Less than a week after Microsoft began rolling out the Windows 10 update to eligible users, the company has announced a refreshed line of keyboards and mice designed for the operating system.
Among them is the new minimalist Wireless Desktop 900, a keyboard and mouse combo with 30-range, “quiet-touch” keys and an ambidextrous mouse. With the company’s Mouse and Keyboard Center software (a free download), the keyboard provides “one-touch access to Cortana, OneNote and virtual desktops,” noted Microsoft spokesperson Brandon LeBlanc in an Aug. 4 announcement.
The Wireless Desktop 900 bundle should also help put to rest fears that snoops can pluck keystrokes from its wireless connections. “The Wireless Desktop 900 also features AES encryption so you can enjoy safe and secure wireless connectivity,” said LeBlanc.
“Each keyboard is permanently paired with its receiver at the factory—no key information is ever shared over the air,” reads Microsoft’s online product listing. The Wireless Desktop 900 goes on sale on Oct. 1 for $49.95. The Wireless Mouse 900 can also be purchased separately for $29.95.
A follow-up to Microsoft’s popular Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 is also in the works. Now dubbed the Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600, it features low-power “Bluetooth 4.0 SMART technology and a 4-way scroll wheel for navigating up, down, left and right,” LeBlanc said. The compact mouse can also squeeze six months of use out of its single AA battery. Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 is available on Oct. 8 for $29.95.
Microsoft is refreshing its other desktop sets (keyboard and mouse) to include AES encryption, revealed LeBlanc.
The revamped product line includes the Wireless Desktop 850 (keyboard and mouse) and Keyboard 850, formerly the 800, which will be available on Sept. 23 for $39.95 and $24.95, respectively. The Wireless Desktop 3000’s successor, the 35000, features an integrated palm rest and customizable shortcut keys and goes on sale on Oct. 7 for $59.95.
Also on Oct. 7, Microsoft will release the ergonomic Wireless Comfort Desktop 5050, for $69.95. The company’s Sculpt Comfort Desktop, with a split spacebar and detachable palm rest, is available now ($79.95).
As Microsoft readies its new line of Windows 10-friendly gear, one major third-party provider of Windows keyboards and mice is telling customers that their current investments will carry over to the new OS.
“All Logitech PC peripherals that are currently for sale today (mice, keyboards, combos, webcams and headsets) including Logitech G products, have been tested and work with Windows 10,” assured the company in a July 16 advisory. “Our ConferenceCam product family and desktop collaboration products will also work with Windows 10.”
Not all features will make the jump to the new OS, by virtue of Microsoft’s design decisions. “Note that some functions, such as Windows 8 edge gestures, are not enabled in Windows 10, so the products that were taking advantage of this feature will not have any functions associated with it in Windows 10,” Logitech warned.
