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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: ricercar on Fri, 04 March 2011, 18:18:17

Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 04 March 2011, 18:18:17
Microsoft quits the peripherals biz (http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/03/microsoft-sidewinder-neutralized/)

"Microsoft claims that the PC peripheral market has far too many players, so they are unable to provide the relevant support and hardware required..."
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: digitalleftovers on Fri, 04 March 2011, 18:22:08
That would not be good news for our new MS Keyboard Engineer member...
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 04 March 2011, 18:26:02
Now there's no way that they'll be able to make those trackballs that everyone has a hard on over.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Oqsy on Fri, 04 March 2011, 18:37:17
Ah, do note that this "article" does specify "gaming peripherals".  This does not necessarily mean the end of all Microsoft peripheral devices or technologies (ie this strange new keyboard tech that has been discussed recently).  I also doubt that VR-Zone scooped this one.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: chimera15 on Fri, 04 March 2011, 19:37:00
Quote from: ch_123;305230
Now there's no way that they'll be able to make those trackballs that everyone has a hard on over.


It's because they stopped that they can't compete.  They just gave up innovating and giving the public what they wanted a long time ago.

I guess my ms trackball collection just got more valuable.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: YetAnotherDeveloper on Fri, 04 March 2011, 23:05:00
i do want to try this....  (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/touch-mouse/)
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: chimera15 on Sat, 05 March 2011, 00:45:57
That does look interesting.  My mother has a essential tremor.  She has difficulty using a mouse these days.  Something like that might help.


http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KqPyJqHaX64J:www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/0603-mouse_adapter_for_tremors.htm+best+mouse+for+essential+tremor&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KqPyJqHaX64J:www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/0603-mouse_adapter_for_tremors.htm+best+mouse+for+essential+tremor&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com)

http://www.montrosesecam.com/buy-now.html (http://www.montrosesecam.com/buy-now.html)

Darn that's up to about $200, cause of the poor exchange rate I guess.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Brian8bit on Sat, 05 March 2011, 01:31:31
Quote from: YetAnotherDeveloper;305339
i do want to try this....  (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/touch-mouse/)


"Install microsoft silverlight" hahaha NO. Also, fat magic mouse.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: digitalleftovers on Sat, 05 March 2011, 02:23:16
Quote from: chimera15;305378
That does look interesting.  My mother has a essential tremor.  She has difficulty using a mouse these days.  Something like that might help.


http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KqPyJqHaX64J:www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/0603-mouse_adapter_for_tremors.htm+best+mouse+for+essential+tremor&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KqPyJqHaX64J:www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/0603-mouse_adapter_for_tremors.htm+best+mouse+for+essential+tremor&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com)

I think MS should have spent more time innovating rather than buidling their version of something that apple has already done (that touch mouse).  Something innovative... like a pressure sensitive keyboard? Eh?

PS: I don't support MS bashing (without good reason).  I spend most of my work days defending sharepoint.

EDIT: But if your mom likes it, then go for it!  You might consider touch pads too.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: godly_music on Sat, 05 March 2011, 06:57:34
Doing something that someone else has already done IS how they innovate.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: theferenc on Sat, 05 March 2011, 10:11:57
Quote from: godly_music;305435
Doing something that someone else has already done IS how they innovate.


I thought we were talking about MS, not Apple...though, at least to their credit, they do have a tendency to do the exact same thing, but market it amazingly well.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: 7bit on Sat, 05 March 2011, 10:42:35
Quote from: ricercar;305222
Microsoft quits the peripherals biz (http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/03/microsoft-sidewinder-neutralized/)

"Microsoft claims that the PC peripheral market has far too many players, so they are unable to provide the relevant support and hardware required..."


Ah, great!

I just thought MW quits the GeekHack forum.

I would miss something if he did.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: NamelessPFG on Sat, 05 March 2011, 20:47:00
The SideWinder line died years ago, when they stopped making joysticks and wheels. (There's still a lot of people clamoring for a modern replacement for the Microsoft SideWinder Force-Feedback 2. Most of them aren't quite content with anything else in terms of feel.)

