Microsoft unveils BlueTrack mice; laser mice to go extinct

Tue Sep 9, 2008 4:55PM EDT

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Apple's not the only company out there announcing new products.

On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled its new "BlueTrack" technology (via Engadget) that will be featured in two upcoming mice, the Microsoft Explorer Mouse and the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse. The new BlueTrack technology utilizes wide-angle "specular optics architecture" to improve the mouse's ability to work on not-so-friendly surfaces, such as wood, granite, and carpet.

I'm not entirely sure how specular optics works, but the technology sounds like it will be mighty useful to travelling road-warriors like myself.

The Explorer Mouse will retail at $99, while the Explorer Mouse Mini will retail at $79. Expect both to hit Best Buy in November. One can only hope that we'll see a gaming version to come soon. (Intellimouse Explorer 3.0: BlueTrack Edition please???)

So what do you think? Will these new mice get you to "say goodbye to laser?"

Comments on Microsoft unveils BlueTrack mice; laser mice to go extinct

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  • 1 Posted by nhanscome on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    im sticking with my logitech g5 gaming mouse.... but i can see how this would be nice for a home theter pc for use on the couch or somthing

  • 2 Posted by vanmo92 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am sticking with my wireless mighty mouse I just got. Apple rules!

  • 3 Posted by sweetsinger364 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Boy, that's tempting but why would you pay or a mouse when you have one that works perfectly fine?

  • 4 Posted by agustin2489 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nope, this is too costly to justifiably replace laser mice (which are just fine as is).

  • 5 Posted by o2cmefly on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love my logitech MX Revolution. If logitech comes out with one of these, i might consider it, but for now, mine ain't broke, so i'm not fixing it.

  • 6 Posted by rivashugo@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is a good way to create a demand for something that isn't needed. Buy it if you need it. My laser mouse works just fine on my wood desk...

  • 7 Posted by linuxdad on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is really good news for Microsoft, since the sale of Vista went so poorly that they need something to help.

  • 9 Posted by gooddayz39 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hmmm my freind has a wireless laser mouse and I have used it on the couch and on shag carpeting. It works great... So a laptop with HDMI out; installed in a bracket connected to a 60" 1080P SAMSUNG is the ultimate home entertainment system. HAVE you seen the power that can be put into laptops nowadays? INSANE!

  • 10 Posted by dcsoccer25 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    MX 518 and Razer Diamondback here. Whichever I prefer at the time. Between the two of them, I don't see any need for another mouse.

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