Smart mouse

Logitech has released what it claims is the first mouse to receive and process wireless communication from a PC.

The MX610 laser cordless mouse's 2.4 GHz digital onboard microprocessor gives the mouse a smart capability. This mouse is capable of two-way communication and can tell when the mouse battery is low; notify the receipt of an important email or instant message; it knows when the computer is on or off and it can save power by turning itself off when the PC is dormant; it can sense if there is wireless interference, changing channels to establish the most secure connection. It doesn't need a reset button - once it's connected to the computer, it stays connected.

The mouse senses when a new email message comes into a user's inbox and illuminates a blue light on the email button. With one click of the button, the user opens the inbox to view the message.

Similarly, the PC sends, and the mouse receives, notification of new instant messages from Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Instant Messenger, communicated with the illumination of an orange button on the mouse, which can be seen from across a room.

The mouse can be customised with SetPoint software, so that the user is only notified when specific people send emails or IMs. And if the user needs to leave the PC to do something in another room, the mouse can deliver these notifications at a wireless range of up to 10 m.

It has an expected battery life of three months with regular use and achieves this life by mimicking the power status of the computer to which it is connected. As it sends and receives wireless signals, it can sense when the PC has gone into sleep mode or is shut down and powers down accordingly.

When battery level is low - less than 10% of full charge - an indicator light on the mouse illuminates to advise the user it is time to change the batteries.