Microsoft Touch Mouse Artist Edition announced, available for $79.95

By Tom Warren, on 23rd Aug 11 4:36 pm with 215 Comments

Microsoft Touch Mouse Artist Edition

Microsoft announced the availability of the Artist Edition Touch Mouse on Tuesday.

The latest edition to the Microsoft Mouse family sees a funky new look to Microsoft’s new Touch Mouse for Windows 7. The mouse is identical to the Touch Mouse but features illustrative typography across the top of the device. Microsoft teamed up with New York-based artist Deanne Cheuk to create the limited edition mouse. The device is etched with a calligraphy-like motif that is designed to represent a persons tracing motion over the Touch Mouse.

“We wanted to release a limited-edition graphic for the Touch Mouse that spoke to the beautiful motion,” explained Microsoft’s user experience designer Lindsey Kujawski in a blog post on Tuesday. “We knew just the artist that could bring that to life,” she adds. “Deanne worked to integrate circuit boards and symmetry in her line work design. The result is the new Touch Mouse Artist Edition pattern.”

The Touch Mouse Artist Edition is available immediately in the United States priced at $79.95.

  • Tbrussell09

    Glad they are following in the footsteps as Apple. But I have to say this is the WORSE commercial video for this mouse. It shows nothing. Sure it shows the sketches on it, but nowhere does it give an impression to anyone on how it works with windows. Sure most of us tech inclined people already know, but for the average consumer, they will see that video and go: “Wtf was that for?”. Lol

    • Kjih

      MS publicly demonstrated multiple touch mouse prototypes before Apple’s first touch mouse was released. So “following in the footsteps of Apple” isn’t really accurate. And Apple’s touch mouse has been plagued by problems. So maybe MS taking a little longer to get it right was appropriate.

    • Anonymous

      It’s not the touch mouse that’s being copied. The introduction of a mouse similar to the Magic Mouse is.

      When did MS demonstrate those prototypes?

    • Guest

      Yeah, MS copied Apple even though they showed prototypes publicly months before anybody even knew an Apple product existed. Pretty tricky of them. And yeah, genius, if you can link to the non-NDA demo that they did to outsiders, that’s a “public demo”. MS also formally showed them at the User Interface
      Software and Technology conference in Canada, again a public demo.

      Thanks for playing. Now FO troll.

    • Anonymous

      Hey dumbass.. Sorry. That’s an insult to dumbasses everywhere.

      Did I say they copied Apple’s tech? No. I said it’s look is similar

      “It’s not the touch mouse that’s being copied. The introduction of a mouse similar to the Magic Mouse is.”

      Having trouble reading?

    • Johnloce

      Oh in case you didn’t notice, I am going to troll you until you stop trolling.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

      I hope you’re time is well spent.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome. It is.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

      One thing. It’s “You’re welcome”, not your.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

      One thing. It’s “You’re welcome”, not your.

    • Johnloce

      Oh a spell check! I don’t mind I am still going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      I didn’t think you’d mind, as much time as you have to waste. You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Johnloce

      Yeah but I am wasting your time as well so I am quite happy.

    • Anonymous

      Yeah, but you know, I’ll stop before you… As much fun as this may be for you, and I must admit it was fun for about a second, I have other things to do.

    • Johnloce

      Then hop to it and get them done. You will not be missed.
      Bye bye now, maybe I will see you tomorrow and we can continue.

    • Johnloce

      Then hop to it and get them done. You will not be missed.
      Bye bye now, maybe I will see you tomorrow and we can continue.

    • Anonymous

      Hmmm. You’ll be waiting eh? Cool! Good to know you have such a fulfilling life that you can wait to troll someone.

    • Johnloce

      Didn’t you realize yet, I am a troll. Your special troll. I will troll you everyday, all day, as long as you continue to be a condescending prick that thinks he knows everything and in actual fact is just a troll himself with nothing to do but troll websites and causing trouble. In fact I never do this, its just that you kept popping up everywhere being an ass, and I thought you may as well be annoyed with complete and utter nonsense for the day. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I. 

    • Johnloce

      Didn’t you realize yet, I am a troll. Your special troll. I will troll you everyday, all day, as long as you continue to be a condescending prick that thinks he knows everything and in actual fact is just a troll himself with nothing to do but troll websites and causing trouble. In fact I never do this, its just that you kept popping up everywhere being an ass, and I thought you may as well be annoyed with complete and utter nonsense for the day. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I. 

    • Anonymous

      Doesn’t bother me a bit… Call me names, I don’t care. Keep trolling me. I don’t care. How hard is it to ignore trolls like you? Not hard, but you seem to be incapable of ignoring me, and I like that. The more you try to bug me, the more I know you can’t do without me. Poor little thing.

    • Johnloce

      I can’t do without you. You keep feeding me and it is great.
      I think I will have to stick by your side for a very long time.
      You are a pathetic little troll that tries to hide it subtlety.
      Other people know you are a troll as well. I am glad that you like having me around though, I think that we can become great friends really. You troll someone, I troll you. The pattern will keep on going. I like that.

    • Anonymous

      Aaaawwww poor baby… Wanna have a tantrum…. Go ahead. It’s OK. Let it out trollikins… You’ll feel better…

    • Johnloce

      Waw waw waw, boo hoo hoo.

