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Let's be honest, mice aren't the most exciting space in the technological industry. There are the few gems that make the average Joe do a double take, like the Arc Touch, but it's regularly the gaming category that tend to add all the spice and flare in the space. However, Microsoft is looking to tailor these navigational devices to fit your style with its 3500 Studio Series mice collection.
The 3500 mouse offers little in the way of a new form factor; it lacks any other buttons than the right and left click, and the button function on the scroll wheel. The device caters to both righties and lefties and the sides of the mouse have a soft rubberized texture. It connects to your PC via a wireless USB thumb stick, communicating with the mouse over a 2.4-GHz frequency. It does have plug-and-play capabilities, but for those who like to customize, software is available to adjust pointer speed and other options. The top of the mouse is really the highlight of the entire design, which can sport one of six illustrations by one of five artists commissioned for this project.
Microsoft held an unveiling event in NYC where artist Mike Perry gave a demonstration, creating several unique designs using white mice as his canvas. The other artists, who live as far away as Australia, were unable to attend, but their "pieces" were put on display in mice form and as portraits.
The Microsoft Artist Edition 3500 mice are currently available online for $29.99.
Trendnet publicized that it is shipping, what it calls the first USB 3 x 3 Wireless-N adapters on the market: the 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter (model TEW-684UB). The device lets you upgrade your computer to support the faster wireless speed.
Like most recent N devices, the adapter features advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. Its antennas, however, can handle three streams, instead of two, and therefore generate a maximum wireless throughput of 450Mbps. The device is dual-band, meaning it can work with both 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless networks, and integrates Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) that allows for connecting to wireless networks with the touch of a button.
Unlike most wireless adapters, which are shaped like a thumbdrive, the Trendnet TEW-684UB is much larger, about the size of a mini router and requires a separate USB cable to connect to a computer. This design means it's better suited for desktop computers than laptops. Apart from 450Mbps wireless networks, it's also compatible with existing regular 300Mbps and lower speed Wireless-N routers.
The 450 Mbps Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter TEW-684UB is available with a three-year warranty. The cost is estimated to be around $80.
