

We love wireless keyboards and mice, but we don't like that using both means two dongles, each hogging its own USB port. Logitech feels our pain, debuting today its Unifying receiver tech, letting you connect multiple wireless peripherals to the same (tiny!) dongle.
Up to six wireless devices can communicate with the same dongle, though the 2.4GHz wireless tech is proprietary, working only with Logitech products designed to use it. Right now it's just these babies, also announced today: Logitech's M505 (August, $50) and M705 (early 2010, $70) mice, plus the K340 (September, $50) and K350 (September, $60) keyboards. Each ships with one of the receivers, so you'll have an extra when you buy both a mouse and keyboard.
Full press release, with more details on those specific products, after the jump.
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Logitech Unifying Receiver Eliminates Need for Multiple Wireless Receivers for Keyboards and Mice
Tiny USB Receiver Debuts with Logitech Wireless Keyboard K350, Logitech Wireless Keyboard K340, Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 and Logitech Wireless Mouse M505
FREMONT, Calif. -- Aug. 4, 2009 -- Today, Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) introduced a convenient and clutter-free way for you to connect wireless keyboards and mice to your laptop - the Logitech® Unifying receiver. So small that it can stay in the laptop when you're moving around, a single Logitech Unifying receiver can be paired with multiple Unifying-compatible Logitech mice and keyboards - freeing up valuable USB ports and making it easy to mix, match and add to your existing setup, no matter where you are. The Logitech Unifying receiver is debuting with four new products: the Logitech® Wireless Keyboard K350, Logitech® Wireless Keyboard K340, Logitech® Marathon Mouse M705 and the Logitech® Wireless Mouse M505.
"At Logitech, we're always looking for ways to make life easier," said Rory Dooley, Logitech's senior vice president and general manager of the Control Devices business unit. "With this unique new receiver, now you can pick and choose the mouse and keyboard that work best for you whether you're at the office, at home or on the road."
Plug it. Forget it. Add to it.
The Unifying receiver - based on the groundbreaking design of the industry-first Logitech Plug-and-Forget Nano-receiver - is so tiny (it protrudes only 8 mm from the edge of your computer) you can leave it in your laptop when it's time to pack up and go. Whether you're moving around the office, traveling for business, checking e-mail at a local café or chatting online with family from the sofa, your favorite peripherals are ready to work whenever, wherever you are.
The Unifying receiver can control up to six Unifying-compatible Logitech peripherals and set up is fast and easy. For the first device, just plug in the receiver and the mouse or keyboard is recognized in seconds. When you want to add more devices, the Unifying software (available for download at www.logitech.com/unifying) walks you through a few steps to get your new device up and running.
Secure Connection
Both new Unifying-compatible keyboards feature Logitech® Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, delivering the reliability of a cord plus wireless convenience and freedom. Fast data transmission, virtually no delays or dropouts, and 128-bit AES encryption give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your data is safe moving from keyboard to receiver to computer.
Logitech Wireless Keyboard K350
Featuring Logitech's distinctive Wave design and Constant Curve layout, the Logitech Wireless Keyboard K350 guides your hands into just the right position and conforms naturally to your fingers. A cushioned palm rest helps position your hands comfortably and properly on the keyboard. Together, they can help you type with ease and confidence, but without forcing you to re-learn typing on an unfamiliar layout. And your keyboard is always ready when you need it - offering up to three years of battery life.
Logitech Wireless Keyboard K340
Designed to fit your space and your life, the compact Logitech Wireless Keyboard K340 won't take up a lot of room on your desk and is easy to store or take with you. Yet its full-size layout and number pad put all the keys you need within reach. Your keyboard is always ready when you need it thanks to up to three years of battery life. To give you more comfort, the keyboard's low-profile design helps place your hands and wrists in a more neutral position. Plus, the quiet, responsive keys feel great and barely make a sound.
Logitech Marathon Mouse M705
So you can power on - from home to work and on the road - the Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 can go up to three full years between battery changes, using less than half the power of comparable mice (tested against popular battery-powered optical and laser wireless mice commercially available as of March 1, 2009). With hyper-fast scrolling, you'll fly through long documents to find what you need in a flash. Laser tracking ensures smooth, responsive cursor control. And the sculpted, right-hand shape naturally conforms to your hand.
Logitech Wireless Mouse M505
The Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 helps you get more done, more comfortably, in more places. With up to 15 months of battery life, you've got the power to stay productive, while laser tracking gives you responsive, precise cursor control on surfaces where optical mice fail. And the ergonomically designed, ambidextrous shape - which includes soft rubber grips - conforms to your hand to be naturally comfortable, yet the mouse is compact enough to take with you.
