Well, this is certainly a new one for us; a mini mouse that flips open like a mobile phone, transforming into a fully functional VoIP handset. Swathed in stylish black and silver, the Vaio VN-CX1 looks every bit the executive desk decoration.

This striking piece of gadgetry is slim, markedly lighter than the average rodent (a dainty 67g) and it removes the need for a separate microphone headset.

The other clue that it's designed for mobile use is that, without a laptop touchpad, as soon as you answer a call, you have no mouse control whatsoever. Perhaps Sony's reasoning is that if you haven't got a notebook, you probably aren't cool enough for this design novelty.

For those of us who do have a portable machine, particularly one lacking a built-in microphone, this is a nifty device. Sitting in one of the increasing number of wireless hotspots and chatting on your mouse is an extremely civilised affair and won't make you look faintly ridiculous like a full Skype headset would.

That's not to say the VN-CX1 is without some issues. For example, while we recognise the fashion crisis a huge hunk of plastic next to your ear might create, we did find the mouse a little small for extended use in its more traditional role.

Also, despite the smart aesthetics, it does feel slightly flimsy in comparison to other handsets, especially as it falls in the midprice range, and the sound quality isn't the best. The fact remains, though, that this is a sleek device that should make you the envy of even the snootiest of your corporate pals. Mike Channell