Winextra » mouse

Sign of the times, Microsoft Hardware releases AES encrypting keyboard

Steven — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:39:21 +0000

Security is a major concern of most people when it comes to using computers but what a lot o people may not realize is that those handy wireless keyboard send out those keystrokes over-the-air and as a result they can be intercepted by less than nice people with the right talents.

To address this concern Microsoft Hardware has announced that they will be shipping a version of the Wireless Desktop 2000 keyboard and mouse combo with on board AES-128 encryption so that your keystrokes are now sent encrypted to the wireless receiver connected to your computer.

This is Microsoft’s first keyboard to feature AES 128-bit encryption, which industry leaders consider to be one of the most secure encryption standards.
So what is AES? It’s a unique pre-programmed 128-bit encryption key which is designed to help prevent your keystrokes, which are transmitted over-the-air, from being intercepted and deciphered. So you can type away in confidence. Not only does the Wireless Desktop 2000 use advanced security technology, but it includes some pretty cool features for performance and comfort as well. The keyboard is paired with the Wireless Mouse 2000 sporting BlueTrack Technology for smooth tracking on virtually any surface¹, Windows 7 Taskbar Favorites for easy toggling between applications and a pillow-textured palm rest for added comfort.

It’s an interesting idea but does a keyboard like this make you feel a little more secure when typing out those nasty tweets?

Sign of the times, Microsoft Hardware releases AES encrypting keyboard is a post from: winextra
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The Arc Touch Mouse and the man behind it [Video]

Steven — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:04:58 +0000

Yes this is definitely a public relations video but it is still cool all the same to learn a little more about the background of Microsoft’s new Arc Touch mouse.

via The Microsoft Blog

The Arc Touch Mouse and the man behind it [Video] is a post from: winextra
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Microsoft goes pink with a wireless mouse in support of breast cancer

Steven — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:39:18 +0000

Coming in September from Microsoft Hardware will be a nice pink wireless mouse that the company will be selling as part of their partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

The mouse will be a special edition of Microsoft Hardware’s Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 that Microsoft will be donating 10% of the selling price ($4) with their minimum donation being $200,000.

The Susan G. Korman for the Cure is the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fight against breast cancer. The donation from Microsoft will be used for advanced research projected as well as for community out-reach projects.

Microsoft goes pink with a wireless mouse in support of breast cancer is a post from: winextra
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Microsofts Arc Touch Mouse – Product Details and Pictures

Paul — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:41:24 +0000

We’ve speculated about the naming of the “Arc Touch Mouse” on the WinExtra On Windows Podcast, as Microsoft already has a mouse on the market called the “Arc“.

Our arguments have been settled however because thanks to German tech blog, WinFuture, we now have pictures, pricing and product details of the Arc Touch.

The Arc Touch looks stylish. It’s mix of metal, glossy surfaces and with a rubberized palm rest that can be bent by the user as needed to fit their grip, and that is where the Arc come into the name.

The Arc Touch has comes in both 2.4GHz Wireless and USB variants, has 3 buttons (excluding the on-off switch) and uses Microsofts BlueTrack sensor technology instead of ordinary laser or optical sensors, which should allow it to work on almost any surface.

We had expected this to be a touch pad of somesort, but obviously it isn’t. Where the “touch” does come into play is in the scrollwheel, which has been replaced by “new touch-scroll function”, essentially allowing a user to just swipe their finger to emulate the scroll wheel functionality.

Prices are still sketchy. WinFuture is reporting the German dealers as listing it for €69.99 which is approximately $90 USD.

Amazon Canada has the Arc Touch listed for $79.95 (Canadian Dollars) and an expected release date of October 7th.

Can’t wait to get my hands on one.

Images via WinFuture.

Microsofts Arc Touch Mouse – Product Details and Pictures is a post from: winextra
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Gadget Concept: eVouse Mouse Pen – kinda interesting

Steven — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:51:44 +0000

We’ve seen more than our fair share of concept mice but this one definitely is interesting even if it does seem like it would be a little ungainly.

This offering is designed by Marcial Ahsayne and is a combination of the classic mouse and tablet pen. The mouse buttons and scroll are tactile and the mouse pen will provide a green illumination as feedback for every movement.

via NAX-Space

Gadget Concept: eVouse Mouse Pen – kinda interesting is a post from: winextra
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Microsoft working on multi-touch mice [videos]

Steven — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:10:41 +0000

Multi-touch is a hot topic these days when it comes to user input and while Windows 7 has been built with multi-touch burned into it being able to use it means having to upgrade your monitors to those that support multi-touch. The problem is that not everyone is going to want to go out and buy a new monitor (or more than one for multi-monitor fans) so Microsoft has been approaching this problem from a different perspective.

Enter the multi-touch mouse.

Right now Microsoft is working with five different types of the next generation mice (picture courtesy of CrunchGear)

As well we have two videos showing these little beasties in action. The first is courtesy of Steve Clayton and the guys at Techflash

And the second comes once again from the guys at CrunchGear

I’m kind of preferential to the first one myself although the one with the acrylic front cover looks pretty interesting.

Microsoft working on multi-touch mice [videos] is a post from: winextra
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