      Ah, that was great, thanks. I feel much better.
      You should try babysitting, though you would have to keep the children in a separate room at all times.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Johnloce

      Awh! We ran out of room on this conversation. I am disappointed.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Johnloce

      I can’t do without you. You keep feeding me and it is great.
      I think I will have to stick by your side for a very long time.
      You are a pathetic little troll that tries to hide it subtlety.
      Other people know you are a troll as well. I am glad that you like having me around though, I think that we can become great friends really. You troll someone, I troll you. The pattern will keep on going. I like that.

    • Johnloce

      I can’t do without you. You keep feeding me and it is great.
      I think I will have to stick by your side for a very long time.
      You are a pathetic little troll that tries to hide it subtlety.
      Other people know you are a troll as well. I am glad that you like having me around though, I think that we can become great friends really. You troll someone, I troll you. The pattern will keep on going. I like that.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Anonymous

      Yeah, but you know, I’ll stop before you… As much fun as this may be for you, and I must admit it was fun for about a second, I have other things to do.

    • Anonymous

      I didn’t think you’d mind, as much time as you have to waste. You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Anonymous

      And if you would researched the subject (takes all of 2 minutes to research this) you would have seen the following:

      Apple Mighty Mouse released 2005 – First use of capacitive sensors in a mouse.
      And Mac trackpads have been multi-touch since 2006. Capacitive touch mice were the next natural product.MS was obviously on the same track, but well behind.MS Demo Oct 5, 2009.Apple releases Magic Mouse to the public Oct 20, 2009.MS introduces multi-touch mouse August 2011, almost two years after Apple.If it took two years to develop, as MS did, then Apple had this working in 2007.

    • Anonymous

      And if you would researched the subject (takes all of 2 minutes to research this) you would have seen the following:

      Apple Mighty Mouse released 2005 – First use of capacitive sensors in a mouse.
      And Mac trackpads have been multi-touch since 2006. Capacitive touch mice were the next natural product.MS was obviously on the same track, but well behind.MS Demo Oct 5, 2009.Apple releases Magic Mouse to the public Oct 20, 2009.MS introduces multi-touch mouse August 2011, almost two years after Apple.If it took two years to develop, as MS did, then Apple had this working in 2007.

    • Johnloce

      T R O L L

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      I see you trolling…

    • http://twitter.com/jimmyfal Jimmy Fallon

      You are SO right about the commercial. Microsoft needs to FIX THIS MARKETING PROBLEM, asap. Don’t play me some dumb music with some arcane marketing guys idea of how a commercial is supposed to play. SHOW ME HOW THE DAMN MOUSE WORKS. Same with the phones and how about some of the software while your at it!

    • Anonymous

      For those who don’t know the chronology of multi touch mouse development…

      July 5, 2007 AppleInsider announced that Apple applies for patent for multi touch mouse.
      Oct 2 2009 New multi touch Apple Mouse rumor announced
      Oct 5 2009 MS shows off their multi touch mouse R&D.
      Oct 20 2009 Apple releases mouse to public.

      Seems like MS was simply copying Apple. Patent filings from 2007, which are public record, show exactly what MS showed in their R&D video.

    • Anonymous

      For those who don’t know the chronology of multi touch mouse development…

      July 5, 2007 AppleInsider announced that Apple applies for patent for multi touch mouse.
      Oct 2 2009 New multi touch Apple Mouse rumor announced
      Oct 5 2009 MS shows off their multi touch mouse R&D.
      Oct 20 2009 Apple releases mouse to public.

      Seems like MS was simply copying Apple. Patent filings from 2007, which are public record, show exactly what MS showed in their R&D video.

    • Paul

      You’re missing any data on when MS began its internal touch mouse development, which makes your “chronology” less than useful. When the prototypes were shown, MS also published an extensive research paper that went on to win an award. It contains extensive testing and theory, so that combined with the numerous prototypes indicates that they’d been working on it for some time. Was it prior to 2007 or after, I don’t know and neither do you. MS’s work on multitouch more generally goes back to 2001. So it’s not really clear what you’re attempting to argue here. But you lack the necessary data to make a case.

    • Anonymous

      The chronology is based on publicly available info. MS may very well have been working on a touch mouse, but since there are no public documents to verify this, that’s pure speculation.

      Whenever a new technology is being developed, it’s normal for patent applications to be filed. MS does this, yet here they haven’t.

      Go ahead and speculate about MS starting on it first, but the R&D timeframe of 2 years that Apple took from patent filing to product release gives me a timeframe to judge from. I can reasonably assume the research timeframe was 2 years, and since MS only demoed a few days after Apple announced their product’s imminent release…. “Me too”… And since their first touch product release was two years after their public release video, it’s reasonable to assume they were about 2 years behind Apple on it.

      I am well aware that multi-touch is not an Apple creation. Nor is it an MS creation. It started in 1982 at University of Toronto. Apple acquired Fingerworks in 2005. Fingerworks had been working on multi touch from 1999, and had produced some prototypes. MS started their Surface initiative in 2001, so yes. MS does have multi touch cred from then.

