Designer invents trackball MP3 player

Designer Dae-Ki Hong has developed an original audio player concept that eschews interface conventions. Called the Ball Player, Hong's prototype does not use buttons or a clickwheel, but rather a trackball, located in the middle of a small square-shaped chassis. Listeners on the go simply roll the ball towards one of the four icons (volume up/down, track forward/back), and the player will execute the appropriate command. As the ball rolls, icons illuminate in response. For added convenience, Ball Players laid on a desk can be controlled by moving up and down or side-to-side, much in the same style as a mouse. No final products are currently planned from the prototype. [via Yanko Design]