Why do you need this, you ask? In theory, Vista's integrated Media Center application removes any need for you to mouse, after all. All it requires is a remote, as with any other consumer appliance. In reality, PCs crash, and launching other apps or browsing the Web is nearly impossible without a keyboard or mouse. Gyration answers this problem smartly: Just above the remote's green button (the "home" button in the Media Center app) sits a "Motion Gyration" button, flanked by right and left mouse-clickers. Hold the Gyration button and a wave of your arm moves the mouse around your television screen. It's intuitive and easy to use; I found myself clicking through Media Center menus with the mouse just because I could. A double press of the button locks on the gyroscope function.

But wait, there's more! As an added bonus, Gyration throws in learning functionality, meaning you can program this remote to control the other gear in your home theater system, using either a list of manufacturers code or by meticulously programming each button's functionality. Tip: The first technique is far less likely to drive you crazy.

Things aren't all wine and roses, of course. For one thing, the Gyration Vista Media Center Remote is substantially longer than most other remotes, partly due to the added programmable buttons, and partly because it's just plain big. Just take a look at it! It's designed to sit perfectly with your thumb on the green button, which it does admirably, but reaching the transport controls at the top feels a bit awkward. I suppose I'll get used to it, but it could be more natural. And maybe I'm spoiled, but without backlighting to distinguish the fairly small keys in the dark, I find it hard to locate the button I want.

Am I just picky? Maybe. Because the bottom line is, this thing is freaking awesome. You can't find it on the company's Web site yet, but I'm told it's for sale at Circuit City, CompUSA, and other online retailers. Get 'em while they're hot!

--By Jeremy A. Kaplan