Microsoft Opens Up Hardware Tech

Microsoft said Wednesday it would license several of its hardware technologies to third-party manufacturers, as part of a broader effort to open up the company's innovations to others. Microsoft's U2, tilt wheel and magnifier technologies would be offered as part of the program.

U2 technology was developed by Microsoft to allow a peripheral device to automatically detect whether it needs a USB or PS2 port in order to operate. The tilt wheel enables the component to be tilted from side to side and up and down to move the cursor, and the magnifier allows a user to easily magnify data on the screen.

"Most people think of Microsoft as solely a software company, but we've been a leading hardware innovator and supplier to the desktop peripherals industry for over 20 years," Entertainment and Devices vice president Robbie Bach said.

"The hardware licensing initiative is a first for Microsoft, and we're excited to make our innovations broadly available to others in the industry through licensing."

The announcement furthers a commitment first made by Microsoft in December 2003 to make its intellectual property more broadly available to its partners. The company has already identified several licensees, including Targus, Fellowes, Acrox, and KYE Systems.

"As the leading global supplier of notebook cases and accessories, we're pleased to take advantage of this licensing program for input product technologies," Targus marketing director Michael Greco said.