Skypegear Roadtest: Sony VAIO Mouse Talk VN-CX1

The Sony VAIO Mouse Talk VN-CX1 is a slick little device that works as both an optical mouse and a Skype phone. I got my hands on one from the US Skype store, and after using it for a couple days I can tell you it's a really good choice for business travellers and others who want to combine the functionality of a headset and a mouse in a compact package. Read on for the full review.

First Impressions

The first thing you notice when you take the Mouse Talk out of its package is how small it is. It's an ideal size to just throw into your laptop bag (especially with its little cord collector), but it also fits well in your hand and is comfortable to use both as a mouse and a phone. And it's quite easy on the eyes--Sony is known for its good-looking hardware and the Mouse Talk is no exception.

Functionality

As a mouse it has the left and right mouse buttons you'd expect, as well as a scroll wheel which you can click to enable an autoscroll function.

Pressing a button at the mouse's hinge flips open the Mouse Talk and puts it in phone mode. After installing the driver on the included CD, using the Mouse Talk with Skype is easy. When you get an incoming Skype call, the blue LED flashes (or you can set the mouse to ring), and opening up the phone answers the call. While on a call, the scroll wheel adjusts the caller's volume, and clicking the wheel mutes your microphone. Closing the phone ends the call. When you're not on a call, opening the phone brings the Skype client to the foreground.

The flip-phone is light and comfortable to use and the sound quality is quite good. Flipping the phone open part of the way puts the Mouse Talk in speakerphone mode, which was adequate for a quiet office but might not cut it in a louder environment.

One drawback with the Mouse Talk is that by design you can't use it as a mouse when you're on the phone. So you need to use your laptop's trackpad, or start your calls with the Mouse Talk then open it up to phone mode.

Conclusion

The Sony VAIO Mouse Talk is a great addition to any road warrior's arsenal. It's a high quality mouse and USB phone that doesn't compromise on functionality or aesthetics. I've always been a trackpad guy myself, but the Mouse Talk is making me reconsider my position. Having a mouse that makes it so easy to make and take calls definitely gives you one less thing to worry about. You can get the Mouse Talk now at the US Skype Store for $79.95.

Comments

Looks like a great mouse phone,what is its range anyone?

Thanks.

The cord length is just over a meter (110 cm / 43 inches)--on the laptop I was testing it on, my USB ports are on the left but I'd use it as a mouse to the right of the laptop, and it was just long enough to pick up and use comfortably. A USB extension cable would make it more convenient, and would probably be necessary to use it with a desktop computer. (Should have mentioned this in my review! Thanks for the question.)

So, is this Viao Mouse Talk phone Mac-compatible? On Sony's website, they say Windows, but do NOT say "won't work with Mac."
Thanks -
RJLaue

The mouse is only for Windows, XP, 2000 and Vista

I bought this mouse recently and it's been working great as a mouse.. but the VoIP function isn't working. When I open the mouse to use it as a phone it opens Skype like it should and when I close the mouse it closes Skype, but it doesn't accept audio or produce sound from it's speaker.

I have a IBM thinkpad t41, I'm not sure if it's specific to my model. or a more general problem, but as far as I can tell I've setup everything perfectly.

Hi,
Just installed this mouse phone and for some reason the microphone doesn't work. I run Windows XP on a Dell laptop. I first installed the 3.1 driver that came on the CD and then downloaded v. 4.0 from the web. No result. I can hear OK but that's it. Vaio won't give support (as per yet) since the require me to register my (non-existing) VAIO computer. Sony refers me to VAIO. Now, I need somebody who can solve the problem instead of referring me to somewhere else. Oh, yes I did set the Skype to use the USB-device in the sound unit options.

Thanks for the review. Does this mouse come with a carrying case?

I've traveled with this Sony VAIO VOIP Mouse Talk VN-CX1 Skype phone for about a year now and, well, it's ok, for emergencies, sometime ... but it sure isn't that useful.

Here's why:
a) As a mouse, it's really not that useful as it's not comfortable to me at all. In fact, I'm shocked all those above think it's a good mouse as it's too light, too flimsy with the cover always bouncing about a bit, and too square with edges not fitting your hand. I mean, it works, as a mouse; it's just a crummy mouse compared to a nice ergometrically smooth mouse.

b) As a phone, well, it too stinks. I have MANY Skype phones, so, I cam comparing with all of them independently. For example, it's no better than a headphone and mic because it's tethered; and it's not as good as the hand held Skype phones that untether you. Sure, it works (most of the time) but, if only it was a good mouse, then it would be more useful as a phone. As it is, I have to bring a real mouse, and this "emergency" Sony mouse/phone, and then a real Skype phone (which I end up using most of the time).

c) The main problem with the VAIO Mouse Talk VN-CX1 is half the time, I can't get it to be in microphone mode. The speaker generally works fine, but, for the life of me, my Skype test calls always have nothing on my side of the call. Sigh.

Overall, if it were only a better mouse, it would be a better phone; but, as it is, it's only good for dire emergencies ... and ... even then ... it has no microphone half the time. Sigh.