Goodbye computer mouse …
Is the mouse about to go the way of the dodo?
The computer mouse, that is?
“It’s nearly 40 years old but one leading research company says the days of the computer mouse are numbered,” according to the BBC, which has a Gartner analyst predicting it [the mouse's] demise within the next three to five years.
“Taking over will be so called gestural computer mechanisms like touch screens and facial recognition devices,” says the story.
But mouse makers don’t agree
“The death of the mouse is greatly exaggerated,” says Rory Dooley senior vice president and general manager of Logitech’s control devices unit, in the story.
Logitech is the world’s biggest manufacturer of mice and keyboards and has sold more than 500 million mice over the last 20 years, it explains, quoting Dooley as saying, “This just proves how important a device the mouse is.”
So what about the keyboard? Is it on its way out as well?
Not according to Gartner’s Steve Prentice.
It’s here to stay for the foreseeable future, he says, stating firmly:
“Nothing is easily going to replace it.
“But the idea of a keyboard with a mouse as a control interface is the paradigm that I am talking about breaking down.”
.
.Stumble It!
BBC -Say goodbye to the computer mouse, July 17, 2008
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July 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am
the next thing that will replace both is an usb5 controller that interfaces with a port in your neck which directly interfaces some brain functions. never seen eXistenZ you dummies ?! (:evil grin)
July 18th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Neural interface FTW!
..in a few decades…
July 18th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Skynet has deleted every person who has attempted to interface using the standard neck port.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
PC gamers will not let the mouse die.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Touch screens will never replace the mouse for one simple reason; comfort. How do you use a mouse? With your arm resting on the desk and the mouse under your palm. How do you use a touch screen? With your arm up in the air touching the screen. Which would you rather do for an hour or two?
Try it; Pretend that you have a touch screen and duplicate every mouse movement by using your finger on the screen. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t develope muscle fatigue after just one day.
As for voice recognition, controlling a computer purely by speaking is still a long way from being perfect, not to mention that it’s an impractical method to use in many situations (on a plane, in a library, in an office cubicle).
July 18th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
What a load of crap. It has taken decades for the mouse to become as refined as it has. Now we have comfort, accuracy, wireless and multi buttoned devices that allow PRECISE control of any application.
It’s going to take a hell of a lot longer to refine any new technology and make it affordable enough for everyone to be able to use and implement.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Facial recognition my butt. I don’t want to have to worry about formatting my HD everytime I hiccup.