Gadgets for geeks from Microsoft Hardware

The software company that foresaw and to a large extent ushered in the era of home computing by giving the world its most ubiquitous line of operating system and office productivity suite is now poised to compete fiercely in the hardware space.

Mice and keyboards, webcams and headsets, joysticks and gamepads, mobile products and peripherals bearing the Microsoft brand are being introduced to different markets in measured doses, with the goal of “enhancing the computing experience,” which in a way is akin to conquering another frontier in the computing space.

In a presentation to the media, Microsoft Philippines recently unveiled its latest hardware products that are being introduced for the first time to the Philippine market. Showcased during the launch were mice with Blue Track technology, mice for the fashion plates, mice for gaming and a revolutionary keyboard specially designed for gamers.

To say that Microsoft is entering the hardware space only now is not necessarily accurate because, according to Ian Tan, Microsoft Hardware’s marketing communication manager for Southeast Asia, Microsoft Hardware was actually formed in 1982 and for the last 25 years, has already developed products that have blazed many trails in the computing world.

Its very first product, a Microsoft mouse compatible with Microsoft Word, which was introduced in 1983, is now on exhibit at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Over the years, Microsoft Hardware has introduced a full array of innovative mice — ballpoint, optical, ergonomic, wireless and laser. There were also mice with scroll wheels and ergonomic keyboards designed for comfort, gaming or power computing. There were keyboards with Bluetooth and backlight as well as wired and wireless ones.

“Microsoft is a software company but we also created solutions to help people interact better with their computers and improve their computing experience,” said Tan.

The latest Microsoft Hardware products introduced locally actually descended from a long line of innovative technologies found in many of its earlier products.

The new ‘electronic rodents’

The technology is called Blue Track, a patented Microsoft innovation that combines the width and power of optical technology with the precision of laser tracking.

In a demonstration, Tan said the new Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse with Blue Track could work on virtually any surface, except glass and mirrors. It can work in your lap, on top of a table, cement, marble or wooden floors, even a granite kitchen countertop or a living room carpet. Sounds made for a traveling executive who needs to work practically everywhere from hotel rooms to airport lounges to conference halls or exhibition floors.

The Explorer mouse operates on the Windows Vista, Windows XP or the Macintosh operating system and connects directly to a USB port. Moreover, a built-in 2.4GHz wireless technology allows users to use the mouse up to a distance of 30 feet from a computer or laptop.

Is Microsoft peddling a revolution here or this is just the tech flavor of the month, asked top-rated blog Engadget.

“Research shows that people aren’t sitting at a desk all day, but they’ve gone mobile. PC shipments today are being driven by laptops and consumers need a mouse that can go with them anywhere,” said Katherine Teu, Microsoft Hardware’s regional marketing manager for Southeast Asia.

Microsoft executives said the Explorer mouse will be available in the country hopefully before the holidays and will retail for about P3,350.

Another mouse that is expected to capture the interest of the ladies is the so-called Arc Mouse because it is fashionable and functional, Teu said.

The Arc, available in black and red, folds like a clamshell phone and can be easily thrown in a ladies handbag. When flipped shut, it automatically turns off, saving on battery life.

This collapsible design reduces its size by half for storage and is a great accessory to portable notebooks or netbooks. Like the Explorer mouse, it can also be used up to 30 feet from a computer. The fashionable mouse would retail in the Philippines for P3,340.

A keyboard for gamers

The name is SideWinder. This line was originally launched with cutting-edge joysticks, steering wheels and gamepads in 1995. By naming its newest keyboard made specifically for hardcore gamers SideWinder X6, Microsoft has sort of re-launched its SideWinder line.

What’s interesting about this keyboard? For one, it has a backlight. Tan explained that most gamers prefer to play in dark rooms or with dim light so the backlight comes in handy at play for increased visibility. The keypad also does double duty, with connectors on either side of the keyboard so it can be easily attached on the right or left side. The switchable keypad can be very useful to left-handed gamers or gamers who like to switch positions to enhance play.

This gaming keyboard also has its own volume and cruise control and programmable macros for better maneuverability and would best be partnered with an X5 mouse. Since most people use notebooks nowadays, Tan said the X6 can be attached to either a desktop or notebook. It is expected to sell for P3,390.

These newly unveiled Microsoft Hardware gadgets could easily amuse even the well-equipped computer geeks who are always eager to embrace swanky form factors and cutting-edge technology. Now, is the software company “peddling a revolution” in the hardware space? The consumer is the ultimate judge.