Kensington Technology Group, the folks who make a variety of computer peripherals, has introduced the Kensington StudioMouse for Mac users, which features, among other things, a new Scroll Sensor.
“In creating StudioMouse, we wanted to develop — from the ground up — a new kind of input device for Macintosh, designed specifically for the high-end, creative user,” said Don Angel, director of Peripherals and Input Devices at Kensington. “StudioMouse continues to build on our commitment to Mac enthusiasts who appreciate the creative power of combining sophisticated style and function. Nothing else looks like StudioMouse and nothing else performs like it either.”
The Scroll Sensor ditches the scroll wheel in favor of a multi-function, touch-sensitive strip. According to the Angel, it lets you move quickly up and down a project, scroll continuously to the start or finish of a document, or “creep” one line at a time — all with the touch of a finger and without moving parts that squeak or get stuck.
The StudioMouse, which has a manufacturers suggested retail price of US$59.99, boasts high-speed optical technology and comes with Kensington MouseWorks software that lets you program the functions of three StudioMouse buttons. It also has EasyGrip rubberized sides designed to make it easy to grasp and maneuver.