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Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000  (Source: Image via Microsoft)

Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000  (Source: Image via Microsoft)
Microsoft announces new mice and webcams

Today Microsoft has announced a pair of new LifeCam webcams and a trio of new mice aimed at notebook users. The new webcams include the LifeCam VX-7000, which is intended for desktop use with its universal attachment base.

The design of the clamp allows the camera to sit closer to the display for a more integrated look. The VX-7000 has a 2.0 megapixel sensor that allows it to shoot high quality video and uses an all glass element lens.

The camera can also shoot still images at 7.6-megapixels interpolated and uses a 71-degree wide-angle lens. The VX-7000 also automatically adjusts for low-light conditions and will retail for $99.95 in September. Microsoft also announced the LifeCam NX-3000, which is for mobile use with notebook computers. The NX-3000 has a max resolution of 640 x 480 and can shoot still images at 1.3-megapixels. The lens swivels to allow notebook users to adjust the camera for ideal shooting conditions. Microsoft also included video effects for video calls and included a carry case. The NX-3000 will be available in September as well for $59.95.

The trio of new mice Microsoft announced starts with the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000. Microsoft is billing the mouse as the industry’s first notebook mouse to include 1GB of flash-based storage. The flash memory is inside the USB wireless transceiver. The mouse uses a magnetic recharging cable that connects to the end of the USB adapter and to the mouse allowing for charging without the need for a dock.

The 8000 gives you the option of using the wireless adapter or with the flip of a switch, turning the mouse into a Bluetooth device for use sans USB adapter on notebooks equipped with internal Bluetooth. The mobile Memory Mouse 8000 will be available in October 2007 for $99.95.

Other new mice from Microsoft include the Wireless Notebook Mouse 7000 and Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000. Both these mice will retail for $49.99 each with the 5000 available in October and the 7000 available in September.  The 7000 uses 2.4GHz wireless technology, connects via a USB adapter to your PC, and has built-in Vista shortcuts. The 5000 is a Bluetooth mouse requiring no transceiver for use with notebooks that have Bluetooth built-in. The last desktop mouse announced by Microsoft was the SideWinder Gaming Mouse.

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ZZzzzzzzzz
By phaxmohdem on 9/12/2007 4:36:02 PM , Rating: 3
Wow.

Mice are SO 1980's.

Double or triple the size, add a few dozen more buttons and call it a Rat. I'd buy that.




RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By nerdye on 9/12/2007 4:39:08 PM , Rating: 2
the Rat, lol. How about the limited edition richard geer wireless gerbal? haha.


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By leidegre on 9/13/2007 7:19:10 AM , Rating: 2
A rat would make sense. I use a MX1000 today, but I used to suffer some sorness in my upper wrist until I switched to this mouse. It's a lot bigger, but it allows me to keep my hand in a more natrual very comfortable resting position.

To me that is much more important than any minitature mice. I care more about my health than gadgets.


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By TomZ on 9/12/2007 4:40:22 PM , Rating: 1
You're an idiot. Did you read the article? These new devices have some pretty interesting and maybe even innovative features.

I'm still waiting for a decent Bluetooth mouse, one that works I mean, unlike the crap that Logitech appears to have put out so far. Death to USB dongles!


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By Lightning III on 9/12/07, Rating: -1
RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By C'DaleRider on 9/12/07, Rating: 0
RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By BillyBatson on 9/12/2007 6:38:11 PM , Rating: 1
I am not a MS or logitech fanboy. they both have their good and bad products. I have a logitech keyboard mouse combo right now with a logitech webcam and logitech speakers. However I will agree with the above, Logitech has some crap out right now with most of their products fitting in niche markets and their BT offerings are horrible! (such as my mx5000 BT keyboard/mouse)


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By TomZ on 9/12/2007 7:34:22 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. The OP incorrectly read a lot of bias into my post, but my point is that I want Logitech (or Microsoft) to come out with a decent BT offering, you know, one that actually works. I have a number of Logitech wireless sets now (no BT), and I generally like them, but I'd like to use a BT set with my new laptop so I can get rid of the dongle. I've read a lot of BT set posts, and I wouldn't touch those products with a ten foot pole.


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By BillyBatson on 9/13/2007 7:06:50 AM , Rating: 2
I wouldn't either and I too am looking for a decent mouse for my new Dell m1330 with internal BT however there are none out there. I am actually seriously thinking of purchasing the Logitech VX Micro (further proving I am not a fanboy one way or the other) since the dongle is so tiny but idealy the VX would be available in BT to use with my internal BT with it working perfectly of course but they know they can't get it right due to either BT problems or power consumption so they released another RF version.

