Windows Vista: new keyboard from Microsoft

New soon to be released software products from Microsoft enhanced also the hardware portfolio of this manufacturer. 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. 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. The $250 desktop package will become available in February 2007 in the U.S. The question is, whether are there customers willing to pay quite a lot of money just for few extra buttons, because other top manufacturers like Logitech also offer special configurable buttons for better price…