      Both companies started multi touch work well after it first started. With Apple’s acquisition of Fingerworks, technically they had at least a two year lead. That lead continues today, it seems. The same 2 years.

      But I guess that’s not enough to “make my case”. You’d rather believe in speculation.

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Paul

      No, the chronology is based on your half-assed attempt to research data favorable to your argument. For example, you say MS hasn’t filed any related patents but offer no proof and clearly don’t have the access, time, or background to review all their submissions and conclude that. It’s just pure speculation on your part. As is your entire thesis that MS copied Apple. 

      I don’t need a history lesson on multi-touch. I know at least as much about it as you do. Including that the person who headed up the original ground breaking U of T research now works for MS.

    • Anonymous

      Insults do nothing to change the facts.

      My half assed attempt if fully verifiable. If it’s missing relevant info, please feel free to fill it in. Do you have any references to add? MS patent applications related to multi touch mice for instance?

    • Paul

      No, the chronology is based on your half-assed attempt to research data favorable to your argument. For example, you say MS hasn’t filed any related patents but offer no proof and clearly don’t have the access, time, or background to review all their submissions and conclude that. It’s just pure speculation on your part. As is your entire thesis that MS copied Apple. 

      I don’t need a history lesson on multi-touch. I know at least as much about it as you do. Including that the person who headed up the original ground breaking U of T research now works for MS.

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Johnloce

      Oh, why thank you, I’m really happy that you gave me permission.

    • Anonymous

      You’re welcome.. See.. ‘You’re’. Not ‘Your’.

    • Johnloce

      Eh duh I thunk I mussed up ma!!!
      Bye bye troll. ‘You’re’ life awaits.

    • Anonymous

      You’re welcome.. See.. ‘You’re’. Not ‘Your’.

    • Johnloce

      Oh, why thank you, I’m really happy that you gave me permission.

    • Johnloce

      Nearly missed this one you troll.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Johnloce

      Do you like milkshakes? Or do trolls only eat children?

    • Anonymous

      You should know. You’re a better troll than I…

    • Johnloce

      I like milkshakes but they don’t fill you. At least you admit it in the end dear brethren.

    • Anonymous

      You should know. You’re a better troll than I…

    • Anonymous

      You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Anonymous

      You can continue for as long as you like…

    • Johnloce

      I will, thanks.

  • http://twitter.com/computerboffins Anthony Fear

    …and now it looks even more like a Magic Mouse! :-)

    • Liandtat

      that is what i am thinking…..

    • Lko

      Only it works.

    • Anonymous

      I am a Microsoft fan too, but my Magic Mouse does work ;-)

    • Lko

      Google “Magic Mouse problems”. Nuf said.

    • FMH

      At least it’s open-source.

    • Guest

      What color is the sky on your planet?

    • Anonymous

      Yep. I have a Magic Mouse that came with my 2009 iMac 27″. The computer is solid and very pleasant to use, but the mouse is a piece of shit. It’s incredibly laggy, it will drain two fresh AAs dry in less than a week, the connection regularly drops out, and if you just tap the mouse lightly against the desk at the bottom end, it will lose its connection to the PC — at which point it’s a gamble whether it will reconnect or if you’ll have to reboot.

      I’ve got a Touch Mouse in the post on its way to me now — too bad I didn’t wait a few more days because this version would’ve been right up my alley.

    • Lko

      Google “Magic Mouse problems”. Nuf said.

    • Heyclueless

      What it looks like is one of the prototypes MS was working on before anybody even knew a Magic Mouse existed.

      http://techcrunch.com/2009/10/05/microsofts-insane-new-multi-touch-mice-demoed-on-video/

    • Anonymous

      Just so you understand… Apple filed for a patent on this very device in 2007.

      July 5, 2007 AppleInsider announced that Apple applies for patent for multi touch mouse.
      Oct 2 2009 AppleInsider announced a rumor of a new multi touch Apple mouse
      Oct 5 2009 MS shows off their multi touch mouse R&D.
      Oct 20 2009 Apple releases Magic Mouse to public.

      Microsoft R&D basically produced what Apple had filed a patent for… The patent filings from 2007, which are public record, show exactly what MS showed in their R&D video.

    • Guest

      Then I guess you’d better contact Apple and have them file a patent infringement case. Or maybe you’re just FOS.

    • Anonymous

      FOS?

      Did I say it was a bad thing? Did I say MS shouldn’t develop the mouse?

      I’m not really a supporter of patent wars, but give credit where it’s due. MS did not create the touch mouse before Apple. The public info shows this.

      I’m sure Apple is fully aware of it, but considering their relationship with MS, I doubt they would pursue any action for something so small.

    • Guest

      So now you’ve not only determined that MS copied Apple, but that Apple is fully aware of it and just not pursuing it? And you know all this without ANY access to either company’s internal research, dev plans, or timelines? LOFL,

    • Anonymous

      Yes, it’s speculation. All I did was show a timeline of development. Who knows if they copied, but it is possible. They are both known to copy each others ideas from time to time.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, it’s speculation. All I did was show a timeline of development. Who knows if they copied, but it is possible. They are both known to copy each others ideas from time to time.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, it’s speculation. All I did was show a timeline of development. Who knows if they copied, but it is possible. They are both known to copy each others ideas from time to time.

