mice

Microsoft today launched a Web site, The Art of Touch, that lets Netizens create their own digital paintings.

On the site, which uses HTML5, users can select three different width paint brushes as well as six effects that alter each "brush stroke" with mouse movements. The palette of pastel colors are pre-selected, generated as would-be artists move their mice at different speeds. So when users slide their mouse slowly, for example, they can create a ribbon of red surrounded by starbursts of blue and yellow.

For Microsoft, the idea is to generate interest in its "Touch" … Read more

Studies have shown that computer keyboards can have more bacteria than toilet seats. Given that little tidbit of information, you might want to consider cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard more often, especially if you share your keyboard and mouse with others. Here's how:

Cleaning Step 1: Unplug your keyboard from your computer and remove any batteries.

Step 2: Flip it upside down and give it a good couple of shakes.

Step 3: Blow some compressed air to remove crumbs, dust, and other fun stuff from between the keys.

Step 4: If you … Read more

Welcome to mating 2.0: the sexual act itself might not change, but when the parts don't work, we'll simply build new ones.

So say scientists in Japan who, using stem-cell techniques, are the first to engineer sperm in infertile male mice that successfully fertilized eggs and produced offspring.

The team, led by Mitinori Saitou at Kyoto University, report in the journal Cell that it used stem cells to create primordial germ cells, the precursor to sperm cells, and injected those germ cells into the testicles of infertile mice. The cells eventually produced normal-looking sperm, which went on … Read more

Circuit board and MP3 storage neckties step aside. Someone has created something even geekier--belt buckles made of old computer mice.

It all started when the designer, a Texas maker of leather goods, was throwing away a box of old mice. He realized the devices were about the same size as the belt buckles he wears. Hence was born a new way of showing off your inner geek.

Apple fans can enjoy these treasures, as well--the designer also created Mac variants, ranging from the older Apple Pro mice to the Mighty Mouse (no, not the cartoon). He hasn't created Razer versions yet, but we're hoping for a glowing Death Adder edition.

Each buckle measures about 4.25 inches by 2.5 inches and will fit a belt up to 1.75 inches. Sadly, the belt comes apart the normal way; there's no left-clicking or scrolling involved for unbuckling.

Head on over to the creator's Etsy shop if you wish to get your hands one of these belt buckles. They will set you back at least $20 apiece.

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more

Not everybody has fingers glued to a touch screen these days. Some folks still like to travel with a portable mouse for a satisfyingly retro computing experience.

Mouse lovers are often faced with the challenge of finding an appropriate mousing surface when on the go. Knees and gunky coffeehouse tables don't offer an optimum experience, and it's times like those when you want your own mouse pad with you.

The Smartfish Mouse Pad Travel Pouch is an overachiever. It pulls double duty as a mouse pad and a zip-up storage compartment.

The 9-inch padded neoprene surface is easy on your mouse while it's in use and protects small gadgets and accessories in its spare time. It looks a lot like a taco when it's closed, except that this taco can be packed with a scrumptious filling of electronics.

A small snap handle opens up to attach it to your briefcase, or you can just shove it in with the rest of the gear in your laptop bag.

The Mouse Pad Travel Pouch will cost you $14.95 and comes in either black or blue. … Read more

The folks at Japan's Double Research & Development have come up with a new input device called the "Amenbo," a five-fingered input device that's able to sense the pressure and movement of each finger.

Each of the five pads gets its own mouse sensor, and all are connected to the base of the mouse. According to the company, the mouse inputs the actual hand motions to the PC. With this, manipulating models in programs such as 3D CAD could be made relatively easy.

The base is made of a stretchable mesh to accommodate different hand sizes.

Apparently, the company has plans to connect the Amenbo to a robotic hand. But we'd rather see a professional StarCraft II player dominate his opponent using this device.

Here's a video of the device being showcased: … Read more

The Green Lantern's Power Ring it ain't, but a ring containing MicroPointing's touchpad is something Q might give 007. With a sensor control area of one square millimeter, the touchpad can easily be embedded in a ring.

Israeli start-up MicroPointing plans to offer the touchpad for embedding in all manner of devices large and small, including smartphones, Netbooks, remote controls, game controls, cameras, steering wheels--anywhere you might want to let your finger do some scrolling.

The touchpad could be on handsets starting in the fourth quarter of next year, according to Avi Rosenzweig, MicroPointing's vice president of business development.

The MicroPointing touchpad works by detecting the force your fingertip produces as it drags across the tiny device's three sensors, according to the company's patent application. The sensors are mounted on tiny posts spaced a few tenths of a millimeter apart--less than the size of a ridge on your fingertip.

The sensors pick up sideways force as your fingertip moves parallel to the touchpad's surface. The company's secret sauce is an algorithm that can pull detailed data from just three sensors, Rosenzweig said.… Read more

We've seen mouse sensors based on one laser, two lasers, BlueTracks, and Darkfields. What about a mouse with both a laser and an optical sensor, you ask? Enter Razer's newly announced 4G Dual Sensor System.

According to the Razer press release, the 4G Dual Sensor System "lets you determine the cutoff height for tracking to stop when the mouse is lifted from the surface. This is especially important for gamers who pick up their mice to accommodate wide swiping motions." In addition to height detection, Razer also attributes to its sensor design a new 6,400dpi … Read more

If you're a fan of odd computer peripherals, this mouse should be right up your alley. Created by American designer Joey Roth, the felt mouse is a two-button optical mouse with a (barely visible) scroll wheel.

This quirky prototype device is slated to be exhibited at the American Design Club's Use Me show. The art exhibition aims to feature artistic designs that "exhibit a strong sense of purpose, intelligent use of materials and the ability to do one thing extremely well."

While we're not sure how comfortable a mouse made of felt might be, we hope nobody leaves it lying next to a whiteboard.

(Source: Crave Asia via Inhabitat) … Read more