Ergonomic mouse that doubles as handheld remote launches on Kickstarter

Instead of juggling a mouse, a presentation clicker and a separate remote, MBox's new DS21 aims to combine all three into one modular device. When docked, its two halves are said to form an 85-gram ergonomic mouse with full palm support. Pull the 35-gram core free, and it reportedly becomes a handheld air controller for presentations and beyond.

Detached, the core uses a six-axis gyroscope to translate hand motion into onscreen movement, allowing users to navigate slides or scroll from up to 15 meters away. A touch-sensitive surface is said to handle clicking and volume control, potentially making it useful for controlling projectors, smart TVs, e-readers or even snapping phone photos remotely. The devices reportedly switches between a low-latency 2.4GHz USB receiver and Bluetooth 5.3, working across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

Currently funding on Kickstarter and having already far exceeded its initial goal of $2000, supporters can secure an early-bird special for $55, against an expected $79 retail price. As always, there is a certain degree of risk involved with crowdfunding campaigns, including the eventuality that the product may not function as advertised or may not make it to market at all. The creators acknowledge that keeping the magnetic docking precise and the gyroscope reliable across platforms remains a engineering challenge. Production is slated to begin in September, with shipping expected in November.