Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »
Public Council Teleconference: Application Rationalization — Hidden Costs and Smart Decisions
November 17 at 11:00 am US/Eastern (GMT-5)
Join Honorio Padrón, of The Hackett Group, who will share the drivers for companies to tackle application rationalization and the results of research that define the hidden cost of complexity. Additionally, we will discuss key decision milestones—to start or not, holding the course steady and fulfilling expectations.
Virtual Desktop Cost-Benefit Analysis — Michael Jacobs, Catlin Group
The analysis contained in this presentation measures the cost of everything from the machines and licenses to the infrastructure for virtual vs. traditional desktop environments.
Honor your best senior team members - Apply for the CIO Ones to Watch Award
Get well-earned public recognition for your top up-and-coming team members, your IT organization and your enterprise. Award winners will be announced, publicized and feted in May 2010, great timing to help attract new IT recruits to your company.
Learn more about the CIO Executive Council »
Microsoft Developing Keyboard for Vista, Windows Live
Microsoft’s hardware division is developing a slim wireless keyboard that will make it easier for users to access Windows Live ...
July 07, 2006 — CIO —
Microsoft’s hardware division is developing a slim wireless keyboard that will make it easier for users to access Windows Live services and features in its Windows Vista OS.
Dubbed the Ultimate Keyboard, it will be announced later this year as part of a desktop package, said a source familiar with Microsoft’s plans. The system will come with a wireless laser mouse, the source said.
A Windows Live Call button will provide one-touch access to a list of Windows Live Messenger buddies online to initiate a videoconference or chat session. Pressing the button will automatically log a user into Windows Live Messenger and open a list of contacts currently online.
A Gadgets button will provide similar access to Gadgets in Windows Vista, mini-applications that appear on the computer screen to display things such as news, sports and weather information.
The ergonomic keyboard includes a round button at the bottom, below the space bar, that initiates the start menu of Vista or Windows XP, the source said. It supersedes the start menu buttons traditionally found next to alt buttons on a keyboard.
Ultimate Keyboard’s keys will be backlit, and their illumination will be adjusted based on surrounding light and proximity of users, the source said. The keys will light up if the room is dark or if a user is close by.
A dock will be included with the desktop package to charge the keyboard and mouse simultaneously from a computer’s USB port. The keyboard and mouse will come with built-in batteries. The cordless keyboard and mouse will communicate wirelessly with a computer within a 30-foot range using Bluetooth technology.
Microsoft is developing a stable of hardware products to promote the use of Windows Live services. Last month it launched two videoconferencing webcams, LifeCam VX-6000 and LifeCam VX-3000, to ease videoconferencing with Windows Live Messenger and create photo blog entries on Microsoft’s Windows Live Spaces community site.
An online teaser for the keyboard can be found online here.
-Agam Shah, IDG News Service (San Francisco Bureau)
Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage.
XenDesktop Cuts IT Complexity and Costs
PC Users Speak, and Lenovo Listens
The Creation of the "Super-T"
A Shot Across the Bow of Dell and HP
Service Level Reporting and Communication
Data Center Cost Analysis
Profit from Power Savings
Find out how and why 400 organizations have d...
CIOs Weigh In On Virtualization
Gary Beach, publisher emeritus of CIO magazine,...
Architecting Business Intelligence Applications for Change: The Open Solution
Taking a Seat at the Executive Table: The Reality of Virtualization
Who Are the Data Center Leaders?
Lower IT Costs with Oracle Database 11g Release 2
Resource Alerts
Get instant email notifications by topic when white papers, webcasts, and case studies are added to our library.
A Smartphone Owners Bill of Rights
No Regrets From Aussie IPhone Virus Creator
Windows 7 for Less: Where to Find Discounts
My First Weekend with the Moto Droid
Microsoft Makes Case for Upgrade to Exchange 2010
Apple Readies Smaller "Worldmode" IPhone on Verizon
Google to Buy Mobile Ad Company
Domain Auction Site Faces Shill Bidding Lawsuit
UK to Push for Law to Retain All Communications Data
RIM Brings BlackBerry Development, Admin Courses to Universities
