Discontinued and Unreleased Microsoft Peripherals Revived By Licensing Deal (arstechnica.com) 46
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: In April, Microsoft announced that it would stop selling Microsoft-branded computer peripherals. Today, Onward Brands announced that it's giving those discarded Microsoft-stamped gadgets a second life under new branding. Products like the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard will become Incase products with "Designed by Microsoft" branding. Beyond the computer accessories saying "Designed by Microsoft," they should be the same keyboards, mice, webcams, headsets, and speakers, Onward, Incase's parent company, said, per The Verge. Onward said its Incase brand will bring back 23 Microsoft-designed products in 2024 and hopes for availability to start in Q2. Incase also plans to launch an ergonomic keyboard that Microsoft designed but never released. Onward CEO Charlie Tebele told The Verge that there's "potential" for Incase to release even more designs Microsoft never let us see.
The return of Microsoft peripheral designs resurrects (albeit in a new form) a line of computer gear started in 1983 when Microsoft released its first mouse, the Microsoft Mouse. Neither Onward nor Microsoft shared the full terms of their licensing agreement, but Onward claims that Incase will leverage the same supply chain and manufacturing components that Microsoft did, The Verge noted. "Microsoft will still retain ownership of its designs, so it could potentially bring back classic mice or keyboards itself in the future or continue to renew its license to Incase," The Verge reported, pointing out that Onward isn't licensing every single one of Microsoft's computer peripherals. Some classics, like the Intellimouse or its modern iterations, for example, don't make the Incase reboot list. For its part, Microsoft is still "convicted on going under one single" Surface brand, Nancie Gaskill, general manager of Surface, told The Verge. Further reading: Microsoft Adding New Key To PC Keyboards For First Time Since 1994
The return of Microsoft peripheral designs resurrects (albeit in a new form) a line of computer gear started in 1983 when Microsoft released its first mouse, the Microsoft Mouse. Neither Onward nor Microsoft shared the full terms of their licensing agreement, but Onward claims that Incase will leverage the same supply chain and manufacturing components that Microsoft did, The Verge noted. "Microsoft will still retain ownership of its designs, so it could potentially bring back classic mice or keyboards itself in the future or continue to renew its license to Incase," The Verge reported, pointing out that Onward isn't licensing every single one of Microsoft's computer peripherals. Some classics, like the Intellimouse or its modern iterations, for example, don't make the Incase reboot list. For its part, Microsoft is still "convicted on going under one single" Surface brand, Nancie Gaskill, general manager of Surface, told The Verge. Further reading: Microsoft Adding New Key To PC Keyboards For First Time Since 1994
Microsoft Hardware (Score:5, Interesting)
The only piece of Microsoft hardware I ever liked was the mouse. I've hoarded lots of them over the years and am set for life (I have many Inport, serial, PS/2, and USB versions). Nothing else from Microsoft's hardware interests me.
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I don't think I could ever go back to a mechanical since the introduction of the optical mouse. Don't get me wrong, back in the ball mouse days Microsoft was still the best. Microsoft mice always felt solid, well built, and dead simple. I wish this thinking would have followed through with Windows. Nedalla has lost his way.
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Sorry, Nadella, finger fumbled there.
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Don't get me wrong, back in the ball mouse days Microsoft was still the best.
I still don't get this. The cheapest model of Logitech mouse that shipped with essentially everyone's computers was more of everything people claimed to like about the Microsoft mice. More durable, better control. I've been a video gamer since before I had anything with changeable software (my first games console was a Coleco Telstar) and I had access to as many Logi and MS mice as I wanted, and the Microsoft ones not only failed rapidly but the button press was less distinct.
NOW Logitech pointing devices a
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The only Logitech pointing device I ever liked, and is still my favorite pointing device to this day, is the Logitech Trackman Marble FX ( https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyIt... [reddit.com] ). I would still be using one if they were still manufactured. I tried getting a few on eBay a while back but they typically go for over $200 or more in very good condition. Your experience with Microsoft mice is not the norm IMO. I have many serial MS ball mice in my mouse box and every one of those is still rock solid. I refurb vintage
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Really? The first appearance of the natural keyboard was panned by some ergonomics experts. Probably the addition of the also-new Windows and Menu keys screwed up touch typists, and the splitting in a different way than other ergo keyboards was confusing.'
The Microsoft mouse was just, well... boring. Everyone makes a mouse, and the Microsoft variant was barely average. I've used tons of mice before that point, there was a lot of experimentation especially with professional workstations (Sun optical mous
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I had a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse back in the early-to-mid aughts. I liked several things about it - but they'd made a bizarre choice not to include an on/off button. Consequently that thing would burn through AA batteries like nobody's business.
Who designs a battery-powered mouse without an on/off button?!
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Who designs a battery-powered mouse without an on/off button?!
The battery industry?
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Up until two years ago, I was still using a Microsoft Digital Sound System 80. It was offered in 1998 with two mid-range speaker and sub-woofer. Branded by Microsoft with most of the speaker technology designed by Philips. It was a decent solution for its time at a much better price than the alternatives. Another Microsoft hardware offering we won't see again.
Microsoft Digital Sound System 80 [wikipedia.org]
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This. I love some of Microsoft's mice innovations. Currently I use a Surface Precision mouse because it was the only mouse I could find at the time which supported multiple bluetooth connections. With a flick of a button I can switch between the multiple PCs I work with without having to mess with a cable on my desk.
It's a shame their keyboards don't do the same thing so I can't quite get rid of all the wires and hide the KVM switch somewhere else.
