New Logitech Dark Field Mice Operate On Glass 225
Slatterz writes "Logitech has introduced new mice that use two lasers rather than one to work on a variety of previously unusable surfaces. The first laser picks out imperfections in the surface of a tabletop while the second laser focuses on microscopic imperfections highlighted and uses those to direct the cursor. The technique, dubbed dark field microscopy, allows mice to be used on almost any surface, including glass (as long as it is more than 4mm thick)."
Re:For desktop use, what's the point? (Score:3, Insightful)
What is wrong with you people complaining about logitech improving their product? I don't get it. My logitech mouse works on most of the surfaces I've tried it on, but not everything. Would I like it to work everywhere? It would be nice. I can't imagine why anyone would be opposed to that.
Also, no I don't use a mouse pad and I don't want to need one. Talk about pointless.
Re:how's this compare to BlueTrack? (Score:3, Insightful)
Eh - to each his own. With my optical mouse I can sit it on the leg of my jeans (even on the side if I feel like it) and use my mouse wherever I want. Or on the actual surface of my couch. Ball mice tend to not work so well on fabrics.
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:5, Insightful)
Well, they do use two lasers. No, it doesn't REQUIRE two for technique of "dark microscopy" itself, and the article's description of their use doesn't make much sense at all... it's just to provide more than one angle to bounce off any imperfections.
Still, I don't see anything wrong with a mouse that tracks so well it will work on glass. It's not like it is designed for glass ONLY, it just means it will work even better on any surface you have. It's just the stupid blogs and reviews that have to go rub it on everry glass surface they can find - Logitech's marketing just says "Experience extreme accuracy and flawless tracking on virtually all surfaces."
Re:Umm... (Score:3, Insightful)
It's all fun and smug until all the fine graphite dust emitted by the pencil fucked up your capsule. Fischer Space Pen FTW!
But Five blades really is better. (Score:5, Insightful)
First off I wouldn't give the Onion too much credit for "foretelling the blade count war", because, every teenager and pre-teen has been making 22 blade razor jokes probably since they first made twin blade razors. It's not a big deal
Secondly, five bladed razors are better. The five blade Gilette Fusion is a wonderful razor. Having to use an old twin blade compared to the fusion is just terrible. In fact, my wife routinely steals mine (and a fresh blade), in order to do her legs. Lady's twin blade razors in cute little pink and white packages do not work as well as a good old five blade ultra sharp kick butt razor.
Bottom line is, if Gillette's research arm comes up with diamond tipped blades, or some sort of a ten bladed razor, then they've got my interest. Paying extra for a razor may seem like a waste to some, but after twenty or thirty years of shaving with crappy razors, those few extra bucks are money well spent. A good razor is worth it, and honestly, I could see a good mouse being worth it too.
$100 (Score:4, Insightful)
Not surprisingly, the mouse costs a lot more than I'd be willing to pay. My 3-button, scroll-wheel USB Intellimouse Explorer 3 is close to celebrating it's 10th birthday, and is still going strong, and still feels to me like the best mouse I've ever used. Microsoft sure knew how to put their name on quality hardware back then.
4mm Glass surface (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:The mouse and the buggy whip (Score:3, Insightful)
For art? yes. a tablet +pen is far more useful. and touchscreen tech is still artificially high priced so that will not be common until companies pull their heads out of their arses and start putting it on all LCD's.
Outside that, mice work for what they are intended, and are dirt cheap.
cant beat dirt cheap.
Re:how's this compare to BlueTrack? (Score:2, Insightful)
Blue LEDs were cool when the iPod came out and it was the only one to use them for backlighting.Color screens make blue LEDs obsolete.
On the other hand, Laser Beams are Forever.
There will never be a time in the future when laser beams will be considered uncool. That is a fact.
Re:For desktop use, what's the point? (Score:1, Insightful)
Being able to track on more surfaces is always nice, but using a surface designed for the mouse is far from pointless. A mouse at the edge of its tracking ability annoyingly jumps around the screen, and a rough surface ruins the teflon pads. It's amazing how awful using a gunky mouse is, and how effectively almost any wooden desk suface does this.
I've a five year old Logitech that tracks flawlessly, still moves like an air hockey puck, and the underside has never been cleaned in any manner. Two-dollar fabric & rubber mousepad for the win.