Microsoft's latest environmental contribution: a mouse with a switch

Microsoft has announced a new "green" wireless mouse, with such environmentally-minded features as...an on/off switch.

The Redmond company is gently marketing its new Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 today as being environmentally friendly due to its six-month battery life. This, according to Microsoft, will amount to an 80% reduction in battery consumption over a three-year period

How does it achieve this feat? By using a rechargeable battery, and equipping it with a battery level indicator and power switch.

Seems deceptively simple for a device which also touts "High Definition Laser Technology," and Vista Flip 3D-maximized magnifier tool/tilt wheel*.

*According to Microsoft, "The Magnifier is not compatible with Direct3D® API in full screen mode, media players, OpenGL, and Layered Windows. If you are using Mac OS X, the Magnifier enlarges text and images on the entire screen."