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Is This Microsoft's Version of Apple's Magic Mouse?

by - source: Tom's Hardware US

Apple's recently launched Magic Mouse marries the track pad with a more traditional input device to bring us a mouse with multitouch capabilities. However, it seems Microsoft has been planning it's own multitouch mouse for a while.

istartedsomething points to growing evidence that suggests Microsoft could take on Apple's Magic Mouse with a touch sensitive version of its stylish Arc mouse. The site reports that several European etailers boast listings for a product called the "Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse," with a $70 price tag that's in line with what the Magic Mouse costs.

Also lending weight to the theory of a multitouch Arc is the domain arctouchmouse.com, which Microsoft registered in late March.

In 2009, Microsoft Research published a paper presenting the possibilities of "novel input devices that combine the standard capabilities of a computer mouse with multi-touch sensing." Of the five devices detailed in the paper, the one that looks most like Microsoft's Arc mouse is the FTIR mouse (pictured above), which involves IR lights and an IR camera.

(istartedsomething via Slash Gear)

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jhansonxi 07/05/2010 9:22 PM
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-11+

Definitely different. I wonder if it is responsive enough (and resistant to false clicks) for gaming.

r_pad 07/05/2010 9:29 PM
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-18+

Gestures should be kept on laptops and mice on desktops.

nforce4max 07/05/2010 10:09 PM
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Anonymous 07/05/2010 10:24 PM
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-18+

From the pictures..,the hand looks stressed - carpel tunnel syndrome, heard of it??

Drag0nR1der 07/05/2010 10:27 PM
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-10+

Is there really anything you can do with a touchpad mouse that you can't do quicker and easier with a decent multi-buttoned mouse?

freename 07/05/2010 10:40 PM
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-14+

Maybe it's just me, but I like tactile feedback from my mouse.

JonathanDeane 07/05/2010 10:50 PM
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-1+

freename :
Maybe it's just me, but I like tactile feedback from my mouse.



Keyboards and mice need that nice click. Some people seem to be able to deal with it but a lot of us need the clicky... Thats one thing about the Wii they did get right was having it vibrate when you highlight a button (some games anyway) it adds a little more feedback that yeah your in the right spot.

Even gesture based mouse use throws me off (I had to turn it off in Opera it kept happening on accident.

TheDuke 07/05/2010 10:52 PM
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-2+

freename :
Maybe it's just me, but I like tactile feedback from my mouse.


i need the click
hate those laptops with those keyboards that offer little to no resistance

nevertell 07/05/2010 10:57 PM
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-0+

Drag0nR1der :
Is there really anything you can do with a touchpad mouse that you can't do quicker and easier with a decent multi-buttoned mouse?


Yes, like pinch-zooming, rotating, and, ummmm.... That's it.

dolce_ardore 07/05/2010 11:52 PM
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-19+

I used Apple's Magic Mouse for a while and there's a certain one-fingered gesture I'd like to give to its designers.

alextheblue 07/06/2010 12:38 PM
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dolce_ardore :
I used Apple's Magic Mouse for a while and there's a certain one-fingered gesture I'd like to give to its designers.


The thumbs up? :P

saran008 07/06/2010 12:49 PM
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-0+

looks nice! Have to see the reviews once it hits the market!

zybch 07/06/2010 2:41 AM
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Still looks a lot like its in beta. MS's mice are generally way more polished than this nasty looking thing in the blurry image.

togenshi 07/06/2010 3:41 AM
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I wish that the magic mouse was in the form of the logitech g5. The mouse being shallow hurts your hand after a while.

eddieroolz 07/06/2010 4:19 AM
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-0+

I'm not interested in this whole multitouch mouse thing. I'd stick to my Logitech VX Revolution.

jescott418 07/06/2010 4:28 AM
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-1+

I actually like the magic mouse except for its pancake like hight. I would have much rather had a ergonomically correct mouse. Maybe the Microsoft arch one will be better?

Azriel4444 07/06/2010 4:35 AM
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-1+

LOL I would be perfectly fine with this mouse and a touchscreen keyboard. All the feedback I need is on the screen.

dEAne 07/06/2010 5:15 AM
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-0+

Hahaha this is great just like a touch pad.

AndrewCutter 07/06/2010 6:04 AM
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Drag0nR1der :
Is there really anything you can do with a touchpad mouse that you can't do quicker and easier with a decent multi-buttoned mouse?


using multi touch in softwares such as mudbox for modelling would be great. will be loads better i think....

war2k9 07/06/2010 6:35 AM
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opmopadop 07/06/2010 11:36 AM
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-2+

You got me thinking Jane...

All these products and companies with lower case letters at the start of their name makes the start of a sentance look weird. 'istartedsomething' triggered this thought...

What has english become :-(

Anonymous 07/06/2010 2:47 PM
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-0+

interesting. but i can't see that replacing the good ol' 2 button optical mouse with a scroll wheel.

jdublu 07/06/2010 4:33 PM
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nevertell :
Yes, like pinch-zooming, rotating, and, ummmm.... That's it.



[ctrl] + {scroll wheel} = faster zooming than pinch

willgart 07/06/2010 6:32 PM
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its an old news. Microsoft works on multiple "mouse" projects
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/05 [...] rototypes/

norbs 07/06/2010 7:08 PM
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What?! MS using Apple as their research and development dept again?! No way... breaking news.

norbs 07/06/2010 7:09 PM
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dolce_ardore :
I used Apple's Magic Mouse for a while and there's a certain one-fingered gesture I'd like to give to its designers.


It's horrible on windows. The drivers are really bad compared to the native use in OSX. I been using it on a hackintosh and I actually like it.

Rhodesee 07/06/2010 8:16 PM
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>>However, it seems Microsoft has been planning it's own multitouch mouse for a while.

>>has been planning it is own multitouch mouse for a while.

pollom 07/06/2010 11:47 PM
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I hate trackpads !!! :@

cakecake 07/07/2010 7:18 PM
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-0+

Looks cumbersome.

nebun 07/08/2010 1:16 AM
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looks stupid, i love the good old mouse. these new mice are not very ergonomically designed, especially the one from apple

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