The malleable mouse concept art shows some styles that look pretty darn uncomfortable to me.
Lite-On, perhaps better known for optical drives, is planning to launch a 'moldable mouse' that promises to put an end to GUI-users discomfort.
The concept is to build a mouse lightweight modelling clay covered with a nylon/polyurethane fabric, with the idea being that you can mould the peripheral into whatever shape your little heart desires, tailoring it precisely to the contours of your hand in a way that just isn't possible with pre-formed plastic peripherals. In one fell swoop the company hopes to eliminate finger strain and carpal-tunnel syndrome associated with mouse usage.
Well, that's the plan. Should this thing ever make it to market I predict a barrage of YouTube videos feature breast- and penis-shaped pointers being brandished by a veritable horde of giggly teens.
Mucky mice aside, the clever part of the concept – aside from being able to squish the mouse when you get angry – comes from the buttons and scrollwheel, which are RFID-tagged wireless units that can be stuck anywhere on the surface of the mouse meaning you can truly design your own layout. Sadly, you're limited to two buttons and a scrollpad-style wheel at the moment.
After winning a
Red-Dot Award for the concept design Lite-On is looking to bring the radical peripheral to market, although there's no news yet as to a release date.
An innovative idea, or is it just going to end up on the same scrap heap as roll-up rubber keyboards? Give us your thoughts over in
the forums.
16 Comments
Discuss in the forums ReplyI wonder if it will hold up to 39ºC summer days without getting all yucky.
Functionality of final product = :? (I guess we'll have to wait & see)
The fact that you can make your mouse look like all sorts of immaturely humorous things makes it totally worth getting if you have the money!