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Microsoft Releases new Mouse using a BlueTrack Sensor

Titoist   via Slash Gear on 10 September 2008 - 11:23 · 35 comments & 17338 views

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The Microsoft Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse were announced today and feature a unique technology that is making its debut in these devices. It’s called BlueTrack, and this new sensor can work on just about any surface.

In fact, BlueTrack is much more accurate on shiny surfaces than any other tech out there right now. If you don’t like using a mouse pad and find your desk has too much of a sheen for your mouse to accurately register, this technology should help you tremendously.

Microsoft developed this new tech, which sets it apart from the standard Agilent Technologies licensed laser sensors that fit in most other computer mice. This one might stick with Microsoft, and if they decide to license it, well, that would make them a bundle, especially if these two launches work out well. The Explorer Mouse will sell for $99.99 and the Explorer Mini Mouse will sell for $79.99 once they are released this November.

Screenshot: Microsoft Explorer Mouse

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(1 reply) #1 Shadow Dragon on 10 Sep 2008 - 11:58
#1.1 rdmiller on 10 Sep 2008 - 13:30
Thank you.
(6 replies) #2 mocax on 10 Sep 2008 - 13:01
I'm still waiting for a thumb-based trackball worthy to be a replacement to my Logitech Trackman Wheel.

Too bad Kensington's are all finger-based trackballs.

I spammed Razer to make one, didn't happen, Microsoft scrapped their trackballs after their previous disastrous outing.

Maybe I'm the only person in the world to still use a thumb-based trackball.
#2.1 BigCheese on 10 Sep 2008 - 13:34
Yes you are.
#2.2 +macf13nd on 10 Sep 2008 - 14:01
(BigCheese said @ #2.1)
Yes you are.

lol
#2.3 C_Guy on 10 Sep 2008 - 14:29
"I spammed Razer to make one"

And that didn't work?!?!?!!?!?!?!

I am waiting for someone, anyone, to follow Logitech's innovation and re-do the Force Feedback mouse. There weren't a ton of games that could support it but the ones that did were pretty awesome
#2.4 Foub on 10 Sep 2008 - 20:15
You mean like this? http://www.postthisinc.com/mouse.html

My mother has the pink one.

#2.5 OPaul on 10 Sep 2008 - 21:09
I still use my Logitech TrackMan FX and FX Wireless.
#2.6 hagjohn on 11 Sep 2008 - 01:34
I still use one.
#3 MightyJordan on 10 Sep 2008 - 14:02
It looks nice! Shame it costs £50.
(6 replies) #4 ir0nw0lf on 10 Sep 2008 - 14:53
Ouch, nearly $100? Nice idea but way overpriced.
#4.1 nekkidtruth on 10 Sep 2008 - 14:57
(ir0nw0lf said @ #1)
Ouch, nearly $100? Nice idea but way overpriced.


I agree. Why on earth would anyone want to pay $100 for a mouse? That is so ridiculously overpriced. A hundred bucks for a mouse/keyboard combo is already pushing it, but that's more reasonable.

What happened to the days when $30 would get you a decent mouse? I'd rather spend that hundred dollars on something more deserving
#4.2 Burst404 on 10 Sep 2008 - 15:34
(nekkidtruth said @ #4.1)
I agree. Why on earth would anyone want to pay $100 for a mouse? That is so ridiculously overpriced. A hundred bucks for a mouse/keyboard combo is already pushing it, but that's more reasonable.

What happened to the days when $30 would get you a decent mouse? I'd rather spend that hundred dollars on something more deserving


Only if spent on the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse.
#4.3 KavazovAngel on 10 Sep 2008 - 17:41
(nekkidtruth said @ #4.1)
(ir0nw0lf said @ #1)
Ouch, nearly $100? Nice idea but way overpriced.


I agree. Why on earth would anyone want to pay $100 for a mouse? That is so ridiculously overpriced. A hundred bucks for a mouse/keyboard combo is already pushing it, but that's more reasonable.

What happened to the days when $30 would get you a decent mouse? I'd rather spend that hundred dollars on something more deserving


A pro gamer would.
#4.4 smooth_criminal1990 on 10 Sep 2008 - 20:15
(KavazovAngel said @ #4.3)
(nekkidtruth said @ #4.1)
(ir0nw0lf said @ #1)
Ouch, nearly $100? Nice idea but way overpriced.


I agree. Why on earth would anyone want to pay $100 for a mouse? That is so ridiculously overpriced. A hundred bucks for a mouse/keyboard combo is already pushing it, but that's more reasonable.

What happened to the days when $30 would get you a decent mouse? I'd rather spend that hundred dollars on something more deserving


A pro gamer would.


Or, if you're a stingy person (which I am) you could wait till they turn up cheap on Amazon or Ebay!
#4.5 Jugalator on 15 Sep 2008 - 08:53
(KavazovAngel said @ #4.3)
(nekkidtruth said @ #4.1)
(ir0nw0lf said @ #1)
Ouch, nearly $100? Nice idea but way overpriced.


I agree. Why on earth would anyone want to pay $100 for a mouse? That is so ridiculously overpriced. A hundred bucks for a mouse/keyboard combo is already pushing it, but that's more reasonable.

What happened to the days when $30 would get you a decent mouse? I'd rather spend that hundred dollars on something more deserving


A pro gamer would.

And they're the target demography for this mouse?
#4.6 RAID 0 on 17 Sep 2008 - 00:30
(nekkidtruth said @ #4.1)
(ir0nw0lf said @ #1)
Ouch, nearly $100? Nice idea but way overpriced.


I agree. Why on earth would anyone want to pay $100 for a mouse? That is so ridiculously overpriced. A hundred bucks for a mouse/keyboard combo is already pushing it, but that's more reasonable.

