What is a hand-controlled electronic device used to manipulate the cursor on your computer screen called?

The device used to manipulate the cursor on your computer screen is typically referred to as a mouse. A mouse is a hand-held input device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface, allowing the user to control the movement of the cursor on the display. The movements are translated into cursor movement on the screen, enabling users to interact with graphical elements efficiently. This device usually features buttons that can be clicked to perform various actions, like selecting items or opening files.

While touchpads, keyboards, and joysticks can also be used to interact with a computer, they serve different primary functions. A touchpad is often found on laptops and allows for cursor manipulation through touch gestures. A keyboard is primarily for text input rather than cursor movement. A joystick typically controls direction and movement for games or simulations and is not commonly used for general cursor navigation. Thus, the mouse is the quintessential choice for direct cursor manipulation on most computer systems.