Windows 8 isn’t coming till October, but Microsoft is starting to work on devices and peripherals that will complement the highly anticipated OS. The company’s latest offering are the Wedge Mobile Keyboard and Wedge Touch Mouse, and both are made specifically for Windows tablets in mind.
Tablets are of course mobile devices made for computing on the road, but keyboards definitely aren’t, so how is Microsoft expecting this one to work? For starters, it’s very thin and expected to be not much longer than a decently-sized tablet, so it can still fit into a carrying case or bag. Should you need to move to another area, it can be pressed against the tablet, keys facing the screen, and the keyboard’s battery compartment acts as a grip to keep both devices in your hand.
The Wedge Keyboard itself is a full QWERTY keyboard that connects to devices via Bluetooth, with a few additions in the form of hotkeys specifically for various Windows 8 functions like Charms and Bar, but the best part of the device is arguably is its cover. The cover features a soft rubber surface that protects the keys and turns it off while it’s on, so nothing will be damaged during transit. However, that’s not the only thing the cover can do, as it’s able to fold into a stand to support tablets as well, giving it an extra function.
Meanwhile, the Wedge Touch Mouse is not like any computer mouse you have ever seen. Like the keyboard, it makes use of Bluetooth, but instead of the usual dome-like figure, it resembles a wedge, hence the name. It also makes use of Bluetrack technology, which allows it to track on any surface, and because of its unusual design, it recognizes vertical and horizontal gestures for more scrolling ease.
If you’re not planning on updating to Windows 8 anytime soon but still want these peripherals, it’s been said that they’re also compatible with Windows 7, RT and even rival Mac OS X. However, both Windows Vista and XP are not supported.
There is no set date for both devices aside from a simple “soon”, but they do have price tags. The Wedge Mobile Keyboard will cost $ 79.95, while the Wedge Touch Mouse will go for $ 69.95.
