Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Unveils A Designer Mouse
jeckil writes "Today Microsoft unveiled the new Starck mouse; a new shiny mouse designed to take the 'cool' from other mice such as Logitech or Apple. Microsoft is calling it the 'first museum-quality mouse.' Looks shiny enough to be on a museum display along with other succesful Microsoft products."
The only cause for celebration (their words, not mine...) is more money for a questionable product. I'm not judging the quality of this new optical mouse, just wondering what would make it worth the money (if you "buy", you get links for prices ranging from $25 to $31). Sure it may look pretty, but really, it's another mouse with another pitch from MS about why you should buy THEIRS! Come one, really! A museum piece? I don't think so.
This just doesn't feel like news. It feels like a free ad.
and that word is......pretentious.
Real Picture
The mouse buttons, I believe, run the entire length of the mouse... which will make many palm-resters click accidently.
However, $30 bucks isn't bad...
Looks Like a Space Ship... ZOOOOOM
Looks distubingly like a vibrator to me. But maybe that's just me. Back to my one handed surfing...
"An infinite number of monkeys typing into GNU emacs would never make a good program."
Wow! That slit down the middle makes me think it's just a vagina. I can't get a better view, but I also imagine the scroll button placement helps to further that logic.
"S+ARCK designed this mouse with a unique, curving hemisphere, which makes it feel natural and puts left and right clicking in the palm of your hand."
;)
Because we all know how some things unnatural feel in the palm of your hand.
What exactly is the point of a pretty mouse when your hand is going to be covering it most of the time, anyway?
Okay Microsoft, listen and listen damned well, as this is the last time I say this... Give me the ORIGINAL natural keyboard, and the ORIGINAL Intelliexplorer mouse... I don't want the fancy million button keyboards, and the god awful small craptacular mice... I want the originals back! You had something good, and you destroyed them... it's not the 'new shiny blue plastic' that will get you sales...
---
Programming is like sex... Make one mistake and support it the rest of your life.
Only the maker of antequated operating systems would make a "museum quality" mouse.
im not trying to be all "anti-microsoft" when i say this but that is a really unattractive mouse! im not a fan of apple so much but damn they have a way of making some damn good looking stuff! how much money would it take to get some attractive pc peripherals!
Slow news day, I take it?
ok, 2 and a wheel, but seriously... museum quality?
It reminds me of those "modern" art where it's a blank canvass with a line running down the middle.
To me it's not art... nor does it look good. It's just superficial "designers" (Ugof need silence!) who think people want their mouse to have hidden meaning.
Sure it looks ok, maybe i'd even buy one if I needed to, but I'd rather have function over fashion. Right now I'm using Logitechs MX500... and I think it looks sweet too.
A remote control for the iBrator!
-- n
I realize it's trendy to bash microsoft at every opprotunity, but I think it looks pretty cool myself. I'm loving the optical mice that companies are coming out with these days.
I only wish the rechargable ones battery would last longer. We had to ditch a couple of gyro wireless keyboards/wireless rechargable battery mice units at work cause they got to the point where they would only keep a charge for 4 or 5 hours. They also would miss keystrokes from the keyboard if a palm treo 600 phone was too close to them.
The one really good feature about this new mouse is that it isn't form fitted to your hand, it's gender neutral, I guess, at least from a left or right handed perspective. I'm actually ambidexterous and the last time I bought a mouse for myself there weren't any wireless optical availabl at all that weren't molded for the right hand
I guess when they come out with a wireless version of this I'll be in the market.
This article has recently been linked from Slashdot. Please keep an eye on the page history for errors or vandalism.
Who knew Microsoft would turn into Apple?
Actually their hardware division makes products that are as good as their software division's products are bad, and it isn't new.
The Microsoft "natural feel" keyboard (or whatever its name is) is well build and many people I know swear by it. It's unusable to me, but I recognize a good product there. Same for the optical mouse: if memory serves right, Microsoft was the first to introduce that technology, pretty much to go around Logitech's patent on roller-less trackball and mouse balls.
