Version: 2008

April 4, 2006 8:04 AM PDT

Microsoft releases new breeds of mice

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Microsoft released on Tuesday an upgraded version of a wireless optical mouse intended for laptop users and plans to introduce two new desktop mice--one laser and one optical--by this summer. mice

All of the new products rely on the company's High Definition technology, which is aimed at supplying improved mouse responsiveness, at least six months of battery life, and smoother tracking over uneven surfaces. According to a statement, Microsoft has sold more than 1 million products from the High Definition line since its debut in September.

The Wireless Optical Notebook Mouse 3000, which sells for $29, is billed as an upgrade to the company's best-selling Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse. Redmond described the device as a more portable, easier-to-stow option for laptop users and said its new design features improved mousing in cramped spaces such as airplanes or small cafe tables.

Set for release in late April for $49, the five-button, ambidextrous Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 is geared toward desktop users. That device will contain a Magnifier button, designed to allow for real-time enlargement and editing of any section of a user's screen. It will also bear Microsoft's familiar Tilt Wheel technology, which permits horizontal and vertical scrolling through pages.

In June, Microsoft plans to release the Wireless Optical Mouse 2000, another desktop-oriented gadget. At $29, the three-button, silver-accented device is being marketed as a more affordable alternative to the laser mouse.

The announcement of the new products comes less than a week after Microsoft said it would license three of its hardware technologies, including the Magnifier and Tilt Wheel tools, for the first time.

See more CNET content tagged:
optical mouse, mouse, Redmond, laser, Real-Time

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i'm fairly certain it's mouses
by elurstoidi April 4, 2006 9:09 AM PDT
isn't the plural of the computer mouse, mouses?
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Either is acceptable
by Christopher Hall April 4, 2006 9:26 AM PDT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_mouse#Mice_or_mouses.3F
plural is Mice
by Shakingmy head April 5, 2006 9:25 AM PDT
plural for computer mouse is mice
Message has been deleted.
by April 5, 2006 12:18 PM PDT
Yeah Yeah Yeah
by ServedUp April 4, 2006 9:59 AM PDT
Wheres Vista?
Reply to this comment
Its Mice not Mouses...ROFL!!!
by SystemsJunky April 4, 2006 10:08 AM PDT
Grammer Check (nt)
I hate meeses to pieces
by Razzl April 4, 2006 11:41 AM PDT
The standard mouse should be replaced with the trackball mouse. Every experienced computer user I know sooner or later switches to a trackball to get rid of those mysterious shoulder pains or to stop having to drag these filthy devices on desktops. The standard mouse has served its purpose and now needs to be replaced with the newest ergonomic thinking. Start shipping the Marble Mouse with every new computer and the world will be a better place...
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slipin and slidin'
by Ed.L. April 4, 2006 12:00 PM PDT
i had a track ball on a laptop, and had to clean the gunk from the inner rollers as often as the old ball mouse, i got a 5 button usb memorex mouse with the aformentioned zoom on a desktop, still don't use the 5th button alot, but have less cleaning issues with a lazer mouse.
Trackball Mouse
by Shakingmy head April 5, 2006 9:29 AM PDT
Get out of the 90s. The newer desktop optical and laser mice are more responsive and ergonomic and work on most surfaces w/o moving parts such as trackball.
THANKS UNCLE BILL!
by Llib Setag April 4, 2006 6:51 PM PDT
I CAN'T WAIT TO USE IT WILL ASTALAVISTA OS!

Who says Microsloth cannot release cool new technology on time?
WOW! It's a Microsloth Mouse...
BFD-BG
Yawn...
Reply to this comment
Mouses or Mice
by ahickey April 6, 2006 4:13 AM PDT
I know this is only a pedantic discussion so of no real importance and here?s my input.

In the early 90s I did an interview for a technical job with Logitech and it became quite clear as the interview went on that I wasn?t suitable, so when it came to ?have you any questions for us? I asked was it ?mice? or ?mouses?.
The answer I got was that at Logitech it is ?mouses?
Later I had the opportunity to ask the same question of the product manager at Microsoft and there they are known as ?mice?.

So, it appears different organisations have different standards. Personally, I?m not too worried either way as the purpose of language is to be understood and when talking about computers of you say mouses or mice people will know what you mean...
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