| No one wants to be getting entangled in a | | | | mouses as well. A computer or electronic |
| maze of wires while getting his gadgets. | | | | mouse is basically a pointing device that |
| Everyone wants to eliminate as much cords and | | | | detects motion in two dimensions relative to |
| wires as possible from his gadgets as their | | | | its position. The device's motion translates |
| elimination greatly simplifies the | | | | into a corresponding motion of a pointer on a |
| connections between different devices. A | | | | display like a computer's monitor. The |
| keyboard that connects wirelessly offers | | | | mechanical mouse was invented by Stanford |
| great convenience to the users. One need not | | | | Research Institute in 1963. The first ball |
| sit near one's computer to use it. One can | | | | mouse was developed in 1972 that used two |
| use the keyboard from a position one feels is | | | | oppositely moving rollers to detect the |
| comfortable to him, like lying in the bed. | | | | motion of the device. The wireless mouse was |
| | | | developed during 1980s. |
| The keyboard can be used with a computer | | | | |
| system that supports Bluetooth connectivity. | | | | A wireless mouse connects to the CPU of |
| Since the keyboard does not use any wires, it | | | | computers through Bluetooth technology. One |
| does not feature any ports for USB | | | | need not keep the mouse near the computer's |
| connections. Most such present day keyboards | | | | monitor to operate it. Nor does one need to |
| support two way transmissions of data through | | | | stretch his or her hand to reach it. These |
| radio frequency (RF) for a distance of up to | | | | mouses can work from a distance of up to 7 |
| 100 ft. The keyboards come especially handy | | | | meters from the computer. Like other |
| in situations where one's access to his or | | | | electronic gadgets, the device is susceptible |
| her computer is restricted due to space | | | | to electrical and magnetic interferences. If |
| constraints. But one needs to install a | | | | there is a lot of electromagnetic |
| supporting software in his or her computer to | | | | interference in the vicinity of the mouse, |
| use such keyboards. | | | | its performance may be affected to a great |
| | | | extent. |
| Microsoft has released a new combination of | | | | |
| keyboard and mouse that connect without any | | | | The mouse detects its movement using photo |
| wires with other devices. The combination is | | | | diodes and light emitting diodes. Two |
| being marketed under the brand name Wireless | | | | versions of this mouse were released in 1980. |
| Entertainment Desktop 8000. The combination | | | | Current models of the mouse use an |
| is the computer industry's first backlit | | | | optoelectronic sensor to picture its |
| keyboard. The gadget has specifically been | | | | underlying surface. These mouses have special |
| designed for Media Centre PCs and can be used | | | | purpose image processing chips embedded in |
| with both Windows Vista and Windows XP | | | | them. The chip allows the mouse to detect its |
| operating systems. The device features | | | | motion relative to a variety of surfaces. The |
| several buttons for use on Vista operating | | | | mouse illuminates the surface that it tracks |
| system. Many users of conventional keyboards | | | | over using a laser diode or a LED. The chip |
| may not know the exact functions of these | | | | translates the movement of the mouse to a |
| buttons. | | | | corresponding movement of a pointer on a |
| | | | display using an optical flow estimation |
| The keyboard has several dedicated buttons | | | | algorithm. |
| for multimedia control. The keyboard is | | | | |
| backlit; it means one can also use it in | | | | A wireless mouse is better than optical |
| areas which have dim or no light at all. | | | | mouse. Some more variants of electronic mouse |
| There are many 'one touch' multimedia keys on | | | | like a laser mouse and tactile mouse are also |
| the keyboard. For example, one can open up an | | | | available in the markets. Some manufactures |
| internet browser or play a DVD on his | | | | have also developed mouses that have |
| computer with just a single touch of a | | | | beenstylised to sense gestures of the users. |
| multimedia key. Apple Inc. released its | | | | For example, a quick movement of the mouse in |
| thinnest model of keyboard in August 2007 | | | | "X" motion would delete a picture in a |
| that can wirelessly connect to a computer. | | | | drawing program. The wireless keyboard and |
| The keyboard is specifically designed for use | | | | optical mouse have made it much comfortable |
| on the company's Macintosh brand of | | | | to work on a computer system. Most present |
| computers. The device prevents accidental | | | | day high end computers come equipped with |
| presses of Caps lock key. To activate the | | | | wireless keyboards and optical mouses. The |
| Caps lock function, one has to press and hold | | | | devices have made it possible for users to |
| the Caps lock key for a while. | | | | easily interact with their computers from a |
| | | | distance. |
| Let us now discuss some features of computer | | | | |