Thursday, August 2, 2012

Microsoft readies new hardware accessories for Windows 8

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Many think of Microsoft as a software giant, but only few are aware of it being a maker of computer hardware as well.


When it launches Windows 8 on October 26, Microsoft will complement the software with new hardware accessories optimized to use the new operating system.

At least five new products, including Bluetooth-enabled keyboards and wireless mice, will be available from Microsoft’s online store and retailers, All Things Digital reported.

Highlighting the new hardware is the Wedge Mobile Keyboard, a slim $79.95 Bluetooth-enabled accessory designed for tablet use, with Windows 8 hotkeys for functions like search and device settings.
It has its own “smart cover” that can be folded at different angles, with the cover also doubling as a stand for a tablet and powering down the keyboard.

A second hardware accessory is a $69.95 Wedge Touch Mouse that can fit in one’s pocket and has four-way touch-scrolling to navigate through Windows 8.

“The mouse features technology that allows it to be used on almost any surface, and also has a battery-saving mode,” it said.

The third accessory is a Sculpt Mobile Keyboard costing $49.95, featuring a curved design and Windows 8 shortcut keys. It has a sleep mode to conserve battery life.

Another accessory is a Bluetooth-enabled Sculpt Touch Mouse that has a four-way touch strip to let a user scroll up, down, left and right. It costs $49.95.

On the other hand, Microsoft is upgrading its Microsoft Touch Mouse to support new gestures to navigate through Windows 8.
It has a multi-touch surface, where one finger can move up, down, left and right, and a two-finger swipe can switch through open apps.

Three fingers can zoom in and out of a screen.

While the Microsoft Touch Mouse costs $79.95, a software upgrade for added gesture support may be available for the accessory at no additional cost.

Sounds pretty cool, I can't wait to check it out.

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