New Microsoft Mouse with No Laser
Filed under: Computers, Input Devices | By: Peter Chubb
Posted on: August 27, 2008 | 1 Comment
It looks as though the days of the Laser Mouse are up as Microsoft is to launch a new type of Mouse next month.
Microsoft is to unveil their latest product line-up on September 9, hold on isn’t that the same date as Apple’s new product line-up.
Microsoft has launched a new tag today with the slogan “Say Goodbye to Laser.” I have to wonder what their next step will be with their Mice range.
It is still not certain if the new Mouse without a Laser will be part of the new product line-up from Microsoft, but it is a safe bet that it is.
I hope that there is someone out there reading this post with a bit of knowledge on this, as I am intrigued to know what Microsoft will be able to use to track the position of a Mouse instead of Laser.
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I would be willing to bet that the new mouse would use accelerometer technology. A small, low-energy, triaxial accelerometer enclosed inside of the mouse would be able to measure X, Y and Z coordinates. This would allow normal mouse operation, including when you run out of room and you have to pick up your mouse and move it to get more surface area.
Accelerometers can be very precise. They use them in airplanes, but they have to adjust them every time they land because they aren’t perfect. For such small space as your computer desk though, the inaccuracy would be totally unnoticeable.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to touch my screen for input because I don’t want to keep my hand lifted up all day long at work. The only reason I think I might be wrong here is the logo. It seems that they are still using some kind of light to record movement.