Related Sections: Computer Peripherals Future Tech Microsoft
Microsoft shows off five multitouch computer mouse concepts
Microsoft may be looking into expanding its multitouch support — as it's doing with Windows 7 — but the user needs a way to take advantage of that technology. I don't know about you, but the monitor I use wouldn't fit the bill, and I don't imagine people are running out to replace their own with expensive multitouch-capable screens. To that end, Microsoft is exploring another avenue to help proliferate multitouch: new computer mice.
The five designs you see in the video below aren't final products. They're concepts and show the direction Microsoft is going with the idea. The mice use everything from IR-sensitive cameras to capacitive-sensing electrodes, and look like anything from Microsoft's own Arc mouse (such as the multitouch FTIR concept you see pictured above), to ugly orbs.
Microsoft isn't alone in its pursuit, however. Word on the street is Apple is hard at work on the same. (Coincidence?)
Check out more in the video below.
Via Crave
By Neotyguy at 7:48 PM ON 10/05/09
Microsoft good with touch support? Most likely not, but then again Apple isn't really good at making mice, so it's anyone's game here...
By namelessme at 11:50 PM ON 10/05/09
just mice? what about complete multi touch interfaces that can draw up the images of a keyboard AND a mouse? Oh wait you won't need a mouse if you can just touch the screen wherever you want. This is a stupid use for multi touch when they can do so much more.
By admnaismith at 1:35 PM ON 10/07/09
My problem with most mice is that they are too small. I have largish hands and I like a mouse that fill my hand from fingertips to wrist.
The MS Intellimouse was close, but still not big enough.
And it must have a ball, laser-mice don't cut it with me.
In the meantime I like my Kensington Expert Mouse trackball.
By Lbrewer42 at 2:17 PM ON 11/09/09
These look to have good potential. I am hoping Microsoft is finally going make something reliable. I am experienced in/use both Apple and Microsoft products. Facts are facts - reliability is horrible in the Microsoft realm. Their software upgrades (vista - then 7) are so high priced you end up spending as much - if not more than the cost of a Mac which comes fully equipped and ready to go. The last Apple system upgrade was smaller, gave back 7 G of HD space, and was a whopping 30.00 (thirty dollars - no typo here).
I am hoping Microsoft is finally going to get on the ball and make products they need not sell as being the best thing out there and then have to push it even harder when the product flops on its face.
IMHO they have a harder time to do such things though b/c, being a software company, they have to make their software run on so many different hardware systems of different architecture. So although I see their task as a harder one, the frustration level I have normally have to deal with when using Microsoft based tech makes it hard to be sympathetic!
Good competition in industry will drive all of us to better systems - so I am hoping Microsoft can finally produce products with the reliability, user-friendliness, and stability of the current versions of Apple's OS X.
I actually do not care who makes the products I use. So if Microsoft gets its act together and makes something that works better than OS X - my preferences will definitely be to use Microsoft as my major system. However, as time has progressed, I have found myself - for now - increasingly amazed how fantastic the computing experience outside of Microsoft influence is.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
Lbrewer42:
These look to have good potential. I am hoping Microsoft is finally going make something reliable. I am experienc...More »