RSSMicrosoft looks to blue lasers to improve computer mice
By Ed Oswald | Published September 10, 2008, 6:03 PM
Microsoft is debuting new mouse technology called BlueTrack which it says offers better tracking on virtually any surface, it says -- even carpet.
The blue beam produced by the new laser in Microsoft's Explorer Mouse series is about four times as large as the beam used in current laser mice, according to a Microsoft statement yesterday. This, coupled with better tracking technology, can make its new model usable even on surfaces such as carpet, it said.
While the Explorer and Explorer Mini still cannot be used on refractive surfaces such as glass or mirrors, their BlueTrack technology could prove to be an improvement over red laser-based mice.
Microsoft's Explorer Mouse will be full-size, retailing for $99.95. It features 2.4 GHz wireless technology and a chrome trim with blue lighting around the bottom rim. The Explorer Mini Mouse, retailing for $79.95, will be a smaller version of the full-size device.
Initially, BlueTrack will be available through both Best Buy and Microsoft's online Web site.
Microsoft was the first to debut the optical mouse back in 1999, which ended up shaking up the industry and a move away from the old "ball" mice. Then three years ago it switched to laser technology, which offered the ability for use on a greater range of surfaces.
However, laser mice also have their downsides too. There are difficulties in use on common household surfaces, including granite and marble. Additional, dust and dirt buildup can also affect tracking performance -- difficulties which BlueTrack seeks to overcome.
This will be great for use on my Xbox 360 and PS3 and also when I game on my PC sitting back in my recliner I won't have to use my homemade Lapboard anymore while reclined.
What's funny, all people do is say Microsoft isn't innovative but every time I turn around I see little products like this that don't really appeal to the masses and probably won't make them billions but improve peoples computing experience just a enough to make some people happy.
I'm not really more of a fan of Apple or Microsoft, I own many products from both (Ipod, Zune, PC, IPhone, MacBook Air), but it seems like Microsoft does come out with a lot of new small devices that really do improve peoples experience on the PC.
Everything Apple seems to do is aimed at making their stock price go up and bash Microsoft. The only thing I don't like about Apple is the way the market their computer products, they always seem to be talking about how bad PC's are while I bought a HP laptop and a Macbook Air and while the PC is a lot faster and has longer battery life and more choices on what I could do with it, the Mac cost about 300% more than the HP LOL. But it is cool and has a really nice UI I just wish they weren't so protective of their products that they won't open them up a bit more.
OK I'll stop rambling.
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|How much?!
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|According to the article, the full size is ~$99 and the mini ~$79!
Now, if they would just tell us what color laser... ;-)
Yeah, I know...you might want to consider a 2nd mortgage...all so you can use it on the carpet...
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|We don't even have a carpet, we have oak floorboards. And I'm not buying a carpet to use a mouse.
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|"Blue light around the bottom rim" and it can be used on carpet.
Well, we can see the image of cool is important and the ever pressing problem of how do I use my mouse on the carpet has FINALLY been solved (...about time!).
And for only $99! What a steal!
Yup.
Well, now we know what the MS engineers have been working on instead of figuring ut how to keep their Home Servers from corrupting data and the virtualization product from, well, from whatever it is they announced but can't deliver.
But hey, we have an overpriced mouse that we can use on carpet that looks tres kool.
Anyone wonder why this stuff has moved from the realm of highly trained consultants to WalMart? My only surprise is that its not being sold in toy department.
But look at the bright side, maybe this portends a potential for Sony to finally make a profit with all of those blue lasers, and perhaps they can make back some of the more than $3BILLION they have lost trying to make PS3s for $400 bucks. Let's see, and full blown PS3 with cell processing and BR drive for $400 or a freaking penny anny mouse for $100....hmmmm...
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|Apple has been selling cool but overpriced products successfully. Perhaps MS is trying to copy that strategy.
But yeah, I wouldn't spend $99 for a mouse. Not even if it works on carpet.
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|Apple's products are priced similarly to the market. iPhones, mice, iPods, MacBooks, etc.
And the MacPro is definitely underpriced compared to the market.
Plenty of ways to complain about Apple if you like, but its time for that cliched myth to die.
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|Do you know what, the Apple nipple is the worst design ever. And I mean ever. Ever at all. Ever.
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|"And the MacPro is definitely underpriced compared to the market."
ROFL! I can get twice the computer for half the price of the MacPro!
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|Sounds cool, but price seems kinda high. Ive had no problems with my trusty basic MS Wheel Mouse Optical in terms of "tracking" but im sure this BlueTrack thing will be marketed as a "gamers mouse" if nothing else...
Yea, cabled one for me too. "Wireless" is as convenient as massive boulder attached to your feet.
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|Gah, wireless. Lightweight cabled one, please. :p
Or a wireless technology that's light and doesn't lag.
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|This is still a few years behind Apple's Mighty Mouse technology.
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|Ah yes, the nipple mouse.
The Mighty Mouse is not years ahead. It's junk. Fancy design, crap operability.
I'm guessing you haven't actually tried one.
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|Sorry, but a 3 button programmable mouse cremes Apple's 'universal hockey puck' styling that is anything BUT egonomic.
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|You have to be the most biased person on this website... and that's saying something.
I honestly think that you are just pretending to worship Apple. Your comments are starting to become ridiculous.
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|the mighty mouse is still using the red laser s*** as far as i know(yes fool i went to an apple store last week with my family to get a ****ing ipod touch for my daughter)
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|!! ARTICLE CORRECTION !!
"Microsoft was the first to debut the optical mouse back in 1999"
This is not correct, the first optical mouse debuted around 1980. The first "modern" one on computers was by Sun Microsystems around 1998. The first massively produced mouse for PCs was the Microsoft mouse.
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|That's true but those required a special pad to work. I believe Microsoft did make the first one that will work on any surface, and was the first to gain widespread use as well.
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|Best Buy has it on their website already... $79.99
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|i sit on the floor and use my laptop and i hate the touchpad and use a mouse, my current mouse pad is a notebook :)
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|Oh come on, show me an optical mouse that won't work on carpet. Better still, explain to me why you would want to. Do people often lean over and use their mouse on the floor?
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|My mouse works on carpet too.
I suppose it's for when you're waiting in line for hours to buy gadgets like this at launch that you'll be sitting down and the carpet is your only surface.
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|I have the wireless laser mouse 8000 by Ms, the bluetooth one. Works great on carpet of many kinds. How accurate not sure.
As for why would someone lean down and use their mouse on the floor. I often sit on the floor with my laptop and my bluetooth mouse instead of using my desktop. Using Synergy makes it very helpful.
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|Ditto.
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