Kensington Unveils SlimBlade Peripherals Line
By John Laposky -- TWICE, 9/24/2007
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIF. — Kensington's computer products group has rolled out its fall product line which includes the introduction of the SlimBlade Lifestyle collection, a line of computer input devices that the company tailored "to the tech-savvy mobile professional."
The collection, which includes an assortment of mouse designs and a modular keyboard set, is the latest embodiment of Kensington's Smart Made Simple philosophy, which, according to senior global product manager Juan Rodriguez, focuses on simplifying a consumer's experience with computing technology and designing accessories that look as good and function as well in the home or car as they do in the office.
"With SlimBlade, we set out to create the perfect computing accessories for traveling executives," said Rodriguez. "So, we started from scratch and focused on their needs and lifestyle." Kensington distilled mobile executives' needs into three product pillars: thin design, layers of functionality and the ability to be used on any terrain. The SlimBlade products boast very slim form factors and colors inspired by the automobile industry, Rodriguez said. The line features a range of color finishes, including graphite, pewter, ice blue, deep blue, deep wine and black.
The SlimBlade line includes four wireless mouse designs. At the top of the line is the SlimBlade trackball mouse K72283US, a travel mouse that utilizes a trackball that allows input control on a surface that is too small for normal mouse use. It switches back to mouse mode with the push of a button. Bluetooth connectivity offers up to 30 feet of range. It has a suggested retail of $99.99.
The SlimBlade presenter media mouse K72280US combines a mouse, presenter and media controller in one design. The two-sided device looks like a standard three-button mouse but flips over to reveal a circular media controller pad for navigating playlists onscreen as well as controlling PowerPoint presentations. It comes in a pewter finish and retails for $79.99.
Kensington's step-down SlimBlade media mouse K72282US also combines a mouse and media controller in one device but eliminates the presentation shortcuts. It retails for $59.99.
The SlimBlade presenter mouse K72283US (ice blue) and K72285US(deep blue) offers presentation shortcuts without the media controller pad. It retails for $49.99.
The SlimBlade media notebook set K72279US is a slim-form modular wireless keyboard. It can be rearranged into whatever combination a user needs by swapping the magnetically-attached modules on the left or right side of the keyboard. The set includes a wireless keyboard, 17-key keypad and laser mouse. Each component features a graphite finish. The set retails for $129. A matching media remote control module is also available exclusively at Kensington.com for an additional $19.99.
The SlimBlade line is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com and will ship to retailers by the end of the month.
Also new from Kensington are four LiquidFM transmitters for iPods and MP3 players. The transmitters are also chargers and feature QuickSeek, which automatically finds the clearest radio frequencies for transmission and RDS, which allows song and artist information to be displayed on compatible car stereos. The transmitters include three preset buttons, LCD screens and on/off switches to eliminate car battery drain. The four models — the LiquidFM Deluxe for iPod (K33424US), LiquidFM for iPod (K33411US), LiquidFM Plus for MP3 players (K33408US) and LiquidFM for MP3 players (K33383US) will ship at the end of the month and have retails ranging from $49.99 to $99.99. The non-iPod models ship with a standard 3.5mm connector for most MP3 players as well as a 2.5mm connector for music-enabled cellphones.
The fall line also includes some additions to Kensington's "Connect it" line of notebook accessories, designed to create more room on the consumer's desktop and enhance overall notebook usage, the company said.
The sd200v notebook docking station with video allows the connection of all peripherals to any notebook with a single USB connection. Built-in DualView technology allows the use of an external monitor to display or extend the notebook's virtual desktop with the push of a button.
Two notebook stands, which round out the new line, feature Kensington's SmartFit adjustment system. The Easy Riser cooling notebook stand elevates notebooks to dissipate heat, while the Notebook Stand with USB hub attaches to any notebook to create a desktop workstation.
The company also announced the newest additions to Kensington's power products line. A new rechargeable power pack, two power adapters and an updated power inverter shares a compact design optimized for travel. All products feature USB connectivity.
Finally, Kensington unveiled the new Contour Active line of notebook cases. The two new cases are equipped with Kensington's Contour panel for ergonomic support and comfort and have graphite finishes.
