Modern Mice

In computer technology, the name of the game is new and better so computer people are always trying to come up with a product they can supply that will create a demand. When they can't come up with something new, the do the next best thing: they mix it up. That means that they take one gadget and combine it with another one or take one technology and mix it with a second.

Combined Technologies

The computer mouse is no different. Since the wireless mouse came onto the market, the only thing left to do, it seems, is to combine the mouse with other devices and technologies to come up with something better than the sum of its parts. Examples of these innovative computer mice include the motion-based mouse, the tilting wheel mouse, the biometric mouse, the gaming mouse, the combination mouse/remote control, and the multimedia mouse.

Extra Buttons

Multimedia Mouse and Combination Mouse/Remote

These mice can be used with multimedia systems like the Windows XP Media Center Edition PC. Some versions of these mice have extra buttons, for instance play, pause, volume, forward, and back, for use with media. Another example includes the television or media remote control that has the additional advantage of the ability to mouse. It's usual for these remote controls to operate on infrared sensors though some add RF (radio frequency) technology for increased range.

Gaming Mice

The gaming mouse is a very precise optical mouse that can be used as a regular mouse with your PC or as a game controller. They often have extra buttons that give the player greater range of motion and added functionality. Gaming mice are always based on wireless technology and use optical sensors for precision, as well. These mice offer two-way communication and motion feedback.

In Air

Motion-Based Mice

One of the newest innovations in mouse technology is the motion-based mouse. With motion-based control, controlling the mouse pointer is accomplished by waving your mouse in the air. One manufacturer of this type of mouse uses small gyroscopes to keep track of the mouse's motion as it is waved about. Small wonder that the manufacturer calls itself: Gyration.

Coriolis Effect

Gyration's mouse employs an electromagnetic transducer as well as sensors in order to sense rotation in two different axes at one and the same time. The mouse runs according to the Coriolis Effect, which is defined as the apparent turning of one object as it moves in relation to a second rotating object. The Gyration mouse uses software to translate the movements of the mouse into movement on your computer screen. These mice also have an optical sensor for use on a desktop.

Some mice are now designed to work with specific keyboards. This is meant to provide the user with a greater number of options. One example is the Logitech Cordless Desktop LX700. This product comes equipped with such keyboard functions as scroll, pan, and zoom. Since the mouse has the same features you can use any of the functions through either the keyboard or the mouse.