This looks like some kind of house arrest monitoring bracelet, or a baby’s teething toy, but it is actually an in air mouse designed for consumers who connect their PC or Mac to the TV. The Hillcrest Labs Loop Pointer uses Freespace motion control and pointing technology … and I guess it must work similarly to a Wii control, since hand motions control it. No matter what, it’s a conversation starter.

The Loop pointer’s distinctive design is round and ergonomic with just four buttons and a scroll wheel.  Using Hillcrest Labs’ patented Freespace® motion control technology, the Loop pointer lets consumers control an on-screen cursor with natural hand motions. Consumers can lean back, relax, hold the device in any position, and control their favorite online video sites, photo sites, music sites, and more on the computer or television screen.  Consumers can purchase the Loop pointer at www.hillcrestlabs.com/loop or www.amazon.com for just $77 as part of a current promotion.

I know! This is the remote control Homer Simpson would have wanted. “Mmmm … donuts!”

Since the first time I used one of the multi-touch trackpads on the current MacBooks I have wanted to have similar multi-touch abilities when using my iMac. I love using the trackpad on the MacBook. It works beautifully. The buttonless left and right click work great. And the multi-touch capabilities… well I didn’t really understand why I would want such a thing… until three minutes after I first tried it. Now I would never use a notebook without one. (Except the netbook I am using to write this, but that is another story.)

When Apple announced the new Magic Mouse, I was excited; finally Apple was bringing the amazing technology to their desktops. So when Larry IM’d me earlier today that the new Magic Mouse was finally in stock in Apple retails stores, I wanted one… fast.

I called my wife Elana and asked if she was near an Apple Store. “Nope but I can be if you like.” (Now THAT’S a good gadget-freak’s mate!) A short time later she IMed the following to me…

Mouse in hand. $69. Expensive, no?? Nice Style and packaging- shocking for Apple

So do I love the new Magic Mouse? Does Apple hit a home run with their new mouse? Yes… and NO!

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Do you do a lot of scanning?  Do you need to get it done quickly?  Maybe even while doing other tasks?

KeyScan, the first company to develop and integrated keyboard-scanner product and of makers of  “NoTouch™-AutoScan” software, have announced a limited time offer of $99.99 for the KS810-Plus Imaging Keyboard.

The keyboard, which features a built in scanner, comes with a no-touch, autoscan mode that allows the user to complete their most frequent scanning task without even touching a button.

The KS810-P also houses a USB2 Hub.

The keyboard is available at Tiger Direct and Comp USA for $99.99

You can learn more about the KeyScan keyboard and watch a video of it in action here.

It’s surprising how great a new keyboard or mouse can make your overall computing experience. If you’re struggling with an input device that’s not registering clicks (or registers too many) then take a look at what GearSponsor Logicbuy has found on sale from Logitech. There are affordable input devices ranging in price from $37 for the Logitech Wireless Desktop MK300 Keyboard and Mouse (shown above) up to the diNovo Edge Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard for $135.

Logitech keyboards, mice and speakers

I love my wireless BT keyboard for my iMac.  There’s two things though, that I find fault with.

One, the wired version is full sized.  It has the extra numerical keypad on the right side where as the smaller wireless version does not.

Two, the wired version has two USB ports, where as the wireless has none.

Macally solves one of the two issues with the release of its new BTkey Wireless Keyboard for Mac.

The BT keyboard is full sized.  It uses two AA batteries which last up to 2 months.

While the BTkey is arctic white and matches the iMac well, it is missing that dazzling aluminum look that the Apple keyboards posses.

Still if you want a wireless, full sized keyboard to go with your Mac, this one fits the bill.

The BTkey sells for $69.99.

Check it out on the Macally web site.

The iTwinge is sure to incur the wrath of many Apple purists who would never, ever dare to mar their iPhone with a physical QWERTY keyboard. Yet that is exactly what it does –  give the iPhone the typing ability of a (gasp!) BlackBerry.

Details and additional images available after the jump.

