Microsoft's Hardware division, the people that brought us the first Laser mouse, are teasing a new and potentially superior technology. microsoft.com/hardware/ currently features a cheesy marketing flash video with the message "say goodbye to laser".

Internet sleuths found details (which have since been removed) of the likely suspect on the German retailer site Amazon.de - a mouse with a blue LED tracker that will purportedly function on more surfaces than laser mouse tech.

9.9.08 is the date of one of Microsoft's annual press events we're sure to hear all about it then.

man, i heard whisperings about this last year. because i'm so cool. same dealio with bluray. better light for accuracy or something.

this could be potentially better than the zune!

blue is so much better than red. it's like the new black. ;p

Infi, People like the Zune, and they're popular... just not as popular as the iPod.

Also... a lot of people use laser mouses.

the zune actually sounds pretty good, i'd consider it if it was released here.

i was just thinking back to the whole zune with moustache thing, don't take it personal.

has anyone ever seen a zune in rl?

edit: just flicking through today's JB Hifi catalogue. In MP3 players we have iPod, Samsung, GHT, iriver, and Sony brands. No zune! where do you buy one if you wanted it?

last edited by infi at 17:11:28 28/Aug/08

Zune 2 is a f***ing good product

f***s me, aren't they available outside the US or something?

im pretty sure its only available in the US.

they seriously sound good.

meh.. been using the microsoft S+ark mouse for a year now.

its been great. no intentions of even going to a lazer mouse, i just cbf...

cheap relaible mouse FTW!

erm... i was always under the impression that most mouses are infact OPTICAL mouses, e.g. dont actualy use a laser, and use a red LED and what is basically a camera type system/processor.

Actual Laser mice dont have any light at all they are invisible and will state Class 1 Laser product underneath them.

erm... i was always under the impression that most mouses are infact OPTICAL mouses, e.g. dont actualy use a laser, and use a red LED and what is basically a camera type system/processor. Actual Laser mice dont have any light at all they are invisible and will state Class 1 Laser product underneath them.

oh ok.. (*does research over google*)
you are right... I was always under the impression that they both looked similar, just one was more responsive than the other, etc.
you learn something new everyday. :/

though I failed miserably...

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=100

Yeah just like Microsoft's other ugly products. I hate it how Razer had to team up with M$ to produce the Habu laser mouse and the Reclusa keyboard. Those products were such an insult to Razer (borrowing of Razer's technology) just like Microsoft borrows everyone's things.

I'd prefer this:
http://www.razerzone.com/p-66-razer-lachesis-gaming-mouse.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=100

Yeah just like Microsoft's other ugly products

Is that a mouse or Optimus Prime's wang?

I actually had a play with one of those mice the other week, and it was sweet as. Being able to adjust sensitivity on the fly depending on what you were doing (flick-shooting vs. sniping etc.) was just so hot. I also tried to use the weights to balance it, but couldn't get it to feel just right.

ummm...do we really need mice that are even more sensitive then laser mice?
I always found my optical one to be fine, didn't notice the difference getting a laser one, doubt i'll notice the difference to this too...aside from the price.

just a marketing gimmick..

I've found out from someone in the know that its just a mouse that can be used on all surfaces properly

ummm...do we really need mice that are even more sensitive then laser mice?

The rumoured info so far gives the impression that - as pyth said - the new tech is about making it work on more surfaces, such as reflective and translucent ones, rather than making it more precise.

i remember using on old Razer Boomslang back when i got a few samples to review, Giant Chunky heavy mice of doom, but there accuracy was astounding, they were still trackballs aswell!

Laser mice dont have any light at all they are invisible

Actually they do have a very very finely focused laser light. If you have a look at the lens on the underside of one you can see a very fine red point of light at just the exactly right angle, and at any other angle it looks like there is no light at all.

I love my Logitech Mx laser mouse... :-)

yes cuz i really like looking at lasers with my naked eye.

Logitech homebrew laser eye surgery G911

I still haven't found a compelling reason to upgrade from my Logitech MX518 optical mouse I got like 3 or 4 years ago. Doesn't skip a beat.

It's funny how much people love to be scared of laser light. DON'T LET IT TOUCH YOUR EYES OR YOUR HEAD WILL EXPLODE.

^ Grab a laser pointer and prove us wrong kos!

make a wireless mouse that doesnt need batteries, how about that?