also @ TechSpot: Google quietly adds conversational search to Chrome 27

› ›

Microsoft readying a multi-touch Arc mouse?

By

On July 2, 2010, 3:30 PM

A new product listing for what is being called the "Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse" has prompted speculation that the software giant may be whipping up a rival to Apple's Magic Mouse. The device is listed with the product code RVF-00003 and has an MSRP of around $70 (the same as Apple's device), according to Long Zheng of istartedsomething. Zheng also notes that Microsoft registered the domain "arctouchmouse.com" in March, which is currently redirecting to Bing – a common practice for the company's placeholder sites.


You may recall a project from late 2009 that Microsoft was calling Mouse 2.0. As part of that research, the company was working on designs for a prototype multitouch mouse – one of which is pictured above. That specific unit featured a curved design similar to the existing Arc models, and it used FTIR to track multiple contact points. There's no telling if this is what's coming to market, but any new multitouch peripheral from Microsoft could bring some attention to development for native Windows touch applications, and we can't complain about that.

No tags on this story

6 comments

User Comments: 6

Got something to say? Post a comment
  1. July 2, 2010 4:53 PM
    TorturedChaos, TechSpot Chancellor, said:

    So its a multi-touch touch pad?

    Reply
  2. July 2, 2010 5:21 PM
    Guest said:

    Eh? I like the fact that on normal mice you actually get some tactile feedback as well as the click, comfort, etc...this thing seems to defy all of those aspects.

    Reply
  3. July 2, 2010 6:48 PM
    superty12
    superty12 said:

    Finally

    So Microsoft has finally stepped into this game. I was wondering when they would, as I express here. http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic138204.html

    Who will win this technological competion war, Microsoft or Apple?!

    Reply
  4. July 3, 2010 1:32 AM
    blackcat77 said:

    Looks uncomfortable. I haven't found a really good mouse since the days of the MS Trackball Explorer. My Logitech mouse comes close but using it is inconvenient on my way-too-small slide out tray.

    Reply
  5. July 3, 2010 1:36 AM
    Archean
    Archean, TechSpot Paladin, said:

    Hmm like its really 'laborious and uncomfortable' having to press buttons on a mice.

    Reply
  6. July 3, 2010 4:41 PM
    tengeta
    tengeta said:

    Won't take me from my trackball. My keyboard does 99% of what these "innovative" touch devices do, people are just centered around the pointing device too much these days.

    Reply

Recently commented stories

Post a new comment

Social Login & Guest Posting TechSpot Members
Login here or sign up for free,
it takes about a minute.
Get complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.
TechSpot on:

Most Popular

Trending Featured
More Trending Topics

Featured on Keyboards

Downloads and Drivers

Downloads   Drivers  

1by1 1.79

MKVToolNix 6.2.0

WinDirStat 1.1.2

SketchUp 13.0.3689

MessageMe for Android 1.0.11

More Downloads

Latest Discussion

Where should & can I upgrade? 9 replies on Other Hardware

Need help with upgrading 10 replies on Processors and Motherboards

Modems - Routers 7 replies on Storage and Networking

Keep getting Windows not valid popup 27 replies on Windows OS

IPod Home Button Problems 12 replies on Other Hardware

More Recent Discussion

Subscribe to TechSpot

Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.