Microsoft prepping Magic Mouse-like Arc Touch Mouse?
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 2nd 2010 2:29PM
posted July 2nd 2010 2:29PM
Microsoft isn't saying anything about this one just yet, but there's a growing amount of evidence that the company is set to take on Apple's Magic Mouse with its own Arc Touch Mouse. As istartedsomething reports, that includes a product listing for an "Arc Touch Mouse" at several European retailers (with a $70 price tag), an arctouchmouse.com domain registered to Microsoft in late March, and some Microsoft Research projects that show that the company has indeed been working on multitouch mice since at least late last year (one of those prototypes is pictured above). Just one big coincidence? Probably not, but we'll have to wait to hear from Microsoft to know for sure.
@Darkroom
2 weeks!? I get 3 months at least, how long are you on your computer?
@HighestRanked2
"Apple"
Well that's just too easy, but I will let someone else take the bate...
@HighestRanked2
Yes, because we all know that iPhone was the first to have video calling. And the first to have copy and paste. And video recording.
These days true innovation is a very rare thing. Generally we get by on taking an existing design, emulating the best bits, and improving on it. Apple gets ideas from Microsoft who gets ideas from Apple. Why not? It's the largely the way progress is made these days.
@HighestRanked2
"'What isn't a photocopy machine these days...'
Apple."
Best laugh i've had all day.
@HighestRanked2
Microsoft demos multi-touch mouse on Oct 5, 2009: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/05/microsoft-research-shows-off-multitouch-mouse-prototypes/
Apple demos magic mouse on October 20, 2009:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/apples-magic-mouse-multitouch-gestures-bluetooth-four-month/
We know, you MS haters don't like facts, dates, etc.
If it has the word Apple on it, Microsoft is planning to release one. Some things never change.
@A Yam Whuddayam
No kidding! What's next...Microsoft comes out with a pretty phone that can't be used as a phone?!
Oh...wait...
@Mike
What phones looked like the iPhone does before the iPhone existed?
What phones look like the iPhone now, with minimal buttons & nothing but touchscreens?
Just asking...
This makes me happy, I love the magic mouse, but hate the fact that they won't come out with decent drivers for windows (their loss IMO). Sometimes, I just need to middle click...
@Joao Cagao
What cars looked like the Model T before the Model T?
How many cars look like the Model T now, with wheels and steering wheels and headlights?
Just asking.
Replace "Model T" with any slightly innovative product and "wheels and steering wheels and headlights" with any features of said object. Rinse. Repeat.
@Joao Cagao
how about this one?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LG_Prada
Why does it seem like lately, Microsoft is doing everything wrong?
@Joao Cagao
how about this one
http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2007/08/15/is_this_the_windows_mobile_iphone/htc_touch.jpg
minimal coming from this
http://visl.technion.ac.il/projects/2004w20/iPAQ.jpg
and this
http://www.lotuscarlton.co.uk/CIMG4388.JPG
I hope not, the Magic Mouse is an abortion of usability and ergonomics.
I'm quite happy with my Microsoft Comfortmouse 4500, thank you very much.
@HighestRanked2 Yeah, but Microsoft mice actually work! Apple mice are a real POS.
.NET is a shameless Java Technology copy.
I'm using an Arc now and I love it!
@HighestRanked2
Its just payback for copying the original two-button mouse...
Ergonomic suicide.
Noooooooo! They be takin' my buttons!
@nickcraze
OK anyone who doesn't think that the iPhone had a significant and profound effect on the direction smart phones went as far as form, function, and design is in SERIOUS denial.
Every R&D lab and design team has the iPhone as it's inspiration and benchmark. Companies follow what has proven tom work and sells. Denying the iPhone's influence only happens on the Internet on blogs like these where anyone can post useless dribble at the click of a mouse.
@HighestRanked2
So Microsoft shows something off, then a few weeks later Apple releases a working version. Neither company knew about the other's work, and a year later MS will release their prototype in working format, and MS is copying Apple.
