Think Outside BT Mouse Now Available for Preorder

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.thinkoutside.com/products/bt-mouse-ppc.html' target='_blank'>http://www.thinkoutside.com/product...-mouse-ppc.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"With Think Outside's Stowaway® Travel Mouse you can now easily navigate your PDA just like you do with a desktop mouse! No more lost styluses or hard-to-remember keyboard shortcuts. Simply point and click and you're off! And since our mouse is Bluetooth enabled, you can use it with any Windows XP or Mac OS X Notebook with Bluetooth. Now you can finally buy one mouse that does it all. Our Stowaway travel mouse includes cutting edge software drivers that support the most popular Pocket PC PDAs from HP, Dell and others."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041029-ThinkOutsideBTMouse.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm still not sure I'd use a mouse with my PDA, but I suppose the added flexibility can't hurt. ;) Are any of you planning to get this?

[jasondearyou]

this is a musht have, i feel like i can't do without it and I don't even have it, way to go think outside. 0X

[jimski]

Could work nicely with my new iPAQ Bluetooth keyboard (due on Monday). So the questions is, will my 4700 communicate with this mouse and a Bluetooth keyboard at the same time?

[jgalindo]

I use my Laptop with a bluetooth mouse from Microsoft, could I plug that in to my PDA? Is yes, where do I get the drivers.


Also, if I am using the mouse with my laptop, is there a way to quickly switch to using the mouse with my pda? :roll: I use my bluetooth enabled laptop every day and have my ipaq 6315 on the cradle so I can have a quick look at data or make phone calls using my bluetooth headset.


I guess my best option would be to buy software so that I can control my PDA from my laptop, any recommendations!?


Just rambling on.......unlimited wants 8)



UPDATE:

I just downloaded the trial version of pocket controller, it is a dream com true! Now I use my laptop to place phone calls through my ipaq 6315 while I use my bluetooth headset, so I don't have to pick it up from the cradle.

I Love my pocket PC! :mrgreen:

[jasondearyou]

I would really like to see a review of this mouse on a cross platform ie. all the bluetooth enabled devices. See how it compares to the additional feature of the HP scroll mouse, and maybe it would be a really nice addition to the regular stylus, except the stylus you could use it to write and transcribe.

So guys beat down their door to get one of these reviews going.

Cause I already know i'm buying that. 0X

[echo]

waht i'd like to know is if that white translcency part on the bottom will glow red when its in use. if so, i'd have to upgrade from my bluetake mini bt mouse to this. being able to use it on the ipaq would be a bonus too.

[Mark Johnson]

Outstanding! I want one! With a VGA screen and a bluetooth keyboard my PPC may become a usable replacement for my XP notebook in many situations.

It seems like Microsoft has withheld BT HID profile support to prevent just that sort of migration from expen$ive XP notebooks towards cheap WinCE devices. I've been really dissapointed by some of the "obviously intentional omissions" in every PPC generation. It's clear that Microsoft really doesn't want PPC to "grow up" too far. The PPC hardware is already far more powerful than what we ran Windows95 or 98 on, yet lacks features (USB host, BT HID, PocketAccess, etc.) that would allow it to be used as more than the "dumb little brother" of an XP PC.

And so the PPC sadly remains continually tethered by the ActiveSync noose (er, I mean cable) that chokes it just enough to make sure it can't catch it's breath and get up to run with the big dogs.
:soapbox:

I'm glad to see third party solutions working around these deficiencies.

Way to go ThinkOutside! :clap:

[rnuqui]

This is way cool if I use my PDA on a desk with a (preferably wireless) keyboard. But I won't be bringing it everywhere I take my PDA to. Imagine how that bulge will look like in your pants pocket! :lol:

[JvanEkris]

I played with it for a day on a tradeshow. It really is cool. Especcially the Ipaq 4700, which is already accustomed to mouse-pointers, looks cool. It is a small mouse, on a tine screen. On the tradeshow the first reaction of many people was if there was a possibility to attach a large monitor (say bye bye laptop :devilboy: )

Jaap

[cherring]

I had been using my normal usb mouse with my casio E-200 for a while. I must say, it was cool at first but it lost it's novelty quickly. I couldn't really find a proper use for it. Glad you people with IPAQs are only about 3 years behind. lol

[Zathras]

I agree that PPC's are being held back. When did Intel demo a 1ghz X-Scale? Two years ago? Why is USB host taking so long to implement? But, I digress.

I could see this mouse being useful for playing first person shooter games like Quake, you would still need a keyboard though.