Battery life of Logitech keyboards is based on a calculation of an estimated two million keystrokes per year in an office environment; battery life for Logitech mice may vary based on user and computing conditions.
Pricing and Availability
Expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in September, the Logitech Wireless Keyboard K350 and Logitech Wireless Keyboard K340 will have a suggested retail price of $59.99 (U.S.) and $49.99 (U.S.), respectively. With expected availability in Europe in August and in the U.S. in early 2010, the Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 will have a suggested retail price of $69.99 (U.S.). The Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in August for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (U.S.). All four products will also be available through Logitech for Business channels.
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
Via Logitech
By Standard User at 4:19 PM ON 08/04/09
Why would we use external dongles, rather than common Bluetooth-connection. These little pieces of transmitters for only one manufacturer are just jamming 2,4 GHz bandwidth already used by many other wireless connections.
Using Bluetooth it wouldn't take even the first USB-port, or only once if the computer doesn't have the BT-capability as internal.
It's weird when bundling own dongle and device is cheaper than selling a product with a BT-connection.
By Spaceresearcher at 1:42 AM ON 08/05/09
Some of us don't love wireless keyboards and mouses, in fact I am dumb founded that anyone wants to waste there time with them.
I agree with the first poster there and the following points.
Your computer is right there, why do you need to waste valuable battery chemicals powering your mouse and keyboard when you can just plug it in to your computer??
Is the cord really that had to handle? Try rearranging your desk if it's in the road.
There are many devices that have been well served with wireless connectivity. A PDA perhaps, but honestly for the good old home computer why have the hassle of flat batteries, faulty connection lags and wireless transmissions buzzing around when you really, absolutely don't need them.
Spaceresearcher.
By Mike Rider at 11:18 AM ON 08/05/09
Yeah, Bluetooth! That way it doesn't clobber my wireless-g net.....
By Oldgeek at 2:52 AM ON 08/06/09
Welcome to the wheel reinvented. Just because they don't want to pay the Bluetooth license. This isn't innovation just more profiteering and trying to keep you married to one brand. I just but Bluetooth devices and buy computers with Bluetooth internal transceivers. Problem solved. Oh yeah and I get my smart phone and headset wireless connectivity too.
By ItalianDragn at 3:01 AM ON 08/06/09
or you could just use The Toshiba laptop that has this built into it like mine.
By Aquila at 4:41 AM ON 08/06/09
Eh.. the MX3200 mouse and keyboard are a set... http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/140&cl=gb,en and work on 1 reciever plugged in to the pc or laptop... my previous keyboard and mouse did so aswell... and the ones before that.. Never tried connecting more to it but... why buy something expensive when older versions work too? Both mouse and keyboard on one connector isn't new. maybe i'm mistunderstanding this whole thing.. but it seems like a waste of money to me.
By Aquila at 4:43 AM ON 08/06/09
Eh.. the MX3200 mouse and keyboard are a set... http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/140&cl=gb,en and work on 1 reciever plugged in to the pc or laptop... my previous keyboard and mouse did so aswell... and the ones before that.. Never tried connecting more to it but... why buy something expensive when older versions work too? Both mouse and keyboard on one connector isn't new. maybe i'm mistunderstanding this whole thing.. but it seems like a waste of money to me.
By sinfire at 6:29 PM ON 08/06/09
i have a bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard, it uses 1 port, and the whole kit costs $40, and it connects to anything bluetooth at the same time, why is this a big deal?
By Maj at 7:46 PM ON 08/07/09
I'm confused.
Logitech is establishing a proprietary standard that is supposed to unify.. their own standard.
Doesn't that mean it does the opposite of what they're advertising?
By endimion at 6:06 AM ON 08/12/09
@Spaceresearcher
because some of us.... actually more and more people don't use their computer only as a workstation at a desk....
me for example when I'm using my PC as a HD home theater platform... when i'm plugging it to my TV and amplifier and seat in my couch I need more than 20 feet of cable for both mouse and keyboard... so i'd rather be wireless.... but I agree on the BT.... but there is a big use for wireless though... I imagine gamers could use it too....
By anonymous at 7:50 PM ON 11/26/09
I agree about BT, but you should really learn more about the standard and about networks in general. Yes, the receiver is 2.4, but so is BT. They all operate in the ISM-2.4 band, only difference is the BT standard forces lower Tx and Rx levels. This unit IS bluetooth without the logo. I for one would go for BT, but having a desktop without it makes me not really care because either way I'd need a receiver. For my MacBook Pro however, I'd get a Logitech BT mouse if they made one like the Performance MX.
anonymous:
I agree about BT, but you should really learn more about the standard and about networks in general. Yes, the rece...More »