So how does this all work?  The MS Intellimouse Optical is using Microsoft's "Intellieye" technology whereby a tiny digital CMOS camera takes 1,500 pictures per second of the surface beneath the mouse.  Microsoft claims that the "Intellieye" technology will work with virtually any surface, the preferred mousing surface is still an Everglide or Ratpad.  There is also an LED that flashes to illuminate the area when the mouse is moved, the LED has a nice effect for those latenight frag-fests as well as late night hardware reviewing...  

Now lets see about those special features....