Microsoft Shows off Gaming AccessoriesPC peripherals are paraded out by the big M.By Li C. Kuo | Aug. 23, 2006Microsoft decided to show off some upcoming gaming peripherals for the PC at this year's Games Convention in Leipzig. One of the goodies unveiled is Version 3.0 of the IntelliMouse Explorer, a reworked and improved version of the popular Microsoft mouse. Version 3.0 tracks at 9,000 frames per second, allows gamers to switch between default and precision mode on the fly, and includes a toggle for easy weapons switching in games. Gamers will be happy to hear that the smooth-rolling wheel is gone and detents are in for more accurate scrolling.For more demanding gamers, Microsoft has entered into an alliance with Razer, the precision gaming mouse manufacturer. The two companies have co-developed a new gaming mouse called the Habu which combines the ergonomics of a Microsoft mouse with the high performance of a Razer product. Another new peripheral is a special 2.4 GHz wireless version of the Xbox 360 controller designed for use with the PC. This controller includes everything console gamers love about the Xbox 360 controller along with an integrated headset jack for PC headsets.The IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 and the Habu are both due out in October. The Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows is due in December.
If is one thing Microsoft does well is hardware, IMHO. Since I bought one of their natural keyboards a few years back, I can't go back to a normal one. Their mice are usually good quality also. I remember when they first came out with the Sidewinder controller. It was a good design and you could daisy-chain up to 8 by connecting the 2nd to the 1st, etc. So, I have no worries about their new peripherals. They should be good quality.
