Home : Hardware : Reviews : diNovo Mini
A better way to be a couch potato.
I thought my parents had a tough time getting me to read. Nowadays, I can't even begin to describe the pain and suffering it requires, and that was just so kids would do something more productive. It's damn-near impossible to just get the kids off the computers, TVs and electronics as a whole.
Thankfully, more and more homes every year set up home networks and are using media centers based around their TVs. Analysts show the number of these media center's across the US growing by a huge rate, and for good reason: it's becoming easier and more affordable than ever.
Two problems remain from all this: how to get the kids out of the living room and how to control your streaming media from your PC with just a remote? 
Logitech steps in to save you from all but your babysitting needs, delivering the diNovo Mini. A handheld Bluetooth keyboard sporting a touchpad mouse, specialized media buttons for Windows machines and a full QWERTY keyboard in the palm of your hands, the diNovo Mini is perhaps the most perfect remote for your new, or soon to be home media center.
The design is simple enough: the keyboard has a glossy cover which, when opened, turns on the device. The remote remains in a standby mode when not in use and is easy to sync, using either the built-in Bluetooth of your PC or connecting to the additional USB receiver, which literally connects to the diNovo in seconds.
Once the drivers are installed, you're ready to control the PC from your fingertips, or rather from your thumbs. Meant to fit lightly in your hand, the diNovo features tactile buttons that are easy to press and navigate. Additional functions apply for most keys, and the important buttons stand out easily, such as the page up/down, which also serve as volume control.
A small switch on the top right of the diNovo allows for quickly switching between the round touchpad's mouse sensor to arrow keys, which is indicated by a color change in the backlit buttons from green to orange. Because of the odd shape and curvature of the touchpad, it may feel insensitive and unresponsive to most users in early use, but over time command over the mouse eases.
To use the mouse properly is no small feat. Using your right thumb for the trackpad and left thumb for the left mouse click will also take time to adjust to, as will properly exploiting the right-click using one of the function keys in tandem with the mouse button. Most of the keypad's features are all too easy to understand, though this remains the exception.
