A mouse with a memory

Forgot the password to enter a computer? Not to worry! Your mouse remembered it for you!

The German electronics firm Siemens, used the International Telecommunication Union's Asia Telecom Fair in Hong Kong in early December, to unveil an ``intelligent'' mouse which uses biometrics - the science of body measurements - to recognize the unique fingerprints of a user; to authorise PC usage, and open utilities like Internet accounts. In other alleys too, the IT rodent population is up and about:

Microsoft's Optical IntelliMouse, IBM's Sleek Pearl White Mouse and the Genius NetMouse Pro are three recent mutations. Like many of these new-generation mice, the new Apple Mouse now comes with optical chip-based sensors replacing the rollerballs. The main advantage of optical mice is that you don't need a mouse pad: any old surface will do. The high end Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer now comes with five buttons - and cost the equivalent of Rs 3000!

The common or two-button electromechanical mouse as we know it has seen prices fall to unbelievably low levels. In most places in India, you can now pick a made-in-China Genius ``EasyMouse'' for equivalent for Rs 200. As they say, there's a mouse to fit every mousetrap - sorry, pocket!

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Section  : Business
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