Welcome to the Microsoft Hardware blog!
Welcome to the Microsoft Hardware blog. If you’re looking for a new product, or want to make the most out of the one you already have, then this is a great place for you. We’re going to use this space to tell you about new mice, keyboards, webcams, headsets and gaming devices, keep you up-to-date on new software or product features, and give you insight into how we design our products for you that maybe you weren’t aware of.
But the most important thing is that you can use this blog to give us feedback and ask us questions. If you like something – tell us! If you don’t like something – tell us!
You’ll hear from a variety of people on this blog, and each of us look forward to telling you more about what we do, and hearing from you.
Again – welcome to the Microsoft Hardware Blog.
Brett Ostrum, General Manager
Hi there… I see you are releasing new webcams today. How do these compare to the LifeCam Cinema? Which of your webcams has the best microphone?
I bought a VX-7000 for my parents a few years ago, they use it on their Media Centre PC in the lounge to Skype the rest of the family. We’ve had to get it replaced once already, but the replacement has some issue with the auto sound level – it’s set too low by default and you have to make a loud noise before it realises and properly meters the sound in the room. I’ve tried troubleshooting, different drivers and a new PC etc but no luck. I tell my folks to clap whenever they answer Skype and this functions as a silly workaround!
Having said that though, the mic is not very sensitive and doesn’t do a good job picking up their voices if they aren’t standing in front of the TV.
So, once again, which webcam has the best microphone, and if it is the Cinema, will it receive the face tracking software along with the True Colour update?
Thanks in advance for your response, it’s not very often you get to speak to the product engineers/managers instead of a support centre!
6:56 pm Lloyd
Hello and Welcome! It’s fantastic to have you guys this close to talk about your great products.
I’ve been using Microsoft hardware since 2001, and I simply love it.
I cannot use other kind of brand of mouse, keyboards, webcam or headsets, and a couple of months ago, I started with a brand new desktop kit (comfort 5000) simply fantastic!
Keep your great work!
cheers,
@RolandoPeralta
9:36 pm Rolando Peralta
Great to have a blog on the great MS hardware!
Could you please cover how to make the IntelliType for Mac driver entirely Snow Leopard compatible?
It still has difficulties with 64-bit programs.
2:57 am fellowweb
Heya there,
Have you got any plans to release any new ergonomic keyboards and mouse combinations?
I’m a huge fan of the Microsoft Wireless Natural Keyboard Pro – And nothing has really replaced it like for like in terms of quality and functionality…
Do you have any insights for going forward?
4:42 am Jules Wilko
it is interesting to see hardware blog from microsoft
5:00 am infopediaonlinehere
hope we’ll have great benefit out of this website
5:01 am http://infopediaonlinehere.blogspot.com/
I have used the Microsoft webcam VX3000 for several years although the version 1 programming is out of date,I am now on the latest programming,which i downloaded from Microsoft and it is perfect in every way still.
9:43 am Jed stone
@Jules Wilko: Have you checked out the Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000? The keyboard in that combo features the same split Natural layout that you like in the Natural Keyboard Pro and it also includes Hardware’s only Natural mouse, which was designed to fit in your hand more naturally. That desktop will give you the most comfort with an updated design and some new productivity features over the keyboard you are using now. http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=095
4:31 pm Stu
@FellowWeb: IntelliPoint and IntelliType for Mac 7.01 and later are fully compatible with 64-bit. The software is available by download here: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/download/download.aspx?category=MK
10:53 am Stu
@Lloyd: I’m working on tracking down some answers for you. Stay tuned!
10:56 am Stu
@Lloyd: Thanks for the comment. The new HD Lifecams HD-5000, HD-5001 and HD-6000 for Notebooks as well as LifeCam Cinema have a Microphone with Noise Canceling Technology which helps to improve the speech quality. We are sorry that you have a bad experience with the VX-7000, we are sure that the microphones in our new webcams will not disappoint you.
You can get TrueColor in LifeCam Cinema; you just need to download the new version of LifeCam Software 3.2, You can find the latest version of the software in this link. http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/download/download.aspx?category=ICE
12:45 pm Danguiano
Thank you, Stu.
However, although it is claimed, this version of IntelliType for Mac is not really fully compatible with 64-bit.
E.g. the German keyboard layouts do not work with OS X applications running in 64-bit mode.
See here: http://www.gyford.com/phil/writing/2005/11/20/using_a_british.php#c285152
12:47 pm fellowweb
Thanks Stu and Danguiano!
I might look into saving up for a LifeCam Cinema then
Also in reply to Jules Willko, I bought my sister the Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 which she used to type her PhD on. Although the mouse is great, when I was typing on the keyboard I found myself using lots of keyboard shortcuts as it was so comfortable, I was loathed to take my hands off!
