Optical Mouse Blue
REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 3, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. points the way to unprecedented desktop performance, comfort and style today as it unveils the largest collection of new mice and keyboards in its Hardware Group’s 20-year history. Microsoft is offering seven new products to appeal to a wide variety of users. The new desktop peripherals are organized into three lines — fun, sophisticated and serious — according to users’ computing style and preferred activities.
Wireless Optical Desktop
The products announced today are Microsoft® Wireless Optical Mouse Blue, Optical Mouse Blue, MultiMedia Keyboard, Natural®
MultiMedia Keyboard, Wireless Optical Desktop, Wireless Optical Desktop Pro and Notebook Optical Mouse, Microsoft’s first optical mouse designed specifically for notebook computers. Most of these new products are PC and Macintosh compatible.
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On average, people use a computer nearly five hours each day, an activity second only to sleep. 1 This tells us that mice and keyboards are important, because they are the elements people use most to interact with the PC,”
said Matt Barlow, group product manager for Microsoft Hardware.
“Increasingly, people are viewing their mouse and keyboard as an extension of their personality, much like their cell phone or PDA, and asking for products that will reflect this attitude.”
Natural MultiMedia Keyboard
According to Microsoft’s research findings, there is a segment of consumers who view their computers as fun, relaxing escape machines. The computer is used not only to work or conduct research, but also to play games, chat with friends and family, and listen to music. These consumers prefer products with vibrant, bright colors and interesting designs.
Wireless Optical Mouse Blue
For those users, Microsoft designed four new products: Optical Mouse Blue, Wireless Optical Mouse Blue, MultiMedia Keyboard and Natural MultiMedia Keyboard, all of which feature Microsoft’s unique new Astral blue finish, an enhanced scroll wheel and a keyboard multimedia center that delivers quick, one-touch access to media commands.
The wider, translucent mouse scroll wheel, the No. 1 feature people look for in a mouse, allows easier navigation of Web pages and playlists. The multimedia center features the media controls most popular with consumers, Stop, Forward, Play and Pause Hot Keys.
MultiMedia Keyboard
Microsoft also offers hardware designed for users who are deeply engaged in technology and who demand products that offer superior performance, an upscale finish, maximum comfort and intelligent features. According to Microsoft research, such customers are not only looking for products that offer the ultimate in performance, but also sophisticated, eye-catching design. Tailor-made for such users are the new Wireless Optical Desktop, Wireless Optical Desktop Pro and Notebook Optical Mouse, which join existing products such as Wireless IntelliMouse®
Explorer and IntelliMouse Explorer.
Wireless Optical Desktop Pro
The black-and-titanium-accented desktops, which include a wireless optical mouse and wireless keyboard, are sleek, wireless and clutter-free, with a shared receiver and attractive finishes. The Notebook Optical Mouse, Microsoft’s first optical mouse designed specifically for notebook computers, features a sophisticated, red-accented titanium finish with unparalleled comfort in a compact pointing device.
Notebook Optical Mouse
More than half of computer users want dependable products that are designed to offer maximum productivity with convenient, productivity-boosting features. 1 All Microsoft mice and keyboards in this line are returning consumer favorites — such as Office Keyboard and IntelliMouse Optical — and are updated with refreshing colors, including brighter platinum and white, and Microsoft’s own Anthracite blue, as well as new keyboard fonts.
The new mice and keyboards will be widely available to consumers by the end of September for the following estimated retail prices: 2
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Optical Mouse Blue: $34.95
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Wireless Optical Mouse Blue: $44.95
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MultiMedia Keyboard: $34.95
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Natural MultiMedia Keyboard: $54.95
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Wireless Optical Desktop: $84.95
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Wireless Optical Desktop Pro: $104.95
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Notebook Optical Mouse: $34.95
New products scheduled for availability later this year include the industry’s first commercially available desktop compatible with Bluetooth (TM) .
“This Bluetooth compatible keyboard, mouse and USB transceiver are designed for those who prefer the advantages of wireless technology and appreciate the ultimate in style and performance,”
Barlow said.
“Bluetooth is one of the most advanced cable-replacement technology available today, and it will enable consumers to wirelessly connect enabled devices, such as mice, keyboards, printers, PDAs and cellular phones, to the wealth of information on their PC.”
For two decades, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between users and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering and industrial design, offering consumers a comfortable computing experience.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
1 Source: Microsoft internal research
2 Prices are estimated U.S. retail prices. Actual prices may vary.
Microsoft, Natural and IntelliMouse are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
The Bluetooth name and the Bluetooth trademarks are owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc. and are used by Microsoft under license.
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