Logitech Bluetooth Cordless Presenter

At first glance, the device looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Its ovoid, finely flecked metallic blue body, encased in a colorless, transparent shell and accented by matt silver buttons is reminiscent of one of Star Trek's handheld phaser guns. The blinking LED lights atop the device and the embedded red laser -- activated when you press a trigger on the Presenter's blue-smoked translucent plastic underside -- reinforce the futuristic impression.

The device is designed with road warriors in mind -- traveling businesspeople who make presentations to customers and colleagues -- and who normally carry multiple pieces of equipment to do their jobs. The aim of the Presenter is to eliminate some of those devices by combining them into one: a laser pointer, slideshow remote control and optical computer mouse, all in a device that easily slips into a laptop computer case. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of mice.

Bluetooth

In some ways, the most significant feature of the Cordless Presenter is that it relies on the Bluetooth communications protocol for its wireless connection to your PC. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that uses radio waves instead of cables to connect peripherals (such as keyboards and mice) to computers. Its purpose is to eliminate the tangle of wires that sprout from most desktop computers today.

Why is that significant? The Bluetooth protocol is likely the most hyped communications standard in recent memory, with thousands of companies joining the Bluetooth industry group. It was supposed to revolutionize the way people use computing technology and consumer electronics by freeing us from cables. The reality was somewhat different.

Instead, the group was initially unable to decide on what should and shouldn't be included in the standard and the first version of Bluetooth was delayed and flawed; some would say it was sloppily put together. The result was that the manufacturers of the scant few early devices using Bluetooth included proprietary communications "extensions" or add-ons, which effectively made devices from different companies unable to communicate with one another, completely defeating one of the key reasons for creation of the communications standard. Add to that the high cost of the early Bluetooth microchips, which made it extremely expensive to produce Bluetooth-enabled products -- a cost that would be passed on to the consumer. But with time, prices fall and technologies improve. And that brings us to Logitech launch of its Cordless Presenter.

The Presenter nestles comfortably in the hand and the fingers and thumb rest easily on the upper and lower controls. It has a firm heft with or without the pair of AA batteries (included), and feels as solid as it looks.

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