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Microsoft Hardware

Discontinued and Unreleased Microsoft Peripherals Revived By Licensing Deal (arstechnica.com) 46

Posted by BeauHD from the new-lease-on-life dept.
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
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Discontinued and Unreleased Microsoft Peripherals Revived By Licensing Deal More

Discontinued and Unreleased Microsoft Peripherals Revived By Licensing Deal

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  • Microsoft Hardware (Score:5, Interesting)

    by RitchCraft ( 6454710 ) on Monday January 08, 2024 @06:21PM (#64142423)

    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.

    • 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?!

    • 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]

    • 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.

      • 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.

  • was very disappointed to see to sign of the MS trackball that I have used for decades! I love the fit better than the logi and the ball motion is so smooth!

    • 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.

      • I have two about that age. Replaced the worn out bearings in one, and the other is due. For me, it has the perfect button, wheel, and ball positions, and fits my hand just right. Incase Trackball Explorer, please?

    • 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 :)

  • 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)

    by organgtool ( 966989 ) on Monday January 08, 2024 @06:53PM (#64142523)
    I don't understand why no one has released a keyboard that copies the original Microsoft Natural keyboard from the 90s. Any patents on it would have expired years ago and it was probably one of the most successful keyboards of all time.

    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.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by steveha ( 103154 )

      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

    • 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. ...

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by vyvepe ( 809573 )
      Microsoft Natural Keyboard is not that natural neither ergonomic. Get a proper ergonomic keyboard. Something where left/right sides are split and adjustable and something which has thumb clusters.
  • I always find it wierd they didn't push the hardware more. The gaming mouse (sidewinder) is the best mouse I have ever owned and still easily beats the various logitech ones for comfort and use, the ergonomic/natural keyboards were awesome as well. maybe in the hands of a new entity they can actually leverage this stuff more.

    • 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.

  • Maybe a roller ball mouse that I have to take apart and clean every 3 months?

  • Go buy a Periboard. It's a mechanical keyboard with a ergonomic design. The only downside is that they don't raise up the keys that you would hit with your pinky so it's a little less comfortable to use. But other than that it's pretty amazing
  • Absolutely a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse man now. But when I was a tech writer and then scrum master, I could not do without my Natural Keyboard. It was rough when Microsoft stopped producing the wireless version but it was worth it to deal with a cable and one USB port to keep using the thing. Best. Keyboard. Ever. Almost 20 years of constant typing and no RSI or carpal issues whatsoever.

    • 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.

  • Now please update the Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick!!! Better yet, a full Force Feedback HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) setup!!!

  • 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...

    • 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.

    • 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#

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by jonwil ( 467024 )

        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.

  • Micro$oft should focus on hardware, they are so bad at software ...
    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 ...

  • Still using one of these right now - purchased in 2002- but would love a Bluetooth version.

  • 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.

  • I loved the Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard, but since I couldn't get it anymore I switched to the Logi Ergo K860. Not going to roll back now...
  • MS Intellimouse Optical is the only good MS hardware. I still use it. Well, they had also a nice force feedback joystick. Their keyboards are in the the "meh" category: no split, no thumb clusters.
  • I like the Microsoft keyboards. The keys could use a bit more tactile feedback. Unfortunately I see Onward/Incase going to even cheaper, crappier keys.
    • One of my ongoing questions is: When will they finally produce a mechanical version? If ergo's supposed to protect against RSI for heavy use, then strictly having rubber dome versions just ignores the customer's need.
  • The only really cool and new peripheral they ever put out. I want it back!!

  • 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

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