Gigabyte Aivia Xenon combines a mouse and touchpad

Posted on 2 Jul 2012 at 09:40, by Gareth Halfacree

Technology giant Gigabyte has announced what it claims is the world's first dual-mode touchpad-mouse. Combining the best of a laptop-style touch-sensitive pointing surface and a traditional laser-based optical mouse, the Gigabyte Aivia Xenon boasts a 1,000dpi resolution and a report rate of 125rps for accuracy even during rapid motion.

It's the dual-mode technology which makes the Xenon stand out, however: a press of a side-mounted button disables the traditional mouse mode and switches the Xenon into touchpad mode. In this mode, the upper surface of the device becomes touch-sensitive, like a laptop touchpad or Apple's standalone Magic Trackpad.

As with Apple's device, the Xenon includes multi-touch and gesture-control support when in touchpad mode, as well as Gigabyte's Free-Scrolling Technology which allows for easier file browsing. Aivia Painter software is also bundled with the device, allowing the user to annotate and draw on any application's surface - including presentations - when in touchpad mode.

The portable device is also wireless, with a claimed 10-metre range, and powered by two AAA batteries. Gigabyte has not indicated how long the device will run for before the batteries need to be changed, however. Bundled with a USB wireless receiver, the device weighs just 68g.

UK pricing for the peripheral has yet to be confirmed.

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