Microsoft Announces New BlueTrack Optical Sensor System

On Tuesday Microsoft announced a new optical sensor system for their mice, BlueTrack Technology. According to Microsoft, the new system, which they call the "world’s most advanced tracking technology," will allow users to virtually any surface, "from a granite kitchen countertop to the living room carpet."

The new system uses a blue beam rather than a laser or a red LED. According to Microsoft's press release:

Microsoft’s BlueTrack Technology works on more surfaces than both optical and laser mice. The large, blue beam and specular optics architecture, in conjunction with a Microsoft-designed image sensor and proprietary pixel geometry, generates a high-contrast picture of the mousing surface that allows exceptional tracking accuracy. The BlueTrack Technology light beam emanating from the bottom of the mouse is more than four times as large as the average laser beam used in today’s mice, enabling reliable mouse tracking even on difficult surfaces such as carpet.

This advanced technology creates a superior, more precise picture of the surface, allowing consumers to use their mouse virtually anywhere.

Of course, I'm perfectly happy with my laser mouse, and don't really see a need for this. And in particular, you can see from the design of these mice they aren't gaming mice. They are, on the other hand, pretty pricey.

The Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology and the Explorer Mini Mouse with BlueTrack Technology will ship in November for the estimated retail price of $99.95 and $79.95, respectively.

Of course, it is Microsoft technology, as opposed to the standard laser sensor, a (ubiquitous)product of Agilent Technologies that is licensed out. So, if things go well, Microsoft might make a pretty penny from this, licensing it themselves.