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Microsoft's Many Multitouch Mice

technologyreview.com — Apple's Magic Mouse might be slick, but Microsoft is also working on five new designs.

Who dugg this? Made popular Oct 28, 2009

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  • thisthatwhat, on 10/28/2009, -11/+36Couldn't Microsoft just come out with the product first rather than show off some prototype? At least Apple's mouse is available and ready to be purchased.
  • MacParrot, on 10/28/2009, -3/+21Yes I'm sure Apple created just the one concept and then called it a day.
  • JasonCox, on 10/28/2009, -4/+22Choice > No choice
  • AdmiralAcbar, on 10/28/2009, -3/+20Because having no choice is better, right?
  • clippclop, on 10/28/2009, -1/+16where is logitech in this little race that seems to be going on?
  • CityandColourrr, on 10/28/2009, -17/+30Good thing it only took Apple 10+ years to create a mouse that is actually decent. Microsoft on the other hand had good mice in 1996.
  • txpunk, on 10/28/2009, -5/+165 New Mice? Microsoft Mouse Home Basic, Microsoft Mouse Home Premium, Microsoft Mouse Professional, Microsoft Mouse Ultimate and Microsoft Mouse Ultimate Bluetooth Edition.
  • Twinnie, on 10/28/2009, -1/+10I don't know why you're being buried, MS have produced consistently good mice. I think Logitech have had a slight edge when it comes to technology (at least before BlueTrack) but MS mice are decent looking while Logitech's are hideous and that's enough to turn the tables for me.
  • DanielPhermous, on 10/28/2009, -0/+6What is practical on a trackpad is not necessarily practical on a mouse. You have to somehow hold it steady as you pinch and rotate, remember. It could get very awkward very fast.
  • TheAbsintheHare, on 10/28/2009, -0/+5Apple's Magic Mouse does, and I think the first model they show does. The upper shell pushes down on the undercarriage and causes a click.
  • TheAbsintheHare, on 10/28/2009, -0/+4I prefer my Logitech "Optical Mouse"
    Yes, that's the model name, because Logitech first made it back when optical mice were new, but I bought it about a year after that when the price went down. Simple, two button, scroll wheel, corded. Picked it up for 5 bucks at Fry's and it has lasted me about 13 years. I've used it so often, and so long, that on the side of the mouse, there's a slight etching of where my thumb rests, as well as small divots where my mouse fingers click on top. I believe this is a testament to Logitech.

    Now, of course, since I've said all this, the mouse is totally going to break before the week is over.
  • FredFredrickson, on 10/28/2009, -0/+4I agree, I've been using their generic Intellimouse for years now, and they've always been great. The wheel feels right when you scroll it, and the buttons last for a reasonably long period of time, even with lots of mashing for games.
  • FredFredrickson, on 10/28/2009, -1/+5Also, Nike should only make one type of shoe, and Toyota should only make one type of car. That is the best way.
  • eatrains, on 10/28/2009, -0/+3Then it's a good thing that Photoshop gurus and gamers are niche markets. Having casual users switch is all that's needed for success.
  • gamepr0, on 10/28/2009, -1/+4I didn't mean to say that Apple didn't make multiple prototypes.

    What I meant to say is that if a competitor manages to set an earlier release date on a certain type of product you're also developing, it's better to take your time and continue by plan instead of hurrying to release whatever you have at that moment to be the first or not much later to have this kind of product in stores.

    Just like Apple didn't release a mobile phone when they started getting popular or when they were first invented, they waited until they thought they could make a good and successful phone. I think it would be silly for Microsoft to now take one of these prototypes and release it without further testing just so Apple wouldn't be much sooner.

    @DanielPhermous: I realize that but I think i'll quickly miss a quick four finger swipe to bring up exposé, I haven't seen any quick way to activate exposé mentioned in any video/article about the mouse.
  • raynevandunem, on 10/28/2009, -0/+3"Linux, stop stealing other peoples hardware interface ideas!"