    • Guest

      So now you’ve not only determined that MS copied Apple, but that Apple is fully aware of it and just not pursuing it? And you know all this without ANY access to either company’s internal research, dev plans, or timelines? LOFL,

    • Guest

      So now you’ve not only determined that MS copied Apple, but that Apple is fully aware of it and just not pursuing it? And you know all this without ANY access to either company’s internal research, dev plans, or timelines? LOFL,

    • Anonymous

      FOS?

      Did I say it was a bad thing? Did I say MS shouldn’t develop the mouse?

      I’m not really a supporter of patent wars, but give credit where it’s due. MS did not create the touch mouse before Apple. The public info shows this.

      I’m sure Apple is fully aware of it, but considering their relationship with MS, I doubt they would pursue any action for something so small.

    • Anonymous

      FOS?

      Did I say it was a bad thing? Did I say MS shouldn’t develop the mouse?

      I’m not really a supporter of patent wars, but give credit where it’s due. MS did not create the touch mouse before Apple. The public info shows this.

      I’m sure Apple is fully aware of it, but considering their relationship with MS, I doubt they would pursue any action for something so small.

    • Johnloce

      Troll Troll Troll Troll Troll Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Guest

      “MS did not create the touch mouse before Apple. The public info shows this.”

      The only thing known for a fact is that Apple shipped a touch mouse before MS. That’s all. It doesn’t tell you when each began their internal efforts. Your speculation isn’t a substitute for actual knowledge.

    • Anonymous

      You are correct. I should have stated it that way.

    • Anonymous

      You are correct. I should have stated it that way.

    • Anonymous

      You are correct. I should have stated it that way.

    • Anonymous

      FOS?

      Did I say it was a bad thing? Did I say MS shouldn’t develop the mouse?

      I’m not really a supporter of patent wars, but give credit where it’s due. MS did not create the touch mouse before Apple. The public info shows this.

      I’m sure Apple is fully aware of it, but considering their relationship with MS, I doubt they would pursue any action for something so small.

    • Johnloce

      Grrrr troll.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

  • Anonymous

    me gusta. if I had money I’d buy it.

  • Anonymous

    Why are they doing more mouse research? By now MS should be working on how to eliminate the mouse.

    I haven’t used one on ever on my MacBook. The trackpad is so much better, and the two finger scrolling has been my best friend on it since, what. 2006? Mice are really passe. Touch interface is so much better, and tablets will completely obviate the need for them.

    Microsoft. Stop working on a dying horse and work on the new breed. Windows 8, touch tablets, etc. Mice? This is not 1990.

  • Anonymous

    Why are they doing more mouse research? By now MS should be working on how to eliminate the mouse.

    I haven’t used one on ever on my MacBook. The trackpad is so much better, and the two finger scrolling has been my best friend on it since, what. 2006? Mice are really passe. Touch interface is so much better, and tablets will completely obviate the need for them.

    Microsoft. Stop working on a dying horse and work on the new breed. Windows 8, touch tablets, etc. Mice? This is not 1990.

    • Guest

      Yeah, hardly anyone buys mice anymore. Why there must only be a couple hundred million being sold annually.

    • Anonymous

      OK, true. Just like a lot of webcams are sold for PCs. And loads of keyboards. But few for Mac. Webcams built in, and most are happy with Mac mice, trackpads and keyboards.

      I still stick by my belief that mice are passé, but, mice do still sell a lot. But trackpads and tablets will, as I said, make them irrelevant.

      I think Microsoft research should be used on more important developments.

    • Paul

      MSR has over 950 PHDs. They lead the industry every year on number of peer-reviewed papers published. So nobody is working on more important or fundamental areas of technology research. But they’re not by mandate a development arm. We can debate the merits of that, but that’s what it is. And since your Mac wouldn’t run without the kernel developed by the guy who heads them up, perhaps you should be a little less judgmental.

      Now, was this the best use of 3-4 of those 950 pointy heads? Who knows. MSR is set up like a University whereby the PHD’s follow their interests and need to publish or perish. Sometimes, those interests catch the eye of a product group, which is what happened with the Touch Mouse. Other times, a product group approaches MSR with a problem: like Kinect did. SInce the brains of the Touch Mouse
      is the gesture-recognition software and that’s optimized for Windows, it’s likely that this research has much broader applicability. But I guess if you sell enough mice, then it easily pays for itself as well.

      Unless you’re a shareholder of MS’s, what do you care where they make investments?

    • Anonymous

      Your question about being a shareholder is one that I wonder about most who comment on here, Apple forums, and Android forums. They all express such devotion, but most speak with little substance. Mostly “my company is better than your company”.

      I like to give credit where it’s due. No, I’m not a shareholder in either MS, Google or Apple. I do like Apple products of late, I’m not an Android fan, nor have I been an MS fan for years (was from 1988-1999). I do recognize though that MS has the opportunity to turn its fortunes around and retake the top position in the hearts and minds of consumers.

      MS have done very well with Xbox, but there they seem to be minimizing their MS connection. Xbox is an MS product with very few MS labels. Why?

