Microsoft appears to be focusing on keyboards for a while now. After releasing the Arc Keyboard, the company is making a come back with the fresh SideWinder X4 Keyboard, which offers an enhanced level of control by reducing the ghosting effect as much as possible.

// Developed by the Applied Sciences Group, the device features an advanced anti-ghosting technology, which allows gamers to press up to 26 keys at once.

The Applied Sciences Group is an interdisciplinary research and development team working across the Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division doing applied research for Microsoft Hardware, Microsoft Surface and Xbox 360. The team always looks for new and novel ways to enhance people’s interactions with PCs and they are aware that ghosting can be a problem for gamers. With this in mind, they’ve always wanted to develop a way to eliminate this issue and improve the overall gaming experience. The SideWinder X4 Keyboard is a proof of their success incorporating the new anti-ghosting technology.

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard’s hardware scans each key independently, so each press is correctly detected no matter how many other keys are being pressed at the same time. The macro recording allows users string together multiple moves into one press of a button, while the new automatic macro repetition feature lets gamers repeat the macro over and over as needed with one key. Mode and profile switching also provides easy ways to customize the keyboard for different games and uses while adjustable backlighting enables the selection of the lighting level.

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard will hit the market by March with an estimated retail price of $59.95. Also, pre-order is offered on Amazon for those who wants to get their hands first on the keyboard.