Microsoft reinvents the mouse

(courtesy of Microsoft)

Microsoft's newest mouse, the Arc Touch Mouse, is a flexible touch sensitive peripheral that changes its shape according to need.

Apple has indicated it is moving towards a mouse-free future, embracing touchscreen devices like the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and introducing peripherals such as the Magic Trackpad.

Microsoft, on the other hand, firmly believes the mouse is the ultimate input tool for computers.

"This is not the first time that the mouse has been threatened - look at 10 years ago when people started buying laptops that had integrated pointers and touch pads. Still, the mouse category continued to grow and grow," said Brett Ostrum, general manager for the Hardware Group at Microsoft on September 1.

"The reasons people need external mice will not change: comfort and precision. The Arc Touch Mouse just demonstrates again how committed Microsoft is to continuing to bring great new mice to consumers."

The company has given the the 30-year-old pointing device a makeover to bring it into the 21st century.

The Arc Touch Mouse is thin (15mm at its widest point) and flexible, making it idea for on-the-go consumers who need to conserve space in their bags.

It has a "touch strip" that facilitates slow and fast scrolling with the touch of your finger, BlueTrack Technology so you can use the mouse on almost any surface, and it will last for up to six months on two AAA batteries.

Reviews of the device can be found here: http://blogs.computerworld.com/16873/microsofts_arc_touch_mouse_review_roundup?source=rss_blogs

The Arc Touch is priced at $69.95 and will be available in early December.