X

Photos: Seven of Microsoft's hardware hits and misses

Company gets lion's share of revenue from software, but it's created a sizable hardware business, too.
By Bill Detwiler, Contributor
10527.jpg
1 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Xbox 360

Microsoft gets the lion's share of its revenue and profits from software, but it's created a sizable hardware business, too. The company's offerings may soon grow if it releases a music player. Unconfirmed and watery rumors also have the Redmond, Wash.-based company buying a GPS maker.

Here are some of Microsoft's notable forays into the glories of hardware.

1. The Xbox 360

The successor to the Xbox, the Xbox 360, has allowed Microsoft to get the jump on rival Sony in next-generation game consoles despite a severe shortage early on. The machine comes in several configurations, and video game fans can upgrade the controller and buy all sorts of spare cables. An add-on HD DVD drive is coming.

10528.jpg
2 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

IntelliMouse Explorer

2. IntelliMouse Explorer

Feast your eyes on the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth. Microsoft has done mice for decades, pitting themselves against Logitech. The first one was designed by Ideo, a Palo Alto, Calif., design firm. The idea was to create something that didn't look like it was designed, Ideo co-founder Mike Nuttall said in an interview a few years ago.

10529.jpg
3 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Digital Media Pro Keyboard

3. Digital Media Pro Keyboard

The Digital Media Pro Keyboard features a slider that lets you zoom in and out of documents and pictures. The keyboard has customizable keys for quick access. Keyboard-mouse bundles sell for about $80 to $100, depending on the configuration.

10530.jpg
4 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Fingerprint reader

4. Fingerprint reader

Microsoft's fingerprint reader can be used to limit access to PCs or files. Researchers have found that Play-Doh and cadaver parts could help mischief makers skirt such defenses, but also that perspiration makes fingerprint readers more reliable.

10531.jpg
5 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

MSN TV

5. MSN TV

Since it bought WebTV in the late '90s, Microsoft has dreamed of selling set-top boxes that would give consumers the ability to surf the Web on their TVs. Unfortunately, not many have answered the call. Despite several attempts and different hardware configurations, Microsoft set tops have yet to catch on.

The RCA MSN TV 2 Internet and Media Player sells for $199 at stores that carry it, but you can get used ones on Amazon.com for about $70.

10532.jpg
6 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Wireless base stations

6. Wireless base stations

Microsoft entered the networking market in 2002 and quickly rose to No. 2 in the market. Product glitches caused it to slide back to No. 4 a few months later. By May, the company had already left the market.

10533.jpg
7 of 7 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

iLoo

7. The iLoo

Microsoft offices in England once talked about creating a portable toilet with an Internet connection and screen. The company claimed later it was an April Fools' Day joke, but some things--like the fact that a press release extolling the iLoo came out May 2 and not April 1--made some observers highly skeptical of Microsoft's claims.

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos