BlueMouse Brings Joy Back To Bluetooth Mousing

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.teksoftco.com/index.php?section=bluemouse' target='_blank'>http://www.teksoftco.com/index.php?...ction=bluemouse</a><br /><br /></div><i>"To use a mouse on a mobile platform is more then a technological curiosity. You save time and your work experience becomes more pleasurable. BlueMouse makes another step toward bringing the Desktop platform closer to the mobile. With BlueMouse, you use your Pocket PC in the way you've always wanted, and in the same time your Bluetooth Mouse becomes once again your favorite toy, as BlueMouse allows it to function again, attached to your pocket pc."</i><br /><br /><img src=http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-bluemouse-02.jpg><br /><br />If you've got a bluetooth mouse lying around that you haven't been using with your PPC, you may want to see if BlueMouse can revive the joys of PPC mousing again for you. The only sticking point for me is the price ($20.95 USD) - but then again, it does offer a lot in a small package!

[Sven Johannsen]

Haven't tried this specifically, but if you have a BT keyboard, or something with a relatively useable keyboard like the JasJar, having a mouse with it just seems natural. More so than having to pick up the stylus to click on the screen anyway.

[Brad Adrian]

I'm a little confused. The Web site says they've created an unlimited demo version (I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know if it's got nag screens or not). Then, if you click on the "purchase" icon, it lists a price of 14.95 Euro.

I'm going to give it a try, mostly because my ThinkOutside mouse feels a little tiny and I've got a full-size BT mouse to try this out with.

[myrampar]

I installed this and got it working with my Verizon XV6700 and my Stowaway BT mouse. It seems to work well, with one rather large exception.

On their site, they say this. "Unlimited trial: we have provided an unlimited trial version so you can see how useful BlueMouse is." Then on the next paragraph a bit of clarification. "The trial version will allow the cursor to be moved on 80% of the screen surface only. To disable this limitation, you need to purchase a license code."

Well, I'm having a hard time getting a feel for how 'useful' this application is when I can't click on the Close button or reach the Programs or Settings items at the bottom of my Start Menu.

I wanted to test how well my mouse worked with WiFi and BT on while browsing in PIE. I always used to have issues with the Stowaway drivers in the past as the mouse would sometimes move erratically or very slowly dependending on the order in which I enabled Wifi and BT. I can't really remember.

Since I don't have PIE on my Start Menu, I can't use the mouse to access it through Programs because of the 80% liability. So I have to use my stylus or press the mapped button on the side. This is pretty ridiculous if you ask me!

The other issue that I noticed is that the mouse will not wake the device up if my XV6700 'turns off'. I have my device set to turn off after 3 minutes of inactivity. However, a press of the mouse button will turn on the backlight if it has dimmed after a minute of inactivity.

If they want this to sell, perhaps they should enable the full range of motion and simply have the trial expire after X number of days like just about every other software maker out there. :evil: