More people than yours truly are having problems working with just a touchpad. A real mouse is certainly to prefer and even if the function and quality of touchpads varies, the ones used by netbooks are hardly among the better. Alas, it is far from always convenient to use a mouse while traveling but Microsoft hopes to change that with its fist BlueTrack mice four netbooks. The BlueTrack sensor should travel better over rough surfaces than the regular red sensors.
Press release below;
Research Shows BlueTrack Technology Is Perfect Companion for Netbooks
New Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 works wherever consumers need to with go-anywhere tracking technology
REDMOND, Wash. June 18, 2009 The time is right for netbooks according to ABI Research, with an expected market explosion of nearly 35 million shipments in 20091, and new research shows that twice as many netbook users take their machines on the go than notebook users, requiring a new suite of increasingly mobile accessories.2
Microsoft BlueTrack Technology was created in response to consumers’ “on-the-go” lifestyles, giving them the power to track virtually anywhere3 — from the airport and the coffee shop to their seat on the bus. Today the Hardware Group at Microsoft Corp. unveils the ideal netbook companion, the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, a perfectly portable mouse designed to go anywhere with BlueTrack Technology.
Microsoft’s new Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, a compact $40 mouse designed for netbooks, is available in a range of bright colors.
“Between netbooks, notebooks and smartphones, consumers are more mobile than ever with their computing,” said Sean Butterworth, group product marketing manager at Microsoft. “Our user research team extensively monitored the different locations and surfaces where people are using their computers, and BlueTrack Technology excels where consumers need it.”
BlueTrack Technology and Netbooks Go More Places Together
Microsoft’s award-winning BlueTrack Technology is the perfect netbook companion because it lets people use their mouse virtually anywhere.3 The technology works on more surfaces than current mouse technology — including laser and optical mice4 — and performs flawlessly on smooth and shiny surfaces such as granite and marble and uneven surfaces such as carpet and unfinished wood. It’s also durable and resistant to dust and dirt, so people can be confident their mouse will work where they need it to — a perfect netbook companion.
Priced at less than $40 (estimated retail price), the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 offers BlueTrack Technology at a value price so more people can experience its benefits. For added portability, the mouse connects to the PC via a tiny nano transceiver that sticks out less than a centimeter from the USB port and can easily remain plugged into the computer when traveling, or be easily stored inside the mouse. The sporty mouse is also available in this year’s hottest colors with eye-catching hues of teal blue, berry pink and lime green as well as graphite and white; it’s the perfect way to add personal style to life on the go.
Pricing and Availability
The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 will be available in August for an estimated retail price of $39.95 (U.S).5 The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com on June 24 and will ship when it is widely released. The mouse is backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft. More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.
About Microsoft Hardware
For more than 26 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. In 2008, the Hardware Group debuted the world’s most advanced tracking technology — Microsoft BlueTrack Technology — allowing consumers to track on more surfaces than optical and laser mice. More information about the Hardware Group is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
1 ABI Research
2 Internal Microsoft research
3 BlueTrack Technology does not work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces.
4 Compared with leading laser and optical mice commercially available in fall 2008.
5 Actual retail prices may vary.
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