      They have failed with Zune, WinCE/WM up to 6, and many other things they should have been killer in, including tablets which they have worked on for 20 years.

      Their research may win awards, but awards don’t mean anything when the “innovation” produces no viable products. The mouse design, while cute, will probably not produce any viable products. They should be researching human interface for their touch tablet products.

      When companies make good investments, we, the market, all benefit from better products and better lives through those products. That’s really my interest. Things are getting better, and would get better faster, I think, if MS were a big part of it.

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Paul

      You’re straying far away from the topic. The investment of MSR talent on this effort was minor, and  their mandate is to make fundamental breakthroughs in technology through research. Effectively it’s a very large and well funded University. And unless you’re arguing that we all haven’t benefited from university research into technology over the years, then the returns are self-evident even when they’re not always manifested by specific products. Of course, here they have resulted in products: this mouse, which will likely do quite well; or Kinect, where MSR also was involved, and is now the fastest selling consumer technology product in history. In fact very few products RTM at MS without some involvement from MSR. So your point about not producing any viable products is nonsensical.

      On the other side of the house, MS has 40K developers charged directly with creating products. Their pace of innovation, or lack thereof from your viewpoint, has very little to do with MSR. MSR is just an enabler if they avail themselves of it and represents less than 10% of MS’s overall R&D budget, which itself is 6-7x Apple’s.

      I don’t disagree with your overall point that MS in some very important areas has failed to innovate where it counts. But off base with your MSR mouse investment criticism and generally pointing your finger in the wrong direction.

    • Anonymous

      You’re right. I have been a bit quick to criticize this item. I wasn’t thinking about the larger picture.

      I shouldn’t criticize this one creation, as through its creation they could discover and develop a whole new compelling interface method. I didn’t think I was criticizing the whole of R&D, but just the creation of mice… But as I just said, it may lead to better things, so the criticism is possibly unwarranted. I’ve seen demos of many ideas that themselves never became products but were later integrated into other more useful products. Right you are: My point about not producing viable products is quite invalid. Producing only viable products is not necessarily R&D’s ultimate goal.
      While I may have thought the devices shown were silly (no longer), who knows what will come of them?Paul, thank you for your rational response. Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away.

    • Anonymous

      You’re right. I have been a bit quick to criticize this item. I wasn’t thinking about the larger picture.

      I shouldn’t criticize this one creation, as through its creation they could discover and develop a whole new compelling interface method. I didn’t think I was criticizing the whole of R&D, but just the creation of mice… But as I just said, it may lead to better things, so the criticism is possibly unwarranted. I’ve seen demos of many ideas that themselves never became products but were later integrated into other more useful products. Right you are: My point about not producing viable products is quite invalid. Producing only viable products is not necessarily R&D’s ultimate goal.
      While I may have thought the devices shown were silly (no longer), who knows what will come of them?Paul, thank you for your rational response. Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away.

    • markusdevine

      I can’t take you seriously. First of all you are so obviously an Apple fan so what your doing on a website that is for Microsoft? Secondly, anyone that has a job that requires precision and accuracy along with comfort requires a mouse or pen tablet, so your point is invalid. Jobs include; graphic designers, 3d artists, industrial designers, anyone that uses the Adobe suite, Autodesk suite, Modo, Cinema 4D, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Rhino, I could go on and on. The trackpad/finger is great for surfing the web or general use but not for the average 9-5 person or anyone with a job that involves a computer.

      Now please go away and stop trolling.

    • Anonymous

      Call me what you want. It doesn’t matter.

      The touch tools have never been available until now, so of course you, and many ohers think they are needed. Now that touch screen design is possible, many will move to it and find it’s easier than using a stylus or mouse. Drawing with a mouse is damned near impossible without numerous corrections. A stylus makes it easier. Your finger. nothing can beat it for accuracy and control.

      Maybe you should actually try it sometime…

    • markusdevine

      I have and you couldn’t be more wrong, a finger is no where near as accurate as a pen or mouse, what are you basing this on exactly? Also, do you have a job or do you just troll the internet all day on your iPad? I use a Wacom Tablet for my design work and a Logitech mouse for my Cinema 4D and SolidWorks projects.

    • Anonymous

      What you’re describing is personal preference.

      Oddly, most designers say that a stylus is much better than a mouse. You also say that that a finger is not as accurate as a stylus. What do you use to control a stylus? Your elbow?

    • markusdevine

      No my hand controls the stylus, like a pencil. That is why it is more accurate.

      A Wacom Tablet is a stylus by the way. Odd, you would think that you would know that since you know so much else.

    • markusdevine

      No my hand controls the stylus, like a pencil. That is why it is more accurate.

      A Wacom Tablet is a stylus by the way. Odd, you would think that you would know that since you know so much else.

    • markusdevine

      Here is a Wacom tablet, especially for you.

    • markusdevine

      Here is a Wacom tablet, especially for you.

    • Johnloce

      Trolling scum

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      You sure do.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adrian-Werner/100000621679538 Adrian Werner

      MS is about convienience and usability. In both of those areas mouse slaughters trackpads. Trackpads and touch controls will never be as fast or as precise as mouse ones. And Windows is a great gaming platform…for gaming once again mouse destroys trackpads and touch screens. Gaming is very important to Windows as a platform, so they need mouses.

