Genius Navigator 380 | A mouse/Skype phone combo

Saturday, December 09, 2006

As the number of VoIP subscribers increases we see a lot of commercial attempts to blend the actual devices with this great technology. Several posts ago we introduced for example a keyboard that was also a Skype phone thanks to a receiver placed on the right side.

Today we present another device that makes use of the Skype technology to enhance its appeal. Its the Genius Navigator 380 and it was announced recently by the Taiwan-based company who specializes in Skype-compatible products.

Apart from the stylish and hi-tech design, the thing that externally distinguishes the Navigator 380 is the ability to open it like a clam shell phone. When it is closed it works like a normal 1200 dpi optical mouse but all this changes when a phone call arrives.

The mouse LED starts to blink (while the computer or notebook will ring) to signal an incoming call. Then the user will be able to open the Navigator 380 and treat it like a normal cell phone to talk, using VoIP, with his friends.

The Skype-enabled mouse sports seven buttons to enhance the phoning experience: two to switch it on and off, two for the volume control, two to scroll the menus and an OK button for the IM software.

The Navigator 380 in fact in addition to Skype is also able to work with other IM services: AIM, GoogleTalk, MSN, QQ and Yahoo!. The software included in the retail box will also allow the user to use simultaneously these services and combine them in a single window.

The Genius Navigator 380 is already available in India through Genius selected retailers for a price of Rs 1,850 (almost $42). There is no word about its possible arrival in the other world regions but there is certainly a need for space saving devices like this. For this reason I think we won't have to wait long before the Genius mouse makes its debut worldwide.