The Logitech Cube

Ricardo Bilton at ZDNet:

The first thing you’ll have to understand about Logitech’s interesting take on the mouse is that its not actually a cube, despite its name.

The second thing to know is that the Cube is meant to offer more than just a strange shape; it’s meant to be a presenter’s best friend.

Scrolling, for example, works via a swipe of the finger, a movement that’s meant to mimic touch screen navigation. Lifting up the device  puts it in presentation mode, allowing presenters to advance slides with the click of its top.

According to Logitech’s specification sheet it works with OS X 10.5 and up. The mouse isn’t a bluetooth device — instead it connects to a small USB nano-receiver (over the 2.4 GHz spectrum) that’ll work with a desktop you’re connecting to at a podium, or to a laptop that’s absent of Bluetooth. It’s more or less a mouse-mote in that it probably wouldn’t be comfortable to use as your primary mouse, but it’s convenient and pocketable enough to browse the desktop, open your PowerPoint or Keynote document, then pick up and use for the presentation.

It’s not clear what the battery life is on the remote (Logitech simply links to a battery life FAQ that lists mice with “extended battery life”), but I’m sure the built in USB-rechargeable lithium-polymer battery will get you through a presentation. There is an on/off switch so you can completely power-off the mouse while traveling.

Bilton notes you simply pick up the device to put the cube into presentation mode. You then click to advance a slide, or turn it over & click to go back a slide (I’m not sure if I’m keen on the second gesture). Being a presentation tool, I’m surprised there isn’t a laser pointer packed inside.

I could see myself using this, and the $69.99 pricetag isn’t too bad. You can pre-order the mouse directly from Logitech.

Edit 01/06/2012: Corrected battery note from double AA battery to rechargeable battery.