Microsoft Shows Laptop Mouse With Nano Dongle
Microsoft laptop mouse gets a shrunken dongle.
As much as computer manufacturers try to improve ways to improve the trackpad – be it with multi-touch or scroll-sensitive zones – nothing compares to the old mouse.
To make mice for laptops, companies have often just made the mouse a little smaller so that it’s easier to pack for travel. Of course, now that things are wireless, often you’ll find an unsightly and cumbersome dongle protrude out from your USB port.
Logitech took the first big step by offering a ‘nano-size’ transceiver that reduces the USB part to just a small nub. Now Microsoft has caught up with its own tiny USB receiver and adds in its BlueTrack technology that allows you to use the mouse on more surfaces than ever.
The Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000 will hit in June for around $50. Microsoft also announced the Wireless Mouse 5000 and Wireless Keyboard 3000 to join the new summer lineup (read the press release here).
Of course, no matter how small the USB transceivers get, you still can’t beat the convenience of having built-in Bluetooth with a compatible mouse.

Oh...
What is this?
They already have generic Bluetooth 2.0 dongles that do the same thing, and add functionality to your rig?
What? Some laptops already include said Bluetooth 2.0 capability from the factory?!?!?
You're kidding, right?
Oh well, as Cheech once said: "Better late than never..."
I personnaly prefer this over the trackpad.
The industry needs something new and innovative. Mice are like rubber tires for cars: they have been around for too long and are still the best we can get.
Touch screens are going to be great but I can't picture myself using that for houres.
If you choose Bluetooth you will be expending many bucks in fresh batteries. So, do the math and TCO is a lot higher than the TCO of a mouse with a nano receiver.
2) Rechargable
3) Not built for a small child
Wireless without the stupid dongle.
Regarding the dongle, I wouldn't really mind the size. I have a VX Revolution from nearly 2 years ago that I still use, and its dongle is about 2.5cm long - but I hardly mind it, because of the comfort it gives me.
I paid $60 for my last, $50 for my next isn't a big deal... SEXY!
I am in the marked to replace my mouse and keyboard for both my desktop and laptop and this is what I am looking for:
-- Bluetooth 3.x ( to get rid of the wires )
-- LED or OLED backlighting ( some manufactures have it, but the keyboars look hidious )
-- A Wave/Natural design from Logitech or Microsoft
-- removable lithium Ion batteries like the one I got for my blackberry that is 3500mah
-- And a powder coating that does not wear off like the over priced lump of plastic that the Microsoft 8000 series is made from.
-J
not really, each manufacturer has its own wireless protocol/technology. Bluetooth is a standard, so is/was going to be wirelessUSB.
Speaking of which, what happened to that technology!? (which was supposed to kick ass)
The term has been expanderized in this era of lots of little doohickeys that plug in and perform various functions.
I typically use it for something that's badly designed so that when plugged in it ends up cantilevered WAY out of your system and poses a risk of causing system damage if you accidentally catch it when you're trying to plug something else in.
Ahh... Thank you... Good to know... Just thought it sounded a little wierd.
Not to mention, if enough people have devices like this pretty soon we'll see some security threats coming via bluetooth