New Logitech Dark Field Mice Operate On Glass 225
Slatterz writes "Logitech has introduced new mice that use two lasers rather than one to work on a variety of previously unusable surfaces. The first laser picks out imperfections in the surface of a tabletop while the second laser focuses on microscopic imperfections highlighted and uses those to direct the cursor. The technique, dubbed dark field microscopy, allows mice to be used on almost any surface, including glass (as long as it is more than 4mm thick)."
Something something something dark side! (Score:5, Funny)
This tech sounds awesome in an evil way. Or evil in an awesome way, I guess.
don't be so picky! (Score:5, Funny)
Anybody doing retail sales has surely encountered couples like this. I'll bet the second laser demands a discount for the imperfections that the first laser found.
Heard in Microsoft HQ... (Score:5, Funny)
Field Mice (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Umm... (Score:5, Funny)
Mice that work on any surface have existed for years. They use an amazing technology called a "ball."
Re:Umm... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:More than 4mm thick (Score:5, Funny)
So you're saying this mouse doesn't work on windows?
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:5, Funny)
Precision technology (Score:5, Funny)
I'm so glad we figured this out.
It was unacceptable that we weren't able to use mice on glass.
My productivity will increase dramatically.
Re:Umm... (Score:5, Funny)
Obligatory... (Score:2, Funny)
I, for one, welcome our new dark field mice overlords!
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:5, Funny)
It can also detect the spirochetes that cause syphillis, Treponema palladium.
Yes, but maybe you should just see the doctor instead of waiting for the mouse to come to market.
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:4, Funny)
also, it doesn't have shit to do with using "two lasers", the story writer at PC Authority is just retarded. In addition, if I might editorialize, is this really necessary? How hard is it to just grab a piece of paper or something and use that, or, GASP, use a mousepad! What's Logitech going to come out with next, a raman scattering microscopy, mid-infrared quantum cascade utilizing wireless mouse, for those times when you simply must do your mousing on an atomically pure, sub-angstrom microroughness telescope mirror in a class 1 cleanroom? cmon now.
Trackball (Score:5, Funny)
Use a trackball: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Trackball [wikimedia.org]
Specifically, I use this Logitech trackball: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Logitech-trackball.jpg [wikimedia.org]
After using that, using a mouse feels like my response time and accuracy is that of the old-style slow and stupid zombies.
Re:Umm... (Score:4, Funny)
Never got mine to work on top of a pizza... Might've been the cheese?
Re:More than 4mm thick (Score:4, Funny)
No it should work fine, most window(s) installations are usually pretty dirty.
dammit (Score:2, Funny)
I _knew_ I shouldn't have gotten that desk made out of 3mm glass.
Re:Precision technology (Score:4, Funny)
We are delighted to hear of your most recent mouse developments. For too long has there been a line of segregation between those who work inside the office, and those that work outside. Before down, we only understood the concept of Internet time-wasting (an oft mentioned topic on Slashdot) in theory. Finally, we will get to surf porn at work and play flash games, with the same freedoms are everyone.
Many Thanks,
The Window Cleaners Union
Fuck Everything, We're Doing Five Lasers! (Score:5, Funny)
The first laser picks out imperfections in the surface of a tabletop while the second laser...
Sound familiar? This sounds to me like it could be the start of a Gillette vs Schick style pissing contest, the absurd current state of which was foretold by The Onion. [theonion.com]
Let me go on record as predicting Microsoft will bring out a 3-laser mouse within 12 months. With an ergonomic grip and lubricating strips on each end.
For desktop use, what's the point? (Score:5, Funny)
For all the things they've been able to get mice to track on, it still sucks to move a mouse on anything other than an engineered mousing surface. This new sensor may be a good feature for notebook mice that will be used on who-knows-what, but buying a premium gaming mouse for it's ability to track on crappy surfaces makes about as much sense as buying a Formula One car for its off-road handling.
And if anyone says "but it's better!": Today's well-made mice track fantastically well on a proper surface. They're already, for practical purposes, perfect. Yes, admittedly, there are people whose Logitech or Microsoft mice track poorly. But those people fall into two groups: (a) those who aren't using a pad at all, and (b) those who are using a horrible made-when-men-were-men-and-mice-had-balls pad they had lying around. Logitech and Microsoft would be better off just throwing in a proper mouse pad—and there are some excellent, relatively cheap cloth pads—than endlessly making slightly better sensors just so that people's cursors jump a bit less while they're scraping their mice back and forth on horrible surfaces.
(And if Microsoft and Logitech had half as much innovation in materials as they do in optics, their mice would move like air hockey pucks by now.)
Er, so are you telling me (Score:3, Funny)
My mouse will work with Windows?
Finally!
Re:how's this compare to BlueTrack? (Score:2, Funny)
Periodically I find it useful to have something that works even on dirty windows.
See now I'm just confused. Is there a clean version of Windows that I wasn't aware of?
Re:For desktop use, what's the point? (Score:4, Funny)
Is that patented?..........A bit noisy but....
Re:Umm... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Fuck Everything, We're Doing Five Lasers! (Score:3, Funny)
You would think so, but he is REALLY into his computer!
Re:Umm... (Score:5, Funny)
It's a good thing they invented the lesbian mouse, then - no balls and it loves carpet.
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:2, Funny)
also, it doesn't have shit to do with using "two lasers"
Thank Jebus! I thought sharks with lasers were bad enough, but now mice? Anyone else see a problem here?
Re:But Five blades really is better. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:3, Funny)
I'm sure no matter how many lasers they're using Gillette will come out with one that has one laser more...
/Mikael
my 25 year old mouse works on glass (Score:1, Funny)
Your mouse has no balls.
It takes balls to mouse on glass.
Re:Dark Field Microscopy... (Score:3, Funny)
It's just the stupid blogs and reviews that have to go rub it on every glass surface they can find
Wait.... we're still talking about mice here, right?