Microsoft teases something 'flat' and 'touchy'
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 3rd 2010 2:19PM
posted August 3rd 2010 2:19PM
Microsoft Hardware was a bit of a late-comer to Twitter, but it sure is making up for lost time -- it's just posted a pair of intriguing tweets teasing as yet unannounced product. The first is simply the phrase "Don't be so touchy...flat is where it's at," while the second is the tiny image you see above. What is it? A trackpad would certainly fit the description, and you can sort of see what could be the side of one if you flip that image around -- although that's still just speculation at the moment. Considering it's coming from the Microsoft Hardware division, however, it seems likely that it's a peripheral of some sort and not something like a tablet PC. Feel free to leave your best guess in the comments below.
Update: As commenter edoles has pointed out, there's also a second image in Microsoft Hardware's Twitpic account, which was actually added six days ago. Check it out after the break, along with a composite of the two images pieced together courtesy of ChrissSk.
Update: As commenter edoles has pointed out, there's also a second image in Microsoft Hardware's Twitpic account, which was actually added six days ago. Check it out after the break, along with a composite of the two images pieced together courtesy of ChrissSk.
Microsoft case for the iPhone!
@DrNDGo
Shoot sorry. I'm dumb.
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx242/ThannieGood/WindowsPhone.jpg?t=1280879906
I'm betting its the Microsoft arc touch mouse.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/07/microsoft-multitouch-mouse-prototypes-in-action-video/
don't you all think that it looks to be a bit "thick" and long to be a touchpad? Also; aren't they the people who keep pushing touch AND pen input? I vote Zune.
iHome style dock for the KIN...
it's a touch screen phone.
makes perfect sense with the very quick stoppage of the kin a few weeks ago.
It's a mouse that is a phone.
It doesn't even MATTER.
@angelusp its windows phone 7....its obviously a phone.
`OMG. Its really really obvious that it's a phone. Does that look like a mouse to you?
@jamesyboy Totes
Is it too much to hope they're releasing a refreshed Windows Media Centre remote for Windows 7? The last one was styled for Windows XP MCE 2005 and it was superb - one of the best remotes I've ever used for doing just what it 'says on the tin' and doing it brilliantly.
this is dell ligtning wp7 ..backside..
Is it sexy black packaging for the new 'Developers' stick antiperspirant by Steve Ballmer...
that looks too fat to be a track pad...i say Zune HD2
Dammit Engadget!!!! How hard is it to make the headline a link to the front fucking page?!?! I'm on page whatever with no easy way to get back to the first page.
@dave95
Better than
"Oh whats this? We didnt authorize this! Lets bring some firepower to prove it!"
@tricheboars God I hope not... Like Microsoft is capable if making such insane game titles like: leaning side to side.
Most likely a multi-touch mouse; second guess reference design WP7
@browserspot I predict a sausage container so when you need to go somewhere but need your sausage to stay hot, you use this
cool its a phone no doute, maybe my next one :D
It's that alien tablet thingy from the Space Odyssey series.
@(Unverified)
I see stars.....
I will LAUGH it is a new kin
@Brt312 Maybe its a Winmo 7 phone
looks like a fat phone to me
Trackpad
didn't they recently say something about doing a touch mouse like Apple's magic mouse? I bet that's what this is.
Maybe a trackpad-like device that doesn't use physical touch?
W7 PHONE!
If Microsoft is teasing my ex-girlfriend (who was both flat and touchy) then they should stop immediately.
Because I am not kidding about the touchy part and that chick was 31 flavors of crazy at the end of the day.
it's calculator. like my old casio. 'flat', 'touchy' and 'mobil'. it's magical!
it could be a mouse because of a shape - why is everyone saying it is a WP7 tablet?? It hasnt even got a screen and doesnt even look like a tablet!!?
@FuturismRave
Because it could be upside down, and you could actually be seeing only the backside of it.
Not that i think it it's a phone or a small tablet ( i don't think so) but still the picture doesn't rule that out entirely.
@Rick James
It's black, clean, hard and not_so_touchy. It probably understands gestures. - swipe, pinch, circle. After all, if you are stuck with a microsoft, you might as well go for one.
I know what it is, its a phone with a touch screen on the back of it!
@Nintendo Tim
Microsoft never brands the Zune with "Microsoft".
Look at the Zune HD - there's no where that says it's from Microsoft. (except for the Hi from Seattle part, but that means it could be from Boeing).
So no, it's not a Zune HD 2.
looks like a toaster... no, wait: a mouse... no, a surf board... or maybe a 28,8 modem ? in fact i really don't care...
SWEET! A black piece of plastic! WOOOHOOO!
This really doesnt tell us much but I would bet it is a tablet with a modded version of windows phone 7
looks like the back of a smart phone, A rubberized back and the battery cover slides off at the bottom where its shiny.
Flat and touchy? Are you saying Microsoft is trying to sell us Korean Hookers now?
I need this now.
Pretty sure it is not a Zune HD generation 2 because it has the word Microsoft on the back (I think it's the back at least) and no Zune has had the word Microsoft on it. Also it looks like a charging port on the side, you can only see a small portion of it though. I think it is a phone for Windows Phone 7 Series.
Am I just stupid? I don't understand where "after the break" is on Engadget. Where are the links to the composite image and such?
@Saad Who the hell would use wifi as the wireless protocol for a mouse?
If you're right it'll be bluetooth.
Don't get your hopes up. It's a mouse + optical trackpad combo
@sakz Uh...the Microsoft logo is at the top? If it is - it's upside down....
It's at the bottom, bud.