Transform With Microsoft’s New SideWinder X6 Keyboard; Industry’s First Switchable Key Pad Moves From Work to Play

   SideWinder line expands with first-ever keyboard and new SideWinder X5

                                   Mouse.



    LEIPZIG, Germany, Aug. 20 /EMWNews/ -- Today at the Games

Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Microsoft Hardware debuted the SideWinder

X6 Keyboard -- the most versatile gaming keyboard on the market with the

first-ever switchable key pad that can be attached to the left or right

side of the keyboard for ultimate flexibility. To round out the SideWinder

line, the Hardware team is also announcing the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast,

powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream gamers a competitive

edge.



    



    The switchable key pad makes the SideWinder X6 Keyboard ideal for

gaming as well as productivity, as the key pad functions as a standard num

pad in normal keyboard mode, but becomes a programmable macro pad in game

mode. Complementing the unique versatility of the keyboard are features

specifically designed for gaming, including the capacity to store up to 90

macros per game and backlighting that helps users get immersed in the game.



    "We know that consumers don't want to pull out and set up a second

keyboard for a gaming session, so we created a device that was perfect for

both gaming and regular computer use," said Kevin Flick, user researcher

for Microsoft Hardware. "With the switchable key pad, gamers will have a

fantastic, customizable experience whether they're playing their favorite

game or creating Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentations."



    Powerful Versatility



    The SideWinder X6 Keyboard's switchable key pad allows gamers to

program up to 90 macros per game with the help of a set of dedicated macro

keys as well as a fully programmable key pad. With mode switching, gamers

can instantly go from Microsoft Office Excel to their favorite game -- and

place the macro pad on whichever side they prefer for gaming. The X6 also

offers the following features to take advantage of its adaptability:



    -- Mode switching lets gamers manually toggle the keyboard from

standard mode to either of two gaming modes. LEDs show the selected mode.



    -- Automatic profile switching detects the application that is running

and applies the custom profile.



    Designed for Gaming



    The SideWinder X6 Keyboard is more than a standard keyboard with a few

extra bells and whistles -- it was built from the ground up with gamers in

mind, to give them an edge up on their competition. To complement its

versatility, the keyboard has the following additional features to produce

the ultimate gaming package:



    -- New Cruise Control feature continues an action without having to

hold down the key or keys assigned to the action. Gamers can use Cruise

Control with up to four keys at a time.(1)



    -- In-game macro record button lets gamers record any sequence of

keystrokes -- even standard chat messages. Macros are stored on the PC hard

drive and can be easily shared.



    -- WASD gaming keys, the most commonly used keys for gamers, have

front-face lighting for enhanced visibility.



    -- Quick-Launch key gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games

Explorer, allowing gamers to quickly see the games in their PC's game

library.(2)



    Get Immersed



    Gamers enjoy a heightened experience when adsorbed in the gaming world.

Research shows many gamers like to dim the lights, and the X6's two-color

adjustable backlighting helps set the mood to achieve total immersion. The

red backlighting indicates standard keys that are not programmable, while

the amber color indicates custom-programmable macro keys in game mode that

can be tuned to the gamers' preference. The X6 also includes full media

keys and volume and backlighting control dials to fine-tune the gaming

experience.



    SideWinder X5 Mouse



    Today, Microsoft also announced the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast,

powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream gamers a competitive

edge. The nine-button gaming mouse is designed for handling with vertical

side buttons, adjustable sensitivity switching up to 2,000 DPI, five

customizable buttons, and a Quick-Launch button that instantly launches the

Windows Vista Games Explorer.



    SideWinder: It's Only the Beginning



    The SideWinder X6 Keyboard is the first keyboard to join the popular

SideWinder family of gaming products. Established in 1995 and revived in

2007, the SideWinder line is known for its top-notch PC gaming peripherals,

including mice, game pads, joysticks and steering wheels.



    Pricing and Availability



    The SideWinder X6 Keyboard and SideWinder X5 Mouse will be widely

available in September 2008 for an estimated retail price of $79.95 (U.S.)

and $59.95 (U.S.), respectively.(3) The products are available now for

pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in September when they are widely

released. The SideWinder X6 Keyboard and SideWinder X5 Mouse will be backed

by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft Corp.

More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products can be

found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

    About Microsoft Hardware



    For more than 25 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative

engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing

to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the

software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and

their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering,

industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers

an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience.

Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, which launched in 1999, earned a place on

PCWorld.com's December 2005 list of "The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50

Years" as the first mainstream optical mouse that "brought gunk-free

pointing devices" to a broad consumer base. More information about the

Hardware Group is available at http://www.mshardwareguide.com.



    About Microsoft



    Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in

software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize

their full potential.






    (1) Cruise Control does not work with programmable macro keys.

    (2) The Quick-Launch button will open IntelliType keyboard or IntelliPoint

        mouse software when using Windows XP.

    (3) Actual retail prices may vary.