Many, many companies release phones which contain multitasking, front facing cameras, folders, background images, high res cameras, 3G, video chat, MMS, app stores, SDKs, gaming, "Achievements", and on, and on, and on, and on. Apple knew about these features years in advance, and years later Apple releases their prototype in working format, over a span of 3 years, and everybody is copying the "innovative" Apple.
That's OK, we don't expect you to use any logic - you are an Apple fanboy.
Apple > Microsoft in everything.
@jckchn
Sure, if your 'everything' is limited to music players and phones.
@Fess I would cross-out phones from that list too. Don't you know most apple phones can't actually place a call?
@Fess
and OS
@HighestRanked2 : Yet very few choose to buy one.
@nickcraze
Did you notice that the LG Prada page you linked to quotes PC Magazine as saying "It looks like Apple's upcoming iPhone and has a lot of the same features, but it'll appeal primarily to the very well-heeled—which is just the way Prada wants it. It doesn't match up to the iPhone's expected PC-syncing capabilities, but it's still an elegant, unusual, and powerful handheld." Also, while other touch screen devices had been out for years prior to the iPhone, none of them offered the range of features or the iconic look that so many of today's phones share with the original iPhone.
But..... why?
I love my arc mouse :) except you cant use it on glass :/
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/LarryLarsen/A-Look-Behind-Mouse-20/
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/LarryLarsen/A-Look-Behind-Mouse-20-ver-20/
@Darkroom I work on a computer for 10 hours a day at least and magic mouse lasts me about 2-3 months. I never turn it off too. Every tried good batteries, instead of the pack for $1 ones? Energizers worked for me (regular ones, not the fancy ones)
Please, MS, nooooooo!
the website http://arctouchmouse.com/ goes to a bing search for arctouchmouse http://www.bing.com/search?q=arctouchmouse&form=MSSRPD
@YourHoldingItWrong I think he was implying the look and feel of the iPhone and I agree since the iPhone all smartphones are looking a lot better I can't see why every body argues so much he like apple you don't who gives a flying fuck grow up you sound as bad as ps3 bs xbox morons .....sorry but I'm just saying
I put arctouchmouse.com into my chrome address bar and was redirected to bing search results every result having to do with microsoft. this is something MS is doing because my search engine is google, so why was I redirected to bing? :)
Microsoft has been working on touch sensitive mice for years. This is just one of their prototypes.
This looks like as much an ergonomic disaster as the magic mouse.
When will these companies learn that bio-interface equipment needs to be molded around the human form, not trying to twist people's body's to try to meet some aesthetic styling point.
Logitech's latest darkfield laser mouse w/ its ueber-scroll wheel, ergonomic design, and unifying nano-receiver is still the best mouse I've seen. Not sure why it didn't get any press on Engadget.
I'm actually happy for once that Microsoft is following a trend of Apple's - this touch mouse idea has really helped me out - an as long as Microsoft enables momentum physics - it could really help computing as a whole rather than just the design niche market.
If I understand the design picture right, it looks like it's using the Kinect approach.. Z-depth filming ones fingers or something similar to it. Smart. Looks really bad and un-ergonomic, but other than that - thumbs up for me for the effort.
looks like some clear plastic thrown over a mini kinect.
I've always wondered the same thing. What's wrong with diversity in invention. Isn't that why we have multiple OSs and such? I can't imagine where we'd all be today if, as Apple would have it, we could only buy hardware and software from them. At their price and under their brand approval. MS products may not be perfect but at least the work on the systems of OUR choice.
Just MY humble opinion.
@rjharlan
i couldnt agree more. i love my mac but id be afraid of what apple would do if they were the only company out there. competition is good for everyone, that's the foundation of capitalism.
They will sell it in the Microsoft store. Those are still around, right?
The Arc mouse was a great concept but poorly executed. The scroll wheel sucks and I find the optical sensor way too sensitive to dust and debris (which are common in the "travel" type setting the arc is so well-suited for).
Does this have any validity?
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=enter&thispage=0110045005010_BDG0029P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!