Computer mouse facing extinction

Touch and gesture recognition tech taking over

21 July 2008 11:29 GMT / By Katie Scott

The humble computer mouse could soon be a rarity on desks around the world.

According to industry experts, alternative technologies, including gesture, movement and facial recognition interfaces could see the mouse and mouse mat pushed into the past.

Gartner has published a report, which states that computer giants including Microsoft, Intel and Apple are promoting gestural interfaces for future use.

It also found that consumer entertainment companies such as Sony, Panasonic and NEC are also moving towards new control systems, and are already demonstrating applications using facial and movement recognition.

Author of the report Steve Prentice says that using a mouse for desktop working would still carry on for a while but "for home entertainment or working on a notebook it’s over".

However, some disagree.

George Foot, director of sales and marketing at Kensington told IT Pro: "There will undoubtedly be change, driven by technology. Just look at the impact the Wii has had and how Wi-Fi has changed how and where we work. People need to be able to use and interact with their data as efficiently as possible, but new multifunctional mice have proven more than capable of meeting this need".

"Gartner’s predictions for the end of the mouse are ahead of their time. The mouse is an integral part of how we interact with our PCs and will continue to be for the foreseeable future."