The Chic NuLOOQ Navigator

Whilst I remain deeply sceptical with respect to some of the input devices featured previously on Thoughts from the Sidelines I have to say that this cool device from Logitech not only looks the business but it genuinely seems to be a great idea.

Unfortunately, whilst the NuLOOQ (pronounced as “new look”) has been available for a while now, it has only been available Mac users. But, thankfully, with the implementation of a new set of Windows compatible drivers, PC owners can at last get their hands on this innovative and distinctly stylish control device.

Developed primarily as a tool to assist with Photoshop and imaging/design software, the NuLOOQ also offers considerable control versatility with a wide array of other programs and applications and can be further tailored to suit your requirements with the provided configuration software.

The device has three main control mechanisms – the twistable grey outer ring (referred to as the NavRing) which features 1000 levels of resolution enabling to respond to varying degrees of movement, the touch sensitive circular disk (the ToolTuner) on the top of the device and the click controls. You could therefore easily scroll through documents or play lists (for example) by twisting the outer grey ring and invoke editing functions or opt to play tracks with the top mounted controls (the method distinctly resembling a iPod style type of navigation).

At last it would seem that, with a mouse in one hand and the NuLOOQ Navigator in the other, the use of the keyboard could be further diminished to the more mundane role of mere text input.

Specifications:

Macintosh

• O/S: Mac OS X V10.4.4 or greater
• Processor: PowerPC® or Intel® Core® Processors
• Language: English only
• Memory: As needed by your application
• Disk Space: 10 MB of free disk space
• Port: Available USB 1.1 or greater port

Windows

• O/S: Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or greater
• Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 (or equivalent) or greater
• Language: English only
• Memory: As needed by your application
• Disk Space: 10 MB of free disk space
• Port: Available USB 1.1 or greater port

Application Support

• Adobe Creative Suite 2
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 4
• Adobe Bridge
• Microsoft Word & Excel
• Final Cut Pro (Macintosh only)
• iMovie (Macintosh only)
• Adobe Premiere® Pro (Windows only)
• iTunes
• User configurable for virtually any application

The Logitech NuLOOQ Navigator retails as USD $79.99 and it’s already on my Christmas list.

If you would like more information on this device or you would like to see a presentation of the NuLOOQ in use, you can link directly to the official product page here.