Back when "mouse" just meant "small annoying rodent," would-be inventors competed to see who could build a better mouse trap. In these "mouse as input device" days, Seagate Technology is kicking off a contest on MySpace called "Driven to Design."  MySpace users between the ages of 14 and 28 are invited to create a new mobile device that includes a 20GB 1-inch Seagate hard drive.

The winner will receive a $5000 prize, and five runners-up will receive $1000 apiece. In other words, for ten grand, the company gets a whole bunch of new product ideas. Contestants don't actually have to construct the device but can describe it in words, in sketches, or through other media.

The contest begins today (October 9) and will run through November 15, with winners announced in December. Official rules are available myspace.com/_Seagate. Let's see if someone can actually build a better mousetrap: one with a 20GB hard drive, of course!

Post by Peter Suciu