The benefit of the Arc Mouse is not that it works as a “notebook mouse” when you fold it in half. Indeed, the power to the mouse cuts out when it’s folded, so it won’t work in that mode at all. Instead, folding the Arc Mouse makes it more generally travel-friendly. First, it reduces the size of the device, cutting its length by more than a third. But there’s also a small, magnetic cradle on the underside of the tail portion that folds in, to hold the mouse’s thumbnail-size USB receiver. When the mouse is collapsed, the tail portion secures the receiver, ensuring that you’ll have all of the necessary pieces together when you take the mouse out of your bag.

The core “mousing” functionality works as you’d expect it to. I personally like the fact that setting up the Arc Mouse is so simple. After you insert the three, Microsoft-provided AAA batteries, you plug in the USB receiver, wait for Windows to recognize the mouse, and reboot. Mac setup is even easier, as Mac OS X found the mouse as soon as we plugged the receiver in. For its intended purpose as a travel-friendly input device, the Arc Mouse does exactly what it’s supposed to.

Product Features of the Microsoft Arc Mouse:

• Mouse folds to 60% of its fully expanded size
• Micro-transceiver snaps into the bottom of the mouse
• Folding motion turns mouse on/off
• Laser tracking for precision
• 2.4 GHz wireless with up to 30-foot range

Technical Details of the Microsoft Arc Mouse:

• Brand Name: Microsoft
• Model: ZJA-00001
• Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
• input_device: Mouse
• form_factor: External
• Connectivity Technology: Wireless
• Movement Detection: Laser
• Color Name: Black
• Warranty: 3 years warranty

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Not every product thought up by your favorite electronics companies make it into the market. Many are halted somewhere in the development process and are scrapped in favor of a better design or perhaps because they’re not viable products enough to begin with.

Logitech, manufacturer of computer peripherals, revealed a list of mice that never left their laboratories. Some of the mice are outrageous, others curious, and still others were ordinary mice equipped with a feature that Logitech deemed not feasible for practical use after all (i.e., the mouse with a joystick pictured above). There’s one mouse with not one, but THREE scroll wheels, another with a dial control, and one with an air tunnel to cool sweaty hands which Logitech described as “too niche.” The last one I mentioned made me actually laugh out loud because there’s already one in existence, created by Thanko, a Japanese gadget maker known for its quirky devices.

See other dropped Logitech mice here (PDF file).

Via BoingBoing

The Lilliputian mouse measures a mere 42mm x 21mm x 17.65mm and, as you can see on the picture, isn’t much bigger than an adult’s fingers. Perhaps for a bit of a laugh too, there’s a slot where you can slip an equally minute picture in. Since it’s so small, the mouse’s cable uses a magnet to clip onto the mouse for easy storage. I don’t see how anyone could actually use this, unless infants surf the web nowadays, but if you think you’d have fun using one, it’s now available for around US$60.

Via SlipperyBrick

This is a USB mouse that can be bought from Gadget4All that’s equipped with a LED message scroller AND a cooling fan. The LED lights on the mouse can be programmed, via a remote control, to scroll a message across the gadget. The cooling fan, of course, dissipates heat so your hand won’t be sweating buckets if you’re spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Sure this computer mouse is a bit weird, but I know a couple of people who’d actually want something like this (Full disclosure: one of them is me).

Via Giz

All these new Targus computer accessories are shiny and white, so they’re meant for Mac systems, right? This is the brand’s first ever line of accessories for Mac although I’m not sure if they’re truly dedicated to just the Mac platform.

The collection includes a couple of mice, one a Bluetooth laser mouse with 1200 dpi laser technology to sell for $70. The other is a wireless optical mouse that uses 2.4GHz microUSB receiver and 4-way touch scroll. The 4-port compact USB 2.0 hub has wraparound cable to protect the ports when not in use that sells for $30. There’s also an $80 Bluetooth presenter for business people and students, and a file share cable that can be used to share files between Mac and PC systems (or between two Macs) that will sell for $50. The anti-glare privacy screen blocks views 45 degrees from the center and is priced between $50 and $80. Finally, the Chill Mat keeps Mac notebooks cool with a breathable mesh bottom and an ergonomic angle for $50.

Targus via Engadget

Humanscale, makers of office chairs, swerved from its usual product line a little and designed the Switch Mouse. The ergonomic mouse has a V-shaped base that can tilt the device on 45 degree angles and lets your wrist be at ease on its natural position. It even has built-in palm support to reduce the stress on your wrist muscles and a four-way scrolling dish that minimizes the chances of injuries caused by repetitive motions. Be prepared to pony up a pretty penny though—the Switch Mouse costs US$120.

Humanscale via I4U

For some reason, a slew of computer accessories were unveiled from different companies these recent days, HP included. Along with the introduction of new notebooks, HP also unveiled numerous accessories including the Wireless Comfort Keyboard and Mouse Combo.

The HP Wireless Comfort Keyboard and Mouse Combo includes a rather attractive wave-shaped keyboard. What’s really amusing about this keyboard though isn’t its form or even its cushioned wrist rest, but its 31 hotkeys that include a Alt+Ctrl+Delete button! No more hit-or-miss attempt on pressing the right keys while you’re banging on your keyboard in frustration when faced with Microsoft’s many woes. The less thrilling mouse, on the other hand, has vertical and horizontal scrolling capability and two programmable buttons. The HP Wireless Comfort Keyboard and Mouse combo is expected to retail for AU$79.99.

via LaptopMag

The keyboard you see on the picture is IOGEAR’s new spill-resistant desktop keyboard, that all slobs like me should have. The keyboard has a drain hole so in case you spill water/juice/beer/whatever onto it, you can quickly drain it to prevent lasting damage.

It has the usual keyboard features such as multimedia hotkeys and a rubber coated wrist rest. The spill-resistant keyboard comes with an 800 dpi optical mouse and has a suggested list price of $30. If you’re looking for a more powerful mouse for gaming or graphics creation though, check out IOGEAR’s Bluetooth Tilt Wheel Laser Mouse. It uses VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) light source and works on a wide variety of surfaces. It also has horizontal and vertical scrolling functions with a button to adjust sensitivity from 400, 800, 1200 to 1600 dpi. With the ability to be used 33 feet away from the computer, the mouse has a retail price of $70.

via Crunchgear and Yahoo

Yet two more products Microsoft launched a couple of days ago when the company announced the new BlueTrack mouse technology. These are the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 (above) and the Wireless Media Desktop 1000 (below).

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 is comprised of the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 (with a snap-in transceiver at the bottom) and the Wireless Keyboard 6000, both of which are available for sale separately. The set which has “curves” as a theme for both mouse and keyboard design, uses 2.4GHz wireless technology, allowing users access to their computers up to 30 feet away. It comes equipped with various Media Center control keys and a battery life indicator. The Wireless Media Desktop 1000, on the other hand, is a simpler mouse and keyboard combination that makes do without the 6000’s fancy features.

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and Wireless Media Desktop 1000 will ship later this month for $99.95 and $49.95 respectively.

via Microsoft

Rather than focusing on technical specifications and the promotion of a new mouse technology, Microsoft admits that the Arc Mouse is a style-driven device. It’s actually in the shape of an, err, arc (or crescent), but the rear portion of the mouse folds underneath it for optimal portability. In spite of the hollow middle, Microsoft claims the mouse can handle up to 25 pounds of pressure. The Microsoft Arc Mouse runs on uses 2.4GHz wireless technology and is paired with a transceiver that snaps on the mouse’s bottom through the use of a magnet. It will ship with a carrying case for US$59.95 this September 2008.

Microsoft Arc Mouse