BeyondTel's VM-01L Optical USB Skype mouse

March 14, 2007
Optical USB 'Skype mouse earphone and answer keyOptical USB 'Skype mouse clamshell openConvergence seems to be all the rage, including combining multiple products and functions into a single product (i.e. iPod MP3 player + mobile phone = Apple iPhone). So perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn about a new Optical USB mouse from Beyondtel that supports Skype. Yeah, you guessed it, it's a clamshell USB mouse with a built-in microphone & speaker. Simply open the clamshell hood to reveal an LCD screen and a fully functional keypad that enables you to make/receive calls without using your traditional keyboard/mouse method. This isn't the first converged Skype USB mouse - remember the Sony VAIO VN-CX1 I wrote about?

I still am not certain there is a market for such converged USB mice with built-in microphones, speakers, and VoIP support. It certainly is gadgety, so gadget lovers might want one. I fall under that camp, so I certainly might want to check it out. It certainly is something to show and brag about to your fellow gadget freaks. "Yes, but can your mouse do this?"

The VM-01L mouse "rings" on incoming calls and also supports a headphone jack for privacy. Though somehow trying to move the mouse around with a dangling headphone cord may be a challenge. They claim the microphone and speaker are acoustically isolated to eliminate echo, enabling a full-duplex experience. It has a very good 48KHz sampling rate for good sound quality.

The monochrome 128x64 pixel LCD can display your VoIP Contact List, Call List, Call history, time, and Caller ID. I do see one problem with the design. When you open the clamshell and look at the LCD and keypad, they are upside down. You have to turn the mouse 180 degrees in order to read the screen, but then you lose the ability to easily use the mouse. On the bright side, when you are talking with friends, girlfriend, wife, significant other, etc. using VoIP, you won't be tempted to check email or IM someone else on the side. You will be giving your significant other your undivided attention. Still, I wish they'd reverse the layout and give me 10% of any revenue for the suggested design change.

In any event, here are the features:

Optical USB Skype Mouse

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