Rumor: Microsoft looking to buy Logitech

by Justin McElroy { Jan 10th 2008 at 2:30PM }

Though there's not much evidence at the moment to back it up, Reuters is reporting on the rumor that Microsoft (you know, the Zune guys) is looking to buy peripheral maker Logitech, the shares of which have apparently gotten a boost from the speculation.

On the gaming controller front, we can't see much benefit. While Logitech's wireless controllers were some of the best last generation, the company seems to be a non-issue on the current platforms. On the other hand, maybe Microsoft just wants Jelly Jumper on the XBLA, in which case you can sign us up.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: controllers, logitech, microsoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

NeverSage @ Jan 10th 2008 2:37PM

Ehh... I don't think I'm happy about this. I love my MX518 and wouldn't want MS to go mucking around with new models. Also, Logitech and MS are healthy competitors. It's probably because of this Logitech has released such great mouse tech over the past couple years.

NeverSage @ Jan 10th 2008 2:38PM

samfish @ Jan 10th 2008 2:38PM

That would seriously suck big, big big bigbigbigbigbig balls.

paragraph @ Jan 10th 2008 2:40PM

What i'm seeing here is a chance for Microsoft to make money off of the other consoles. Who in their right mind is going to by a Microsoft Controller for the PS3? But as far as how 3rd Party perifs go, Logitech is probably the top of the list as far as consumer ratings on quality, so i think this might give Microsoft a good boost as far as that goes, also, they can use the non gaming part of logitech to help boost thier perif department, lord knowns microsoft has suck mice, and logitech is usually one of those high up there as far as quality goes on most peoples lists... so really it's win win. The bad thing though is that this probably isn't going to happen any time soon...

Sam406 @ Jan 10th 2008 2:40PM

Forgive my ignorance, but what does this mean? What will get affected?

paragraph @ Jan 10th 2008 2:45PM

I'm guessing Logitech and Microsoft...

Cyro @ Jan 10th 2008 2:52PM

Exactly, How is this going to affect anything?

Noshino @ Jan 10th 2008 3:32PM

well, put it this way

Logitech: Company with high quality products, rated high by both public and media alike

Microsoft: .......well....................

Microsoft will most likely lower the fame the logitech family of products has achieved...

rv @ Jan 10th 2008 4:28PM

Noshino do you make it a point to troll in every news story about microsoft?

Noshino @ Jan 10th 2008 4:43PM

rv, I'm sorry, but I don't focus my attention on Microsoft articles in special, I just comment on any article that I find interesting :]

Noshino @ Jan 10th 2008 4:45PM

rv,

I'm sorry, but I don't focus my attention on Microsoft articles, I just comment on any article that I happen to find interesting :]

playwhutyalike (kinda digs Manhunt 2) @ Jan 10th 2008 9:47PM

I think Microsoft will just take over the ownership part, not the development. I also think Logitech will still make quality products just under the MS banner.

I hope.

WiNG @ Jan 10th 2008 2:57PM

Please don't be true. I gave up on Microsoft mice years ago, and Logitch has a great product line. We do NOT need MS crossing the streams on this one.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Jan 10th 2008 3:34PM

don't cross the streams!

SLogo @ Jan 10th 2008 3:00PM

Microsoft does/used to make pretty good keyboards/mice (I used to use both a Microsoft keyboard and their optical intellimouse and liked both until the mouse stopped working 4 years later and I get a free logitech keyboard). The logitech replacements I have now are pretty good too (MX518 and the G15). While the loss of competition isn't good if both teams work together they could make some solid hardware for us PC gamers.

Myke @ Jan 10th 2008 3:08PM

PLEASE DONT BE TRUE!!! Logitech is a good company that makes really good products. I know gaming wise that make nice accessories for 360 and PS3 in time. M$ is really a mob. Bill Gates is the new Godfather! I never thought it was true but maybe there is a way where people can just TOO much damn $$$!