But I doubt they'll stop making peripherals entirely...what about all those Kinect cameras/sensors they're selling?
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Moneyless on Sun, 06 March 2011, 16:48:14
Apparently VR-Zone lied. :tongue:

Quote from: Tested.com
Update: Looks like VR-Zone may have jumped the gun or been flat-out wrong, as Microsoft has given us the following statement: "Microsoft Hardware has not made any announcement about the SideWinder line of products; it is not discontinued." Perhaps the Sidewinder brand still has enough life left in it for another mouse or two.


http://www.tested.com/news/microsoft-sidewinder-gaming-brand-no-more-update/1929/
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Lanx on Mon, 07 March 2011, 17:06:21
Back in the day, sidewinder line was pretty awesome, the forcefeedback joystick, the control pad, the split axis control pad, and the dedicated voice chat headset, baseboard with roger wilco was pretty awesome.

i don't understand how microsoft could suck so bad on the pc game stuff front. I mean xbox has the xbox controller (which some love/some hate, but that enough is to say it's at least good) and the kinect is awesome, i just got another couple to buy a kinect. I don't want to sell the damn thing but i'm out here in amish ville with ppl who have no idea what games are and just have a wii for their kids. Once they see my kinect, they love the simplicity and how much fun it is. (they want me to buy the ps3 icecream cones but i'm not convinced as of yet)

Why can't microsoft do this on the pc? is it b/c for the 360 it is totally proprietary and they can control everything and "hook" ppl only on one format? if that's true it's a bit too Apple-ish if you get my drift.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Oqsy on Mon, 07 March 2011, 17:42:23
I told you so.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: BababooeyHTJ on Mon, 07 March 2011, 18:06:36
Quote from: ripster;305225
Source VR-Zone?  Those guys speak Engrish.  I'll wait for something more credible.  No rush.  I never buy their stuff anyway.


I have seen way too much bogus stuff posted on the forums with VR-zone listed as a source. I don't trust a word that comes from that website. Fudzilla is somehow more reputable. I would never knowingly click on a vr-zone link, I refuse to give that site any links.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Scarzy on Tue, 08 March 2011, 03:34:00
Going to be polishing up my MS mice tonight then, and sit staring at them for 60 years and then sell them for £40. Going to be amazing.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: BababooeyHTJ on Sat, 26 March 2011, 13:02:25
Did you just say vrzone and quality in the same sentence? :tongue: I'll take the word of fudzilla or better yet kitguru over vrzone.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: strum4h on Sun, 27 March 2011, 04:14:38
Does that mean my microsoft intellimouse is now worth more then the 5$ i paid?
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: strum4h on Tue, 29 March 2011, 02:35:46
Quote from: ripster;319566
Nope.  Worth less.  Everybody knows USB 3.0 is the future.


But this mouse is the best. Lasted me like 7 years so far.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: EverythingIBM on Tue, 29 March 2011, 02:46:27
Quote from: ripster;319566
Nope.  Worth less.  Everybody knows USB 3.0 is the future.


Oh, I guess your IBM industrial mini is worthless. I'll send you a PM with details on where to ship it to my house. thanks. You can pay the shipping too since you're such a nice guy ripster :)
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Hak Foo on Wed, 30 March 2011, 01:17:39
The problem is the gaming hardware market has no taste.  Bling's worth points (gotta find a mouse to match the PC painted with an anime catgirl for the LAN party :P :D ) and nobody seems to have done any science on what features actually deliver useful benefits.

It's interesting though that there's no "professional, non-gamer" mouse of choice.  With the only real sales market for premium kit being the gamer crowd, you end up with fancy tripe of iffy value.

For example, I could see a mouse with a toggle button for 'lock vertical' or 'lock horizontal' being a huge win for graphics work. It would suck for games, though.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: NOMiS on Wed, 30 March 2011, 06:31:35
The article says just gaming stuff, not normal peripherals. All is well.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 01 April 2011, 22:14:05
Quote from: Oqsy;305238
Ah, do note that this "article" does specify "gaming peripherals".
Yes. If they quit making keyboards, how on Earth could they come out with a new version of Windows that required people to use a new keyboard with five extra keys on it?
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: noodles256 on Sat, 02 April 2011, 12:03:02
it was just an early april fools guys, chill
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: quadibloc on Sun, 03 April 2011, 01:39:26
Quote from: noodles256;323340
it was just an early april fools guys, chill
Considering that one of their gaming joysticks that gave feedback became obsolete when they didn't make drivers for it for later operating systems, I would have thought they would have been out of the gaming peripherals business already without having to do anything.

Consumers are too forgiving.

Of course, they are reasonable, too. There are cases where hardware cannot be supported forever. Anything that could run with reasonable speed on a 4.77 MHz 8088 would not be Windows 7 - or even Windows 3.1. It's true that the 286 has a protected mode, but even supporting that is too much to expect.

However, making a platform as powerful as the 486DX obsolete  is questionable. With Windows 3.11, the 486 DX was more than powerful enough to surf the web and check E-mail. A 90 MHz Pentium - with the floating-point division bug fixed - is comparable to the 360/195 supercomputer of 1969, but with over five times the speed and the ability to handle far more memory (the 360/195 topped out at 4 megabytes).

