Microsoft's no longer in the red. The software giant today announced the release of BlueTrack, a new mouse tracking technology that lets makes it easier to us the peripheral on a more diverse range of surfaces, including carpeting.

According to Microsoft, the new technology works on a wider variety of surfaces than both optical and larger mice. The blue beam covers a larger surface and "generates a high-contrast picture of the mousing surface that allows exceptional tracking accuracy."

"Research shows that people aren't sitting at a desk all day, but they've gone mobile. In fact, 72 percent of PCs sold are notebook PCs,2 and consumers need a mouse that can go with them anywhere," said BlueTrack co-inventor, Mark DePue. "BlueTrack Technology excels in areas where optical and laser technologies were falling short. Laser mice, for example, have a difficult time working on some common home surfaces, including granite and marble."

The new technology will initially be available in two models, the Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse, both of which are set to go on sale at Best Buy stores in November, for $99.95 and $79.95, respectively.