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Here’s a hot deal for someone looking for a mouse that doubles as presentation tool (Bluetooth control of multimedia applications from 30 feet away, laser pointer, slide changer). GearSponsor Logicbuy has spotted this tiny mouse which stores nicely inside your laptop’s Express/54 card slot where it also will recharge. Some of the pricing I found online is as high as $89. Until 8/23/09 you can score a deal on this mouse at only $19.99 shipped from Buy.com.

MoGo Mouse X54

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times.  The thing I love about my iPhone most of all is the fact that it takes the place of more than once device.

Same for my Griffin Simplify dock/usb hub/card reader and same for my iHome iP99 clock radio/dock.

Here comes another potential device to add into the mix.

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Belkin’s Comfort Line of mice let’s you work with a design that conforms to your hand for maximum comfort.   The Comfort Line will be available in the Americas at the end of June (end of July for Europe, Asia, and Australia).  The wireless version includes a USB dongle that can be used to hold the mouse for storage/transit, as well as a power save mode that will put the mouse to sleep after 8 minutes of inactivity.

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There isn’t much variety when it comes to the color of mice.  Black. white or blue are the popular choices.  But what if you want to add some color to your work station?

Logitech seeks to change all that with the announcement of a new line of notebook mice in a variety of limited edition colors and patterns.

The new patterns and colors will be available on the Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks beginning today in the U.S for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Logitech has also created three new patterns exclusively for Best Buy and available on the Logitech Wireless Mouse M305, which features the Logitech plug-and-forget nano-receiver.  The M-305 sells for $39.99 at Best Buy.

You can find out more about Logitech’s product line on their web site.

As a fan of Netbooks, I am always on the lookout for something that will lighten my load.  If it can also free up the limited USB ports on my Asus Eee PC 1000HE, then that’s even better.

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With the news being full of the latest infections who doesn’t want to protect themselves from spreading germs and possibly the flu. When you use a strange bathroom you may have the opportunity to also use a seat cover. How about a seat cover for keyboards?! Here’s a solution that drapes over your keyboard and can clean with soap and water. The dimensions are 19-3/4″ x 13-1/2″ so that netbook owners may have to do a little trimming. Sold in packs of 10 for $100, they’re a little pricey but if you can save yourself from just one illness wouldn’t they be worth it?

Medical Keyboards

I have been a fan of the ever shrinking computer since I was in college.  Laptops, netbooks, PDAs, my motto these days is small, compact, and light.  The whole time, however, there has been one thing the gnawed at the back of my brain…probably due to the numerous hand cramps I have gotten over the years.  There is just no good way to control the mouse.  This started with the eraser tip controller, which worked well enough, if you don’t mind rubbing against a tiny rubber nub in the middle of your keyboard (which was also prone to accidental swipes).  This “evolved” into the current method of control, the trackpad.  Oh how I hate the trackpad, rubbing my fingertips raw like a fingerprint eraser.  I would gladly pay for any netbook which eschewed this terrible torture device and gave me a more natural means of control.  Until then, Microsoft seems to think they can offer a better solution with their new portable mouse, the Arc Mouse.

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Update 02/23: And the winners are – KLS, Debbie and Linda. Thank you for entering, and keep your eye out for the next Gear Diary giveaway!

Did you totally mess up and not buy your spouse something she really wanted on Valentines Day? Or did you want something special for Valentines Day, and your partner didn’t come through?

It’s okay, Gear Diary can help…

We’ve been sent three HP Wireless Mice, covered in the gorgeous Vivienne Tam peony design, to give away to three lucky readers. These mice are not available in the United States, and they have an MSRP of ~$50.

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If you’re short on desk space, have miniature hands or need a keyboard that fits on an airline sized meal tray – this is your keyboard. Despite it’s mini size (220 mm x 100 mm x 20 mm) this keyboard packs in shortcut Internet and Multimedia keys. There’s no software to load – just plug into a USB port on any Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS.

USB Ultra-Slim Keyboard – $24.99