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Buried in 2007

Mouse or Phone?

Sony VAIO
MouseTalk

A computer mouse that tried to be a phone but ended up being nothing. What led to this innovative concept's rapid downfall in less than a year?


The Story

In mid-2006, Sony brought out an interesting “concept” mouse that can also be used as a Skype-certified phone. It worked as a computer mouse, or… a sleek clamshell mobile phone. However, In 2008, this $79.99 mouse disappeared from Sony VAIO catalogues. 

Key features

Curious about what the Sony VAIO Mouse Talk could actually do? Let’s take a closer look at what this hybrid device had to offer.

 

Sony Mouse Works as an optical USB mouse and a VOIP Phone
Sony Mouse Works as a built-in Microphone/Speakers
Features of Sony Mouse: One push button hands-free mode, Mute conversation & control volume, LED lights for incoming calls ( Skype only), Ringtones ( Skype only)

How it works

Sony probably thought they were onto a winner with a computer mouse and VoIP phone rolled into one.
Sounds clever, doesn’t it? Wait until you try using it in our mini game below

Basically when the VN-CX1 is being used as a VoIP phone, you will lose the ability to mousy on the PC, [...] it would be like driving a car without a steering wheel.

— John Woo, Sony Mouse owner

What seriously went wrong

Combining a mouse and a phone is an interesting idea. Until we find out an ugly truth: 
the Sony VAIO MouseTalk cannot be both at the same time.

Sony assumed people didn’t do multitask while talking online
Use this as a mouse, you cannot be on-call Use this as a phone, you cannot navigate on computer
#2 A good mouse & a good headset are better than an average mouse phone
Sony Mouse has slim ergonomic shape and is feather light. This may be bad for CAD users” “ Probably a clever idea to invest in a Logitech Bluetooth headset and save the money for a laser mouse...”
Why would Notebook users need this?
Sony Mouse benefit: 2-in-1 fashionable device ( So that you can save some space in your bag ) Capture the feeling of talking on the cellphone Using separate mouse and headset benefit: Private call in hand-free mode Can use the mouse during a call Join the call with just one click
Sony assumed people didn’t do multitask while talking online
Use this as a mouse, you cannot be on-call Use this as a phone, you cannot navigate on computer
#2 A good mouse & a good headset are better than an average mouse phone
Sony Mouse has slim ergonomic shape and is feather light. This may be bad for CAD users” “ Probably a clever idea to invest in a Logitech Bluetooth headset and save the money for a laser mouse...”
Why would Notebook users need this?
Sony Mouse benefit: 2-in-1 fashionable device ( So that you can save some space in your bag ) Capture the feeling of talking on the cellphone Using separate mouse and headset benefit: Private call in hand-free mode Can use the mouse during a call Join the call with just one click

Lesson learned​

Sony VAIO Mouse Talk was designed to address the inconvenience of switching between a mouse and a separate 
VoIP headset. But was this inconvenience a problem that’s worth to solve?  Apparently, it wasn’t.

Don't solve non-existent problems

Sony VAIO MouseTalk was designed to address the inconvenience of switching between a mouse and a VoIP headset. But was this inconvenience a problem that’s worth to solve? If it was, then, was this problem worth the price?

Don’t neglect user experience

While innovation is crucial for staying ahead of the competition, it should not compromise usability. Despite being an innovative concept, Sony VAIO MouseTalk ignored the need to use the mouse during the call and created a tragic flaw in its usability.

Focus on core functionality

Sony MouseTalk may seem both like less of a good mouse and less of a phone, though in reality it’s both. Multifunctional products often fail because consumers may perceive them as less effective for any single purpose, compared to dedicated, single-function devices.

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