Microsoft Debuts New Keyboards, Mice for Vista and Live!

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Microsoft refreshed its line of keyboards and mice yesterday, introducing a desktop system that includes a keyboard designed for use with Windows Vista and the company's Windows Live online services. The Ultimate Keyboard comes in the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 package, which also includes a wireless laser mouse, according to the company.

A Windows Live Call button on the keyboard provides one-touch access to a list of Windows Live Messenger buddies online to initiate a videoconference or chat session. It automatically logs a user in to Windows Live Messenger and opens a list of contacts that are currently online. The keyboard's Start menu button for Vista or Windows XP is placed below the space bar, replacing the Start menu buttons traditionally found next to Alt buttons on traditional keyboards. A Gadget button on the ergonomic keyboard provides access to Gadgets in Windows Vista, which are windows on the PC desktop that display news, sports, weather and other information.

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News source: PCWorld

#1 Zhivago on 14 Sep 2006 - 18:56

I like it. There's more info @ http://www.microsoft.com/hardware

The absence of the numpad is the only downside for me.

Any word on Logitech's 2007 line of desktop sets?

#2 HawkMan on 14 Sep 2006 - 21:12

Mouse looks nice. don't care that much abotu the numpad, but I do use it so I wouldn't really want a keyboard without it.. but the compressed arrowkeys and Ins to Page doen section kills it.

Keyboard that don't have the full arrowkey and Ins-Page down 2x3 style are useless.

whatever happened to that MS keyboard in the flash presentation the one that would know if you entered the room and all that stuff ?

#3 MrCobra on 14 Sep 2006 - 21:16

IMO that is fugly.

(1 reply) #4 Osprey on 14 Sep 2006 - 21:57

The keyboard is meant for use on your lap in your living room; a numpad would make it too wide. For those that can't live without a numpad, there are already other wireless keyboards that'll do the job for you, but you'll have to be prepared to either have something unwielding on your lap or have to use a table/tray. I think that this keyboard is the perfect size for the application. When it's your access point to your MCE, you want it small and lightweight.

HawkMan, the backlighting feature that you refer to is still a feature, thankfully:
"Intelligent Backlighting
Backlighting comes on automatically when you approach the keyboard and turns off when you’re away—and backlit keys only glow when the lights are low, saving valuable battery life."

Of all of the features, I think that this one is the coolest. Backlighting is critical for a keyboard that's to be used with an MCE (since you're likely to have the room lights dimmed or off a lot of the time), and having it auto-sense you and the light level in the room (instead of you having to manually press something to turn it on) is just cool.

#4.1 g0wg on 14 Sep 2006 - 22:01

ignore, was on the UK site instead of the US version

#5 Alphanumeric on 14 Sep 2006 - 22:54

I like them alot.

#6 TheReaperMan on 14 Sep 2006 - 23:26

right but when can we buy then and how much?

#7 Asterix28573 on 15 Sep 2006 - 08:46

¿Does it include a button to keep UAC disabled while pressed...? That sure would be a good feature

#8 ALICATel on 15 Sep 2006 - 08:56

yes...when can we get one and how much....num pad schnumpad, who cares...

#9 khalsa on 15 Sep 2006 - 23:58

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microso...ives/106719.asp

The Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000, to be available in February, will sell for nearly $250.

#10 OrganicPanda on 16 Sep 2006 - 18:17

I could have sworn 'mice' meant a group of small furry creatures

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