    • Anonymous

      Mouse is king in FPS gaming. No doubt. But there, pinpoint accuracy is not the issue. Ease and speed of head movement is. That’s why joysticks and console pads are crap for FPS games.

      You will never use a mouse to control character movement. Forward, back, strafing. Keyboard is king there, or rather buttons.

      In design, a tablet with stylus is king. Capacitive tablets remove the need for a stylus, and many designers think that it’s easier. Tablet computers bring the screen to the tablet. What could be better than that?

      Trackpads, especially large laptop ones, allow you to keep your hands on your keyboard, and reduce the amount of movement needed to complete a task. Reduced movement also means reduced time. It’s much more efficient, and less likely to cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

      Mice are great for head movement in FPS/3D games, but beaten by other input devices for other tasks.

    • Johnloce

      Look at you trolling again.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adrian-Werner/100000621679538 Adrian Werner

      Trackpads don’t allow you to keep your hands on keyboard, that’s their major downfall in laptop format and a reason why Trackpoints are vastly superior for anyone who doing a lot of typing. And that’s just laptops…how do you imagine trackpads and touchscreens being more convienient for desktops?
      And “reduced movments”? Where? with mouse, moving 1cm can bring you to different side of the screen. Far faster than any touchpad or touchscreed could ever deliver.
      And no…mouse is better than touchscreens and touchpads in ALL games, not just FPS/3D games. Even 2D games control bettr with mouse.Fact is…aside from drawing (where stylus rules supreme) mouse is better and more powerful device for every task you do on computer. Touchscreens and touchpads are good for casual use, but whenever you do something that requires speed and accuracy mouse will ALWAYS be the superior choice.

    • Anonymous

      I should have said closer to the keyboard. And yes, trackpoints were better at keeping hands closer the the keyboard… But they were fiddly and the movement was not natural. Even though I loved them, they were not popular, and died. Does Lenovo have them still?

      I just checked. On my trackpad I can move from one side of the screen to the other with a one inch finger movement. So, more than double the distance, but I didn’t have to move my hand the 7 or so inches to a mouse that it would have taken to do it. I just shifted my hand an inch down, not leaving the wrist rest. No mouse can match that.

      I wonder what it would be like if I increased the pointer acceleration…

      I never said touchscreens were better for desktops. We all know that’s not true. Want to hold your arm up for an hour? Plus, your arm is not accurate at all. If you had to write with your arm, it would be a mess. When you write on paper, you rest your wrist and only use your fingers. You move your arm only when you need to move to the next line or move over on the page. Arm and finger vs finger alone.

      —
      I have a challenge for you.

      On your screen, pick a point and move your mouse to it. The x to close a window. Start with the pointer at least 3 inches away. Actually pay attention to the movement of the mouse. If you’re really good, you won’t overshoot the icon, but I bet that you overshoot it at least once. Look at the amount of movement you required to do it. Over, back, correct, settle, click.

      Then put your hands on the home row of your keyboard. Then, put a finger on the numlock light. How many times did you overshoot it? Any back and forth movement?

      I assume you’re really good with a mouse and will make very small movements. But, think about the average user. I’m sure you’ve seen many moving a mouse more than 6 inches to get the pointer from one side of the screen to the next, with some back and forth as they try to pinpoint the spot to click. They would never do that with a pen on paper, which can have a smaller point of interest. That’s finger control.

    • markusdevine

      I just took your challenge using a Logitech mouse with 27″ iMac.
      One inch from one side to the other, and getting to the “x”, no I did not miss it, why would anyone miss it? You are still continuing this argument as to why a finger is better and it is ridiculous, I said it before and I will say again, the finger is great for browsing the internet, playing games and general use, NOT for doing work of any description.

    • Anonymous

      That question “why would anyone miss it?” says it all.

      Your incredulity that someone wouldn’t be able to do the task as well as you ignores the reality that most people are not as good as you with a mouse. Many computer users are old, many are young kids. many have carpal tunnel syndrome which makes using a mouse painful. Yet, every single one of them can point and touch with their fingers. Accuracy there has never been in debate.

      Until now.

      Something of note.. Despite the fact that you think touch tablets are “NOT for doing work of any description” it seems some major corporations don’t understand that. They are deploying iPads to replace desktops, POS terminals, flight manuals, laptops, and even specialized power plant control systems. Won’t it be a shock when they come to the realization that they can’t use them for “work of any description”.

      And there’s Microsoft. They’re developing a touch interface for Windows 8. What a waste of time that is, as touch is “NOT for doing work of any description”.

    • markusdevine

      Most children are thought how to use a mouse and computer now at a very young age, my 7 year old sister can easily use a mouse with no trouble at all. Old people and people with hand problems are exceptions.

      You will find that these companies are not replacing their desktops but adding another device for portability and user interaction. All the things you just said are for end user interaction, not for doing work on.

