San Francisco (CA) – Logitech has introduced two mice capable of operating on virtually any surface – including clear glass that is at least 4 mm thick. The devices reportedly utilize dark field microscopy to detect tiny particles and micro-scratches on high-gloss surfaces.
“Regular laser tracking technology relies on the ability of the mouse’s sensor to detect the textural details of the surface. The more irregularities a surface exhibits, the easier it is for the sensor to identify reference points that it can use to accurately measure motion,” Logitech explained in a statement. “However, because high-gloss surfaces such as glass are almost completely flat, there are not enough details for a typical laser mouse’s sensor to detect.”
According to Logitech, the Performance and Anywhere mice use dark field microscopy to detect tiny particles and micro-scratches on high-gloss surfaces, rather than tracking the surface itself. The mouse sensor “sees” the clean areas of glass as a dark background with bright dots and then interprets the movement of the dots to precisely track where the device has been moved.
The Logitech Performance Mouse will be available in the US and Europe in August for $100, while the mobile-friendly Anywhere Mouse is expected to retail at $80.
