I read this report by Maggie Shiels on the BBC website today. It claims that the computer mouse is on its way out to be replaced by “so called gestural computer mechanisms like touch screens and facial recognition devices” within 2 to 5 years. Presumably we will be commuting to work in flying cars and employing robots to do our domestic chores too. Yet another ludicrous technology prediction, but with the added sadness that large scale computing companies (i.e. Microsoft) actually subscribe to this nonsense. Good job Bill Gates made his money already.
Is the BBC really that short on technology news that they have to publish these illfounded speculations? The computer mouse may be old, but that doesn’t mean the principle needs to be superseded. The wheel is pretty old too you know…
These muppets spend 5 minutes prancing about in front of a Nintendo Wii and think they have seen the future of all computing. The Wii is a games system. Anyone who has tried to used the Wii controller to browse the Internet will tell you that a mouse is far superior. The mouse is also the very best way to play first person 3D shooter games.
Apart from the obvious problems with touchscreen (filth on the screen, aching arms etc.) and gesture systems (lacking in precision, unreliable, and you look like a prat using them), do these people really think that businesses will spend vast sums of money changing their existing hardware over to these new systems that their staff won’t know how to use?
So, no the mouse is not dead, nor will it be in 2 – 5 years. Just like my Fiat won’t be taking to the skies and R2D2 won’t be popping around to do my washing up.
There’s also something worn on the wrist that uses light to read finger motions. Imagine wearing a watch like device that allows you to point at your screen and as you move your hand, the cursor moves. Then when you want to select something, you move your finger up and down like pushing a button.
Only difference is there’s no physical button. Instead, there’s a beam of light. It’s called Lightglove (not an actual glove but one made of light) and it’s by a very small company that’s been working on it for a decade. Think Wii remote but worn on the wrist with light scanning your gestures.
yep 100% agree these morons in the media have no idea what they’re talking about the computer mouse is far from dead. We’ll probably be using mice a 100 years from now because there’s been plenty of technologies that have come and gone, trying to replace mice but all have failed. Microsoft are a bunch of idiots to begin with, only thing that protected their company to begin with was the patent of all patents. Software wise Microsoft will always rule now however they should seriously give up on the hardware side. You want a good computer mouse, always go for Logitech. Not only did they invent the first mouse but they’ve also sold a billion of the darn things
unbelievable half a million in the last 4 years. Shows the mouse is far from dead. Infact it is just beginning its takeover 
so adios to any other technologies and best of luck to the companies developing them because more than likely they will be bankrupt and out of business. Can you imagine anyone using touch or a wii remote for excel sheets?? doubt it it’s utterly laughable so the mouse is far far far from done. Like that cassie song. It’s got a long way to go lol
whoops LOGITECH HAVE SOLD HALF A BILLION MICE IN THE LAST 4 YEARS!!!
You’re not wrong deAN. I also only use Logitech – best mice by a long way.
I also have a mouse manufactures by logitech.
It is good, and comfortable