Microsoft Wireless Arc Mouse folds up, makes you look cool

Microsoft has had its share hits and misses as far as product design goes, but this Arc Mouse due this winter looks to be a slick little input device. Wireless and collapsible, the Arc Mouse promises to combine both portability and style for those of you on the "fashion edge" (their words, not ours). Hyperboles aside, this $59.95 optical jobby seems to be the real thing, and comes in both red and black. Look for it for the holiday season littering holiday gift guides.

[Oliver @ Jul 12th 2008 8:04AM]

wow... this is actually really nice. why didn't i think of this?

[Kurian @ Jul 12th 2008 9:37AM]

"Set your phasers to kill"!

[OneLove @ Jul 12th 2008 2:56PM]

my point exactly.

[nelsongomes @ Jul 12th 2008 8:10AM]

I Still prefer my logtech VX Revolution... but is cool.

[Chris @ Jul 12th 2008 8:22AM]

Looks like those rolling droids from Episode I.

[mk @ Jul 12th 2008 8:46AM]

ok, big ass mouse that folds into something that looks like a standard size mouse... Groundbreaking!

[Macro @ Jul 12th 2008 12:07PM]

No regular ass mouse that folds into something that fits in your ... pocket

[jhoeforth @ Jul 12th 2008 8:49AM]

Very, very nice. I wonder how it feels on the grip though..

[dugbug @ Jul 12th 2008 8:52AM]

Nice! If it is bluetooth wireless, the folding-portability will make an excellent addition for my laptop :)

[Chip @ Jul 12th 2008 10:18AM]

Unfortunately, it looks like it's NOT Bluetooth. The full article speaks of micro wireless transceiver. Why Microsoft WHY!?
Bluetooth:
- Doesn't use up a USB port if you already have Bluetooth
- Works with existing wireless.
- Is a standard useful for more than just connecting to a mouse

[thethirdmoose @ Jul 12th 2008 12:46PM]

-costs several times as much as a normal wireless mouse

[Compulim @ Jul 12th 2008 4:04PM]

And most notebook wireless mice are not Bluetooth-enabled too, even Logitech. A mystery!

If the micro-receiver is as micro as those new Bluetooth dongles, I think it's fine to keep it there.

[Metkis @ Jul 12th 2008 9:06AM]

You're right, this one doesn't come with a stick to shove far up your... patootie.

[Kelmon @ Jul 12th 2008 9:07AM]

OK - I don't "get" this. It looks uncomfortable and less than practical. Why would I choose this over a portable mouse like the Logitech VX Revolution? Is this simply for people that need a much bigger mouse?

[TheKillerDynamo @ Jul 12th 2008 10:10AM]

I think it's just a standard size mouse that folds to the size of a laptop mouse for travel. It isn't aimed at desktop users I would assume. I use a laptop mouse with my laptop, but when I'm at home it would be nice to have something that actually fit my hand, but something bigger takes up a lot more space in my laptop bag, this could actually be nice to have.

[Christian Martin @ Jul 12th 2008 11:52AM]

Full-size mice are just plain going to be more comfortable.

The empty space underneath may be throwing you off. Personally speaking, I can't find a more comfortable mouse than the Logitech MX1000 I've been using for the last 2+ years. For grins, I held it up to the screen and looked at its profile side-by-side with the Arc Mouse's pic - 98% the same contour.

[engatdget.com @ Jul 12th 2008 9:09AM]

Presumably the battery life will be about 10 minutes?

[TheKillerDynamo @ Jul 12th 2008 12:29PM]

Well, from using older and newer Microsoft wireless mice, both desktop and laptop size, I imagine it will have quite a few months worth on each battery, just like the rest.

[Raheem @ Jul 12th 2008 9:14AM]

Erm... how does it work?

[qbelek @ Jul 12th 2008 9:22AM]

Is it just me or does it look like a Star Trek TNG phaser

[gad get @ Jul 13th 2008 3:31AM]

It's not just you.

[Wwhat @ Jul 13th 2008 9:49AM]

Will the set decorators sue? Only time can tell

[wlp @ Jul 12th 2008 9:45AM]

miss.

[Tim @ Jul 12th 2008 9:58AM]

I still like the rocketfish twister mouse more (and the twister only costs 8 bucks!) but whatever floats your boat.....or moves your cursor around i guess...

[Osiris @ Jul 12th 2008 10:06AM]

Look cool and fairly functional, Microsoft to seem to be able to produce some of the best peripherals around.

