The future of keyboards and mice after Windows 8

The orientation of Windows 8 towards the touch screen is evident and the doubts that may arise in some users who own PCs and laptops are understandable who have always handled them with keyboard and mouse. Although Microsoft has made an effort to integrate 'Modern UI' interface control with both accessories, hopefully as the new system rolls out more manufacturers will offer new peripheralswith which to move more naturally through it. If Windows 8 is a success, a revolution in these accessories will surely follow.

Little is known for now about what the classic companies prepare in the world. The only one we have heard from is Logitech, which is rumored to be preparing two devices specially designed for Windows 8One of them would be a mouse with tactile capabilities that would come with support for the gestures with which we will manage the new system, including some specific ones to facilitate access to functions hidden on the sides and corners. The other accessory, which would also include these gestures, would be a touchpad for our desks with which to replace the traditional mouse.

Microsoft leads the way

But while other manufacturers are waiting, Microsoft's hardware division has already shown some accessories with functions designed for Windows 8. The Wedge and Sculpt, which includes mice and keyboards, incorporates some innovations and seems to be the first advance of other peripherals that are preparing.

The last to appear is the 'Sculpt Comfort Keyboard', keyboard for desktop computers with the typical curved and ergonomic shape of previous company keyboards. For Windows 8 it includes hotkeys to the main functions: search, share, devices and settings; in addition to the increasingly important Windows key. The biggest surprise resides in its space bar divided in half Microsoft claims that according to various studies, 90% of users only use their right thumb for spaces, leaving the left unused. For this reason they have considered it a good idea to divide the bar in two allowing the left key to be configured to act as backspace. The 'Sculpt Comfort Keyboard' will be available in the coming weeks at a price of $59.95, without knowing yet its conversion into euros.

The Sculpt family also features portable keyboard, this one without a space bar split, which includes the Windows 8 function keys ; and a classic wireless mouse with tactile capabilities. Both are not yet available but we already know their price in dollars: 49.95$ each

The other great family of accessories is grouped under the name Wedge. The Wedge keyboard is specially designed for tablets with Windows 8 It incorporates function keys of the new operating system and comes with a casing that protects it and can be used as support of our tablets to facilitate working with them. The price of the 'Wedge Mobile Keyboard' will be $79.95

But the one that stands out in this group is the 'Wedge Touch Mouse', a mouse different from the rest, with strange shapes, whichincludes touchpad with touch capabilities specially designed for the new Microsoft.How comfortable a mouse with that shape will be remains to be seen, although Microsoft promises that it will be and that its touchpad will provide a fluid experience. It works via Bluetooth and has a very contained size, which makes it easy to transport to accompany our laptop or tablet. We don't know when it will arrive yet, but the 'Wedge Touch Mouse' will be available starting at $69.95

Whether the new peripherals will help us to have a satisfactory experience with Windows 8 or if we are going to miss having a touch screen with which to operate it is something that we will see over time. The truth is that the possibility of a desktop computer controlled only with a keyboard, without the need for a mouse, seems closer to me with the new operating system. I find it impossible to replace the usual keyboard with a tactile experience, but the mouse in its classic form may be seriously threatened by a whole series of peripherals that I hope we'll see soon.

More information | Microsoft Hardware