Microsoft Touch Mouse

Microsoft Corp. unveiled the Touch Mouse, a new multitouch device designed for Windows 7 that lets people click, flick, scroll and swipe, making it easy and fun to interact with their PCs. Born from the Mouse 2.0 project conducted by Microsoft Research and the Applied Sciences Group, the Touch Mouse combines the virtues of a mouse with the rich natural language of gesture that lets people interact with Windows 7 in a more intuitive way.

“The new Touch Mouse is a great way for customers to interact naturally with their Windows 7-based PC,” said Mark Relph, senior director of the Windows Developer and Ecosystem Team at Microsoft. “We worked closely with the Microsoft Hardware team to help develop the multitouch gestures that make Windows 7 easier, simpler and more fun to use. After just a few minutes with this mouse you’ll see why.”

• One finger lets people manage individual documents or pages by flicking to quickly scroll, pan and tilt, and one thumb lets people move back or forward through a Web browser.
• Two fingers manage windows, letting people maximize, minimize, snap and restore them.
• Three fingers let people navigate their whole desktop, showing instant viewer or clearing their desktop.

Microsoft Unveils New LifeCam With Stunning 1080p HD Sensor

Microsoft sets a new standard in webcams with LifeCam Studio, featuring sharp high-definition (HD) video with a true 1080p sensor¹. Microsoft’s newest LifeCam is the perfect complement to Windows Live Messenger 2011, which will offer HD video calling in a 16:9 widescreen format so everyone can easily be seen in the video call with amazing detail². When people can’t attend an important life moment in person, LifeCam Studio delivers the closest thing to being there.

As Microsoft’s first webcam with a 1080p sensor, LifeCam Studio delivers superior sharpness and image quality in video calls. The native 1080p sensor is more than twice as large as the 720p HD sensors on the market and lets more light in so people experience great video in virtually any lighting condition. Whether the sun is streaming in the window or the user is lit only by the light from the computer monitor, LifeCam Studio brings friends and family closer than ever before.

Continue Here

Microsoft IntelliPoint & IntelliType Pro 8.0

IntelliPoint software enables you to customize the unique features of your Microsoft mouse. You can reassign mouse buttons to perform commands, shortcuts, and application-specific functions. You can also modify mouse settings, such as pointer speed and updated horizontal scrolling.

IntelliPoint software enables you to customize the unique features of your Microsoft mouse to fit your needs. With IntelliPoint mouse software, you can reassign each mouse button - including the wheel button - to perform a command or keyboard shortcut, like Undo, Close, or an application-specific function.

You can also modify mouse settings, such as pointer speed and updated horizontal scrolling. IntelliPoint 6.1 and newer even offers biometrics support for advanced identity management. If you have a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, you will need to have Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed.

With IntelliType Pro keyboard software, you can customize the unique features of your Microsoft keyboard to fit your needs. Many keys can be reassigned to open a program, file or Web page, or to perform commands such as Find, Show Desktop, or other application-specific functions.

You can also disable keys you sometimes press accidentally, such as CAPS LOCK, and modify keyboard settings, such as updated horizontal scrolling and zoom slider functionality. IntelliType Pro software even offers extended application support, as well as biometrics support for advanced identity management. If you have a Bluetooth keyboard, you will need to have Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed.

Download: IntelliPoint & IntelliType Pro 8.0 | 28 MB (Freeware)

Microsoft Hardware Team is on Twitter

The Microsoft Hardware Team has joined Twitter.

Follow them --> @msfthardware

Microsoft Arc Keyboard now available in white exclusively from Amazon

Microsoft's Arc Keyboard was already quite an eye-catcher in its original black, but we may just have to give the edge to this new white version with lime green accents, which is now exclusively available for pre-order from Amazon. Of course, the color is the only thing that's changed here, with the keyboard still sporting the same slim, arched design, the same tiny 2.4GHz USB transmitter and, unfortunately, the same $59.95 price tag. Still no exact release date just yet, but the keyboard will apparently start shipping out sometime in June.

Microsoft Hardware blog launched

The Microsoft Hardware team have launched a new Microsoft Hardware blog -

"Welcome to the Microsoft Hardware blog.  If you’re looking for a new product, or want to make the most out of the one you already have, then this is a great place for you.  We’re going to use this space to tell you about new mice, keyboards, webcams, headsets and gaming devices, keep you up-to-date on new software or product features, and give you insight into how we design our products for you that maybe you weren’t aware of.

But the most important thing is that you can use this blog to give us feedback and ask us questions.  If you like something – tell us! If you don’t like something – tell us!

You’ll hear from a variety of people on this blog, and each of us look forward to telling you more about what we do, and hearing from you.

Again – welcome to the Microsoft Hardware Blog.

Brett Ostrum, General Manager"

Welcome to the Microsoft Hardware blog!

