Microsoft cool prototype multitouch Mice vs Apple Mighty Mouse
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While Apple is giving thoughts over revamping its Mighty mouse by incorporating multi touch features and other aesthetics and wireless options, Microsoft is also unleashing latest technology in the pointing device arena. Microsoft Research and the Applied Sciences Group have developed five input device prototypes that harvest multitouch sensing features. Now that’s interesting coincidence or planned tactic that the timing of both companies touching the pointing device and unleashing the news in tech world.
Although details about mighty mouse multi touch features are still unknown at the moment, in contrary Microsoft prototype devices explores a different touch sensing strategy via a different form factor. I really like the ORB multi touch mouse since it can be used in games and different actions can bring gaming to next level with multi touch features. These prototypes are really cool and can be of great interest to gamers, graphic artists, computer researchers and casual windows users as, but one thing is for sure Microsoft is definitely extending the idea of pointing device beyond simple mouse and it will be interesting to see how Apple can reply with its mighty mouse for new generation of snow leopard OS.
There is a cool video available below and is a must watch:
Microsoft Research unveils five mice prototypes from Ars Technica on Vimeo.
Quick details of each prototype from Microsoft
- FTIR (Frustrated Total Internal Reflection) Mouse: FTIR Mouse is a mouse design that uses the principle of frustrated total internal reflection and a built-in camera to sense user’s touches on top of an arc-shaped piece of acrylic. This approach provides a very robust means of detecting touch events.
- Orb Mouse: The Orb Mouse uses a hemispherical surface with an IR-sensitive camera for multi-touch capabilities. This design provides an easy to grip form-factor and the constant curvature of the shape ensures that the user’s fingers are comfortable, with a smooth gradient while moving from side to side and front to back. The Orb Mouse allows all fingers and the whole hand be engaged in multi-touch interactions.
- Cap (capacitive) Mouse: The Cap Mouse tracks the position of multiple fingers on its surface through the use of a flexible matrix of capacitive-sensing electrodes just under the top surface of the mouse. The Cap Mouse is compact, uses little power, and is insensitive to ambient lighting conditions.
- Side Mouse: Side Mouse is designed to rest under the user’s palm and it allows the fingers to touch the table surface directly in front of the device to create a multi-touch area that is not restricted to the physical surface of the device. The mouse senses the proximity of the user’s fingers as they touch the table surface instead of the mouse. Side Mouse is capable of larger sizes of extended gestures and even two handed input.
- Arty (articulated) Mouse: The Arty Mouse takes the notion of Side Mouse one step further with a base for the palm of the hand to rest on and two “arms” that can be freely and independently moved on the table by the thumb and index finger. This design allows a high-resolution optical mouse sensor to be placed underneath two of the user’s fingers for extremely high sensing fidelity. This prototype can support subtle and fine-grained multi-touch gestures.
Via ARS Technica
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