Even gadget manufacturers go out of their way to further the cause (of course, we know that money is still somehow involved in all this), and come up with special edition pink versions of their products. I wouldn’t recommend going as far as buying a pink laptop if you are not really into pink (confession: I DID buy a pink MSI Wind because I wanted the netbook and it was not available in any other color.) Here are some things that I would recommend, though, if only to show your support.

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 – Dragon Fruit Pink

Considering that shade of pink of this mouse, I can see myself buying one . Even better, Microsoft has declared that 10% of the sales will go to Susan G. Komen for Cure, the world’s largest grass root network of survivors and activists fighting to end Breast Cancer. You can buy this on Amazon for $16.25.

Pink iPod Nano

The new generation of iPods has been released, and pink is one of the colors for the Nano!

Pink Hardshell Case for the 13″ MacBook

This hardshell case can be used on the white MacBook (not the unibody one) and costs $50. Click on the link above to purchase one. It does not say if any portion of the proceeds will go to any organization doing breast cancer work, but if you do love pink…

So, would you go for pink gadgets this month? If not, just visit the web site of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and see how you can help.

A few days ago, I brought you the glory that is the Marvel HD television lineup. That was exciting, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want a television with their favorite character printed on it? Oh wait, you wouldn’t? Well then sir or madam, I do not want to be your friend.

But now there’s more. Urban Collector has just introduced Marvel and Star Trek keyboards and mice for the masses. That’s right, now you can get your very own keyboard and/or mouse with Wolverine, Iron Man or the U.S.S. Enterprise printed right across the face. Excited yet? No? Seriously, you’re being kind of a jerk.

Admittedly, these are a little bit busy, and the Star Trek model looks like it would give me a tumor if I looked at it too often.But, they are full wired USB keyboards with a numeric keypad, low profile keys, a USB port and function keys, so what else do you want? Oh, a price? I get it, now you’re being nice to me. I see how it is. Well, the keyboards go for $45.99, but if you want a matching mouse (and let’s just admit it, you do.) get ready to shell out another $26.99 for the wireless wonder. That’s right, the mice are wireless and have a scroll wheel. What? You want a matching mouse pad? Sorry, I can’t help you with that one. Maybe if you were a little bit nicer I might’ve Googled it or something, but now I’m just bitter.

RSI, which is a terrible condition, is alleviated by the user taking a vertical grip on the central column. This keeps the wrist locked and thus reduces pressure on the median nerve.

Think of how you held a joystick in your 8-bit gaming days, and then think about how you move a mouse around, and that’s pretty much how you control this thing. Sounds a tad weird, perhaps, but like any input device, it’s sure to be something you’d get used to over time.

The left and right buttons and a scroll wheel are available and fall under the fingers. Naturally it’s an optical mouse. It is designed for right-handers, with an extra large version available for people with large palms (over 8.9 cms). It’s USB wireless compatible and comes with two AAA batteries.

It’s certainly not the cheapest device going, coming in at around £145 (about $235).

Of course, heavy tech users already have a solution that reduces RSI, and that’s to reduce reliance on the mouse altogether. That can often be achieved by learning keyboard shortcuts for common tasks.

Would this replace your current mouse-pointing device?

My mousepad is constructed in such a way that my laser mouse works quite well on it (until I drop it off the edge onto the desk, that is) should I still wish to use it.

However, the really innovative move by a mousepad manufacturer worried about dwindling sales is to… put a note pad on it.

Yes, really.

This isn’t just a pad of paper stuck on top of the mouse pad. It’s more like a magic slate, so you can write whatever you like using either your fingers or a stylus, and that will stay put on the mat until you lift the top sheet.

It’s perhaps come a little late for a lot of people, given that there are a lot of other ways of leaving notes for yourself or others, both physical and virtual. Still, it’s just $14.99 so might be worth a look.

You can get it from Quirky

PS I just love the URL of the site I found it on. I must admit I thought of “scratch ‘n’ sniff” when I first read it!

Via

So what about mice? If you are the kind who tends to spill water (or, God forbid, coffee) on your gadgets, you might want to take a look at some of the waterproof mice in the market. One of the newest washable mice is the Cherry MW-2800. It is optical and tracks at 1,200dpi. You can submerge this baby in water and use it like new after. It’s a bit pricey at $45, though.

Another washable mouse is the one from Belkin, the F5L007. This is cheaper at $29.99 and also has optical tracking at 1,200dpi. However, Belkin recommends washing this mouse under running water and not submerging it. That means that you cannot accidentally drop your mouse into your cup of joe (yes, I have done this).

USB Geek also offers a washable USB mouse for $17. It is heavier than the two other mice and only tracks at 800dpi. Last time I checked though, this was out of stock.

So, do you really need a washable mouse? Probably not but it would be fun to have one and not worry about splashing liquids all over the place. Now for a waterproof laptop…

You’d be surprised that it’s affordable, unlike most golf novelty items. At US$19.95 right here, could this be any better?

The downside… it seems like there is only a PS2 version available… ouch! You’d think they’d upgrade it to an optical USB or the much classier laser USB mouse… but noooo…. geez, I knew this was all too good to be true. :)

Flash this mouse out and you’d get people looking in awe that a gaming master is in the house, man! Just for the visual appeal and the buttons… THE BUTTONS… 6 in all. Oh man, that alone will make the standard gamer dizzy!

Sharkoon has expanded its Rush gamer line with a new, high-quality laser mouse. The Sharkoon FireGlider Gaming Mouse features an ergonomically formed body, six programmable buttons, weight tuning system and a stylish high-gloss flame design. The black thumb pad features a no-slip grip with angled slits to provide excellent stability even in the most frantic of situations.

Check one out and purchase it for US$32 right here.

Yes, despite the fact that other manufacturers have been doing this kind of thing for years, Microsoft has decided that it should launch a notebook cooling base. And yes, that’s what it’s called.

No passivity here, mind, as the unit features a built-in fan and efficient cooling channel. It can be used on desks and laps and is angled for a more optimal typing angle, yet is only 1.16 inches think. As with most other similar stands, it’s USB powered, and it will come in white or black.

Added to which, Microsoft is revamping its Arc mouse by launching a special edition range. Special in that it offers a variety of new colours: frost white, eggplant purple, deep olive green and marine blue, in fact.

The mouse can be be folded down by almost half so it’s easier to use while on the move and when it’s flipped shut it turns off its power.

More colours are also coming to the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000: Blue sapphire, red garnet, pink topaz, green emerald and purple amethyst. I can tell you’re excited.

The notebook stand will arrive in July for around $29.95. The Arc Mouse SE is available this month for around $49.95, as is the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 ($29.95).