    What are you talking about?
  • patasenko89, on 10/28/2009, -1/+4Ok this is true meaning of the word mouse, or is it just me... but the thing looks like Mickey Mouse, with those 2 big ears.
  • BullBearMS, on 10/28/2009, -6/+9No, Microsoft revealed their prototype after Apple's multitouch mouse patent came to light.
  • eShinn, on 10/28/2009, -4/+7"Couldn't Microsoft just come out with the product first...?"

    You have any idea how hard it is to copy something before it comes out?
  • georgetds, on 10/28/2009, -0/+3... making you a "MS and Apple basher" basher? I am sorry, I just could not resist the comment.
  • DanielPhermous, on 10/29/2009, -0/+3@Gamerpr0: True. I currently use the side button on my mighty mouse for Expose. I'd miss that along with middle-click for opening links in Firefox.

    Still, software updates can always add more and Apple tends to start simple and introduce extras at a steady rate over time.
  • nxusername, on 10/28/2009, -2/+5"Microsoft isn't ready to launch a competing product just yet"
  • Gravity12, on 10/28/2009, -5/+8It must be a slow day at technologyreview.com and waiting for the MS and Apple bashers to flame on.
  • ChuckDriver, on 10/28/2009, -0/+2I agree with you, but before the hockey puck mouse that Apple bundled with the first iMac, there were some decent Apple mice. There was an '80s designed single-button mouse that was boxy and angular but still very functional. The '90s designed mouse put that same functionality into an ergonomic shape that also had nice aesthetics. With the exception of the Pro Mouse, I don't like the looks of any of the Apple mice released in the last ten years, including the new multi-touch mouse.
  • FredFredrickson, on 10/28/2009, -1/+3I'm not sold on the idea of a multi-touch mouse yet. I know we've been using these ancient button-based mice for a long time now, but sometimes things just don't need to be changed until a really good replacement comes along. Not a gimmicky update based on the latest craze.
  • smoger, on 10/28/2009, -0/+2while i don't think these will replace traditional mice, i think they will have plenty of success.

    i *am* a pc gamer and i'll continue to play games with a normal mouse, but maybe now that mouse will live in a drawer until i fire up steam.

    If a multitouch interface can streamline how I use everything else on the computer, I have no objection to using both.
  • andy78, on 10/28/2009, -0/+2I dont think they're doing bad, I said they're playing catch-up... Im just pointing out the fact that with the amount of money the have for R&D, Production, Marketing, etc. they shouldn't be playing catch-up with tons of smaller companies. And a nice revolutionary, never-been-done-before product would be nice here and there from the largest, most profitable company in the world.

    In the case of the Xbox, released first, had nuts. did well.. Win 7, lets see. Xp, really? but then everything else you mention is a catch-up product that clearly will never surpass the originals. Like the mouse.
  • clippclop, on 10/28/2009, -2/+4$70 isnt that much to spend on a decent mouse...Before having back and forward buttons at your thumb became really popular, i would fork out around $80 or $90 for my mice.

    I guess for $50 you can get a pretty decent mouse. I wouldnt spend anything less than that.
  • inactive, on 10/28/2009, -1/+3Maybe i'm set in my ways but I predict these to flop, I've spent 10 years working in photoshop on a mouse, not changing anytime soon. Likewise I don't predict gamers switching either. Maybe casual PC users might switch over but I don't know.
  • FutureGuy, on 10/28/2009, -4/+6Yes, I always wished there was only one mouse option to pick from everytime I was in the market for one. I hate options, I am an Apple fan obviously.

    /s
  • TheAbsintheHare, on 10/28/2009, -2/+4I think Apple's mice (I'm excluding puckmouse and Mightymouse) were well suited to their jobs. Simple, one button mice for people who weren't power users. You want something more advanced, you go with a company that focuses on mice, like Logitech. You obviously wouldn't have stuck with the crappy mice Gateway or Dell included with their setups, why should it be any different with Apple :P
  • tflowholdings, on 10/28/2009, -0/+2I'd rather just have a mouse with real buttons and doo-dads that I can click or spin :(
  • subliminalurge, on 10/28/2009, -1/+3You forgot: Microsoft Mouse Small Business Edition, Microsoft Mouse Mobile, Microsoft Mouse Media, Microsoft Mouse Student, Microsoft Mouse Starter.