Is it really that valuable for a mouse to be able to shrink 1/3 its size?

I'm thinking the lack of a flat surface is gonna make use on uneven surfaces (i.e. your thigh, the chair next to you) difficult to ue smoothly..

[gad get @ Jul 13th 2008 3:32AM]

You sound a bit schizophrenic.

[Mile @ Jul 12th 2008 10:08AM]

Finally! Ima be COOL!

[Luke. @ Jul 12th 2008 10:14AM]

I presume you mean the one where the scroll ball gets clogged with dirt after a few weeks and stops working. Correct?

[Haikibutsu @ Jul 12th 2008 2:33PM]

The Mighty Mouse? I have it. Its not as bad as people (Mac users and mac haters alike) say, but every once in a while I have to roll it upside down hard on a sheet of paper.

[Luke. @ Jul 12th 2008 2:40PM]

@ Haikibutsu

Yeah I do, it was meant to be a reply to Ocean.

I'm getting the redesigned MacBook Pro when it's out, and I can just see me getting the Mighty Mouse just for the squeeze function. LULZ.

[Gregory Pius @ Jul 12th 2008 10:14AM]

I still prefer this mouse, if ultra-portable is what you're looking for. This one takes up ZERO room in your already-overcrowded bag:

http://www.newtonperipherals.com/mogo_mouseBT.html

[rtdunham @ Jul 12th 2008 11:24AM]

cool! oh, wait: my macbook doesn't have a pc card slot. damn limited functionality.
(just ragging on limited connectivity. in truth, i'm seldom using the MB on the road with apps where i need a mouse)

[Harry Wagstaff @ Jul 12th 2008 11:42AM]

That is both crazy and awesome in equal measures.

[z0phi3l @ Jul 12th 2008 10:19AM]

Looks painful to hold for any amount of time

[Skyride @ Jul 12th 2008 10:26AM]

Hmm.... I quite like this. Depends what it actually costs when it comes out.

Looked at the mogo but my laptop has a mini-express slot.

[Skyride @ Jul 12th 2008 10:31AM]

Any idea if it will be bluetooth?

[Michael Mapstead @ Jul 12th 2008 10:38AM]

Well sure it looks cool. But, I haven't used a mouse since my first laptop. And why do desktops need portability? I know...I'm missing something. Or maybe they are.

[Michael Mapstead @ Jul 12th 2008 10:40AM]

Ah, the bluetooth generation. I knew I might have been missing something. Would it really help things?

[Matt @ Jul 12th 2008 11:10AM]

1. It's for laptops, not desktops.
2. Bluetooth doesn't require a USB receiver sticking out of your laptop.

[lance @ Jul 12th 2008 11:18AM]

ooooohhh maaaannnn! SOOoOOOOooO close to a hit!
FAIL!
No bluetooth, no way.
Nice style though. Pricey also.

[Justin B @ Jul 12th 2008 1:34PM]

Stop saying "fail". You look like a douchebag.

[gad get @ Jul 13th 2008 3:35AM]

"ooooohhh maaaannnn! SOOoOOOOooO close to a hit!"

No, THAT makes him look like a douchebag.

[Josh @ Jul 12th 2008 11:21AM]

Am I the only one who thinks this thing would snap after one day of use?

[maty @ Jul 12th 2008 12:38PM]

Yes.

Everyone else knows that, (Xbox 360 aside), Microsoft products are built to last. They have a reputation for high-quality PC peripherals for a reason, and I don't doubt them on this product either.

[james @ Jul 12th 2008 11:52AM]

I like everything but the color. Still skeptical though cause it could end up feelin like crap in ma hand.

[Macro @ Jul 12th 2008 12:07PM]

I've also seen pictures in black

[eddy @ Jul 12th 2008 12:09PM]

Very interesting concept. Probably not something I'd use, but interesting nonetheless. I'm guessing that it uses one of those flat button batteries. Also, it doesn't really look that large to me (no larger than a standard laptop mouse).

[Mark @ Jul 12th 2008 1:34PM]

Hmm... Looks cool, but I think I'll stick with my Logitech G5 for my desktop and VX Revolution for my laptop.

[Maverick Saturn @ Jul 12th 2008 2:16PM]

Looks silly to say the least :S Looks a bit like a lazer blaster.

[chris fredette @ Jul 12th 2008 2:44PM]

All laptop mice should be Bluetooth, period.
This design is pretty awesome otherwise. Very "out of the box"
The optical engine is at the tip of the mouse instead of the middle.
At first I thought it was a gyration type mouse.