My current pet project involves the installation of a decent media center. I’m in the process of collecting suitable peripherals to enhance the experience – coupled with a large LCD screen, I should be able to browse the web and possibly even compose a mail message. I’ve selected the Logitech diNovo Mini as my integrated keyboard and mouse interface. Though not perfect, it performs the intended job reasonably well. I’ll provide additional information on the use of this device in a future post. For now, we’ll simply have a quick look at the package and its content. Logitech has taken many cues from Apple.

The packaging is slick and attractive. Lifting the lid reveals a tray with the software CD, paperwork and cleaning cloth.

The 15cm long and 9cm wide diNovo Mini is recessed in tightly molded plastic below the interleaving cardboard container for the CD and manuals. It’s a device destined to be scratched. Sensibly, it’s been wrapped tightly in clingwrap to prevent damage in transit. The moment it’s been unboxed, it attacts fingerprints and scratches.

The diNovo Mini is designed as a clamshell: the semi-transparent, smoked plastic cover flips upward to reveal the actual keyboard. In addition, it switches the device on and off. A good reason not to try and remove the mostly annoying cover! The remaining content of the box sits below the keyboard platform. It comprises a Bluetooth dongle, rechargable Lithium-ion battery and a power adapter to charge the device.

The diNovo Mini has been designed to work with Windows and the PS3. My intended target is a Mac. Rest assured that the keyboard works with a Mac, except that one will need to deal with that annoying Windows logo on some of the buttons and make special allowance for certain actions that are not natively catered for.  Logitech has indicated that a special Mac port of the driver software is in the works.

Flip the unit over and open the black cover. That reveals the switch to change between PC and PS3 mode, as well as the receptacle for the Bluetooth dongle and battery.

To make the unit discoverable, the red button needs to be pressed.

Since all the devices I’ll use the diNovo Mini with won’t need the enclosed Bluetooth adapter, I’ll stow it away. Slot in the battery and close up the bottom. Then it’s off for a four hour recharging cycle prior to a first use.

More on using the diNovo Mini sometime later.

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