Logitech Announce Unifying USB Receiver Plus New Wireless Peripherals

Logitech have announced a new "unifying" USB receiver for use with its latest wireless keyboard and mice, which allows up to six of the company's compatible devices to be connected with the one receiver.  The Logitech Unifying Receiver will land in the US and Europe in September 2009, bundled with the new Wireless Keyboard K350 and K340 models, the Marathon Mouse M705 in early 2010, and the Wireless Mouse M505 in August this year.

The receiver extends only 8mm from the USB port, and uses the 2.4GHz wireless band with 128-bit AES encryption.  An accompanying application, Logitech's Unifying software, is used to control registration of multiple devices.

The Wireless Keyboard K350 and K340 will be priced at $59.99 and $49.99 respectively; the Marathon Mouse M705 will be priced at $69.99; finally, the Wireless Mouse M505 will be priced at $49.99. 

Press Release:

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. 

[via Crave]