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11/18/2005, 8:40am, EST

Friday, November 18th

New Bluetooth wireless trackball debuts

Chwang Yi Company today announced The Ball, which it says is "the world's first" Bluetooth wireless trackball. "The Ball is the result of a two-year design effort, and represents an entirely new approach to the concept of a 'trackball.' With a robust wireless system based on leading Bluetooth v1.2 standards, an elegantly small physical size and design, and a basic two-button plus scroll wheel control layout, The Ball sets a new standard for simplicity and ease of use for trackballs." The Ball easily pairs with any Bluetooth wireless enabled Mac running Mac OS X 10.2.3 or higher and includes rechargeable AAA batteries, a USB-powered mini docking/ charging cradle, and an on-off switch for power conservation. It will ship on December 5th for $70.


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Jack Campbell
0
11/18, 9:11am, EST
New venture run by former operator of DVForge.
Forum Regular
Joined Jan 2005
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The Ball?
0
11/18, 11:14am, EST
Surely: "The Cherry".
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined May 2000
User is offline
First?
0
11/18, 2:12pm, EST
I was offered a wireless option when I am purchasing a Logitech trackball (optical) but turned it down.

Why? Trackball is a "still" device, it sits at some place. Cord is not very intrusive as it doesn't move.

Logitech one is 39 british pounds. http://tinyurl.com/dby3t (logitech.com) and Logitech is the king of mouse/keyboard stuff. How they dare to put $70 price tag?

Registered User
Joined Nov 2004
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wireless track ball
0
11/22, 7:57pm, EST
I've been looking for a while for a wireless trackball to use with my laptop. This is the first product that I've seen that connects through bluetooth and does not need a usb-dongle.

The logitech trackballs connect through RF and require a USB receiver. if I'm going to connect a USB dongle I might as well connect a usb wire, so there's no benefit. the most convenient way is through bluetooth.

Iglaz says "the ball" is a bad deal at $70 because the logitech trackball is available for 39 pounds. That's misleading. In america, the logitech wireless optical trackball sells for $60. I think $70 is a fair price for "el ball" since it too is optical and it is the first to be bluetooth.

(note to Ilgaz: you talk about logitech's optical trackball, but your link points to the non-optical trackball. your price is wrong too.)

I'm going to wait to read some reviews of the product. If the reviewers like it then I will probably purchase.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Nov 2005
User is offline
on the other hand...
0
11/22, 8:39pm, EST
There are some red flags on the "Chwang Yi" web site. For example,

"Preorder your The Ball for only $69... These are prepaid reserved preorders. Your credit card will be charged now. By placing your preorder you are granting us permission to charge your card now for full payment."

Warning! This is a brand new product from a brand new company, and they want to charge my credit card before it ships? Sounds dubious, at best. Maybe this is why they can offer a generous 1 year warrantee?

Other problems: * "Chwang Yi" will only sell directly to customers, so you won't be able to buy from Amazon or Fry's. so you won't have any consumer protection or reliability.

* "Chwang Yi" claims to design its products, but in fact it repackages and redistributes products from Chinese manufacturers.

from "Chwang Yi"'s website: "You are purchasing your products directly from the Chwang Yi Company, a United States corporation. We design all of the products here. And, we partner with qualifed factories to build the products. All products sold by Chwang Yi are of our original design, and are exclusively available through Chwang Yi."

this contradicts the statements of Jack Campbell, Chwang Yi's owner:

from Jack Campbell's website: "Are you a China Based Manufacturer?... I own a specialty company, named Chwang Yi Company, that provides branded direct marketing in the U.S. to China manufacturers. Through this program I help you select and design a hit product, development marketing materials and packaging, sell the product nationally in the United States, and, I handle the entire U.S. operation for you."

It's clear that Jack Campbell/Chwang Yi designs packaging and advertising for products that are developed in China. Cambell may call this "designing a product" but he did not develop any of the technology or hardware. This was done by an anonymous third party.

There are too many warning signs that Chwang Yi is illegitimate. I'm not going to risk my money on a dubious company.

some links: http://www.chwangyi.com/faq.html http://www.chwangyi.com/the_ball.html http://www.aboutjack.com/china.html

Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Nov 2005
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