Microsoft Research Shows Off Multi-Touch Mouse Prototypes

Engadget has snagged some of the details behind a bunch of multi-touch mouse prototypes from Microsoft Research. The prototypes range from the wacky to the extreme, but at least they are thinking outside the mouse trap. "Each one uses a different touch detection method, and at first glance all five seem to fly in the face of regular ergonomics. The craziest two are probably "Arty," which has two articulated arms to cradle your thumb and index finger, with each pad housing its own optical sensor for mission-critical pinching gestures, and "Side Mouse" which is button free and actually detects finger touches in the table immediately in front of the palm rest. Of course, there's plenty of crazy in the FTIR, Orb Mouse and Cap Mouse (pictured), which rely on an internal camera, orb-housed IR camera and capacitive detection, respectively. Of course, there's no word on when these might actually see the light of day"

Making up?

[iamapizza]

Is this to make up for those Microsoft SongSmith adverts?

Orb was the closest

[DaveSlash]

I liked the Orb, because it was the closest to both the Trackball Explorer and a boob.

Re:Orb was the closest

[iron-kurton]

I think there's something to be said for arty, too. I will be using both of those devices at my Windows 7 launch party.

Re:Open source game?

[mgblst]

Oh, I am sure that everybody at Microsoft has access to all the code they have ever produced, including every single game produced by completely different companies (at the time).

They probably have an open share drive, with every piece of code ever made, from gorilla.bas to Windows 8.

You know, because they are morons.