1. Hi everyone, can you please introduce yourselves and tell us about your involvement with the original Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 (IME 3.0) and/or the re-released mouse?

My name is Steven Fisher, I was the Sr. Industrial Designer on the original IME 3.0. My primary role was the creation of the design you see and touch every day. Included in this would be the comfort, ergonomics, materials, look and feel. This was intended to be one of the most comfortable and visually compelling mice in Microsoft’s lineup… no easy task I might add. We developed over 50 models to dial in comfort in usage as well as form. Very subtle details were incorporated to make IME superior to what was out there: subtle undercuts for clutching, scalloped areas for finger comfort and intuitive positioning of the hand, and an arch on the top to support the hand in a natural posture during use. The side swoosh gave you a more aggressive visual cue that this product was new and serious. The looks also imply motion, like it’s leaping off the table. The IME is one of my favorite mice and I have used it daily as my primary mouse since the day I designed it.

I believe it has a lot to do with comfort and engineering. We developed a superior technology for the optics that is still competitive today. Comfort today is still the same as before. We pulled out the stops and made decisions that added significant manufacturing costs but we knew it was critical to the design and we agreed it needed to be done to make the product what it is.

3. How was the decision made to bring back the IME 3.0?

Consumer response. It’s been brought to my attention that the hard core professionals love it and users spend big bucks trying to find them.

4. How is the re-released IME 3.0 different from the original mouse?

The product was introduced with new materials and finishes but as far as I know we have updated the software but everything else has remained the same. I think we would have pissed people off if we messed with something they love.

5. What were your first impressions of the idea to re-release the IME 3.0?

I was thrilled. It reinforces the work you put into these products. Tells you did right! I feel excited to know that when the day comes to finally replace my desktop IME, I’ll be able to get all the same details and quality in a brand new mouse.

6. How long will the IME 3.0 be around this time? Do you have any ideas about improving it in the future?

I believe we need to listen to the consumers. If we hear that they want a new detail or a new technology then we need to react. I think it’s wonderful that we are listening to our consumers and meeting their needs by reintroducing an icon to gamers.

7. What do you think of using professional players to help consult on products for gamers? Have you ever done this?

Definitely! This is a must and we do it all the time. There is no way we could ever believe that we understand the product better than the user. They fuel our excitement to do better things and we need them to make these products successful.

8. Are you happy with the results of the re-release?

I’m thrilled. If there is anything we can do to make a customer happy, we need to listen. This was and is a great product and I’m super excited to have it back!