Logitech diNovo Mini – First Hands-On!

[CES 2008] The Logitech diNovo Mini is a Media Center remote control that features a full QWERTY keyboard and looks good on the coffee table. (Ubergizmo’s photo gallery. Official photo gallery)

When we got to play with the Logitech diNovo Mini, it was like a dream come true. I have been a Media Center person for many years, and it has always been frustrating that I had to have a full-size keyboard (wireless or not) lying around for searching TV shows or movies. The big keyboard is much cooler than typing on the numeric pad of the remote, but it looks bad on the coffee table. Heck, even the MCE remote looks kind of ugly.

Then the diNovo Mini came. Closed, it looks like a pebble that looks good even in a minimalist loft… Open it and there is a full QWERTY keyboard, a directional pad and a few Media Center buttons. It is neat, comfy in the hand and functional. The directional pad has two modes (switchable via a button): directional pad for navigating menus or touch pad to emulate the mouse.

After trying it, I can say that I like it a lot, and I have no problem saying that anyone that uses a keyboard and a mouse on a semi-regular basis should take a look at the diNovo Mini.

Specifications

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Mouse Pad / Directional Pad
• Battery life rated at 1-month
• Backlighting (green/orange)
• Windows XP/Vista compatible

Hubert Nguyen
Categories: Computers
Tags: CES, Hands-On