Consumers have not embraced the Windows 8. Microsoft's one biggest mistake with its latest operating system is it removed the Start button and users simply are lost without it.
With its dismal market performance, Microsoft has been trying hard to make the Windows 8, specifically designed for touchscreens and gestures, more appealing to consumers who just cannot live without the Start button. The technology giant brought back to life the Start button, Thursday, by incorporating it on its two newly designed mice.
Sculpt Comfort Mouse
The Sculpt Comfort Mouse features a blue strip on its side tagged as the Windows Touch Tab, a touch-sensitive strip that makes navigation of the Windows 8 easier by swiping or touching it with a finger. Users can also press the strip to pop the Start screen just like how it works on tablets, PCs and keyboards.
"If you swipe up on the blue strip, it cycles through all your open Windows Store apps in Windows 8. And if you swipe down, it will reveal all the open apps (on the left side of your screen) for you to select the one you want. You don't have to worry about a tiny USB transceiver since the Sculpt Comfort Mouse uses Bluetooth to connect to your Windows PC or tablet," the official announcement on the Windows blog explained.
The Sculpt Comfort Mouse has a very good ergonomic design and can be used on almost any surface. It will be available this June with a sticker price of $40.
Sculpt Mobile Mouse
The Sculpt Mobile Mouse also has a four-way scroll feature. This means that users can scroll up and down and scroll sideways by tilting its wheel, making navigation of the Windows 8 Start screen or any application a lot easier.
The Sculpt Mobile comes with a wireless USB transceiver and also makes use of the BlueTrack technology.
It will go on sale this Month for $30.
These new Microsoft mice will work with Windows 8, Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.4 or newer.
Definitely these new accessories can help users make most of the unfamiliar Windows 8 environment. They are also great alternatives for other more expensive mice and trackpads in the market today. There is, however, no word yet if Microsoft will release a more customizable and substantial accessory with a Windows key.