A keyboard mouse combo would be impractical for most situations and is counter to the whole pocket pc concept. I wish someone made a quality game controller like a Playstation controller. Something with lots of buttons. Sony made a quality looking controller for the Clie line. Has anyone made something similar for the Pocket PC yet?

[Darius Wey]

I wish someone made a quality game controller like a Playstation controller. Something with lots of buttons. Sony made a quality looking controller for the Clie line. Has anyone made something similar for the Pocket PC yet?

Yes. (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/zeta-ipaq-gamepad-review.html) Despite the fact that it is a little old. :roll:

[JGUI]

I just wonder.

Almost now, we're announced about upcoming new MS's mouse with finger-print built-in and Bluetooth connection. It's expected on December or January. I like MS's Explorer because it the best design for hand. At least: my hand. :-) If there will be finger-print with good, useful, self-learned software (as they say), it will be the best of the best of the...

Hmmmm? Maybe Logi's X1000 with laser sensitivity is the only competitor?

[NLS]

it's probably just a matter of driver (displaying the pointer) - like with E-200 and all USB-host enabled PDA (much fewer than they should and OF COURSE HP hasn't adapted yet)

in that case let's hope that the driver is more generaly useful ;-)

[Sven Johannsen]

Actually I'd have preferred a touch pad/joy button thing integrated onto a BT keyboard, like Targus has on the Universal IR one. A mouse is missed when using a keyboard, because there are just some things you still need to click/tap on the screen. The mouse just makes one more thing to carry for the PPC. The PPC is small sure, but I'm getting close to needing a laptop case for the thing's support system ;)

[gibson042]

I think this is very cool. I don't know how much I would actually use it, but I'd love to play with it. :D

[dochall]

The BT mouse Driver comes with the lastest release of the drivers for the Think Outside keyboard.

I have a logitech bt keyboard/mouse and I was tempted to try the mouse with my ipaq but I have neve got around to it.

Certainly worth looking at as I have a bt enabled laptop so using it with the ipaq would just be a bonus.

I wonder what it's like on batteries.

[Phillip Dyson]

I played with it for a day on a tradeshow. It really is cool. Especcially the Ipaq 4700, which is already accustomed to mouse-pointers, looks cool. It is a small mouse, on a tine screen. On the tradeshow the first reaction of many people was if there was a possibility to attach a large monitor (say bye bye laptop :devilboy: )

Jaap

The Dell has VGA out. So, add USB host and you're almost there. :)

[NLS]

I had VGA out on my old Toshiba... nice to show off, useless in practice... you'll still get a portable to a presentation.

LOOX 720 is better ;-P
4700 is faaar third (maybe worse) - and I have a 5450 my first and last iPAQ.

(sorry couldn't help it spitting out my personal PDA-flamewar opinion)

[Jason Lee]

Actually I'd have preferred a touch pad/joy button thing integrated onto a BT keyboard, like Targus has on the Universal IR one. A mouse is missed when using a keyboard, because there are just some things you still need to click/tap on the screen. The mouse just makes one more thing to carry for the PPC. The PPC is small sure, but I'm getting close to needing a laptop case for the thing's support system ;)

YES!! That is exactly what I want! I really hope targus will realease a bluetooth keyboard exactly like their IR one. I got one as an open box item at best buy (actually two of them, gave one to my mom). I wasn't really sure I would like it or not but it is great! I love the build in mouse. I would buy a bluetooth keyboard like this in a second. *hint* *hint*
:wink:

[ghostppc]

I wish someone made a quality game controller like a Playstation controller. Something with lots of buttons. Sony made a quality looking controller for the Clie line. Has anyone made something similar for the Pocket PC yet?

Yes. (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/zeta-ipaq-gamepad-review.html) Despite the fact that it is a little old. :roll:


BENQ makes one for the ipaq too.

[Zathras]

I wish someone made a quality game controller like a Playstation controller. Something with lots of buttons. Sony made a quality looking controller for the Clie line. Has anyone made something similar for the Pocket PC yet?

Yes. (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/zeta-ipaq-gamepad-review.html) Despite the fact that it is a little old. :roll:


BENQ makes one for the ipaq too.

The Zeta and BenQ look like Nintendo controllers, not Playstation controllers. Not enough buttons and joysticks. I can't comment on the quality, but I'd rather see something made by MicroSoft or HP. Thanks for the informative reply GHOSTPPC :roll:

[ghostppc]

I wish someone made a quality game controller like a Playstation controller. Something with lots of buttons. Sony made a quality looking controller for the Clie line. Has anyone made something similar for the Pocket PC yet?

