Page 2: Lights, Testing, Conclusion
Lights:
One of the cool features of the diNovo Mini is the fact that it lights up in the dark. This is a must have feature to be used in a media center style placement since you'll be watching TV in the dark. The worst thing is having to disrupt everything by turning a light on to see the controls.
The keyboard has two modes of operation which are governed by the use of the switch near the back button (above it). The mode shown above is full on controller mode. This means that the mouse portion changes into a keyboard directional pad which is very useful for MythTV. Pressing the circle creates an enter for navigation through menus. The control buttons are lit in green while the normal keys are in orange to differentiate. The keyboard portion will only light if in use.
The second mode is the cursor mode. In this mode, the circular pad acts like a touchpad. It sort of acts like a touchpad, actually. The left click of the mouse can be invoked by clicking the pad or pressing the OK button on the left. The right click is buried by a function + OK click. Given the fact that you'll hardly use a mouse in a media center scenario, this is a minor thing.
Testing:
Testing an input device is not easy, especially when it is something as unique as this. Thankfully, I have just the setup that this device is targeting. I use MythTV to provide a media center on Linux with ease. Testing was done with MythTV and using the device as a regular input device.
The diNovo has a problem under Linux with regards to the cursor portion. The mouse input just does not work at all. I've been reading around that this is due to the Logitech Bluetooth adapter not being totally supported and the use of a standard Bluetooth device paired with the diNovo works fine. That being said, the keyboard functionality of the Mini works right out of the box in Linux (Ubuntu Gutsy). Ubuntu Hardy should be able to have full support for the Mini since a patch was released into the Kernel.
I also tested the Mini under Windows under XP SP2 and it is detected and installs without issue and without the need for extra software. Both the keyboard and mouse function correctly without problems.
The keyboard was made for a media center. It is a blast to use this over other bulky wireless keyboards. I think Logitech made a winner with this device. The mouse control is a bit clunky. The touchpad isn't as sensitive as a normal touchpad and you actually need to click the pad to mouse click instead of just tap which tags some getting used to. MythTV uses an all keyboard input scheme so the mouse rarely was used. The fact the keyboard is backlight also is a great feature for the media center room. There is absolutely no problem using this in low light situations.
Conclusion:
The diNovo Mini is pretty expensive at around $150. The thing to remember is that this is a special input device that matches with a media center. Media centers cost a pretty penny themselves and adding this may not be a drop in the bucket, but it is worth the cost for the ease of use and I recommend the purchase if you have one. I haven't seen a device like this from any company so Logitech gets the unique and forward thinking award and I'm glad that devices such as this are being released. We need to push the envelope to really see where we can go. Computing is still in its infancy in some regards and pushing it helps use makes strides.
I'd like to thank Kate and Sarah from Logitech for making this review possible.
One of the cool features of the diNovo Mini is the fact that it lights up in the dark. This is a must have feature to be used in a media center style placement since you'll be watching TV in the dark. The worst thing is having to disrupt everything by turning a light on to see the controls.
The keyboard has two modes of operation which are governed by the use of the switch near the back button (above it). The mode shown above is full on controller mode. This means that the mouse portion changes into a keyboard directional pad which is very useful for MythTV. Pressing the circle creates an enter for navigation through menus. The control buttons are lit in green while the normal keys are in orange to differentiate. The keyboard portion will only light if in use.
The second mode is the cursor mode. In this mode, the circular pad acts like a touchpad. It sort of acts like a touchpad, actually. The left click of the mouse can be invoked by clicking the pad or pressing the OK button on the left. The right click is buried by a function + OK click. Given the fact that you'll hardly use a mouse in a media center scenario, this is a minor thing.
Testing:
Testing an input device is not easy, especially when it is something as unique as this. Thankfully, I have just the setup that this device is targeting. I use MythTV to provide a media center on Linux with ease. Testing was done with MythTV and using the device as a regular input device.
The diNovo has a problem under Linux with regards to the cursor portion. The mouse input just does not work at all. I've been reading around that this is due to the Logitech Bluetooth adapter not being totally supported and the use of a standard Bluetooth device paired with the diNovo works fine. That being said, the keyboard functionality of the Mini works right out of the box in Linux (Ubuntu Gutsy). Ubuntu Hardy should be able to have full support for the Mini since a patch was released into the Kernel.
I also tested the Mini under Windows under XP SP2 and it is detected and installs without issue and without the need for extra software. Both the keyboard and mouse function correctly without problems.
The keyboard was made for a media center. It is a blast to use this over other bulky wireless keyboards. I think Logitech made a winner with this device. The mouse control is a bit clunky. The touchpad isn't as sensitive as a normal touchpad and you actually need to click the pad to mouse click instead of just tap which tags some getting used to. MythTV uses an all keyboard input scheme so the mouse rarely was used. The fact the keyboard is backlight also is a great feature for the media center room. There is absolutely no problem using this in low light situations.
Conclusion:
The diNovo Mini is pretty expensive at around $150. The thing to remember is that this is a special input device that matches with a media center. Media centers cost a pretty penny themselves and adding this may not be a drop in the bucket, but it is worth the cost for the ease of use and I recommend the purchase if you have one. I haven't seen a device like this from any company so Logitech gets the unique and forward thinking award and I'm glad that devices such as this are being released. We need to push the envelope to really see where we can go. Computing is still in its infancy in some regards and pushing it helps use makes strides.
I'd like to thank Kate and Sarah from Logitech for making this review possible.