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Act-On MicMouse


Date
: 01/6/06 – 05:12:37 AM

Author
:

Category
: Input Devices

Page 1 : Index

Manufacturer
: Act-On

Price
: MSRP $22USD (edigibyte.com & Page Computers)

Act-On is a relatively new face to the computer industry. They were formed in November 2004 in California as a human input specialist. Their mission has been "bridging the gap between technology and market in order to give users more convenience and comfort, and eventually towards users satisfaction which exceeds expectations". It sounds great in writing, but how will their products actually turn out? For answers we turn to today's rodent specimen, the MicMouse.

Page 2 : Packaging

The MicMouse arrived packaged in a blister pack.

It's interesting to note that on the back of the packaging, the title reads, "Optical MicMouse – Mouse with Internet Phone" Act-On certainly seems to want to push the "Internet Phone" idea, although it is only a microphone.

The specs are quickly summarized on the front: USB Optical mouse, 800DPI, and microphone.

Page 3 : Specifications

Before we actually take a look at the MicMouse, here are the features and specifications, as shown on Act-On's website.

Page 4 : Package Contents

Opening the blister pack, we find three items: a complimentary set of headphones, a manual, and the mouse itself.

Now why would there be a set of headphones with a mouse? Keep in mind that this mouse has a built in microphone and was meant for use with various VoIP service providers. According to the manual, the headphones are included for privacy while using VoIP applications. For complimentary headphones, they are not bad. They lack in the bass department, but deliver standard mid and high range frequencies.

The mouse itself is quite attractive. The silver/ black colour scheme is very tastefully done. Act-On's decision to make the mouse symmetrical means that it will fit comfortably in either your left or right hand. The microphone that makes this mouse unique is located in the center of the mouse, just up from the scroll wheel. The buttons are not separate from the shell, but instead are an extension of it, which makes for nice, springy buttons. Not bad for $22.

The model received for testing had both a USB and a standard pink microphone connector. There is also the option to just get a USB connector. According to the system requirements, a Windows Operating System is needed. Maybe for the USB only version, but I can't see why the USB and microphone connector version wouldn't work with Linux or a Mac.

Looking at the bottom of the mouse, we see the standard four pads and optical sensor.

The scroll wheel glows a nice red while the mouse is in use.

Page 5 : Installation/Testing

Installing was very simple, simply plug it in and go. This mouse is completely plug and play, no drivers are needed as Windows automatically detects and configures the mouse.

The mouse:

The only way to really test a mouse is to use it, so that's exactly what I did. The mouse tracked fine on a wide variety of surfaces, including wood, desk, white paper, my jeans, and even my black CD case. The only surface this mouse wouldn't track on was my old, high gloss mouse pad, which was made for a ball mouse anyways. Finding a suitable surface should not be a problem here.

The microphone:

The microphone is the real star here, according to Act-on, a "high-quality omni-directional microphone is built within the mouse in a way to reduce the moving, clicking and scrolling noises to its minimum, and hence you can work with mouse while talking". This is mostly true. The microphone is indeed high quality, and can pick up your voice clearly from about 2-3 feet away. However, clicking either mouse button resulted in a loud ka-click noise. This could be very distracting, especially if the mouse was to be clicked during a conversation on MSN or Skype. While the microphone functions quite well by itself, the performance is limited while using both the mouse and the microphone at the same time.

Page 6 : Conclusion

Never before have I seen a mouse that does more than move your cursor. Act-On is definitely treading new water with this design. However, while both the mouse and microphone perform well individually, their use together is somewhat limited because of the loud clicking recordings. I wouldnt call this a design flaw, but maybe the reason why this has never been done before is because its almost impossible to eliminate such a noise when the microphone is right against the source.

Advantages

• Functions as both a microphone and mouse
• $22 wont empty your wallet

  Disadvantages

• Microphone will pick up mouse clicks

  Overclockers Online would like to thank Act-On for providing the sample for review.