Microsoft puts its mouse in Mac clothing

[gkarris]

MS is even more joining the Apple camp...

http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9853725-56.html?tag=cd.blog

I guess since Vista isn't really so hot...

January 18, 2008 10:56 AM PST
Microsoft puts its mouse in Mac clothing
Posted by Ina Fried
Microsoft is looking to make its Bluetooth notebook mouse more Mac friendly.

The emphasis in that sentence is on the word "looking."

The software maker hasn't made any software or hardware changes to the Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000. It has however, created a new retail packaging for the product, dubbing it Microsoft Notebook Mouse for Mac.

The new Microsoft Notebook Mouse for Mac is really a repackaged version of the company's existing Bluetooth muse.

(Credit: Microsoft)Gone is the red packaging and the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo. In its place is a Mac logo and white packaging. Of course, the same mouse is inside, meaning the Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 works perfectly well on a Mac, while the Microsoft Notebook Mouse for Mac has no problem working with Vista, or XP for that matter.

It will be interesting to see if Mac users take to the new packaging. The company has a mixed track record in the Mac space. Its Office for Mac is a huge seller and many people site its availability as a key factor in their being willing to switch to a Mac.

But it has pulled back on other efforts, including killing its ill-fated MSN for Mac service, Internet Explorer and Virtual PC for Mac.

 

[Sesshi]

This is possibly because they have determined that many Mac users are sufficiently technologically challenged to ask dumb questions if they do not sell a Mac specific branded version, and they figure Applezombie money is as good as anyone else's...?

 

[bartelby]

Big deal. They've printed a new cardboard insert. Typical Microsoft "innovation" if you ask me.
They've probably added a price premium too, even though it's just their usual crap.

 

[skunk]

Microsoft is looking to make its Bluetooth notebook mouse more Mac friendly.

The emphasis in that sentence is on the word "looking."

The really interesting bit is that the word "looking" does not appear anywhere in the sentence.

 

[bartelby]

The really interesting bit is that the word "looking" does not appear anywhere in the sentence.

Erm, third word skunk.

Or am I missing something?

 

[skunk]

How the feck did I miss that? I'll get my coat...

 

[bartelby]

How the feck did I miss that? I'll get my coat...

We all mattscott now and again!

That's not like you to miss something.
Maybe you need a glass of good wine and a lie down...

 

[skunk]

It's been a long day.

 

[danny_w]

Now if it just worked on a Mac without their stupid BT dongle it would be nice...

 

[Techguy172]

I have that mouse it works great, no dongle either.

 

[PlaceofDis]

well i don't care about the packaging at all. but if i saw the previous packaging in the store, and picked it up and looked at it, and no where it said that it would work with OS X, then i wouldn't consider it.

 

[weckart]

Big deal. They've printed a new cardboard insert. Typical Microsoft "innovation" if you ask me.
They've probably added a price premium too, even though it's just their usual crap.

To be fair, this is a criticism often (justifiably) directed towards Apple. Just take a look at the various Macbook Air threads, for example.

For the record, while nobody on this forum is likely to be overly enamoured with Redmond's software outpourings, its mice and keyboards are almost beyond reproach, particularly from an ergonomic standpoint and something Apple could and should learn from.

 

[bigandy]

its mice and keyboards are almost beyond reproach, particularly from an ergonomic standpoint

unless you're left handed. then you have to pay a premium. and i don't like that. a all.

 

[Unspeaked]

We all mattscott now and again!

That's not like you to miss something.
Maybe you need a glass of good wine and a lie down...

Maybe that was the problem in the first place...?

 

[Eraserhead]

This is possibly because they have determined that many Mac users are sufficiently technologically challenged to ask dumb questions if they do not sell a Mac specific branded version.

They could just stick a Mac logo on the normal mouse like everyone else does

Seriously, I like the Mac packaging, its much nicer and cleaner designed. Maybe they could make the Windows packaging similar.

 

[wallaby]

I would love to have a bluetooth mouse like this, the only problem is that most bluetooth mice are notebook mice. I just want a normal-sized BT mouse, not this midget crap.

Guess I'll stick with my wired Logitech MX518 for now...