Microsoft Releases Updated Windows 7 Hardware Drivers

Microsoft has released updated Windows 7 hardware drivers for their mice, keyboards, and Xbox controllers:

• KEYBOARD - IntelliType Pro 7.1 32-bit for Windows 7 (64-bit)

• KEYBOARD (GAMER) - Microsoft Reclusa Driver v1.05

• MICE - IntelliPoint 7.1 for Windows 7 (64-bit)

• MICE (GAMER) - Microsoft Habu Windows 7 Driver v2.21

• XBOX - Xbox 360 Controlle & Accessories Software 1.2 for Windows 7 (64-bit)

Go Anywhere for Less: Microsoft Hardware Offers BlueTrack Technology at Its Lowest Price Ever

Last week Microsoft Hardware extends its award-winning line of BlueTrack Technology mouse products, debuting the advanced tracking technology at its lowest prices ever — under $30.¹ Now people have the opportunity to track on virtually any surface² at an affordable price with three new mice to choose from — the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, Wireless Mouse 2000 and Comfort Mouse 4500. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 and Comfort Mouse 4500 will be available in bright colors just in time for spring so people can add a touch of personality to their computers.

BlueTrack Technology was created in response to people’s increasingly mobile lifestyles, letting them ditch their mouse pad and use their BlueTrack mouse virtually anywhere — from the granite kitchen counter and the wood table at the coffee shop to the armrest at the airport. Debuting in September 2008, BlueTrack Technology is now available in eight Microsoft mice so consumers can choose the best design, color and price to fit their needs.

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 and Wireless Mouse 2000

The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 includes a Nano transceiver that sticks out less than a centimeter from the USB port, so it can remain plugged into the computer at all times, and the Wireless Mouse 2000 comes with a minitransceiver that easily snaps into the bottom of the mouse when on the go. The two mice also offer an ambidextrous shape with rubber side grips; the Wireless Mouse 2000 is a full-size mouse while the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 is a bit smaller, so people can pick the best fit for their hand size. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 will be available in Loch Ness Gray and Dragon Fruit Pink, and the Wireless Mouse 2000 will be available in gray.

Comfort Mouse 4500

The Comfort Mouse 4500 is the first wired mouse featuring BlueTrack Technology, making it a great choice for people who never want to deal with changing batteries. Like its wireless counterparts, the Comfort Mouse 4500 will track on virtually any surface² and will be available in black as well as three fresh special-edition colors: Sea Blue, Poppy Red and Strawberry Pink.

Pricing and Availability

All the new mice are available for pre-sale on Amazon.com today. The Wireless Mouse 2000 and Comfort Mouse 4500 will be available for $29.95 and $24.95,¹ respectively, and will ship in March when they are widely released. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 will be available for $29.95¹ and ship in April when it is widely released. All three mice are backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty. More information about this and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

Microsoft's wireless charging pad spotted, named uPad

Engadget spotted the pad in the wild and claim it's a prototype device made by Microsoft Research Asia. The charging pad is named "uPad" and was produced in limited numbers as a souvenir for Microsoft Research Asia's 10th anniversary. It's not yet clear whether the device will be mass manufactured or released outside of Asia. Microsoft officials were unavailable for comment at the time of writing.

 

Microsoft applied for a patent for the device last year which was spotted this week. According to the patent, devices can be placed on any side of the pad for wireless charging, inductively. The device will use the inbuilt accelerometer to detect which part is facing up to send the charge. The pad will also include an OLED screen to display information such as news and sports headlines and weather information.

Powermat devices currently offer similar features by using a combination of wireless induction charging, magnetic alignment and RFID handshake. Powermat offers replacement battery covers and batteries for devices such as the iPhone, BlackBerry and Nexus One. The technology works by aligning magnetic points to a desktop pad that completes an RFID handshake to determine the exact amount of power required for the device. The device is then charged using electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between two objects (inductive charging).

Microsoft announces three new BlueTrack mice

Today Microsoft announced that it will be releasing three new BlueTrack versions of its mice, at its lowest price point ever.  The three new mice, Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, Wireless Mouse 2000 and Comfort Mouse 4500 will be available in March and April.

Wireless Mouse 2000:

The Wireless Mouse 2000 is completely wireless, using a Nano transceiver, which stands out less than a centimeter from the USB port.  The Wireless Mouse 2000 is a standard full-size mouse, which will sell for $29.99 in March. The Wireless Mouse 2000 will only be available in Gray.

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500:

The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 is also wireless. The 3500 is smaller than the 2000 in size, and will debut for $29.99 in April. It will be available in both Loch Ness Gray and Dragon Fruit Pink colours.

Comfort Mouse 4500:

The Comfort Mouse 4500 is the first wired BlueTrack mouse, for users who don’t like changing batteries. The Comfort Mouse 4500, like the other BlueTrack mice, will work on virtually any surface, except mirrors and glass.  The Comfort Mouse 4500 will sell for $24.99 and ship in March, available in black and three special-edition colours, Sea Blue, Poppy Red and Strawberry Pink.

All three mice are backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty, and are available for pre-order on Amazon.com today.