Yes. (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/zeta-ipaq-gamepad-review.html) Despite the fact that it is a little old. :roll:


BENQ makes one for the ipaq too.

The Zeta and BenQ look like Nintendo controllers, not Playstation controllers. Not enough buttons and joysticks. I can't comment on the quality, but I'd rather see something made by MicroSoft or HP. Thanks for the informative reply GHOSTPPC :roll:

Sorry. You are absolutely correct. But I didn't know the Sony was "just like" a playstation controller. Gee you learn something new everyday. :i got it:

[NLS]

but I'd rather see something made by MicroSoft or HP. Thanks for the informative reply GHOSTPPC :roll:

"made by MicroSoft" - i.e. a nice copy of someone else's innovation (like Logitech)

"made by HP" - i.e. sh*ty quality (outsourced to some cheapo Taiwan factory) of something either "innovative useless" or missing something

sorry no

[ricksfiona]

As someone who uses their PDA as their primary computing device while at work, I WELCOME a mouse I can use on my iPAQ 5550! I'm so there!

[Zathras]

Sorry. You are absolutely correct. But I didn't know the Sony was "just like" a playstation controller. Gee you learn something new everyday. :i got it:

I never said the Sony controller was "just like" a Playstation contoller. The Sony controller is an example of a quality controller. As I recall the controller was very small and appeared to be well designed and high quality.

[Zathras]

but I'd rather see something made by MicroSoft or HP. Thanks for the informative reply GHOSTPPC :roll:

"made by MicroSoft" - i.e. a nice copy of someone else's innovation (like Logitech)

"made by HP" - i.e. sh*ty quality (outsourced to some cheapo Taiwan factory) of something either "innovative useless" or missing something

sorry no

The nod toward MicroSoft or HP was because I assume that if they created the controller there would be more of a chance of compatibility, support, and adoption by game developers. I don't really care who makes a controller as long as I've heard of them and they have a good reputation.

[Zathras]

GHOSTPPC, I apologize for my sarcastic remarks. They were directed towards DJ Apod who I mistook for you when I quoted your quoted reply to him. You merely noted the BenQ controller.

[Darius Wey]

GHOSTPPC, I apologize for my sarcastic remarks. They were directed towards DJ Apod who I mistook for you when I quoted your quoted reply to him. You merely noted the BenQ controller.

Oh really now? ;)

I merely provided a link for a game controller. While it may lack the Playstation feel, it still has a game controller form factor, unlike the BenQ.

Nothing wrong with what I said in my previous post was there? :?

[mcha]

Hi all. This is quite an old thread, but probably the nearest fit for what I'm after. I agree with Sven &amp; Jason Lee above - I'd like to purchase a bluetooth keyboard for use when browsing with my Loox720, but don't like the idea of a separate mouse [carrying around &amp; charging etc].

Does anyone know of [use!?] a small, fold-away BT keyboard with integrated mouse/ trackball for use with their PDA?

Thanks!

[Jason Lee]

Hi all. This is quite an old thread, but probably the nearest fit for what I'm after. I agree with Sven &amp; Jason Lee above - I'd like to purchase a bluetooth keyboard for use when browsing with my Loox720, but don't like the idea of a separate mouse [carrying around &amp; charging etc].

Does anyone know of [use!?] a small, fold-away BT keyboard with integrated mouse/ trackball for use with their PDA?

Thanks!

I've not seen any bluetooth keyboards with an integrated mouse. :(

I have the stowaway bluetooth keyboard and mouse now and love them. I use the BT mouse with my laptop sometimes when out and about because it is small and i don't need a cable. I also have used them with my home made media center desktop at home so i could sit accross the room. :) I like the stowaway BT mouse and keyboard because they support the standard HID profiles which means the will work with most any bluetooth device. Desktop, laptop, ppc... anything that supports the HID profile. No drivers needed. Being able to use the keyboard and mouse with other devices made the purchase easier to justify for me as well. :)

The stowaway BT keyboard works GREAT with WM5. I don't use the mouse much anymore. If you hold the blue FN key and press the right or left half of the space bar it will activate the right or left softkey!

But there is still no all-on-one solution.. :(

[mcha]

Thanks Jason - I'll think about the BT Mouse/keyboard combo, whilst looking out for an all-in-one-er.. [then again, there's always the HTC Universal (for access to a keyboard), but it does look a bit big!]. Thanks again.