      I am well aware that Microsoft are coming out with Touch Centric Windows 8 and I can’t wait, because then when proper hybrids are released I can take the tablet on the go with me and when I need to work I can dock it and return to using a mouse or stylus. You will also find that Microsoft do not see tablets as PC killers, but as on the go consumer items. Also you will see that Microsoft will be marketing it differently as it will be a full featured OS and not jumped up mobile OS.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adrian-Werner/100000621679538 Adrian Werner

      Previous tablets with Windows have failed precisely because finger controls are too innacurate to use for controling Windows.

      And really….some companies might be adapting tablets, but nobody is switching primarly to them for any work. Dumping PCs for iPads owuld be pretty good way to go out of business.

    • Anonymous

      Right you are… Mouse pointers provide pinpoint pixel level access, which no finger interface for Windows does at the moment. Using touch for Windows is a nightmare because of the relatively small activation areas.

      That is why the iPhone/iPad is so good. The touch interface is designed to allow big fingers to do things that only a screen pointer (however it’s controlled) could do before. The difference is the interface.

      And correct me if I’m wrong, but were you arguing that point rather than the actual physical mouse? If you were, then this was just a misunderstanding.

      With properly designed touch interfaces, which are new, the pixel level control will come, but in a different form. Zooming takes care of a lot of the precision needed for, say, CAD drawings where pixel precision is crucial. The Brushes app shows this already. As does AutoCad for the iPad. Heck, you can even edit AutoCad designs on a iPhone.

      I’m still amazed with these debates against the move to touch tablets. It’s a 14 month old product. 14 months! Even laptops in 20 years haven’t knocked out all desktops… but they do a good enough job that desktops are usually not needed.

    • Anonymous

      Right you are… Mouse pointers provide pinpoint pixel level access, which no finger interface for Windows does at the moment. Using touch for Windows is a nightmare because of the relatively small activation areas.

      That is why the iPhone/iPad is so good. The touch interface is designed to allow big fingers to do things that only a screen pointer (however it’s controlled) could do before. The difference is the interface.

      And correct me if I’m wrong, but were you arguing that point rather than the actual physical mouse? If you were, then this was just a misunderstanding.

      With properly designed touch interfaces, which are new, the pixel level control will come, but in a different form. Zooming takes care of a lot of the precision needed for, say, CAD drawings where pixel precision is crucial. The Brushes app shows this already. As does AutoCad for the iPad. Heck, you can even edit AutoCad designs on a iPhone.

      I’m still amazed with these debates against the move to touch tablets. It’s a 14 month old product. 14 months! Even laptops in 20 years haven’t knocked out all desktops… but they do a good enough job that desktops are usually not needed.

    • Anonymous

      That question “why would anyone miss it?” says it all.

      Your incredulity that someone wouldn’t be able to do the task as well as you ignores the reality that most people are not as good as you with a mouse. Many computer users are old, many are young kids. many have carpal tunnel syndrome which makes using a mouse painful. Yet, every single one of them can point and touch with their fingers. Accuracy there has never been in debate.

      Until now.

      Something of note.. Despite the fact that you think touch tablets are “NOT for doing work of any description” it seems some major corporations don’t understand that. They are deploying iPads to replace desktops, POS terminals, flight manuals, laptops, and even specialized power plant control systems. Won’t it be a shock when they come to the realization that they can’t use them for “work of any description”.

      And there’s Microsoft. They’re developing a touch interface for Windows 8. What a waste of time that is, as touch is “NOT for doing work of any description”.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adrian-Werner/100000621679538 Adrian Werner

      All thinkpads still use trackpoints. Other companies might screw them up, bu IBM ones never were “ fiddly” and  now with Lenovo they blow away any trackpad when it comes convienience when typing.

      And I tried your test. Didnt miss one, neither with keyboard (being touch typist pays off), nor with mouse. And most of all it was faster and more accurate than I could ever be on a trackpad. You want a real test…go play any multiplayer FPS and use magic trackpad with it.  You will be completely slaughtered because people with mose will simply aim faster and more accurately.

      So bassicaly..your whole argument boils to “MS should kill mouses. Doesn’t matter they work far better in many cases, especially desktops and gaming..they should kill it because I say so”…great stuff.
      There’s a reason why the first thing most people do after putting a laptop on their home desk is to plug the mouse. You don’t want it? No problem. But there;s a huge market of people who absolutely need them. Why wouldn’t MS support them too? Freedom of choice has always been the biggest difference between Microsoft and Apple anyway.

      And really….my father overshoots with trackpad, so it’s not like it’s mouse only occurence.

    • Anonymous

      I didn’t know Lenovo still used the TrackPoint. And yes, it was the best of them all. I never found them fiddly, like the Toshiba and HP ones were. But… They are a niche device, not the norm.

      Did I not say that mouse is king in FPS games? Trackpads suck in them. Mice provide the sloppy speed needed for quick movement and the pinpoint accuracy for sniping in one device that I don’t have to move from. Plus access to at least two control buttons. Sometimes 5 or more. The picking up and moving of the mouse to execute some moves sucks though. no other device has combined control (sloppy and precise) and command (buttons) so well.

      Console gamers WISH they had it so good.

      For controlling the pointer in general use though, and with drawing, a trackpad is better than a mouse, provided the pad is large enough. You can use a trackpad to draw much more accurately that with a mouse. You can even write, sign your name. Try that with a mouse.

