Microsoft's Wedge Touch Mouse has sculpted sizzle

As Microsoft gets ready to release tablet-oriented Windows 8, it's also getting some nifty hardware in place to work with the new OS, due out Oct. 26. Among the mice and keyboards is the pocket-sized Wedge Touch Mouse ($69.95), with a minimalist design that is almost Apple-like.

At 2.39 inches by 2.11 inches, the Wedge Touch Mouse has four-way touch scrolling and navigation. It also uses Bluetooth, so no cables or extra USB dongles are required to connect. It also has "BlueTrack Technology," so that the mouse can be used on just about any surface.

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For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCBP leaders cut out of Trump ad buy decision

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAmerican passenger drafted goodbye texts to her family as Flydubai plane plummeted

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation pushes embattled New York prosecutor into national spotlight

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

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This mouse is also mindful of energy. "If you forget to turn it off, it’ll shut down or go into sleep mode with the computer it’s connected to instead of draining the battery," says Microsoft.

The Wedge Touch Mouse will have some siblings, including the Wedge Mobile Keyboard (above), Sculpt Touch Mouse and Sculpt Mobile Keyboard. You can read about them here. 

Also, Microsoft's existing Touch Mouse ($79.95) gets a tweak with a new version that handles gestures optimized for Windows 8 navigation, including horizontal scrolling.

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