Logitech Previews New Gear at Playbite 2004

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Also at Playbite 2004, Logitech gave the assembled journalists a sneak peek of its new range of PC peripherals. As you can tell from its seasonally flavoured images, Logitech as hoping that the new kit will be popluar stocking fillers come the end of the year.

The Cordless Desktop LX 700 set will replace the Cordless Desktop MX set and offers a thin and flat keyboard positively festooned with extra shortcut keys and buttons.

The usual shortcut keys for controlling a media player, and launching applications such a web browser and your mail application are present, but the coolest new addition is a dedicated button for setting your status in the Instant Messaging program of your choice. When you get up from your desk just hit the button and it sets your status to 'away'. It’s a small touch but it’s great to see Logitech putting in design effort, based on how people actually use their computers.

The set also includes an rechargeable optical mouse known as the Cordless Click! Plus. The Cordless Desktop LX 700 set will cost £79.99 including VAT.

Logitech also showed off its new webcam – the QuickCam Communicate. This is designed to clip onto the back of a flat panel monitor. Logitech has focused on styling and with a black finish and a cool blue light to show that it is in use. The Quickcam will cost a reasonable £39.99 including VAT.

One of the most interesting devices was the MediaPlay Cordless Mouse. This is designed to work with special software that enables you to access all the media on your PC from the comfort of your sofa – essentially much like a Windows Media Center PC. The controls are even backlit so it can be used in the dark.

Thanks to buttons on the side, and top the mouse can actually be used to control this media player when picked up, so you don’t have to have a flat surface to use it on. However, put it down and it acts like a regular mouse. Its design is not moulded making it left hander friendly.

Look our for more product news from Playbite 2004 soon.

Links: www.logitech.co.uk