Of course, our more modern and more powerful computers do provide useful functions, like real-time video. Given how cheap microprocessor power is - compared to the metal box and power supply in a computer - there's no reason not to have computers as amazingly powerful as they are now. But we need better ways to put that power to fuller use.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Marclgw on Thu, 12 May 2011, 20:21:18
Quote from: ripster;320666
Although this news report was clearly false the VR zone guys sure know how to organize Group Buys.

Leopold Group Buy Here - $110 US dollars (not those fake Singapore ones) For  Tenkeyless Leopold. (http://forums.vr-zone.com/requests-interest-check-mass-order/1111741-leopold-keyboards.html)

No wonder Majestouch said he'll raise prices.
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=15741&stc=1&d=1299179680)

Hi ripster,
  i understand that there are certain things that you do not like about Vr zone.
 
  I appreciate if you do not take my MO thread to pin point or take it as joke.
  And prices for Leopold are not fixed yet ATM ,that will not be official.

  Filco is increasing their price but seems that in Singapore local market the price have depreciate.

  On Vr why we do group buys is to kill the local distributor with the dumb prices they release in the market.
  People would rather freight forwards keyboards from elitekeyboards and newegg than to buy from local stores.

 


Thank you.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: chongyixiong on Thu, 12 May 2011, 23:50:31
necro-ed.

Marclgw, are you in the workings to be a distributor for Leopolds in S'pore?

If so, I guess what he said could not really hurt much provided you are able to meet up to your buyer's expectation and provide EXCELLENT customer service.

Even if it's slightly more expensive than what you can get for here - I doubt people would want to ship it all the way from US in comparison with your prices.

Cheerios
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: redpill on Fri, 13 May 2011, 13:11:42
Microsoft hasn't really been in the peripherals business since they discontinued the MTE. :deadhorse:
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Marclgw on Fri, 13 May 2011, 23:25:46
Quote from: chongyixiong;345634
necro-ed.

Marclgw, are you in the workings to be a distributor for Leopolds in S'pore?

If so, I guess what he said could not really hurt much provided you are able to meet up to your buyer's expectation and provide EXCELLENT customer service.

Even if it's slightly more expensive than what you can get for here - I doubt people would want to ship it all the way from US in comparison with your prices.

Cheerios


I'm still awaiting for everything to be stable.
And yes, i will be distributing Leopold keyboards in Singapore.

I got Ripster wrong.=X
 
Quote from: ripster;345649
I think there was a language problem here.  I was complimenting you guys for selling at a $110 US dollar rate converted from $139 Singapore.

However Microsoft is DEFINITELY still in the peripherals business.  How did THAT rumor get started?

Yea, sorry Ripster.My bad.Hope you would not take it to heart.
Thanks for the compliment.
However for $110 US dollar it is not confirmed. The new price might disappoint buyer as Leopold Asia Headquarter is kind of crappy with their quotation.
I receiving a huge difference in price from 2 different region.


And yes. I have no idea why did they state that Microsoft left the peripherals business.
Vr editors think they are geek enough but i doubt that.=D

Cheers.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Marclgw on Sat, 14 May 2011, 06:31:39
Quote from: ripster;346030
np.

I can assure you Geekhack isn't exactly very speedy with their group buys either.

 
=D No worries , it takes time and effort to negotiate with the seller so i can understand everyone who organises it.

I am still awaiting for confirmation from Leopold.
However i have successfully carry Cherry into Singapore.
=D

Will get one of my partners to post sales of Cherry G80-3494-LYCUS-2 on Geek Hack.

Nice to meet you Ripster.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: J888www on Sat, 14 May 2011, 09:01:59
How situations change so suddenly, it seems only yesterday that everyone was seeking "old" mechanical keyboards because there weren't much other options. Now everyone is spoiled for choice, having much headaches with too much indecisiveness.
Good to see more entrepreneurs helping to drive down the hyped-up prices of keyboards. Hopefully those "thock thock thock" keyboard manufacturers/resellers will also see the light and drop their ridiculous retail prices to match/compete with the manufacturers of those "twang twang twang" keyboards.
Still am waiting for a "twang twang twang" SpaceSaver Tenkeyless.
Title: Microsoft quits the peripherals biz
Post by: Marclgw on Tue, 17 May 2011, 02:10:22
No issue as long as there is a buyer there will be  hope.

And i won't be doing for group buys for cherry i will ship it out as long as someone orders it.
=D