Microsoft hardware
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Microsoft Hardware Group, commonly known as Microsoft Hardware, is a division of Microsoft which designs and manufactures computer hardware, including a range of input peripherals as well as the Xbox gaming console, Microsoft Surface tablet, and Zune digital media player. It also produces drivers and other software for integrating the hardware with Microsoft Windows and other products.[1]
The group was originally created in 1982 to create a mouse for use with Microsoft Word for DOS. It has expanded rapidly, through a number of acquisitions, the latest being the mobile phone business of Nokia, creating the Microsoft Mobile division for its smartphone hardware development.
Products
Among its products are the following:[2]
- Microsoft Broadband Networking
- Microsoft Cordless Phone System
- Digital Sound System 80: audio speakers
- Microsoft Fingerprint Reader
- Microsoft LifeCam: webcams
- Microsoft LifeChat: headsets
- Microsoft Lumia: mobile phones and tablet PCs
- Microsoft Mouse and IntelliMouse and other mice and trackballs, and the IntelliPoint driver
- Microsoft Natural keyboard and other keyboards, and the IntelliType driver
- Microsoft SideWinder: game controllers
- Microsoft PixelSense: surface computing platform
- Microsoft Response Point: business telephone system
- Microsoft RoundTable: videoconferencing device
- Microsoft Surface: tablet PC and whiteboard devices
- Microsoft Band: smartwatch and fitness tracker
- Xbox: video game consoles
- Kinect: motion sensor devices
- Microsoft HoloLens: augmented reality computer
- Perceptive Pixel: large touchscreens (Surface Hub)
- ActiMates: children's toys
- Zune: portable media players
References
- ^
Cargile, Andy; Fry, Ken (2008), "Managing the Evolution of Microsoft's Hardware Business", in Lockwood, Thomas; Walton, Thomas (eds.), Building Design Strategy: Using Design to Achieve Key Business Objectives, Allworth Communications, p. 87, ISBN 978-1-58115-653-9,
The Microsoft Hardware Division was founded in 1982 on the principle of deep integration of hardware with software.
- ^
Cargile, Andy; Fry, Ken (2008), "Managing the Evolution of Microsoft's Hardware Business", in Lockwood, Thomas; Walton, Thomas (eds.), Building Design Strategy: Using Design to Achieve Key Business Objectives, Allworth Communications, p. 87, ISBN 978-1-58115-653-9,
The division was originally charged with creating the company's first mouse compatible with Microsoft Word. [...] the 1990s saw an expanding variety of products, including PC keyboards, gaming joysticks and gamepads, a cordless telephone system, PC audio speakers, and trackball devices.