Barney's Blog

Blog archive

All-Terrain Mouse

Microsoft has always had an odd approach to PC hardware. First and foremost, the company doesn't want to compete with its OEMs. But Redmond wanted a few dollars so it started building mice, which in the early days Windows enabled character-based PCs. In a similar vein, Microsoft sold an add-in PC accelerator card, again aimed at running Windows.

While Microsoft has branched into Zunes and Xboxes on the entertainment side, its PC hardware business still revolves largely around mice. Not too exciting, right? Wrong!

Microsoft's newest mouse, the Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000, does away with the old mouse ball and uses optics for tracking. This way, it doesn't have to glide smoothly over the surface and, as Microsoft claims, can even work on a "shag carpet." Pretty slick.

Posted by Doug Barney on June 22, 2009


Featured

  • Microsoft to Shut Down Skype Services

    Microsoft will discontinue its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025, marking the end of the platform's decades-long run.

  • Big Blue To Acquire Datastax in Enterprise AI Play

    In a bid to bolster its enterprise-aimed AI capabilities, IBM is planning to acquire Datastax, a leading AI and data solutions provider, for an undisclosed amount.

  • Microsoft Confirms End of HoloLens Mixed Reality Hardware

    Microsoft officially announced this week that it is discontinuing its HoloLens mixed reality hardware, marking the end of its efforts in the space.

  • Microsoft Rolls Out Final Cumulative Update for Exchange Server 2019

    On Monday, Microsoft released the last major update for Exchange Server 2019. The aging Exchange Server is set to lose support on Oct. 14, 2025.