Microsoft Infests Market with Mice

Whatever you use your computer for, the devices you have the most physical contact with those you use for input. For most people, that input device is a mouse (unless you're really heavy into typing). The Hardware Group at Microsoft Corp. seems to come up with some pretty nifty ideas (maybe because there's a lot of competition ) like the Natural Keyboard. I've never used one of Microsft's mice, but they just introduced three this week that look (at least physically) pretty interesting. The first of the three is a wireless optical mouse called the Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer (they just can't leave that Explorer stuff alone, can they?). Also hitting the streets are new versions of the company's cable-attached mice, the IntelliMouse Explorer and IntelliMouse Optical. MS says that all three mice incorporate its IntelliEye optical technology to capture 6,000 pictures per second, which is supposed to result in smoother cursor control. The Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer operates on standard radio frequency, communicating with a receiver that can be placed up to six feet away and makes use of power-saving technologies that MS says will keep those two AA batteries working for months. When you remove your hand from the mouse, it turns itself off, reverting to sleep mode to conserve battery power. It also knows when it is lifted off a surface and drops into a low power mode to conserve power, which may not be a good thing if, like me, you use a very small mousing area that requires you to pick up your mouse all the time. All three mice give you five buttons you can program for your needs. System requirements include Windows 98/Me/2000/ XP, 25 MB of available hard disk space (for a mouse?), a CD-ROM drive, Internet Explorer 4.01 with Service Pack 2 (once again, for a mouse?), a USB port, and IntelliPoint software (included). The Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer and cable-hindered IntelliMouse Explorer will be available this month for around $74.95 and $54.95, respectively. IntelliMouse Optical will be available in October for around $44.95.