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

By Jane McEntegart
published

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 (opens in new tab) 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)

30 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jhansonxi
    Definitely different. I wonder if it is responsive enough (and resistant to false clicks) for gaming.
    Reply
  • r_pad
    Gestures should be kept on laptops and mice on desktops.
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    Let me think, doesn't look COD4 or WoW friendly, and questionable performance for office work. If it is not good for gaming its not good for the office.
    Reply
  • From the pictures..,the hand looks stressed - carpel tunnel syndrome, heard of it??
    Reply
  • 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?
    Reply
  • freename
    Maybe it's just me, but I like tactile feedback from my mouse.
    Reply
  • JonathanDeane
    freenameMaybe 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.
    Reply
  • TheDuke
    freenameMaybe 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
    Reply
  • nevertell
    Drag0nR1derIs 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.
    Reply
  • 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.
    Reply