Logitech MX Air Mouse
It seems that people are always trying to find new ways of interface with the computer. First it was the mouse and digital pen, then the touch pad, now the Logitech MX Air Mouse.
The MX Air advertises: “On the Desk. In the Air”, and allows the user to grab the mouse and wave it in front of the monitor as opposed to using it on the desktop. If you have ever just wanted to lean back and use your computer with one button, this is the product for you.
The MX Air works just like any mouse, and there is a giant left and right button, and a large section between them is devoted to the scrolling option. There are other buttons that you will not find on an ordinary mouse, such as the BACK button that allows you to move backwards in websites or Windows Media Center. There is an SEL that works like a left click, but is easier to access it. The PLAY/PAUSE button will work on songs and slideshows, but this doesn’t work with online video clips such as YouTube. The VOL button can be clicked to completely kill the sound.
In addition to the buttons, the MX Air has some interesting gesture functions. For example, the volume can be turned down or up by pushing the VOL button down and moving the “nose” left or right. Also, certain multimedia tracks can be played by holding the PLAY/PAUSE down and spinning the MX Air clockwise for forward and counter-clockwise for backward.
To be honest, I’m not certain how this technology works, only that you can point the mouse in any direction to use at any orientation. All you need to do is press and hold the BACK button and it will freeze the cursor. The mouse will then be centered by releasing the BACK button.
I can see several applications for the Logitech MX Air mouse, and one of them is clearly for presentations. All you would need to do is calibrate the mouse, and you won’t have to deal with annoying remote controls for projectors.
The best part of the Logitech MX Air mouse is its ease of use. All you need to do is plug in the USB key, and install the software. I was able to wave the Mouse Wand before the screen and get it to work even before the software was finished installing. The charge station plugs in to the wall, and the MX Air mouse rests on it and charges quite quickly without batteries.
The Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse is available at amazon.com for about $130.00.
