Hands-on Assessment: Diver-X Reinvents the Mouse With Its Melt 3-in-1 Design — a Beautiful Tool Designed for Creators Leave a comment
After pioneering haptic gloves for digital actuality, Tokyo-based startup Diver-X is taking purpose at considered one of the most acquainted pc instruments: the mouse. Its new Melt Mouse, launching on Kickstarter beneath the firm’s Melt Interface model, combines a precision mouse, a trackpad, and a customizable shortcut keypad into one minimalist aluminum gadget.
I had a hands-on session with the Melt Mouse prototype throughout a briefing with co-founder and CTO Kei Asano, the place I might take a look at its haptic suggestions and mode-switching in particular person. I used to be impressed by each the refined, minimalist design and the versatility of its 3-in-1 performance. It is a kind of uncommon prototypes that already feels polished sufficient that I might genuinely love to purchase one.
Editor’s be aware: The images proven right here characteristic a working prototype, not the ultimate manufacturing mannequin.
Kei Asano describes it as an try and “break the strict rules of what a mouse should be”.
“Every mouse looks the same — two buttons, a wheel, maybe some side keys,” he mentioned throughout our assembly in Tokyo. “We thought we could break that rule by using some of the haptic technology we developed for VR.”
From VR Gloves to Everyday Creativity
Diver-X’s roots lie in XR {hardware}. The firm first gained consideration in 2022 with ContactGlove, a flex-sensor glove that tracked hand movement and delivered haptic suggestions with out requiring customers to carry a controller. That mission taught Asano’s staff how refined contact sensations might change conventional mechanical inputs. Co-founder and CTO Kei Asano remembers that early tasks as a pivotal lesson in interface design.
“When you are lying down or in a limited position, you realize how hard it is to grab something in VR,” Asano defined throughout our Tokyo briefing. “We learned that the interface—not the headset—is the key to expanding hardware possibilities.”
With Melt Mouse, Diver-X is transferring that analysis from immersive VR environments to the inventive workflow. The objective: a tactile interface that feels intuitive but highly effective, with out including visible litter.
A Minimalist, Premium Form Factor
The Melt Mouse is crafted from a unibody aluminum shell, carved from a single CNC-milled block. The prime floor is comprised of strengthened curved glass with a micro-textured end to cut back fingerprints and add a refined tactile friction.
Asano identified that the staff examined numerous supplies, together with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, earlier than opting for a barely extra versatile glass with effective floor bumps. The curved glass floor was refined by means of greater than ten prototype iterations to attain a steadiness between smoothness and tactile consolation throughout prolonged classes.
“If the surface is too smooth, it feels artificial,” he famous. “The micro-texture adds just enough friction to feel natural.”
Beneath the glass sits a customized haptic actuator that replaces all bodily buttons. Each faucet or scroll triggers a vibration that seems like a click on — however with none shifting components. The click on weight, sensitivity, and scroll suggestions can all be adjusted in the companion Melt Studio software program.
During the demo, Asano confirmed how customers can configure the tactile energy: “Some people like a strong click; others prefer something very light. You can set it exactly how you want.”
“THE SUBTLE HAPTIC FEEDBACK GIVES JUST ENOUGH CONFIRMATION WITHOUT FEELING ARTIFICIAL — IT FEELS INTUITIVE RIGHT AWAY.”
I had hands-on expertise with the Melt Mouse prototype throughout the assembly, and I discovered the contact responsiveness and haptic suggestions well-tuned. The refined vibration provides simply sufficient affirmation with out feeling synthetic, and the easy, barely textured glass floor feels premium and pure beneath the fingers — a mixture that makes the gadget each nice to make use of and intuitive.
The gadget contains an inner rechargeable battery, which might be charged through a USB-C connector discreetly hidden beneath the mouse to protect its clear, minimalist exterior.
The 3-in-1 Interface: Mouse, Trackpad, and Shortcut Pad
What makes the Melt Mouse distinctive is its multi-mode performance. It can function as a conventional mouse, remodel into a trackpad, or reveal an illuminated digital numpad / shortcut keypad immediately on its floor.
In Trackpad Mode, gestures like swiping, tapping, or scrolling are acknowledged throughout the glass floor — very best for shopping or navigation when paired with an exterior monitor.
