The future of PC navigation starts now.
Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI), the world’s leading manufacturer of
computer mice, today introduced the Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless
Air Mouse, a versatile laser mouse that works on the desk and in the air.
Similar to the way people use a remote to control a television, when
holding the MX Air mouse, people can now lean back and relax while
navigating the computer and enjoying media content.
For many, the computer is now much more than a productivity tool. It serves
as a hub for digital media, demanding a new way for people to control,
consume and enjoy music, photos and videos on the PC. To enable effortless
in-air navigation, the new mouse combines three important technologies –
Freespace™ motion-control, gesture command and wireless – so people can
point, select and play media files with just a flick of the wrist.
“The MX Air mouse offers a radically new way for people to control their PC
entertainment,” said Rory Dooley, Logitech senior vice president and
general manager of the Control Devices business unit. “It’s for anyone who
has listened to music on their PC and been frustrated by having to return
to the desk to change songs or volume. It’s for people who want to share
vacation photos with friends and family without being tied to the desk.
It’s for any of the millions of people using the Internet to browse and
watch videos on sites such as YouTube or Grouper. And it’s for people with
a living-room computer or media PC who want to navigate their media content
on their terms.”
Advanced Control – Freespace and Gesture Commands
Freespace motion control technology is designed to provide accurate,
responsive navigation without the limitations encountered by previous
in-air pointing devices. This patented technology is based on a combination
of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) sensors, DSP (digital signal
processing) technology and RF (radio frequency) wireless technology. These
combined technologies allow a user to hold the mouse in any orientation,
point in any direction, and enjoy effortless, intuitive cursor control.
Additionally, sophisticated algorithms distinguish between intentional and
unintentional hand movements – effectively canceling the slight involuntary
tremors everyone experiences when holding a device in the air.
Gesture-based commands add a new level of sophistication to the MX Air
mouse. To change the volume, people press and hold the volume button and
simply gesture – to the right to increase volume, or to the left to
decrease it. For music applications, a small circular motion to the right
activates the skip track command, while a circle to the left repeats the
song.
In place of a traditional scroll wheel, the MX Air mouse features a
touch-sensitive scroll panel. A swipe of the finger across the surface
enables the inertial scrolling mechanism, which adjusts its speed according
to the speed of the finger swipe. Media functions such as Play/Pause,
Volume/Mute, Back and Select can be easily accessed in the air by pressing
the large, orange backlighted buttons with the thumb.
Designed for Versatility
The MX Air mouse has a striking design, complete with a polished-black,
semi-transparent top case, a silver base and a svelte, contoured shape. The
carefully sculpted shape provides versatility, allowing people to
comfortably use it as a desktop mouse – with their hand over the top – or
as an air mouse – with their fingers under the base and their thumb on top
for button selection.
The rechargeable MX Air mouse uses Logitech’s 2.4 GHz Digital Cordless
technology, which offers a range of up to 30 feet (10 meters). The sleek
charging cradle is unobtrusive and elegant. And with its 2.4 GHz
micro-receiver, the MX Air mouse is easy to plug in and use with a desktop
or notebook PC.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse is expected to be
available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in August. Its suggested retail
price in the U.S. is $149.99. More information about the MX Air mouse is at
www.logitech.com.
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