So, hating Microsoft's software is a healthy attitude, hating their hardware product isn't.
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
This mouse is beautiful, and it actually matches the theme of my most recent system.
BUT -- I won't buy it for one reason. It has a cord.
I'm using the Logitech MX700 Optical Cordless mouse with charging station and I absolutely love it.
I thought I would hate this mouse at first because it's not designed for either right or left hand use but since I normally only use my mouse with my right hand anyway I figured I'd overlook that fact.
While Microsoft's new object is designed for either hand, I just can't go back to a cord. I've gone cordless, I've gone optical, and I've gone rechargable. The only thing that can convince me to replace this mouse is one that has all those features as well as being usable with either the right or left hand.
Maybe Microsoft will release a cordless and recharagable version? Until then it's just a pretty mouse on a cord.
"Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"
Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
Your posting on Slashdot, how do you know what a vagina looks like?
i have a tablet pc. how long do i have to wait before there is a "sleek, sophisticated, museum quality" stylus for my clicking pleasure? when are people going to catch on that the mouse is a dieing breed.
viva la voice and touch!
Isn't he the guy famous for making stuff which is considered artistic and pretty (like go to and art gallery and admire) but functionally useless? Is it supposed to be a foreshadowing of Longhorn?
I think Apple's optical mice look much more in place in a museum, with their understated minimalistic look. I also happen to think they are overpriced and suck when you try to actually use them. I mean $49 for one button and no scroll wheel. Now before some rabid Apple fanatics will now try to explain to me why one button is actually better because it leads to less confusion, better ergonomics and that MacOS was designed for one button mice, or whatever, spare your keystrokes. I've been a Mac user since the System 7 days, I know what I want. Apple mice suck. They belong in a museum, not on the desk. I like Apple for many things, but their mice are the ultimate displays of style over substance.
That's been going on for several years now. It seemed to start somewhere around "windows 95 - it's mac os 7.5" MS just tends to lag a few years behind. When did Apple intro their Pro Mouse? Couple years ago, so MS is right on schedule I suppose.
MS really needs to come up with a truly original idea that is at least marginally successful. This is getting pathetic.
I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
What was the point of the Microsoft Bob link other than to bash Microsoft over something that came out for Windows 3.1 an entire decade ago?
I've never gotten the Clippy/Microsoft Bob obsession around here.
IBM has a prototype of a mouse with trackpoint scroll stick. Because the trackpoint nubbin is a rate-device, like a joystick, it apparently offers superior productivity to a scrollwheel according to IBM's research (PDF of slides).
Has anyone seen any devices like this? As much as I love the scrollwheel, my finger gets tired scrolling through a long document -- I'd rather just pull on a stick/nubbin and zoom along.
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.
So while it wasn't as advanced as optical mice today, it's still an example of pre-microsoft optical mouse technology.
Don't whistle while you're pissing.
The sad thing is that Microsoft Bob wasn't all that much of a failure. The product itself didn't sell all that well, but the animated assistant idea that came from it is still around in today's versions of Office and Windows.
Sure, us Slashdot folks think that it's annoying, but the newbies seem to like it.
Just look at this other piece of museum quality art. It's actually rev 2 since the janitor threw out the original by mistake.
The microsoft mouse looks interesting, but not special, and I wonder how it holds up in the whole ergonomic department, maybe it can come with a matching wrist brace.
D6 63 0D 70 89 81 BB 8E 7B 7C 5F 5D 54 EA AB 73
Sun had optical mice in 1993.
The idea, my humor impaired friend, is that most people don't announce new products and suggest that they are fit to be placed next to dinosaur bones.
" Apple mice are hardly cool...in fact they're a pain in the damn ass to use. "
two different things.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
..that Apple has the software to go with the shiny, modern design.
