Microsoft introduces brand new mouse technology
September 10, 2008 Carl Nelson
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Prepare your mind to be blown away! The latest mouse technology has arrived, courtesy of Microsoft. Remember when mice had little roller balls? How about those bright red LED lights? Right now, you’re probably using a laser mouse that doesn’t emit any visible light. Well guess what - those mice SUCK. What you need is a mouse that uses BLUETRACK TECHNOLOGY (not to be confused with Blu-Ray). Enter the new Microsoft Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse (no relation to, Minnie Mouse).
So what does the whacky blue light mean? According to Microsoft, these mice can track “virtually on any surface”. Yup, it’s the same line we heard when LED made way for Laser, but this time they promise it’s true! These new mice will now handle anything from granite tabletops to white coffee tables. Naturally, they won’t work on glass or mirrored surfaces (mice need balls to handle that).
Now if this is true, mice built on this technology may not exactly be the Next Best Thing, but will definitely be a good choice for specific scenarios. I know I have run into many times where my laptop mouse of choice would not work at various hotels I am staying at, etc.
Aside from the whacky new technology, the Explorer and Explorer Mini each have a nice set of features, including a 30 foot range, 3 week battery life (each uses a single AA, included), and a sophisticated design (oops one too many bullet points). The Explorer Mini is smaller of course, and they claim a six month battery life. I don’t know how they came up with that number, but there you go. The full size version comes with a desktop cradle.
The Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse carry an MSRP of $99.95 and $79.95 respectively. You should be able to find a better deal right here on this page once they start showing up at more stores.
Filed under: PC Hardware
Tags: mice, Microsoft, New Products
Flunk
Posted on September 10th, 2008
I really don’t understand their claims, my old optical mouse I use in my living room tracks on carpet, hardwood floors, couches and coffee tables just fine.
I just think this is all to cover up the fact that Microsoft’s laser technology never did work all that well. The Microsoft laser mouse 5000 I used to use tracked worse than the Logitech iFeel Mouseman (Red LED Optical) it replaced.
Q: Seriously, how does using a blue LED help?
A: Ask marketing department.