Microsoft has announced new intellectual property licensing, with reference to its mouse and keyboard technologies. A new thing for the company, a hardware licensing initiative will make some Microsoft technologies, including U2 interface detection and switching technology, Tilt Wheel and Magnifier tool, broadly available to third-party brands and hardware manufacturers. The company says it hopes to encourage shared success among its partners with the move.

"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," said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.