In August 2023, Microsoft shocked the industry by announcing the discontinuation of their branded accessory line, which had been in production since 1983. Moving forward, the tech giant will focus solely on developing accessories under their Surface brand.
Despite this decision, Microsoft’s branded products have seen significant popularity. Keyboard models like Sculpt and Ergonomic have gained a strong following, leaving a gap in the market that Microsoft’s decision will undoubtedly create.
Recently, Onward Brands’ accessory line, Incase, announced their venture into producing these discontinued Microsoft accessories. They will acquire the licensing rights to create these products under a new brand name, “Incase Designed by Microsoft.” This new branding will differentiate these accessories from Incase’s regular product lines.
The initial product lineup under the new brand will include 23 items such as keyboards, mice, headsets, speakers, webcams, and more. For a complete list, visit their website. It is anticipated that these items will be available for purchase starting in 2024.
Charlie Tebele, CEO of Onward Brands, reassured customers that they would use the same components and supply chain as Microsoft to ensure the quality of these products. He also hinted at future plans to release a new line of ergonomic keyboards, which Microsoft has been developing but has yet to release to the public.
TLDR: Microsoft has discontinued their branded accessories and will focus on their Surface line. Onward Brands’ Incase has acquired the rights to produce these discontinued accessories under the new brand “Incase Designed by Microsoft.” The initial product lineup includes keyboards, mice, headsets, and more, set to be available in 2024. The CEO of Onward Brands assures customers of maintaining quality by utilizing Microsoft’s components and supply chain. Additionally, a new line of ergonomic keyboards is in the works.
Leave a Comment