Archives for posts with tag: Microsoft Hardware
« Older Entries

Microsoft HD5000 and HD5001 Webcams

April 23, 10 //
Comments Off

The latest products to come out of Microsoft Hardware’s Webcam Lab are the HD5000 and HD5001 webcams. This means that along with the Lifecam Cinema HD, we’ve now have three webcams available that deliver an HD picture. The 5000 and 5001 are similar cameras with the same HD optics, the difference between the two being that the 5000 is designed for desktops and the 5001 is optimized for laptops with a shorter cord, a carry case, and the ability to spin 360 degrees. Both retail for $50.

Daniel Anguiano from the hardware team joined me to show us the new cams and some of the new features on the 5000 series, and to talk about why Microsoft has so many different webcams.

CES 2010: Microsoft’s Arc Keyboard

January 8, 10 //
Comments Off

Sean Butterworth stopped by the Microsoft booth and gave me a look at the new Microsoft Arc Keyboard, the mate to the Arc Mouse. I’m a huge fan of the Arc Mouse (cnet review here) mainly because it’s portable enough to keep in my bag or even in a front pocket. This new keyboard looks equally nice. It’s small, thin, and portable enough that it will be a great addition to my slate tablets when on the go. The USB dongle is even smaller than the Arc Mouse dongle, so once you plug it in you probably won’t need to unplug it as there is very little profile coming off the USB port.

Microsoft’s Pressure Sensitive Keyboards

October 21, 09 //
Comments Off

There is a somewhat little known department here at Microsoft called the Applied Science Group and they do some truly incredible work. They are the research team behind Microsoft Hardware. I met up with Paul Dietz from this group and he showed me the amazing new Micrososft Pressure Sensitive Keyboard. Not only are the possibilities limitless- but they’re multi-touch and predicted to be priced affordably. After he demo-ed the keyboard for me he showed off some of the winning applications made for it from the User Interface Software & Technology Conference. Absolutely Innovative!

This May Be Your Next Mouse

October 5, 09 //
Comments Off

Today at the User Interface Software and Technology Conference, Microsoft will show five new mouse prototypes that combine normal mousing with multitouch controls. Here is a video that gives you a brief introduction to each of the controls. I’ll be meeting with this team when they get back, what questions do you have about these new mice? Which one is your most/least favorite?

The Labs of Microsoft Hardware 6 of 6

September 25, 09 //
Comments Off

You may have heard that Microsoft recently expanded the campus a little, one of the teams that had grown out of their space was Microsoft Hardware. The hardware team invited me over to see The Labs of Microsoft Hardware and check out the process behind creating and testing products like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and the Lifecam Cinema HD. 

We end our look at the Labs of Microsoft Hardware by looking at one of the coolest rooms I’ve ever been in. It is the anechoic chamber in the Audio Lab. Now, I knew going in that this was going to be a quiet room. But I had no idea just how quiet. Even when you have the best soundproofing on your head, you’re still subjected to vibrations through your entire body. This room is even vibration-proof. The results are almost scary, leaving you with a feeling that you’ve just disconnected from the world.

The Labs of Microsoft Hardware 5 of 6

September 24, 09 //
Comments Off

You may have heard that Microsoft recently expanded the campus a little, one of the teams that had grown out of their space was Microsoft Hardware. The hardware team invited me over to see The Labs of Microsoft Hardware and check out the process behind creating and testing products like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and the Lifecam Cinema HD.

Today we look at the Reliability Lab, where more devastation is rained upon Microsoft products than at a WWDC parking lot. Cables are pulled, stains are applied, even a fake Sun is cast upon our plastic, all in an effort to give you products that can take abuse with the best of them.

See all previous videos here.

The Labs of Microsoft Hardware 5 of 6

September 24, 09 //
Comments Off

You may have heard that Microsoft recently expanded the campus a little, one of the teams that had grown out of their space was Microsoft Hardware. The hardware team invited me over to see The Labs of Microsoft Hardware and check out the process behind creating and testing products like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and the Lifecam Cinema HD.

Today we look at the Reliability Lab, where more devastation is rained upon Microsoft products than at a WWDC parking lot. Cables are pulled, stains are applied, even a fake Sun is cast upon our plastic, all in an effort to give you products that can take abuse with the best of them.

See all previous videos here.

The Labs of Microsoft Hardware 4 of 6

September 24, 09 //
Comments Off

Microsoft recently expanded the campus a little, one of the teams that had grown out of their space was Microsoft Hardware. The hardware team invited me over to see The Labs of Microsoft Hardware and check out the process behind creating and testing products like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and the Lifecam Cinema HD.

Today we look at the Video Lab, where webcams are tested against subjective and objective measures to make sure that they give you an accurate picture, but also to make you look your best when the conditions and lighting in the room are bad.

See all previous videos here.

The Labs of Microsoft Hardware 3 of 6

September 23, 09 //
Comments Off

You may have heard that Microsoft recently expanded the campus a little, one of the teams that had grown out of their space was Microsoft Hardware. The hardware team invited me over to see The Labs of Microsoft Hardware and check out the process behind creating and testing products like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and the Lifecam Cinema HD. Over the coming days you’ll see the Mouse Testing Lab, the Model Shop (with all the really cool upcoming stuff hidden, sorry), the Wireless Lab, the Video Lab, the Reliability Lab, and the Acoustic Lab.

Today’s lab is the Wireless Lab, where Faraday cages are used to test the noise and interference of wireless products to make sure they play nice with all the other gadgets in your house.

The Labs of Microsoft Hardware 2 of 6

September 22, 09 //
Comments Off

You may have heard that Microsoft recently expanded the campus a little, one of the teams that had grown out of their space was Microsoft Hardware. The hardware team invited me over to see The Labs of Microsoft Hardware and check out the process behind creating and testing products like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and the Lifecam Cinema HD. Over the coming days you’ll see the Mouse Testing Lab, the Model Shop (with all the really cool upcoming stuff hidden, sorry), the Wireless Lab, the Video Lab, the Reliability Lab, and the Acoustic Lab.

Today’s lab is the Model Shop, where designers and fabricators work together to create the rough designs that are used to get an idea of what the finished product will look and feel like.

« Older Entries