Just add a few extra chips to a mouse, and you have a flash drive mouse combo.
Why? You need ask why? Well, all right.
-It saves a USB port by having one less thing to plug in.
-How about for the geektastic among us who already carry a mouse and flash drive with them everywhere? (like me)
-It could store things like what buttons do what, pointer speed/acceleration.
-If combined with a fingerprint reader [shudders], the pointer options would change automatically.-- Aq_Bi, Dec 27 2004 Google hit #1 http://www.compusa....e=312139&pfp=BROWSEsearched on: Mouse Flash Drive [swamilad, Dec 27 2004] Memory Optical Mini Mouse w/128MB Flash Memory. http://www.iogear.c...MB%20Flash%20MemoryExactly what you explained. [BJS, May 31 2006] It would be nice if the cord was removable from the mouse-end. This might be useful in a public computing site, or the workplace. You can keep all your personal files and settings on your mouse, and never have to touch someone else's hand-filth.
Oh yeah. Someone's going to mention bluetooth sooner or later. Might want to head that one off.-- tiromancer, Dec 27 2004 I wouldn't reccoment bluetooth for anything that has a fingerprint reader on it. It has inherently weak encryption, and you wouldn't want someone stealing you print ID.
Wireless might pose problems in public areas. Unless each unit has a matched reciever, how would the computers know which mouse to use?-- Aq_Bi, Dec 27 2004 I don't know. I hate wireless mice. I just know it's going to be suggested.-- tiromancer, Dec 27 2004 Good grab, Swamilad . . . apparently, quite baked, [Aq_Bi].-- contracts, Dec 27 2004 Alright, so the flash is baked, but what about things like automatic pointer options?
This idea is becomeing quickly integrated with my robot mouse idea, so I may have to merge them. (can anyone tell me how I might do that?)-- Aq_Bi, Dec 27 2004 As a solution to the wireless mice problem in public settings with multiple machines: there is work in place for a technology I love involving dual wireless connections, one extremely short-distance (1 cm or less) and the other normal WiFi or some such. Swipe the mouse past a little synchro-spot on the computer and there you go!-- ironfroggy, Dec 27 2004 random, halfbakery