(Credit: Incase)
We have good news for fans of Microsoft-branded PC accessories: The products will continue to live on, even though the company decided to discontinue them back in April.
On Friday, the laptop peripheral maker Incase announced it would pick up the torch and relaunch the Microsoft-branded accessories. To do so, Incase’s parent company Onward Brands will license the rights and intellectual property from Microsoft’s product portfolio.
The resulting agreement means Incase can produce the PC accessories using the same design and components as before, “ensuring that the products stay true to the favorites that consumers enjoy and trust,” the companies said.
“Under the terms of the agreement, Incase will manufacture and distribute a broad suite of Microsoft accessory products including keyboards, mice, webcams, headsets and speakers,” the peripheral maker added. This includes favorites such as Microsoft’s Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard and the Modern Webcam.
(Credit: Incase)In addition, Incase plans on releasing a new ergonomic keyboard that Microsoft was developing before it decided to discontinue the product line. However, the upcoming accessories won’t carry the same Microsoft trademarks as before. Instead, they’ll carry Incase's leaf logo and be marketed under the "Designed by Microsoft” name.
“Consumers can anticipate their favorite products back on shelves in 2024 under the Incase brand as we immediately begin to transition the portfolio,” said Marshall Clark, a general manager at Incase’s parent company Onward Brands.
In the meantime, you can persue a web page cataloging 23 products. Incase also says there are no plans to change pricing as of now.
As for Microsoft, the company decided to discontinue the accessories last year to focus on developing Surface-branded PC peripherals, including mice, keyboards, docks and more. Despite the discontinuation, you can still find some legacy Microsoft-branded PC accessories on sale online, but only while supplies last.