Logitech outs two wireless mice and an external trackpad, all optimized for Windows 8

Logitech outs two wireless mice and an external trackpad, all optimized for Windows 8

It’ll be another two weeks before Windows 8 PCs go on sale, but if you like, you can pick out your gesture-enabled peripherals now. Logitech just announced two wireless mice and an external trackpad, all optimized to support gestures in Windows 8. Starting with the mice, the Touch Mouse T620 has the same design as the M600 announced earlier this year, except it supports Win 8 gestures out of the box. (The M600 will get a software update allowing it to work the same way.) Similar to its predecessor, the T620’s entire top surface is touch-enabled, which means you can do things like swipe the right side for the Charm Bar, or swipe from the left to rotate through open programs. You can also double tap with one finger to return to the Start Screen, and double tap with two fingers to show the desktop.

Moving on, the Zone Touch Mouse T400 has a touch strip that you can use to move up and down through pages, as well as scroll through the live tiles on the Start Screen. In a brilliant twist, though, the touch strip itself is comprised of two buttons, which you can use to toggle open apps or bring up the Start Screen, depending on which end you press. Finally, the Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650 is a Magic Trackpad-style touchpad with a spacious glass surface, which seemed impeccably responsive during our brief hands-on with it. Unlike the two mice, which run on AAs, the T650 has a rechargeable battery, which you can re-juice over USB.

All of these accessories use proprietary 2.4GHz wireless technology instead of Bluetooth, which means you’ll need a free USB port to accommodate the accompanying transceiver. The dongle can pair with up to six Logitech peripherals at once, but that’s a bummer if you also happen to own gear made by a Microsoft or HP. As you might have guessed, these are compatible with Windows PCs only, though you could use them with Win 7 if you so chose. Look for all three this month, with the Touchpad T650 priced $80, the Touch Mouse at $70 and the T400 at $50.

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Logitech outs two wireless mice and an external trackpad, all optimized for Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple gets patent for universal batteries, edges closer to long-lasting wireless peripherals

Apple gets patent for universal batteries, edges closer to longerlasting mice and keyboards

These days, just about every Apple product is defined by a non-removable battery. It’s with no small hint of irony, then, that Apple just received a US patent for a universal removable battery system. As proposed, the technique would let Apple cut batteries from lithium-polymer or similar materials into commonly sized packs that could then be swapped between devices, providing all the benefits of removable, rechargeable batteries with a longer lifespan than an old set of AAs. Batteries could have serviceable cores for when they finally give up the ghost, and computers could even alternate between charging the batteries (when plugged in) or using them to extend the runtime of MacBooks. We’d recommend against basing any purchasing strategy around Apple’s filing, though. The Cupertino team originally applied for the patent in 2010, and in turn broke out the technology from a patent it had filed in 2007 — there’s no guarantees Apple is still interested in replacing those disposables, let alone any sealed-in batteries. That won’t stop us from yearning for the day when a Magic Mouse lasts for more than a week of heavy use.

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Apple gets patent for universal batteries, edges closer to long-lasting wireless peripherals originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SlickDeals’ best in tech for September 12th: Logitech Mice, SSDs and more

Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at SlickDeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

SlickDeals' best in tech September 12th: Logitech Mice, SSDs and more

If you’re itching to take matters into your own hands, perhaps building a new work machine from the ground up can fill said desire. In today’s list of links, you’ll find a few of solid buys that will help you do just that. Just in case your current mouse just isn’t cutting it or has just kicked the bucket, we’ve got a couple frugal options for replacements in that department as well. So, let’s get right to it. Head on past the break for a fresh batch of links ready to meet your eager clicks, but be mindful of those pesky rebate forms and coupon codes.

Continue reading SlickDeals’ best in tech for September 12th: Logitech Mice, SSDs and more

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SlickDeals’ best in tech for September 12th: Logitech Mice, SSDs and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft outs Artist Series wireless mice just in time for the fall semester with a $30 price tag

Microsoft outs Artist Series wireless mice just in time for the fall semester with a $30 price tag

If a regular ol’ mouse just won’t match your back to school wardrobe, Microsoft is looking to help out. The folks in Redmond have unveiled the Artist Series of mice that will definitely spice up your physical desktop. Designs by five artists from around the globe will wrap the topside of the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 and will set you back $29.99. For a look at the whole lot, peek at the gallery below while more info about each of the participants awaits at the source.

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Microsoft outs Artist Series wireless mice just in time for the fall semester with a $30 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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