Asus is set to launch a mouse that doubles as an aromatic oil diffuser.

      Asus

      The technology sector frequently produces quirky gadgets, such as a talking AI pin with a holographic display, a fluffy robot that nibbles on fingers, or a handheld device for simulating pet-like breathing. While these inventions are not always practical, occasionally, a remarkable find emerges. Consider the Asus Fragrance Mouse, which was initially unveiled by the company at CES earlier this year. I never expected it to reach the market, but I'm pleased to be proven wrong. Asus has officially introduced it as a standalone product in its home country and plans to launch it in the US.

      It's a fully functional mouse, but the standout feature is a special compartment on the bottom that allows you to fill it with any aromatic oil you prefer. I appreciate this approach since Asus gives buyers the freedom to choose any aromatic oil that matches their mood instead of being confined to an expensive proprietary option.

      Imagine the prank possibilities!

      Asus shares that "the removable vial can be washed and refilled with different scents." This isn’t the first device of its kind. eScent previously developed a wearable necklace that emitted scents to create an aroma bubble around the wearer based on their emotional or physical state. Additionally, there are phone cases that release fragrances when scratched due to surface friction. At CES 2023, OVR revealed the ION 3 wearable scent kit for XR devices, capable of generating hundreds of distinct scents through a cartridge system.

      Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong and Beihang University in Beijing have also created a wearable patch sensor that connects to a VR headset, utilizing miniaturized odor generators and perfumed wax to emit scents in under two seconds.

      Returning to the Asus Fragrance Mouse, it seems to represent one of the more mainstream efforts to incorporate scent into consumer technology. Although Asus has not disclosed its pricing yet, given its overall construction and modest technical specifications, it is unlikely to surpass the pricing of high-end RGB-lit gaming mice.

      This distinct Asus mouse features a thumb rest on the side and includes a three-stage DPI adjustment system that reaches a maximum of 2,400 dpi. The company also claims a lifespan of 10 million clicks and supports dual-mode connectivity using Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless.

      Nadeem is a tech journalist who began his journey by reading about interesting smartphone technology and eventually transitioned into writing.

      Newegg is offering a prebuilt gaming PC featuring an RTX 4060 for $800.

      You don’t need to exceed $1,000 to find a reliable gaming machine from current deals. Patience is key when searching for amazing offers like this one from Newegg: the ABS Cyclone Aqua, priced at $800 after a $200 discount from its original price of $1,000. However, this gaming desktop may not remain available at a 20% discount for long, so if you're interested, I recommend adding it to your cart and checking out promptly.

      Reasons to buy the ABS Cyclone Aqua gaming PC:

      The ABS Cyclone Aqua allows you to enjoy top PC games seamlessly, powered by a 13th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and a Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, along with 32GB of RAM, which is more than adequate for most gamers, as discussed in our gaming desktop purchasing guide. Additionally, this gaming PC comes with a 1TB SSD, providing ample storage space for your favorite games and their DLCs, and with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, you can dive right into gaming once you connect the ABS Cyclone Aqua to the needed peripherals.

      Further reading

      With 400 million users, OpenAI leads the competitive AI market.

      Competition in the AI sector remains fierce, and OpenAI has demonstrated that it is taking upcoming challenges seriously. The generative AI brand revealed on Thursday that it has 400 million weekly active users as of February, marking a 33% increase in less than three months. OpenAI's chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, confirmed the latest user figures to CNBC, stating that they had not been previously reported. The numbers have risen rapidly from the previously confirmed 300 million weekly users reported in December.

      Further reading

      A recent report criticizes MacBook repairability. Here’s what to consider if you need to fix yours.

      Apple’s premier MacBooks are recognized for their extensive software support and superior build quality, allowing them to outlast many competitors. However, they are notoriously challenging to repair, often requiring specialized tools, intricate disassembly, and immense patience.

      This perspective has been reinforced by a recent report from the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund, which indicates that Apple’s MacBooks are among the least repairable laptops, with only Lenovo ranking lower. Alarmingly, a significant portion of Apple’s low score is attributed to an extremely poor disassembly rating, which is concerning for anyone contemplating the task of dismantling their expensive laptop.