6:16 pm Lloyd
This is great! Now I don’t have to go to your product page, do a refresh to find if you’ve released some new exciting products anymore
Looking forward to review more of your products in the future
—
Michael Aulia
http://www.CravingCech.com
10:21 pm Michael Aulia
Thanks Michael! We’re excited to have this blog up and running, and we’ll definitely be a go-to source for the latest news on Microsoft Hardware products that are being released.
11:07 am Stu Holdren
I am contemplating purchase of the Arc keyboard AND the Arc mouse. They both come with their own respective USB transceiver. Can you use one transceiver for both devices or do you have to use up 2 USB ports?
12:34 pm Richard Arndt
Hi Richard, glad you’re considering the Arc Keyboard and Arc Mouse. You’ll need to use a USB port for each device, as most of our newer products (including the Arc Keyboard and Arc Mouse) use a 2.4GHz transceiver that is paired to a specific keyboard or mouse. The reason we do this is so it is an easy experience to connect the devices. Hopefully that helps!
3:10 pm Stu
Hi! I purchased a Microsoft Ergonomic Natural® Ergonomic Desktop 7000 keyboard and Mouse. Someone decided they needed to have my mouse and the USB driver. Is there any way I can purchase a new mouse and the USB drive that supports the keyboard and the mouse?
If so, where can I purchase it?
Thanks!
5:51 pm Nadine
Hey everyone? I have a a wirless keyboard & mouse combo and also the wireless 360 game controller with tranciever for windows. I love them and they all work fine. I would like to know if there ever is going to be a new driver set for the controller maybe adding a feature or two that maybe turns the conroller off like on the xbox 360 and also ad chat pad capability’s. Please Microsoft some of us do our gaming on the pc, and it would also help me with my typeing when using office if I could use the chatpad as a keyboard and touch mouse. Other than that I am very pleased at the inovations you have to offer.
9:35 pm Michael
Begun, the great inertnet education has.
9:04 pm Emma
Hello, Hope this post is not too inappropriate here, but I found no other channel to reach you.
Looking for a wireless keyboard (and mouse) I found your “Wireless Desktop 2000″ quite attractive. Ideally I’d like the keyboard labelled according to the US International layout (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#US-International), which is supported at least since Windows XP.
In your Technical Data Sheet (http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/A/F/1AF799F4-184B-4069-9276-418C1E5924FF/TDS_WirelessDesktop2000_1103A.pdf) three possibly relevant layouts are mentioned: English (North America) [M7J-00001], International English (Euro) [M7J-00015] and International English (ROW) [M7J-00019] [I found the likely part numbers with Google.], but unfortunately I could not find a drawing or photograph with sufficient resolution of the latter two anywhere. Even on your product pictures (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/wireless-desktop-2000/m7j-00001#product-image-gallery) one can not recognise the markings on all keys, certainly not on the function keys.
It would be really helpful if you could provide drawings or photographs of the keyboard layout of ALL your product variants:
M7J-00001 English (North America)
M7J-00002 English (Canada)
M7J-00003 French (Canada)
M7J-00004 Spanish (Latin America)
M7J-00005 French (France)
M7J-00006 German (Germany)
M7J-00007 Iberian (Portuguese)
M7J-00008 Spanish (Euro)
M7J-00009 Italian
M7J-00010 Hebrew
M7J-00011 Turkish
M7J-00012 Russian
M7J-00013 Czech
M7J-00014 Hungarian
M7J-00015 International English (Euro)
M7J-00016 Korean
M7J-00017 Simplified Chinese
M7J-00018 Traditional Chinese
M7J-00019 International English (ROW)
M7J-00020 English (UK)
M7J-00021 Brazilian
M7J-00022 All Nordic
M7J-00023 Greek
M7J-00024 German (Switzerland/Luxemburg)
M7J-00025 French (Belgium/Azerty)
M7J-00026 Japanese
M7J-00027 Thai
Or at least some accurate reference to the precise labels.
Thank you for your understanding and help!
1:14 am Robert
hi twoo jou … kom vrom sout afrika
6:38 pm jaco van der merwe
Hello…
I purchased a Microsoft Touch Mouse and a Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000. These devices use two different USB transceivers and are frustrating me because I’d like to continue using one (better yet… all) of the USB ports on my laptop for readyboost. The keyboard has an encrypted USB while the other one has a nano transceiver. Can I just combine them into one device? I have an ASUS U46E-BAL6.
Thanks in advance for any assistance…
6:02 am Jimmy
Hi Jimmy – Apologies for the delay. The transceiver is unique to each product.
12:06 am Hardware Team