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Introduction
In an
industry that seems to be changing
faster than most of our wallets and
purses can compensate for there are
few things that have stood the test
of time unchanged. Until recently
the humble mouse had seen very few
improvements over the original
X-Y Position Indicator created by
Douglas Englebart back in 1964.
In more recent times the mouse has
seen two innovations that have
massively increased its accuracy,
reliability and its functionality,
these being the scroll wheel and the
advent of optical motion tracking
which was developed by Agilent
Technologies and introduced back in
1999, finally sounding the death
knell for the troublesome ball.
The star of today's review however
takes the mouse to a whole new
level. Not only will it work on your
desk like any other mouse, you can
also pick it up and use it in
midair! It comes packed alongside a
compact but high quality cordless
keyboard and the whole package is
known as the Gyration Ultra Cordless
Optical Suite.
At the heart of the mouse lies the
MicroGyro 100. This compact and low
cost inertial sensing unit is
already integrated into a range of
pointing and remote control devices,
and will almost certainly make an
appearance in a lot more. A
vibrating beam is driven using
electromagnets which also sense
slight variations in its position as
a result of movement. Internally the
whole assembly is cushioned meaning
no additional external damping, and
thus bulk and weight, are required.
The radio side of things is based
around an eight channel, 65,000
digital security address system. The
eight channels means you can have
multiple GyroMouse users in close
proximity without them interfering
with each other. 65,000 addresses
allow for a suitably interference
free address to be located, which in
simple terms means reliable and
error free data transfer.
Remarkably, the RF unit in this
mouse has a power on time under 1
mSec, meaning the RF module can
actually power down between
individual packets of data, thus
offering considerable power savings.
The mouse is rated at just just
3.3v, 22mA.
About Gyration
Specifications
Mobile Keyboard
Features
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RF range of up to 30 m*
with no line-of-sight
limitations
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Standard 88-key keypad
with high-quality
tactile feel includes
special Windows Start
and drop-down menu keys
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15 conveniently located
Internet and multimedia
hot keys
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8 channels* and 36,800
unique addresses provide
transmission security
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Small, lightweight
design makes it the
perfect keyboard for
traveling presenters
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Snap-on keyboard cover
is included to protect
keys during transport
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Uses standard Windows
keyboard drivers - no
special software
required
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Receiver connects to
computer via USB port
See how Gyration's Mobile
Keyboard measures up to the
competition:
More info about this cool
keyboard:
Follow link |
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Ultra Cordless Optical
Mouse Features:
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Extra long 7.6 m radio
range. Line of sight not
required!
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Use up to eight devices
with one receiver with
digital security
features
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Optical - no moving
parts to wear out or get
dirty
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Gyroscopic motion sensor
for use off the desktop
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Long life rechargeable
battery with convenient
desktop charging cradle
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Windows and Mac
compatible scroll wheel
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Plug 'n play USB, no
special drivers or
software needed
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Ergonomically designed
for comfortable desktop
and in-air use
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2-year limited parts and
labor warranty
*Wireless IntelliMouse
Explorer from Microsoft
Corporation and Wireless
MouseMan Optical from
Logitech Inc. have been
referenced for competitive
comparisons. Competitive
information was obtained in
June 2002 and deemed
accurate using standard test
procedures.
More info about this cool
"Air" mouse:
Follow link |
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