any one in the world.
Possible there is something like that. (or) (?)
The life will be much more easy and free of pain for me and for everybody with and whithout pain.
Sorry my ignorance if there is no technology for that. (or) !!!
Sorry for my incongruences and writing style.
They will put the man on the Moon or Marte?!
I repeat again: using an pen/stylus the hand is more neutral.
Many Thanks
M
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