I've never gotten the Clippy/Microsoft Bob obsession around here.
It's because they're about the only two things that you can justifiably take the piss out of about MS that actually are undeniably bad. All the rest of their software, including IIS, Outlook, Win9x, etc has its good points as well as its bad. At least with Clippy and Bob, the zealots are on safe ground.
It's official. Most of you are morons.
We've had that Stark mouse here in Denmark for well over a month. My girlfriend bougth one because it looks nice, but shes says it works like sh** com pared to her Logitech Mouseman Traveler mouse.
What kind of dog barks "BOFH! BOFH!"? A rootweiler of course...
"Looks shiny enough to be on a museum display along with other succesful Microsoft products."
I am not a Microsoft fanboy, but whether the Mouse is good or bad is a subjective matter. What is the basis for comparing it with Microsoft Bob? Stories like this (along with the other trollish story about Gmail posted earlier today- once again with no data or story to back it up) is making Slashdot a tech tabloid. Editors, please use your discretion more carefully while approving stories.
"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail." - Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
CAN'T... LEAVE.. THIS.. ONE.. ALONE... ARRRrRRGGgghh!
Sorry. I had to.Show me on the doll where his noodly appendage touched you.
Hardware has guided the evolution of the mouse from its origins as a simple, utilitarian tool to its modern incarnation: a statement of individual style.
I think they say it all right there: primary purpose of this mouse is to be a fashion statement.
It falls right into the same bucket as cell phone covers, some of other MS mice as well as some other more useless items.
On a side note, did anyone notice that this mouse does not match ANY other MS-driven hardware?
I am one of those who swear by the original Microsoft Natural Keyboard (it killed my budding carpal tunnel, on the recommendation of a specialist!) and I agree, Microsoft should be a hardware company... their hardware is great, rugged, and appreciated, and doesn't overreach in terms of thought and market control, unlike their software...
STOP . AMERICA . NOW
Offtopic, Overrated, Redundant, whatever.. Museum mouse? Give me a break.
Actually SUN had optical mice since the early 80's, in fact SUN's mice was nothing but a repackaged Mouse Systems part. Most workstation vendors sold these mice, and it was also available for PC's... I tink I may still have one somewhere. Optical mice are nothing new at all, the main difference is that those mice needed the special reflective mouse pad.
Translated from marketese, this means that it works equally poorly for both hands. Sorry, I think I'll keep my old asymmetric logictech mouse for a while longer; it might just look like a lump of beige plastic, but its shape fits my hand.
Disclaimer: I work for a company, but I don't speak for them.
But Microsoft Mice in general are good.
In fact, I would say that the MS optical mice are probobly one of the best things to come out of M$.
Unlike the Apple Mouse, the whole left and right side's are buttons. A friend of mine tried one out and he constantly complained that because he rests his hand on his mouse, he mistakingly clicked all over the place. The Apple Mouse, although it has only one button, is only pressure sensitive at the top.
"Putting the slash back into slashdot"
Need Mercedes parts ?
I'm using one of the Mouse Systems reflective mouse pads right now. Of course, not with the original optical mouse. We sold them back in 1985 if I recollect right. I found a stack in storage awhile back. Makes a pretty good mouse pad for a standard optical mouse.
To keep this relevant to Microsoft's new mouse, I shall observe that Microsoft definitely didn't make the first optical ones. We've been selling technology for the last 3 decades. Their first couple of generations of serial mice were very reliable and lasted well. We had trouble with the next wave, and we stopped carrying Microsoft Mice then. Recent (last 4 years) opticals have been pretty good. Personally, I can't find a use for the extra buttons and scrolling features. Some customers like them.
Based on the appearance of this new mouse, it does resemble the Apple ones. Personally, I don't like them. I prefer a distinct button I click, not depressing the mouse itself. That's personal taste.
I don't see any reason for hoopla over a mouse though. This does seem mainly a shill's free ad.
