Microsoft consolidated its hardware output last year and its accessories lines was on the chopping block, however, a partnership with Incase is bringing those uniquely designed PC peripherals back to customers today.
Shortly after announcing that it would be cutting its branded accessories lines that include mice, keyboards, Bluetooth speakers and more, Microsoft quickly pointed to a partnership with famed smartphone case maker Incase to provide a sales channel for its hardware.
However, when Microsoft and Incase unveiled their partnership, neither offered a solid date on when these newly branded accessories would hit shelves for customers but earlier today, Microsoft’s Surface Mobile Mouse and Mobile Mouse 1850 were made available for purchase.
Both the Microsoft Designer Mouse and Mobile Mouse 1850 look identical to previous iterations but due to the terms of the new branding partnership, the Microsoft logo has been replaced with Incase’s iconic leaf design.
It’s unclear who is manufacturing these new devices, but the craftsmanship looks identical to what Microsoft has previously produced, and the company claims that the customers will “see the same performance-driven design you’ve come to expect from Incase and Microsoft but, this time, together.”
Customers can visit Incase Designed by Microsoft’s dedicated web page to see the full listing of upcoming devices to be released under this partnership while a trip over to Amazon will net them deals on the first two pieces of hardware available today.
The Incase Designed by Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse (a mouthful) is being sold for $39.99 while the Mobile Mouse 1850 gets a $10 discount at $24.99.
Unfortunately, the Microsoft and Incase partnership isn’t being extended to the Surface line of accessories at the moment, but there remains a market for solid 3rd party Surface peripherals at a market-discounted price such as a cheaper Surface Flex keyboard or a Modern webcam.
Hopefully, Microsoft and Incase see a worthwhile return from this investment that warrants a round two of Surface accessories at lower alternative prices than those being offered from the Microsoft Store.
