Microsoft Corp. today showcased in Thailand exciting new products to make your computing experience more mobile, more exciting and more fashionable.
Say Hello to BlueTrack
It’s great to feel blue. Microsoft Hardware has introduced the world’s most advanced tracking technology, Microsoft BlueTrack Technology, which allows consumers to take their mice anywhere and work with confidence on more surfaces than before.
Microsoft’s new proprietary tracking technology combines the width and power of optical technology with the precision of laser tracking to allow consumers to mouse on virtually any surface (except glass and mirrors) — from a granite kitchen countertop to the living room carpet.
Microsoft Hardware has consistently raised the bar in mouse tracking technology throughout its 26-year history, including the launch of the world’s first optical mouse in 1999. In 2005, Microsoft introduced High Definition Laser Technology, which allowed mice to work on many surfaces that optical technology did not. But now Microsoft’s in-house engineers have taken mouse tracking to the next level.
“Research shows that people aren’t sitting at a desk all day, but they’ve gone mobile. PC shipments today are being driven by laptops and consumers need a mouse that can go with them anywhere,” said Katherine Teu, regional marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware in South-east Asia.
“BlueTrack Technology excels in areas where optical and laser technologies were falling short. Laser mice, for example, have a difficult time working on some common home surfaces, including granite and marble,” Katherine added.
Microsoft’s BlueTrack Technology works on more surfaces than both optical and laser mice because it uses a much larger blue beam which captures a high-contrast picture of the mousing surface.
To see a video on the making of BlueTrack Technology and meet the inventors, consumers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/bluetrack.
Explorer Mini Mouse
BlueTrack Technology will debut in Thailand with a high-end notebook mouse - the Explorer Mini Mouse.
This mouse brings together revolutionary tracking technology with a sophisticated design that brings the mice to life. A chrome trim and blue lighting around the bottom rim of the mouse create a soft glow and set the device apart from anything else on the market.
A right-handed, ergonomist-approved design offers hours of comfortable use, and 2.4GHz wireless technology delivers a reliable connection up to 30 feet away.
The snap-in mini-transceiver offers easy storage and mobility, allowing consumers to take their mouse with them wherever they need it.
The Triumph of the Arc Mouse
Microsoft Corp. today raised the style stakes with the unveiling of a revolutionary crescent-moon-shaped mouse designed to be just as fashionable as it is functional — the Arc Mouse. With its unique foldable design, Arc reduces by almost half for portability when it is snapped shut, but provides complete comfort when opened to its full size.
The Arc Mouse’s elegant, foldable shape allows it to easily slip into any bag while on the go, and expand to a comfortable full size while in use. Its micro transceiver quickly snaps into the bottom of the mouse using a magnet, and is so small it sticks out less than 1 centimeter while plugged in — there is no need to remove it from a laptop while traveling.
The Arc Mouse features high-end details in every aspect of its design — its strong metal hinge can be opened and closed with confidence, and testing shows that its sturdy shape can hold more than 25 pounds. With the following performance features, Arc Mouse is top in its class:
? Battery life indicator shows two colors: green when the batteries have sufficient power and red when the batteries are running low.
? 2.4GHz wireless technology gives consumers a confident wireless connection and a range of up to 30 feet, even in crowded wireless environments.
? Carrying case is included and uses a magnetic flap to easily snap shut and protect the mouse while on the go.
? High-performance laser tracking offers smooth tracking and excellent responsiveness and precision.
? Two great colours to go with any wardrobe – black or red
The Keyboard That Lets You Choose Your Sides
Meet the Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard — the most versatile gaming keyboard on the market with the first-ever switchable key pad that can be attached to the left or right side of the keyboard for ultimate flexibility.
The switchable key pad makes the SideWinder X6 Keyboard ideal for gaming as well as productivity, as the key pad functions as a standard num pad in normal keyboard mode, but becomes a programmable macro pad in game mode.
Complementing the unique versatility of the keyboard are features specifically designed for gaming, including the capacity to store up to 90 macros per game and dual colour backlighting that helps users get immersed in the game. The X6 also offers the following features to take advantage of its adaptability:
? Mode switching lets gamers manually toggle the keyboard from standard mode to either of two gaming modes. LEDs show the selected mode.
? Automatic profile switching detects the application that is running and applies the custom profile.
? New Cruise Control feature continues an action without having to hold down the key or keys assigned to the action. Gamers can use Cruise Control with up to four keys at a time.1
? In-game macro record button lets gamers record any sequence of keystrokes — even standard chat messages. Macros are stored on the PC hard drive and can be easily shared.
? WASD gaming keys, the most commonly used keys for gamers, have front-face lighting for enhanced visibility.
? Quick-Launch key gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, allowing gamers to quickly see the games in their PC’s game library.
LifeCam Show: Good Things Come in Small Packages
The thinnest webcam on the market, Microsoft’s LifeCam Show features a sleek, mirrored finish and ultrathin design. It looks great with any PC, attaching with ease to a desktop or laptop computer, or even sitting on top of your desk. The LifeCam Show ships with a complete attachment system to make setting up and using the webcam a snap in a variety of different scenarios. Versatile attachment options include the following:
? Laptop clip. LifeCam Show magnetically attaches to a clip snapped right onto a laptop.
? Desktop stand. LifeCam Show magnetically attaches to an 11-inch-tall desktop stand, which users can position anywhere around the desk for the perfect viewing angle.
? Two attachment discs. Attachment discs allow users to attach the adhesive disc to the back of their laptop, giving them the ability to close their laptop easily with the webcam still attached for greater portability.
Offering top audio and video performance, LifeCam Show is not just about good looks and versatility:
? A 2.0MP sensor and 8.0MP stills offer true-to-life communication for sharing important life moments.
? Top-of-the-line audio technology, including a built-in, noise-cancelling microphone with echo-cancellation software, provides improved sound clarity.
“Our design team has been working hard to ensure that we could fit best-in-class webcam technology into such a tiny footprint. Even at only one-half inch deep, LifeCam Show packs a mean punch with industry-leading audio and video technology,” said Ralf Groene, Industrial Design manager at Microsoft. “We also designed these LifeCams to attach with ease to any type of PC because we know that consumers move between notebooks and desktops and back again, and they want a webcam that can move with them.”
For more information, press only:
Tawn Chatchavalvong, Hill & Knowlton, (662) 627-3501 ext. 118,
[email protected]
Ian Tan, Microsoft, (656) 882-8083,
[email protected]
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