-- Dan Jenkins, Rastech Inc.
You know, I could say everyone was a newbie once but how about this: you will be old and stupid one day, too. Have fun while it lasts.
Marxist evolution is just N generations away!
I know bashing MS is required on Slashdot, but whatever you think of their software and/or business practices, their hardware has always been great.
Personally their keyboards and mice are some of the best being made. Logitech isn't bad, but I haven't liked their last couple generations of mice and their keyboards have always been sub-par.
In terms of innovation, MS released its first mouse in 1983, one year before the Mac was launched. Though I don't know if they invented the mouse wheel and optical mice, but they were the first major manufacturer to promote the technology. And though I personally don't like the "natural" keyboards, I know a lot of people that swear by them.
And even though I love Apple's industrial design, their mice are utterly useless. I use an MS mouse with my Mac.
That said, the Starck mouse looks more like an executive desk decoration than a useful mouse. =)
Now check out the language used to hype it:
I'm afraid of what that dangling chord is supposed to be. Good thing it's not in the pictures.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.
Bah. Cordless mice are too laggy and they don't have good sample rates. Not like a standard USB mouse.
:)
A year ago I would have agreed with you.
Then I bought my Logitech MX700. It actually responds better than my previous optical corded mouse. It is, for me, the best mouse I've ever owned, and it is dead on balls (no pun intended
It also looks sleek while looking functional. Why would anyone want a "museum piece" for a mouse anyway ?
Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
MOMA bought a Macintosh Cube and other Macintosh items for their permanent art collection. The Cube came with a Macintosh mouse but MOMA bought some additional Macintosh mice to display separate from the complete Cube.
A buddy of mine had to go back to using his umbilical cord mouse after getting the MX700 because of short battery life issues.
It looks pretty on the desk, but doesn't really do anything. Kind of like a model hired for ComDex.
I found one at a garage sale this morning - part of a $5.00 PS/2 (old 80286 vintage PS/2) system. If only IBM would make an updated version of this - same microswitch tech under each key, but add some of the newer features (USB, volume controls, etc). I'm sick of all the membrane keyboards. The keyboards happily on my desk now, and the other parts are waiting for trash pickup monday morning! As for the mouse, I hate the "full length button" crap - I hate that on the Macs, I don't think I want it on my PC!
There's no reasonably priced alternative to Project, for what it does.
resigned
The click mechanism on this new mouse is identical to that of the now quite-old Apple mouse design.
It's a trivial thought to simply cut the mouse 50/50 to give it another mouse button, making it suitable for windows.
The side view of the new mouse is even less original, following an alteration of the curves currently used in the Apple mouse design.
The designer has been particularly unoriginal, as he'd run into the Apple mouse on a daily basis when dealing with design studios. It's not like an accountant coming to this amazing idea, it's just a rip off. Pity.
Oh god... a new mouse?!? Whatever shall we do... will it improve my Counter-Strike record? No? Well... then what's the use of it?
...as is says on the web page.
That seems like a problem right there. How many average computer users know who Starck is? How many Slashdotters know? OK, there are probably a lot of Mac user who know. But if you have to say "this product is great because it was designed by Starck" while most people don't know who Starck is, where's the appeal?
Philippe Starck is in fact probably the best-known industrial designer of the last 20 years. He's a celebrity.
But his stuff (among his best known is an orange-juice squeezer that looks like a 3-legged alien landing craft) is the kind that yuppies in the '80s said "Oooh, it's a Starck! I need to get one to display in my condo!" Like I said, there are probably lots of Mac users that Starck appeals to. Anyone who would want a Starck mouse because it's a Starck probably wouldn't be using Windows.
That's not to say this mouse isn't necessarily ergonomic -- I'm sure Starck's underlings took good care of it. But as far as I can tell, the classic "soap bar" MS mouse got the ergonomics right, and I don't think most hands could tell the difference between it and the Starck. (Look at the touted ergonomic features -- smooth form! Ambidextrous! aren't these the basics that any mouse should have?) This mouse is being marketed solely on a designer name.
