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"Although Microsoft may have never intended to become a hardware company, it has quietly grown into one in many ways, from the constantly evolving peripherals it creates to the popular Xbox entertainment center.\r\n\r\nAnd while the Xbox hails from a different division, &amp;quot;Microsoft Hardware&amp;quot; itself\u00A0has recently turned 30, and to celebrate, we're traveling back in time to peek at some of its work -- the good (pretty and new) and the bad (ugly and old).\u00A0From the 1983 goofy (and rather heavy)\u00A0Microsoft Mouse and the 1994 Philippe Starck experiment to the surprisingly comfortable\u00A0Arc Touch Mouse and similarly named Touch Mouse, here are the highlights:\r\n\r\n1983:\u00A0The Microsoft Mouse is born.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1999: Microsoft introduces the first optical mouse products.\r\n\r\n2004: Microsoft Hardware and designer Philippe Starck create Microsoft\u2019s first designer mouse.\r\n\r\n2010:\u00A0The Arc Keyboard, weighing in a less than one pound.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010:\u00A0Microsoft introduces LifeCam Studio with a 1080p HD sensor.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010:\u00A0Microsoft introduces the Arc Touch Mouse, which flattens for portability and pops up for comfort.\r\n\r\n&amp;amp;nbsp;\r\n\r\n&amp;amp;nbsp;\r\n\r\n2011: Touch Mouse is Microsoft\u2019s first multitouch device designed for Windows 7.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNow, Apple fans, don't think I've jumped ship, but here's something to keep in mind: Apple products are drop dead gorgeous, but when it comes to things like keyboards and mice, Apple has a history of pretending ergonomics aren't necessary.\r\n\r\nHonestly, though this isn't the sexiest topic,\u00A0Microsoft has been schooling Apple at this from the get-go, as have countless other 3rd parties over the past few decades. Especially for power users and professionals stuck behind a computer all day (ahem, us), this stuff actually matters -- anything that delays the fast approaching carpal tunnel syndrome is a good thing.\r\n\r\nAll in all, regardless of your thoughts on either company, Microsoft's hardware department is getting a nod today for 30 years of work. Okay? Deal with it.\r\n\r\n\u27A4\u00A030 Years of Microsoft Hardware\u00A0(the full list)\r\n\r\nWritten on my Macbook Pro"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/05/28/30-years-of-microsoft-hardware-from-mice-to-men/>