Microsoft Research’s Mouse Prototypes Leave Us Scared, Confused

I have a feeling Microsoft is trying to tell us something with its prototype multi-touch mice. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this is a response to rumors of a new multi-touch mouse from Apple, with the message of “Anyone can come up with ridiculous ideas. We’ve done it, too.” Whatever, let’s take a look at some of Microsoft’s crazy concoctions after the jump.

Pictured above is the Cap Mouse, which uses touch-sensitive electrodes to tell where the user’s hands are located along the surface. This allows for multi-touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom. The Side Mouse, which resembles a big black block, rests the user’s palm on top and uses proximity sensors to determine finger positioning around the device. This seems really uncomfortable, but allows for interaction from several fingers at a time.

Then, there’s Orb Mouse, which houses an infrared camera and lets the user move a hand freely around the dome-shaped structure. This allows for tilting at angles not possible along a 2-D plane, making it useful for first-person shooters. Taking the prize for greatest name, the Frustrated Total Internal Reflection mouse lights the user’s fingers against the translucent surface and tracks their movement with a camera. Finally, there’s Arty, whose three individual sensors track forefinger, thumb and wrist movement.

Your move, Apple [via Engadget]