The Sad State of Keyboards and Mice

NEW YORK—As I circled the CeBIT America show floor yesterday, a queasy feeling overcame me. It wasn't from the press-room lunch (which actually wasn't that bad this time)—I was sickened by the lack of innovation demonstrated by the major manufacturers at this week's show, especially in the area of keyboards and mice.

Now it's true that I'm Keyboard Krazy and Mad About Mice, so I may be more involved with this sector of technology than most people (and perhaps more involved than any healthy person should be), but I caution you not to write this column off as peripheral. (Sorry!) Anyone still stuck with a standard-issue keyboard or mouse should be asking, "Where's the innovation?"

At the dawn of 64-bit computing, when processor speeds are measured in gigahertz, why we are still grasping for the same old boring input devices? Computer mice on the market nowadays do look a little snazzier than the block of wood Douglas Engelbart was wielding way back in 1963, yet the basic functionality remains the same. But computer keyboards take the anachronistic cake. At more than 100 years, the standard QWERTY keyboard deserves the title of stodgiest PC companion to date.

In more recent years, we've developed a much more accurate idea of how the human body functions mechanically. Nowadays, we have the ability to create faster, more efficient keyboards (and key layouts) that are virtually guaranteed to increase typing speed and reduce the amount of travel your fingers need to undertake in order to type (which is key to avoiding repetitive stress injuries).

New mice are bursting onto the market that blow away the old notions of mousepad dependence. These new mice are giving us more natural, three-dimensional pointing abilities among other benefits. From vertical keyboards; to sensor-ridden, gesture-reading keyboards; to gyroscope-enabled 3D mice; we've certainly seen cutting-edge products. They're coming to us from small companies (the usual first movers). But where are the big boys? Why haven't the major manufacturers stepped up to the plate with new designs and creative offerings? I took to the mean streets of CeBIT for answers.

Searching for Innovation (With a Beer in Hand) I gave it the ol' college try Wednesday night at ShowStoppers, a party where press and vendors meet and greet. I paid a visit to the Logitech booth hoping for something new from this input heavyweight.

As I was shown Logitech's MX series of wireless mice and line of wireless keyboards (seen here on Logitech's Web site), I couldn't help but conclude that Logitech's idea of innovation is to keep the same old mouse and keyboard design, but add more buttons. I know a lot of people love the MX700 (I'll even admit it is a nice mouse), but the addition of new buttons doesn't supplant innovation. Guys, let's try to think outside the box.

Being a troublemaker, I had to ask the Logitech crew, "So, what do you think of the new Gyration mouse?" To their credit, the reps were very cordial and said some positive things. However, they did express doubt that "mousing in the air" would ever really catch on in the mainstream. Hey, I love mousing in the air! I'm not sure if it'll catch on, either, but at least it's innovative and more natural than sliding a block of plastic around on a desktop. The creative juices are flowing at Gyration, there's no denying that.

I went on to ask, "Is there anything as interesting as a gyroscope-enabled mouse on the horizon for Logitech?" To which I only received a canned response that new, innovative products are coming down the pipeline. Hmm … Are you sure?

Don't get me wrong; Logitech really is a great company in most respects, but it's high time it joins the small input-device designers and try to forge some new ground. Keyboard offerings from the powerhouse companies are abysmal as well. The most interesting keyboard we've seen out of Microsoft is the old Natural Keyboard (it's the ergonomic "split" keyboard)—and that product isn't exactly new. And take a virtual stroll through the current keyboard offerings of Kensington—every product listed is flat and QWERTY. Bah, humbug!

As an astute reader pointed out to me, the widespread use of the QWERTY keyboard is a prime example of what's called in the field of Economics "Path Dependence Theory" (see this interesting article at the University of Michigan for more details). In a nutshell, Path Dependence Theory tells us that most companies sell the same old boring keyboard (with innovation in the form of silly new buttons) because everyone else sells the same old boring keyboard. If one company alone were to adopt a new design for its keyboards, then that company alone would have to pay all of the costs associated with trying to convince the mass market to adopt the new design (such as advertising.) By contrast, if a few major companies were to adopt the new keyboard designs, then the "switching costs" would be shared among all of these companies.

Since one company cannot predict what its competitors will do, none of the companies adopt the new design even though it could potentially be more efficient. It's a stalemate. Hence, the keyboard market is stale.

Does this remind you of anything in particular? How about the dominance of Microsoft's Windows operating system? Is Windows really the best OS, or is this just another case of Path Dependence Theory in action? We all have our own answers on that one (and a few of us share them continually).

Final Thoughts It's a proven fact that when there are more choices in the market, the consumer is better-off. Without choice, we're all stuck buying the same old stuff. Even if you don't want to buy a new style of keyboard or mouse, I'm sure you'd appreciate being able to make up your own mind. This current QWERTY monopoly in the product line-up of the major manufacturers puts us all at a disadvantage in the long run because it puts constraints on our freedom of choice.

Attention, big manufacturers: Innovation is a necessity as these smaller companies know so well. Most of you got your big start because of some innovation you pioneered. Now is not the time to rest on your laurels. It's time to innovate, or you'll be left behind. The little guy is currently eating your lunch.

In this sector, small business runs the show. They've cornered the market on this up-and-coming sector. And if you don't think it's up-and-coming, take a look at your company's stats on typing-related repetitive-stress injuries (I bet it's one of the top five claims for worker's compensation).

As for users: Don't be afraid to adopt new keyboards and mice. Adapting to a new keyboard is not as hard as it looks--and it could boost your typing times, and possibly extend your career (by avoiding repetitive stress injuries).

If someone were to say to me, "Why switch to something new if I'm comfortable with my standard keyboard?" I'd respond by asking, "Why switch to a 64-bit system when I'm fine with my current PC?" Because it's better, that's why.

I'd love to hear what you think about the State of Keyboards and Mice. Am I hip-deep in hogwash, or do you agree with me? Let me know in the discussion forum.

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in ExtremeTech.