...was the original Logitech MouseMan+, with the rubber on the sides and the buttons that extended to the edge of the mouse. Looked weird (ugly, even), but it's "the" mouse for (right-handed) people with big hands.
Then they completely screwed it up when they made the optical model, by reducing the size of the buttons (original on the right, optical models on the left and centre).
Currently, the best compromise is probably the "MX" series, also from Logitech (a company I don't like much, but they do manage to get it right now and then), especially the MX-500 and above. The main buttons are very well designed, and the side buttons are reasonable. The scroll wheel and the other buttons are too far back on the mouse, though; to reach them you have to either bend your fingers or move your hand back so it actually rests off the mouse.
And, of course, Logitech's mouse drivers are crap (can't even turn acceleration off completely). Stick to the default OS drivers and you'll be fine.
My wrists have been destroyed by bad keyboards and worse mice. That mouse looks cool, but my wrists start to ache just looking at it.
I want a mouse that is comfortable to use for long periods of time. I need one that has a good 15-30 degree slant up towards the left, like the Goldtouch Mouse. Sure, it's ugly, but I can still hold a beer after a long day of computer use.
there are 3 kinds of people:
* those who can count
* those who can't
I switched to trackballs long ago.
OTOH, there would be one thing that would tempt me to try a mouse again... some time ago--pushing ten years, now--there was a designer mouse that I actually bought. Thd designer was Italian, and the mouse was shaped rather like a bar of Dove soap, with a beautifully contoured shape that the muscles that let your thumb oppose your finger could gently nestle in, and that supported the hand perfectly. (It was, therefore, not ambidextrous; there were right-handed and left-handed versions.)
It was long enough ago that the mouse was mechanical, darn it. If there were an optical version of it, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Who is this s+arck guy?! I want a mouse designed by H R Giger dammnit!
A clever way to imply that Microsoft innovates, but history says otherwise. Englebart invented the mouse in the late 1960's, and Xerox PARC used it first almost-commercially in the 1970's. Apple produced their first mouse based system, the Lisa in 1982 which was the first real use of the mouse as an input peripheral by any commercially available system. Microsoft's mouse was then, as they are now, developed and manufactured by somebody else, but marked by Microsoft. Also, the Microsoft mice of that era were almost completely functionally unusable, where Apple's mouse worked well because it had to.
-- Len
Remember kids: that scroll wheel is VERY important!
.. this is pre-historic news. I've had this mouse for a month!
. and yeah, it looks great next to my Mac but is really plastic and it feels really cheap to use.
-- http://z80.org - all opinions, all the time --
Anyone unfortunate enough to have been bamboozled by his very expensive lemon squeezer that did the rounds of the likes of John Lewis a few years ago will know what I mean.
It is actually terrible at squeezing lemons, and singularly fails to fulfil its basic function at all well, and costs over 40 GBP!! Here's what's wrong with it:
you need a separate container to catch the juice (not included!)
the gap between the legs does not permit the average bowl or cup to fit below it to catch the juice.
its centre of gravity is so high that it easily topples over when any sort of pressure (like actually trying to squeeze a lemon) is applied.
that's assuming you can get the legs on a flat surface around the juice catcher - if not you're totally fscked.
it doesn't catch the pips, so they end up in the juice.
its shape means that the juice runs off awkwardly, often running down the legs onto the surface instead of into the catcher.
Frankly, it's a travesty. I have a plastic lemon squeezer I bought in the local supermarket for 99p that does the job perfectly - it has its own container, it catches the pips, and it is strong enough to take as much force as the lemon will. If this mouse is anything like the squeezer, it'll cost a fortune, won't function well, and will probably just end up in the back of a cupboard somewhere. But there will probably still be some pretentious tossers who'll go for it.