      My argument was never that MS should kill mouses/mice. It was in regard to the stated accuracy, which can be equated on the touch tablet. Not for FPS games as hand movement would be too much, and would block your view. But for drawing, design, and such it will easily replace digitizers/stylus combo. Interacting with the final product directly cannot be beaten.

      As I said in my other reply, you have precision control with Brushes or AutoCad on the iPad, or iPhone.

      The freedom of choice/freedom from choice is another debate topic altogether.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Adrian-Werner/100000621679538 Adrian Werner

      MS is about convienience and usability. In both of those areas mouse slaughters trackpads. Trackpads and touch controls will never be as fast or as precise as mouse ones. And Windows is a great gaming platform…for gaming once again mouse destroys trackpads and touch screens. Gaming is very important to Windows as a platform, so they need mouses.

    • http://twitter.com/jimmyfal Jimmy Fallon

      Gee, you don’t suppose they are working on a Kinect interface for the computer do you? I know Apple has had that Kinect interface for years now, and that MS simply copied that at the same time they copied all that gaming stuff from Apple.

      And the IPHONE, we may not have implemented that multi-touch before you did, but they did have the Surface (bing that) before you had the IPHONE. Our bad not looking far enough ahead there. Glad you got there first or MS might still be computing in the stone age.

      You Apple guys need to get off this whole copying thing it’s so old. Good ideas are copied all the time and the chronology proves nothing. The ONLY thing we didn’t successfully copy from you guys seems to be the marketshare for the PC.

      It seems in the marketshare deparment that poor people actually matter. You Apple guys remind me of all the kids in grade school that used to tease me because my sneakers were Keds, not Puma’s. Get over it, and get ready to get leapfrogged once again in the OS AND the Tablet department. Because that’s all we really to to each other is play leapfrog with the technology.

      I welcome you to Neowin, because I can go back and forth with you all day long, no animosity, just facts, and fun. Later.

    • Anonymous

      Which is really more important to a corporation? Market share or profit?

      MS may not have been the first to create a Kinect type device, but they were the first to bring it to the mass market. Good on them, and nobody should knock them for it. If Apple was working on a similar device and bring it out later, nobody should say they created it.

      Edison didn’t invent the light bulb, but he sure brought it to the mass market. And he got the recognition he earned for it… for producing the first high resistance bulb that could be mass produced, and revolutionized the world.

      As for the iPhone. MS did have surface before Apple, yes. But MS created it after it was demoed by some other company, which Apple bought. I’m not saying anything about Apple, but MS should not get credit for being first with multi touch, as they were not. Nor was Apple. The iPhone was the first mass produced multi-touch phone though.

      If MS copies an idea, so be it. What’s the problem with acknowledging it? It changes nothing. Apple copied from Xerox Parc, MS copied from Apple, Apple copies from MS, and the cycle goes on and one.

      I wish more people would look into the facts, and stop being defensive.

      Honestly, it would be good is MS does a good job on tablets this time. Now that a market has been properly established, maybe that 20 years of work will finally pay off. It’s going to be fun to watch the next tech boom.

    • Johnloce

      TROLL…..You need to be brought to Sweden and hunted by the troll hunter..

    • Anonymous

      Pay for the ticket and I’ll go.

    • Anonymous

      Pay for the ticket and I’ll go.

    • Johnloce

      Okay, what’s your address and I will send you there on a beautiful holiday. Watch out for horny other trolls, they are bigger than you.

    • Anonymous

      1 Pennsylvania Ave. You can find the rest.

    • Anonymous

      Glad to know I still have your full attention.

    • Johnloce

      TROLL…..You need to be brought to Sweden and hunted by the troll hunter..

    • Johnloce

      Disgusting troll.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Disgusting troll.

    • Johnloce

      Troll

    • Anonymous

      Thank you.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you. It’s nice to know that you care so much to seek out all my posts.

    • Johnloce

      Your welcome.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Anonymous

      Good to know I still have your attention.

    • Johnloce

      Yep, and I am going to keep trolling you.

  • Anonymous

    Why are they doing more mouse research? By now MS should be working on how to eliminate the mouse.

    I haven’t used one on ever on my MacBook. The trackpad is so much better, and the two finger scrolling has been my best friend on it since, what. 2006? Mice are really passe. Touch interface is so much better, and tablets will completely obviate the need for them.

    Microsoft. Stop working on a dying horse and work on the new breed. Windows 8, touch tablets, etc. Mice? This is not 1990.

  • Anonymous

    Why are they doing more mouse research? By now MS should be working on how to eliminate the mouse.

    I haven’t used one on ever on my MacBook. The trackpad is so much better, and the two finger scrolling has been my best friend on it since, what. 2006? Mice are really passe. Touch interface is so much better, and tablets will completely obviate the need for them.

    Microsoft. Stop working on a dying horse and work on the new breed. Windows 8, touch tablets, etc. Mice? This is not 1990.

  • http://www.winrumors.com Tom W

    I’ve removed a ton of spam troll comments. Please, if you disagree with someone then don’t spam the comments. @GDal:disqus and @e356330b3724cf694fcfcccfa8240bac:disqus