Tech Shout!

Microsoft Hardware has completed 25 successful years of its dominance in the ever evolving world of peripherals. To commemorate its achievement and long standing presence, the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary by launching a striking range of products which include - special gaming peripherals, wireless mice, keyboards and webcams for the Indian customer for the coming year.

The journey began in 1982 with the Microsoft mouse that was developed to easily navigate Microsoft’s first version of Microsoft Word that has grown to an extensive array of innovative, indispensable products for today’s computer-centered lifestyle. And today the company boasts of designing innovative products such as the Zune DMP and the new multi-touch technology innovation, Microsoft Surface; along with easy solutions to manage and access the technologies and products that are shaping the way people use their PCs: Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, Windows Live and Games for Windows titles.

Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft said, “The Hardware Group transformed Microsoft beyond just a software company.” Bach added, “From Xbox to Zune and now Microsoft Surface, the Hardware Group continues to lend its expertise across all Microsoft categories, helping to redefine the consumer expectation of Microsoft products.”

“At Microsoft, we are fortunate to have the ability to integrate across all groups in ways that ultimately make life easier for our consumers,” maintained Tom Gibbons, corporate vice president of the Specialized Devices and Applications Group at Microsoft. “Whether it’s launching Windows Vista gadgets with the press of a button or making it so simple to have a Windows Live video call with a LifeCam, Microsoft Hardware products truly make accessing software and services a better experience.”

In the present year, Microsoft plans to concentrate mostly on the rapidly growing gaming peripherals category.

The latest range of gaming peripherals from MS hardware includes Reclusa Gaming Keyboard, SideWinder gaming mouse, Wireless Xbox 360 gaming controller Wireless entertainment desktop 7000, Natural ergonomic desktop 7000, Reclusa wired gaming keyboard and the Wireless laser mouse 8000.

Important landmark years in the history of Microsoft Hardware are:

2007 - Microsoft revives the SideWinder line with the ultimate gaming mouse called the SideWinder Mouse

2006 - Microsoft takes Internet communications to the next level with the launch of the LifeCam line

2005 - Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 launches and becomes the best-selling wired keyboard in the U.S.

2004 - Developed by Microsoft ergonomists, the Comfort Curve layout debuts

2002 - The first commercially available desktop for Bluetooth debuts

1999 - The first optical mouse hits shelves

1995 - The SideWinder line launches with cutting-edge joysticks and steering wheels

1994 - The first affordable and widely available ergonomic keyboard launches

1993 - Microsoft unveils the first ergonomic mouse

1983 - The Microsoft Mouse debuts

1982 - The Microsoft Hardware Group forms

Log on to www.microsoft.com/hardware/anniversary for more info on Microsoft Hardware’s 25 years of innovation, including an interactive timeline, sweepstakes and the 25th anniversary game.