Switching to Shortcut Pad Mode prompts a glowing format of digital buttons beneath the glass. These can perform as a numpad for information entry or as macro keys for inventive workflows. Users can assign instruments, macros, or key instructions for Photoshop, Blender, or video modifying. The illuminated 12-point grid makes the numeric pad notably helpful for inventive software program like Photoshop or Blender, the place customers can shortly enter pixel or vertex coordinates immediately from the mouse.
The rear facet options two customizable facet buttons that additionally help swipe gestures, enabling features comparable to window switching or app management.
MagSole: Adjustable Feel and Ergonomics
The gadget’s base, referred to as MagSole, is removable and magnetically connected. It adjusts the glide friction primarily based on floor kind — easy for common duties or extra managed for precision design work. Diver-X additionally plans to supply optionally available soles in numerous heights, colours, and textures, permitting customers to tailor ergonomics and aesthetics. The MagSole system has been exactly tuned to steadiness easy gliding with managed stopping, providing a extra constant really feel throughout completely different desk surfaces.
The replaceable MagSole and recyclable aluminum body additionally align with Diver-X’s objective of constructing merchandise that last more and generate much less waste. “When you use a mouse for months, the bottom surface gets worn out,” mentioned Asano. “With MagSole, you can just swap it and keep the same performance.”
Designed Between Beauty and Function
As a former designer who as soon as relied closely on Apple merchandise, I’ve at all times discovered the Magic Mouse to be stunning however not comfy, whereas Logitech’s mice, although wonderful for productiveness, lack aesthetic attraction. During our dialog, Asano shared the very same sentiment and added that the Diver-X staff “wanted something that’s both.”
“AS A DESIGNER, I APPRECIATE HOW THE MELT MOUSE MERGES BEAUTY AND FUNCTION WITHOUT COMPROMISE — IT’S A THOUGHTFUL TAKE ON A FAMILIAR TOOL.”
The Melt Mouse maintains clear, uninterrupted strains — no seen seams, no wheel, and no mechanical clicks — but nonetheless affords precision enter. The kind gently curves to suit the palm, placing a steadiness between class and value.
In hand, the prototype feels lighter than it appears to be like, with a refined tactile steadiness. Even the scrolling movement, pushed totally by haptic suggestions, is silent but expressive. Users preferring the tactile absence can disable the haptics totally.
Deep Customization through Melt Studio
The companion Melt Studio app (out there for Windows and macOS) permits full management over how the mouse behaves. Users can:
- Adjust haptic depth and click on resistance
- Assign app-specific macros and shortcuts
- Remap gestures or swipe zones
- Switch between profiles for completely different packages
“I don’t like strong scroll haptics,” Asano admitted. “But my engineers love them, so we made everything configurable. You can turn it off or make it stronger — it’s up to you.”
The mouse connects over Bluetooth and helps multi-device pairing for as much as three computer systems or tablets, with a small rear button for quick switching.
Premium Price, Passionate Market
Priced at $230 for early backers ($280 retail), the Melt Mouse occupies a premium area of interest between luxurious peripherals {and professional} inventive instruments. Asano is aware of it is not going to attraction to everybody, however he believes the viewers for design-driven {hardware} is rising.
“There are people who spend over $1,000 on keyboards,” he mentioned. “If a mouse improves your efficiency even 3 percent, I think it’s worth it.”
He acknowledged that Diver-X has not but carried out formal productiveness exams, however sees potential, particularly in inventive and modifying workflows, the place gestures and macros can save time.
“If you use Photoshop or video tools every day, having your shortcuts at your fingertips can make a real difference,” he added.
Looking Ahead: Beyond Clicks
Melt Mouse is the first product in Diver-X’s new Melt Interface line, which can concentrate on translating the firm’s XR experience into day by day productiveness instruments. Future gadgets are anticipated to discover haptic suggestions in broader methods, bridging bodily and digital interplay. For Diver-X, the mouse is greater than an adjunct — it’s a assertion that innovation in on a regular basis instruments continues to be attainable.
“For decades the mouse has barely changed, yet it remains the most essential tool on every desk,” mentioned CEO and co-founder Yamato Sakod. “With Melt Mouse, we wanted to make it more versatile, more intuitive, and ready for the future.”
Kickstarter marketing campaign hyperlink right here
More data: melt-interface.com
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