What happened to the days when $30 would get you a decent mouse? I'd rather spend that hundred dollars on something more deserving


I spend 35 on a mouse pad that lights up. I've spend 80 on a backlight KB... It's your money.. use it when you need it!
(3 replies) #5 schwit on 10 Sep 2008 - 18:18
The title say "Microsoft Releases new Mouse using a BlueTrack Sensor", but the last sentence of the press release says "The Explorer Mouse will sell for $99.99 and the Explorer Mini Mouse will sell for $79.99 once they are released this November."

It's still vaporware if it can't be acquired by the consumer.
#5.1 Deathray on 10 Sep 2008 - 18:40
I think you're using the term "vaporware" incorrectly here

As for the mouse, I would like to see how they perform when stacked up against other mice.

Price, well... there are 4 things for me that need to be great (Speakers, Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse because they are being constantly used)... and I am willing to spend a little extra if it's a great product. Of course internal components matter as well, but these 4 have to be perfect for you or it ruins the experience
#5.2 plastikaa on 11 Sep 2008 - 01:15
(schwit said @ #5)
once they are released this November


It's already november in Europe... blame it on your particle accelerator.
#5.3 yakumo on 11 Sep 2008 - 22:05
(Deathray said @ #5.1)
As for the mouse, I would like to see how they perform when stacked up against other mice.


I'd wait for sujoy to check it out :
http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1265679

http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1300293 (Razer DeathAdder was reviewed here with same tests, rather than added to the 2007 roundup)
(1 reply) #6 thealexweb on 10 Sep 2008 - 20:03
They won't sell many at a $100 a piece.
#6.1 Foub on 10 Sep 2008 - 20:19
You'd be surprised at what some would pay for something they think that they need just to be first to own one. As the say, a fool and his money.....
#7 Shadrack on 10 Sep 2008 - 21:21
In fact, BlueTrack is much more accurate on shiny surfaces than any other tech out there right now. If you don’t like using a mouse pad and find your desk has too much of a sheen for your mouse to accurately register, this technology should help you tremendously.


What a good way to ruin the surface of your desk: not use a mouse pad....
(1 reply) #8 Jaxkesa on 10 Sep 2008 - 23:39
Cool..its got a blue light. I'll def buy one - you know something is good when it has a blue light. Red lights are so 90s man!
#8.1 Airlink on 12 Sep 2008 - 03:52
(Jaxkesa said @ #
Cool..its got a blue light. I'll def buy one - you know something is good when it has a blue light. Red lights are so 90s man!

You're joking, right?
#9 Shiranui on 11 Sep 2008 - 00:26
Rubbing your $100 mouse up and down on a slab of granite all day doesn't sound like the best idea.
#10 icie on 11 Sep 2008 - 01:31
Still doesn't work on glass or mirrors (small text at end of demo video), so the technology isn't all that revolutionary. When they are capable of tracking on smooth glass surfaces, then I'll consider an upgrade.
(1 reply) #11 Titoist on 11 Sep 2008 - 01:49
I dont think glass is possible because to technology, most glass is like air.
#11.1 ]SK[ on 11 Sep 2008 - 06:10
I have an IceMat made of glass... frosted though
#12 Atlonite on 11 Sep 2008 - 13:13
you all need to try livin in new zealand we the last to get anything and with our crap exchange rate we pay twice as much as you guys in the US or three times as much as you in the UK so i think me MS laser mouse 6000 better last me a few more yrs yet
(1 reply) #13 Airlink on 12 Sep 2008 - 04:00
LAME!

The last two top-of-the-lineup mice to come from Logitech (MX 1000 and MX Revolution) have this mouse from Microsoft beat in every way that matters, and a bunch that don't.

Let's take one example:

New Microsoft mouse has "BlueTrack" that "can work on just about any surface." Oreally? My Logitech MX 1000 and my Logitech MX Revolution sport lazers (actual lazers) that WILL work on ANY surface. Glass, leather, mirror, linolium, tile, wood.... you name it, they work on it. Ah, but that's Microsoft: They write their press releases in VRML*

I don't have all day to sit here and explain why this mouse is a joke but I'm sure you can do that for yourself, so I'll stop typing now.


*Very Ridiculous Marketing Language
#13.1 Ucla74 on 12 Sep 2008 - 18:00
(Airlink said @ #13)
LAME!

The last two top-of-the-lineup mice to come from Logitech (MX 1000 and MX Revolution) have this mouse from Microsoft beat in every way that matters, and a bunch that don't.

Let's take one example:

New Microsoft mouse has "BlueTrack" that "can work on just about any surface." Oreally? My Logitech MX 1000 and my Logitech MX Revolution sport lazers (actual lazers) that WILL work on ANY surface. Glass, leather, mirror, linolium, tile, wood.... you name it, they work on it. Ah, but that's Microsoft: They write their press releases in VRML*

I don't have all day to sit here and explain why this mouse is a joke but I'm sure you can do that for yourself, so I'll stop typing now.


First, it's "laser." Second, the MX Revolution (I have one) won't work on ANY surface: Try mousing on a CD case (my trial was Jimmy Buffett's "Songs You Know By Heart" case). I'd hate to try to use that tracking for any task.
#14 ikyouCrow on 12 Sep 2008 - 10:30
"advanced tracking". great! but answer me this super important question: "will it Quake?"

i'm still waiting for them to make a laser mouse like the old school MS mice, as featured in the first picture on this page: http://www.mcamafia.de/mycomp/mycomp06.htm
#15 Ucla74 on 12 Sep 2008 - 17:55
So really, MS "announces"...but nothing is released, yet.

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