Ever wondered what makes Microsoft's mice tick? Well, in the adjacent image you should have the right answer to this question. There is a closely guarded secret over at Redmond, more hush-hush than even the Windows Omerta imposed by Steven "codename Translucency" Sinofsky, Senior Vice President, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group in relation to future releases of the Windows platform. The fact of the matter is that the technological marvel is nothing more than a small rodent with red-glowing, rabid eyes.

But you shouldn't look down upon the "technology" designed to go into Microsoft's mice. The fact of the matter is that it is only a small and blurred line between a rodent and a mouse... You should also know that mice are one of the prime products coming out of the Microsoft Hardware division. In fact, 2007 marks quite the anniversary for Microsoft Hardware, and looking back, it all began with... yes, with a mouse. And in order to celebrate the event, the Redmond company made available an entirely new lineup of products, just in time for the holiday season.

"This year Microsoft Hardware is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The group was formed in 1982 and charged with creating the company's first mouse compatible with the first version of Microsoft Word. The next year the Microsoft Hardware Group shipped its first mouse, enabling people to interact with their computer more efficiently than before. In the 25 years since, this experienced team of over 200 - including ergonomists, usability experts, developers, marketers and industrial designers - have worked to create, develop and market breakthrough technologies that improve the way people interact with software and services, bringing them all together to create the best experience possible on the PC," Microsoft revealed.

The latest mice to come out of Redmond are focused on enhanced Vista integration as well as on pushing the standards' bar for functionality on notebook computers. Microsoft delivered the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 with 1GB of built-in Flash memory, as well as the Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000, Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000. But perhaps the product that really marks the anniversary is none other than Sidewinder, the ultimate gaming mouse. In the video embedded at the bottom, you will be able to witness first hand the first example of the resurrected SideWinder line.


Video: Microsoft Sidewinder preview