The Computer Mouse Scrolling Towards Its Grave
Posted 06/25/08 at 07:14:46 PM | by Pulkit Chandna
Prentice believes that not a single technology but a collection of navigational technologies are gradually, over the course of 3 to 4 years, going to render the mouse obsolete. He believes that technologies like iPhone’s multi-touch screen and gesture-sensitive cameras are moving people from “the idea of the one- or two-button mouse.” Few reasons why the mouse might be soon reduced to a relic of yore:
The iPhone effect: The uncomplicated navigational interface of gadgets like the iPhone has spoilt us. All of a sudden the mouse seems to be a ponderous navigational device compared to highly responsive multi-touch screens. Microsoft has announced Windows 7, a Vista-based multi-touch compatible Microsoft OS. And after Windows 7 is released next year, the mouse’s demise might be hastened.
Gesture-sensitive cameras: Cameras that can not only fathom the slightest of movements but appropriately respond to them are going to hold sway in the future. In fact, Lenovo is already shipping PCs with facial recognition features. Also Toshiba’s new range of notebooks with the Cell-based SpursEngine chip is tailor-made for gesture-based navigation.
Cerebral Navigation: Even the most delicate of taps and gestures seem like a chore against the luxury of controlling a computer with one’s brain. A few brain control headsets for controlling games are in the works and might be soon available commercially. But if videogames can be controlled using brainwaves, so can be computers.
The mouse is certainly on its way out, however, it won’t all of a sudden vanish into thin air but slowly wither away. Having read this through, you are now free to recount all the wonderful moments that you have had with your soon-to-be-relic computer mouse.
Image Credit: Morgans Musings
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No!
Submitted by brokenmoth08 on Mon, 2008-07-07 10:41
I will never give up my mouse! It is awesome I pwned so many newbs. And the design of the mouse is geting better. what will they say next? Keyboards belong in the musiums?
Did i hear 3.5 floppy
Submitted by opulent_rigs on Thu, 2008-06-26 14:01
I would most certainly controvert your figures - 50% MPC readers can't have 3.5 floppy drives. Anyways, to be brutally honest, I have one myself at home but it rusts. So even those who have them don't use em. In a way your analogy bw 3.5 floppy and mouse is justified. I believe that in some time people might have mice but won't use them.
hmm
Submitted by Gailim on Wed, 2008-06-25 19:44
I dunno...
I was promised a Jetpack by the year 2000...
the mouse will be around for a while, it a great way to interface with computers, until the whole mind control thing becomes practical, which it may never be. this guy may just be blowing smoke up our collective arses
The mouse is going no where
Submitted by Haipyng on Wed, 2008-06-25 18:36
The mouse is going no where for some time, especially for gamers. It's well known PC gamers have an advantage in accuracy when playing against their console cousins. You'll find gamers giving up their mice, when you pry it from their dead cold fingers...or someone invents the wet wired neural net.
Submitted by opulent_rigs on Wed, 2008-06-25 19:17
i myself remembere carrying my special mouse for Counter Strike tournaments - even had some mojo. But other than gaming I haven't used my mouse for about 2 years as i use my laptop for all my work.
Don't think so....
Submitted by hackman2007 on Wed, 2008-06-25 18:20
I really don't think the mouse is going to disappear anytime soon.
First off, I use my mouse for everything. Touchscreens get dirty and fingerprinty and eventually get scratched up. I know you can clean them, but eventually they look nasty and lose their appeal.
Mice do not have this problem, they may not look sexy, but honestly, gamers in particular are going to want the accuaracy of a mouse rather than the inaccuarcy of an iPhone-like device.
Submitted by comptech08 on Wed, 2008-06-25 17:40
nah the mouse will never go.
Submitted by headhunter66 on Thu, 2008-06-26 02:32
How is the mouse going to go the way of the dodo before the 3.5 floppy, which I can guarantee at least half of Maximum PC readers still have.
Submitted by dracoress on Thu, 2008-06-26 04:46
I haven't used a 3.5 in about 6 years....my new rig doesn't have one and my two laptops don't have one either.
Submitted by MychaelZ on Sun, 2008-07-06 11:54
I just built a new system, and in order to set up the onboard SATA as AHCI, I had to install the drivers during Winblows installation. I had to go scavenge a 3.5" drive from an old system, which turned out to be non-functional (at the young age of about 8 years old lol), so I had to take one out of ANOTHER old system. That's the first time I've used a 3.5" floppy drive in about 4 or 5 years, and once XP goes away, and all there is is Vista and its successors, I'll never need a 3.5" drive again.
Submitted by hogkill on Sun, 2008-07-06 14:30
Yeah I've probably used mine twice in the last 3 years, but I plan to install one in my next rig anyhow.
It's kind of like a vestigal feature to the computer. You don't just get rid of your appendix because you aren't using it anymore, you need to get an infection first. Also if you don't have a 3.5 inch floppy drive, go buy one now, because I can and will laugh at you otherwise.
As for the mouse, I already got rid of mine. I insert myself directly into the USB drives (don't ask how) and control the computer based on emotions alone. I'm like the Chris Crocker of computer hardware.
Submitted by dracoress on Thu, 2008-06-26 04:43
Logan Decker reviewed a Brain Device in the latest issue of PCGamer and gave it a 72% I think. The only thing he couldn't do was look side to side. He could move and shoot with it . Put that together with a motion camera and well, no need for a mouse. Touchscreen tech to open your inventory or switch guns.
It all maybe closer then you think. We now live in a world with Wii motes :) I'll miss my Trackball...(duxs head)
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