I applaud MS for trying out innovative designs which aren't as much nicnhe as they are common everyday features but in 1 product (such as cell phones these days)


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By Bluestealth on 9/13/2007 12:42:18 AM , Rating: 2
The mouse for my laptop! They made it.... finally.
Why does this Microsoft hater love Microsoft input devices so much? :( I don't like a lot of what logitech puts out, and everything else isn't really worth looking at.

BTW their bluetooth mice work great, except with their own bluetooth adaper software.
My Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 works well on my HP laptop, and linux. However I have to reset the controller on my desktop on almost every restart so that the mouse works in windows, its frustrating.

I would just use my generic bluetooth adapter I have sitting around, but my keyboard is bluetooth too, so I need it to boot/login.


RE: ZZzzzzzzzz
By TomZ on 9/13/2007 9:02:09 AM , Rating: 2
OH, now I'm a "Microsoft hater" - thanks for keeping me informed. :o)


Someone would care to explain?
By DeepBlue1975 on 9/13/2007 10:10:05 AM , Rating: 2
I don't get this part at all, so I'd appreciate what possible practical benefits this could bring:

quote:

The trio of new mice Microsoft announced starts with the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000. Microsoft is billing the mouse as the industry’s first notebook mouse to include 1GB of flash-based storage.


Why would someone want to use a mouse as a pen drive? Is that the purpose of that storage, or am I missing something here? (I surely am, but I can't get a glimpse of what I've over read there)

I'm really just asking cos' that part got me a bit confused.

Thanks!




RE: Someone would care to explain?
By TomZ on 9/13/2007 10:44:33 AM , Rating: 2
Actually, I think it's kind of a good idea. Most laptop users that I know use a mouse, and separately use USB flash keys. Microsoft is just combining the two into one.

For example, suppose I'm in a meeting and one of my colleagues asks to plagerize - I mean borrow - my PowerPoint slide deck. If I was using one of these wireless mice, I'd just copy it to the flash key and pass it to the other guy. Then while he's copying the file, I'd quickly use my mouse to open up the picture of him having sex with his wife on the overhead projector for everyone in the meeting to see.

See how useful it could be?


By DeepBlue1975 on 9/13/2007 1:37:20 PM , Rating: 2
Now that makes sense :D

If you can "bluetoothly" access the drive, then it'd be very neat for using it to share stuff without needing to get your hand off the cyborg rodent.

Though, somehow, I became pretty good at using laptop's touchpads, even finding it more comfortable than using certain kind of mice.


Neato
By Ardan on 9/12/2007 5:50:04 PM , Rating: 3
Nifty little mice and cams. They aren't for me, but I like them nonetheless. I'm sure my cousins would jump all over some of those features. I'll bet a decent number of people will have use for them.

On another note, man you people get way too worked up on here over trivial comments. Since I am 24, and it wasn't that long ago that I was in high school, I think the age you all should choose when you are being condescending towards comments you don't like are 15 or 16, not 12. I think the level of immaturity for my friends and I was around 9th grade, and we would all have been capable of it. I don't know about all you guys, but I was too busy having fun outside to post dumb comments on a technology-oriented news site when I was 12 :P.

Still, it makes for good entertainment and spices things up a bit on here, so keep it up and avoid those anger management classes :) I love it. So before you show us all how you act your shoe size and not your age by replying to me in a predictably hostile tone, let me offer some advice: enjoy the good weather out there before it gets too cold! Note: That comment wasn't directed at any one person, so if you take it personally, then I think you have a guilty conscience :). Good day, everyone!




RE: Neato
By Samus on 9/12/2007 11:45:46 PM , Rating: 2
7+ megapixel for a webcam is really cool. I wonder what the actual quality of video will be. Hopefully 3 megapixel and not 1.3 like logitec's leading webcam.


Nice Camera
By Xenoterranos on 9/12/2007 11:36:34 PM , Rating: 2
I'm loving that camera. Very 60's sheik. Nice lines and all that jazz. Also, I haven't seen a decent looking white mouse in just about ever.




Peripherals in Auto?
By BruceLeet on 9/16/2007 5:36:24 AM , Rating: 2
What is this article doing in the Auto section? lol




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