Microsoft releases keyboards to keep you typing

Keyboard comfort is key

Microsoft releases two new keyboards to keep you typing

AUCKLAND October 14, 2009: Microsoft has announced the expansion of their keyboard range with the release of the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 and Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000.

‘‘With consumers spending on average 6 hours a day at their desk, (1) comfort, choice and ease of use is a key priority, “said Joel Ruzich, Senior Group Category Manager, Microsoft Hardware ANZ. ‘‘With these two new products we’ll help keep you typing and your wrists comfortable no matter what your needs are.”

Go beyond with Bluetooth:
The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is designed exclusively for Bluetooth notebooks and desktop computers. This stylish portable keyboard is fitted-out with Microsoft’s Comfort Curve layout and the unique stand alone Bluetooth Number Pad. Whether you are at home working on the household budget or in the office compiling financial reports, the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 enables you to work productively and comfortably in any environment.

To make life easier, the stand-alone number pad is convenient to use with Bluetooth desktop computers but particularly with notebooks or netbooks, which often don’t have number pads at all.

At just a few millimetres thicker than an AAA battery— the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 doesn’t sacrifice comfort or productivity. The Comfort Curve design offers you ultimate relief, for a more ergonomically sound typing experience, encouraging a natural wrist posture.

Full package: comfort, style and BlueTrack Technology:
The state of the art Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 fuses comfort and style into one neat keyboard and mouse package. The cordless wave-like keyboard with soft-touch palm rest, low-profile quiet touch keys and contoured, compact shape lets you get to work in no time and will look good on any desk.

Included in this desktop set is the Wireless Mouse 5000. With its rubber side grips and an ambidextrous shape, it is designed for comfort in either hand. The Wireless Mouse 5000 features Microsoft’s BlueTrack Technology, which allows you to work on virtually any surface (2) with confidence. Both the mouse and keyboard wirelessly connect to the computer via a reliable 2.4GHz mini-transceiver that works up to 10 metres away.

Smart features for Windows 7:
The Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 is the perfect companion for Windows 7 as it is designed to make everyday computer tasks easier. A new time-saving feature called Taskbar Favourites gives you an easy way to access opened programs. Instead of the traditional My Favourites Keys with stored locations, Taskbar Favourites will map to the location of open applications on the improved Windows taskbar. The icons in the taskbar can be easily rearranged just by clicking and dragging; Taskbar Favourites will instantly adapt to the new icon locations. Other Windows 7 integration features include these:

• Device stage. Microsoft Hardware mouse and keyboard products will support Device Stage, a Windows 7 feature that gives customers quick and easy access to common tasks, including product information, registration, settings and more for popular device categories such as cell phones, cameras, printers, portable media players and input devices.
• Windows flip. Microsoft mouse and keyboard users can easily see a thumbnail preview of all open windows with the press of a button. A full-screen preview of the application will automatically display, enabling the user to better identify and select the desired application.

Pricing and availability:
The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 will be available in November 2009 for a recommended retail price of $179.00 (3)

The Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 is available for a recommended retail price of $169.00(3)

The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 and Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 are backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft.

Notes

1 - Sommerich, C., "A Survey of Desktop and Notebook Computer Use by Professionals," Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 26th meeting, 2002, pp. 1124-1128.

2 - BlueTrack Technology does not work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces.

3 - Recommended retail prices. At participating retailers. The price a customer pays will be determined by their retailer.

ENDS

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