Today Microsoft Hardware launched the SideWinder X4 Keyboard, a keyboard designed to give gamers more control over their gaming experience.

The keyboard features the anti-ghosting technology developed by the Applied Sciences Group. The new technology ensures gamers' most complex key combinations will be recognized by the computer to keep the game in action. The new keyboard also offers other gaming features such as macro recording, mode and profile switching, and adjustable backlighting.

The Applied Sciences Group, an interdisciplinary research and development team that works across the Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division doing applied research for Microsoft Hardware, Microsoft Surface and Xbox 360, developed the anti-ghosting technology with gamers in mind. The technology allows gamers to press up to 26 keys at once. Because each key is scanned independently by the keyboard hardware, each key press is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed at the same time.

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard also offers more of the features gamers need to stay at the top of their game. Macro recording lets them string together multiple moves into one press of a button, and the new automatic macro repetition feature lets them 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 users while adjustable backlighting lets gamers select the lighting level that meets their needs.

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard will be available in March 2010 for the estimated retail price of $59.95 (U.S) and will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com later this week. The SideWinder X4 Keyboard is backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty.