"BlueTrack" Mouse More Advanced Than Laser, Optical 191
ThinSkin writes "Just when you thought laser and optical mice were enjoying their reign on mousepads worldwide, Microsoft has to come along and introduces their 'BlueTrack Technology,' a mouse tracking system that aims to work on virtually any terrain short of mirrored and reflective surfaces. ExtremeTech reviews the Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse, both of which are powered by Microsoft's newest sensor, to see just how well this technology works. Testing on granite, carpet, marble, and other surfaces, the reviewers were impressed with the responsiveness of BlueTrack, but they also noted that laser mice were competitive on these surfaces as well. Even though the mice didn't get a recommendation from the reviewers (price being a major concern), they did admit that this BlueTrack is the best tracking system available today. MaximumPC has some pictures and a brief technical interview."
Yeah (Score:5, Funny)
where is jerry? (Score:2, Funny)
I expected at least a Seinfeld quote somewhere.
A solution without a problem (Score:5, Funny)
This is just another optical type of mouse. What we really need is an ACTUAL mouse that has been genetically modified with a USB cable for a tail that can transmit the information issued to its brain by the aggregate information provided by its belly hair as you push it across any surface. More advanced versions will do the same using mental telepathy to another mouse head that was severed and merged with a USB dongle.
Re:All the buttons in the world (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Didn't you break a rule? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Yeah (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Oh just stick a 2-axis accellerometer inside (Score:5, Funny)
> Attach a bowling ball to your mouse, put it on a frictionless surface,
> and then move it with an elastic band,
I'll get right on that.
Re:Oh just stick a 2-axis accellerometer inside (Score:3, Funny)
That'd be one heavy mouse indeed.
A modest proposal (Score:0, Funny)
It is our honorbound duty as patriotic Americans to buy these innovative mouses. Microsoft is one of our great country's most productive companies. Through the genius and vision of Steve Ballmer, Microsoft has given us the finest quality of software available anywhere, but produced right here at home in America. Now it has outdone itself again, and shown how a vital new technology will transform the way we do business. I can see the entire world clamoring for these amazing American devices.
However, we live in difficult times. We encouraged those who, (as governor Palin would say), come from the less "pro-America" parts of the country, to get uppity and cause our magnificent economy to falter. Instead of spending their money on crack cocaine and fried chicken, these folks thought they could sully our land and soil with their fake mortgages. How disrespectful. We could have forced them to pay for their risks and foreclosed them, which would have saved the our country's greatest institution: its banking system. Then Lehman and AIG could have stood proud and bought Microsoft keyboards and mouses instead of cheap Chinese crap which probably poisons you. Instead the Dems punished the hardworking financial executives for their success by legislating away their compensation. This is a slap in the face of Ronald Reagan and all he stands for. It is surely now of greater import and imperative than ever before that we the people, the real America, stand straight, step up to the plate in our nation's time of need, and buy these BlueTracks.
As a proud Republican and supporter of the finest GOP ticket in decades, I am so hopeful for the future of our country. I was recently gobsmacked when I saw an electronic checkout system in our local WalMart! However, we must keep spending to save our economy. We need corporation tax cuts for Microsoft so they can continure their great work in showcasing the best of American values - then Steve Ballmer might be able to employ great, right-thinking folks like Joe the Plummer. We need to help Joe the Plummer buy a BlueTrack by giving him his choice of medical insurance, thereby saving money and not putting bureaucrats between him and his doctor. We need to stop wasting money on affirmative action and college scholarships so folks in real jobs like Joe the Plummer pay less tax and can benefit from tracking technology too.
We need to work to save the pre-borns so they too can know the joy of these mouses. We need to fight to bring liberty, security, democracy and Microsoft hardware to Iraq. We are one nation, under God, and we see here right here in this article the evidence of his favor of our country! USA! USA! USA!
Vote McCain/Palin 2008!
Re:How about a trackball? (Score:2, Funny)
but what self-respecting artist uses a mouse as their main drawing interface?
Disney?
No thanks, waiting for something better (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Oh just stick a 2-axis accellerometer inside (Score:5, Funny)
Re:How about a trackball? (Score:3, Funny)
Self-what?
Re:Oh just stick a 2-axis accellerometer inside (Score:3, Funny)
It's called "Butter" and it's available at any grocery store!
I want one that works on mirrors--here's how (Score:5, Funny)
This continual failure of mouse makers to address mousing on mirrors annoys me. Hey, mouse makers, here's how you can address this.
Originally, your mice were based on a rolling ball. The mouse felt the ball rolling, and figured out the movement. In human sense terms, your mice were based on touch.
The current mice are based on sight. They look at the surface under the mouse and see the relative movement.
The sense you should be looking at is smell.
In the center of the bottom of the mouse, there should be an emitter that leaves a chemical trail on the mousing surface. The rest of the bottom of the mouse should be covered with odor sensors that can sense when they are near the chemical. By laying a pattern of odors, and sensing them as they move under the mouse's "noses", the mouse can determine position.
Think ants and the chemical trails they leave to find their way around.
Not only would this address the mirror problem, you could also use this technology to address a serious workplace health issue. You could make it so the tracking chemical has antibacterial properties. This would help keep shared computers sanitary during cold season, reducing sick days and boosting overall productivity.
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re:A modest proposal (Score:3, Funny)
In 2011 we will see the "Ultra-Trak Quattro" - five ultraviolet lasers, three gyroscopes, a GPS, and a spring-loaded lubricating strip.
Re:How about a trackball? (Score:1, Funny)
Re:How about a trackball? (Score:1, Funny)
Oh no, not a mouse, I use a trackpad!
1 whiff of ball sweat... (Score:3, Funny)
and it opens up your favorite porn web site.