High Tech Meets High Style With The Logitech diNovo Media Desktop

Published by

Logitech introduced a distinctly new cordless mouse-and-keyboard combination - based on Bluetooth wireless technology - that's bound to change how the most discriminating PC enthusiasts will view a keyboard and mouse; for work, for play and for communicating. What is at first most apparent with the new Logitech® diNovo? Media Desktop? is its enviable design, which appeals to people who prefer a workspace with sleek, stylish peripherals that complement today's attractive flat-panel displays. Logitech has taken the redesign a step further, however, by detaching the number pad from the keyboard, so the new cordless solution includes four components: a reduced-width keyboard; an MX?900 rechargeable, optical mouse; a new multifunction MediaPad? for today's digital lifestyle; and a recharging module that serves as a Bluetooth hub. The new MediaPad serves as a number pad, a smart calculator and a Bluetooth remote commander. And the Bluetooth hub provides a wireless bridge between the desktop PC and Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, printers and headsets. The diNovo Media Desktop sets off its sleek, low-profile design with a titanium-like finish. Because the keyboard width has been reduced by removal of the number pad, the mouse can be positioned more closely to the keyboard, providing more choice in positioning the hand and arm. The Zero Degree Tilt? keyboard comes with a full-size typing layout and full-travel keys to provide an extremely comfortable typing surface. And, because Logitech has embedded Bluetooth wireless technology into all four components of the diNovo Media Desktop, any of the components can be used within a range of 30 feet from the desktop PC. The MX900, which uses the Bluetooth wireless technology, is Logitech's most finely engineered mouse. Its award-winning MX Optical Engine provides precision and accuracy, while its hub/rapid-charging base station keeps the mouse ready for work or play. The diNovo MediaPad device includes features optimized for work, play and communicating. For work-related tasks, the device functions as a traditional number pad or as a smart calculator, which allows users to easily paste the results of calculations into applications on the desktop PC. The interactive display of the MediaPad also reports the time and date, which are automatically synchronized with the PC's clock. For play and entertainment, people can use the MediaPad as a Bluetooth remote commander for enjoying music, video and photos. To enhance the media experience, Logitech has included Logitech Media Desktop software, which features a user interface that can be seen on the desktop PC's display from a distance, and enables people to use the MediaPad to select and listen to music, to view video clips and to view digital pictures as a slide show. It also lets people control the volume of their music or video. The interactive display on the MediaPad shows incoming instant messages and emails, and the status of instant messenger buddies. It also lets people monitor media selection playback status, even when away from the desk. The diNovo Media Desktop Bluetooth hub enables people to synchronize calendar, addresses and other information between the desktop PC and a mobile phone or PDA. Thanks to the bundled software, the Logitech Mobile Phone Suite for Bluetooth, users can receive notification of incoming SMS text messages directly on their PC screen. They can also reply to the messages using the PC instead of the tiny mobile phone number pad. And, the application makes it easy to back up the mobile phone address book onto the PC. Mobile phone users can also rely on the hub to wirelessly share photos captured with a camera-equipped Bluetooth phone by transferring them to the PC. The wireless hub enables users to print from a PC to a Bluetooth printer. And, for those who use voice with instant messenger applications or listen to streaming audio, the diNovo Media Desktop works with a Bluetooth wireless headset, such as the Logitech Mobile Bluetooth Headset. The Logitech diNovo Media Desktop is compatible with the Windows® 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. For notifications on the MediaPad, the diNovo Media Desktop supports Outlook Express, Windows Messenger 4.7, MSN Instant Messenger 5.0 and 6.0 and Windows Media Player 9. Logitech plans to provide future compatibility with additional email applications and instant messenger standards through software downloads that will be available on the Logitech Web site. Availability and Pricing: The Logitech diNovo Media Desktop will be available as of November in retail outlets and online at www.logitech.com. The suggested retail price for the Logitech diNovo Media Desktop is U.S. $249.95.