    Also, all models should be available in corded, cordless, and bluetooth versions, although the final product naming should not make it at all clear which is which.

  • MacParrot, on 10/28/2009, -4/+6Apple's mice (mouse's?) have been pretty bad for as long as I've been a Mac User (1987). In the past sometimes there was very little choice since Apple used ADB instead of a more standard serial port that PCs used and few manf's supported it. With the advent of USB, I was able to use whatever pointing device I wanted as compared to being stuck with few options and have used a trackball for probably over 10 years.

    I went to an Apple Store last week to look at the new iMacs (27-inch is freaking amazing) and at the new mouse/keyboard. The standard keyboard (wireless) blows. No seperate keypad and the keys to me feel too close together as compared to older keyboards, but the mouse is probably the first one I've ever used from Apple that doesn't totally suck. It just partially sucks which is about as high a praise for a mouse as any company is likely to get from me. The multi-touch movements work pretty well especially the scroll and zoom features. Zoom itself makes it almost worth considering but at $70 I don't think I'll be getting one anytime soom.
  • andy78, on 10/28/2009, -5/+7Not for nothing, but I truly don't get why MS takes so long to release some of this stuff. It really does seem like they're playing catch-up lately. Waiting for their steam-punk multi-touch mouse ...windows 7?

    How does a company have so much money, yet still so many misses. Im not bashing MS I'm just truly curious how that happens.
  • Wayfarer12, on 10/28/2009, -1/+3Apple doesn't reveal their prototypes.
  • subliminalurge, on 10/28/2009, -1/+3Back in the day, the "bar of soap" style MS mice were awesome. They're crap by today's standards, of course, but at the time they were far and away the best mice on the market.
  • mcfriendly, on 10/28/2009, -1/+2You mean after Apple came out with a new "mouse" that MS is now working on 6 new mouses. Get the copy machines rolling.
  • miaow, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1still using a trackball
  • KissTheRing, on 10/28/2009, -1/+2No Microsoft mouse has ever been any good as far as my usage has been, I haven't used the new Apple mouse but they haven't done any better with the older models. The only ones that have had the movement, sensitivity, weight and feel that I like are Logitech and Razor. And I am picky about a mouse, I do graphic design work for a living.
  • spinningtape, on 10/28/2009, -1/+2I dont see the point of these multitouch mice. Seems like they just want to throw multitouch at everything and it's not clear as to why. What's next, a multitouch keyboard so you can hit a key with 2 fingers to capitalize a letter and obsolete the shift key?
  • sab0tage, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1The kidney shaped ones were awesome if you were right handed. I had their first USB mouse and it lasted 9 years, I replaced it with a Razer Diamondback after it started intermittently dropping the USB connection. For a mouse with a testicle though, 9 years is pretty astounding IMO.
  • mason092, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1So it's only logical that MS must have had came up with the idea on their own. Apple may or may not have copied them.

    How the hell was my original post so controversial?
  • mrBitch, on 10/30/2009, -0/+1RE: "You have any idea how hard it is to copy something before it comes out?"

    Zing!
  • mGARANDEUR1, on 11/05/2009, -0/+1Did anyone else think that FTIR meant Fourier-Transform Infrared?
  • rogXue, on 10/28/2009, -1/+2I like the wrist holder prototype personally, it's goofy looking but if it can detect using any surface it may be comfortable enough to use long term.
  • eShinn, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1Am curious how that one would right-click.
  • eShinn, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1Yeah, I can't imagine doing a four-finger 'flick' without the mouse flying off the pad.
  • eShinn, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1"Just like Apple didn't release a mobile phone when they started getting popular or when they were first invented, they waited until they thought they could make a good and successful phone"

    ... not exactly. Apple decided to do their thing on their own because the way that the mobile industry was dictated by the service providers (ATT, Verizon, etc) was complete crap. We can see proof of this in the Motorola ROKR.
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