Fingers-on Evaluate: Diver-X Reinvents the Mouse With Its Soften 3-in-1 Design — a Stunning Software Designed for Creators

After pioneering haptic gloves for digital actuality, Tokyo-based startup Diver-X is taking goal at one of the vital acquainted pc instruments: the mouse. Its new Melt Mouse, launching on Kickstarter underneath the corporate’s Soften Interface model, combines a precision mouse, a trackpad, and a customizable shortcut keypad into one minimalist aluminum machine.

I had a hands-on session with the Soften Mouse prototype throughout a briefing with co-founder and CTO Kei Asano, the place I may check its haptic suggestions and mode-switching in individual. I used to be impressed by each the refined, minimalist design and the flexibility of its 3-in-1 performance. It’s a kind of uncommon prototypes that already feels polished sufficient that I’d genuinely love to purchase one.
Editor’s notice: The images proven right here function a working prototype, not the ultimate manufacturing mannequin.

Kei Asano describes it as an try to “break the strict guidelines of what a mouse needs to be”.
“Each mouse appears to be like the identical — two buttons, a wheel, possibly some facet keys,” he mentioned throughout our assembly in Tokyo. “We thought we may break that rule by utilizing a number of the haptic expertise we developed for VR.”

From VR Gloves to On a regular basis Creativity

Diver-X’s roots lie in XR {hardware}. The corporate 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 venture taught Asano’s workforce how refined contact sensations may change conventional mechanical inputs. Co-founder and CTO Kei Asano recollects that early initiatives as a pivotal lesson in interface design.

“When you’re mendacity down or in a restricted place, you understand how arduous it’s to seize one thing in VR,” Asano defined throughout our Tokyo briefing. “We realized that the interface—not the headset—is the important thing to increasing {hardware} prospects.”

With Soften Mouse, Diver-X is transferring that analysis from immersive VR environments to the artistic workflow. The aim: a tactile interface that feels intuitive but highly effective, with out including visible muddle.

A Minimalist, Premium Kind Issue

The Soften Mouse is crafted from a unibody aluminum shell, carved from a single CNC-milled block. The highest floor is constructed from bolstered curved glass with a micro-textured end to cut back fingerprints and add a refined tactile friction.

Asano identified that the workforce examined varied supplies, together with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, earlier than choosing a barely extra versatile glass with positive floor bumps. The curved glass floor was refined via greater than ten prototype iterations to realize a stability between smoothness and tactile consolation throughout prolonged periods.

“If the floor is simply too clean, it feels synthetic,” he famous. “The micro-texture provides simply sufficient friction to really feel pure.”

Beneath the glass sits a customized haptic actuator that replaces all bodily buttons. Every faucet or scroll triggers a vibration that appears like a click on — however with none transferring elements. The click on weight, sensitivity, and scroll suggestions can all be adjusted within the companion Soften Studio software program.

Throughout the demo, Asano confirmed how customers can configure the tactile energy: “Some folks like a robust click on; others want one thing very gentle. You may set it precisely the way you need.”

“THE SUBTLE HAPTIC FEEDBACK GIVES JUST ENOUGH CONFIRMATION WITHOUT FEELING ARTIFICIAL — IT FEELS INTUITIVE RIGHT AWAY.”

I had hands-on expertise with the Soften Mouse prototype in the course of 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 sleek, barely textured glass floor feels premium and pure underneath the fingers — a mixture that makes the machine each nice to make use of and intuitive.

The machine consists of an inside rechargeable battery, which will be charged by way of a USB-C connector discreetly hidden beneath the mouse to protect its clear, minimalist exterior.

The three-in-1 Interface: Mouse, Trackpad, and Shortcut Pad

What makes the Soften Mouse distinctive is its multi-mode performance. It will probably function as a standard mouse, remodel right into a trackpad, or reveal an illuminated digital numpad / shortcut keypad instantly on its floor.

In Trackpad Mode, gestures like swiping, tapping, or scrolling are acknowledged throughout the glass floor — best for shopping or navigation when paired with an exterior monitor.

Switching to Shortcut Pad Mode prompts a glowing structure of digital buttons underneath the glass. These can perform as a numpad for knowledge entry or as macro keys for artistic workflows. Customers can assign instruments, macros, or key instructions for Photoshop, Blender, or video enhancing. The illuminated 12-point grid makes the numeric pad notably helpful for artistic software program like Photoshop or Blender, the place customers can shortly enter pixel or vertex coordinates instantly from the mouse.

The rear facet options two customizable facet buttons that additionally assist swipe gestures, enabling capabilities similar to window switching or app management.

MagSole: Adjustable Really feel and Ergonomics

The machine’s base, known as MagSole, is removable and magnetically hooked up. It adjusts the glide friction based mostly on floor kind — clean for basic duties or extra managed for precision design work. Diver-X additionally plans to supply optionally available soles in several heights, colours, and textures, permitting customers to tailor ergonomics and aesthetics. The MagSole system has been exactly tuned to stability clean 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 aim of constructing merchandise that last more and generate much less waste. “Once you use a mouse for months, the underside floor will get worn out,” mentioned Asano. “With MagSole, you may simply swap it and preserve the identical efficiency.”

Designed Between Magnificence and Perform

As a former designer who as soon as relied closely on Apple merchandise, I’ve all the time discovered the Magic Mouse to be lovely however not comfy, whereas Logitech’s mice, although wonderful for productiveness, lack aesthetic attraction. Throughout our dialog, Asano shared the very same sentiment and added that the Diver-X workforce “wished one thing that’s each.”

“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 Soften Mouse maintains clear, uninterrupted traces — no seen seams, no wheel, and no mechanical clicks — but nonetheless gives precision enter. The shape gently curves to suit the palm, putting a stability between class and usefulness.

In hand, the prototype feels lighter than it appears to be like, with a refined tactile stability. Even the scrolling movement, pushed solely by haptic suggestions, is silent but expressive. Customers preferring the tactile absence can disable the haptics solely.

Deep Customization by way of Soften Studio

The companion Soften Studio app (out there for Home windows and macOS) permits full management over how the mouse behaves. Customers can:

Modify haptic depth and click on resistance
Assign app-specific macros and shortcuts
Remap gestures or swipe zones
Swap between profiles for various packages

“I don’t like sturdy scroll haptics,” Asano admitted. “However my engineers love them, so we made every little thing configurable. You may flip it off or make it stronger — it’s as much as 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 Value, Passionate Market

Priced at $230 for early backers ($280 retail), the Soften Mouse occupies a premium area of interest between luxurious peripherals {and professional} artistic instruments. Asano is aware of it won’t attraction to everybody, however he believes the viewers for design-driven {hardware} is rising.

“There are individuals who spend over $1,000 on keyboards,” he mentioned. “If a mouse improves your effectivity even 3 %, I feel it’s value it.”

He acknowledged that Diver-X has not but carried out formal productiveness assessments, however sees potential, particularly in artistic and enhancing workflows, the place gestures and macros can save time.

“In the event you use Photoshop or video instruments on daily basis, having your shortcuts at your fingertips could make an actual distinction,” he added.

Wanting Forward: Past Clicks

Soften Mouse is the primary product in Diver-X’s new Soften Interface line, which can give attention to translating the corporate’s XR experience into each day productiveness instruments. Future units 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 potential.

“For many years the mouse has barely modified, but it stays probably the most important software on each desk,” mentioned CEO and co-founder Yamato Sakod. “With Soften Mouse, we wished to make it extra versatile, extra intuitive, and prepared for the long run.”

Kickstarter campaign link here
Extra information: melt-interface.com