Logitech Launches Unifying Receiver Comments

Ugh, would it really bo so costly to just make everything connect via Bluetooth? One generic dongle for PCs, NO dongle at all for most laptops...

I even have this ludicrous scenario with my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard which uses a proprietary dongle which doesn't even provide the PC with generic Bluetooth functionality. Why bother calling it 'Bluetooth' at all?

Totally agree. What would be so bad with using bluetooth?

Isn't the issue with Bluetooth; 1. its more power consuming than these proprietary RF technologies; 2. additional licensing costs, and maybe 3. Bluetooth mice/keyboards being a little incompatible during boot up (or something).

Shame that the receiver won't just work with existing hardware... I have a Logitech Nano VX that I'm quite fond of now (although maybe these new mice are similiarly nice).

the next gen should be something built-in and universal like wifi/bluetooth gang...

when they gonna grow up and smell the coffee??

"when they gonna grow up and smell the coffee??" Once they have rinsed enough money out of everyone at a guess.

@Jim McSlim: Yep, everything you say sounds about right there, but I'd rather pay a bit more for those issues to be overcome than have to keep using proprietary RF. In fact, I wouldn't mind if one such Bluetooth keyboard/mouse didn't even come with a dongle in the box - that would save a few quid right there.
Of course, there's also the issue of Bluetooth drivers. Some Bluetooth modules have drivers compatible with Windows' own Bluetooth management and others (e.g. Broadcom) are only compatible with their own management software and interfaces. I suppose this would need to be standardised, which only goes to show how far Bluetooth is from realising its full potential.

"The dingle itself.."

Sorry... couldn't resist.

Shurely Wireless USB will do all this malarkey, shirely?

Seeing as this is proprietary then it seems pretty pointless to me unless you're a Logitech brand ho.

Agreed Matt, this seems entirely pointless to me. Why not just buy a keyboard/mouse set which only requires a single USB dongle anyway?

I understand some will say that they want the choice of buying mouse and keyboard separately, but with this solution you're still limited to (specific) Logitech devices.

@Matt, MrGodfrey: It may just be a small step in the right direction, but I'd rather they did it than not at all. Fewer dongles = better. Besides, once all new Logitech devices use compatible dongles, this will become a bit more important - it's early days yet.

And my keyboard and mouse *are* both Logitech ;)

will it work with the xbox 360 controller?

reason being, the wireless one asks for a ridiculously long RF receiver - on a laptop it defeats the purpose of wireless. and my cabled controller has seen better days...

@Chris; "small step in the right direction" But isn't wireless USB is a big step completely to a solution?

@ilovethemonkeyhead; I assume you mean to use an xbox360 wireless controller with your laptop/pc? Anyway, I don't think it'll work; not unless they're made by Logitech (& use the same RF spec). Which I don't think they are, are they?

@ilovethemonkeyhead: No, sorry. Logitech <> Microsoft.

Fair point Chris, a little progress is better than none.