Single USB dongle, multiple peripherals

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Logitech announced yesterday that they released a new way for multiple peripherals to attach to a computer with only one USB dongle due to wireless technology, a device called the Unifying Receiver.

According to Logitech the Receiver will be able to support four products that are due to be released in the future: the Wireless Mouse M505, Marathon Mouse M705, Wireless Keyboard K350, and the Wireless Keyboard K340.

Each of the products will use a 2.4GHz wireless connection via the USB dongle that only reaches out eight millimetres from the USB port on the computer. In the past, each wireless component would need access to a USB port, but now with the unifying receiver only one USB port is needed to connect up to six different devices.

Before the devices can be used however they need to be set up for use with the receiver with the Logitech unifying software and connected with 128 bit AES encryption.

Both keyboards are able to boast about three years of battery life and will be compatible with Windows 7. The K350 will cost users about $60 and the K340 will cost around $50 when they become available in September.

The Marathon mouse has a three year battery life as well earning its title, but the M505 will only last about 15 months on one battery although the laser tracking device allows for extremely fast scrolling.

The mice will both be compatible for use with either Mac OS X or Windows operating systems. The M505 and the M705 will both become available in the UK this month and will retail for $50 and $70 respectively.