Logitech 2003 Annual Report Download - page 120

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will bring additional demand for complementary personal interface products. Additionally, new technology provides
the ability to digitally capture hand written notes and messages, and thus creates further opportunities in the mobile
environment. Wherever and whenever people want to access, create or consume digital information, the need for an
intuitive interface will remain, and with it the opportunity to deploy Logitech products and design expertise across
these environments.
Products
The Company operates in a single industry segment encompassing the design, development, production,
marketing and support of personal interface products. Most of the Company’s products share certain characteristics
such as common customers, common sales channels and common Company infrastructure requirements.
Logitech’s personal interface products include input and pointing devices such as corded and cordless mice,
trackballs, and keyboards; interactive gaming devices for entertainment such as joysticks, gamepads and steering
wheels; multimedia speakers; and internet video cameras. The Company’s product families are summarized below.
• Mice. Logitech offers many varieties of mice, sold through OEM, system builder and retail channels. Most
cordless pointing devices from Logitech use our proprietary 27 mHz digital radio technology to transmit data to
the host computer, without line-of-sight requirements that characterize cordless peripherals based on infrared
technology. Optical technology is rapidly replacing the ball with a tracking system that works via light, using a
light beam to illuminate surfaces on which the mouse is traveling. All premium retail models are bundled with
MouseWare® software, enabling users to program mouse buttons for specific tasks (for example, double-click)
and scroll through long documents and web pages. The Company’s newest MX™ series of mice is powered by
the MX™ Optical engine which captures up to 4.7 megapixels of surface tracking information every second.
The series features 8 programmable buttons, including a quick switch program selector and a proprietary “cruise
control” scrolling system that provides rapid document scrolling. In addition, the flagship product of the MX™
family, the cordless, rechargeable MX™700, uses Fast RF technology for a response rate equal to that of a
corded USB connection. The Company also sells both corded and cordless mice that are designed specifically
for OEM customers. The Company also introduced its first Bluetooth™ product in 2001 – the Logitech®
Cordless presenter, designed for electronic presentations.
• Trackballs. Logitech produces several trackballs for the retail channel. All corded and cordless models use the
Company’s patented Marble® optical sensing technology, which enables reliable, accurate operation without the
need to regularly clean the device to prevent build-up of dust or grease. The newest Cordless Optical
TrackMan® trackball features a “cruise control” scrolling feature as well as several new programmable buttons
to enhance usability.
• Keyboards and Desktops. Logitech offers a variety of corded and cordless keyboards, from the newest award-
winning top of the line Cordless Desktop® MX™, a package that combines a cordless keyboard and MX 700
rechargeable mouse, to the basic Deluxe Access 104, an affordable, attractive corded unit. All premium
keyboards offer Logitech’s innovative iTouch® software. iTouch® features one touch access to various internet
sites and key functions, such as listening to music on the web and downloading MP3 files, in addition to quick
access to favorite web sites, e-mail and search functions.
• Digital Pen. The recently introduced Logitech io™ digital pen establishes a new category of input devices. The
Logitech io™ pen, based on the Anoto digital pen and paper technology lets people easily store, organize, and
retrieve their handwritten information by simply writing with ink on paper, and share -- the way they always
have. While using the special Anoto grid paper, an optical sensor embedded in the pen captures the handwritten
images, storing up to 40 pages in memory. This captured digital information can then be transferred into the PC
by synching the pen via a USB cradle. The Logitech io™ solution offers total mobility, since all the user must
carry is the pen and a digital paper notebook.
• Internet Video Imaging Products. Logitech’s QuickCam® family of PC video cameras features easy installation
and powerful software for enhanced visual communication on the Internet. QuickCam cameras can be used to
send images or video clips through email or to complement Instant Messenger applications with real time video.
Our QuickCam Pro and QuickCam Web lines integrate a built-in microphone to enhance video conferencing
experience.
• Dual Mode and Digital Still Cameras. Logitech’s ClickSmart® family of dual mode cameras can be used to take
pictures or short video clips when detached from the PC or used for video communication with someone over the
internet in attached mode. The Logitech Pocket Digital™ provides an affordable, ultra-portable digital camera
for easy picture-to-email applications.