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That sounds cool! What would be really neat if one connected to the other so the switch flick moves bot hthe keyboard and mouse over in one go. Funny thing is one could probably hack something together with a raspberry pi which could take a USB keyboard and mouse and export over bluetooth.
the Trackball! (Score:1)
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Same here. I own three Trackball Explorers, one of which has been in heavy use at work for 23 years or so and doesn't show any sign of stopping. I have my daily driver at home, and one in reserve, just in case. A quick refresh of that device, maybe with USB-C (for no reason other than that's what's more readily available on laptops these days) and Bluetooth, and they'd be sure to have a hot commodity.
Re: the Trackball! (Score:2)
Try Elecom (Score:2)
I got pissed off at Logitech's garbage microswitches failing (two generations in a row have had the same problem so far) so I tried an Elecom thumb ball. It felt a little rough at first but it smoothed out with use. The buttons are slightly overly easy to press but that goes well with my keyboard with outemu red switches :)
Been using Natural Ergonomic keyboards for years (Score:2)
Like 15 or 20 years now. Glad someone will keep manufacturing it. For a while I was hoarding spare units (they are certainly not resistant to spills!).
That said, I'm pretty happy now with an Adesso split keyboard, though.
Do It Right (Score:4, Interesting)
Want to become one of the most successful peripheral makers overnight? Release a version of that keyboard with replaceable mechanical switches and several keycap options with different contours. Throw in a user-replaceable USB-C cable and backlit keys. Also, make the wrist pad detachable. Wanna get real crazy, allow the user to adjust the height of the key deck. Sure this thing won't be cheap, but people will still be lining up for blocks to buy it and every other keyboard would suddenly seem vastly inadequate.
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I have used the Microsoft Natural Keyboard for many years. The most recent time I needed a keyboard, I had to find a new one.
I found the Perixx PERIBOARD-535 and I recommend it. Same layout as the classic Microsoft Natural Keyboard. Offered with your choice of three different keyswitch mechanisms... I got the "brown". Perfectly supports Mac but can be switched to Windows compatibility mode, and has "macro" buttons to give you extra options.
https://perixx.com/products/px... [perixx.com]
I'm probably not going back to
Thank you soooo much! (Score:1)
I've been looking for a mechanical 4000-like keyboard for ages. The closest I've gotten was the Cloud Ergo FS but it was not offered as ANSI. But this one does. I have no idea how I missed this. Thank you so much.
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You are very welcome. ^_^
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What am I missing? There's a heap of ergonomic keyboards on the market with the same shape as the good ol' Natural keyboard. The whole point of it was the angle, something which has been copied by countless keyboards. Spend a bit more, you get split keyboards with adjustable angles as well. Yes you can get them with mechanical switches and USB-C. ...
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always perplexed me (Score:2)
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I always wanted to try out the microsoft/sidewinder Strategic Commander. It was a palm style joystick for your left hand that gave you analog controls to replace WASD freeing you fingers for other functions.
Can I Get A Windows Phone Again? (Score:1)
Maybe a roller ball mouse that I have to take apart and clean every 3 months?
Periboard (Score:2)
Mouse? Nah. Wireless Ergo Keyboard? Hells yeah (Score:1)
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Right now most of microsoft keyboards are garbage, but some of their mice still have unique features. I use a Surface mouse right now with switchable bluetooth connections. Best thing I ever bought, with a flick of a button I switch to another machine, great for users with KVM switches who none the less want a wireless mouse.
Force Feedback!!! (Score:2)
Please bring back the Intellimouse... (Score:2)
I am currently using a Classic Intellimouse and LOVE it and hope that when this one fails and I need a new one, I can get another Intellimouse. The Intellimice have been the best mice I have used.
I can't be the only one who loves the Intellimouse...
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Intellimouse Optical is still pretty awesome, IMO. I got very used to using it for gaming way back in the day, the left and right side buttons were very easy to actuate without moving my fingers. Nearly everything now uses much smaller buttons usually on one side, and they require moving my thumb to actuate, which sucks. The Intellimouse Optical 1.1a in black can still be had on Amazon for $50, the regular beige is like $80.
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Personally, I prefer its succesor, Wheel Mouse Optical. It had a very functional scholler (until they wear out).
But intellimouse is awesome, and no-one has surpassed Microsoft Mice except maybe the Kensington trackball I had way back when.https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/24/01/08/2052233/discontinued-and-unreleased-microsoft-peripherals-revived-by-licensing-deal#
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The wheel mouse optical is not the same as the Intellimouse. The wheel mouse optical doesn't have the side buttons that the Intellimouse has.
Main and most reliable activity (Score:2)
My Sidewinder Force Feedback II joystick still sits on my desk, and serves me well in some games. After more than 20 years.
Cannot say the same from most of their SW
I guess my very old and simple game pad also still work. I would need a sub D 15 input to be sure, but such ports have disappeared a long time ago from sound cards and motherboards
Trackball Optical 1.0 (Score:2)
Still using one of these right now - purchased in 2002- but would love a Bluetooth version.
IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0A USB (Score:1)
The one I use at work is at least 18 years old and still going strong. Sure, the silver coating has worn through in a few places, but all the buttons and the scroll wheel still work. I expect it'll still be working on the day I decide to retire, which is 10+ years away.
Too late (Score:2)
MS Intellimouse Optical (Score:2)
I do like the MS ergo keyboards (Score:2)
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Strategic Commander??!! (Score:1)
Trackball Explorer and Natural Keyboard v1 please! (Score:2)
Trackball Explorers still go for hundreds of dollars a piece on eBay to this day. And there's an open source project called Ploopy that aims to replicate it, though not quite as well as I'd hoped. It would be great if they started making the Trackball Explorer again. The plastic on them is starting to get brittle enough that simply taking them apart to mix and match good parts is a risk now, as they may not even go back together again. Even the screw hole posts are breaking just from age. The market fo