ChiTownRuler23 @ Jan 10th 2008 3:10PM

this better not mean they'll stop making their great surround sound systems and just start making only hardware for the 360.

The3rdNuisance @ Jan 10th 2008 3:19PM

Logitech MOMO Racing wheel compatible with the 360. Logitech MOMO Racing wheel compatible with the 360. Logitech MOMO Racing wheel compatible with the 360. Logitech MOMO Racing wheel compatible with the 360. Logitech MOMO Racing wheel compatible with the 360. Logitech MOMO Racing wheel compatible with the 360.

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF CHICKEN LET THAT HAPPEN!

Back to my rock then.

The3rdNuisance @ Jan 10th 2008 3:20PM

Coolie @ Jan 10th 2008 3:21PM

I hope it's true. Logitech's drivers on the Macintosh are dodgy at best. Microsoft could hopefully fix this, as the Intellimouse drivers for OS X are excellent. I love the fit and finish of Logitech's mice, but hate the software.

Spiza @ Jan 10th 2008 3:21PM

This would basically kill off one of my favorite companies. Not only are their keyboards/mice/remotes great products, but they also have really good customer service. If MS buys them, I'll never buy another Logitech product again because I know MS will ruin it. Customer service will go down the toilet, and MS will probably ruin their PC peripheral devices just like they ruined their own line a few years back.

Sweet Tooth @ Jan 10th 2008 3:29PM

"... the company seems to be a non-issue on the current platforms".

Not so. Logitech makes many fine controllers for the PS3 and the PC. Microsoft requires licensing on 3rd party peripherals for the XBox 360 and it's a very strict policy. They use a propietary wireless technology for the XBox 360 controller and won't allow license any 3rd party wireless peripherals at all with the exception of the Guitar Hero 3 controller.
There are very few 3rd party controllers available for the XBox 360 relative to other platforms. There's little else available for the 360 other than Mad Catz.

Microsoft likes propietary technologies. 360's memory card? Propietary. 360's hard drive? Propietary. You can't just stick any USB gaming peripheral into an XBox 360 and expect it to work. XBox 360 is deigned to shut out any peripherals that weren't licensed by Microsoft. PS3 and Wii have no such licensing restrictions that I've ever heard of. Microsoft believes in monopolies. The anti-trust lawsuits over Windows a few years ago whould remind you of this.

I own a 360, a PS3, and a Wii and I do like the 360 but I hate Microsoft's business practices. I don't like the sound of Logitech being bought by Microsoft. That will likely lead to fewer choices for the consumer.

DangerMouse @ Jan 10th 2008 3:30PM

I could care less. The best mouse i ever had was the intellimouse 3.0. After 3 years, it finally crapped out, and by that time they had discontinued the model. Since then i've had the MX510, which i hated with a passion. It felt terrible, so i ended up buying another logitech which resembled the intellimouse, so i'm pretty happy with it. Now they've reissused the intellimouse 3.0, but they were too late for me.

Zootittles @ Jan 10th 2008 3:31PM

That would be too bad. Logitech made an excellent (if not exactly long-lasting) wireless controller for the PS2. I haven't tried their PS3 controller, but I would assume it is up to the same level of quality. Their controllers are the high standard for 3rd party peripherals, and without them we'd be stuck with Madcatz or whatever else there is.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Jan 10th 2008 3:39PM

I hear that the Logitech controller for PS3 has no motion controls.
Have fun trying to shake cursed Spaniards off you.

colin @ Jan 10th 2008 10:25PM

i had their wireless original xbox controllers. they were the shiznick. they were an improvement on msofts design (smaller than the fatty and more contoured), wireless, and the batteries lasted forever.

deaftly @ Jan 10th 2008 3:59PM

How is this bad news?

skullivan @ Jan 10th 2008 4:01PM

Microsoft needs to buy some game companies and get more games on the 360. Last year they lost Bungie, Bizarre, and Bioware, and they are going to make up for it by buying a hardware company?

If Logitech can design a decent d-pad for future Xbox controllers though, I'm all for it :p