The Microsoft WED 8000

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It seems that Microsoft’s product packaging for Vista and Office 2007 is not the only area that is being aesthetically upgraded, as their range of keyboards and mice seem to have also come under the microscope of late – resulting in a complete and much needed style makeover.

The WED 8000 – WED stands for Wireless Entertainment Desktop, by the way – is billed as the first ever rechargeable backlit keyboard but, as catchy as this sounds, a quick look at the product’s specifications shows that there’s more to this set up than just a mere (though admittedly drastic) cosmetic overhaul.

Hooking up to your computer via 2.4GHz Bluetooth connectivity, the WED 8000 consists of a super-slim 1.97cm thick “comfort curve” brushed aluminium decked keyboard (with keys that illuminate when fingers approach them (courtesy of a capacitance sensor in the wrist pad), a directional touchpad, a host of media and shortcut keys as well as a 4-way scrolling, high definition laser mouse and a docking station that serves not only as a recharging unit but also boasts a 4 point USB hub.

It certainly looks and sounds like an impressive piece of kit which I don’t doubt is intended to try to reclaim some to the major inroads companies such as Logitech have made in the market of late.

You can read more about this intriguing product on the official site which includes a number of presentation animations.

No word on pricing as yet.